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- Jesus had been preparing his disciples for His death. He knew that after He got to Jerusalem, He would be arrested and crucified.
- Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was a time of celebration because it was part of God’s plan of salvation, and righetousness.
- Celebration: Jesus is King
- When Jesus entered Jerusalem, his disciples and the crowd began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice while waving palm leaves: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD! Hosanna in the highest!”
- Whether they understood it or not, the crowds were praising Jesus as their king.
- The Pharisees weren’t very happy that the crowds were praising Jesus … whom they saw as only a man. But Jesus told them, even if the crowds didn’t praise Him, the stones would cry out as creation cannot deny the fact that Jesus was God.
- Imagine the stones on the road shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Hosanna!”
- Jesus is our Salvation
- The Prophet Zechariah had prophesied about it in Zech 9: 9 “ Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you;
- He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.
- Jesus’ coming into Jerusalem was a time of celebration because He was going to bring God’s salvation to His people — Jesus had to come to take our place so that we can have His life in us. He died so that we could live.
- Jesus is our Righteousness (optional for younger class)
- There was another prophecy back in Genesis that talks about the coming of the Saviour. Before Jacob died, he blessed his 12 sons. For Judah, the ancestor of Jesus, he said: 10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people. 11 Binding his donkey to the vine, And his donkey’s colt to the choice vine, He washed his garments in wine, And his clothes in the blood of grapes. (Gen 49:10-11)
- Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, and the people put their clothes on the donkey and on the ground as he passed by.
- In Jacob’s blessing, he speaks of the donkey being tied to the choice vine, the best vine. This vine if Jesus (John 15) and the new life He gives us when we are tied to Him.
- Jacob also spoke about clothes being washed in the blood of grapes. Our clothes — our own “righteousness” — are filthy rags, torn and dirty. This blood of grapes refer to Jesus’ blood — He washes us clean and clothes us in robes of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10).
- So let’s throw down our own clothes, our filthy rags, and let Jesus wash us clean and call us righteous!
- When Jesus entered Jerusalem, He knew He was going to be killed. He didn’t go in reluctantly or hesitantly. He went in boldly, to the cheers and cries of many. Because He knew that the victory was His already — salvation and redemption has come!
- And like the crowds in Jesus’ time, and the stones that would have cried out, let’s praise Him and worship Him for He is our King who loves us so much!
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Dr. Lewis S. Owings
A Brief Biography
By W. T. Block
The writer is indebted to Brad Veek, David Owings, and B. C. Thomas for sharing info
In a remote corner of Oakwood Cemetery near Denison, Texas, there lies all that is earthly, that is, the remains of Dr. Lewis S. Owings. And until recently those remains lay in absolute anonymity and obscurity for that pioneer Texan, who added a remarkable dimension to the history of the Southwestern States. Of course, he was not a figure of the magnitude of Sam Houston or William B. Travis; nevertheless his contributions to the history of Texas and Arizona are significant and deserve to be recorded for posterity.
There are still disputes among collateral descendents of Owings, which the writer does not wish to become embroiled in. Some believe that his middle name was Solomon, while others believe it was Sumpter. Some believe that he was born in North Carolina instead of Tennessee. Lewis S. Owings was born on Sept. 20, 1820, most probably in Post Oak Springs, Roane County, Tennessee.1
The first thirty years of L. S. Owings’ life are draped in mystery and obscurity. Hence, nothing is known of his common school education. Several primary sources list him as being a physician, but again nothing is known of his medical training. During that age around 1840, frontier physicians sometimes obtained that status either by graduating from a medical college, or else by apprenticing themselves to a practicing physician. Some have stated that Owings never practiced medicine, apparently because he was involved in storekeeping, realty ventures or other vocations. It should be noted that practicing medicine on a sparse frontier was seldom self-sustaining, and most all physicians engaged in another pursuit in order to support families.2
Somehow a myth has evolved that L. S. Owings participated in the Battle of San Jacinto, but there is no known primary source to substantiate that claim. In Arkansas, Owings watched as a neighbor, Henry Wax Karnes marched away, ultimately to command a company at that battle. However a list of the participants of that battle, of Capt. Karnes’ company muster roll, and an index containing the names of 6,000 Texas veterans, who served as Texas soldiers between 1835 and 1845 do not bear any record that Owings ever shouldered arms in defense of Texas. And he is also not listed in Dixon and Kemp’s The Heroes of San Jacinto. Also a letter to this writer from the Texas State Library and Archives confirms that Owings was awarded no military bounty or donation land grants for military service. However, the Texas General Land Office does have records of land grants in Milam and Montague counties, whereby Owings bought and patented land purchased from other parties.3
The 1850 Yell County, Arkansas census is one of the earliest primary source documents about L. S. Owings. On Oct. 28, 1850 he was enumerated at the residence 19-19, page 478, at the house of his father-in-law, Timothy Haney, born in Virginia. Owings was recorded as age 32 (no explanation for discrepancy), born in Tennessee. His wife, Elizabeth Haney Owings, was enumerated as being age 24 and born in Mississippi.4
Soon afterward, about 1851, L. S. Owings left for Texas, for the region now known as Karnes County, and to an old Spanish village formerly known as Alamita. Apparently Owings’ wife had died in the meantime; a most likely guess would be in childbirth. One biographer noted that Owings was sometimes nicknamed “pegleg,” since one of his legs was visibly shorter than the other.5
In 1852 Owings entered into a partnership with Thomas Ruckman to found the town of Helena in present-day Karnes County. Since Owings married his second wife, Helen Marr Swisher, on Jan. 5, 1852 in Ellis County, he named his new town after her given name of Helen. Helen Swisher was born near Nashville, Tennessee, on Sept. 4, 1831, and she came with her parents to Texas in 1850. In the 1860 census in New Mexico, her younger sister, Amanda Swisher, was living in the same household. No children resulted from the Owings-Swisher marriage.6
Dr. Owings was appointed the first postmaster of Helena, then in Goliad County, on Nov. 7, 1853, and he relinquished that post to his partner Ruckman a year later. From 1852 until 1858 the two men were partners in the Ruckman-Owings Mercantile Company. Dr. Owings also operated a separate stage line of 4-horse coaches, which connected San Antonio with Goliad. During the mid-1850s, the so-called “Cart War” broke out along that same route, where Mexican freighters operated ox carts hauling merchandise between Indianola and San Antonio. However, Texans wanted only Anglo citizens as teamsters on that route, and the resulting violence killed several Mexican teamsters.
Helena reached fruition after the Civil War, long after Owings had moved. At one time it had a courthouse, jail, 3 churches, 2 newspapers, and several other businesses, but the town declined rapidly to ghost town status after 1884, when the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad bypassed it.7
In 1854 Ruckman and Owings petitioned the state legislature to organize a new county out of parts of Bexar, Goliad, Gonzales, and Dewitt counties. On Feb. 4, 1854, the legislature granted their petition, with Helena as the county seat. Owings named the new county after his Arkansas friend, the San Jacinto veteran Henry W. Karnes, after which a courthouse was built at Helena. An election for county officers was held at the Ruckman-Owings store on Feb. 27, 1854.8
In 1855 Dr. Owings ran for representative in the state legislature and was elected. According to his biographer, he ran for reelection in 1857 on a platform to amend the state constitution to permit the establishment of banks. Owings was vilified in the newspapers as being “pro-bank” and as a “jockey for the bank horses.” A very “anti-banking” mentality prevailed among pioneer Texans, and as a result, he was defeated.9
It will probably never be known for certain why Dr. Owings choose to move to Mesilla, New Mexico. He was perhaps despondent about his failure to win reelection. However, gold was discovered by Jacob Snively in Gila City, Yuma County, Arizona in 1857. And gold was also discovered at Birchfield or Pinos Altos, north of Silver City in Grant County, New Mexico in 1859.10 Nevertheless, Cochise and his Apaches were attacking sporadically as far east as Mesilla.
Also in 1857, Dr. Owings met Bredett C. Murray, his future brother-in-law, who was born in Michigan in 1837. A college graduate, Murray was also well-trained as a printer, and when Dr. Owings left for New Mexico, Murray followed in a wagon train, bringing with him a complete printing press; and he founded the Mesilla Times in 1859. Previously for a time, Murray was in the mercantile business with Dr. Owings in San Antonio. In 1866 Murray married Amanda Swisher, Mrs. Owings’ sister, who formerly had lived in the Owings’ household.11
In 1860 Dr. L. S. and Helen Owings were enumerated in the Dona Ana County, New Mexico census, he again as a physician, while the couple was living in Mesilla. His sister-in-law, Amanda Swisher, age 13, was recorded as living within their household.12
At that time, the Apaches were attacking all around Mesilla. Murray was editor of the Mesilla Times, and he used the Times for his outspoken editorials about that area’s lack of protection from the Indians. Owings petitioned the territorial governor in Santa Fe, but received no satisfaction that aid was forthcoming.13
In the meantime, Dr. Owings was again in the mercantile business, and also in the process of acquiring a $70,000 gold nest egg as a result of his realty dealings and the sale of his Pinos Altos mining claims.14 Meanwhile, the settlers of Dona Ana, Grant and neighboring counties, as well as settlers in Tuscon and the Gadsden Purchase strip, decided to request territorial status for Arizona, to consist of the southern portions of both states, that is, all the territory south of 33 degrees, 45 minutes. Thirteen towns and 31 delegates met at Tuscon on April 2-5, 1860 to draw up a territorial constitution, at which time Dr. Owings was elected unanimously as provisional governor. He was authorized to appoint a roster of officials to create judicial districts and to convene a bicameral legislature.15
Commensurate with his appointment as governor, Dr. Owings organized the first Arizona Territorial Rangers, which consisted at first of one company under Capt. James Henry Tevis (also spelled Tavis, Travis). Their headquarters for the next year was at the gold mining town of Pinos Altos, north of present-day Silver City. That first company remained intact for one year, after which they embraced the Confederate cause, and restructured themselves to become the nucleus of the Confederate Arizona Brigade. That brigade soon became an active and vital component for the defense of Texas.16
In Oct., 1860, Gov. and Mrs. Owings visited the Pinos Altos gold mines at Birchville, where they were given a grand reception. At that time, “Mr. Catlett, on behalf of the miners, presented Mrs. Owings with 44 fine specimens of Pino Alto gold nuggets...”17
The Civil War erupted in April, 1861, but with the slow movement of the times, the news may not have reached Mesilla until June. Both Dr. Owings and B. C. Murray quickly cast their lots with the Confederacy, and probably longed for enough troops to keep New Mexico in the Confederacy. Already a contingent of Federal troops occupied the territorial capitol of Santa Fe. About Sept. 1, 1861, Dr. Owings and B. C. Murray returned to Texas, the latter with the Arizona Brigade. Apparently Dr. Owings already had plans to entreat the Confederate Congress to approve the new Arizona territorial status, and to solicit Confederate troops for the defense of New Mexico. Actually about Jan. 1, 1862 Confederate Gen. H. H. Sibley and Col. W. R. Scurry had already invaded New Mexico with about 2,500 Texas troops. However, they were defeated at the Battles of Valverde (Feb. 1, 1862) and Glorietta (Mar. 27, 1862) by Union Gen. E. R. S. Canby and Maj. John Chivington, after which Sibley’s army retreated to Texas.18
Apparently Dr. Owings departed from Texas about Oct. 1, 1861, and it seems certain that his mission involved the New Mexico and Arizona territories. On Dec. 20, 1861, he wrote a letter to his wife that he was preparing to depart from Richmond, and that his journey to New Orleans would consume only 4 days. (The latter statement seems quite far-fetched, considering the slow modes of travel during Civil War days.)19
Other letters were written by Dr. Owings to Amanda Swisher, his sister-in-law, from New Orleans on April 27 and 28, 1862. Owings wrote that 15 “Yankee” gunboats were anchored in the Mississippi River opposite New Orleans, but that the city had not yet surrendered. He added that the Confederates had already burned all Rebel boats in the harbor, also 20,000 bales of cotton in storage; they had also poured all sacks of sugar into the river, and emptied all barrels of molasses into the streets. He asked Amanda to mail him two letters, one addressed to Alexandria, LA., and the other to Jackson, MS. Owings hoped to engage a schooner to carry him to the mouth of Red River, from whence he thought the journey to Chapell Hill, TX would consume only 15 days. 20
It appeared that Dr. Owings spent the remainder of the war years in San Antonio, where biographer Overbeck reported that in 1865, “Dr. Owings was financially strapped, in poor health, dividing his time between San Antonio and his ranch outside the city...”21
Some sources have credited Dr. Owings with founding several newspapers (i.e.: Mesilla Times, San Antonio Express, Austin Democratic Statesman, Denison Daily News), but obviously credit for the purchase and operation of those papers belong to B. C. Murray, who was the printer. Whatever extent that Owings was involved in their operation amounted only to the business end because of his partnership and relationship with Murray.22
About 1871, Owings went north briefly to Kansas, where he became general passenger agent for the Leavenworth, Lawrence and Galveston Railroad. However, when the Missouri, Kansas, Texas rails reached Denison in 1872, Dr. Owings implanted his feet in the soil of that city for the remainder of his life.
According to Overbeck, Dr. Owings entered the livery stable business soon afterward, and had “a 125 horse remuda plus one of the first wells in the city... He also supplied buggies and all their trappings, and acted as commissioner (cotton chandler or factor) for merchandise, cotton, wool and hides...”23
On March 7, 1873 Denison became an incorporated city by act of the state legislature. It was named for the railroad vice president, George Denison, and on March 14, 1873, Owing read his first proclamation to the new city council, as the new town’s first mayor.24
On Dec. 27, 1873, the Denison Daily News published the following ad:
As Overbeck again stated, the “one quality that Owings lacked was good health,” and his resignation as mayor was accepted by the city council in May, 1873. Owings sold out his livery stable and cotton commission business, and began to travel, probably in the west for his health. His last business transaction was a realty and legal partnership with E. S. Bell in March, 1875. Thereafter he was virtually bedfast as his health continued to decline, and he died on Aug. 20, 1875.25 His widow Helen resided with the B. C. Murray family for all/most of the remainder of her life until her death on June 4, 1910.26
Unfortunately, Dr. Owings’ grave was to remain in hopeless oblivion and obscurity in Oakwood Cemetery for most of a century. Fortunately, B. C. Thomas of Foster City, California has now erected at his own expense an elaborate monument that relates many of Dr. Owings’ accomplishments.
Dr. Lewis S. Owings lived during a period of frontier America when life was harsh and travel was “ox cart slow.” And sadly many episodes of his early life, his medical training for instance, are still unknown. Nevertheless, he faced and overcame that frontier harshness, and served as a state representative, provisional governor and town mayor because people believed in him, and until bad health forced his retirement. Although some writers have voiced their disbelief that he ever practiced medicine, the writer believes that indeed he had a frontier medical practice interspersed with his mercantile and realty activities, even if the circumstances of that practice are lost to posterity. Owings may not have confronted his enemies on the battlefield, but until his death he did fight for the principles that he thought would advance the cause of humanity. And for those reasons alone, a decent biography of his life should survive for the information and edification of generations of Americans still unborn.
1 Owings obituary, Denison Cresset, Aug. 23, 1875.
2 Seventh Census of the United States, 1850, Yell Co., Ark., page 478.
3 Letter, Texas State Library and Archives to W. T. Block, Jan. 10, 2005; also S. H. Dixon and L. W. Kemp, The Heroes of San Jacinto (Houston: 1932).
4 Email, David Owings to W. T. Block, Jan. 11, 2005; see also footnote 2; also A. D. ad E. S. Owings, “Owings and Allied Families,” (New Orleans: 1976), pp. 220-223.
5 Ruth Ann Overbeck, “Biography of Dr. L. S. Owings,” Denison (TX) Herald, Jan. 25, 1972, p. 12.
6 “Obituary of Helen Swisher Owings,” Denison (TX) Gazetteer, June 12, 1910.
7 “Helena, Texas” and the “Cart War,” in Handbook of Texas online.
8 “Karnes County,” in Handbook of Texas online
9 Overbeck, “Biography of L. S. Owings,” Denison Herald, June 25, 1972.
10 James McBride, “General Mining in Arizona;” Mesilla (NM) Times, Oct. 25, 1860; Robert Woznicki, History of Yuma, Ch. V; R. C. Jones, Ghost Towns of New Mexico.
11 Biography of B. C. Murray, A Paper read at the Red River Historical Society, Sherman, TX, Dec. 11, 1926.
12 A. D. and E. S. Owings, “Owings and Allied Families,” p. 222.
13 Jay J. Wagoner, Early Arizona (Univ. of Arizona Press: 1976), pp. 370-371.
14 Overbeck, “Owings Biography,” Denison Herald, June 25, 1972.
15 Wagoner, Early Arizona, pp. 370-371; History of Arizona, Vol. I: Chapter XIX: Early Settlements and First Attempts at Organization, Univ. of Arizona, p. 325.
16 “The Original Arizona Territorial Rangers,” in Wikipedia: Thomas D. Gilbert, Arizona Confederate History.
17 “Grand Reception Given Governor Owings at the Pinos Altos Gold Mines,” Mesilla Times, October 25, 1860.
18 Biography of “Gen . E. R. S. Canby” and “Battle of Glorietta, NM.” in Handbook of Texas online.
19 Letter, Dr. L. S. Owings to Helen Owings, Richmond, VA., Dec. 20, 1861 in the Owings/Murray Collection.
20 Letter, Owings to Amanda Swisher, New Orleans, April 27, 28, 1862, in the Owings/Murray Collection.
21 Overbeck, “Biography of Dr. Owings,” Denison Herald, June 25, 1972.
22 Biography of B. C. Murray, A Paper Read before the Red River Historical Society, Sherman, Ts., Dec. 4, 1926.
23 See Overbeck, FN. 21.
24 “Early History of Denison, Texas,” online; “First Proclamation Issued in Denison by Mayor L. S. Owings,” March 14, 1873, also online.
25 Overbeck, FN21.
26 “Obituary of Helen Swisher Owings,” Denison Sunday Gazetteer, June 12, 1910.
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SEATTLE, April 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In 1953, painter Paul Klee described the creative process as a feedback loop where artists continually switch between "making a mark on canvas, perceiving the effect, and reacting with a further mark," over and over again until the completion of an artwork. At least three robots in the first annual international Robot Art Contest have utilized this concept to blur the line between human and machine creativity. These robots are eDavid of Germany, TAIDA of Taiwan, and cloudPainter of the United States.
Not only do each of these robots mimic human artists by painting with a brush, but they also have a camera watching the canvas they are painting. Similar to how artists take a step back to evaluate their work, these cameras are continually watching the canvas, or in Paul Klee's words "perceiving the effect" of their painting. With each brushstroke, these robots compare the canvas to the image they are trying to paint, and evaluate their own progress to decide the next strokes.
The specifics of how each robot evaluates its work differs, though the explanation provided by each team sounds remarkably similar to an artist describing their creative process.
eDavid's creators Oliver Deussen and Thomas Lindemeier write that "Painting can be seen as an optimization process in which color is manually distributed on a canvas until one is able to recognize the content." Their robot sets out to demonstrate this approach by beginning with a picture and applying brushstrokes, evaluating each stroke as it works towards an optimized ideal. eDavid's paintings begins as a blurred image that sharpens over time as the robot optimizes an image into existence.
TAIDA, the creation of Ming-Jyun Hong, employs a more traditional approach to painting. Two aspects of its creative process that make it notable look back to the classical roots of painting. The first is that the robot begins by applying an underpainting to set the tone of the image before working on a refinement layer. The second is that the robot paints from a limited set of pigments that include only cyan, yellow, magenta, black, and white. Like an old master, TAIDA mixes all its paints on a side palette before applying it to the canvas.
Pindar Van Arman's cloudPainter takes the creative process beyond the canvas and into the realm of creating original compositions. Not only does his robot use feedback loops in an attempt to replicate human creativity, but it also uses algorithms to create unique compositions. When creating portraits, his robot takes its own photographs, selects a favorite based on aesthetic criteria, and then uses further heuristics to crop the photo and select a color palette for it. All this before the painting even begins. His robot then attempts to make the canvas look more like its original composition one brush stroke at a time. Eventually, it observes that new brushstrokes are no longer making the canvas any more like the original composition at which point Van Arman tells us "The robot decides it has done the best it can, and stops."
While artistic machines have been around for years, these robots represent a new generation of self evaluating creative robots. They create not by random application of paint to a canvas, but by applying intentional brushstrokes in an attempt to achieve an artistic composition. Furthermore, they do not merely execute the instructions of their creators, but attempt to evaluate how well they are progressing towards their own goals and make adjustments based on their own progress. These robots paint with a mixture of rules and serendipity, like a human painter.
While the question remains of whether the robots or their creators are the artists behind these paintings, the creative process is being executed independently by each robot. As these robots are painting without a premeditated plan or set of instructions, it would appear that they are at least simulating creativity. Considering how close to a human's creative process they are, it is even worth seeing whether or not they are achieving actual creativity.
The work of these robots and other competitors can be seen at robotart.org where they are competing for $100,000 in prizes. Voting is open to the public for next several weeks with winners of this inaugural competition being announced on May 15th.
--- Contact Information on Further Resources ---
eDavid, TAIDA, and cloudPainter are currently competing in the 2016 Robot Art Contest against two dozen other teams from 8 countries on 4 continents. Their paintings and the works of all the competitors can be seen at robotart.org. Also feel free to contact the following team captains and the contest organizer for more information about these painting machines and the competition. Also feel free to contact any of following for more images
robotart.org Sponsor and Contest Organizer
Contest Website: robotart.org
This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com
SOURCE Robot Art Contest | robotart.org
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Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants - Online edition
Thespesia populnea (L.) Sol. ex Correa
Correa da Serra, J.F. (1807) Annales du Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle 8: 290. Lectotype: "Ceylon, Herb. Hermann, Vol. IV, fol. 34, Linn. n. 258 (lectotype: BM)."
Tulip Tree; Indian Tulip Tree; Portia Tree; Pacific Rosewood
Shrub or tree to 12 m. Blaze finely layered.
Flowers large, solitary in the leaf axils, pedicels about 2.5-10 cm long. Epicalyx segments 3, often present in more mature buds and occasionally in flowers. Calyx +/- cupular with minute teeth, but spreading as the flower develops. Corolla large, about 6-7 cm long, mainly yellow (red towards the base) but turning pink or red throughout following anthesis. Stamens fused to form a central column, anthers horseshoe-shaped. Ovules 4 per locule.
Cotyledons transversely elliptic, about 19-27 x 31-47 mm, 5-veined, numerous dark red glands visible with a lens. At the tenth leaf stage: leaves cordate, apex acuminate, base cordate, leaf blade glabrous with a few reddish scales on the upper surface; numerous oil glands visible with a lens; petiole, stem and terminal bud clothed in round or stellate reddish scales; stipules linear, about 2 mm long. Seed germination time 46 days.
Occurs in CYP, NEQ and CEQ. Altitudinal range very small, at or slightly above sea level. Grows in beach forest, gallery forest (particularly on banks of tidal streams) and on beaches. Also throughout the tropics.
Hibiscus populneus L., Species Plantarum 2: 694 (1753), Lectotype: "Ceylon, Herb. Hermann, Vol. IV, fol. 34, Linn. n. 258 (lectotype: BM)."
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International Tolerance Day
Date When Celebrated : Always November 16
International Tolerance Day is an annual event, celebrated around the world. It was created and is sponsored by UNESCO. The United Nations is committed to strengthening tolerance by fostering mutual understanding among cultures and peoples. This is especially needed in these times of war, terrorism, and disregard for human life. Countries around the world celebrate this day, by holding conferences, fairs and other events to teach the meaning and importance of tolerance, and encourage individuals and groups to practice tolerance, respect and dignity.
According to UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon: "The United Nations promotes tolerance as a matter of its fundamental identity. When tolerance is upheld, we encourage the world to emulate those fine examples. When tolerance is threatened, we must speak out." UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon
If you are in a position to do so, create an event for your company, organization or group, to promote and teach tolerance. As an individual look for events on this day, where you can participate.
For more information see the entire Declaration of Principles on Tolerance
Origin of International Tolerance Day:
International Tolerance Day was proclaimed in 1993 by the UN General Assembly. 1995 was declared Year of Tolerance, and then this day became an annual event, sponsored and promoted by UNESCO. In 1996, the UN issued resolution 51/95, encouraging all member nations to participate in this day.
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Copyright 2000-2018: Holiday Insights © By Premier Star Company
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- UNESCO-IOC Register of Marine Organisms
Specific records: Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea (Socotra), Madagascar, Lakshadweep, W Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Yap, Pohnpei (Micronesia), Papua New Guinea, Bismarck Sea, Great Barrier Reef, Solomon Islands (DeVantier and Turak pers. comm.).
Randall and Cheng (1984) give the range from Red Sea to the Ellice Islands, and New Hebrides to Taiwan.
Razak and Hoeksema (2003) give Indonesia, Australia west and east coast, Xisha Is, China, Guam, Japan, Philippines, South China Sea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.
Habitat and Ecology
Millepora species are generally found in inshore areas characterized by turbidity, and exhibit a tolerance for siltation. They often occur in clear offshore sites (Lovell pers. comm.)
IUCN Red List Assessment
Red List Category
Red List Criteria
There is no species specific population information available for this species. However, there is evidence that overall coral reef habitat has declined, and this is used as a proxy for population decline for this species. This species is more resilient to some of the threats faced by corals and therefore population decline is estimated using the percentage of destroyed reefs only (Wilkinson 2004). We assume that most, if not all, mature individuals will be removed from a destroyed reef and that on average, the number of individuals on reefs are equal across its range and proportional to the percentage of destroyed reefs. Reef losses throughout the species' range have been estimated over three generations, two in the past and one projected into the future.
The age of first maturity of most reef building corals is typically three to eight years (Wallace 1999) and therefore we assume that average age of mature individuals is greater than eight years. Furthermore, based on average sizes and growth rates, we assume that average generation length is 10 years, unless otherwise stated. Total longevity is not known, but likely to be more than ten years. Therefore any population decline rates for the Red List assessment are measured over at least 30 years. Follow the link below for further details on population decline and generation length estimates.
In general, the major threat to corals is global climate change, in particular, temperature extremes leading to bleaching and increased susceptibility to disease, increased severity of ENSO events and storms, and ocean acidification. In addition to global climate change, corals are also threatened by disease, and a number of localized threats. The severity of these combined threats to the global population of each individual species is not known.
Coral disease has emerged as a serious threat to coral reefs worldwide and is a major cause of reef deterioration (Weil et al. 2006). The numbers of diseases and coral species affected, as well as the distribution of diseases have all increased dramatically within the last decade (Porter et al. 2001, Green and Bruckner 2000, Sutherland et al. 2004, Weil 2004). Coral disease epizootics have resulted in significant losses of coral cover and were implicated in the dramatic decline of acroporids in the Florida Keys (Aronson and Precht 2001, Porter et al. 2001, Patterson et al. 2002). In the Indo-Pacific, disease is also on the rise with disease outbreaks recently reported from the Great Barrier Reef (Willis et al. 2004), Marshall Islands (Jacobson 2006) and the northwestern Hawaiian Islands (Aeby 2006). Increased coral disease levels on the Great Barrier Reef were correlated with increased ocean temperatures (Willis et al. 2007) supporting the prediction that disease levels will be increasing with higher sea surface temperatures. Escalating anthropogenic stressors combined with the threats associated with global climate change of increases in coral disease, frequency and duration of coral bleaching and ocean acidification place coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific at high risk of collapse.
Localized threats to corals include fisheries, human development (industry, settlement, tourism, and transportation), changes in native species dynamics (competitors, predators, pathogens and parasites), invasive species (competitors, predators, pathogens and parasites), dynamite fishing, chemical fishing, pollution from agriculture and industry, domestic pollution, sedimentation, and human recreation and tourism activities.
Recommended measures for conserving this species include research in taxonomy, population, abundance and trends, ecology and habitat status, threats and resilience to threats, restoration action; identification, establishment and management of new protected areas; expansion of protected areas; recovery management; and disease, pathogen and parasite management. Artificial propagation and techniques such as cryo-preservation of gametes may become important for conserving coral biodiversity.
Having timely access to national-level trade data for CITES analysis reports would be valuable for monitoring trends this species. The species is targeted by collectors for the aquarium trade and fisheries management is required for the species, e.g., Marine Protected Areas, quotas, size limits, etc. Consideration of the suitability of species for aquaria should also be included as part of fisheries management, and population surveys should be carried out to monitor the effects of harvesting.
Net fire coral
Like all fire corals, the net fire coral is a hydrozoan, consisting of a colony of polyps with a calcareous skeleton. Part of the metabolism of the fire coral relies on zooxanthellae included in their anatomy. They are found from the Red Sea to Samoa and South Africa. They form fan-shaped colonies up to 60 cm across, but clumps may be several metres across. Coloured mustard to olive-yellow, the fans form in a single plane.
Feeding polyps snare plankton from the passing current along exposed portions of upper reef slopes up to 15 m depth, growing transverse to the prevailing current to ensure maximum exposure to passing foodstuff. The stinging nematocysts contain a toxin which causes painful burn-like wounds on contact. At worst, this may cause collapse in those with a severe allergic reaction. Skin irritation may continue for up to two weeks.
- Lieske, E. and Myers, R.F. (2004) Coral reef guide; Red Sea London, HarperCollins ISBN 0-00-715986-2
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Researchers opened up a new realm of research into treatment and a cure when they discovered the primary genetic defect that causes cystic fibrosis (CF) back in 1989.
Since then, scientists have been able to clone the defective gene and study its effects in animals. Now researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have developed a technique for observing the defects at work in human tissue donated by patients with CF.
This technique has yielded an extraordinary view of the cellular intricacies of CF, which Martina Gentzsch, assistant professor of cell and developmental biology, will discuss at the 7th International Symposium on Aldosterone and the ENaC/Degenerin Family of Ion Channels, being held September 18-22 in Pacific Grove, Calif. The meeting is sponsored by the American Physiological Society. Her poster presentation is entitled, "The Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Inhibits Proteolytic Stimulation of ENaC."
Ion Transport Processes in CF
Cystic fibrosis is caused by a mutation in the gene that encodes a protein called cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), which functions as a chloride channel at the surface of airways and moves chloride out of the cells. CFTR also regulates another protein called epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), which is responsible for transporting sodium into cells. Thus far, scientists have been able to establish that when the CFTR mutation is present, ENaC becomes overactive and causes the cells in the lungs to absorb too much sodium. Water follows the sodium from the cells' surfaces into the cells, and as a result, the airways become dry and mucous becomes thick and sticky, leading to infections in the lungs.
To observe how CFTR regulates ENaC, Dr. Gentzsch and her team took cells from healthy lung tissue and CF lung tissue and maintained them in a liquid medium. The cells' surfaces were exposed to air, which prompted the cells to grow and behave as though they were still inside human lungs. Then the team studied proteolytic cleavage of ENaC, a process in which the ENaC protein is cut by enzymes called proteases at specific sites on the protein. This limited cleavage causes ENaC to become active. When the team analyzed the cells' behavior, they found that ENaC was more likely to have undergone cleavage in cells from CF tissue.
According to Dr. Gentzsch, these observations prompted two questions. First, what role does CFTR play in regulating ENaC cleavage? Second, why is ENaC cleavage not regulated in CF?
"CFTR binds to ENaC, so our initial thought was that close contact of ENaC to CFTR protects ENaC from being cleaved. But another possibility is that CFTR is responsible for suppressing ENaC cleavage and activation," said Dr. Gentzsch. In other words, the absence of a normally functioning CFTR protein may cause ENaC overactivity. Because there is more cleavage when the CFTR mutation is present, it implies that healthy CFTR prevents ENaC cleavage and activation, but defective CFTR does not.
Either way, Dr. Gentzsch feels that both CFTR and ENaC should be considered when developing therapies for CF. "Successful treatments should address both decreased CFTR function and increased salt absorption caused by ENaC overactivity."
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“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” - Benjamin Franklin
Like the legend said involvement is imperative to make student learn and keep engaged them in learning thoroughly. Hands-on learning is a great way to apply a twist to traditional course content and engage students on a deeper level. Such classroom activities are helpful as they not only engage students in the academia but also help them to develop some of the essential skills also known as 21st Century Skills. These skills are Problem solving, Creative, Critical & Analytic thinking, Collaboration, Communication Ethics, action, & accountability and Digital Citizenship.
In this post, I’ll be talking of classroom activities for Creative Thinking, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Entrepreneurship, and Inquiry Based Learning/Student Engagement which will help students to develop all the 21st century skills mentioned above (Except Digital Citizenship: that’s for the next time).
Creativity is when a person is being able to come up with different ideas. Although many speak of it as a natural phenomenon, I think if done rightly we can help students develop and explore the creative side to them. Creativity doesn’t just happen. It needs to be cultivated. Creativity can be Allowed, Encouraged, Displayed, Recognized and rewarded, Developed and Discussed.
Activities mentioned below are to promote Creativity within your classroom.
- Think-Pair-Share: This activity is a great way for students to be able to pause and process what they have just learned. Ask the class a question that they must first consider by themselves then give them the opportunity to discuss it with their neighbor. Once they’ve discussed the question, students are then open to share their answers with the class. By giving them this time, you are enabling them to be more engaged in their learning
- Gap Fill In: Students are shown a picture, projected in the front of the room, if possible. At the top of their paper, students should write: "What is happening in this picture?" At the bottom of the page, they should answer with what they believe is happening in the photo simply in 1-2 sentences or according to the age/grade this activity is being done with.
In the middle of the page students write down all of the steps they took to arrive at that answer. Students are encouraged to write down the evidence they see that supports their conclusion.
This activity not only uses evidence, but supports Meta cognition skills by asking what prior knowledge brought you to your conclusion. This is a good activity to Bell Work or "Do Now."
- Reader’s Theater: In groups, create a dramatic script based on the ideas within a given text. Do not script word for word. The idea is to get off the page and represent the idea in the students’ own words.
- Big Paper-Building a Silent Conversation: Writing (or drawing) and silence are used as tools to slow down thinking and allow for silent reflection, unfiltered. By using silence and writing, students can focus on other viewpoints. This activity uses a driving question, markers, and Big Paper (poster-sized is best). Students work in pairs or threes to have a conversation on the Big Paper.
Students can write at will, but it must be done in silence after a reflection on the driving question. This strategy is great for introverts, and provides a readymade visual record of thought for later.
Group Based Learning helps students develop many essential skills such as collaboration, cooperation as well as helps them come up with different ideas. Listed below are activities to promote Group based learning among students.
- It’s a Mystery: Many children (and grown-ups) enjoy a good mystery, so educators must design one that must be solved cooperatively. Give each student a numbered clue. In order to solve the mystery — say, the case of the missing mascot — children must work together to solve the clues in order. The “case” might require them to move from one area of the room to the next, uncovering more clues.
- Case study: Create four to five case studies of similar difficulty.
Have students work in groups of four or five to work through and analyze their case study.
Provide 10-15 minutes (or adequate time to work through the cases).
Walk around and address any questions.
Call on groups randomly and ask that students share their analysis. Continue until each case study has been addressed.
- A Shrinking Vessel: This game requires a good deal of strategy in addition to team work. Its rules are deceptively simple: The entire group must find a way to occupy a space that shrinks over time, until they are packed creatively like sardines. You can form the boundary with a rope, a tarp or blanket being folded over or small traffic cones.
- Go for Gold: Teams have a common objective, but instead of each one having the same materials, they have access to a whole cache of materials. For instance, the goal might be to create a contraption with pipes, rubber tubing and pieces of cardboard that can carry a marble from point A to point B in a certain number of steps, using only gravity.
- Minefield: Another classic team-building game. Arrange some sort of obstacle course and divide students into teams. Students take turns navigating the “mine field” while blindfolded, with only their teammates to guide them. You can also require students to only use certain words or clues to make it challenging or content-area specific.
Activities for Critical Thinking Skills on next page..
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An interdisciplinary team, which includes scientists, engineers and physicians from Harvard University and the Institute of cancer research Dana-Farber announced the first phase of clinical trials of the experimental method melanoma therapy via implanted under the skin of the vaccine.
About the successful testing of a new method in mice with melanoma, the authors reported back in November 2009 in the journal Science Translational Medicine , and now intend to test the effectiveness and safety of mining on the people. Most current therapeutic cancer vaccines involve removing immune cells from the body, reprogram them to attack cancer cells and the introduction of the back. However, the effectiveness of such methods is small, as a large number of reprogrammed cells die.
Developed by a team from Harvard method allows not removing immune cells from the body. The tumor antigens adsorbed on a thin porous disk with a diameter of 8.5 mm from biologically inert, biorastvorimym plastic. The disc is implanted under the skin, after which dendritic cells that recognize antigens that penetrate the pores of the implant and receive information about tumor protein. They then transmit this information to other types of immune cells, which use it to recognize and destroy tumors.
Half of the mice that underwent the therapy with two doses of the vaccine, introduced a new method, instead of dying from skin cancer for 25 days, recovered. The methodology developed in relation to melanoma, but, according to the authors, can be applied to other types of cancer.
The set of participants of the first phase of clinical trials development, designed to evaluate its safety for people already started. It is expected that testing will be completed in 2015.
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An Epidemic of Absence: A New Way of Understanding Allergies and Autoimmune Diseases could be co-marketed with the Thomas Rockwell’s children’s classic How to Eat Fried Worms. It begins with the author, Moises Velasquez-Manoff, recounting his border-crossing to Tijuana to infect himself with Necator americanus—hookworms—in an attempt to cure the asthma, hay fever, food allergies, and alopecia that had plagued him since childhood. In the next three hundred pages, the author very cogently explains the idea that led him to willingly infect himself with a parasite known to cause severe diarrhea, anemia, and mental retardation in children.
Velasquez-Manoff marshals the reams of evidence researchers have accumulated to support said concept: the hygiene hypothesis, but with an updated, parasitic twist. The ideas he presents haven't been accepted by many in the medical community, and there's little high-quality evidence, in the form of well controlled trials, that exposure to parasites could have positive effects on human health. So, even if the author is thorough, it's important to keep in mind that the evidence he's presenting is primarily in the form of correlations.
Vanishing microbes, a rising tide of allergies
Since children's author Rockwell penned that first worm eating guide in 1973, the incidence of allergies and autoimmune diseases—both disorders in which the immune system attacks things that it should know are harmless—have skyrocketed in the developed world. Those who read that book as children have watched it happen; whereas a PB&J was the standard brown bag lunch for us, our children’s schools are now all nut free.
Adherents of the paleo diet maintain that the trouble started with the advent of agriculture in the Neolithic Revolution, about 12,000 years ago, and has been getting progressively worse. They argue that humans have adapted to eat only foods that could be hunted or gathered, and the recent preponderance of allergies demonstrates that we have not yet evolved to eat food that must be cultivated, like wheat and legumes.
Velasquez-Manoff cites examples of contemporary hunter-gatherer societies whose members are, in fact, much healthier than their age-matched counterparts in the developed world. Yet evolutionary geneticists have an alternate explanation for the dramatic upswing in immune disorders. Genes that cause disease but are common throughout a population, the thinking goes, must confer some benefit or they would have been selected against. And the genetic variants that predispose modern humans to immune disorders are distressingly common. They are also found in genes that are present across a wide variety of species, indicating that they are quite ancient—further evidence that they probably have an important function. Research on different immune diseases all over the world suggests that these genes are involved in defense against pathogens.
For almost all of our evolutionary development humans were pretty much covered in bacteria, viruses, and parasitic worms. Velasquez-Manoff refers to this group as "old friends." These are different from the disease-causing bugs we vaccinate against; we got those much later in our evolutionary development, from the animals we domesticated, and Velasquez-Manoff is clear in his insistence that vaccinating against them is necessary and good.
But finding a way to achieve some sort of truce with "old friends" was the immune system’s essential and constant job throughout our co-evolution. It is only after the sanitary reforms of the early nineteenth century that we suddenly find ourselves in an environment relatively purged of microbes, and these protective genes may be a liability in that environment, rather than an asset.
The Hygiene Hypothesis
A simplistic view of the hygiene hypothesis is that in the absence of something dangerous to fight against—the cholera toxin, for example—immune cells get confused, or bored, and fight against harmless stimuli like dust mites and peanuts instead. But there is a more nuanced view. Our immune systems co-evolved with an enormous community of microbes, and were in fact shaped by them. Many became established, long-term, and vital residents in our guts; the importance, and in fact the very existence, of these commensals has only recently been realized.
Constant exposure to all of these bugs, as a unit, enhanced the regulatory arm of the immune system, modulating responses so that we could tolerate the filthy environment in which we lived while at the same time (hopefully) fighting off those pathogens that posed a mortal threat and not destroying our own bodies in that process. In the martial analogy that is inevitable in discussing immunology, ancient human immune cells that were always surrounded by microbes were like battle-hardened old soldiers who have learned the ability to watch warily when encountering something new, waiting to see whether or not it is dangerous; modern immune cells raised in our hyper-sanitized environment are like new recruits just given their first gun, testy and jumpy at the first hint of a threat and liable to blow up their surroundings in inappropriately directed and outsized force. Experience has not taught them moderation.
On the molecular level, immune cells in the dirty old days made more anti-inflammatory signaling molecules; now, our cells make predominantly pro-inflammatory signals.
Autoimmune diseases are currently thought to arise from an interplay of genetic and environmental factors, notably stress. Some have argued that this means genes are everything, because what modern human doesn’t have stress in his life? Only those genetically primed go on to develop disease.
But Velasquez-Manoff takes us to Sardinia to upend this argument. Sardinians are an isolated, inbred group, and they have experienced a twin epidemic of multiple sclerosis and type I diabetes, both autoimmune diseases, in the past sixty years—ever since they got rid of malaria. For the past few thousand years, those Sardinians that were genetically resistant to the malaria parasite survived; those that were not did not. The relentless presence of malaria in their environment shaped their genomes.
And then when malaria was suddenly removed, its lack may have allowed the immune system’s underlying protective feature to go into overdrive. A similar, if less dramatic, trajectory of events could explain how the removal of most of our "old friends," but especially the worms, uncovered underlying genetic tendencies that only yield autoimmune and allergic disorders in our modern context.
The Helicobacter pylori story further underscores the importance of context. H. pylori definitely, without a doubt, causes ulcers. And stomach cancer. Yet it protects against heartburn, esophageal cancer, asthma, and eczema.
H. pylori has been with humanity since before we left Africa. Why would it make only some people who harbor it sick, and why so much more so in the last few hundred years? Our increased life expectancy doesn’t account for it. In days of yore, when humans routinely encountered H. pylori early in childhood, the bug taught their immune cells tolerance and protected against asthma. Now, since we grow up in cleaner environments, we encounter it later. Not only does its early absence predispose to asthma, its late introduction induces ulcers. But the effects of H. pylori infection are dictated not only by when it is introduced to the human gut, but by the other microbes it does or does not encounter there.
Parasitic worms also seem to be significant regulators of the immune system, able to elicit just the right balance of ferocity and temperance. Deworming campaigns the world over are promptly and predictably followed by increases in asthma and allergy, and the degree of allergy in a society is inversely proportional to how wormy and dirty it is. Hence, people suffering from allergies and autoimmune diseases are now infecting themselves with hookworms, which—on an anecdotal level at least—has alleviated maladies ranging from MS to autism to celiac disease.
Seeing worms everywhere
Yes, he includes autism in the list of modern diseases caused by our out-of-whack immune systems. Along with other cases where immune dysfunction hasn't been established, like obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.
There are some serious problems with blaming all of these on immune dysfunction, but we'll focus on a single example: autism. Just as the absence of worms’ mediating effects on our immune system causes some people to have an allergic response to harmless ingested proteins and others to attack their own tissues, the argument goes, chronic inflammation in the womb generates fetuses with autism.
Velasquez-Manoff cites circumstantial evidence supporting this idea—autism follows the same demographics as asthma, occurring primarily in firstborns, males, and urban centers in wealthy countries, and one of the risk factors for autism is a mother with an autoimmune disease. But this demographic data is obtained by questionnaire, often with quite a small sample size, and is thus inherently suspect.
As researchers continue to delve into the cause of autism, the data they are accumulating indicates that it is a genetic and not an immune disease. Environmental factors are almost certainly involved, and it is a complex genetic disease—mutations in many different genes, possibly hundreds of them, can cause it. Most cases of autism are sporadic, meaning that only one individual in a family is affected.
But rigorous experiments have shown that even sporadic cases can generally be traced back to spontaneous genetic mutations in the developing fetus. The mutated genes are involved in forming and maintaining the gross architecture of the brain, lending credence to the idea that autism and its accompanying spectrum of disorders arises from a lack of connectivity among neurons. Few of the mutated genes associated with autism seem to be involved in immunity.
When we discussed his book, Velasquez-Manoff did suggest there were limits to how well we should treat our old friends. Deworming campaigns, he said, are still necessary, since the world's poor children are the ones who bear the brunt of the worms' negative effects. Their parasites exacerbate their malnutrition and cause them to miss a lot of school, promoting a cycle of poverty.
The sanitary reforms of the mid-nineteenth century, along with the germ theory of disease and the vaccines and antibiotics it precipitated, were undoubtedly an enormous medical coup that largely eliminated the infectious diseases that had formerly killed a quarter of the population by age one. We no longer live in fear of the Black Death or similar medieval scourges that killed millions.
But along with these breakthroughs came the idea that all microbes are all bad, which yielded needlessly antibiotic soap and sanitary covers for toddlers sitting in shopping carts. The backlash, that we need to get to know and love the microbiota inhabiting our guts, is yielding Brooklyn hipsters who brew their own kombucha and the very unfortunate anti-vaccine movement. This book argues that microbes are neither good nor bad, but can be either or both depending on the context in which we encounter them. And the real cause of the allergy and autoimmune epidemic is that we have severely screwed up that context, both inside our guts and outside in the rest of the environment.
These ideas are still well outside the medical mainstream and, in several cases, the authors intense focus on immune disorders had led him to get carried away. But Velasquez-Manoff has put together a well argued case that, for at least some disorders, our interactions with microbes should at least be given serious consideration. And, despite the copious research involved, the book remains very readable.
And since you were wondering: the worms seemed to clear up his sinuses and skin, but he didn’t grow hair. And they gave him terrible, terrible diarrhea.
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### What Are Some of The Health Benefits of Cashews? Cashews offer a number of potential health benefits, which is why many people choose to ingest cashews or cashew oil. Below are some of the benefits that can be reaped from eating cashews:
Reduce The Risk of Cancer
Cancer is a condition that will affect 30 percent of women and half of men at some point in their lives. Eating cashews on a regular basis is one of the simplest things that people can do to reduce their risk of developing cancer. Cashews contain proanthocyanidins, which are a type of flavonols. Studies have shown that proanthocyanidins stop cancerous cells from reproducing and starve tumors. Additionally, cashews are an excellent source of copper. Copper can remove free radicals from the body. When free radicals begin to accumulate in excess, they can increase the risk of cancer.
Good For Your Heart
Cashews has less fat than many other types of nuts. However, they are an excellent source of monounsaturated fat. Monounsaturated fat can reduce triglyceride levels. If your triglyceride level is high, then you will be more likely to develop heart disease.
Not only can cashews reduce triglyceride levels, but they are also very high in magnesium. Magnesium is a mineral that can help lower blood pressure and reduce your chance of having a heart attack. There was one study done that suggested people can reduce their risk of developing heart disease by up to 37 percent by eating cashews.
Reduce The Risk of Gallstones
Gallstones are hard, crystalline masses that build up inside of the gallbladder. Cashews can reduce the risk of gallstones. There was a study done that involved 80,178 women. The results of the study showed that women who ate cashews once a week were 25 percent less likely to develop gallstones.
Many people avoid eating any type of nuts because they think that they will gain weight. On the contrary, nuts can help prevent weight gain. People who eat cashews or other types of nuts two times per week are less likely to gain weight than those who do not eat nuts at all. Cashews are low in saturated fat and high in fiber. A fiber-rich diet can protect against weight gain.
Improved Bone Health
You probably already know that calcium is one of the minerals that keeps your bones healthy. Magnesium is another mineral that is needed for bone health. In fact, the majority of the magnesium in the body is stored inside of the bones. Because cashews are rich in magnesium, they can also keep the bones healthy.
An excess amount of calcium in the blood can lead to overactive nerve cells. On the other hand, magnesium helps the nerve cells relax by regulating the amount of calcium that enters the bloodstream. An excess amount of calcium in the blood can also lead to a number of other problems, including high blood pressure and heart attack. Not only does magnesium regulate the amount of calcium that enters the bloodstream, but it can also relieve muscle fatigue, soreness and tension.
How to Take Cashews
Of course most people eat cashews in their whole form, often roasted and/or salted (only lightly salted if possible).
The oil from the cashew can be extracted and used to make a supplement. This oil can be used for cooking or medicinal purposes. The cashew oil can also be applied directly to the skin.
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Looney Tunes is a Warner Bros. series of animated short films. It was produced from 1930 to 1969 during the Golden age of American animation, alongside its sister series, Merrie Melodies. Looney Tunes originally showcased Warner-owned musical compositions through the adventures of cartoon characters such as Bosko and Buddy. Later Looney Tunes shorts featured popular characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Sylvester, Tweety, Taz, Marvin the Martian, Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner, Foghorn Leghorn, Yosemite Sam, Pepé Le Pew, and Speedy Gonzales. The characters themselves are commonly referred to as the "Looney Tunes" (often misspelled, intentionally or not, as "Looney Toons"). The name Looney Tunes is a variation on Silly Symphonies, the name of Walt Disney's concurrent series of music-based cartoon shorts. From 1942 until 1969, Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies were the most popular cartoon shorts in movie theaters, exceeding Disney and other popular competitors.
Since its first official release, 1930's Sinkin' in the Bathtub, Looney Tunes has become a worldwide media franchise, spawning several television series, films, comics, music albums, video games and amusement park rides. Many of the characters have made and continue to make cameo appearances in various other television shows, films and advertisements. The most popular Looney Tunes character, Bugs Bunny, is regarded as a cultural icon and has appeared in more films than any other cartoon character. Several Looney Tunes shorts are regarded as some of the greatest animated cartoons of all time. Many of the shorts were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film, with two of them winning the award (For Scent-imental Reasons and Knighty Knight Bugs), and the short Porky in Wackyland has been inducted into the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.
In the beginning both Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies drew their storylines from Warner's vast music library. From 1934 to 1943, Merrie Melodies were produced in color and Looney Tunes in black and white. After 1943, however, both series were produced in color and became virtually indistinguishable, with the only stylistic difference being in the variation between the opening theme music and titles. Both series also made use of the various Warner Bros. cartoon characters. By 1937, the theme music for Looney Tunes was "The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down" by Cliff Friend and Dave Franklin; the theme music for Merrie Melodies was an adaptation of "Merrily We Roll Along" by Charles Tobias, Murray Mencher and Eddie Cantor.
In 1929, WB became interested in developing a series of musical animated shorts to promote their music. They had recently acquired the ownership of Brunswick Records along with four music publishers for US $28 million. Consequently, they were eager to start promoting this material to cash in on the sales of sheet music and phonograph records. Warner made a deal with Leon Schlesinger to produce cartoons for WB. Schlesinger hired Rudolph Ising and Hugh Harman to produce their first series of cartoons. Bosko was Looney Tunes' first major lead character, debuting in the short Bosko, The Talk-Ink Kid in 1929. The first Looney Tunes short was Sinkin' in the Bathtub which was released in 1930.
When Harman and Ising left Warner Bros. in 1933 over a budget dispute with Schlesinger, they took with them all the rights of the characters and cartoons which they had created. A new character called Buddy became the only star of the Looney Tunes series for a couple of years. New directors including Tex Avery, Friz Freleng and Bob Clampett were brought in to work with animators in the Termite Terrace studio. In 1935 they debuted the first truly major Looney Tunes star, Porky Pig, along with Beans the Cat in the Merrie Melodie cartoon I Haven't Got a Hat directed by Friz Freleng. Beans was the star of the next Porky/Beans cartoon Golddiggers of '49, but it was Porky who emerged as the star instead of Beans. The ensemble characters of I Haven't Got a Hat, such as Oliver Owl, and twin dogs Ham and Ex, were also given a sampling of shorts, but demand for these characters was far exceeded by Beans and Porky; Beans himself was later phased out due to declining popularity, leaving Porky as the only star of the Schlesinger studio. This was soon followed by the debuts of other memorable Looney Tunes stars; Daffy Duck (in 1937's Porky's Duck Hunt), Elmer Fudd (in 1940's Elmer's Candid Camera) and Bugs Bunny (in 1940's A Wild Hare).
Bugs initially starred in the color Merrie Melodies shorts and formally joined the Looney Tunes series with the release of Buckaroo Bugs in 1944. Schlesinger began to phase in the production of color Looney Tunes with the 1942 cartoon The Hep Cat. The final black-and-white Looney Tunes short was Puss n' Booty in 1943 directed by Frank Tashlin. The inspiration for the changeover was Warner's decision to re-release only the color cartoons in the Blue Ribbon Classics series of Merrie Melodies. Bugs made a cameo appearance in 1942 in the Avery/Clampett cartoon Crazy Cruise and also at the end of the Frank Tashlin 1943 cartoon Porky Pig's Feat which marked Bugs' only appearance in a black-and-white Looney Tunes short. Schlesinger sold his interest in the cartoon studio in 1944 to Warner Bros. and went into retirement; he would die five years later.
The original Looney Tunes theatrical series ran from 1930 to 1969 (the last short being Bugged by a Bee, by Robert McKimson). During part of the 1960s, the shorts were produced by DePatie-Freleng Enterprises after Warner Bros. shut down their animation studios. The shorts from this era can be identified by their different title sequence, featuring stylized limited animation and graphics on a black background and a new arrangement, by William Lava, of "The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down". The change in the introductory title cards was possibly to reflect the switch in the animation style of the shorts themselves.
The Looney Tunes series' popularity was strengthened even more when the shorts began airing on network and syndicated television in the 1950s under various titles and formats. However, since the syndicated shorts' target audience was children and because of concerns over children's television in the 1970s, the Looney Tunes shorts were edited, removing scenes of violence (particularly suicidal gags and scenes of characters doing dangerous stunts that impressionable viewers could easily imitate), racial and ethnic caricatures (particularly stereotypical portrayals of blacks, Mexicans, Jews, Native Americans, Asians, and Germans as Nazis) and questionable vices (such as smoking cigarettes, ingesting pills, and drinking alcohol).
Theatrical animated shorts went dormant until 1988 when new shorts were made to introduce Looney Tunes to a new generation of audiences. New Looney Tunes shorts have been produced and released sporadically for theaters since then, usually as promotional tie-ins with various family movies produced by Warner Bros. While many of them have been released in limited releases theatrically for Academy Award consideration, only a few have gotten theatrical releases with movies. The last series of new shorts so far ended production in 2004, the most recently theatrically released Looney Tunes was Pullet Surprise in 1997, shown theatrically with Cats Don't Dance.
In the 1970s through the early 1990s, several feature-film compilations and television specials were produced, mostly centering on Bugs Bunny and/or Daffy Duck, with a mixture of new and old footage. In 1976, the Looney Tunes characters made their way into the amusement business when they became the mascots for the two Marriott's Great America theme parks (Gurnee, Santa Clara). After the Gurnee park was sold to Six Flags, they also claimed the rights to use the characters at the other Six Flags parks, which they continue to do presently. In 1988, several Looney Tunes characters appeared in cameo roles in Touchstone, Disney and Amblin's Oscar-winning epic, Who Framed Roger Rabbit. The more notable cameos featured Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Yosemite Sam, Sylvester, and Tweety. It is the only time in which Looney Tunes characters have shared screen time with their rivals at Disney (producers of the film)—particularly in the scenes where Bugs and Mickey Mouse are skydiving, and when Daffy and Donald Duck are performing their "Dueling Pianos" sequence.
In 1988, Nickelodeon aired all the unaired cartoons in a show called Looney Tunes on Nickelodeon until 1999. To date, Looney Tunes on Nickelodeon is the longest-airing animated series on the network that was not a Nicktoon. In 1996, Space Jam, a feature film mixing animation and live-action, was released to theaters starring Bugs Bunny and basketball player Michael Jordan. Despite its odd plot and mixed critical reception, the film was a major box-office success, grossing nearly $100,000,000 in the U.S. alone, almost becoming the first non-Disney animated film to achieve that feat. For a two-year period, it was the highest grossing non-Disney animated film ever. The film also introduced the character Lola Bunny, who subsequently became another recurring member of the Looney Tunes, usually as a love interest for Bugs.
The Looney Tunes characters have also had success in the area of television, with appearances in several originally produced series, including Taz-Mania (1991, starring the Tasmanian Devil), and The Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries (1995, starring Sylvester, Tweety and Granny). The gang also made frequent cameos in the 1990 spinoff series Tiny Toon Adventures, from executive producer Steven Spielberg where they played teachers and mentors to a younger generation of cartoon characters (Buster, Babs and the gang), plus occasional cameos in the later Warner shows Animaniacs (also from Spielberg) and Histeria!.
In 2000, WB decided to make the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies library exclusive to fellow Time Warner properties, specifically Cartoon Network. Immediately prior to this decision, Looney Tunes shorts were airing on several networks at once: on Cartoon Network, on Nickelodeon (as Looney Tunes on Nickelodeon), and on ABC (as The Bugs Bunny and Tweety Show). The latter two had been particularly long-running series, and the Warner Bros. decision forced the two networks to cancel the programs. In 2003, another feature film was released, this time in an attempt to recapture the spirit of the original shorts: the live-action/animated Looney Tunes: Back in Action. Although the film wasn't financially successful, it was met with relatively positive reviews from film critics, and has been argued by animation historians and fans as the finest original feature-length appearance for the cartoon characters. In 2006, Warner Home Video released a new, Christmas-themed Looney Tunes direct-to-video movie called Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas featuring a wide array of characters working in a mega-store under the Scrooge-esque Daffy Duck. The movie parodies the famous book by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. Other Looney Tunes TV series included Baby Looney Tunes (2002, which had a similar premise to Muppet Babies), Duck Dodgers (2003, starring Daffy Duck, Porky Pig and Marvin the Martian) and Loonatics Unleashed, (2005, featuring futuristic versions of the characters).
Although the cartoons are seldom seen on mainstream TV, thanks to revival theatrical screenings, and the Golden Collection DVD box sets, the Looney Tunes and its characters have remained a part of Western animation heritage. On October 22, 2007, Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons became available for the first time in High Definition via Microsoft's Xbox Live service, including some in Spanish. From February 29 – May 18, 2008, many Looney Tunes artifacts, including original animation cels and concept drawings, were on display at the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio, just off the campus of Youngstown State University. The exhibit had the studio come full circle, as the Warners were natives of the Youngstown area. Looney Tunes can currently be seen on the Kids WB! website. Looney Tunes returned to Cartoon Network on January 1, 2009, as a marathon called the "New Year's Day Looney Toonormous Marathon", but did not air on Cartoon Network or Boomerang again until 11 months later when it returned to Cartoon Network on November 15, 2009. In 2010, Looney Tunes was taken off Cartoon Network after another New Year's Marathon.
At the Cartoon Network upfronts in April 2010, "The Looney Tunes Show" was announced to premiere in November 2010. However, the series peremiere was pushed back to February 2011, then it was pushed back again to May 2011. Coming from Warner Bros. Animation and producer Sam Register, the concept revolves around Bugs and Daffy leaving the woods and moving to the suburbs with "colorful neighbors" including Sylvester, Tweety, Granny, and of course Yosemite Sam. The show features 2-minute music videos titled respectfully "Merrie Melodies", as a tribute to the Looney Tunes sister shorts, which features the characters singing original songs. The Looney Tunes Show debuted May 3, 2011. At approximately the same time, reruns of the classic Looney Tunes library returned to Cartoon Network's daytime lineup.
Also, it has been announced that Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner will be making a return to the big screen in a series of 3-D shorts that will precede select Warner Bros. films. There are currently six in the works that began with the first short, Coyote Falls, that preceded the film Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, which was released on July 30, 2010. On December 17, 2010, Rabid Rider was precede the film, Yogi Bear. On June 8, 2011, Warner Bros. Animation announced that there will be more Looney Tunes 3-D theatrical shorts; the first titled Daffy Rhapsody with Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd, the next being I Tawt I Taw a Putty Tat with Sylvester, Tweety and Granny. Daffy Rhapsody was to precede the film Happy Feet Two, until the studio decided to premiere I Tawt I Taw a Putty Tat instead. Daffy Rhapsody instead premiered in 2012, preceding Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.
On September 19, 2012, it was announced that a new Looney Tunes reboot film is in development. Former Saturday Night Live cast member Jenny Slate is already on board as writer for the new flick. Jeffrey Clifford, Harry Potter producer David Heyman and Dark Shadows writers David Katzenberg and Seth Grahame-Smith are slated to produce the film.
Licensing and ownership
When the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies began in 1930, although Warner Bros. retained the rights to the cartoons, Harman and Ising owned the rights to the Bosko characters. When Harman and Ising left Warner Bros. in 1933, their former producer Leon Schlesinger started his own studio for Warner Bros. continuing the Looney Tunes series. Harman and Ising retained the rights to Bosko and began making Bosko cartoons at Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer in 1935. However these cartoons were not a success and in 1937 MGM fired Harman and Ising and formed their own studio to create MGM cartoons, with Harman and Ising retaining the rights to Bosko. Time Warner eventually acquired the character from their estates. Meanwhile the Schlesinger studio continued to make popular cartoons until 1944 when Schlesinger sold his studio to Warner Bros. and since then, Warner Bros. has owned all rights to all post-1933 characters created by Leon Schlesinger Productions and Warner Bros. Cartoons. The rights to individual cartoons however are in other hands.
In 1955, Warner Bros. sold its black-and-white Looney Tunes (plus the black-and-white Merrie Melodies made after Harman and Ising left) into television syndication through their sale of the cartoons to Guild Films. The copyright to those cartoons were assigned to Sunset Productions. These cartoons were distributed by Guild Films until it went bankrupt and shut down in 1961. Warner Bros. then licensed the syndication rights to Seven Arts Associated, who distributed them until their purchase of Warner Bros. in 1967.
In 1956, Associated Artists Productions (a.a.p.) acquired for television most of Warner Bros' pre-1950 library, including all Merrie Melodies (except for those sold to Sunset and Lady, Play Your Mandolin!) and color Looney Tunes shorts that were released prior to August 1948. Unlike the sale to Sunset Productions, a.a.p. was allowed to keep the Warner titles intact and simply inserted an "Associated Artists Productions presents" title at the head of each reel (as a result, each Merrie Melodie cartoon had the song "Merrily We Roll Along" playing twice). a.a.p. was later sold to United Artists, who merged the company into its television division—United Artists Television.
In 1981, UA was sold to Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer, and five years later, Ted Turner acquired the pre-May 1986 MGM library—which included the rights to MGM's cartoon characters like Tom and Jerry and Bosko. He also acquired the rights to the a.a.p. library. In 1996, Turner's company, Turner Broadcasting System (whose Turner Entertainment division oversaw the film library), was purchased by Time Warner who also owned Warner Bros.. Today, Warner Home Video holds the video rights to the entire Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies animated output by virtue of Time Warner's ownership of Turner Entertainment—this is why their Looney Tunes Golden Collection DVD box sets include cartoons from both the pre-8/48 Turner-owned and post-7/48 Warner Bros. owned periods. As of 2012, all Warner Bros' animated output are under the same Time Warner umbrella of ownership.
Starting in 1960, the cartoons were repackaged into several different TV programs that remained popular for several decades before being purchased by Turner Broadcasting Systems. Turner's Cartoon Network reran the cartoons for 12 years, from their start in 1992 until 2004, when the cartoons were removed from the schedule. In November 2009, Cartoon Network brought back reruns of Looney Tunes shorts. After only one month, the network stopped airing the cartoons on January 1, 2010. In March 2011, the cartoons returned once again to Cartoon Network, as a run-up for the new series The Looney Tunes Show. As of June 2013, however, the shorts have once again been removed from Cartoon Network's daytime line-up, reduced to a half-hour 6am time slot.
Controversy and censorship
A handful of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies shorts are no longer aired on American television nor are they available for sale by Warner Bros. because of the racial stereotypes of black people, Native Americans, Asians such as Japanese (especially during WWII, as in Tokio Jokio and Bugs Bunny Nips the Nips), Chinese and Germans included in some of the cartoons. Eleven cartoons that prominently featured stereotypical black characters (and a few passing jokes about Japanese people, as in Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs and Jungle Jitters) were withdrawn from distribution in 1968 and are known as the Censored Eleven.
In 1999 all Speedy Gonzales cartoons were banned because of their alleged stereotyping of Mexicans. When many Hispanics protested that they were not offended, and fondly remembered Speedy Gonzales cartoons as a representation of their youth and nation's individuality, these shorts were made available for broadcast again in 2002.
In addition to these most notorious cartoons, many Warner Bros. cartoons contain fleeting or sometimes extended gags that reference then-common racial or ethnic stereotypes. The release of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 3 includes a disclaimer at the beginning of each DVD in the volume given by Whoopi Goldberg which explains that the cartoons are products of their time and contain racial and ethnic stereotypes that "were wrong then and they are wrong today", but the cartoons are going to be presented on the DVD uncut and uncensored because editing them would be the same as denying that the stereotypes existed.
A written disclaimer, similar to the words spoken by Goldberg in Volume 3, is shown at the beginning of each DVD in the Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 4, Volume 5, and Volume 6 sets, as well as the Daffy Duck and Foghorn Leghorn Looney Tunes Super Stars sets:
The cartoons you are about to see are products of their time. They may depict some of the ethnic and racial prejudices that were commonplace in the U.S society. These depictions were wrong then and they are wrong today. While the following does not represent the Warner Bros. view of today's society, these cartoons are being presented as they were originally created, because to do otherwise would be the same as claiming that these prejudices never existed.
Inducted into the National Film Registry
- Porky in Wackyland (1938), selected in 2000
Academy Awards for Best Short Subject (Cartoon)
Academy Award nominations
- Greetings Bait (1943)
- Swooner Crooner (1944)
- Walky Talky Hawky (1946)
- Mouse Wreckers (1949)
- From A to Z-Z-Z-Z (1953)
- Sandy Claws (1955)
- Tabasco Road (1957)
- Mexicali Shmoes (1959)
- Mouse and Garden (1960)
- High Note (1960)
- Now Hear This (1963)
- The Bugs Bunny Show (1960-2000)
- The Road Runner Show (1966-1973)
- Tiny Toon Adventures (1990-1995)
- Taz-Mania (1991-1995)
- The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries (1995-2002)
- Baby Looney Tunes (2002-2005)
- Duck Dodgers (2003-2005)
- Loonatics Unleashed (2005-2007)
- The Looney Tunes Show (2011–present)
- Bugs Bunny: Superstar (1975)
- The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Movie (1979)
- The Looney Looney Looney Bugs Bunny Movie (1981)
- Bugs Bunny's 3rd Movie: 1001 Rabbit Tales (1982)
- Daffy Duck's Movie: Fantastic Island (1983)
- Daffy Duck's Quackbusters (1988)
- Space Jam (1996)
- Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003)
- Merrie Melodies
- Warner Bros. Cartoons
- Warner Bros. Animation
- Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies filmography
- List of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies characters
- "Looney Tunes". www.bcdb.com, April 12, 2012
- "Warner Bros. Studio biography". AnimationUSA.com. Retrieved July 22, 2008.
- Most Portrayed Character in Film at Guinness World Records; retrieved 2011-11-23.
- "1958 academy awards". Retrieved 2007-09-20.
- National Film Registry: 1989-2007
- "Movie Reviews: Space Jam". Retrieved on January 23, 2008.
- Beck, Jerry (2005). The Animated Movie Guide. Chicago, Illinois: Chicago Review Press.
- Looney Tunes: Back in Action. Boxofficemojo.com. Retrieved on January 25, 2008.
- Rosenbaum, Jonathan (2003). "Joe Dante Calls the Toon". Chicago Reader. Retrieved January 25, 2008.
- Edelstein, David (November 14, 2003). "Movie Review: Looney Tunes: Back in Action". Slate. slate.com. Retrieved February 2, 2008.
- "From Looney Tunes and iCarly to Shrek and SpongeBob SquarePants, Xbox 360 Launches Massive Library of Family Games and Entertainment" (Press release). Microsoft. October 22, 2007. Retrieved November 6, 2007.
- "Youngstown News, Butler Institute goes Looney Tunes". Vindy.com. February 24, 2008. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
- "Warner Bros. Entertainment To Unveil T-Works Immersive Online Animation Experience For All Ages In Spring 2008". Warnerbros.com. Retrieved on January 21, 2008.
- "More 3D Looney Tunes Shorts On The Way". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
- Vary, Adam B. "Looney Tunes short with Tweety Bird, Sylvester - EXCLUSIVE CLIP | Inside Movies | EW.com". Insidemovies.ew.com. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
- "Former 'SNL' Star to Write 'Looney Tunes' Reboot Film (Exclusive)". hollywoodreporter.com. 2012-09-19. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
- Anderson, Paul (September 19, 2012). "Looney Tunes Movie Back In Action". Big Cartoon News. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
- You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story. 2008. p. 255.
- WB retained a pair of features from 1949 that they merely distributed, and all short subjects released on or after September 1, 1948; in addition to all cartoons released in August 1948.
- "". Looney Tunes on Television. Retrieved November 7, 2010.
- ""The Warner Brothers: Albert, Harry, Jack, and Sam Warner".". Archived from the original on October 18, 2007. Retrieved January 23, 2008..
- Speedy Gonzales Caged by Cartoon Network, www.foxnews.com, 28 March 2002
- Emling, Shelly (June 21, 2002). "Cartoon Network putting Mexican mouse back in the lineup". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
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In a Nutshell…
Read the passage here.
A lot of the Old Testament can seem really strange because it’s so far removed – in time, in culture, and in literary forms. But, as we’ve said before, we want to pay attention because it sets the foundation for where we are in God’s story. Now we’re pretty fortunate because unlike most of human history, we have insight in the form of the whole Bible as to the structure of the story.
- Beginnings – Creation and Sin
- Israel – Abraham to Exile
- Jesus – God’s Salvation
- The Church – New Israel
- Endings – Future Hope
Where we are in the story is still very much in Part One. And as we mentioned last week, what we are seeing is the problem of sin, humanity’s separation and rebellion from God. We’ve a couple of weeks to go, still. But what we want to pay attention to is what exactly sin leads to. The sharp distinction between what God intended for us and where going our own way leads to. Understanding this helps us understand the rest of the story.
Now just a brief word about the structure of Genesis. What’s the deal with all of the genealogies? You may have noticed we passed over chapter 5. If you take a look at chapter 5, you’ll see that it’s one of the many genealogies that we see in the Bible. Most of the time, when we come across these, we either gloss over them, read them as quickly as possible, or ignore them altogether.
Practically speaking, the genealogies help tie everything together. They show us that we are all part of the same story. In Matthew and Luke, we also get the genealogies of Jesus because Jesus is a continuation of, and indeed the culmination of, the story of God’s redeeming work in the world.
So our passage today takes place after a genealogy tying together the creation of the world and the introduction of sin because of human beings’ rebellion. As we have seen, God created the world and created it good. And he created human beings and intended that they (we) would have a particular place and role in creation – to be priests, to administer His grace in this world. But because of our sin, we have lost our way. But, as we saw last week, already in the story, we are seeing that in the midst of sin, we see God’s grace. Even though we have rebelled, God is already making a way for His redemption.
But what we have today is a description of this sin, this brokenness, spreading throughout humanity. What we see is a clear description of sin becoming so widespread that it grieves God. Remember what we saw last week in the account of Cain’s sons. When Cain is cast out of Eden, he becomes a wanderer – someone with no home and no land. We see that Cain establishes for himself a city.
16 So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
17 Cain made love to his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch.
This building of a city, just a passing mention, is actually quite informative. It’s just a few words, but it tells us a lot about the human condition.
Cain, in being cast out of the presence of God, fears for his life. We read in that passage that he is afraid that whoever finds him will kill him. The building of cities speaks to that fear. That need for protection and shelter in a hostile world. This is why, generally speaking, people have built cities – in a nutshell, there’s safety in numbers. So there’s something to be said there about Cain’s need to find protection because he is outside of the presence of God.
Now, a note here that cities in and of themselves are not bad. Because, remember, we are created for community. And cities, apart from anything else, are about community. But a city without God (and it’s hard to ignore the fact that Cain names the city after his own son, as a testimony to himself, not to God) becomes something else very quickly.
And this is what we see in the city of Cain. Out of the presence of God, Cain’s city is essentially established, not as an act of community, but as a response to fear. In that passage, we see this graphically in the story of Lamech who, like Cain, murders someone for “wounding” him.
24 If Cain is avenged seven times,
then Lamech seventy-seven times
All this to say, that in today’s passage, what we are seeing is the natural consequence, what inevitably happens in a world without God.
In Tim Keller’s book, The Reason for God, he gives a really good description of the problem of sin. He quotes Barbara Brown Taylor (who quotes Simone Weil) who says,
“All sins are attempts to fill voids,” wrote Simone Weil. Because we cannot stand the God-shaped hole inside of us, we try stuffing it full of all sorts of things, but only God may fill [it].
Keller goes on to quote Soren Kierkegaard who says,
“Sin is: in despair not wanting to be oneself before God.
This is a pretty apt description of what goes in our lives. We’ve talked a lot about how the first sin, our fundamental sin, is wanting to be gods unto ourselves. About attempting to decide or create for ourselves what is good and what is evil. It’s refusing to acknowledge that there is in fact a God to whom we are accountable and to whom we owe our lives. So we have this giant hole in our lives, in our very beings, that we try to fill with things, none of which can take the place of our relationship with God.
- It’s why relationships can so easily become boring, or toxic, or co-dependent.
- It’s why work becomes a toil or a burden.
- It’s why we jump from experience to experience trying to find something that will satisfy us.
- It’s why we try to escape from things – why we run away in the hopes that the next place or the next thing will be better.
In the absence of God, the one who created us, we have to try to find something to justify our existence. We try to find something to give our lives meaning. And what we find is those things quickly become our gods and either take over or poison our lives.
And that’s what we’re seeing in our passage today:
5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. 7 So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
Without a relationship with God, trying to do things of their own accord, trying to make sense of their own lives, humankind quickly gets out of control.
So What Now…?
Once again, I want to remind you that this is not the end of the story. I want to remind you that ultimately the story, God’s story, is about God’s redemptive work in history. At the end of the story, sin does not win.
But I also want us to remember that we need to take sin seriously. And by that, I don’t mean that we need to be pessimistic about ourselves. By taking sin seriously, I don’t mean to say that we need to be self-hating. It’s not a matter of thinking poorly of ourselves. Rather, we need to be aware of the temptation that is all around us – to live life, any part of life, as if God doesn’t matter. Whether it’s work or family or relationships or even church. Whenever we try to take control of these things by our own strength or wisdom, whenever we try to do any part of live without God, we fall to the temptation of sin. And we need to understand that the consequences of life without God are, unfortunately, severe. They may not be obvious, but they are serious. Ultimately, to live without God is to live without hope.
Therefore, we need to take equally seriously what it means to live by grace. We remember that there is a way out. Even though the wickedness and godlessness of humankind is great; even though every inclination of our hearts is evil all the time, selfish all the time, deceitful all the time; even still, God makes a way for us. Even still, God invites us home.
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What is erythroderma?
Erythroderma is a generalised redness of the skin. It is a very severe skin condition that can be fatal. It can be the result of many inflammatory skin conditions, drugs and malignancies but in a third of cases it is due to psoriasis.
What causes erythrodermic psoriasis?
Erythrodermic psoriasis may be precipitated by:
- Low calcium
- Withdrawal of oral corticosteroids (prednisone)
- Withdrawal of excessive use of strong topical corticosteroids
- Strong coal tar preparations
- Certain medications including lithium, antimalarials and interleukin II
- Excessive alcohol consumption
What are the clinical features of erythrodermic psoriasis?
Erythrodermic psoriasis usually occurs in the setting of known worsening or unstable psoriasis but may uncommonly be the first presentation of psoriasis. Onset can occur acutely over a few days or weeks, or gradually evolve over several months from pre-existing psoriasis.
Features are those of any form of erythroderma (red dry skin all over the body).
- Heart failure
- Protein loss and malnutrition
- Oedema (swelling), particularly of lower legs
What is the treatment for erythrodermic psoriasis?
Treatment of erythrodermic psoriasis can be difficult. Management includes:
- Hospitalisation for supportive care including intravenous fluids and temperature regulation
- Bland emollients and cooling wet dressings
- Bed rest
- Treatment of complications (for example antibiotics, diuretics (water tablets), nutritional support)
- Low-dose methotrexate, ciclosporin or acitretin
- Individual cases have been reported to have successful outcomes with biologic agents, including the TNF-alpha inhibitors adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab, and the IL12/23 inhibitor, ustekinumab.
Oral corticosteroids should be avoided if possible because withdrawal risks worsening of the erythrodermic state and may cause generalised pustular psoriasis. However, sometimes they are the only treatment that helps.
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Does My Child Need Speech Therapy?
The Speech Language Therapist or Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) helps children to increase their communication skills.
Your SLP assists families with children who show significant language delay, hearing loss, need help with receptive language, or who are having difficulty producing speech sounds.
A speech therapist may also work with children who have oral-motor or feeding issues. They can help with the coordination of breathing, chewing, and swallowing. Speech therapists can also assist in the transition from tube-feedings to oral feedings.
Please don’t hesitate to contact TEIS for more information about Speech Therapy.
Speech Therapy for Children from 0-3 Years Old
At TEIS, our focus is on early intervention for children from 0-3 years old. Speech therapy is about more than words, involving the mechanical components of respiration, articulation, resonance, and voice.
Your Speech Language Therapist is familiar with the relationship between play and language development, as well as techniques to stimulate language development.
Your SLP is there to support you as a parent too, so that you can better help your child participate in all the activities and routines of daily life.
How to get Early Intervention Services
To learn how to get early intervention services for your child, including Speech Therapy, please visit our Get Help page, and the section on How Do I Get Early Intervention Help for My Child?
TEIS service areas include Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Beaver County (evaluations only), and Westmoreland County.
Early Intervention Therapies
In addition to Speech Therapy, TEIS also provides Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Nutrition Therapy, Early Childhood Development Therapy, Vision Services, and Social Work.
If you have questions about how TEIS can be of help, please don't hesitate to contact us today.
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Alfalfa weevil is one of the first pests to emerge in the spring. Purdue Extension entomologist Christian Krupke says even if temperatures are cool and it seems too early for pests to be a problem – that doesn’t mean it’s too early for the alfalfa weevil.
Krupke says growers should scout the newest growth and to look for “tip feeding”. “Early on it will appear as little pinholes in the leaves that aren’t opened up yet,” he says. “Later on, as the larvae grow, the grubs look like little caterpillars. As they grow – that feeding will become more noticeable and the leaves will become more tattered and it will be visible from farther away.”
He says if you can begin to see damage from the road – Krupke says you’ve missed the window to treat the field with an insecticide. “When the field takes on this silver appearance from the roadside and the field edge it indicates a lot of that new growth has been completely eaten down to the midrib,” he says. “At that point – most of the damage has been done.”
That’s why, Krupke says, it’s important to get in the fields early and see exactly how much damage, if any, has been done.
*Audio is courtesy of Purdue.*
© Copyright 2013 Brownfield, All rights Reserved. Written For: Brownfield
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Gregory Dawes, of Dunedin, sees the use of ''open source''
as the best way to bridge the deepening digital divide.
The world of technology is changing dramatically. Smartphones
and tablets have transformed the ways we communicate and
connect to the web. There are now serious discussions about
whether the traditional PC - the desktop or laptop computer -
has a future. Even if it has, it will be just one of the many
forms of information technology that will populate our
With this new technology, however, comes a danger. Like
ultra-fast broadband, which will be available to those who
can afford it, it might merely deepen the digital divide, the
gap between those who can pay for the technology and those
who cannot. In particular, these new devices are in danger of
locking people into a proprietary system they are unable to
leave. This will condemn them to a treadmill of software and
hardware updates which many individuals and organisations
will be unable to afford.
Let me illustrate the danger by reference to Apple products.
Apple has become one of the most successful companies in the
world. It has done so not only by offering attractive
devices, but also by building these into a digital ecosystem.
Users of Macbooks, iPhones, and iPads are encouraged to buy
their music from iTunes, to store their data in the iCloud,
and to co-ordinate their activities using the iCalendar. But
while this may seem wonderful, it is difficult to transfer
any of these activities to a non-Apple device. What Apple has
created, in other words, is a ''walled garden'' that is both
beautiful and difficult to leave.
Nor is this unique to Apple. While Microsoft programs could
traditionally been installed on a great variety of machines,
this situation has begun to change. Microsoft is now
producing its own machines and beginning to restrict what can
be done on those devices. They have learned all too well from
Apple's success. Locking people into your system is what
Added to this is the problem of planned obsolescence. It has
become increasingly difficult for owners of older devices to
upgrade to newer versions of their programs. Computers might
still be upgradeable for four or five years after purchase,
but mobile devices (such as the iPhone or iPad) may be
upgradeable for only 18 months or two years. After that, the
only option is to purchase a new device, at least if you want
the latest applications.
The key problem here is the operating system. An operating
system is the software that communicates between your
hardware (the machine itself) and your programs (such as
Microsoft Word). (If you can kick it, it's hardware;
otherwise, it's software.) Microsoft Windows and Apple OS X
are both operating systems. New versions of these operating
systems often make increased demands on their hardware so
that they run sluggishly (if at all) on older machines. What
happens as a result? Users very quickly decide that they need
a new computer.
This may be harmless enough for individuals or organisations
who can afford to finance this rather expensive habit. But
those who cannot will quickly get left behind. At least one
school in Dunedin requires its pupils to have an Apple
Macbook computer. That's fine for the families who can afford
to pay out $1900, perhaps twice during their children's time
at school. But many families cannot. The same is true of the
schools themselves. Schools with wealthy parents can have
wonderful IT facilities. But many of our schools are littered
with old computers that scarcely operate and that they cannot
afford to replace.
Is there an alternative? There most certainly is. My main
home computer is nine years old. It runs beautifully. The
reason it runs so well is that I'm using Linux Mint, which is
an open-source operating system.
What is ''open-source'' software? It consists of programs
that do not come merely as pre-packaged bundles, ready to
install on your machine. They also provide access to the
source-code that was used to write them. Most of us cannot
read or alter that code, but many people can. They are free
to adapt the software, to fix it when it goes wrong, and to
share their solutions with others. In addition to this, most
open-source software is available free of charge. It can even
be given away to friends. In the open-source world, sharing
is not regarded as ''piracy''. It is encouraged.
Why, then, are more of us not using it? Well, most of us
already are, at least when we go on the web. The majority of
websites, including Google and Amazon, use versions of the
Linux operating system. If you use Firefox as a web-browser,
you already have at least one open-source program on your own
computer. But most people use open-source programs on
machines running the Windows or Apple operating systems. Few
of us have broken free from the domination of Apple and
Microsoft. Why is this?
The main reason is that most computers come with Microsoft or
Apple operating systems pre-installed. It takes an effort to
replace them with Linux. It also takes a little effort to
find your way around this new system. Many familiar programs,
such as Word, can be used on Linux, although it takes a
little work. But there are excellent open-source
alternatives, such as LibreOffice, which I am using to write
this column. Once you have become accustomed to open-source
programs, you will be astonished at how well they perform,
often better than their proprietary counterparts.
More importantly, open-source software is our best hope for
bridging, rather than deepening, the digital divide. Our
local Warrington school has led the way, by almost entirely
abandoning proprietary software. They use the Ubuntu Linux
system, which has a version specially designed for
educational use. Wouldn't it be wonderful if other
organisations and individuals were to follow their example?
- Gregory Dawes is an associate professor in the
department of philosophy and religion at the University of
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Adaptation in Animals in Cold Climate
Survival of an animal is to fit in with the environmental conditions of its habitat. This is known as adaptation. All living organisms can adapt to and cope to their particular habitat's environmental conditions like air, water, soil, light and temperature. Depending on the habitat the animals lives in; it may have to adjust itself to changes in its environment.
The most notable changes in the environment are the increase and decrease in temperature. Winter is the stressful time of the year. The main hardships during winter are the lack of food and the food availability factor. The lack of food occurs for two reasons; one with the reduction of plant life activity. Plants are the primary food source in almost all food chains. The second reason is the availability factor. The food sources may be buried under the snow or ice.
The main factor to adaptation in winter is managing the energy reserves is the key to survival. There are many ways to manage energy reserves through combinations of morphology, habitat and behavior and physiologically by body chemistry and control of metabolic rates.
There are three main ways animals adapt to cold climate. These are migration, dormancy and adapting active lifestyle. Adaptations in animals in cold climate can be in the following way.
Migration: Most of the animals chose to migrate between seasons. Birds like the arctic tern travel about 10,000 miles between winter and summer habitats. A migration always does not need to be long distance movement. Some animals like the white-tailed deer move to areas that are warmer or survivable. Some species of reptiles and amphibians move to place underground or under water to avoid freezing temperature. Fishes migrate to different waters.
Dormancy - Dormancy is the period of biological rest or inactivity. This period is characterized by reduction in growth or development and suspending many metabolic processes. There are several forms of dormancy in different taxonomic groups.
Torpidity - It is the reduction of body metabolism, by controlled low oxygen consumption rates and lower body temperatures. It is accurately the control of metabolism which is restricted to warm-blooded animals. There is a different physiology in cold-blooded animals in response to adverse conditions. In some animals the state of torpidity is the response to lack of food and environmental conditions. Some species show seasonal torpidity. In the Northern states hibernation is the form. Aestivation is the kind of torpidity seen in very hot and dry conditions.
Animals in the cold climate undergo metabolic changes that allow them to sleep. Hibernation is the controlled, reduction in the rate of metabolism in the winter. The body temperatures of these animals are maintained a few degrees higher than the temperature of the environment. Most of the hibernating animals are small animals that have usually a high rate of metabolism. Animals wake up from hibernation during the late winters or early spring as they maintain only sufficient amount of reserved fat to carry them through the winter season.
In case of the bears they do not hibernate actually. Their body temperature drops for only a few degrees and the rate of metabolism is reduced only to moderate rates. Bears give birth in the winters; bears can be easily aroused in winter and then drop back into the state of dormancy.
In cold blooded animals dormancy is the reduced state of metabolic activity which is controlled by environmental conditions. Cold-blooded animals become dormant during winter and they lack to control the internal environment of their body. Many animals move to sheltered places and they also undergo chemical changes to prevent their tissues from freezing. Some animals’ can tolerate certain levels of ice between their cells with common chemical changes.
Insects undergoing dormancy in winter show specialized chemical adaptations to survive. Some insects have the ability to resist freezing and some can tolerate freezing to certain temperature.
Best Results From
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From Yahoo Answers
Question:What Adaptations do Arctic Animals have survive in cold climates?
Answers:do your own homework
Question:If an animal was a meat eater that lived in a place that was cold with few animals living there, what adaptions might it make?
Can you pick an animal and tell me what adaptations it would make? I forgot my text book at school and am searching online for answers. Thank you
Answers:Look at animals that live in cold climates.
Polar bears, for example, are exceptionally well-adapted to their arctic environment. The primary adaptation that they have made is the development of white-looking fur (it appears white, but the individual strands are transparent). This allows them to hunt more effectively, as prey animals are less able to see them. The thickness of the coat and layer of fat are also very useful.
Hibernation is also a good adaptation in areas that aren't quite as cold as the arctic. It allows an animal to sleep while vegitation (and prey animals) are scarce.
Heavy fur is a good adaptation. A heavy fur coat allows an animal to more easily maintain its body temperature, and therefore use fewer calories (and therefore require less food).
A carnivore might become a scavenger, learning to eat corpses that it finds as well as live prey, or might adapt to become an omnivore, adapting to eat whatever it can find.
In areas that are frequently covered in snow, an increase in paw size would be advantageous, because it would prevent sinking into the snow.
Improved hearing is also good, because it will allow an animal find prey under snow or underground. (Think of wolves hunting lemmings under the snow, they listen for the lemmings and then pounce through the snow).
Travel is also a useful adaptation. Because a predator will exhaust scarce prey in an area, a predator will be assisted if it can cover a wider hunting ground, possibly migrating along the same route as prey.
Also, over time, the preditors are likely to become smaller as it grows colder. This is because a large animal will require more food, so there is an advantage to being small when there is limited food.
Answers:Really, the thing that you could ask as well is, how are needle-like leaves adapted to low water conditions!? When it is really cold, especially frozen or under now like where a lot of pine trees live, they have a hard time getting water, and so need to save it as much as possible. A big, flat leaf means that the plant will lose a lot of water! There is a lot of surface area to lose water, and they will lose it as they'll be trying to intake CO2, and will consequently release H2O. Needles have a smaller surface area (round versus flat) and for that reason, lose a lot less water. Needles (at least as far as pine trees go) have suken stomata (where CO2, H2O exchange occurs) and so lose less water because it doesn't evaporate as easily. The sunken stomata are protected inside the needle, and so when cold, dry wind blows over them, they don't lose water to evaporation as much! Anywho, the needles minimize the loss of water which is good in cold weather without a lot of moisture. Cold air doesn't hold as much moisture, and snow doesn't release a lot of water into the ground until it melts.
Question:So why are needle like leaves good for plants that live in the cold?? Please and thank you
Answers:Their thick, waxy cuticle helps to prevent the loss of water in dry climates (snow or frozen ground means the plant isn't getting as much water intake) or when there's a high wind.
The low surface area of each needle is better able to shed rain (which could become ice if the temperature drops suddenly) or snow, which could break the tree limbs from the added weight.
In cold climates (further away from the equator) the days are shorter as winter approaches. The needles stay on the tree all year, so they can use what light is available more days of the year than trees that drop their leaves.
Adaptation and Mitigation | Climate Wisconsin :This animated video produced by the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board distinguishes the roles of mitigation and adaptation in responding to climate change. The video offers examples of actions that humans can take as individuals and a society to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change on natural and built environments. More info and educational resources available at climatewisconsin.org Production Credits: Finn Ryan -- producer, script Threehouse Media -- illustration, animation Ted Leonard -- voice Special Thanks: Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts 2010 Wisconsin Educational Communications Board
Cordaid and adaptation to climate change :Frequent droughts Apart from causing frequent droughts, global warming has resulted in unpredictable rainfall patterns, seasonal floods, food insecurity, diseases and conflicts around scarce resources. Recurring droughts in arid and semi arid areas in the Horn of Africa have led to loss of livelihoods, lives and assets. Historically, relief food has been given as an emergency measure to keep people alive during drought. This is not sustainable; therefore Cordaid has developed the Drought Cycle Management (DCM) approach so as to enhance local people's coping mechanisms and capacities. For more information, go to: www.cordaidpartners.com Drought Cycle Management provides direction on how communities can adapt to their circumstances in the mitigation, preparedness, emergency aid and rehabilitation phase. It encourages the provision of water resources through innovative rainwater harvesting technologies, introduction of drought resistant animals, income and livelihood diversification, introducing new foods and cereal banks, amongst other options. Extensive capacity building in disaster risk reduction enables the communities to deal with the hazards, thus reducing their vulnerabilities. Undoubtedly, early preparation reduces vulnerability and loss of livelihoods. In Kenya, these innovative programs have been piloted by ten organizations, in the last three years. In these video's, organizations tell the stories of the communities they serve and factors that have helped them ...
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June 16, 2021
While some memories last forever, even the most indelible images can fade over time – whether prints, negatives, or slides. You might be wondering, why do photos fade? There are many different reasons why.
So, why do colors fade in the sun? When color film became widely available to consumers in the early 1960s, the dyes were highly unstable. But even prints from the 1970s can look like washed-out smudges. The ink used to print these photographs contained a light-absorbing molecule called chromophores. When these compounds absorb any amount of light, the chemical bond of the picture dye, pigment, and ink break down, causing portions of the photo emulsion (surface) to separate into tiny pieces. The result is a faded, hazy, or discolored picture. Because magenta (red) dye is the most unstable when exposed to light, compared to cyan/blue and yellow, it’s common for older photos to have a slightly greenish tint.
Pigment dyes (laser printed) used in many modern color photographs have archival stability that nearly rivals black and white photographs. But the good news is that the dye-based inks used in far less expensive inkjet printers are much more resistant to fading and smudging than in the past.
Household chemicals, tobacco smoke, and dust can damage the chemical composition of photos and cause fading, stains, and abrasions. Trying to clean photos with household chemicals only makes matters worse.
Anything acidic such as masking or adhesive tape, the printing paper itself, or mats that aren’t acid-free can stain prints. And those magnetic photo pages that were so popular back in the 1970s–1990s are the worst. Trying to remove the photos without ruining them is nearly impossible, not to mention the damage the sticky residue causes! If your family photos are yellowish in hue, this was likely caused by acidic material.
You should never store photos in humid environments because exposure to moisture can rapidly change the hues through oxidation. Dye-based inks usually degrade faster than pigment-based inks because the latter have particles within a clear resin that reduces the effects of oxidation. Humidity can also cause fungus damage, which appears as big brown splotches.
If you’re worried about what to do with printed photos, the first step to prevent further fading and other problems is proper storage. Here are a few helpful tips:
The easiest, most convenient, and effective way to stop photos from fading forever is to get them digitized. At ScanDigital, we have the expertise to restore faded and otherwise damaged photos to their former glory, in many cases. Just don’t wait — time is of the essence when it comes to saving family photographs!
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It doesn’t jibe with the traditional poem, but in this part of the world, violets are commonly neither blue nor violet in color. Our two most common species have yellow flowers.
The Evergreen Violet, Viola sempervirens, lives up to its name by having evergreen foliage; its rounded leaves persist through the winter months. It is a short plant, seldom more than 10 cm (4″) tall. All of its leaves and flowers are borne singly on stems arising from underground rhizomes; it has no above-ground stems that bear both leaves and flowers. It is commonly found on the floor of coniferous forests.
The Stream Violet, Viola glabella, is often found along streams and in other areas wetter than the Evergreen Violet prefers. It is usually more than 20 cm (8″) tall, bearing both flowers and leaves from above-ground stems. All above-ground parts of this violet die back in winter. This violet’s leaves are thinner and brighter green than the Evergreen Violet’s, and they come to a point at the end. The Stream Violet is most common in deciduous forests.
Like all violets, both of the above have edible flowers and young leaves. Of the two, I prefer the Evergreen Violet, because its flowers often taste delightfully of wintergreen.
The flowers being the reproductive part of a plant, one should not attempt to make a harvest of edible flowers of any sort unless a) the flowers are numerous, and b) the area they are being harvested from is lightly-used. Item (b) means that I do not snack on violets here on the Island much, because most of our wild areas simply get too many visitors to support the ethical harvesting of flowers. I concentrate my snacking on violet blossoms to the times when I take hikes in less used areas on the Olympic Peninsula.
Garden pansies and Johnny-jump-ups are also in genus Viola and are also edible.
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The early years: shallow wells and cisterns
From the time the first settlers arrived in Charleston in 1668 through the early 1800s, Charlestonians obtained drinking water from shallow wells and rainwater collected in large cisterns. As the population grew, poor sanitation practices contaminated many of these wells, and city leaders began looking for a clean, plentiful source of water.
Deep artesian wells
In 1823, after hearing accounts of London’s success with deep artesian wells, Charleston City Council commissioned the construction of an artesian well at Meeting and Wentworth Streets. The 1,260-foot well was a disappointment: it cost $30,000 and took years to complete, only to produce a small amount of water.
It would take fifty years of trial and error, engineering ingenuity, and advances in the field of geology before artesian wells would become Charleston’s primary source of water for a brief period in the late 1800s. In 1879, a 1,970-foot well was successfully drilled at Marion Square. It yielded an impressive 700,000 gallons per day and was thought to be the first successful artesian well in the region. Following this triumph, City Council granted a franchise to the City of Charleston Water Works Company to develop a public water system.
The Water Works purchased the Elliot Mansion at 14 George Street for the location of office space, a pumping station, and a collecting reservoir. This building would later house the Commissioners of Public Works until 1985.
Advances in public health
In the late 1800s, a number of scientific discoveries made it clear that clean water and good sanitation practices were key to preventing disease. During an 1854 cholera outbreak in London, epidemiologist John Snow plotted the cases on a map and identified a water pump as the source of the outbreak. He removed the pump’s handle and the epidemic subsided, proving that contaminated water could spread disease. Over the next forty years, a series of discoveries by Robert Koch and Louis Pasteur proved that microscopic bacteria caused disease, and set the stage for the establishment of public health departments to track disease and make policies to prevent the spread of illnesses.
Charleston City Council established the first City Health Department in 1865, and in 1905, state law required municipalities to build drainage and sewer systems. Two years later, state law required public water suppliers to begin testing their water for bacterial and chemical contaminants.
The Charleston Light and Water Company and a new water source
By 1897, it was clear that the two million gallon yield of the City’s artesian wells could not continue to support the growing population. City Council appointed a committee to find a new water source, and in 1902, engineers recommended damming the Goose Creek, a tidal tributary of the Cooper River, to develop a fresh water reservoir. The City quickly moved forward with the recommendation by granting a franchise to the Charleston Light and Water Company to take over the City’s water system from the Charleston Water Works Company, and to build the Goose Creek Reservoir, along with a filter plant and steam pumping station on the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad near Hanahan. The Goose Creek supply was first introduced into City water mains in the fall of 1904 and provided up to five million gallons of water per day.
The Search for a Suitable Supply, 1668 - 1916
The Birth of a Modern Water Supply System, 1917 - 1955
The Regulatory Revolution, 1955 - present
Back to History of Charleston Water System
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Zoologger is our weekly column highlighting extraordinary animals – and occasionally other organisms – from around the world
Species: Equus burchelli, E. grevyi, E. zebra
Habitat: Open grassland areas and woodlands
Zebras are quite the communists. They graze together, groom each other and stay in packs to protect themselves from predators. And while some herds reportedly contain harems, a recent study observed peaceful and equal interactions amongst the sexes.
But it's not their egalitarian habits that define them, it's their distinctive black and white stripes, which for centuries have puzzled biologists. Now Adam Egri at Eötvös University in Budapest, Hungary, and colleagues have an answer: they believe zebras evolved stripes to protect themselves from blood-sucking insects.
The zebra is completely black as an early embryo, and white stripes only appear in a later embryonic stage, when the production of dark pigmentation is blocked. Each zebra has subtly different stripes, acting like nature's own barcode.
Charles Darwin wondered what purpose they served. A popular theory, both in the 19th century and today, is that zebras evolved striped coats as camouflage in tall grass. But, as Darwin noted, the "stripes cannot afford any protection in the open plains of South Africa".
More recently, biologists have observed that zebras don't attempt to conceal themselves by freezing in response to predators. Zoologist Desmond Morris wrote in his Animal watching: A field guide to animal behaviour that "compared to many hoofed animals on the plains of Africa, they are remarkably mobile and noisy and never attempt to hide in cover".
Darwin suggested that zebras developed their unique stripes to recognise each other, which could be particularly important for male and female courtship. "A female zebra would not admit the addresses of a male ass until he was painted so as to resemble a zebra," Darwin wrote.
Martin How at the University of Queensland, Australia, agrees that the stripes have an obvious social function. "But it's possible they appeared for another reason and the social benefits came later."
How says he has unpublished evidence suggesting that the stripes evolved to confuse predators, giving zebras crucial time to escape. He analysed videos of zebras with a motion detection program that mimics how movement is encoded in the animal brain. Their stripe pattern generated a range of optical illusions which would baffle a predator, he says. This effect was particularly strong when the animals moved together as a herd.
Another suggestion is that the stripes create a visual illusion, which makes the zebra look bigger that it is. Or perhaps the stripes assist with thermoregulation. But there is little evidence to support these claims, so the evolutionary explanation for the zebras' stripes has remained murky.
Egri's team picked up on a theory first proposed in 1930 and backed up in 1981, when it was demonstrated that biting tsetse flies were least attracted to striped animal models, when compared to black or white models.
Now Egri has taken the research one step further, by showing that horseflies (tabanids) also avoid the stripes. Biting insects transmit several equine diseases, such as equine infectious anaemia, as well as leaving painful bites.
Heading to a fly-infested farm in Budapest the team painted trays with different black and white patterns, and filled them with salad oil to trap the horseflies. Trays coated with thick horizontal stripes attracted less flies than diagonal lines, or criss-crosses. Thin black stripes mimicking those of the zebra attracted fewer flies than thick lines.
"The stripes are messing with their heads," says Justin Marshall, a sensory neurobiologist, also at the University of Queensland. "It confuses them and provides an unattractive surface to land on."
According to experiments carried out by Egri's team, the stripes could also disrupt polarised light, making zebras less appealing to the pests. Horseflies are attracted to horizontally polarised light because they detect water through horizontal polarisation. At the watering hole, flies drink, mate and lay eggs.
Mike Archer, an evolutionary biologist at the University of New South Wales, Australia, calls this "a delightfully innovative explanation for something that's long puzzled mammalogists."
"Having been bitten myself many times by tabanids, which really hurt, this new explanation makes a great deal of sense to me," he says.
Journal Reference: The Journal of Experimental Biology, DOI: 10.1242/jeb.065540
Read previous Zoologger columns: The only males with more brain than females , How a blurry-eyed spider pounces on target, Gecko's amputated tail has life of its own, Unique life form is half plant, half animal, Transgender fish perform reverse sex flip, My brain's so big it spills into my legs, Dozy hamsters reverse the ageing process, To kill a mockingbird? No, parasitise it, Chill out with the world's coldest insect, 'Werewolf birds' hook up by the full moon, Cannibal shrimp shows its romantic side, The only cross-dressing bird of prey, The biggest spider web in the world.
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What's Black And White, And Red All Over?
Fri Feb 17 18:23:31 GMT 2012 by Eric Kvaalen
Saying that "the stripes are messing with their heads" or "It confuses them and provides an unattractive surface to land on" is just begging the question, which is why the stripes have this effect on the flies.
Maybe they get confused because they find White Stripes in the middle of the savannah.
How Do These Flies Find Their Prey?
Wed Dec 26 08:32:48 GMT 2012 by sevenleafclover
do the above mentioned parasitic flies posess the ability to detect CO2 like mosquitoes? Or are they soley visual hunters?
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What’s the Difference Between Baritone Horn and Euphonium?
When it comes to these two low-register brass instruments, it’s down to the details.
For young people starting out on brass instruments, the baritone horn and the euphonium are two of the most popular choices. Both are sizable (read: hard to lose) and offer distinctive low-register sounds without being unwieldy like a tuba or sousaphone. Both the baritone horn and the euphonium are also relatively easy to learn to play, especially when compared to the more difficult French horn or trumpet, and are commonly found in brass ensembles, marching bands and orchestras. In this article, we’ll examine what they have in common, as well as what makes each unique.
Both the baritone horn and the euphonium have their origins in early musical instruments such as the snake-like “serpent” horn, which was able to produce low-register notes due to its tube length.
One major similarity is that they are the same size. While each is shaped differently (see below), both instruments are made with the same nine feet of tubing; as a result, they have identical tonal ranges. And, while some varieties of brass instruments (like the four types of tubas) are pitched differently, both the baritone horn and euphonium are pitched to B♭. In addition, they are both “transposing” instruments (which means that music for each can be written in either bass or treble clefs) that have piston valves, though some rotary valve versions do exist. Generally speaking, baritone horns have three valves while euphoniums have four; however, there are three- and four-valve versions of each instrument.
In both instruments, sound is created when a player blows into a large cup mouthpiece by buzzing or vibrating the lips, with the resultant pitch determined by the combination of valves being pressed.
One of the most significant differences between baritone horn and euphonium is the shape of their bore. The tubing of the baritone horn widens ever-so-slightly towards the bell, although the main body of the instrument essentially remains cylindrical throughout. The tubing in a baritone horn is also thinner than that of a euphonium. As a result, the baritone horn produces a brighter, more direct sound than the euphonium. That’s one reason why it is more often found in orchestral brass sections than in marching bands.
The euphonium, which is sometimes known as the B♭ tuba or “tenor tuba,” has tubing that is much more conical in shape. As a result, its bore becomes wider as it extends toward the bell. The euphonium’s bell is also decidedly larger than that of the baritone. This means that the sound the euphonium produces is generally fuller, rounder and more mellow than that of the baritone horn. As a result, composers tend to use euphonium for main melody or countermelody, as opposed to baritone horn, which often is called upon to play percussive parts.
Some musicians find the euphonium more difficult to play than baritone horn due to its conical shape. While that’s debatable, it is true that a stronger lung capacity is required to produce a sturdy sound with the euphonium. The instrument is also slightly wider and heavier than the baritone horn and thus it can be a little more challenging to maneuver in a marching band situation.
OTHER VARIETIES OF EUPHONIUM
Under the euphonium umbrella are several less-common variations, including the “compensating euphonium,” which utilizes a three-plus-one valve system. This “compensating” valve uses extra tubing to achieve a lower range on the instrument.
There is also the “double-bell euphonium,” which offers players a second, smaller bell intended to sound like a trombone, likely intended for performances where trombones were not available. Over the years, however, these have become less commonplace.
And, while most euphoniums are equipped with four valves (or, less commonly, three), five-valve options do exist too, though they are also extremely rare. These offer players two additional valves off to the side of the instrument that effectively change its tube length and extend its pitch range.
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Here is a great lesson you should try with your students and it’s a project that can be done with any grade level. Your students will be creating a square radial design! Decide on the size of the paper you want and divide this paper into a triangle. Basically, just cut the paper in half diagonally. I like big projects so we used big paper.
Give each student a triangle piece and explain that their challenge is to write their name using any type of lettering (bubble, cursive, etc) and they have to use the whole space horizontally and their letters must touch the top and bottom of the triangle (this is to create sections for coloring in).
The next step is pretty much up to you and your kids but you basically color in each letter and the sections between the letters all different colors. We decided to add a pattern in one of the letters before coloring each section to see what would happen to the final design.
Once the triangle is colored you have the option of color copying the original 7 more times or have your kids trace the the original 7 times and then hand coloring each one. Remember that each triangle has to be colored in the same as the original. We chose to hand copy and color each section and yes, my students were a little tired by the end but when we put everything together, it was like magic! They were so happy and pleased and all agreed the hard work was so very worth it.
Something to remember whether you color copy or hand copy: 4 copies have to be the right side up and you need 4 copies that are backwards. My students flipped the original over and copied this using a window to have their backwards image.
When all 8 triangles are done, match a normal side with a backwards side and they should match up nicely. Do this with the rest of the triangles and put it all together and you have a gorgeous name art masterpiece!
Aren’t these so gorgeous?
Art Lessons for Kids is on Facebook and we are GROWING. Hit the ”Like” button to show your LOVE and join the conversation. You can also follow my adventures on Twitter (@Ms_Alejandra) or see what I am pinning over at Pinterest.
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This Zoom class, sponsored by the King County Master Gardener Demonstration Garden in Bellevue, will be March 20th, 9:30-10:30am.
If you want to increase your gardening knowledge and skills, the Bellevue Demonstration Garden (BDG) Workshop series can help you. A broad range of topics which are based on scientific information emphasizing plants and methods that work in the Pacific Northwest will be discussed. These workshops are appropriate for both beginning and experienced gardeners. Current science and techniques are emphasized. Participants can expect to learn about new methods and plants as well as the tried and true. Topics will vary from vegetable to ornamental cultivation and may discuss blending both in your garden beds.
The June 12, 2021, workshop will be presented by Sharon Collman who will speak about Building a Pollinator Garden: from Lawn to Blooming Exuberance. The workshop will document the transition from unhealthy lawn and sheared conifers to a garden of perennials, flowering trees and lots of buzzing and water quality benefits. Sharon Collman has been a WSU educator in horticulture and IPM since 1974. She was a founding member of the WSU Pilot Master Gardener program which has been adopted in most states, Canadian provinces, and several countries abroad. Collman has authored more than 75 publications including fact sheets, magazine articles and book chapters and received many awards for her programs. She is most passionate about educating people about insects and their role in our lives, and she photographs insects for her enjoyment.
Instructions for joining the Zoom classes will be sent to registrants at 7:30AM the day of the class. Classes will be held on Saturdays. Access to Zoom will be open at 9:00AM the day of the class. You must register for this class to receive the Zoom instructions. A minimum donation of $5 is suggested for this class.
Details and links to each workshop’s registration are available on the BDG Workshops web page at https://www.mgfkc.org/education/bdg-workshops.
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Raising an imaginative child doesn’t have to be hard work: responding to your child’s curiosity, observing the world around you and taking breaks from daily routine can help develop your child’s ability to imagine better scenarios than those available in reality.
Too many children are raised with strict rules that make it difficult for them to think creatively. But creativity is important and will no doubt help your child build the skills they need to solve problems as an adult. It is for this reason that you need to nourish creative thinking in children like you’d have taught them to ride a bike or interact with others.
Now, of course, teaching creative thinking is not straight as a line. It’s a curve of incidents and situations that demand actions based on thinking out of the box. To encourage creative thinking in your child, the following are some very useful tips that can be helpful.
- Problem solving – There are numerous times when your child shows up with questions of either academics or general things. At those times, instead of gratifying them instantly with a ready answer, make them ponder over the questions and think of probable answers before offering your answer. This will push them to think outside the box. Also explain to them if they fail to understand all by themselves.
- Playing helps – In today’s setting it is utterly difficult for parents to take out time to play with the kids. However, if not everyday, at least try and spend some time playing with your child once or twice a week. Another thing to keep in mind is that you’re controlling their thoughts while they are at play. Regardless of how dumb chasing false fairies may seem, remember you’re playing with a kid that is imagining and trying to understand the world through their limited knowledge. You can obviously pass a few notes of knowledge every now and then.
- Ask the right questions – Spending quality time with your kids doesn’t necessarily need to be restricted to playing. Besides reading and doing chores together, you may have interactive sessions with your kids where you get to ask questions and they need to answer. Now even though the answers don’t have to be always correct, the questions can. Try asking about their goals, thoughts on how certain things work, etc.
- Do chores together – Often neglected, doing chores together can immensely pace up your child’s learning process. Besides spending some quality time, doing chores together also enables your little one to learn from you. A widely popular fact is that children mimic and learn, they see and they learn. Thus, you can present situations and ask them to help you solve them.
- Upgrade yourself – Now parenthood isn’t easy and there are often a lot of things that we don’t always know. It is thus necessary for you to keep up with things that your child might have queries about. Also, you must know that your child is keenly observing you at all times. What you do, how you deal with people and situations is obviously going to have a strong effect on how they do and think things.
- A little praise goes a long way – Praising your little one’s efforts and not their results, is important. This sets a precedent that your child’s ability is not entirely dependent on their success or failure. “I am proud of you for studying so hard. I’m aware that you had spent a really long time preparing and you did great and that is what matters most.” Encouraging children to use their minds for learning or studying will be remembered longer than any grades they get on tests.
- Talk about history – Every family has certain stories of fun and chaos. There is often wisdom and creative thinking that’s hidden under the surface. By narrating those to your kids, you will be offering him a great story as well as a similar situation to think and compare when they’re in a similar spot.
- Allow them some space – Now as western as this may sound, it is important to offer some space to your children. They need their own time to explore and experiment with things that interest them. Spoon feeding that little one every time they come across a challenge is not the best way to go about encouraging creative thinking.
- Consume travel related content – There are plenty of websites which is live and free for everybody’s consumption. Wander & Beyond is one of them. They talk about everything related to travelling and living outdoor. It has 15 million yearly visitors. To grow and have different world perspective, you need to travel and this website will really help you. Travel and Leisure is one of the other website.
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Certain pairs of arguments
to the residue function,
as implemented on many APL systems,
give results which make it seem as
if the ordinary decimal relationships
we remember from grade school no longer hold.
As far as we can tell,
it looks as if a given modulus
should divide the right argument,
but the implementation tells us it doesn’t.
A definition for a fuzzed residue
function is proposed which resolves the
difficulties users have complained of.
However, certain points
of continuing difficulty remain,
where the limitations of machine arithmetic
continue to defeat the attempt to model
the real number system.
The representation function is defined in
terms of the residue function, and so is
affected by the change in residue.
The nature of this effect is also discussed
in this paper.
0. The problem
Several authors [1, 2, 3, 4] have given examples where the results provided by APL’s residue function, as implemented on many computers compatible with IBM’s 370 architecture, are counterintuitive. They complain that sometimes the residue function fails to give zero as result when the modulus (left argument) clearly divides the right argument. Instead it gives either a number essentially equal to the modulus, or a very small number. For example:
⎕pp←16 ⎕ct←1e¯13 .2|1.4 1.6 0.1999999999999999 1.110223024625157e¯16
This result comes about as follows. The machine implementation of the residue function closely follows the definition (for non-zero left arguments):
However, although we use numbers expressed
in a decimal representation
when we key in APL statements,
on machines which follow the floating-point architecture
of the IBM System/370,
APL interpreters typically convert these
decimal representations into
In other words, the numbers are represented
in base 16 rather than
base 10 .
The only decimal fractions
which can be represented exactly
are those which are also exact hexadecimal fractions.
Thus .25 , .5 ,
and .75 can be represented exactly
(since they may be represented as 4 , 8 ,
and 12 divided by 16),
but .2 , .4 ,
and .6 cannot.
Using the inexact hexadecimal representations
of these decimal numbers gives rise to the
counterintuitive results shown in the
example above. 1.4÷.2
is slightly less than 7 ,
in the inexact hexadecimal representation,
so that taking the exact floor
of this gives 6 .
Consequently 1.4-.2×6 gives a result
just slightly less than .2 ;
if only ten digits of precision are
asked for (as is the default on many IBM-based APL’s),
this prints as 0.2 .
On the other hand, 1.6÷.2
is slightly more than 8 ,
its floor is 8 ,
and then .2×8 is very
slightly less than 1.6 ,
so 1.6-.2×8 is quite a small number.
Both results “should” be zero,
of course, since .2 divides both 1.4
and 1.6 exactly.
But closest-possible hexadecimal arithmetic says otherwise.
Not all the blame must be put on the base sixteen
Even if the machine had base ten,
although every decimal number with few enough digits
and with exponent confined to a suitable range
could be exactly represented,
there would still be many arithmetic operations
whose results could not be accurately represented.
For example, any time there was a division
by a number having a factor relatively prime
to ten the result would be inexact.
Thus dividing by three would be inexact. The
result of 3×÷3 would be not 1 ,
but .99999... .
1. Fuzzed functions
In most APL systems all of the relational functions, and also membership, inverse indexing, floor, and ceiling tolerate inexactness in their arguments by a small amount, called by the first implementers “fuzz”. This has now become a formal part of APL in the system variable representing “comparison tolerance”. APL’s fuzz attempts to conceal from the user the difference between the ideal real-number system and the practical, finite approximation to this found in all computer systems. APL’s use of fuzz smooths over some of the rough edges of the number-approximating scheme, but it does so at the cost of losing certain identities. For example, if two numbers are equal, their difference should be zero. With fuzzy equality we may very well have two numbers equal, but their difference could be either a small negative or a small positive quantity instead.
Fuzz is used in two different ways. In the first place, it defines an interval about the larger in magnitude of the two arguments to a function, and if the other argument falls within that interval, the two arguments are said to be equal. This is the behavior for the relational functions, membership, and inverse indexing. For example,:
⎕ct←1e¯13 a←2-1e¯14 2=a 1 a<2 0 (2,a)⍳a 1 1 2 3∊a 0 1 0
Secondly, it is used to determine whether a given floating-point number is close enough to an integer, where “close enough” means that the given number would compare equal to the nearest integer. This is done in functions requiring Boolean or integral values as arguments, as for example indexing, or the left arguments for the circular function or reshape. In these cases, reference is not made to comparison tolerance, but rather to a built-in fuzz which is nowhere explicit. It is also done in the case of floor and ceiling, using comparison tolerance. For example,
The number, though less than 2 ,
is “close enough” to 2 .
One identity we lose as a consequence
of this is that when we take the
difference of a number and its floor,
we may get a negative number.
The definition of fuzzy floor
has had a long history in APL,
and is still being discussed
2. The relationship between floor and residue
It does not appear possible to define both the floor function and the residue function in closed form without circularity. That is, the floor function is defined as:
floor:⍵-1|⍵ (2)and the residue function, as in definition (1), depends on the floor function. The expression 1|⍵ is the fractional-part function, of which more later.
The definition (2) can be re-expressed to give a definition of a number as the sum of its integer part and its fractional part:
This identity can be generalized to arbitrary moduli:
as shown in . Users expect (perhaps naively) that a number can be decomposed accurately using the floor and residue functions. They are told, in fact, in standard APL texts that they will be able to do so . It is desirable that these expectations not be thwarted.
In most APL’s that run on computers having IBM’s floating-point architecture, there is a lack of harmony between the floor and the residue function, arising from the fact that, while the floor function is fuzzed, the residue function is not. To show the discordance, consider the following:
⎕ct←1e¯13 ⎕pp←16 z←4-1e¯14 z 3.99999999999999 ⌊z 4 1|z 0.99999999999999 (⌊z)+(1|z) 4.99999999999999
The problem is that
in the implementation of
the residue function
in accordance with definition (1),
the floor of the quotient is computed exactly.
In order to make the residue function harmonious
with the floor function
either the floor function should be
computed exactly (without fuzz),
or the residue function should be computed fuzzily.
This paper discusses the latter alternative.
3. An important residue inequality and its complex extension
It might be useful at this point to give briefly the history of the residue function in APL, since this bears on one key point in the discussion of fuzzy residue.
The original documentation for APL conflicted with the first implementation in regard to residue (and many other things, for that matter). It gave the familiar definition (1) for residue, but the implementation chose instead to use the magnitude of the modulus instead of the signed value. The second major APL document reflected this use of the magnitude. This definition had several defects, but these did not become apparent until late in 1968 when I began studying the extension of APL to complex-number arguments. In fact, the question I was asked, by Larry Breed, was “How shall the residue function be extended to complex numbers?”
The defects in the definition at that time were first, the result was always non-negative; it was as if half the range of the function were denied. Second, the modulus zero was not a left identity element, even though it was claimed to be [12, 13], since 0|x for negative x gave a domain error. Third, the useful inequality:
(0≤(a|b)÷a) ^ ((a|b)÷a)<1 (4)
as well as identity (3) was lost for negative a . Fourth, the function as defined couldn’t be extended to the complex domain, for two reasons. There was no definition for the floor function of complex numbers, and the use of the magnitude function in the complex plane kept the residue of w|z for complex w and z from being a Gaussian integer, destroying the notion of complete systems of residues.
I remedied the first defect by creating a definition for a complex floor function , and the second by proposing that the definition and the implementation of residue be changed to reflect the original definition (which had never been implemented). I proposed the change to residue in 1968, and by 1973 (when APLSV was announced) the new definition was made available to customers.
Two years after this, in 1975, the third major IBM APL language document was written, and it stated, “if a≠0 , then a|b lies between a and zero (being permitted to equal zero but not a) and is equal to b-n×a for some integer n .” It is this statement which several readers of early drafts of this paper said had to be given up if APL were extended to include complex numbers as data types, and thus couldn’t be used in making arguments for a fuzzy residue. These readers were wrong, however, as I shall explain.
Let’s take a look at the inequality (4) which lies behind the statement in . Recall that it says (a|b)÷a is greater than or equal to zero and less than one. This is another way of saying that the result is in the range of the fractional-part function (see Figure 1).
The definition I gave to complex floor was chosen to be compatible with the real floor definition. In particular, the fractional-part function 1|⍵ extends faithfully (see Figure 2).
Just as, in the real case, we can say that the result of 1|⍵ lies in the half-open interval [0,1) , in the complex case we can say that its result lies in the half-open area delimited as shown in Figure 2.
We can go on to say that the result of a|b lies in the half-open interval [0,a) formed by multiplying the fractional-part range by a (Figure 3). We shall call this the residue interval. Similarly, in the complex case the result of a|b lies in the half-open rectangle formed by the multiplication of the fractional-part rectangle by a (Figure 4). We shall call this the residue area. Thus, in the real case, for positive a , the result is found in a residue interval extending to the right from zero, and for negative a , the result is found in a residue interval extending to the left from zero. This is the basis for the statement in . When an APL language manual is written which accommodates complex numbers, the discussion of residue must be modified, but the basic idea remains the same.
What I wish you to retain from this discussion is the fact that the result of a|b always lies in the residue interval for a , is never equal to a , and thus its magnitude is less than the magnitude of a .
4. A proposal for fuzzy residue
One possible definition for fuzzy residue is simply to use (1) with fuzzy rather than exact floor. This definition would, indeed, prevent results being equal to the modulus. For example, ⌊1.4÷.2 would be 7 rather than 6 , and thus .2|1.4 would be zero. However it would leave the result of .2|1.6 unchanged: this would still be a small number. Thus, if one were content to get a small number rather than zero as the result, this definition would satisfy. But since the purpose of this paper is to show how to make APL arithmetic correspond more closely to our school arithmetic, definition (1), with fuzzy floor, must be regarded as unsatisfactory.
Another candidate is:
In this definition, the floor function and the equals function are fuzzy. It says that the standard definition should be used unless ⍵÷⍺ is essentially an integer, in which case the result is zero. This is an appealing definition, and covers most cases, but fails if ⍵÷⍺ is small enough (that is, if the modulus ⍺ is sufficiently much larger than ⍵), so that ⌊⍵÷⍺ is zero. In this case, s=⌊s will fail, because comparisons with zero are exact, and thus instead of the result of ⍺|⍵ being zero, it will be ⍵ . This may not seem wrong to you, but if the signs of ⍺ and ⍵ are different, the result will have a different sign from the modulus, and this is not permitted: the result must lie in the residue interval for ⍺ . Presently, when ⍺ is very much larger than and opposite in sign to ⍵ , the result is exactly ⍺ , since the exact floor of ⍵÷⍺ is ¯1 , and ⍵ is lost by cancellation in performing ⍵-⍺ׯ1 , leaving us with ⍺ . It’s hard to judge which is worse, the present situation or that which would occur with fr2 .
The next candidate, suggested by Doug Forkes, is
Here the comparison is between the ceiling of the quotient and the floor of the quotient. If these are equal, the result will be zero, and if the quotient is very small, the ceiling and the floor will both be zero, the comparison will be true, and the result of ⍺|⍵ will be zero. The identity that this definition preserves is that if a|b is zero, then so is a|-b , since b differs from -b only by a unit, and thus the numbers are associates, and associates are divisible by the same numbers. It appears to be the case that we have to accept zero for the result of, say, (16*15)|1 , in order to keep (16*15)|¯1 from being outside the residue interval of 16*15 .
Our final definition will be fr3 extended to accommodate the case of zero as a modulus:
fr:⍵-⍺×⌊s :(⍺=0)∨(⌈s)=⌊s←⍵÷⍺+⍺=0 :⍵×⍺=0
This definition will revert to the present
definition when ⎕ct is zero.
Definition fr ,
together with the existing fuzzy floor definition,
insures that a number will be the sum
of its integer and fractional parts
except in cases where the number is a small
negative number such as -1e¯10+1e¯20 .
In this case, the floor
of the number is ¯1 ,
the fractional part is 1-1e¯10
(losing the 1e¯20 by cancellation),
and the sum of the floor
and the fractional part will not
compare equal to the original number.
In this case we accept defeat
at the hands of the machine.
Since encode is defined in terms of residue, changing the definition of residue will have an effect on the way encode works. The definition of encode remains the same, but notice the difference between the present encode, which uses an unfuzzed residue, and the function fe , which uses the fuzzy residue function:
fe:((¯1↓⍺)fe(⍵-x)div ¯1↑⍺),x←(¯1↑⍺)fr⍵:0=⍴⍺:⍳0 10 10 10⊤99.999999999999 0 9 9.999999999999 10 10 10 fe 99.999999999999 1 0 0
The div function is used instead of the primitive divide function in order to give the quotient zero for zero divided by zero, thus “stopping” the encode, as it should, at a result element position corresponding to a zero element in the left argument:
giving further reason for wanting the
quotient of 0÷0 to be changed from the way
prevent APL systems compute it
(which give one as the result)
This work has benefitted from extensive
discussions with Mike Jenkins of Queens
University, Kingston, Ontario;
Jim Brown and Larry Breed, of IBM;
Rick Petkiewicz, of Northern Arizona University,
Bob Bernecky, Doug Forkes, and Leigh Clayton,
of I.P. Sharp Associates;
and Paul Penfield, of MIT.
First appeared in the APL79 Proceedings, 1979-06. The sections in the original paper were not numbered.
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An overview of GPG
GPG stands for Gnu Privacy Guard. It is a program from the FSF which allows you to encrypt and verify signed files created by others all without a shared secret which would allow others to impersonate you or get access to your encrypted files.
The purpose of encryption is to make something readable only to a select individual or group. The simplest ways of doing this are "codes" which basically mean that parts (possibly all of it in total) are transposed with other unique items.
By T. W. Zellers at IP-Wars.
[ Read more ]
By subscribing to our early morning news update, you will receive a daily digest of the latest security news published on Help Net Security.
With over 500 issues so far, reading our newsletter every Monday morning will keep you up-to-date with security risks out there.
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| 0.929678 | 179 | 2.953125 | 3 |
What is the Sun?
The Sun is a star, just like the ones you see twinkling in the night sky. It’s located at the center of our solar system and is by far its largest object. But because it’s much closer to us than any other star, it appears much brighter and hotter.
How Does the Sun Work?
Just like other stars, the Sun shines because of a process called nuclear fusion. Picture this: in the heart of the Sun, where it’s super hot and squishy, hydrogen atoms are having a massive pillow fight. WHAM! They smash together to form helium. This pillow fight releases an enormous amount of energy in the form of light and heat. This energy then takes a journey from the core, through various layers of the Sun, and finally reaches us here on Earth as sunlight.
The Sun’s Layer Cake
The Sun is like a giant cosmic layer cake:
- Core: This is the Sun’s kitchen, where the magic of nuclear fusion happens. It’s so hot here, with temperatures reaching about 15 million degrees Celsius. It would melt your ice cream in a nanosecond!
- Radiative Zone: Energy from the core takes a leisurely stroll through this layer, being absorbed and re-emitted by the gas here.
- Convective Zone: In this layer, hot gas rises and cool gas sinks, kind of like bubbles in a boiling pot of soup.
- Photosphere: This is the Sun’s skin that we can see from Earth. It’s where the light finally waves goodbye and escapes into space.
- Chromosphere and Corona: These are the Sun’s fancy hats. They’re the outermost layers of the Sun’s atmosphere and become visible during a total solar eclipse.
Our Cosmic Lifeguard
The Sun is like the best lifeguard ever. It provides the heat and light necessary for plants to perform photosynthesis, which is like the plants’ kitchen where they cook up oxygen and fuel for life’s energy needs.
The Sun also controls our weather and climate. Differences in heating from the Sun create wind, drive the water cycle, and stir up ocean currents.
Plus, studying the Sun is like having a cosmic lab right in our backyard. By studying the Sun, scientists can learn more about other stars in the universe.
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| 0.924019 | 499 | 3.734375 | 4 |
* The Lockheed "P2V Neptune" is largely a forgotten aircraft, since it arrived too late for World War II and was eventually overshadowed by its replacement, the Lockheed P-3 Orion. However, through the 1950s and into the 1960s, the Neptune served in large numbers as the aerial backbone of the West's defense of the seas. A somewhat similar and competing aircraft, the Martin "Mercator", was only built in small numbers but served with distinction in Cold War secret spy flights. This document provides a history and description of the Neptune and Mercator.
* The Lockheed company had established itself as a major manufacturer of combat aircraft early in World War II with the "Hudson" ocean patrol aircraft, a militarized version of the Lockheed L-10 Electra twin-piston airliner. Over 1,500 Hudsons were obtained by the British, establishing a tradition for Lockheed in the ocean patrol aircraft business. The Hudson was a blatant improvisation whose main virtue was availability, though it did achieve successes against German U-boats. Lockheed then went on to produce a similar but "bigger and better" ocean patrol aircraft, the "PV-1 Ventura", based on the Lodestar transport, which was basically a stretched Electra with uprated engines. The Ventura led to an improved variant, the "PV-2 Harpoon".
Even as the Ventura-Harpoon series was being produced and enhanced, Lockheed was considering a much more formidable ocean patrol aircraft, with longer range, better sensors, and greater weapons load. An early study with the designation "V-135" was begun in September 1941, which led to a second study designated "V-146". The Navy was interested in the Lockheed proposal, giving the company a "letter of intent" in February 1943, and on 4 February 1944 awarded the company a contract for the development of two "XP2V-1" prototypes.
* The first of two prototype XP2V-1 "Neptunes", as the type was named, took to the air from Burbank, California, on 17 May 1945, and was followed by the second prototype soon after. Tests indicated that the new aircraft was highly maneuverable and had excellent performance. The XP2V-1 was a bullnosed aircraft, powered by twin Wright Cyclone R-3359-8 radial piston engines rated at 1,715 kW (2,300 HP) each for takeoff, driving four-bladed propellers. It was a mid-wing monoplane with a single tall tailfin; turning the rudder took a good deal of muscle. It had tricycle landing gear, with a skid bumper under the tail to protect the aircraft on steep takeoffs.
The tailplane had an interesting feature, in that its cross-sectional curvature could be modified in flight to maintain aircraft trim as fuel was consumed. This scheme was referred to as the "varicam" tail. The aircraft was designed to be built as a set of subassemblies that were easy to put together and access, simplifying manufacturing and maintenance. An engine change, for example, only took 30 minutes.
Defensive armament consisted of six 12.7-millimeter (0.50-caliber) Browning machine guns mounted in pairs in the nose, a dorsal turret, and tail turret. The aircraft could carry up to 3.6 tonnes (8,000 pounds) of offensive weapons in a huge bomb bay and on underwing racks. Typical warloads included:
The aircraft carried search radar, with a small radome between the nosewheel and the bomb bay. There were eight crewmen, though the number of crew would vary in later versions.
* The US Navy took delivery of the first of 15 production "P2V-1" Neptunes in early 1946, with the last of the variant delivered by May 1947. The production P2V-1s were generally similar to the prototypes, though there were some minor aerodynamic fixes and the size of the radome was enlarged.
The Neptune handled well on takeoff and landing, could climb rapidly for an aircraft of its configuration, and had good single-engine performance. It had a top speed of 485 KPH (300 MPH) and a range of 6,650 kilometers (4,130 miles). The interior was comfortable by the standards of military aircraft of the time, reducing crew fatigue on long ocean patrols. The flight surfaces of the aircraft were fitted with alcohol de-icers, and the wings could provide flotation for a time if the aircraft were ditched at sea.
The third P2V-1, named the TRUCULENT TURTLE, was stripped down, fitted with auxiliary fuel tanks plus an extended nose, and set an unrefueled long distance flight record in September 1947. The TURTLE flew from Perth, Australia, to Columbus, Ohio, with a crew of four Navy officers and a young kangaroo, covering 18,089.3 kilometers (11,235.6 miles) in 55 hours 17 minutes. This record stood until 1962, when an Air Force B-52H flew non-stop from Okinawa to Madrid, Spain, a distance of 20,177 kilometers (12,532.3 miles). The TURTLE is now on display at the US Naval Air Museum in Pensacola, Florida.BACK_TO_TOP
* The prototype for the second series of Neptunes, the "P2V-2", was modified from the fifth production P2V-1 to produce a more effective aircraft with one less crew member. The P2V-2 prototype first took to the air on 7 January 1947. The P2V-2 featured an extended nose, much like that of the TRUCULENT TURTLE, that stretched the aircraft 76 centimeters (2.5 feet) and did much to improve its looks. The nose turret was replaced with six fixed forward-firing 20-millimeter cannon; the nose also contained radar. The dorsal turret was lowered and streamlined. The twin 12.7-millimeter tail guns were retained in early production, but were replaced by twin 20-millimeter cannon in the ninth and later aircraft. The wings were fitted with a total of sixteen stubs for 12.7-centimeter (5-inch) High Velocity Air Rockets (HVARs).
The P2V-2 had uprated Wright Cyclone R-3350-24W engines, providing 1,865 kW (2,500 HP) each, with takeoff power of 2,090 kW (2,800 HP) using water injection. The P2V-2 was fitted with three-bladed Hamilton Standard propellers, replacing the four-bladed props used on the P2V-1. Racks for four jet-assisted take off (JATO) rocket bottles were provided on each side of the rear fuselage. The JATO bottles could provide 35.3 kN (3,600 kgp / 8,000 lbf) of thrust for ten seconds. Some P2V-2s had a second dome aft of the bomb bay; it might have been for some type of signals intelligence (SIGINT) gear, such as a radio emitter locator.
The changes resulted in an increased maximum takeoff weight of 28.6 tonnes (63,078 pounds), and a slightly reduced range of 6,410 kilometers (3,980 miles). However, the more powerful engines gave the P2V-2 a higher top speed of 515 KPH (320 MPH).
LOCKHEED P2V-2 NEPTUNE: _____________________ _________________ ___________________________ spec metric english _____________________ _________________ ___________________________ wingspan 30.5 meters 100 feet wing area 92.90 sq_meters 1,000 sq_feet length 23.8 meters 77 feet 10 inches height 3.6 meters 28 feet 1 inch empty weight 15,400 kilograms 33,960 pounds max loaded weight 28,605 kilograms 63,080 pounds maximum speed 515 KPH 320 MPH / 278 KT cruise speed 287 KPH 178 MPH / 155 KT service ceiling 7,925 meters 26,000 feet range 6,410 kilometers 3,980 miles / 3,460 NMI _____________________ _________________ ___________________________
The first P2V-2 went into US Navy service in 1947, with the last of the 81 built reaching the service in July of 1948.
* Two of the P2V-2s built were specially fitted for arctic operations and given the designation "P2V-2N"; they were apparently known as "Polar Bears". They were fitted with ski landing gear that wrapped around their tires, allowing the aircraft to land on either snow or a conventional runway. The landing gear was retractable, with the skis neatly faired into the nose and the engine nacelles in flight. The P2V-2Ns were intended for long-range arctic search and rescue, and had all armament removed, as well as the tail skid. They carried a primitive magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) probe in the tail in place of the tail turret.
At least three P2V-2s were specially modified for photo mapping duties. The solid nose containing cannon was replaced by a glassed observation nose containing a mapping camera. All armament except for the dorsal turret was removed. Other P2V-2s were modified for training and other duties, and some were even refitted with four-bladed propellers.BACK_TO_TOP
* The "P2V-3" was externally very similar to the P2V-2, but featured even more powerful Wright R-3350-26W engines, with 2,390 kW (3,200 HP) for take-off. The P2V-3 was otherwise hard to tell from its predecessor. With the uprated engines, the P2V-3 had a top speed of 545 KPH (338 MPH). The first P2V-3 flew on 6 August 1948. A total of 83 was built, including subvariants, with the last delivered in January 1950. When Communist North Korea invaded South Korea later that year, the P2V-3 was pressed into service as a ground attack aircraft, plastering North Korean columns with 20-millimeter cannon fire and HVAR volleys.
There were four subvariants of the P2V-3:
The P2V-3W may have been the first secret spy variant of the Neptune; it would certainly not be the last. Neptunes would be significant participants in covert "ferret" missions around (and sometimes over) the borders of the Soviet Union and other Communist bloc nations to characterize adversary defenses. They sometimes ran into trouble. The story of these secret spy missions only began to come out in the 1990s.
On 6 November 1951, Soviet MiG fighters jumped a P2V-3W probing the defenses of the Red Navy base area at Vladivostok, and shot the Neptune down, with all ten crew believed killed. The Soviets insisted it had been in their airspace, and had refused to follow fighters that tried to make it land. That may have well been true, but crews of US ferret aircraft were under strict instructions that they were not to obey orders to land, even if the alternative was death.
The Americans insisted the aircraft had been in international airspace. That might have been true, but sometimes the Soviets didn't care, particularly if they had been the victim of other US overflights, and simply wanted to make their irritation known. The MiG pilots were apparently given decorations, indicating that the shootdown was completely deliberate and approved of at the very top.
In the spring of 1952 a P2V-3W performed several overflights of the Kamchatka Peninsula, pinpointing reconnaissance targets for a Boeing RB-50 Superfortress flying at higher altitude. Oddly, the Neptune was escorted by MiGs several times, sometimes when it was over Soviet airspace, and not fired on, though the MiG crews took pictures of the P2V-3W. It certainly must have been a very stressful experience for the Neptune crew.
* The "P2V-4" was another stepwise refinement of the Neptune type, featuring yet another uprated powerplant fit, increased fuel capacity, and standard fit of the AN/APS-20 radar and associated enlarged radome used on the P2V-3W. The first P2V-4 flew on 14 November 1949.
The new powerplants were Wright R-3350-30W Turbo-Compound engines with 2,800 kW (3,750 HP) each, though early production aircraft had the R-3350-26W engines used on the P2V-3 and were upgraded to the new engines later. All the P2V-4s used four-bladed propellers. The top speed was increased once more, to 565 KPH (350 MPH). The additional fuel tanks fitted to the P2V-1 TRUCULENT TURTLE for its record breaking distance flight led Lockheed engineers to consider what might be done to improve the fuel capacity of the Neptune in general, and the P2V-4 incorporated additional fuel tanks in the fuselage and wings. It also featured spindle-shaped external tanks that were attached under the wing tips. The external tank attached to the right wingtip included a searchlight in its nose. The increased fuel capacity gave the P2V-4 a range of 6,750 kilometers (4,200 miles).
Armament fit of the P2V-4 was the same as that of the standard P2V-3. It carried radio sonobuoys to improve its antisubmarine capabilities, and was known as the "Snorkel Snipper" since its likely prey was to be diesel submarines operating with snorkels. Crew was increased to eight to include a sonobuoy operator.
52 P2V-4s were built. There were no formal subvariants. Some P2V-4s were used for ocean patrol during the Korean War. In 1962, the US military changed to a uniform aircraft designation system, and P2V-4s still in operation with the US Naval Reserve were redesignated "P-2Ds".BACK_TO_TOP
* The "P2V-5" was the definitive Neptune variant, with 424 built. It replaced earlier Neptune variants in first line operation, relegating them to reserve status. Various changes and enhancements made through its subvariants resulted in an aircraft distinctly different in appearance from its predecessors. Its successors would retain much the same configuration.
The first P2V-5 flew on 29 December 1950, and the type performed ocean patrols during the later parts of the Korean War. The P2V-5 retained the same powerplants as the P2V-4, but the six fixed 20-millimeter cannon in the nose were replaced by an Emerson nose turret mounting twin 20-millimeter cannon. Additional anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and electronics countermeasures (ECM) gear -- particularly an AN/ALR-3 countermeasures receiving set, with small fairings on the side of the nose and rear fuselage -- were incorporated, and another crew member was added to operate the new ASW-ECM gear, bringing the total to nine.
The wingtip tanks introduced in the P2V-4 were enlarged and attached directly to the wingtips, instead of under them, though initial production retained the earlier tanks. Range was increased to 7,650 kilometers (4,750 miles). The bigger tanks had fins and could be dropped in an emergency. The right wingtip tank had a searchlight in front whose movement was synchronized to and boresighted with that of the nose turret. Apparently one of the wingtip tanks was also fitted with a short-range radar, variously given as the AN/APS-8 or AN/APS-31, and either fitted in the nose of the left wingtip tank or ganged to the searchlight in the right. In any case, the P2V-5 retained the AN/APS-20 search radar of the P2V-4.
The P2V-5 was upgraded with new features during production, such as:
One of the most distinctive updates was a refit with two 15.1 kN (1,540 kgp / 3,400 lbf) thrust Westinghouse J34-WE-34 turbojets, fitted outboard of the piston engines. These turbojets were used to assist in take-offs and for additional combat speed. The number of HVAR stub launch rails was reduced from 16 to 8 when the turbojets were fitted. This subvariant was designated the "P2V-5F".
LOCKHEED P2V-5F NEPTUNE: _____________________ _________________ ___________________________ spec metric english _____________________ _________________ ___________________________ wingspan 31.7 meters 103 feet 10 inches wing area 92.90 sq_meters 1,000 sq_feet length 27.8 meters 91 feet 2 inches height 3.6 meters 28 feet 1 inch empty weight 18,935 kilograms 41,755 pounds max loaded weight 34,535 kilograms 76,150 pounds maximum speed 520 KPH 323 MPH / 280 KT cruise speed 333 KPH 207 MPH / 180 KT service ceiling 7,705 meters 23,200 feet range 7,650 kilometers 4,750 miles / 4,130 NMI _____________________ _________________ ___________________________
The P2V-5F led to further subvariants. The "P2V-5FD" was a modification to act as a target drone controller. All armament was removed as well as most of the combat avionics, and the aircraft was fitted with drone control systems and a pair of pylons for carrying Ryan Firebee drones. These drone controllers remained in service until the early 1970s.
There was also a "P2V-5FE", which was fitted with unspecified additional avionics, possibly for ELINT, and a "P2V-5FS" which carried the "Julie-Jezebel" sonar system. Some P2V-5Fs were stripped of all armament and used as US Navy "hurricane hunters", flying into hurricanes to perform weather observations.
* As with the P2V-3Ws, P2V-5s on ELINT missions sometimes got into trouble. One was shot down by Chinese ground fire near the port of Swatow on the Formosa Straits on 18 January 1953, ditching at sea. A Navy PBM-5 Mariner flying boat picked up survivors of the Neptune's crew, only to then come under fire from shore batteries itself. The pilot tried to take off but crashed. A US Navy destroyer, the USS HALSEY POWELL, intervened, also taking hits, and managed to rescue 7 of the original 13 on board the Neptune and 3 of the 8 on board the Mariner. Another Mariner and the destroyer USS GREGORY were involved and took hits themselves. It is unclear if the destroyers returned fire on the Chinese shore batteries, but in hindsight the whole affair sounds less like an "incident" than like a full-scale battle.
On 4 January 1954, a P2V-5 on a ferret mission around Dairen on the Manchurian coast went down with ten crew in the Yellow Sea. The circumstances of this incident are particularly murky. The mission was being conducted at night and in intermittent snow squalls, and the P2V-5 reported that it had suffered engine trouble and was returning to base. That was the last that was heard from it, and there is some suspicion that it strayed into a restricted area and was shot down by "friendlies". Its IFF (identification friend or foe transponder) may have been damaged, and its Navy radios didn't operate on the same band as the radios used by Air Force controllers. True or not, such things do happen. The families were told that their loved ones had been lost in an accident on a "routine training flight".
There was another loss in 1954, on 4 September, when a Neptune (variant unclear, but likely a P2V-5 by simple numeric odds) was jumped by Soviet MiGs. It escaped but had to ditch in the Sea of Japan, with nine of the ten crew rescued. A P2V-5 on a ferret mission was shot up by two Soviet MiG-15s over the Bering Straits in international airspace on 22 June 1955, with the burning aircraft performing a forced landing on Saint Lawrence Island in the Aleutians. 7 of the 11 crew were injured by shrapnel or burned, but there were no fatalities. Surprisingly, for whatever motives, the Soviets issued an official diplomatic apology and paid reparations for the incident, though they only gave half as much as the US demanded.
The full story of the Cold War missions of the Neptunes remains incomplete. Witnesses who served in naval air stations where Neptunes often went out on "don't ask" missions recall that it was nothing too unusual to see shot-up P2Vs, and hear rumors that aircrew were in the hospital or the morgue.
* The British RAF Coastal Command received 52 P2V-5s in 1952. After four years in British service, these aircraft were passed on by various paths to the Netherlands, Portugal, Argentina, Brazil, and Australia. In the 1960s, the P2V-5 and P2V-5F were redesignated "P-2E". The subvariants were redesignated as follows:
__________________ P2V-5FD: DP-2E P2V-5FE: EP-2E P2V-5FS: SP-2E __________________BACK_TO_TOP
* The "P2V-6" was essentially a P2V-5 with different electronic equipment fits for mine-laying and antisubmarine warfare, and generally resembled the P2V-5. The P2V-6 reverted to the Emerson nose turret with twin 20-millimeter cannon, and featured an AN/APS-70 (some sources state AN/APS-33) radar, not the AN/APS-20 radar, in a smaller radome.
83 P2V-6s were built in 1952 and 1953. There were a number of subvariants, including:
In the 1960s, the surviving P2V-6s and P2V-6Fs were redesignated the "P-2G". The P2V-6M was redesignated the "MP-2F", and the P2V-6T was redesignated the "TP-2F".
* The last US-built model of the Neptune was the "P2V-7", with yet another uprated Wright radial, the R-3350-32W Turbo Compound Cyclone engine, with water-methanol injection and 2,985 kW (4,000 HP) for takeoff. The P2V-7 was the first Neptune to have J34 turbojet engines fitted on the production line, as opposed to retrofitted in the field.
The P2V-7 had a distinctive enlarged canopy with a better all-round view, and a longer fuselage. Wingtip tanks were streamlined and made smaller. Early production had nose, tail, and dorsal turrets, but these were quickly eliminated in favor of a clear nose, MAD boom, and observer dome respectively. The P2V-7 reverted to the AN/APS-20 radar used on the P2V-5, with its large radome, though the radome was mounted farther forward.
LOCKHEED P2V-7 NEPTUNE: _____________________ _________________ ___________________________ spec metric english _____________________ _________________ ___________________________ wingspan 31.7 meters 103 feet 10 inches wing area 92.90 sq_meters 1,000 sq_feet length 28.0 meters 91 feet 8 inches height 3.6 meters 28 feet 1 inch empty weight 19,505 kilograms 43,010 pounds max loaded weight 36,300 kilograms 80,000 pounds maximum speed 586 KPH 364 MPH / 316 KT cruise speed 300 KPH 188 MPH / 165 KT service ceiling 6,830 meters 22,400 feet range 7,000 kilometers 4,350 miles / 3,735 NMI _____________________ _________________ ___________________________
There were two subvariants of the P2V-7, including the "P2V-7S" with improved ASW gear; and the "P2V-7LP" with aluminum skis similar to those used on the P2V-2N, JATO bottle attachment points, and other fits for use in Antarctica. Four P2V-7LPs were built.
Some 359 P2V-7s were built in all, beginning in 1954, including 48 built by Kawasaki in Japan for the country's Self-Defense Forces. P2V-7s were also operated by Canada, Australia, France, the Netherlands. The type was redesignated "P-2H" in the 1960s. The P2V-7S became the "SP-2H", and the P2V-7LP became the "LP-2J".BACK_TO_TOP
* There were a number of interesting modifications of the Neptune during its career, and some of these modifications were operated by other US services.
The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) took note of the way the US Navy made use of the Neptune for ferret missions, and in 1954 the agency bought five new P2V-7s and obtained two used ones from the Navy. They were configured with cameras and electronics intelligence gear, with the range of options being too great for any one Neptune to carry. As a result, the CIA Neptunes were reconfigurable to a degree, and no two of them flew in a completely common configuration. One of the most prominent items was a side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) antenna attached on the fuselage from behind the wing to in front of the tailplane. Other gear configured them for leaflet drops, dropping agents or cargo, or for "snagging" payloads with a "Skyhook" system. The "Secret Seven" were painted dark sea blue.
The CIA could leverage off US Navy maintenance facilities and personnel that kept US Navy Neptunes in the air, but the Navy drew the line at having the CIA fly their Neptunes in Navy markings. As a result, they were flown in US Air Force markings and designated "RB-69A", though Lockheed referred to them with the designation "P2V-7U"; some sources still erroneously claim these were USAF aircraft. The US Navy also operated three P-2Hs (P2V-7s) that were modified to a similar configuration.
The RB-69As were flown under Project CHERRY, which later became Project WILD CHERRY. The CIA operated two of the RB-69As from Wiesbaden in West Germany to keep an eye on Eastern Europe. These two RB-69As were retired in 1963. Their fate is unknown, but they may have been converted back to standard P2V-7 / SP-2H configuration and returned to US Navy service. The other five were operated from Taiwan to perform night intrusions into China; they drove Chinese defense officials wild. All five machines were lost:
* A number of P-2Es (P2V-5Fs) were modified for US Army SIGINT missions, with appropriate electronics equipment, and redesignated "AP-2E". The Army operated them out of Cam Rahn Bay from the summer of 1967 to the spring of 1972. The AP-2E still very much looked like a Navy Neptune, but other Vietnam modifications were more drastic.
The Navy "OP-2E" was a highly modified P-2E (P2V-5F) with antisubmarine avionics, the AN/APS-20 radome, and MAD tailboom removed, giving it an awkward bobtailed appearance. There were twelve such modifications, with the aircraft refitted with a chin radome and a camera pack under the tail; armed with 7.62-millimeter six-barreled Gatling "minigun" pods under the wings, along with provisions for mounting a machine gun in a window on either side of the rear fuselage; and painted jungle green. The OP-2Es operated out of Thailand between the fall of 1967 and the summer of 1968, where they dropped sensors on the Ho Chi Minh Trail as part of the IGLOO WHITE operation to block North Vietnamese movement over the Ho Chi Minh Trail into South Vietnam.
The CIA came up with a modification of a P-2H (P2V-7) for night reconnaissance under Project MUDDY HILL, with the result being known as the "NP-2H". It featured a low-light-level television (LLLTV); a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera; a terrain-following radar; a panoramic camera in the tail; reticulated foam in the wing tanks; and seat armor for the pilot and copilot -- the last being salvaged from crashed helicopters by the aircrew. Only one was made, the exercise being for combat test and evaluation of advanced sensor technologies, though the NP-2H performed dozens of missions.
The "AP-2H" leveraged off the lessons learned in the MUDDY HILL effort to modify a number of P-2Hs as night and all-weather gunships. The AP-2H had the search radar radome and MAD stinger removed; the stinger was replaced with an Aero 11/A turret with twin 20-millimeter cannon. The AP-2H was fitted with a chin blister containing an LLLTV camera, along with a pod for AN/APQ-20 radar mounted just behind the nosewheel doors. The type apparently carried other sensors, as well as ground-attack armament such as 40-millimeter automatic grenade launchers and miniguns. These aircraft were operated by the Navy over Southeast Asia from the fall of 1967 to the late spring of 1969, dropping IGLOO WHITE sensors, plus bombs and napalm.BACK_TO_TOP
* The very last version of the Neptune was the Kawasaki-built "P-2J" (originally P2V-KAI, where "KAI" means "kaizen / modification"). Work on the P-2J was begun in 1961. The first P-2J performed its initial flight in 1966, and the last of 89 P-2Js was delivered in 1979.
The Wright radial engines were replaced with Japanese-built copies of General Electric T64-IHI-10 turboprop engines, derived from the T64 turboshaft used on the Sikorsky S53 helicopter, with each engine providing 2,125 kW (2,850 HP) and driving three-bladed propellers. The booster turbojets were IHI-J3 engines, an indigenous Japanese design, also used on the Fuji T-1 trainer. Each turbojet provided 13.7 kN (1,400 kgp / 3,085 lbf) thrust. With the new powerplants, the P-2J had a top speed of almost 650 KPH (403 MPH).
The P-2J accommodated 12 crewmen. The tail surfaces were enlarged and their profile modified. AN/APS-80 search radar was fitted, resulting in a still smaller radome. Updated avionics systems were installed; these systems were much more compact than those used in other versions of the Neptune, permitting greater fuel capacity. The turboprop nacelles were too tight to accommodate the big main landing gear tire used on other Neptunes, and so the P-2J's main gear was fitted with two smaller wheels each. The turboprops offered lower weight and higher reliability, at some expense in fuel consumption.
Although the Japanese are capable of producing first-class consumer and industrial goods, they have a somewhat baffling tradition of difficulties with large defense programs. The reasons appear to be more social and political than technical, with deeply-ingrained pacifism and "pork barrel" politics hobbling development efforts. The P2J was a classic example. The Neptune was basically obsolescent even when the program was initiated, and development and production of the P-2J were protracted. The use of local technology simply made for a more expensive aircraft. The P-2J was phased out in the 1980s in favor of the Orion, which eventually replaced the Neptune in the ocean-patrol air fleets of the West.
* A total of 1,188 Neptunes was built in all. The aircraft was highly successful and had a long and productive lifetime -- and had an extended lifetime, into the 21st century, as an "air tanker" or "fire bomber", fitted with tanks of fire retardant for fighting range and forest fires. The air tankers have generally exceeded airframe life and are now being retired. Lockheed considered various follow-ons to the Neptune during the 1950s, such as a turboprop-powered new-design "Super Neptune", but the decision was finally made to focus on modification of the Lockheed L-188 Electra four-turboprop airliner as an ocean-patrol aircraft, which emerged as the P-3 Orion.
The following table summarizes Neptune variants and production:
variant built mod notes ________________________________________________________________________ XP2V-1 2 Initial prototypes. P2V-1 15 Initial production variant. P2V-2 81 Nose cannon, uprated engines. P2V-2N - 2 Arctic Neptunes with ski landing gear. P2V-3 83 P2V-2 with more powerful engines. P2V-3B - 16 Special armament (nuke) P2V-3s. P2V-3Z - 2 Armed personnel transports. P2V-3C - 11 Carrier-launched P2V-3s. P2V-3W - 30 AEW / ELINT P2V-3s. P2V-4 52 More powerful engines, wingtip tanks. P2V-5 424 Emerson nose turret, new cockpit, general changes. P2V-5F - ? Updated P2V-5 with J34 booster jets. P2V-5FD - ? Drone controller. P2V-5FE - ? ELINT (?) P2V-5. P2V-5FS - ? P2V-5F with Julie-Jezebel sonar system. P2V-6 83 P2V-5 with different electronic fits. P2V-6B/M - ? P2V-6 with Petrel missile carriage. P2V-6F - ? Updated P2V-6 with J34 booster jets. P2V-6T - ? Trainer. P2V-7 359 Update with new cockpit, J34s standard, etc. P2V-7S - ? Improved ASW gear. P2V-7LP - 4 Skis for arctic operation. _________________________________________________________________ RB-69A - 7 Cover designation for CIA spy P2V-7s. AP-2E - ? US Army ELINT P2V-5Fs. OP-2E - ? Navy "jungle fighter" P2V-5Fs. NP-2H - 1 CIA "jungle fighter" demonstrator. AP-2H - ? Navy "jungle fighter" P2V-7Fs. _________________________________________________________________ P-2J 89 Japanese turbo-Neptunes. _________________________________________________________________ 1,188 TOTAL NEPTUNE PRODUCTION _________________________________________________________________BACK_TO_TOP
* The Neptune had a rival of sorts. The Martin "P4M Mercator" was somewhat similar to the Neptune, if about 50% heavier, and also intended for the maritime patrol mission. It ended up being overshadowed by the Neptune, was only built in small quantities, and found its niche as a spyplane instead of a patrol aircraft.
At the outset, the two types of aircraft did not seem to be in direct competition. As noted, Lockheed had been considering a follow-on to the Hudson-Ventura family of medium patrol aircraft as far back as 1941, with commitment to development of the Neptune in early 1944. In contrast, the Martin "Model 219" was conceived in early 1944 as a replacement for the Consolidated PB4Y Privateer, the "navalized" version of the B-24 bomber. The Mercator was to be a long-range patrol aircraft whose primary role was envisioned as minelaying, in support of the planned invasion of Japan. The Navy awarded a contract for the development of two "XP4M-1" prototypes on 6 July 1944.
The Neptune was a smaller and simpler aircraft, and Lockheed had spent several years in preliminary design before the Navy committed to the type. As a result, Neptune development was straightforward and rapid, with the first prototype flying in the spring of 1945. Martin, lacking the benefit of such a head start, didn't get the first of the two XP4M-1 "Mercator" prototypes into the air until 20 September 1946, with Martin's chief test pilot, O.E. "Pat" Tibbs at the controls. The war was over by that time, and the cheaper Neptune seemed to be well able to fulfill most of the roles for which the Mercator was designed. In addition, Martin did little to promote the type, giving it low priority in the company's efforts. However, for whatever reasons the Navy ordered 19 production "P4M-1" Mercators, with the first rolled out on 18 July 1949.
The production P4M-1 Mercator was a big aircraft. It was of more or less conventional configuration, with a long wing mounted in mid-fuselage and a conventional tail assembly, but it did have some unusual features. It appeared to be a twin-engined aircraft, powered by two Pratt & Whitney (P&W) R-4360-20A 28-cylinder, 4-row Wasp Major air-cooled radial engines, each with 2,425 kW (3,250 HP) and driving a broad four-bladed variable-pitch propeller -- though the prototypes had experimented with a three-bladed propeller. However, the rear of each engine nacelle also included an Allison J33-A-10A centrifugal flow turbojet engine, a license-built copy of the British de Havilland Goblin engine, with 20.46 kN (2,085 kgp / 4,600 lbf) thrust. There was an intake scoop in the bottom of each nacelle behind the P&W piston engine that could be closed during cruise flight, when the jet engines were turned off.
The nosewheel retracted backwards, while the main gear hinged up into the wings outboard of the engines. All the gear assemblies had single wheels. In another unusual feature, since the wing was too thin to accommodate the big main-gear wheels, they retracted into fairings that didn't have doors, leaving the wheel visible in flight. The wing was divided into two sections with different airfoil cross-sections, the inboard section providing high lift and the outboard section optimized for fast cruise. This scheme was apparently effective, but it did give funny stall characteristics, because the outer section would stall before the inner section.
MARTIN P4M-1 MERCATOR: _____________________ _________________ _______________________ spec metric english _____________________ _________________ _______________________ wingspan 34.77 meters 114 feet 1 inch wing area 121.79 sq_meters 1,311 sq_feet length 25.6 meters 84 feet height 7.95 meters 26 feet 1 inch max loaded weight 40,085 kilograms 88,375 pounds max speed at altitude 660 KPH 410 MPH / 355 KT service ceiling 10,550 meters 34,600 feet range 4,570 kilometers 2,840 MI / 2,470 NMI _____________________ _________________ _______________________
The Mercator was fitted with heavy defensive armament, including an Emerson nose turret with twin 20-millimeter cannon, a Martin tail turret with twin 20-millimeter cannon, and a Martin dorsal turret with twin 12.7-millimeter (0.50-caliber) machine guns. The prototypes had also been fitted with a single 12.7-millimeter flexibly mounted machine gun in a "waist" position on either side of the aircraft, but these two weapons were not fitted to production aircraft.
Yet another unusual feature of the Mercator was its bombbay, which borrowed from British practice in being wide and shallow, instead of narrow and deep as was American custom. This permitted greater flexibility in munitions drops and also meant a roomier aircraft. Possible weapons loads included:
The bombbay could also be fitted with four auxiliary fuel tanks for long-range patrol or ferry flights. There were no provisions for external stores.
The Mercator was fitted with AN/APS-33 search radar, with a radome mounted under the rear fuselage. There was also a smaller antenna dome forward of the bombbay, possibly for a short-range targeting radar. The aircraft carried a crew of nine, including pilot, copilot, navigator, radio operator, radar operator, countermeasures operator, camera operator, and two dedicated gunners. The aircraft was roomy and comfortable, with a galley and a head, both nice features for long-range patrols.
* The Mercator's life as a patrol aircraft was short. After delivery of the first eleven production aircraft, not including a twelfth machine lost in an accident before delivery, the Navy decided that the type's capacity and good performance would make it an excellent ELINT aircraft, and the last seven were delivered as "P4M-1Q" ELINT machines. The ten surviving P4M-1s -- one having been lost in another accident -- were also converted to P4M-1Q standard. The conversions were performed by the Navy at Norfolk, the first of the P4M-1Qs flying in February 1951. Some sources hint that the seven "production" P4M-1Qs were actually conversions performed by the Navy before the machines reached operational units.
The P4M-1Q was littered with antennas for ELINT receivers, and the crew was increased to 14, later 16, to operate the ELINT gear. The P4M-1Q was substantially heavier than the P4M-1, resulting in a smaller radius of action and it appears a lower service ceiling. The additional weight of the ELINT gear was also not well distributed over the aircraft and affected its handling, particularly when most of the fuel had been burned off.
However, the P4M-1Q proved very useful in the ferret role. The operations of the type were a deep black secret, with aircraft given false or purely fictitious markings. A commander of a mainstream Navy squadron saw a Mercator with the markings of his own unit and demanded to know what was going on, with the crew replying as tactfully as they could that they weren't allowed to tell him.
Armament was gradually removed from ELINT Mercators, until one was jumped by Chinese MiGs in the dark hours of the morning of 22 August 1956. The aircraft was shot down, with all 16 crew believed killed, though there were rumors that at least two of the crew were held prisoner for a time and then executed. Guns were hastily refitted to the surviving Mercators. A Mercator was bounced by North Korean MiGs on 16 June 1959 in international airspace. The spy aircraft fought back well enough to hold off the attackers until help arrived, though one crewman was badly wounded and the Mercator was written off after landing.
Four other Mercators were lost in accidents. Attrition and lack of spares gradually made the Mercator unsupportable, and the last of them were withdrawn from service in July 1960. All were scrapped and none survive.BACK_TO_TOP
* As concerns copyrights and permissions for this document, all illustrations and images credited to me are public domain. I reserve all rights to my writings. However, if anyone does want to make use of my writings, just contact me, and we can chat about it. I'm lenient in giving permissions, usually on the basis of being properly credited.
* Sources include:
One of my corporate colleagues worked on the Neptune as an avionics tech in the early 1960s, and I provided him with the PROFILE publication on the subject. He was a little startled to find out that Neptunes had been operated off carriers. I imagine that would have been interesting to watch.
* Revision history:
v1.0 / 01 oct 97 v2.0 / 01 may 99 / Major rewrite and expansion. v2.1.0 / 01 feb 02 / Cleaned up, added section on Mercator. v2.2.0 / 01 feb 04 / Put Mercator in title, added spy flights. v2.2.1 / 01 feb 06 / Review & polish. v2.2.2 / 01 jan 08 / Review & polish. v2.2.3 / 01 dec 09 / Project MUDDY HILL, minor cleanups. v2.2.4 / 01 nov 11 / Review & polish. v2.2.5 / 01 oct 13 / Review & polish. v2.2.6 / 01 sep 15 / Review & polish. v2.2.7 / 01 aug 17 / Review & polish.BACK_TO_TOP
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- 6,99 €
Description de l’éditeur
The river Thames has always been a strong element of Gravesend s history. A port was established close to London, which became the embarkation point for overseas visitors before Tilbury Dock was built. From 1800 to 1830 the population doubled as it became a fashionable resort for Londoners. Day trippers increased in the nineteenth century as cheap fares on paddle steamers became available to the cockney masses. Affordable rail tickets also swelled visitor numbers.Fairs, parks and promenades flourished from the throngs of Victorian pleasure seekers. Meanwhile, heavy industries such as cement and paper manufacture also contributed to business growth, and during the last century, large housing estates have spread around the old town. Robert Turcan s new book will surprise and delight as it shows how the area has changed over time.
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Electrolysis for hydrogen production
Hydrogen is one of the fastest growing market segments today. It is one of the key solutions in achieving a net zero emissions economy by 2050. Hydrogen is being used to replace traditional fossil fuels in many applications, for example: fuel for heavy vehicles; a substitute for natural gas to provide heating; and as a means of storing energy.
Panametrics can play right across the hydrogen value chain, from production and transportation to utilization.
Today the majority of hydrogen is produced from natural gas in a process called steam methane reforming. This is an energy intensive process and a significant contributor to global emissions.
A second way to produce hydrogen is to separate water into its constituent parts of hydrogen and oxygen, through a process called electrolysis. If the electrolysis process is powered by renewable energy like solar or wind, you have completely emissions free hydrogen, or “Green Hydrogen”. Both the steam methane reforming and electrolysis processes need sensors to determine the quality of the hydrogen they are producing.
This is where Panametrics comes in to play. With our sensor technologies, we measure the hydrogen purity and also impurities in the hydrogen such as moisture and oxygen. Reach our team of experts to learn different technology options for the different measurements required, including thermal conductivity for hydrogen purity, electrochemical fuel cell for oxygen, aluminum oxide and laser for moisture.
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Click here to download Water Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production - Application Note
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Convert yards to millimeters
yards definitionThe Yard is an Imperial unit of length equal to 91.44 centimeters or 3 feet.
millimeters definitionThe Millimeter is a metric unit which equals to a 1/10 of a centimeter.
Please enter yards value in the first input field, and you'll see the result value in millimeters in the second field.
See also: Convert millimeters to yards
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Terminology used in Burke & Wills Web
Burke & Wills Web acknowledges that a rich indigenous culture existed across many different Aboriginal nations before the European settlement of this southern land. References to 'discovery' and 'new territory' etc. are from the nineteenth century Imperial, Eurocentric perspective by which they were written. Burke & Wills Web apologises for the use of any terminology considered derogatory to indigenous people which has been reproduced from historical documents.
The changing perception of early exploration today
There is an element of romanticism associated with the early explorers, settlers, convicts, swagmen, bush-rangers, gold-miners and pioneers who changed the face of this country. However, over the last few years the influence of post-structuralism and the rise of post-colonial/post-imperial history has changed the place of exploration in Australia's pioneering history. An increasing focus on indigenous histories has resulted in a shift in attitude towards indigenous peoples and the destructive legacy of European imperialism and colonisation in the nineteenth century. Explorers were invaders and exploration was expropriation. Burke & Wills Web does not wish to perpetuate the myth of the heroic explorer 'discovering' vast tracts of empty land. Whilst the modern concept of terra nullius has been retrospectively applied to Australia's past, (terra nullius was not a legal concept in 1860), there is no doubt that the arrival of Europeans in Australia has had a devastating effect on the indigenous population. Explorers paved the way for the violent destruction of some of the oldest surviving cultures on the planet.
acknowledging our past and working towards a better future
At the launch of his 1972 election campaign, Prime Minister Gough Whitlam said:
'All of us as Australians are diminished while the Aborigines are denied their rightful place in this nation.'
Twenty years later, Prime Minister Paul Keating raised the issue again during the famous Redfern Address:
'We cannot confidently say that we have succeeded as we would like to have succeeded if we have not managed to extend opportunity and care, dignity and hope to the indigenous people of Australia.'
Keating went on to say:
'...it was we who did the dispossessing. We took the traditional lands and smashed the traditional way of life. We brought the disasters. The alcohol. We committed the murders. We took the children from their mothers. We practiced discrimination and exclusion. It was our ignorance and our prejudice. And our failure to imagine these things being done to us. As a consequence, we failed to see that what we were doing degraded all of us.'
Burke & Wills Web: Reconciliation Statement
Australia is a magnificent land.
To the explorers and pioneers this country was often seen as a strange and hostile environment. For the many indigenous nations that made up this great southern land, the arrival of the white man (balanda, migaloo, gubba, wajala, walypala) was an event which invariably led to the decimation of 60,000 years of traditional lifestyle.
Our current economic status is based on the acquisition of indigenous land and non-indigenous Australians have benefited greatly from the actions of the explorers and early settlers. However the prosperous lifestyles we enjoy today are a result of the displacement and marginalisation of the original inhabitants of this country.
While we should not be held responsible for actions perpetrated in the far distant past, we will be held responsible for the things we do today. Aborigines are among the most disadvantaged people in Australian society and many of their problems result from the impacts of colonisation.
Reconciliation is about respecting cultures. What are we doing today to ensure Aboriginal people can take a fair place in their home country ?
In the future, how will history judge us as a people ?
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3. THE GUIDELINE
Different classification systems of UTI exist. Most widely used are those developed by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) , European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) as well as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) [9,10]. Current UTI guidelines frequently use the concept of uncomplicated and complicated UTI with a number of modifications (Figure 1). In 2011 the EAU Section of Infections in Urology proposed the ORENUC classification system based on the clinical presentation of the UTI, the anatomical level of the UTI, the grade of severity of the infection, the categorisation of risk factors and availability of appropriate antimicrobial therapy .
Figure 1: Concept of uncomplicated and complicated UTI
The following classification of UTIs is adopted in the EAU Urological Infections Guidelines:
Classification of UTI
Acute, sporadic or recurrent lower (uncomplicated cystitis) and/or upper (uncomplicated pyelonephritis) UTI, limited to non-pregnant women with no known relevant anatomical and functional abnormalities within the urinary tract or comorbidities.
All UTIs which are not defined as uncomplicated. Meaning in a narrower sense UTIs in a patient with an increased chance of a complicated course: i.e. all men, pregnant women, patients with relevant anatomical or functional abnormalities of the urinary tract, indwelling urinary catheters, renal diseases, and/or with other concomitant immunocompromising diseases for example, diabetes.
Recurrences of uncomplicated and/or complicated UTIs, with a frequency of at least three UTIs/year or two UTIs in the last six months.
Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CA-UTI) refers to UTIs occurring in a person whose urinary tract is currently catheterised or has had a catheter in place within the past 48 hours.
Urosepsis is defined as life threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection originating from the urinary tract and/or male genital organs .
3.2. Antimicrobial Stewardship
Although the benefits to patients of antibiotic use are clear, overuse and misuse have contributed to the growing problem of resistance amongst uropathogenic bacteria, which is a serious threat to public health [13,14]. In acute care hospitals, 20-50% of prescribed antibiotics are either unnecessary or inappropriate . In response, a worldwide initiative seeks to incorporate Antimicrobial Stewardship programs in healthcare . Antimicrobial Stewardship aims to optimise clinical outcomes and ensure cost-effective therapy whilst minimising unintended consequences of antimicrobial use such as healthcare associated infections including Clostridioides difficile, toxicity, selection of virulent organisms and emergence of resistant bacterial strains .
Stewardship programs have two main sets of actions. The first set mandates use of recommended care at the patient level conforming to guidelines. The second set describes strategies to achieve adherence to the mandated guidance. These include persuasive actions such as education and feedback together with restricting availability linked to local formularies. A Cochrane review of effectiveness of interventions to improve antibiotic prescribing practices for hospital inpatients, updated in 2017, found high-certainty evidence that such interventions are effective in increasing adherence with antibiotic policy leading to reduced antibiotic treatment duration and that it may also reduce hospital stay. The review found no evidence that reduced antibiotic usage increased mortality .
The important components of antimicrobial stewardship programs are :
- regular training of staff in best use of antimicrobial agents;
- adherence to local, national or international guidelines;
- regular ward visits and consultation with infectious diseases physicians and clinical microbiologists;
- audit of adherence and treatment outcomes;
- regular monitoring and feedback to prescribers of their performance and local pathogen resistance profiles.
A 2016 systematic review of evidence for effectiveness of various Antimicrobial Stewardship interventions in healthcare institutions identified 145 studies of nine Stewardship objectives. Guideline-driven empirical therapy using a restricted choice of antibiotics and including de-escalation, intravenous to oral switch, therapeutic drug monitoring, and bedside consultation resulted in a 35% (95% CI 20-46%) relative risk reduction (RRR) in mortality. Use of de-escalation (tailoring to a more narrow spectrum agent), showed a RRR of 56% (95%
CI 34 – 70%) for mortality .
To facilitate local initiatives and audit, a set of valid, reliable, and applicable indicators of the quality of antibiotic use in the treatment of hospitalised patients with complicated UTI was developed . Its use in the Netherlands appeared to result in shortened hospital stay . A literature search of Pubmed from April 2014 , to February 2017 identified no further randomised controlled trials (RCTs) relating to stewardship programmes for UTIs. Studies to provide high-quality evidence of effectiveness of Stewardship programmes in urology patients are urgently needed.
3.3. Asymptomatic bacteriuria in adults
Urinary growth of bacteria in an asymptomatic individual (asymptomatic bacteriuria - ABU) is common, and corresponds to a commensal colonisation . Clinical studies have shown that ABU may protect against superinfecting symptomatic UTI, thus treatment of ABU should be performed only in cases of proven benefit for the patient to avoid the risk of selecting antimicrobial resistance and eradicating a potentially protective ABU strain [24,25]. The aim of this section is to support the clinician in deciding when ABU should or should not be treated.
3.3.2. Epidemiology, aetiology and pathophysiology
Asymptomatic bacteriuria occurs in an estimated 1-5% of healthy pre-menopausal females. Increasing to 4-19% in otherwise healthy elderly females and men, 0.7-27% in patients with diabetes, 2-10% in pregnant women, 15-50% in institutionalised elderly populations, and in 23-89% in patients with spinal cord injuries . Asymptomatic bacteriuria in younger men is uncommon, but when detected, chronic bacterial prostatitis must be considered. The spectrum of bacteria in ABU is similar to species found in uncomplicated or complicated UTIs, depending on the presence of risk factors (see sections 3.4 and 3.7).
3.3.3. Diagnostic evaluation
Asymptomatic bacteriuria in an individual without urinary tract symptoms is defined by a mid-stream sample of urine showing bacterial growth > 105 cfu/mL in two consecutive samples in women and in one single sample in men . In a single catheterised sample, bacterial growth may be as low as 102 cfu/mL to be considered representing true bacteriuria in both men and women [26,29]. Cystoscopy and/or imaging of the upper urinary tract is not mandatory if the medical history is otherwise without remark. If persistent growth of urease producing bacteria, i.e. Proteus mirabilis is detected, stone formation in the urinary tract must be excluded . In men, a digital rectal examination (DRE) has to be performed to investigate the possibility of prostate diseases (see section 3.11).
3.3.4. Evidence summary
A systematic search of the literature from January 2000 to November 2016 identified 3,582 titles of which 224 were selected for full text review and 50 were included . For the subgroups of pregnancy, prior to urologic surgeries, post-menopausal women and institutionalised elderly patients only data from RCTs were included, on which a meta-analysis was performed . For the other subgroups non-RCTs were also included in the narrative analysis . The following patient populations were not covered by the systematic review: immuno-compromised patients; patients with candiduria; patients with dysfunctional and/or reconstructed lower urinary tracts; and patients with indwelling catheters. For these groups the guideline was updated using a structured PubMed search. The evidence question addressed was: What is the most effective management for people with asymptomatic bacteriuria?
3.3.5. Disease management
220.127.116.11. Patients without identified risk factors
Asymptomatic bacteriuria does not cause renal disease or damage . Only one prospective, non-randomised study investigated the effect of treatment of ABU in adult, non-diabetic, non-pregnant women , and found no difference in the rate of symptomatic UTIs. Furthermore, as the treatment of ABU has been proven to be unnecessary in most high-risk patient subgroups, there is panel consensus that the results of these subgroups can also be applied to patients without identified risk factors. Therefore, screening and treatment of ABU is not recommended in patients without risk factors.
18.104.22.168. Patients with ABU and recurrent UTI, otherwise healthy
One RCT investigated the effect of ABU treatment in female patients with recurrent symptomatic UTI without identified risk factors and demonstrated that treatment of ABU increases the risk for a subsequent symptomatic UTI episode, compared to non-treated patients (RR 0.28, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.38; n=673). This protective effect of spontaneously developed ABU can be used as part of prevention in female patients with recurrent symptomatic UTI; therefore, treatment of ABU is not recommended.
22.214.171.124. Pregnant women
126.96.36.199.1. Is treatment of ABU beneficial in pregnant women?
Twelve RCTs comparing antibiotic treatments of ABU with placebo controls or no treatment [34-45], with different antibiotic doses and regimens were identified, ten published before 1988 and one in 2015. Eleven RCTs (n=2,002) reported on the rate of symptomatic UTIs [34,36-44,46]. Antibiotic treatment significantly reduced the number of symptomatic UTIs compared to placebo or no treatment (average RR 0.22, 95%
CI 0.12 to 0.40).
Six RCTs reported on the resolution of bacteriuria [34-36,38,41,43]. Antibiotic treatment was effective in the resolution of bacteriuria compared to placebo (average RR 2.99, 95% CI 1.65 to 5.39; n=716). Eight RCTs reported on the rate of low birthweights [34,36-39,42,45,46]. Antibiotic treatment was associated with lower rates of low birthweight compared to placebo or no treatment (average RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.94; n=1689). Four RCTs reported on the rate of preterm deliveries [42,43,45,46]. Antibiotic treatment was associated with lower rates of preterm delivery compared to placebo or no treatment (average RR 0.34, 95%
CI 0.18 to 0.66; n=854).
Based on the beneficial maternal and foetal effects of antibiotic treatment pregnant women should be screened and treated for ABU. However, the panel would like to emphasise that most available studies have low methodological quality and are from the 60s to 80s. Diagnostic and treatment protocols and accessibility to medical services have dramatically changed since then; therefore, the quality of evidence for this recommendation is low. In a newer study of higher methodological quality the beneficial effects of antibiotic treatment are not as evident . Therefore, it is advisable to consult national recommendations for pregnant women.
188.8.131.52.2. Which treatment duration should be applied to treat ABU in pregnancy?
Sixteen RCTs comparing the efficacy of different antibiotic treatments in pregnant women with ABU were identified [47-62]. There was significant heterogeneity amongst the studies. Studies compared different antibiotic regimens or the same antibiotic regimens with different durations. The duration of treatment ranged from single dose to continuous treatment (until delivery). For practical purposes the grouping strategy used by the previously published Cochrane Review by Widmer et al., was adopted with some modifications . The following treatment groups were used for comparison:
- single dose (single day);
- short course (2-7 days);
- long course (8-14 days);
- continuous (until delivery).
Nine studies compared single dose to short course treatment [48,52,53,57-62], one study compared single dose to long course treatment and one study compared long course to continuous treatment . As long term and continuous antibiotic treatment is not used in current practice, only studies comparing single dose to standard short course treatment are presented.
184.108.40.206.2.1. Single dose vs. short course treatment
Three RCTs reported on the rate of symptomatic UTIs [52,61,62], with no significant difference between the two durations (average RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.47 to 2.47; n=891). Nine RCTs reported on the rate of ABU resolution [48,52,53,57-62], with no significant difference between the two durations (average RR 0.97,
95% CI 0.89 to 1.07; n=1,268). Six RCTs reported on the rate of side effects [48,52,57,58,60,61]. Single dose treatment was associated with significantly less side effects compared to short course treatment (average RR 0.40, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.72; n=458). Three RCTs reported on the rate of preterm deliveries [52,54,62], with no significant difference between the two durations (average RR 1.16, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.78; n=814). One RCT reported on the rate of low birthweights . There were significantly more babies with low birthweight in the single dose duration compared to short course treatment (average RR 1.65, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.57; n=714).
According to the data analysis, single dose treatment was associated with a significantly lower rate of side effects but a significantly higher rate of low birthweight. Therefore, standard short course treatment should be applied to treat ABU in pregnancy; however, it should be emphasised that the overall quality of the scientific evidence backing this recommendation is low.
220.127.116.11. Patients with identified risk-factors
18.104.22.168.1. Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus, even when well regulated, is reported to correlate to a higher frequency of ABU . One RCT demonstrated that eradicating ABU did not reduce the risk of symptomatic UTI and infectious complications in patients with diabetes mellitus. The time to first symptomatic episode was also similar in both groups. Furthermore, untreated ABU did not correlate to diabetic nephropathy . Screening and treatment of ABU in well-controlled diabetes mellitus is therefore not recommended. However, poorly regulated diabetes is a risk factor for symptomatic UTI and infectious complications.
22.214.171.124.2. ABU in post-menopausal women
Elderly women have an increased incidence of ABU . Four RCTs compared antibiotic treatment of ABU with placebo controls or no treatment, in a post-menopausal female population, with different antibiotic doses and regimens [67-70]. Women in these studies were mostly nursing home residents, which may bias the results of this analysis. Three RCTs reported on the rate of symptomatic UTIs (average RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.49 to 1.05; 208 women) and the resolution of bacteriuria (average RR 1.28, 95% CI 0.50 to 3.24; 203 women) [52,61,62], with no significant benefit of antibiotic treatment. Therefore, ABU in post-menopausal women does not require treatment, and should be managed as for pre-menopausal women.
126.96.36.199.3. Elderly institutionalised patients
The rate of ABU is 15-50% in elderly institutionalised patients . Differential diagnosis of ABU from symptomatic UTI is difficult in the multi-diseased and mentally deteriorated patient, and is probably a cause of unnecessary antibiotic treatment [72,73]. Seven RCTs compared antibiotic treatment of ABU with placebo controls or no treatment in elderly patients, with different antibiotic doses and regimens [67-70,74-76].
Three RCTs reported on the rate of symptomatic UTIs [67,69,74]. Antibiotic treatment was not significantly beneficial in reducing the rate of symptomatic UTIs compared to placebo or no treatment (average RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.46 to 1.00; n=210). Six RCTs reported on the resolution of bacteriuria [67,69,70,74-76]. There was no benefit of antibiotic treatment compared to placebo in the resolution of ABU (average RR 1.33, 95% CI 0.63 to 2.79; n=328). One RCT compared the rates of incontinence in this patient group before and after the eradication of ABU, and found no effect of antibiotic treatment . Therefore, screening and treatment of ABU is not recommended in this patient group.
188.8.131.52.4. Patients with renal transplants
Two RCTs and two retrospective studies compared the effect of antibiotic treatment to no treatment in renal transplant patients [78-81]. Meta-analysis of the two RCTs did not find antibiotic treatment beneficial in terms of reducing symptomatic UTIs (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.51 to 1.45; n=200). The two retrospective studies reached the same conclusion. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the rate of ABU clearance, graft loss or change in renal function during long-term follow-up up to 24 months [78-81]. Therefore, treatment of ABU is not recommended in renal transplant recipients.
184.108.40.206.5. Patients with dysfunctional and/or reconstructed lower urinary tracts
Patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) (e.g. neurogenic bladder patients secondary to multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury patients, patients with incomplete bladder emptying, patients with neo-bladder and ileo-cystoplasty, patients using clean intermittent catheterisation (CIC), and patients with ileal conduits, orthotopic bladder replacement and continent reservoirs) frequently become colonised [82,83]. Studies have shown no benefit in ABU treatment in these patient groups [84,85]. Furthermore, in LUTD patients who do not spontaneously develop ABU, deliberate colonisation with an ABU strain (Escherichia coli 83972) has shown a protective effect against symptomatic recurrences [84,85]. Screening and treatment of ABU in these patient groups is therefore, not recommended. If these patient groups develop recurrent symptomatic UTI (see section 3.5) the potential protective effect of a spontaneously developed ABU against lower UTI must be considered before any treatment.
220.127.116.11.6. Patients with catheters in the urinary tract
Patients with indwelling or suprapubic catheters and nephrostomy tubes invariably become carriers of ABU, with antibiotic treatment showing no benefit . This is also applicable for patients with ABU and indwelling ureteral stents . Routine treatment of catheter-associated bacteriuria is not recommended. For detailed recommendations see section 3.8.
18.104.22.168.7. Patients with ABU subjected to catheter placements/exchanges
In patients subjected to uncomplicated placement/exchanges of indwelling urethral catheters ABU is not considered a risk factor and should not be screened or treated . In patients subjected to placement/exchanges of nephrostomy tubes and indwelling ureteral stents, ABU is considered a risk factor for infectious complications .
22.214.171.124.8. Immuno-compromised and severely diseased patients, patients with candiduria
These patient groups have to be considered individually and the benefit of screening and treatment of ABU should be reviewed in each case. Patients with asymptomatic candiduria may, although not necessarily, have an underlying disorder or defect. Treatment of asymptomatic candiduria is not recommended .
126.96.36.199. Prior to urological surgery
In diagnostic and therapeutic procedures not entering the urinary tract, ABU is generally not considered as a risk factor, and screening and treatment are not considered necessary. On the other hand, in procedures entering the urinary tract and breaching the mucosa, particularly in endoscopic urological surgery, bacteriuria is a definite risk factor.
Two RCTs [91,92] and two prospective non-randomised studies [93,94] compared the effect of antibiotic treatment to no treatment before transurethral prostate or bladder tumour resections. Antibiotic treatment significantly reduced the number of post-operative symptomatic UTIs compared to no treatment in the meta-analysis of the two RCTs (average RR 0.20, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.86; n=167). The rates of post-operative fever and septicaemia were also significantly lower in case of antibiotic treatment compared to no treatment in the two RCTs. One RCT including patients with spinal cord injury undergoing elective endoscopic urological surgeries found no significant difference in the rate of post-operative UTIs between single-dose or 3-5 days short term pre-operative antibiotic treatment of ABU .
A urine culture must therefore be taken prior to such interventions and in case of ABU, pre-operative treatment is recommended.
188.8.131.52. Prior to orthopaedic surgery
One RCT (n=471) and one multicentre cohort study (n=303) comparing the treatment of ABU with no treatment prior to orthopaedic surgery (hip arthroplasty/hemiarthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty) were identified [96,97]. Neither of the studies showed a beneficial effect of antibiotic treatment in terms of prosthetic joint infection (3.8% vs. 0% and 3.9% vs. 4.7%, respectively). The cohort study reported no significant difference in the rate of post-operative symptomatic UTI (0.65% vs. 2.7%) . Therefore, treatment of bacteriuria is not recommended prior to arthroplasty surgery.
184.108.40.206. Pharmacological management
If the decision is taken to eradicate ABU, the same choice of antibiotics and treatment duration as in symptomatic uncomplicated (section 220.127.116.11) or complicated (section 3.7.5) UTI can be given, depending on gender, medical background and presence of complicating factors. Treatment should be tailored and not empirical.
There are no studies focusing on follow-up after treatment of ABU.
3.3.7. Summary of evidence and recommendations for the management of ABU
Summary of evidence
Treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria is not beneficial in the following conditions:
women without risk factors;
patients with well-regulated diabetes mellitus;
elderly institutionalised patients;
patients with dysfunctional and/or reconstructed lower urinary tracts;
patients with renal transplants;
patients prior to arthroplasty surgeries.
Treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria is harmful in patients with recurrent urinary tract infections.
Treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria is beneficial prior to urological procedures breaching the mucosa.
Treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women was found to be beneficial by meta-analysis of the available evidence; however, most studies are old. A recent study reported lower rates of pyelonephritis in low-risk women.
Do not screen or treat asymptomatic bacteriuria in the following conditions:
women without risk factors;
patients with well-regulated diabetes mellitus;
elderly institutionalised patients;
patients with dysfunctional and/or reconstructed lower urinary tracts;
patients with renal transplants;
patients prior to arthroplasty surgeries;
patients with recurrent urinary tract infections.
Screen for and treat asymptomatic bacteriuria prior to urological procedures breaching the mucosa.
Screen for and treat asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women with standard short course treatment.
3.4. Uncomplicated cystitis
Uncomplicated cystitis is defined as acute, sporadic or recurrent cystitis limited to non-pregnant women with no known relevant anatomical and functional abnormalities within the urinary tract or comorbidities.
3.4.2. Epidemiology, aetiology and pathophysiology
Almost half of all women will experience at least one episode of cystitis during their lifetime. Nearly one in three women will have had at least one episode of cystitis by the age of 24 years . Risk factors include sexual intercourse, use of spermicides, a new sexual partner, a mother with a history of UTI and a history of UTI during childhood. The majority of cases of uncomplicated cystitis are caused by E. coli.
3.4.3. Diagnostic evaluation
18.104.22.168. Clinical diagnosis
The diagnosis of uncomplicated cystitis can be made with a high probability based on a focused history of lower urinary tract symptoms (dysuria, frequency and urgency) and the absence of vaginal discharge [99,100]. In elderly women genitourinary symptoms are not necessarily related to cystitis [101,102].
22.214.171.124. Differential diagnosis
Uncomplicated cystitis should be differentiated from ABU, which is considered not to be infection but rather a commensal colonisation, which should not be treated and therefore not screened for, except if it is considered a risk factor in clearly defined situations (see section 3.3).
126.96.36.199. Laboratory diagnosis
In patients presenting with typical symptoms of an uncomplicated cystitis urine analysis (i.e. urine culture, dip stick testing, etc.) leads only to a minimal increase in diagnostic accuracy . However, if the diagnosis is unclear dipstick analysis can increase the likelihood of an uncomplicated cystitis diagnosis [104,105]. Taking a urine culture is recommended in patients with atypical symptoms, as well as those who fail to respond to appropriate antimicrobial therapy [106,107].
188.8.131.52. Summary of evidence and recommendations for the diagnostic evaluation of uncomplicated cystitis
Summary of evidence
An accurate diagnosis of uncomplicated cystitis can be based on a focused history of lower urinary tract symptoms and the absence of vaginal discharge or irritation.
Diagnose uncomplicated cystitis in women who have no other risk factors for complicated urinary tract infections based on: a focused history of lower urinary tract symptoms (dysuria, frequency and urgency); the absence of vaginal discharge.
Use urine dipstick testing for diagnosis of acute uncomplicated cystitis.
Urine cultures should be done in the following situations:
3.4.4. Disease management
Antimicrobial therapy is recommended because clinical success is significantly more likely in women treated with antimicrobials compared with placebo . In female patients with mild to moderate symptoms, symptomatic therapy (e.g. Ibuprofen), as an alternative to antimicrobial treatment, may be considered in consultation with individual patients [109-112]. The choice of antimicrobial therapy should be guided by :
- spectrum and susceptibility patterns of the aetiological pathogens;
- efficacy for the particular indication in clinical studies;
- tolerability and adverse reactions;
- adverse ecological effects;
According to these principles and the available susceptibility patterns in Europe, oral treatment with fosfomycin trometamol 3 g single dose, pivmecillinam 400 mg three times a day for three to five days, and nitrofurantoin (e.g. nitrofurantoin monohydrate/macrocrystals 100 mg twice daily for five days), should be considered for first-line treatment, when available [113-116].
Alternative antimicrobials include trimethoprim alone or combined with a sulphonamide. Co-trimoxazole (160/800 mg twice daily for three days) or trimethoprim (200 mg twice daily for five days) should only be considered as drugs of first choice in areas with known resistance rates for E. coli of < 20% [117,118].
Aminopenicillins are no longer suitable for empirical therapy because of worldwide high E. coli resistance. Aminopenicillins in combination with a beta-lactamase inhibitor such as ampicillin/sulbactam or amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and oral cephalosporins are not recommended for empirical therapy due to ecological collateral damage, but may be used in selected cases [119,120].
On March 11, 2019 the European Commission implemented stringent regulatory conditions regarding the use of fluoroquinolones due to their disabling and potentially long-lasting side effects . This legally binding decision is applicable in all EU countries. National authorities have been urged to enforce this ruling and to take all appropriate measures to promote the correct use of this class of antibiotics. In uncomplicated cystitis a fluoroquinolone should only be used when it is considered inappropriate to use other antibacterial agents that are commonly recommended for the treatment of these infections .
184.108.40.206. Cystitis in pregnancy
Short courses of antimicrobial therapy can also be considered for treatment of cystitis in pregnancy , but not all antimicrobials are suitable during pregnancy. In general, penicillins, cephalosporins, fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin (not in case of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and during the end of pregnancy), trimethoprim (not in the first trimenon) and sulphonamides (not in the last trimenon), can be considered.
220.127.116.11. Cystitis in men
Cystitis in men without involvement of the prostate is uncommon and should be classed as a complicated infection. Therefore, treatment with antimicrobials penetrating into the prostate tissue is needed in males with symptoms of UTI. A treatment duration of at least seven days is recommended, preferably with trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole or a fluoroquinolone if in accordance with susceptibility testing (see section 18.104.22.168) .
22.214.171.124. Renal insufficiency
In patients with renal insufficiency the choice of antimicrobials may be influenced by decreased renal excretion; however, most antimicrobials, have a wide therapeutic index. No adjustment of dose is necessary until glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is < 20 mL/min, with the exception of antimicrobials with nephrotoxic potential, e.g. aminoglycosides. The combination of loop diuretics (e.g. furosemide) and a cephalosporin is nephrotoxic. Nitrofurantoin is contraindicated in patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of less than 30 ml/min/1.73m2 as accumulation of the drug leads to increased side effects as well as reduced urinary tract recovery, with the risk of treatment failure .
126.96.36.199. Summary of evidence and recommendations for antimicrobial therapy for uncomplicated cystitis
Summary of evidence
Clinical success for the treatment of uncomplicated cystitis is significantly more likely in women treated with antimicrobials than placebo.
Aminopenicillins are no longer suitable for antimicrobial therapy in uncomplicated cystitis because of negative ecological effects, high resistance rates and their increased selection for extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria.
Prescribe fosfomycin trometamol, pivmecillinam or nitrofurantoin as first-line treatment for uncomplicated cystitis in women.
Do not use aminopenicillins or fluoroquinolones to treat uncomplicated cystitis.
Table 1: Suggested regimens for antimicrobial therapy in uncomplicated cystitis
Duration of therapy
3 g SD
Recommended only in women with uncomplicated cystitis.
50-100 mg four times a day
100 mg b.i.d
Nitrofurantoin macrocrystal prolonged release
100 mg b.i.d
400 mg t.i.d
500 mg b.i.d
If the local resistance pattern for E. coli is < 20%
200 mg b.i.d
Not in the first trimenon of pregnancy
160/800 mg b.i.d
Not in the last trimenon of pregnancy
Treatment in men
160/800 mg b.i.d
Restricted to men, fluoroquinolones can also be prescribed in accordance with local susceptibility testing.
SD = single dose; b.i.d = twice daily; t.i.d = three times daily.
Routine post-treatment urinalysis or urine cultures in asymptomatic patients are not indicated . In women whose symptoms do not resolve by end of treatment, and in those whose symptoms resolve but recur within two weeks, urine culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing should be performed . For therapy in this situation, one should assume that the infecting organism is not susceptible to the agent originally used. Retreatment with a seven-day regimen using another agent should be considered .
3.5. Recurrent UTIs
Recurrent UTIs (rUTIs) are recurrences of uncomplicated and/or complicated UTIs, with a frequency of at least three UTIs/year or two UTIs in the last six months. Although rUTIs include both lower tract infection (cystitis) and upper tract infection (pyelonephritis), repeated pyelonephritis should prompt consideration of a complicated aetiology. Recurrent UTIs negatively impact patient quality of life leading to a reduction in the quality of social and sexual relationships, self-esteem and capacity for work .
3.5.2. Diagnostic evaluation
Recurrent UTIs are common. Risk factors are outlined in Table 2. Initial diagnosis of rUTI should be confirmed by urine culture. An extensive routine workup including cystoscopy, imaging, etc. is not routinely recommended as the diagnostic yield is low . However, it should be performed without delay in atypical cases, for example, if renal calculi, outflow obstruction, interstitial cystitis or urothelial cancer is suspected.
Table 2: Age-related associations of rUTI in women
Young and pre-menopausal women
Post-menopausal and elderly women
Use of spermicide
A new sexual partner
A mother with a history of UTI
History of UTI during childhood
Blood group antigen secretory status
History of UTI before menopause
Atrophic vaginitis due to oestrogen deficiency
Increased post-void urine volume
Blood group antigen secretory status
Urine catheterisation and functional status
deterioration in elderly institutionalised women
3.5.3. Disease management and follow-up
Prevention of rUTIs includes counselling regarding avoidance of risk factors, non-antimicrobial measures and antimicrobial prophylaxis [125,129]. These interventions should be attempted in this order. Any urological risk factor must be identified and treated. Significant residual urine should be treated optimally, including by CIC when judged to be appropriate.
188.8.131.52. Evidence Summary
A broad literature search with cut-off of May 31st, 2021 identified 3,604 abstracts of which 361 were selected for full text review. In total 114 systematic reviews or guidelines based on systematic literature searches and 131 original publications were selected for further analysis. A further 18 relevant publications were identified from the references of the reviewed studies. Selected studies were assigned to one of nine subgroups based on the method of prevention. An updated search with cut-off date of 1st June 2022 identified a further 316 abstracts of which 25 were selected for further analysis. The evidence question addressed was: In women with recurrent symptomatic lower urinary tract infection what interventions reduce the rate of recurrence?
184.108.40.206. Behavioural modifications
Women with rUTI should be counselled on avoidance of risks (e.g., insufficient drinking, habitual and post-coital delayed urination, wiping from back to front after defecation, douching and wearing occlusive underwear) before initiation of long-term prophylactic drug treatment, although there is limited evidence available regarding these approaches [130,131]. An open-label RCT found that additional fluid intake of 1.5 L a day in premenopausal women with rUTI, who were low-volume drinkers (< 1.5 L a day), reduced the number of cystitis episodes and antibiotic usage over a 12-month period .
220.127.116.11. Non-antimicrobial prophylaxis
18.104.22.168.1. Hormonal replacement
Based on the results of four meta-analyses topical oestrogen therapy (either as a creme or a pessary) shows a trend towards rUTI prevention [133-136]. All studies reported that application was superior compared to placebo but was inferior compared to antibiotics. Due to its pharmacokinetics vaginal admission has no systematic side effects, however local irritation and minor bleeding can occur. The use of oral oestrogens was not effective for rUTI prophylaxis compared to placebo, furthermore it was associated with an unfavourable systematic side effect profile. A single prospective, non-comparative study of 30 pre-menopausal women with rUTI on oral contraceptives reported a beneficial effect for additional topical oestrogen therapy .
22.214.171.124.2. Immunoactive prophylaxis
Several meta-analyses and systematic reviews based on nine RCTs showed that oral immunotherapy with OM-89 is an effective and safe method for the prevention of rUTIs compared to placebo at short-term follow up (< 6 months) [134,138,139].
A vaginal suppository containing ten strains of heat-killed uropathogenic bacteria significantly reduced the risk of rUTI compared to placebo in a meta-analysis of three small RCTs [138-140]. The preventive effect was more pronounced with booster treatment.
A systematic review of two retrospective and three prospective cohort studies concluded that MV140 may decrease the number of rUTI episodes and/or increase the probability of patients being UTI free . A placebo controlled RCT of MV140 reported a significant decrease in rUTI episodes in both MV140 groups vs. placebo . At 12 months follow-up 25% of women treated with placebo (95% CI, 15% to 35%) were UTI free compared with 56% (95% CI, 44% to 67%) and 58% (95% CI, 44% to 67%) of women who received three and six months of MV140 treatment, respectively. The median number of UTI episodes per patient was 3.0 (0.5 to 6.0) for the placebo group compared with 0.0 (0.0 to 1.0) in both groups receiving MV140 .
A comparative single-centre study of 124 women vaccinated with StroVac compared to 49 women receiving antibiotic prophylaxis with 24-month follow-up concluded that StroVac is an effective non-antibiotic prophylaxis for rUTI . However, this study was not randomised or blinded resulting in a high risk of bias.
126.96.36.199.3. Prophylaxis with probiotics (Lactobacillus spp.)
Five meta-analyses with differing results and eleven relevant systematic reviews were identified [134,144-157].
Two meta-analyses reported significant positive effects for rUTI prevention with effective probiotics compared to placebo [148,150]. The contradictory results of the four meta-analyses are a result of the analysis of different Lactobacillus strains and different administration regimes, treatment durations, and patient populations. Most studies concluded that not all Lactobacillus strains are effective for vaginal flora restoration and rUTI prevention. The highest efficacy was shown with L. rhamnosus GR-1, L. reuteri B-54, L. reuteri RC-14, L. casei shirota, and L. crispatus CTV-05 [134,146,148,150]. Although meta-analyses including all known Lactobacilli strains did not show a significant treatment benefit [134,146,148,150], sensitivity analysis excluding studies using ineffective strains resulted in a positive treatment effect .
Of the eleven systematic reviews, seven concluded that prophylaxis with vaginal probiotics has a beneficial clinical impact for the prevention of rUTI [135,136,144,147,149,151-154,156]. The available data is to minimal or of low quality to allow the panel to make recommendations on the route of admission, optimal dosage, and treatment duration for probiotic prophylaxis.
188.8.131.52.4. Prophylaxis with cranberry
Seven meta-analyses and several systematic reviews were identified [134,158-163]. A Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis found that when compared with placebo, water or no treatment, cranberry products did not significantly reduce the occurrence of symptomatic UTI overall or in women with recurrent UTIs . However, six subsequent meta-analyses concluded that consumption of cranberry-containing products may protect against UTIs in certain patient populations [134,159-163]. The differing outcomes across the meta-analyses can be contributed to the clinical and methodological heterogeneity of the included studies . A RCT of 145 women randomised to high-dose vs. low-dose cranberry proanthocyanidin extract reported no significant reduction in the number of symptomatic UTI episodes between the groups . Although the efficacy of cranberry products remains unclear, the panel consensus is that clinicians may recommend them for rUTI prevention in women who are informed of the weak evidence base due to their favourable benefit to harm ratio. However, there is no clear clinical evidence regarding the appropriate dose and treatment duration.
184.108.40.206.5. Prophylaxis with D-mannose
A meta-analysis including one RCT, one randomised cross-over trial and one prospective cohort study analysed data on 390 patients and found that D-mannose was effective for rUTI prevention compared to placebo with comparable efficacy to antibiotic prophylaxis . Another systematic review, concluded that D-mannose had a significant effect on UTI, but that further studies were needed to confirm these findings . A further systematic review including 695 patients reported that D-Mannose improved quality of life and significantly reduced rUTIs in both catheter and non-catheter users and was effective in reducing the incidence of rUTIs and prolonging UTI-free periods . However, a Cochrane systematic review including 719 patients was unable to determine if D-mannose when compared to no treatment, other supplements or antibiotics significantly reduced the number of rUTI episodes . The overall quality of the evidence was low.
220.127.116.11.6. Endovesical instillation
Endovesical instillations of hyaluronic acid (HA) and chondroitin sulphate (CS) have been used for glycosaminoglycan (GAG) layer replenishment in the treatment of interstitial cystitis, overactive bladder, radiation cystitis, and for prevention of rUTI . A meta-analysis (n=143) based on two RCTs and two non-RCTs found significantly decreased UTI rates per patient/year and significantly longer mean UTI recurrence times for HA and HA-CS therapy compared to control treatment . In addition, subgroup analysis of the two RCTs using HA-CS reported a significantly decreased UTI rate per patient/year, significantly longer mean UTI recurrence time and a significantly better pelvic pain and urgency/frequency (PUF) total score. However, 24-hr urinary frequency measured as number of voids in three days was not significantly improved after therapy .
Another meta-analysis (n=800) including two RCTs and six non-RCTs found that when compared to control treatment HA, with or without CS, was associated with a significantly lower mean UTI rate per patient-year and a significantly longer time to UTI recurrence . Furthermore, HA-CS therapy was associated with significantly greater mean reductions in PUF total and symptom scores and the percentage of patients with UTI recurrence during follow-up was also lower .
As randomised controlled studies are available only for HA plus CS, the quality of evidence is higher for the combination than for HA alone.
18.104.22.168.7. Methenamine hippurate
A Cochrane review from 2012 based on thirteen studies, with high levels of heterogeneity, concluded that methenamine hippurate may be effective for preventing UTI in patients without renal tract abnormalities, particularly when used for short-term prophylaxis . A meta-analysis from 2021 based on six studies found that although studies showed a trend towards a benefit for methenamine hippurate in prevention of rUTIs there was no statistically significant difference between the efficacy of methenamine hippurate and any comparators . A subsequent RCT including 240 women randomised (1 : 1) to receive once-daily low-dose antibiotic prophylaxis or twice-daily methenamine hippurate for twelve months reported that the incident rate of patient-reported symptomatic UTIs decreased to 1.38 episodes per person per year for the methenamine hippurate group vs. 0.89 episodes per person per year for the antibiotic group. The absolute difference was 0.49 confirming that methenamine hippurate was not inferior to antibiotic prophylaxis. The rate of adverse events was similar in both groups and a sustained benefit for both treatment arms was observed at six months follow-up [174,175].
22.214.171.124. Antimicrobials for preventing rUTI
126.96.36.199.1. Continuous low-dose antimicrobial prophylaxis and post-coital prophylaxis
Four meta-analyses and numerous systematic reviews and guidelines were identified [136,176-186]. All available meta-analyses conclude that antibiotic prophylaxis is the most effective approach against UTI recurrences compared with placebo or no treatment [176-178]. Antimicrobials may be given as continuous low-dose prophylaxis for longer periods, or as post-coital prophylaxis. There is no significant difference in the efficacy of the two approaches. There is no consensus about the optimal duration of continuous antimicrobial prophylaxis, with studies reporting treatment duration of three to twelve months. After discontinuation of the drug, UTIs tend to re-occur, especially among those, who have had three or more infections annually. It is mandatory to offer both continuous low-dose antimicrobial and post-coital prophylaxis after counselling, and when behavioural modifications as well as non-antimicrobial measures have been unsuccessful.
Differences in outcomes between antibiotics did not reach statistical significance. The choice of agent should be based on the local resistance patterns. Regimens include nitrofurantoin 50 mg or 100 mg once daily, fosfomycin trometamol 3 g every ten days, trimethoprim 100 mg once daily and during pregnancy cephalexin 125 mg or 250 mg or cefaclor 250 mg once daily [125,187]. Post-coital prophylaxis should be considered in pregnant women with a history of frequent UTIs before onset of pregnancy, to reduce their risk of UTI .
188.8.131.52.2. Self-diagnosis and self-treatment
In patients with good compliance, self-diagnosis and self-treatment with a short course regimen of an antimicrobial agent should be considered . The choice of antimicrobials is the same as for sporadic acute uncomplicated UTI (section 184.108.40.206).
3.5.4. Summary of evidence and recommendations for the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of rUTIs
Summary of evidence
Extensive routine workup including cystoscopy, imaging, etc. has a low diagnostic yield for the diagnosis of rUTI.
Increased water intake is an effective antimicrobial-sparing strategy to prevent rUTI in premenopausal women at high risk for recurrence who drink low volumes (< 1.5 L) of fluid daily.
Vaginal oestrogen replacement has shown a trend towards preventing rUTI in post-menopausal women.
Immunoactive prophylaxis has been shown to be more effective than placebo in female patients with rUTIs in several randomised trials with a good safety profile.
Probiotics containing L. rhamnosus GR-1, L. reuteri B-54 and RC-14, L. casei shirota, or L. crispatus CTV-05 are effective for vaginal flora restoration and have shown a trend towards prevention of rUTIs.
Current scientific evidence regarding the efficacy of cranberry products in the prevention of UTIs is inconclusive.
There is contradictory evidence on the efficacy of D-mannose to reduce the number of UTI episodes.
Based on limited evidence intravesical GAG therapy can reduce the number of UTIs per patient per year, and prolong the time interval between rUTI episodes.
A RCT demonstrated the non-inferiority of twice-daily methenamine hippurate to daily antibiotic prophylaxis.
Both continuous low-dose antimicrobial prophylaxis and post-coital antimicrobial prophylaxis, have been shown to reduce the rate of rUTI.
A prospective cohort study showed that intermittent self-start therapy is effective, safe and economical in women with rUTIs.
Diagnose recurrent UTI by urine culture.
Do not perform an extensive routine workup (e.g., cystoscopy, full abdominal ultrasound) in women younger than 40 years of age with recurrent UTI and no risk factors.
Advise pre-menopausal women regarding increased fluid intake as it might reduce the risk of recurrent UTI.
Use vaginal oestrogen replacement in post-menopausal women to prevent recurrent UTI.
Use immunoactive prophylaxis to reduce recurrent UTI in all age groups.
Advise patients on the use of local or oral probiotic containing strains of proven efficacy for vaginal flora regeneration to prevent UTIs.
Advise patients on the use of cranberry products to reduce recurrent UTI episodes; however, patients should be informed that the quality of evidence underpinning this is low with contradictory findings.
Use D-mannose to reduce recurrent UTI episodes, but patients should be informed of the overall weak and contradictory evidence of its effectiveness.
Use methenamine hippurate to reduce recurrent UTI episodes in women without abnormalities of the urinary tract.
Use endovesical instillations of hyaluronic acid or a combination of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphate to prevent recurrent UTIs in patients where less invasive preventive approaches have been unsuccessful. Patients should be informed that further studies are needed to confirm the results of initial trials.
Use continuous or post-coital antimicrobial prophylaxis to prevent recurrent UTI when non-antimicrobial interventions have failed. Counsel patients regarding possible side effects.
For patients with good compliance self-administered short-term antimicrobial therapy should be considered.
3.6. Uncomplicated pyelonephritis
Uncomplicated pyelonephritis is defined as pyelonephritis limited to non-pregnant, pre-menopausal women with no known relevant urological abnormalities or comorbidities.
3.6.1. Diagnostic evaluation
220.127.116.11. Clinical diagnosis
Pyelonephritis is suggested by fever (> 38°C), chills, flank pain, nausea, vomiting, or costovertebral angle tenderness, with or without the typical symptoms of cystitis . Pregnant women with acute pyelonephritis need special attention, as this kind of infection may not only have an adverse effect on the mother with anaemia, renal and respiratory insufficiency, but also on the unborn child with more frequent pre-term labour and birth .
18.104.22.168. Differential diagnosis
IIt is vital to differentiate as soon as possible between uncomplicated and complicated mostly obstructive pyelonephritis, as the latter can rapidly lead to urosepsis. This differential diagnosis should be made by the appropriate imaging technique (see section 22.214.171.124).
126.96.36.199. Laboratory diagnosis
Urinalysis including the assessment of white and red blood cells and nitrite, is recommended for routine diagnosis . In addition, urine culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing should be performed in all cases of pyelonephritis.
188.8.131.52. Imaging diagnosis
Evaluation of the upper urinary tract with ultrasound (US) should be performed to rule out urinary tract obstruction or renal stone disease in patients with a history of urolithiasis, renal function disturbances or a high urine pH . Additional investigations, such as a contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan, or excretory urography should be considered if the patient remains febrile after 72 hours of treatment, or immediately if there is deterioration in clinical status . For diagnosis of complicating factors in pregnant women, US or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be used preferentially to avoid radiation risk to the foetus .
3.6.2. Summary of evidence and recommendations for the diagnostic evaluation of uncomplicated pyelonephritis
Summary of evidence
Urine culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing should be performed in all cases of pyelonephritis in addition to urinalysis.
A prospective observational cohort study found that radiologic imaging can selectively be applied in adults with febrile UTI without loss of clinically relevant information by using a simple clinical prediction rule.
Additional imaging investigations, such as an unenhanced helical computed tomography should be done if the patient remains febrile after 72 hours of treatment or in patients with suspected complications e.g. sepsis.
Perform urinalysis (e.g. using the dipstick method), including the assessment of white and red blood cells and nitrite, for routine diagnosis.
Perform urine culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing in patients with pyelonephritis.
Perform imaging of the urinary tract to exclude urgent urological disorders.
3.6.3. Disease management
184.108.40.206. Outpatient treatment
Fluoroquinolones and cephalosporines are the only antimicrobial agents that can be recommended for oral empirical treatment of uncomplicated pyelonephritis . However, oral cephalosporines achieve significantly lower blood and urinary concentrations than intravenous cephalosporines. Other agents such as nitrofurantoin, oral fosfomycin, and pivmecillinam should be avoided as there is insufficient data regarding their efficacy . In the setting of fluoroquinolone hypersensitivity or known resistance, other acceptable choices include trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (160/800 mg) or an oral beta-lactam, if the uropathogen is known to be susceptible. If such agents are used in the absence of antimicrobial susceptibility results, an initial intravenous dose of a long-acting parenteral antimicrobial (e.g. ceftriaxone) should be administered. A short outpatient antibiotic course of treatment, for acute pyelonephritis, has been shown to be equivalent to longer durations of therapy in terms of clinical and microbiological success. However, this is associated with a higher recurrence rate of infection within four to six weeks and needs to be tailored to local policies and resistance patterns .
220.127.116.11. Inpatient treatment
Patients with uncomplicated pyelonephritis requiring hospitalisation should be treated initially with an intravenous antimicrobial regimen e.g. a fluoroquinolone, an aminoglycoside (with or without ampicillin), or an extended-spectrum cephalosporin or penicillin . Ceftolozane/tazobactam achieved a clinical response rate of over 90% in patients with uncomplicated pyelonephritis [198,199]. It also demonstrated significantly higher composite cure rates than levofloxacin among levofloxacin-resistant pathogens . Ceftazidime-avibactam combination has been shown to be effective for treating ceftazidime-resistant Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa UTIs .
Novel antimicrobial agents include imipenem/cilastatin, cefiderocol, meropenem-vaborbactam and plazomicin. Imipenem/cilastatin has been investigated in a phase 2 randomised trial and showed good clinical response rates . Cefatazidime-avibactam and doripenem showed similar efficacy against ceftazidime non-susceptible pathogens and may offer an alternative to carbapenems in this setting . Meropenem-vaborbactam has been shown to be non-inferior to piperacillin-tazobactam in a phase 3 RCT . It was also effective for treating carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales with cure rates of 65% compared to best available treatment . Once daily plazomicin was non-inferior to meropenem for the treatment of cUTIs and acute pyelonephritis caused by Enterobacterales, including multidrug-resistant strains . Cefiderocol was non-inferior to imipenem/cilastatin for the treatment of complicated UTI in people with multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections in a phase 2 RCT .
Carbapenems and novel broad spectrum antimicrobial agents should only be considered in patients with early culture results indicating the presence of multi-drug resistant organisms. The choice between these agents should be based on local resistance patterns and optimised on the basis of drug susceptibility results. In patients presenting with signs of urosepsis empiric antimicrobial coverage for ESBL-producing organisms is warranted . Patients initially treated with parenteral therapy who improve clinically and can tolerate oral fluids may transition to oral antimicrobial therapy .
18.104.22.168.1. Summary of evidence and recommendations for the treatment of uncomplicated pyelonephritis
Summary of evidence
Fluoroquinolones and cephalosporines are the only microbial agents that can be recommended for oral empirical treatment of uncomplicated pyelonephritis.
Intravenous antimicrobial regimens for uncomplicated pyelonephritis may include a fluoroquinolone, an aminoglycoside (with or without ampicillin), or an extended-spectrum cephalosporin or penicillin.
Carbapenems should only be considered in patients with early culture results indicating the presence of multi-drug resistant organisms.
The appropriate antimicrobial should be chosen based on local resistance patterns and optimised on the basis of drug susceptibility results.
Treat patients with uncomplicated pyelonephritis not requiring hospitalisation with short course fluoroquinolones as first-line treatment.
Treat patients with uncomplicated pyelonephritis requiring hospitalisation with an intravenous antimicrobial regimen initially.
Switch patients initially treated with parenteral therapy, who improve clinically and can tolerate oral fluids, to oral antimicrobial therapy.
Do not use nitrofurantoin, oral fosfomycin, and pivmecillinam to treat uncomplicated pyelonephritis.
Table 3: Suggested regimens for empirical oral antimicrobial therapy in uncomplicated pyelonephritis
Duration of therapy
500-750 mg b.i.d
Fluoroquinolone resistance should be less than 10%.
750 mg q.d
160/800 mg b.i.d
If such agents are used empirically, an initial intravenous dose of a long-acting parenteral antimicrobial (e.g. ceftriaxone) should be administered.
200 mg b.i.d
400 mg q.d
b.i.d = twice daily; q.d = every day.
Table 4: Suggested regimens for empirical parenteral antimicrobial therapy in uncomplicated pyelonephritis
400 mg b.i.d
750 mg q.d
2 g t.i.d
Not studied as monotherapy in acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis.
1-2 g q.d
Lower dose studied, but higher dose recommended.
1-2 g b.i.d
Lower dose studied, but higher dose recommended.
2.5-4.5 g t.i.d
5 mg/kg q.d
Not studied as monotherapy in acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis.
15 mg/kg q.d
0.5 g t.i.d
Consider only in patients with early culture results indicating the presence of multi-drug resistant organisms.
1 g t.i.d
1.5 g t.i.d
2.5 g t.i.d
b.i.d = twice daily; t.i.d = three times daily; q.d = every day; o.d = once daily.
In pregnant women with pyelonephritis, outpatient management with appropriate parenteral antimicrobials may also be considered, provided symptoms are mild and close follow-up is feasible [210,211]. In more severe cases of pyelonephritis, hospitalisation and supportive care are usually required. After clinical improvement parenteral therapy can also be switched to oral therapy for a total treatment duration of seven to ten days. In men with febrile UTI, pyelonephritis, or recurrent infection, or whenever a complicating factor is suspected a minimum treatment duration of two weeks is recommended, preferably with a fluoroquinolone since prostatic involvement is frequent .
Post-treatment urinalysis or urine cultures in asymptomatic patients post-therapy are not indicated.
3.7. Complicated UTIs
A complicated UTI (cUTI) occurs in an individual in whom factors related to the host (e.g. underlying diabetes or immunosuppression) or specific anatomical or functional abnormalities related to the urinary tract (e.g. obstruction, incomplete voiding due to detrusor muscle dysfunction) are believed to result in an infection that will be more difficult to eradicate than an uncomplicated infection [213-215]. New insights into the management of cUTIs also suggest to consider infections caused by multi-drug resistant uropathogens . The underlying factors that are generally accepted to result in a cUTI are outlined in Table 5. The designation of cUTI encompasses a wide variety of underlying conditions that result in a remarkably heterogeneous patient population. Therefore, it is readily apparent that a universal approach to the evaluation and treatment of cUTIs is not sufficient, although there are general principles of management that can be applied to the majority of patients with cUTIs. The following recommendations are based on the Stichting Werkgroep Antibioticabeleid (SWAB) Guidelines from the Dutch Working Party on Antibiotic Policy .
Table 5: Common factors associated with complicated UTIs [216-219]
Obstruction at any site in the urinary tract
UTI in males
Recent history of instrumentation
Isolated ESBL-producing organisms
Isolated multi-drug resistant organisms
3.7.2. Diagnostic evaluation
22.214.171.124. Clinical presentation
A cUTI is associated with clinical symptoms (e.g. dysuria, urgency, frequency, flank pain, costovertebral angle tenderness, suprapubic pain and fever), although in some clinical situations the symptoms may be atypical for example, in neuropathic bladder disturbances, CA-UTI or patients who have undergone radical cystectomy with urinary diversion. In addition, all patients with nephrostomy may have an atypical clinical presentation. Clinical presentation can vary from severe obstructive acute pyelonephritis with imminent urosepsis to a post-operative CA-UTI, which might disappear spontaneously as soon as the catheter is removed. Clinicians must also recognise that symptoms, especially lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), are not only caused by UTIs but also by other urological disorders, such as, for example, benign prostatic hyperplasia and autonomic dysfunction in patients with spinal lesions and neurogenic bladders. Concomitant medical conditions, such as diabetes mellitus and renal failure, which can be related to urological abnormalities, are often also present in a cUTI.
126.96.36.199. Urine culture
Laboratory urine culture is the recommended method to determine the presence or absence of clinically significant bacteriuria in patients suspected of having a cUTI.
3.7.3. Microbiology (spectrum and antimicrobial resistance)
A broad range of micro-organisms cause cUTIs. The spectrum is much larger than in uncomplicated UTIs and the bacteria are more likely to be resistant (especially in treatment-related cUTI) than those isolated in uncomplicated UTIs [218,219]. E. coli, Proteus spp., Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Serratia spp. and Enterococcus spp. are the most common species found in cultures. Enterobacterales predominate (60-75%), with E. coli as the most common pathogen; particularly if the UTI is a first infection. Otherwise, the bacterial spectrum may vary over time and from one hospital to another .
3.7.4. General principles of cUTI treatment
Appropriate management of the urological abnormality or the underlying complicating factor is mandatory. Optimal antimicrobial therapy for cUTI depends on the severity of illness at presentation, as well as local resistance patterns and specific host factors (such as allergies). In addition, urine culture and susceptibility testing should be performed, and initial empirical therapy should be tailored and followed by (oral) administration of an appropriate antimicrobial agent on the basis of the isolated uropathogen.
188.8.131.52. Choice of antimicrobials
Considering the current resistance percentages of amoxicillin, co-amoxiclav, trimethoprim and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole, it can be concluded that these agents are not suitable for the empirical treatment of pyelonephritis in a normal host and, therefore, also not for treatment of all cUTIs . The same applies to ciprofloxacin and other fluoroquinolones in urological patients .
Patients with a UTI with systemic symptoms requiring hospitalisation should be initially treated with an intravenous antimicrobial regimen, such as an aminoglycoside with or without amoxicillin, or a second or third generation cephalosporin, or an extended-spectrum penicillin with or without an aminoglycoside . The choice between these agents should be based on local resistance data, and the regimen should be tailored on the basis of susceptibility results . These recommendations are not only suitable for pyelonephritis, but for all other cUTIs.
Alternative regimens for the treatment of cUTIs, particularly those caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens have been studied. Ceftolozane/tazobactam 1.5 g every eight hours demonstrated high clinical cure rates for cUTIs caused by ESBL-producing Enterobacterales in a pooled analysis of phase 3 clinical trials . Cefiderocol (2 g) three times daily was non-inferior to imipenem-cilastatin (1 g) three times daily for the treatment of cUTI in patients with multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections . Imipenem/cilastatin plus relebactam (250 or 125 mg) was as effective as imipenem/cilastatin alone for treatment of cUTI in a phase 2 RCT . Ceftazidime/avibactam has been shown to be as effective as carbapenems for the treatment of cUTI in a systematic review reporting a baseline of 25% for ESBL-producing Enterobacterales, but more severe adverse events were reported in the ceftazidime/avibactam group . Once-daily plazomicin was shown to be non-inferior to meropenem for the treatment of cUTIs caused by Enterobacterales, including multidrug-resistant strains .
In view of the high degree of resistance, particularly among patients admitted to the department of urology, fluoroquinolones are not automatically suitable as empirical antimicrobial therapy, especially when the patient has used ciprofloxacin in the last six months . Fluoroquinolones can only be recommended as empirical treatment when the patient is not seriously ill and it is considered safe to start initial oral treatment or if the patient has had an anaphylactic reaction to beta-lactam antimicrobials. Intravenous levofloxacin 750 mg once daily for five days has been shown to be non-inferior to a seven to fourteen day regimen of levofloxacin 500 mg once daily starting intravenously and switched to an oral regimen (based on mitigation of clinical symptoms) .
184.108.40.206. Duration of antimicrobial therapy
Treatment for seven to fourteen days (for men fourteen days when prostatitis cannot be excluded) , is generally recommended, but the duration should be closely related to the treatment of the underlying abnormality. When the patient is hemodynamically stable and afebrile for at least 48 hours, a shorter treatment duration (e.g. seven days) may be considered in patients where a short-course treatment is desired due to relative-contraindications to the administered antibiotic .
3.7.5. Summary of evidence and recommendations for the treatment of complicated UTIs
Summary of evidence
Patients with a UTI with systemic symptoms requiring hospitalisation should be initially treated with an intravenous antimicrobial regimen chosen based on local resistance data and previous urine culture results from the patient, if available. The regimen should be tailored on the basis of susceptibility results.
If the prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance is thought to be < 10% and the patient has contraindications for third generation cephalosporins or an aminoglycoside, ciprofloxacin can be prescribed as an empirical treatment in women with complicated pyelonephritis.
In the event of hypersensitivity to penicillin a cephalosporins can still be prescribed, unless the patient has had systemic anaphylaxis in the past.
In patients with a cUTI with systemic symptoms, empirical treatment should cover ESBL if there is an increased likelihood of ESBL infection based on prevalence in the community, earlier collected cultures and prior antimicrobial exposure of the patient.
Intravenous levofloxacin 750 mg once daily for five days, is non-inferior to a seven to fourteen day regimen of levofloxacin 500 mg once daily starting intravenously and switched to an oral regimen (based on mitigation of clinical symptoms).
Use the combination of:
Only use ciprofloxacin provided that the local resistance percentages are < 10% when;
Do not use ciprofloxacin and other fluoroquinolones for the empirical treatment of complicated UTI in patients from urology departments or when patients have used fluoroquinolones in the last six months.
Manage any urological abnormality and/or underlying complicating factors.
3.8. Catheter-associated UTIs
Catheter-associated UTI refers to UTIs occurring in a person whose urinary tract is currently catheterised or has been catheterised within the past 48 hours. The urinary catheter literature is problematic as many published studies use the term CA-bacteriuria without providing information on what proportion are CA-ABU and CA-UTI, and some studies use the term CA-UTI when referring to CA-ABU or CA-bacteriuria .
3.8.2. Epidemiology, aetiology and pathophysiology
Catheter-associated UTIs are the leading cause of secondary healthcare-associated bacteraemia. Approximately 20% of hospital-acquired bacteraemias arise from the urinary tract, and the mortality associated with this condition is approximately 10% . A multistate point-prevalence survey of 11,282 patients across 183 hospitals reported that UTI accounted for 12.9% of healthcare acquired infections . The incidence of bacteriuria associated with indwelling catheterisation is 3-8% per day [230-234]. The duration of catheterisation is the most important risk factor for the development of a CA-UTI [235,236]. A systematic review and meta-analysis reported an average CA-UTI incidence of 13.79/1000 hospitalised patients with a prevalence of 9.33% . This study also demonstrated that patients at high risk for CA-UTI were female, had a prolonged duration of catheterisation, had diabetes and had longer hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stays .
Urinary catheterisation perturbs host defence mechanisms and provides easier access of uropathogens to the bladder. Indwelling urinary catheters facilitate colonisation with uropathogens by providing a surface for the attachment of host cell binding receptors recognised by bacterial adhesins, thus enhancing microbial adhesion. In addition, the uroepithelial mucosa is damaged, exposing new binding sites for bacterial adhesins, and residual urine in the bladder is increased through pooling below the catheter bulb . Catheter-associated UTIs are often polymicrobial and caused by multiple-drug resistant uropathogens.
3.8.3. Diagnostic evaluation
220.127.116.11. Clinical diagnosis
Signs and systemic symptoms compatible with CA-UTI include new onset or worsening of fever, rigors, altered mental status, malaise, or lethargy with no other identified cause, flank pain, costovertebral angle tenderness, acute haematuria, pelvic discomfort and in those whose catheters have been removed dysuria, urgent or frequent urination and suprapubic pain or tenderness . In the catheterised patient, the presence or absence of odorous or cloudy urine alone should not be used to differentiate CA-ABU from CA-UTI [217,218].
18.104.22.168. Laboratory diagnosis
Microbiologically, CA-UTI is defined by microbial growth of > 103 cfu/mL of one or more bacterial species in a single catheter urine specimen or in a mid-stream voided urine specimen from a patient whose urethral, suprapubic, or condom catheter has been removed within the previous 48 hours . In catheterised patients, pyuria is not diagnostic for CA-UTI. The presence, absence, or degree of pyuria should not be used to differentiate CA-ABU from CA-UTI. Pyuria accompanying CA-ABU should not be interpreted as an indication for antimicrobial treatment. The absence of pyuria in a symptomatic patient suggests a diagnosis other than CA-UTI .
22.214.171.124. Summary of evidence table and recommendations for diagnostic evaluation of CA-UTI
Summary of evidence
Patients with indwelling or suprapubic catheters become carriers of ABU, with antibiotic treatment showing no benefit.
In the catheterised patient, the presence or absence of odorous or cloudy urine alone should not be used to differentiate CA-ABU from CA-UTI.
Microbiologically CA-UTI is defined by microbial growth of > 103 cfu/mL of one or more bacterial species in a single catheter urine specimen or in a mid-stream voided urine specimen from a patient whose catheter has been removed within the previous 48 hours.
Do not carry out routine urine culture in asymptomatic catheterised patients.
Do not use pyuria as sole indicator for catheter-associated UTI.
Do not use the presence or absence of odorous or cloudy urine alone to differentiate catheter-associated asymptomatic bacteriuria from catheter-associated UTI.
3.8.4. Disease management
126.96.36.199. Limiting catheterisation and appropriate catheter discontinuation
Indwelling catheters should be placed only when they are clinically indicated; for example, for management of urinary retention or where strict monitoring of fluid balance is required. Catheter restriction protocols are an important part of multi-modal interventions to reduce CA-UTI rates. Nurse-driven protocols in hospitals as well as community based multi-modal targeted infection programs have been proven to reduce CA-UTI rates [239,240]. Adjunctive devices such as electronic reminder systems have also been shown to assist in prompt catheter removal in hospital settings (including non-ICU). A systematic review of nineteen different interventions to reduce UTI (including catheter discontinuation and limiting catheterisation), in nursing home patients reported successful CA-UTI reduction and reduced catheter usage . Another report of over 2,800 patients on a surgical oncology unit found that increasing catheter bundle compliance resulted in a significant reduction in CA-UTI rates .
188.8.131.52. Urethral cleaning and chlorhexidine bathing
A network meta-analysis of 33 studies (6,490 patients) found no difference in the incidence of CA-UTI comparing the different urethral cleaning methods vs. disinfection . The efficacy of chlorhexidine baths (either using 2% chlorhexidine-impregnated cloths or 4% chlorhexidine-based soap) in reducing CA-UTI is debatable. In a RCT of 10,783 ICU patients, no difference in CA-UTI rates were reported between chlorhexidine and control bathing groups . However, a systematic review of fifteen studies involving only ICU patients reported that daily chlorhexidine bathing was associated with a significant reduction in CA-UTI (RR 0.68) .
184.108.40.206. Alternatives to indwelling urethral catheterisation
Alternatives include intermittent urethral catheterisation (IC) or suprapubic catheterisation. In a systematic review of patients undergoing gynaecological surgery, indwelling catheters were associated with higher rates of symptomatic UTIs compared to IC . A further meta-analysis of postpartum women reported no difference in the incidence of UTI after labour between continuous catheterisation and IC . A prospective cohort study of nursing home residents found that residents with a suprapubic catheter had fewer CA-UTIs and where hospitalised less, but were more likely to be colonised with multi drug resistant organisms .
A Cochrane review found insufficient evidence to assess the value of different policies for replacing long-term urinary catheters on patient outcomes . Another Cochrane review investigating the role of urethral (indwelling or intermittent) vs. suprapubic catheterisation in the short-term found inconclusive evidence of an effect on UTI rates . For patients with neurogenic bladders, a further systematic review found no randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials and therefore no conclusions regarding the use of the different types of catheters could be made . Therefore, based on the available literature, while there are some limited studies showing a benefit of IC or suprapubic catheterisation over urethral catheterisation for CA-UTI rates, there is insufficient evidence to recommend those approaches routinely .
220.127.116.11. Impregnated or coated catheters
Hydrophilic coated catheters have been found to be beneficial for reducing CA-UTI rates. A meta-analysis of seven studies investigating RCTs comparing hydrophilic coated to PVC (standard) catheters for IC found a statistically lower risk ratio (0.84) for the frequency of UTI in the hydrophilic catheter group . A systematic review and practice policy statements on UTI prevention in patients with spina bifida recommended the use of single-use and hydrophilic catheters for IC .
Silver-alloy-impregnated catheters have not been associated with reduced CA-UTI rates. A small RCT of 54 ICU patients showed no significant difference in UTI rates between the silver-alloy impregnated group and the standard silicone foley catheter group . In a cohort study of patients undergoing suprapubic catheter placement at the time of pelvic organ prolapsed surgery, a 5% difference in UTI rate at six weeks was noted, although this was not significant . A systematic review of 26 trials (12,422 patients) reported that silver alloy-coated catheters were not associated with a statistically significant reduction in CA-UTI and were considerably more expensive . However, the same study found that nitrofurazone-impregnated catheters reduce the risk of symptomatic CA-UTI; however, this was borderline significant (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.99) . A more recent RCT (214 patients) evaluating the use of nitrofurazone-infused catheters post-renal transplant found no benefit for their use . Additionally, another RCT showed no benefit for the use of silver-alloy-coated indwelling catheters for reduction of UTI in 489 patients with spinal cord injury .
From a microbiological perspective, there may be a difference in organisms causing CA-UTI from urethral and suprapubic catheters and therefore urine culture results are important to guide therapy .
18.104.22.168. Antibiotic prophylaxis for catheter removal or insertion
The issue of whether antibiotic prophylaxis reduce the rate of symptomatic UTI in adults following indwelling bladder catheter removal has been the subject of multiple RCTs. A review and meta-analysis identified seven RCTs with 1,520 participants. Meta-analysis showed overall benefit for use of prophylaxis RR (95%CI) = 0.45 (0.28-0.72); ARR 5.8% (from 10.5% to 4.7%) with a number needed to treat (NNT) of 17 . Results for individual trials were inconsistent with five trials including the possibility of no benefit . In an affectional RCT with 172 participants undergoing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy randomised to seven days of ciprofloxacin (n=80) or no treatment (n=80) at the time of catheter removal, which occurred at a mean of nine days post-operatively, there was no difference in infective complications recorded at up to four weeks after catheter removal. More isolates obtained from the prophylaxis group (11) were resistant to ciprofloxacin compared to the no treatment group (3) . With regards to catheter insertion, a systematic review and meta-analysis showed that prophylactic antibiotics reduced the rate of bacteriuria and other signs of infection, such as pyuria, fever and gram-negative isolates in patients’ urine, in surgical patients who undergo bladder drainage for at least 24 hours post-operatively .
22.214.171.124. Antibiotic prophylaxis for intermittent self-catheterisation (ISC)
An RCT investigating the effect of antibiotic prophylaxis in patients performing ISC showed that the frequency of symptomatic antibiotic-treated UTI was reduced by 48% using prophylaxis in a cohort of 404 patients performing ISC . However, resistance against the antibiotics used for UTI treatment was more frequent in urinary isolates from the prophylaxis group than in those from the control group at 9–12 months.
While the literature shows some benefit for reduction of CA-UTI by utilising antibiotics, the routine use of antibiotics for such a common procedure in the healthcare setting would result in an increased usage of antimicrobials. As highlighted in some of the RCTs this strategy is associated with increased antimicrobial resistance. Antibiotic use is the main driving force in the development of antimicrobial resistance. Current antimicrobial stewardship principles would not favour the routine use of antibiotic prophylaxis for either catheter changes or ISC even when UTIs could be prevented .
126.96.36.199. Antimicrobial treatment for suspected CA-UTI
A urine specimen for culture should be obtained prior to initiating antimicrobial therapy for presumed CA-UTI due to the wide spectrum of potential infecting organisms and the increased likelihood of antimicrobial resistance. The urine culture should be obtained from the freshly placed catheter prior to the initiation of antimicrobial therapy . Based on the global prevalence on infections in urology (GPIU) study, the causative micro-organisms in CA-UTI are comparable with the causative micro-organisms in other cUTIs; therefore, symptomatic CA-UTIs should be treated according to the recommendations for cUTI (see section 3.7.5) .
Seven days is the recommended duration of antimicrobial treatment for patients with CA-UTI who have prompt resolution of symptoms, and fourteen days of treatment is recommended for those with a delayed response, regardless of whether the patient remains catheterised or not . A five-day regimen of levofloxacin may be considered in patients with CA-UTI who are not severely ill. Data are insufficient to make such a recommendation about other fluoroquinolones. With the rise in fluoroquinolone resistance, alternative antimicrobial agents should be selected where possible to start empirical therapy based on local microbiological information. A 5-day antibiotic regimen with catheter exchange has been shown in one study to be non-inferior to a 10-day regimen with catheter retention on the basis of clinical cure .
A three-day antimicrobial regimen may be considered for women aged < 65 years who develop CA-UTI without upper urinary tract symptoms after an indwelling catheter has been removed. If an indwelling catheter has been in place for two weeks at the onset of CA-UTI and is still indicated, the catheter should be replaced to hasten resolution of symptoms and to reduce the risk of subsequent CA-bacteriuria and CA-UTI. If use of the catheter can be discontinued, a culture of a voided mid-stream urine specimen should be obtained prior to the initiation of antimicrobial therapy to help guide treatment . Long-term indwelling catheters should not be changed routinely. Follow appropriate practices for catheter insertion and care .
188.8.131.52. Recommendations for disease management and prevention of CA-UTI
Summary of evidence
A systematic review of nineteen different interventions to reduce UTI including catheter discontinuation and limiting catheterisation in nursing home patients reported successful CA-UTI reduction and reduced catheter usage.
A meta-analysis of seven studies investigating RCTs comparing hydrophilic coated to PVC (standard) catheters for IC found a statistically lower risk ratio (0.84) for the frequency of UTI in the hydrophilic catheter group.
A meta-analysis showed overall benefit for use of prophylaxis for reduction of infective complications after catheter removal; however, results from individual trials were inconsistent with five out of seven trials including the possibility of no benefit.
A subsequent RCT found no benefit of antibiotic prophylaxis for reduction of infective complications at up to four weeks after catheter removal.
Treat symptomatic catheter-associated-UTI according to the recommendations for complicated UTI (see section 3.7.5).
Take a urine culture prior to initiating antimicrobial therapy in catheterised patients in whom the catheter has been removed.
Do not treat catheter-associated asymptomatic bacteriuria in general.
Treat catheter-associated asymptomatic bacteriuria prior to traumatic urinary tract interventions (e.g. transurethral resection of the prostate).
Replace or remove the indwelling catheter before starting antimicrobial therapy.
Do not apply topical antiseptics or antimicrobials to the catheter, urethra or meatus.
Do not use prophylactic antimicrobials to prevent catheter-associated UTIs.
Do not routinely use antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent clinical UTI after urethral catheter removal.
The duration of catheterisation should be minimal.
Use hydrophilic coated catheters to reduce CA-UTI.
Do not routinely use antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent clinical UTI after urethral catheter removal or in patients performing intermittent self-catheterisation
Patients with urosepsis should be diagnosed at an early stage, especially in the case of a cUTI. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), characterised by fever or hypothermia, leukocytosis or leukopenia, tachycardia and tachypnoea, has been recognised as a set of alerting symptoms [263,264]; however, SIRS is no longer included in the recent terminology of sepsis (Table 6) . Mortality is considerably increased the more severe the sepsis is.
The treatment of urosepsis involves adequate life-supporting care, appropriate and prompt antimicrobial therapy, adjunctive measures and the optimal management of urinary tract disorders . Source control by decompression of any obstruction and drainage of larger abscesses in the urinary tract is essential . Urologists are recommended to treat patients in collaboration with intensive care and infectious diseases specialists.
Urosepsis is seen in both community-acquired and healthcare associated infections. Nosocomial urosepsis may be reduced by measures used to prevent nosocomial infection, e.g. reduction of hospital stay, early removal of indwelling urinary catheters, avoidance of unnecessary urethral catheterisation, correct use of closed catheter systems, and attention to simple daily aseptic techniques to avoid cross-infection.
Sepsis is diagnosed when clinical evidence of infection is accompanied by signs of systemic inflammation, presence of symptoms of organ dysfunction and persistent hypotension associated with tissue anoxia (Table 6).
3.9.2. Epidemiology, aetiology and pathophysiology
Urinary tract infections can manifest from bacteriuria with limited clinical symptoms to sepsis or severe sepsis, depending on localised and potential systemic extension. It is important to note that a patient can move from an almost harmless state to severe sepsis in a very short time.
Mortality rates associated with sepsis vary depending on the organ source with urinary tract sepsis generally having a lower mortality than that from other sources . Sepsis is more common in men than in women . In recent years, the overall incidence of sepsis arising from all sources has increased by 8.7% per year , but the associated mortality has decreased, which suggests improved management of patients (total in-hospital mortality rate fell from 27.8% to 17.9% from 1995 to 2000) . Although the rate of sepsis due to Gram-positive and fungal organisms has increased, Gram-negative bacteria remain predominant in urosepsis [260,270].
In urosepsis, as in other types of sepsis, the severity depends mostly upon the host response.
Patients who are more likely to develop urosepsis include elderly patients, diabetics, immunosuppressed patients, such as transplant recipients and patients receiving cancer chemotherapy or corticosteroids. Urosepsis also depends on local factors, such as urinary tract calculi, obstruction at any level in the urinary tract, congenital uropathy, neurogenic bladder disorders, or endoscopic manoeuvres. However, all patients can be affected by bacterial species that are capable of inducing inflammation within the urinary tract.
3.9.3. Diagnostic evaluation
For diagnosis of systemic symptoms in sepsis either the full Sequential [Sepsis-related] Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, or the quickSOFA score should be applied (Table 6). Microbiology sampling should be applied to urine, two sets of blood cultures , and if appropriate drainage fluids. Imaging investigations, such as sonography and CT-scan should be performed early .
Table 6. Definition and criteria of sepsis and septic shock
Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. For clinical application, organ dysfunction can be represented by an increase in the Sequential [Sepsis-related] Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score of 2 points or more. For rapid identification a quickSOFA (qSOFA) score was developed: respiratory rate of 22/min or greater, altered mentation, or systolic blood pressure of 100 mmHg or less.
Septic shock should be defined as a subset of sepsis in which particularly profound circulatory, cellular, and metabolic abnormalities are associated with a greater risk of mortality than with sepsis alone. Patients with septic shock can be clinically identified by a vasopressor requirement to maintain a mean arterial pressure of 65 mmHg or greater and serum lactate level greater than 2 mmol/L (>18 mg/dL) in the absence of hypovolemia.
3.9.4. Physiology and biochemical markers
E. coli remains the most prevalent micro-organism. In several countries, bacterial strains can be resistant or multi-resistant and therefore difficult to treat . Most commonly, the condition develops in compromised patients (e.g. those with diabetes or immunosuppression), with typical signs of generalised sepsis associated with local signs of infection.
184.108.40.206. Cytokines as markers of the septic response
Cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of sepsis . They are molecules that regulate the amplitude and duration of the host inflammatory response. They are released from various cells including monocytes, macrophages and endothelial cells, in response to various infectious stimuli. The complex balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory responses is modified in severe sepsis. An immunosuppressive phase follows the initial pro-inflammatory mechanism. Sepsis may indicate an immune system that is severely compromised and unable to eradicate pathogens or a non-regulated and excessive activation of inflammation, or both. Genetic predisposition is a probable explanation of sepsis in several patients. Mechanisms of organ failure and death in patients with sepsis remain only partially understood .
220.127.116.11. Biochemical markers
Procalcitonin is the inactive pro-peptide of calcitonin. Normally, levels are undetectable in healthy humans. During severe generalised infections (bacterial, parasitic and fungal) with systemic manifestations, procalcitonin levels rise . In contrast, during severe viral infections or inflammatory reactions of non-infectious origin, procalcitonin levels show only a moderate or no increase. Mid-regional proadrenomedulline is another sepsis marker. Mid-regional proadrenomedullin has been shown to play a decisive role in the induction of hyperdynamic circulation during the early stages of sepsis and progression to septic shock . Procalcitonin monitoring may be useful in patients likely to develop sepsis and to differentiate from a severe inflammatory status not due to bacterial infection [273,275]. In addition, serum lactate is a marker of organ dysfunction and is associated with mortality in sepsis . Serum lactate should therefore also be monitored in patients with severe infections.
3.9.5. Disease management
Septic shock is the most frequent cause of death for patients hospitalised for community-acquired and nosocomial infection (20-40%). Urosepsis treatment requires a combination of treatment including source control (obstruction of the urinary tract), adequate life-support care, and appropriate antimicrobial therapy [267,272]. In such a situation, it is recommended that urologists collaborate with intensive care and infectious disease specialists for the best management of the patient.
18.104.22.168.1. Preventive measures of proven or probable efficacy
The most effective methods to prevent nosocomial urosepsis are the same as those used to prevent other nosocomial infections [277,278] they include:
- Isolation of patients with multi-resistant organisms following local and national recommendations.
- Prudent use of antimicrobial agents for prophylaxis and treatment of established infections, to avoid selection of resistant strains. Antibiotic agents should be chosen according to the predominant pathogens at a given site of infection in the hospital environment.
- Reduction in hospital stay. Long inpatient periods before surgery lead to a greater incidence of nosocomial infections.
- Early removal of indwelling urethral catheters, as soon as allowed by the patient’s condition. Nosocomial UTIs are promoted by bladder catheterisation as well as by ureteral stenting . Antibiotic prophylaxis does not prevent stent colonisation, which appears in 100% of patients with a permanent ureteral stent and in 70% of those temporarily stented.
- Use of closed catheter drainage and minimisation of breaks in the integrity of the system, e.g. for urine sampling or bladder wash-out.
- Use of least-invasive methods to release urinary tract obstruction until the patient is stabilised.
- Attention to simple everyday techniques to assure asepsis, including the routine use of protective disposable gloves, frequent hand disinfection, and using infectious disease control measures to prevent cross-infections.
22.214.171.124.2. Appropriate peri-operative antimicrobial prophylaxis
For appropriate peri-operative antimicrobial prophylaxis see section 3.16. The potential side effects of antibiotics must be considered before their administration in a prophylactic regimen.
Early goal-directed resuscitation was initially shown to improve survival for emergency department patients presenting with septic shock in a randomised, controlled, single-centre study . However, follow-up studies in an improved emergency medicine background have not achieved positive effects with this strategy [281-283]. An individual patient data meta-analysis of the later three multicentre trials concluded that early goal-directed therapy did not result in better outcomes than usual care and was associated with higher hospitalisation costs .
126.96.36.199.1. Antimicrobial therapy
Initial empiric antimicrobial therapy should provide broad antimicrobial coverage against all likely causative pathogens and should be adapted on the basis of culture results, once available [265,272]. The dosage of the antimicrobial substances is of paramount importance in patients with sepsis syndrome and should generally be high, with appropriate adjustment for renal function . Antimicrobials must be administered no later than one hour after clinical assumption of sepsis .
188.8.131.52.2. Source control
Obstruction in the urinary tract is the most frequent urological source of urosepsis. Drainage of obstruction and abscesses, and removal of foreign bodies, such as urinary catheters or stones is therefore the most important source control strategy. These are key components of the strategy. This condition is an absolute emergency.
184.108.40.206.3. Adjunctive measures
The most important adjunctive measures in the management of sepsis are the following [265,272]:
- fluid therapy with crystalloids, or albumin, if crystalloids are not adequately increasing blood pressure: passive leg raising-induced changes in cardiac output and in arterial pulse pressure are predictors of fluid responsiveness in adults ;
- as vasopressors norepinephrine should be used primarily, dobutamine in myocardial dysfunction;
- hydrocortisone should be given only if fluid and vasopressors do not achieve a mean arterial pressure of > 65 mmHg;
- blood products should be given to target a haemoglobin level of 7-9 g/dL;
- mechanical ventilation should be applied with a tidal volume 6 mL/kg and plateau pressure < 30 cm H2O and a high positive end-expiratory pressure;
- sedation should be given minimally, neuromuscular blocking agents should be avoided;
- glucose levels should be target at < 180 mg/dL;
- deep vein thrombosis prevention should be given with low-molecular weight heparin subcutaneously;
- stress ulcer prophylaxis should be applied in patients at risk, using proton pump inhibitors;
- enteral nutrition should be started early (< 48 hours).
In conclusion, sepsis in urology remains a severe situation with a considerable mortality rate. A recent campaign, ‘Surviving Sepsis Guidelines’, aims to reduce mortality by 25% in the next years [265,272,286]. Early recognition of the symptoms may decrease the mortality by timely treatment of urinary tract disorders, e.g. obstruction, or urolithiasis. Adequate life-support measures and appropriate antimicrobial treatment provide the best conditions for improving patient survival. The prevention of sepsis is dependent on good practice to avoid nosocomial infections and using antimicrobial prophylaxis and therapy in a prudent and well-accepted manner.
220.127.116.11. Summary of evidence and recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of urosepsis
Summary of evidence
Initial high dose empiric antimicrobial therapy, administered within the first hour, should provide broad antimicrobial coverage against all likely causative pathogens and should be adapted on the basis of culture results, once available.
Source control interventions should be implemented as soon as possible to control or eliminate diagnosed and/or suspected infectious foci.
Perform the quickSOFA score to identify patients with potential sepsis.
Take a urine culture and two sets of blood cultures before starting antimicrobial treatment.
Administer parenteral high dose broad spectrum antimicrobials within the first hour after clinical assumption of sepsis.
Adapt initial empiric antimicrobial therapy on the basis of culture results.
Initiate source control including removal of foreign bodies, decompression of obstruction and drainage of abscesses in the urinary tract.
Provide immediate adequate life-support measures.
Table 7: Suggested regimens for antimicrobial therapy for urosepsis.
Duration of therapy
2 g t.i.d
Longer courses are appropriate in patients who have a slow clinical response
1-2 g t.i.d
1-2 g q.d
2 g b.i.d
4.5 g t.i.d
1.5 g t.i.d
2.5 g t.i.d
5 mg/kg q.d
15 mg/kg q.d
1 g q.d
0.5 g t.i.d
1 g t.i.d
* Not studied as monotherapy in urosepsis
b.i.d = twice daily; t.i.d = three times daily; q.d = every day.
Urethritis can be of either infectious or non-infectious origin. Inflammation of the urethra presents usually with LUTS and must be distinguished from other infections of the lower urinary tract. Urethral infection is typically spread by sexual contact.
3.10.2. Epidemiology, aetiology and pathogenesis
From a therapeutic and clinical point of view, gonorrhoeal urethritis (GU) caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae must be differentiated from non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU). Non-gonococcal urethritis is a non-specific diagnosis that can have many infectious aetiologies. Causative pathogens include Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma urealyticum and Trichomonas vaginalis. The role of Ureaplasma spp. as urethritis causative pathogens is controversial. Recent data suggests that U. urealyticum, but not U. parvum is an aetiological agent in NGU . The prevalence of isolated causative pathogens are: C. trachomatis 11-50%; M. genitalium 6-50%; Ureaplasmas 5-26%; T. vaginalis 1-20%; and adenoviruses 2-4% .
Causative agents either remain extracellularly on the epithelial layer or penetrate into the epithelium (N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis) and cause pyogenic infection. Although arising from urethritis, chlamydiae and gonococci can spread further through the urogenital tract to cause epididymitis in men or cervicitis, endometritis and salpingitis in women .
Mucopurulent or purulent discharge, dysuria and urethral pruritus are symptoms of urethritis. However, many infections of the urethra are asymptomatic.
3.10.3. Evidence Summary
A systematic search of the literature form January 2014 until February 2019 identified 488 titles of which 71 were selected for full text review. Thirteen systematic reviews or guidelines based on systematic literature searches [287-299], and seventeen original publications [300-316] were selected for further analysis. In addition, a further eleven relevant publications were identified from the references of the reviewed literature [317-327]. The evidence questions addressed were:
- In patients with urethritis what is the best method of detecting the causative pathogen?
- In patients with urethritis what are the best treatment strategies for clinical or microbiological cure?
3.10.4. Diagnostic evaluation
In symptomatic patients the diagnosis of urethritis can be made based on the presence of any of the following criteria [288,289]:
- Mucoid, mucopurulent, or purulent urethral discharge.
- Gram or methylene-blue stain of urethral secretions demonstrating inflammation. Five or more polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL) per high power field (HPF) is the historical cut-off for the diagnosis of urethritis. A threshold of > 2 PMNL/HPF was proposed recently based on better diagnostic accuracy [304,317-319], but this was not supported by other studies . Therefore, in line with the 2016 European Guideline on the management of NGU the use of > 5 PMNL/HPF cut-off level is recommended until the benefit of alternative cut-off levels is confirmed.
- The presence of > 10 PMNL/HPF in the sediment from a spun first-void urine sample or a positive leukocyte esterase test in first-void urine.
Evidence of urethral inflammation in the Gram stain of urethral secretions with gonococci located intracellularly as Gram-negative diplococci indicates GU. Non-gonococcal urethritis is confirmed when staining of urethral secretions indicates inflammation in the absence of intracellular diplococci. Clinicians should always perform point-of-care diagnostics (e.g. Gram staining, first-void urine with microscopy, leukocyte esterase testing) if available to obtain objective evidence of urethral inflammation and to guide treatment [288,289,302]. Recent studies showed that processing time of point-of-care diagnostics is highly relevant in terms of patient compliance and real-life applicability [300,301].
Men who meet the criteria for urethritis should be tested for C. trachomatis, M. genitalium and N. gonorrhoea with nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), even if point-of-care tests are negative for gonorrhoeae [288,291]. The sensitivity and specificity of NAATs is better than that of any of the other tests available for the diagnosis of chlamydial and gonococcal infections [292,320]. The performance of first-catch urine is non-inferior to urethral swabs . In case of delayed treatment, if a NAAT is positive for gonorrhoea, a culture using urethral swabs should be performed before treatment to assess the antimicrobial resistance profile of the infective strain . N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis cultures are mainly used to evaluate treatment failures and monitor developing resistance to current treatment. Trichomonas spp. can usually be identified microscopically or by NAATs .
Non-gonococcal urethritis is classified as persistent when symptoms do not resolve within three to four weeks following treatment. When this occurs NAATs should be performed for urethritis pathogens including T. vaginalis four weeks after completion of therapy [288,305].
3.10.5. Disease management
For severe urethritis empirical treatment should be started following diagnosis. If the patients symptoms are mild, delayed treatment guided by the results of NAATs is recommended. All sexual partners at risk should be assessed and treated whilst maintaining patient confidentiality [288,308].
18.104.22.168. Gonococcal urethritis
For GU, a combination treatment using two antimicrobials with different mechanisms of action is recommended to improve treatment efficacy and to hinder increasing resistance to cephalosporins . Ceftriaxone 1 g intramuscularly or intravenously with azithromycin 1 g single oral dose should be used as first-line treatment. Azithromycin is recommended because of its favourable susceptibility rates compared to other antimicrobials, good compliance with the single-dose regimen and the possibility of a C. trachomatis co-infection . In case of azithromycin allergy, doxycycline can be used instead in combination with ceftriaxone or cefixime . A 400 mg oral dose of cefixime is recommended as an alternative regimen to ceftriaxone; however, it has less favourable pharmacodynamics and may lead to the emergence of resistance [290,326].
A number of alternative regimens for the treatment of GU have been studied. In a randomised, open label, non-comparative clinical study dual treatment with a combination of intramuscular gentamicin 240 mg plus oral azithromycin 2 g (n=202) single doses and a combination of oral gemifloxacin 320 mg plus oral azithromycin
2 g (n=199) single doses were associated with microbiological cure rates of 100% and 99.5%, respectively . A 2014 systematic review focusing on the use of single-dose intramuscular gentamicin concluded that there is insufficient data to support or refute the efficacy and safety of this regimen in the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhoea . In three prospective single arm studies enrolling men with GU the use of extended-release azithromycin 2 g single oral dose resulted in microbiological cure rates of 83% (n=36), 93.8% (n=122) and 90.9% (n=33), respectively [312,313,315]. However, azithromycin monotherapy is generally not recommended because of its effect on increasing macrolide resistance rates . Intramuscular spectinomycin 2 g single dose shows microbiological cure rates above 96% [323,326] in urogenital gonorrhoeal infections; therefore, where available, it can be a valid treatment alternative. An open label, randomised trial compared oral fosfomycin trometamol 3 g on days one, three and five (n=60) with intramuscular ceftriaxone 250 mg plus oral azithromycin 1 g single dose (n=61) in men with uncomplicated GU. In the per-protocol analysis clinical and microbiologic cure rates were 96.8% and 95.3% respectively .
The worldwide increase in gonorrhoeal antimicrobial resistance and the emergence of multidrug-resistant gonorrhoeal strains is a globally recognised healthcare crisis which emphasises the importance of guideline adherence [295,307,327].
22.214.171.124. Non-gonococcal urethritis
For NGU without an identified pathogen oral doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for seven days should be used as first-line treatment. Alternatively, single dose oral azithromycin 500 mg day one and 250 mg days two to four can be used. This regimen provides better efficacy compared to azithromycin 1 g single dose for M. genitalium infections, in which azithromycin 1 g single dose treatment is associated with the development of increasing macrolide resistance significantly decreasing the overall cure rate [288,291,297,311]. However, a retrospective cohort study did not find significant difference between the extended and 1 g single dose azithromycin regimen regarding cure rates and the selection of macrolide resistance in M. genitalium urethritis . If macrolide resistant M. genitalium is detected moxifloxacin 400 mg can be used for seven to fourteen days [288,289,298]. In case of failure after both azithromycin and moxifloxacin treatment, pristinamycin (registered in France) is the only antimicrobial agent with documented activity against M. genitalium [291,310,321]. Josamycin 500 mg three times a day for ten days is used in Russia, but will not eradicate macrolide-resistant strains .
For chlamydial urethritis azithromycin 1 g single dose and doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for seven days are both effective options . A Cochrane review found that in men with urogenital C. trachomatis infection regimens with azithromycin are probably less effective than doxycycline for microbiological failure, however, there might be little or no difference for clinical failure . Fluoroquinolones, such as ofloxacin or levofloxacin, may be used as second-line treatment only in selected cases where the use of other agents is not possible .
For U. urealyticum infections the efficacy of doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for seven days is similar to azithromycin 1 g single dose treatment [288,306]. For urethritis caused by T. vaginalis oral metronidazole or tinidazole 2 g single dose is recommended as first-line treatment. For treatment options for persistent or recurrent T. vaginalis infection refer to the review of Sena et al., .
In case of persistent NGU treatment should cover M. genitalium and T. vaginalis [288,289].
Patients should be followed up for control of pathogen eradication after completion of therapy only if therapeutic adherence is in question, symptoms persist or reoccurrence is suspected. Patients should be instructed to abstain from sexual intercourse for seven days after therapy is initiated, provided their symptoms have resolved and their sexual partners have been adequately treated. Reporting and source tracing should be done in accordance with national guidelines and in cooperation with specialists in venereology, whenever required. Persons who have been diagnosed with a new STD should receive testing for other STDs, including syphilis and HIV .
3.10.7. Summary of evidence and recommendations for the diagnostic evaluation and antimicrobial treatment of urethritis
Summary of evidence
A Gram stain of urethral discharge or a urethral smear that shows > 5 leukocytes per high power field (× 1,000) and gonococci located intracellularly as Gram-negative diplococci, indicates gonococcal urethritis.
Validated NAATs of first-void urine samples have better sensitivity and specificity than any of the other tests available for the diagnosis of chlamydial and gonococcal infections.
For GU dual treatment with ceftriaxone and azithromycin is the most effective combination.
In case of urogenital C. trachomatis infection in men azithromycin is probably less effective than doxycycline for microbiological failure, however, there might be little or no difference for clinical failure.
In case of U. urealyticum infection the efficacy of doxycycline 100 mg twice for seven days is similar to azithromycin 1 g single dose treatment.
Perform a Gram stain of urethral discharge or a urethral smear to preliminarily diagnose gonococcal urethritis.
Perform a validated nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) on a first-void urine sample or urethral smear prior to empirical treatment to diagnose chlamydial and gonococcal infections.
Delay treatment until the results of the NAATs are available to guide treatment choice in patients with mild symptoms.
Perform a urethral swab culture, prior to initiation of treatment, in patients with a positive NAAT for gonorrhoea to assess the antimicrobial resistance profile of the infective strain.
Use a pathogen directed treatment based on local resistance data.
Sexual partners should be treated maintaining patient confidentiality.
Table 8: Suggested regimens for antimicrobial therapy for urethritis
Dosage & Duration of therapy
1 g i.m. or i.v.*, SD
1 g p.o., SD
Cefixime 400 mg p.o., SD plus Azithromycin 1 g p.o., SD
In case of cephalosporin allergy:
Gentamicin 240 mg i.m SD plus Azithromycin 2 g p.o., SD
Gemifloxacin 320 mg p.o., SD plus Azithromycin 2 g p.o., SD
Spectinomycin 2 g i.m., SD
Fosfomycin trometamol 3 g p.o. on days 1, 3 and 5
In case of azithromycin allergy, in combination with ceftriaxone or cefixime:
Doxycycline 100 mg b.i.d, p.o., 7 days
100 mg b.i.d, p.o.,
500 mg p.o., day 1,
250 mg p.o., 4 days
1.0-1.5 g p.o., SD
100 mg b.i.d, p.o., for 7 days
Levofloxacin 500 mg p.o., q.d., 7 days
Ofloxacin 200 mg p.o., b.i.d., 7 days
500 mg p.o., day 1,
250 mg p.o., 4 days
In case of macrolide resistance:
Moxifloxacin 400 mg q.d., 7-14 days
100 mg b.i.d, p.o.,
Azithromycin 1.0-1.5 g p.o., SD
2 g p.o., SD
2 g p.o., SD
Metronidazole 500 mg p.o., b.i.d., 7 days
Persistent non-gonococcal urethritis
After first-line doxycycline
500 mg p.o., day 1,
250 mg p.o., 4 days
400 mg b.i.d. p.o., 5 days
If macrolide resistant M. genitalium is detected moxifloxacin should be substituted for azithromycin
After first-line azithromycin
400 mg p.o. q.d., 7-14 days
400 mg b.i.d. p.o., 5 days
SD = single dose; b.i.d = twice daily; q.d = everyday; p.o. = orally; i.m. = intramuscular; i.v. = intravenous.* Despite the lack of RCTs there is increasing evidence that intravenous treatment with ceftriaxone is safe and effective for the treatment of gonorrhoeal infections and avoids the discomfort of an intramuscular injection for patients .
3.11. Bacterial Prostatitis
Bacterial prostatitis is a clinical condition caused by bacterial pathogens. It is recommended that urologists use the classification suggested by the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in which bacterial prostatitis, with confirmed or suspected infection, is distinguished from chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) (Table 9) [329-331].
Table 9: Classification of prostatitis and CPPS according to NIDDK/NIH
Name and description
Acute bacterial prostatitis (ABP)
Chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP)
Chronic non-bacterial prostatitis – CPPS
Inflammatory CPPS (white cells in semen/EPS/VB3)
Non-inflammatory CPPS (no white cells in semen/EPS/VB3)
Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis (histological prostatitis)
CPPS = chronic pelvic pain syndrome; EPS = expressed prostatic secretion; VB3 = voided bladder urinespecimen 3 (urine following prostatic massage).
3.11.2. Evidence Summary
A systematic literature search from 1980 until June 2017 was performed. One systematic review , six RCTs [333-338], two narrative reviews [339,340], one prospective cohort study , two prospective cross-sectional studies [342,343], and one retrospective cohort study , were selected from 856 references.
A retrospective study , investigated the potential role of unusual pathogens in prostatitis syndrome in 1,442 patients over a four year period. An infectious aetiology was determined in 74.2% of patients; C. trachomatis, T. vaginalis and U. urealyticum infections were found in 37.2%, 10.5% and 5% of patients, respectively whilst E. coli infection was found in only 6.6% of cases. Cross sectional studies confirmed the validity of the Meares and Stamey test to determine the bacterial strain and targeted antibiotic therapies [342,343]. The evidence levels were good, in particular those regarding information on atypical strains, epidemiology and antibiotic treatments.
A systematic review on antimicrobial therapy for CBP compared multiple antibiotic regimens from eighteen selected studies enrolling a total of 2,196 patients. The role of fluoroquinolones as first line agents was confirmed with no significant differences between levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and prulifloxacin in terms of microbiological eradication, clinical efficacy and adverse events. The efficacy of macrolides and tetracyclines on atypical pathogens was confirmed.
Randomised controlled trials on combined treatments [337,338] indicated that the combination of plants/herbal extracts or PDE5Is with antibiotics may improve quality of life and symptoms in patients with CBP; however, the number of enrolled patients was inadequate to obtain definitive conclusions.
A review of treatment of bacterial prostatitis indicated that the treatment of CBP is hampered by the lack of an active antibiotic transport mechanism into infected prostate tissue and fluids. The review underlined the potential effect of different compounds in the treatment of ABP and CBP on the basis of over 40 studies on the topic.
One RCT compared the effects of two different metronidazole regimens for the treatment of CBP caused by T. vaginalis . Metronidazole 500 mg three times daily for fourteen days was found to be efficient for micro-organism eradication in 93.3% of patients with clinical failure in 3.33% of cases. The evidence question addressed was: In men with NIDDK/NIH Category I or II prostatitis what is the best antimicrobial treatment strategy for clinical resolution and eradication of the causative pathogen?
3.11.3. Epidemiology, aetiology and pathogenesis
Prostatitis is a common diagnosis, but less than 10% of cases have proven bacterial infection . Enterobacterales, especially E. coli, are the predominant pathogens in ABP . In CBP, the spectrum of species is wider and may include atypical micro-organisms . In patients with immune deficiency or HIV infection, prostatitis may be caused by fastidious pathogens, such as M. tuberculosis, Candida spp. and other rare pathogens, such as Coccidioides immitis, Blastomyces dermatitidis, and Histoplasma capsulatum . The significance of identified intracellular bacteria, such as C. trachomatis, is uncertain ; however, two studies have highlighted its possible role as a causative pathogen in CBP [348,349].
3.11.4. Diagnostic evaluation
126.96.36.199. History and symptoms
Acute bacterial prostatitis usually presents abruptly with voiding symptoms and distressing but poorly localised pain. It is often associated with malaise and fever. Transrectal prostate biopsy increases the risk of ABP despite antibiotic prophylaxis and antiseptic prevention procedures . Chronic bacterial prostatitis is defined by symptoms that persist for at least three months [350-352]. The predominant symptoms are pain at various locations including the perineum, scrotum, penis and inner part of the leg as well as LUTS [329-331].
188.8.131.52. Symptom questionnaires
In CBP symptoms appear to have a strong basis for use as a classification parameter . Prostatitis symptom questionnaires have therefore been developed to assess severity and response to therapy [353,354]. They include the validated Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (CPSI); however, its usefulness in clinical practice is uncertain .
184.108.40.206. Clinical findings
In ABP, the prostate may be swollen and tender on DRE. Prostatic massage should be avoided as it can induce bacteraemia and sepsis. Urine dipstick testing for nitrite and leukocytes has a positive predictive value of 95% and a negative predictive value of 70% . Blood culture and complete blood count are useful in ABP. Imaging studies can detect a suspected prostatic abscess .
In case of longer lasting symptoms CPPS as well as other urogenital and anorectal disorders must be taken into consideration. Symptoms of CBP or CPPS can mask prostate tuberculosis. Pyospermia and hematospermia in men in endemic regions or with a history of tuberculosis should trigger investigation for urogenital tuberculosis.
220.127.116.11. Urine cultures and expressed prostatic secretion
The most important investigation in the evaluation of a patient with ABP is mid-stream urine culture . In CBP, quantitative bacteriological localisation cultures and microscopy of the segmented urine and expressed prostatic secretion (EPS), as described by Meares and Stamey , are still important investigations to categorise clinical prostatitis [342,343]. Accurate microbiological analysis of samples from the Meares and Stamey test may also provide useful information on the presence of atypical pathogens such as C. trachomatis, T. vaginalis and U. urealiticum . The two-glass test has been shown to offer similar diagnostic sensitivity to the four-glass test .
18.104.22.168. Prostate biopsy
Prostate biopsies cannot be recommended as routine work-up and are not advisable in patients with untreated bacterial prostatitis due to the increased risk of sepsis.
22.214.171.124. Other tests
Transrectal US may reveal endoprostatic abscesses, calcification in the prostate, and dilatation of the seminal vesicles; however, it is unreliable as a diagnostic tool for prostatitis .
126.96.36.199. Additional investigations
188.8.131.52.1. Ejaculate analysis
Performing an ejaculated semen culture improves the diagnostic utility of the four-glass test ; however, semen cultures are more often positive than EPS cultures in men with non-bacterial prostatitis . Bladder outflow and urethral obstruction should always be considered and ruled out by uroflowmetry, retrograde urethrography, or endoscopy.
184.108.40.206.2. First-void urine sample
First-void urine is the preferred specimen for the diagnosis of urogenital C. trachomatis infection in men by NAATs, since it is non-invasive and yet allows the detection of infected epithelial cells and associated
C. trachomatis particles .
220.127.116.11.3. Prostate specific antigen (PSA)
Prostate specific antigen is increased in about 60% and 20% of men with ABP and CBP, respectively . The PSA level decreases after antibiotic therapy (which occurs in approximately 40% of patients) and correlates with clinical and microbiological improvement . Measurement of free and total PSA adds no practical diagnostic information in prostatitis .
18.104.22.168. Summary of evidence and recommendations for the diagnosis of bacterial prostatitis
Summary of evidence
Urine dipstick testing for nitrite and leukocytes has a positive predictive value of 95% and a negative predictive value of 70% in patients with ABP.
The four-glass Meares and Stamey test is the optimum test for diagnosis of CBP. The two-glass test has been shown to offer similar diagnostic sensitivity in a comparison study.
First-void urine is the preferred specimen for the diagnosis of urogenital C. trachomatis infection in men by NAATs.
Transrectal ultrasound is unreliable and cannot be used as a diagnostic tool in prostatitis.
Semen culture sensitivity is reported to be approximately 50%; therefore, it is not routinely part of the diagnostic assessment of CBP.
Prostate specific antigen levels may be elevated during active prostatitis; therefore, PSA testing should be avoided as it offers no practical diagnostic information for prostatitis.
Do not perform prostatic massage in acute bacterial prostatitis (ABP).
Take a mid-stream urine dipstick to check nitrite and leukocytes in patients with clinical suspicion of ABP.
Take a mid-stream urine culture in patients with ABP symptoms to guide diagnosis and tailor antibiotic treatment.
Take a blood culture and a total blood count in patients presenting with ABP.
Perform accurate microbiological evaluation for atypical pathogens such as Chlamydia trachomatis or Mycoplasmata in patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP).
Perform the Meares and Stamey 2- or 4-glass test in patients with CBP.
Perform transrectal ultrasound in selected cases to rule out the presence of prostatic abscess.
Do not routinely perform microbiological analysis of the ejaculate alone to diagnose CBP.
3.11.5. Disease management
Antimicrobials are life-saving in ABP and recommended in CBP. Culture-guided antibiotic treatments are the optimum standard; however, empirical therapies should be considered in all patients with ABP.
In ABP parenteral administration of high doses of bactericidal antimicrobials, such as broad-spectrum penicillins, a third-generation cephalosporin or fluoroquinolones, is recommended . For initial therapy, any of these antimicrobials may be combined with an aminoglycoside [345-354,361-365]. Ancillary measures include adequate fluid intake and urine drainage . After normalisation of infection parameters, oral therapy can be substituted and continued for a total of two to four weeks .
Fluoroquinolones, despite the high resistance rates of uropathogens, are recommended as first-line agents in the empirical treatment of CBP because of their favourable pharmacokinetic properties , their generally good safety profile and antibacterial activity against Gram-negative pathogens including P. aeruginosa and C. trachomatis [332,368]. However, increasing bacterial resistance is a concern. Azithromycin and doxycycline are active against atypical pathogens such as C. trachomatis and genital mycoplasmata [335,344]. Levofloxacin did not demonstrate significant clearance of C. trachomatis in patients with CBP . Metronidazole treatment is indicated in patients with T. vaginalis infections .
Duration of fluoroquinolone treatment must be at least fourteen days while azithromycin and doxycycline treatments should be extended to at least three to four weeks [335,344]. In CBP antimicrobials should be given for four to six weeks after initial diagnosis . If intracellular bacteria have been detected macrolides or tetracyclines should be given [332,367,370].
22.214.171.124. Intraprostatic injection of antimicrobials
This treatment has not been evaluated in controlled trials and should not be considered [371,372].
126.96.36.199. Combined treatments
A combination of fluoroquinolones with various herbal extracts may attenuate clinical symptoms without increasing the rate of adverse events . However, a combination of fluoroquinolones with vardenafil did not improved microbiological eradication rates or attenuated pain or voiding symptoms in comparison with fluoroquinolone treatment alone .
188.8.131.52. Drainage and surgery
Approximately 10% of men with ABP will experience urinary retention which can be managed by urethral or suprapubic catheterisation. However, recent evidence suggests that suprapubic catheterisation can reduce the risk of development of CBP .
In case of prostatic abscess, both drainage and conservative treatment strategies appear feasible ; however, the abscess size may matter. In one study, conservative treatment was successful if the abscess cavities were < 1 cm in diameter, while larger abscesses were better treated by single aspiration or continuous drainage .
184.108.40.206. Summary of evidence and recommendations for the disease management of bacterial prostatitis
Summary of evidence
The treatment regimen for ABP is based on clinical experience and a number of uncontrolled clinical studies. For systemically ill patients with ABP, parenteral antibiotic therapy is preferable. After normalisation of infection parameters, oral therapy can be substituted and continued for a total of two to four weeks.
The role of fluoroquinolones as first-line agents for antimicrobial therapy for CBP was confirmed in a systematic review, with no significant differences between levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and prulifloxacin in terms of microbiological eradication, clinical efficacy and adverse events.
Metronidazole 500 mg three times daily for fourteen days was found to be efficient for eradication in 93.3% of patients with T. vaginalis CBP.
In patients with CBP caused by obligate intracellular pathogens, macrolides showed higher microbiological and clinical cure rates compared to fluoroquinolones.
Clinicians should consider local drug-resistance patterns when choosing antibiotics.
Acute bacterial prostatitis
Treat acute bacterial prostatitis according to the recommendations for complicated UTIs (see section 3.7.5).
Chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP)
Prescribe a fluoroquinolone (e.g. ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin) as first-line treatment for CBP.
Prescribe a macrolide (e.g. azithromycin) or a tetracycline (e.g. doxycycline) if intracellular bacteria have been identified as the causative agent of CBP.
Prescribe metronidazole in patients with Trichomonas vaginalis CBP.
Table 10: Suggested regimens for antimicrobial therapy for chronic bacterial prostatitis
Duration of therapy
Optimal oral daily dose
100 mg b.i.d
Only for C. trachomatis or mycoplasma infections
500 mg once daily
Only for C. trachomatis infections
500 mg t.i.d.
Only for T. vaginalis infections
b.i.d = twice daily; t.i.d = three times daily.
In asymptomatic post-treatment patients routine urinalysis and/or urine culture is not mandatory as there are no validated tests of cure for bacterial prostatitis except for cessation of symptoms . In patients with persistent symptoms and repeated positive microbiological results for sexually transmitted infectious pathogens, microbiological screening of the patient’s partner/s is recommended. Antibiotic treatments may be repeated with a more prolonged course, higher dosage and/or different compounds .
3.12. Acute Infective Epididymitis
3.12.1. Epidemiology, Aetiology and Pathophysiology
Epididymitis is a common condition with incidence ranging from 25 to 65 cases per 10,000 adult males per year and can be acute, chronic or recurrent . Acute epididymitis is clinically characterised by pain, swelling and increased temperature of the epididymis, which may involve the testis and scrotal skin. It is generally caused by migration of pathogens from the urethra or bladder that can be identified by appropriate diagnostics in up to 90% of patients . Torsion of the spermatic cord (testicular torsion) is the most important differential diagnosis in boys and young men.
The predominant pathogens isolated are Enterobacterales (typically E. coli), C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae . Men who have anal intercourse and those with abnormalities of the urinary tract resulting in bacteriuria are at higher risk of epididymitis caused by Enterobacterales . The mumps virus should be considered if there are viral prodromal symptoms and salivary gland enlargement. Tuberculous epididymitis may occur, typically as chronic epididymitis, in high-risk groups such as men with immunodeficiency and those from high prevalence countries, it frequently results in a discharging scrotal sinus. Brucella or Candida spp. are rare possible pathogens.
3.12.2. Diagnostic Evaluation
Culture of a mid-stream specimen of urine should be performed and any previous urine culture results should be checked. Sexually transmitted infections including C. trachomatis or N. gonorrhoeae should be detected by NAAT on first voided urine or urethral swab. A urethral swab or smear should be performed for Gram staining and culture of N. gonorrhoeae, when available [377,381,382]. Detection of these pathogens should be reported according to local procedures. All patients with probable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) should be advised to attend an appropriate clinic to be screened for other STIs. Men with Enterobacterales may require investigation for lower urinary tract abnormalities. If tuberculous epididymitis is suspected, three sequential early morning urine samples should be cultured for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) and sent for screening by NAAT for M. tuberculosis DNA . If appropriate prostate secretion, ejaculate, discharge from a draining scrotal fistula, as well as fine needle aspiration and biopsy specimens should be investigated using microscopy, AFB culture and NAAT. Scrotal ultrasound is more accurate for the diagnose of acute epididymitis than urinalysis alone and may also be beneficial for the exclusion of other pathologies .
3.12.3. Disease Management
Men with suspected STI should be informed of the risks to others and advised not to have sex until free of infection. Empirical antimicrobial therapy has to be chosen with consideration of the most probable pathogen and degree of penetration into the inflamed epididymis and may need to be varied according to local pathogen sensitivities and guidance. Generally, both C. trachomatis and Enterobacterales should be covered initially and the regimen modified according to pathogen identification. Doxycycline and some specific fluoroquinolones have good clinical and microbiological cure rates in patients with suspected C. trachomatis or M. genitalium and both achieve adequate levels in inflamed male genital tissues with oral dosing. Macrolide antibiotics such as azithromycin are effective against C. trachomatis but have not been tested in epididymitis; however, initial pharmacokinetic studies suggest that azithromycin may effectively penetrate epididymal tissue when given in multiple doses . Fluoroquinolones remain effective for oral treatment of Enterobacterales although resistance is increasing and local advice should be sought. Fluoroquinolones should not be considered for gonorrhoea. Single high parenteral dose of a third generation cephalosporin is effective against N. gonorrhoeae; current resistance patterns and local public health recommendations should guide choice of agent.
Clinical response to antibiotics in men with severe epididymitis should be assessed after approximately three days. Men with likely or proven STI should be assessed at fourteen days to check cure and ensure tracing and treatment of contacts according to local public health recommendations.
3.12.4. Evidence Summary
Relating to this chapter, four guidelines based on systematic reviews were identified [289,381,387,388]. No evidence quality assessments were detailed. A high quality RCT demonstrated that a ten-day course of ciprofloxacin was superior to pivampicillin for clinical cure (80% vs. 60%) in men aged > 40 years . Data from a large comparative case series suggested that young age and history of sexual activity are not sufficiently predictive of a sexually transmitted pathogen to guide antibiotic treatment in acute epididymitis .
Empiric antibiotic regimens from existing guidelines [289,381,387,388] and panel consensus:
1. For men with acute epididymitis at low risk of gonorrhoea (e.g. no discharge) a single agent or combination of two agents of sufficient dose and duration to eradicate C. trachomatis and Enterobacterales should be used. Appropriate options are:
A. A fluoroquinolone active against C. trachomatis orally once daily for ten to fourteen days*
B. Doxycycline 200 mg initial dose by mouth and then 100 mg twice daily for ten to fourteen days* plus an antibiotic active against Enterobacterales** for ten to fourteen days*
2. For men with likely gonorrhoeal acute epididymitis a combination regimen active against Gonococcus and C. trachomatis must be used such as:
A. Ceftriaxone 1000 mg intramuscularly single dose plus doxycycline 200 mg initial dose by mouth and then 100 mg twice daily for ten to fourteen days*
3. For non-sexually active men with acute epididymitis a single agent of sufficient dose and duration to eradicate Enterobacterales should be used. Appropriate option is a fluoroquinolone by mouth once daily for ten to fourteen days*
*Depending upon pathogen identification and clinical response.
** A parenteral option will be required for men with severe infection requiring hospitalisation.
Surgical exploration may be required to drain abscesses or debride tissue. A comparative cohort study found that lack of separation of epididymis and testis on palpation and the presence of abscess on US may predict requirement for surgery following initial antibiotic treatment .
A cohort study found semen parameters may be impaired during epididymitis but recovered following successful treatment . Comparative clinician cohort studies suggest adherence to guidelines for assessment and treatment of epididymitis is low, particularly by urologists compared to sexual health specialists and by primary care physicians .
A large cohort screening study for carriage of C. trachomatis including a randomly selected group of 5,000 men of whom 1,033 were tested showed no benefit in terms of reduction in risk of epididymitis over nine years of observation .
3.12.6. Summary of evidence and recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of acute infective epididymitis
Summary of evidence
In young sexually active patients both STIs and Enterobacterales have to be considered as aetiological agents.
In patients > 40 years antibiotic therapy with ciprofloxacin is superior to pivmecillinam.
A negative sexual risk history does not exclude STIs in sexually active men.
Obtain a mid-stream urine and a first voided urine for pathogen identification by culture and nucleic acid amplification test.
Initially prescribe a single antibiotic or a combination of two antibiotics active against Chlamydia trachomatis and Enterobacterales in young sexually active men; in older men without sexual risk factors only Enterobacterales have to be considered.
If gonorrhoeal infection is likely give single dose ceftriaxone 1000 mg intramuscularly or intravenously* in addition to a course of an antibiotic active against Chlamydia trachomatis.
Adjust antibiotic agent when pathogen has been identified and adjust duration according to clinical response.
Follow national policies on reporting and tracing/treatment of contacts for sexually transmitted infections.
*Despite the lack of RCTs there is increasing evidence that intravenous treatment with ceftriaxone is safe and effective for the treatment of gonorrhoeal infections and avoids the discomfort of an intramuscular injection for patients .
Figure 2: Diagnostic and treatment algorithm for men with acute epididymitis
i.m. = intramuscular; i.v. intravenously.
* Despite the lack of RCTs there is increasing evidence that intravenous treatment with ceftriaxone is safe and effective for the treatment of gonorrhoeal infections and avoids the discomfort of an intramuscular injection for patients .
3.13. Fournier’s Gangrene (Necrotising fasciitis of the perineum and external genitalia)
3.13.1. Epidemiology, Aetiology and Pathophysiology
Fournier’s gangrene is an aggressive and frequently fatal polymicrobial soft tissue infection of the perineum, peri-anal region, and external genitalia . It is an anatomical sub-category of necrotising fasciitis with which it shares a common aetiology and management pathway.
3.13.2. Diagnostic Evaluation
Typically, there is painful swelling of the scrotum or perineum with sepsis . Examination shows small necrotic areas of skin with surrounding erythema and oedema. Crepitus on palpation and a foul-smelling exudate occurs with more advanced disease. Patient risk factors for occurrence and mortality include being immunocompromised, most commonly diabetes or malnutrition, recent urethral or perineal surgery, and high body mass index (BMI). In up to 40% of cases, the onset is more insidious with undiagnosed pain often resulting in delayed treatment . A high index of suspicion and careful examination, particularly of obese patients, is required. Computed tomography or MRI can help define para-rectal involvement, suggesting the need for bowel diversion .
3.13.3. Disease Management
The degree of internal necrosis is usually vastly greater than suggested by external signs, and consequently, adequate, repeated surgical debridement with urinary diversion by suprapubic catheter is necessary to reduce mortality . Consensus from case series suggests that surgical debridement should be early (< 24 hours) and complete, as delayed and/or inadequate surgery may result in higher mortality . Immediate empiric parenteral antibiotic treatment should be given that covers all probable causative organisms and can penetrate inflammatory tissue. A suggested regime would comprise a broad-spectrum penicillin or third-generation cephalosporin, gentamicin and metronidazole or clindamycin . This can then be refined, guided by microbiological culture.
3.13.4. Evidence Summary
A systematic literature search from 1980 to July 2017 was performed. From 640 references one RCT , two systematic reviews [398,399], one narrative review , three registry studies [400-402], one prospective cohort study and two retrospective comparative cohort studies with at least 25 patients [404,405] were selected. The three registry studies from the United States [400-402], found mortality rates of 10%, 7.5% and 5% from 650, 1,641 and 9,249 cases, respectively. Older age, diabetes and high BMI were associated with higher risk. A prospective cohort study showed that disease-specific severity scores did predict outcome, but were not superior to generic scoring systems for critical care . The evidence questions addressed were:
- What is the best antimicrobial treatment strategy to reduce mortality?
- What is the best debridement and reconstruction strategy to reduce mortality and aid recovery?
- Are there any effective adjuvant treatments that improve outcome?
Concerning the evidence questions:
A.A low quality retrospective case series with 168 patients found no significant difference in mortality between patients given < 10 days of parenteral antibiotics (80 patients) and those given > 10 days (88 patients).
B.A systematic review of wound closure techniques found low-quality evidence from 16 case series involving 425 male patients. They recommended primary or secondary wound closure for scrotal defects < 50% with the use of flaps or skin grafts for defects involving
> 50% of the scrotum or with extension outside the scrotum.
C.A systematic review on the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy included three comparative case series and four other case series. All were retrospective and published prior to 2000. No consistent evidence of benefit was found; an RCT was advised. A more recent comparative case series suggested benefit for use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in 16 patients compared to 12 cases without use of such therapy in terms of reduced mortality and fewer debridements (low quality evidence). A low-quality RCT with
30 patients found that use of honey soaked dressings resulted in a shorter hospital stay (28 vs. 32 days) than dressing soaked with Edinburgh solution of lime (EUSOL). We found no evidence of benefit for use of negative-pressure (vacuum) wound therapy in Fournier’s gangrene.
3.13.5. Summary of evidence and recommendations for the disease management of Fournier’s Gangrene
Summary of evidence
Immediate empiric parenteral antibiotic treatment should be given that covers all probable causative organisms and can penetrate inflammatory tissue.
A systematic review of wound closure techniques recommended primary or secondary wound closure for scrotal defects < 50% with the use of flaps or skin grafts for defects involving > 50% of the scrotum or with extension outside the scrotum.
No consistent evidence of benefit for hyperbaric oxygen therapy was found.
A low quality RCT found that dressings soaked in honey resulted in a shorter hospital stay than dressing soaked with EUSOL.
No evidence of benefit for use of negative-pressure (vacuum) wound therapy in Fournier’s gangrene was found.
Start treatment for Fournier’s gangrene with broad-spectrum antibiotics on presentation, with subsequent refinement according to culture and clinical response.
Commence repeated surgical debridement for Fournier’s gangrene within 24 hours of presentation.
Do not use adjunctive treatments for Fournier’s gangrene except in the context of clinical trials.
Table 11: Suggested regimens for antimicrobial therapy for Fournier’s Gangrene of mixed microbiological aetiology adapted from .
4.5 g every 6-8 h IV
15 mg/kg every 12 h
1 g every 6-8 h IV
1 g every 8 h IV
1 g once daily
5 mg/kg daily
2 g every 6 h IV
500 mg every 6 h IV
600-900 mg every 8 h IV
2 g every 6 h IV
5 g every 8 h IV
500 mg every 6 h IV
IV = intravenous.
3.14. Management of Human papillomavirus in men
Human papilloma virus (HPV) is one of the most frequently sexually transmitted viruses encompassing both oncogenic (low- and high-risk variants) and non-oncogenic viruses. HPV16 is the most common oncogenic variant, detected in 20% of all HPV cases . A recent meta-analysis revealed a prevalence of 49% of any type of HPV and 35% of high-risk HPV in men . Similar to the female genital tract, half of all HPV infections in the male genital tract are co-infections (> 2 HPV strains) .
HPV presence is dependent on study setting. In men attending urological clinics HPV was detected in 6% of urine samples . A meta-analysis reported seminal HPV in 4.5-15.2% of patients resulting in seminal HPV being associated with decreased male fertility . A cross sectional study of 430 men presenting for fertility treatment detected HPV in 14.9% of semen samples . The presence of HPV in semen was not associated with impaired semen quality . However, another systematic review reported a possible association between HPV and altered semen parameters, and in women possible miscarriage or premature rupture of the membrane during pregnancy . HPV6 and/or 11 were the most common genotypes detected in an observational study of anogenital warts, whilst HPV16 is correlated with severity of anal cytology . The incidence of non-oncogenic HPV infection has been shown to be higher in men than women . In males, approximately 33% of penile cancers and up to 90% of anal cancers are attributed to high-risk HPV infections, primarily with HPV16 . The EAU Penial Cancer Guidelines will publish a comprehensive update in March 2022 including the results of two systematic reviews on HPV and penile cancer. Oral HPV is associated with oropharyngeal carcinomas approximately 22.4%, 4.4% and 3.5% of oral cavity, oropharynx and larynx cancers, respectively are attributed to HPV . Systematic reviews have reported prevalence rates of oral HPV from 5.5-7.7%, with HPV16 present in 1-1.4% of patients [416,417].
3.14.2. Risk factors
Risk factors for HPV infection include early age of first sexual intercourse, sexual promiscuity, higher frequency of sexual intercourse, smoking and poor immune function [418-422]. Incidence and prevalence of overall HPV was considerably higher in men who have sex with men (MSM) compared to heterosexuals [416,419]. Overall, the prevalence of HPV in different sites seems to be higher in young, sexual-active adults compared to other population groups . Stable sexual habits, circumcision and condom use are protective factors against HPV [408,422-426]. Added risk factors of oral HPV infection are alcohol consumption, poor oral hygiene and sexual behaviours (oral and vaginal) [416,418]. Positive HIV status, phimosis, and HPV status of the partner have also been associated with anogenital HPV status and decreased clearance in a number of studies .
HPV typically spreads by sustained direct skin-to-skin or mucosal contact, with vaginal, oral and anal sex being the most common transmission route . In addition, HPV has been found on surfaces in medical settings and public environments raising the possibility of object-to-skin/mucosa transmission . Further studies on non-sexual and non-penetrative sexual transmission are needed to understand the complexity of HPV transmission. HPV transmission may also be influenced by genotype, with a higher incidence of HPV51 and HPV52 and a high prevalence of HPV16 and HPV18 in the general and high-risk male population .
HPV time-to-clearance ranges from 1.3 to 42.1 months . Clearance may be influenced by HPV genotype, patients’ characteristics and affected body site [419,423,428]. HPV16 has the highest incidence of high-risk HPV variants and has the lowest clearance across sites .
There is currently no approved test for HPV in men. Routine testing to check for HPV or HPV-related disease in men is not recommended. A physical examination to identify HPV lesions should be carried out. An acetic acid test to diagnose sub-clinical HPV lesions may be performed. If the diagnosis is uncertain or there is a suspicion of cancer a biopsy should be carried out. Intra-urethral condylomas are relatively uncommon and are usually limited to the distal urethral meatus [429,430]. Urethrocystoscopy may be used to diagnose the presence of intra-urethral or bladder warts ; however, there is no high-level evidence for the use of invasive diagnostic tools for localisation of intra-urethral HPV. For detailed recommendations on the diagnosis of anogenital warts please refer to the IUSTI-European guideline for the management of anogenital warts .
3.14.6. Treatment of HPV related diseases
Approximately 90% of HPV infections do not cause any problems and are cleared by the body within 2 years. However, treatment is required when HPV infection manifests as anogenital warts to prevent the transmission of HPV-associated anogenital infection and to minimise the discomfort caused to patients . Of the treatment options available only surgical treatment has a primary clearance rate approaching 100%.
220.127.116.11. Treatments suitable for self-application
Patient-applied treatments include podophyllotoxin, salicylic acid, imiquimod, polyphenon E, 5-fluoracil and potassium hydroxide . Imiquimod 5% cream showed a total clearance of external genital or perianal warts in 50% of immunocompetent patients as well as in HIV positive patients successfully treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy . A Cochrane review of published RCTs found imiquimod to be superior to placebo in achieving complete clearance of warts (RR: 4.03, 95% CI: 2.03–7.99) . The recommended treatment schedule is imiquimod 5% cream applied to all external warts overnight three times each week for
sixteen weeks . In an RCT involving 502 patients with genital and/or perianal warts sinecatechins 15% and 10% showed a complete clearance of all baseline and newly occurring warts in 57.2% and 56.3% of patients, respectively vs. 33.7% for placebo . In addition, sinecatechins 10% has been shown to be associated with lower short-term recurrence rates when used as sequential therapy after laser CO2 ablative therapy . Sinecatechins is applied three times daily until complete clearance, or for up to sixteen weeks. Clearance rates of 36–83% for podophyllotoxin solution and 43–70% for podophyllotoxin cream have been reported . A systematic review and meta-analysis confirmed the effectiveness of podophyllotoxin 0.5% solution relative to placebo (RR: 19.86, 95% CI: 3.88–101.65) . Podophyllotoxin is self-applied to lesions twice daily for
three days, followed by four rest days, for up to four or five weeks. An RCT has also shown potassium hydroxide 5% to be an effective, safe, and low-cost treatment modality for genital warts in men .
18.104.22.168. Physician-administered treatment
Physician-administered treatments included cryotherapy (79-88% clearance rate; 25-39% recurrence rate), surgical treatment (61-94% clearance rate), including excision, electrosurgery, electrocautery and laser therapy (75% clearance rate) [439,440]. Physician-administered therapies are associated with close to 100% clearance rates, but they are also associated with high rates of recurrence as they often fail to eliminate invisible HPV-infected lesions [439,440]. No data about the superiority of one treatment over another are available. However, among all interventions evaluated in a recent systematic review and network meta-analysis, surgical excision appeared to be the most effective treatment at minimising risk of recurrence .
22.214.171.124. Summary of evidence and recommendations for the treatment of anogenital warts
Summary of evidence
A Cochrane review of published RCTs found imiquimod to be superior to placebo in achieving complete clearance of warts.
In an RCT sinecatechins 15% and 10% showed a complete clearance of all baseline and newly occurring warts in 57.2% and 56.3% of patients, respectively vs. 33.7% for placebo
A systematic review and meta‐analysis confirmed the effectiveness of podophyllotoxin 0.5% solution relative to placebo
A systematic review and meta-analysis reported that among all physician-applied therapy, surgical excision seemed to be the most effective at minimising risk of recurrence.
Use self-administered imiquimod 5% cream applied to all external warts overnight three times each week for sixteen weeks for the treatment of anogenital warts.
Use self-administered sinecatechins 15% or 10% applied to all external warts three times daily until complete clearance, or for up to sixteen weeks for the treatment of anogenital warts.
Use self-administered podophyllotoxin 0.5% self-applied to lesions twice daily for three days, followed by four rest days, for up to four or five weeks for the treatment of anogenital warts.
Use cryotherapy or surgical treatment (excision, electrosurgery, electrocautery and laser therapy) to treat anogenital warts based on an informed discussion with the patient.
3.14.7. Circumcision for reduction of HPV prevalence
Male circumcision is a simple surgical procedure which has been shown to reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted infections including HIV, syphilis and HSV-2 . Two systematic reviews and meta-analyses, showed an inverse association between male circumcision and genital HPV prevalence in men [426,428]. It has been suggested that male circumcision could be considered as an additional one-time preventative intervention likely to reduce the burden of HPV-related diseases in both men and women, particularly among those countries in which HPV vaccination programs and cervical screening are not available .
Summary of evidence
Two systematic reviews and meta-analyses, showed an inverse association between male circumcision and genital HPV prevalence in men
Discuss male circumcision with patients as an additional one-time preventative intervention for HPV-related diseases.
3.14.8. Therapeutic vaccination
Three different vaccines against HPV have been licensed to date, but routine vaccination of males is currently implemented in only a few countries including Australia, Canada, the USA and Austria16. The aim of male vaccination is to reduce the rate of anal and penile cancers as well as head and neck cancers [415,443].
A systematic review including a total of 5,294 patients reported vaccine efficacy against persisting (at least six months) anogenital HPV16 infections of 46.9% (28.6-60.8%) and against persisting oral infections of 88% (2–98%). A vaccine efficacy of 61.9% (21.4–82.8%) and 46.8% (20-77.9%) was observed against anal intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 and 3 lesions, respectively . The systematic review reported no meaningful estimates on vaccine efficacy against penile intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or 3, and no data were identified for anal, penile or head and neck squamous cell cancers .
A phase III clinical trial including 180 male patients evaluated the potential of MVA E2 recombinant vaccinia virus to treat intraepithelial lesions associated with papillomavirus infection . the study showed promising results in terms of immune system stimulation against HPV lesions as well as regression in intraepithelial lesions.
Summary of evidence
The role of therapeutic HPV vaccination in males in terms of effectiveness and safety is limited by the small number of relevant studies.
Therapeutic HPV vaccination in males is moderately effective against persistent anogenital HPV16 infection [(46.9% (28.6-60.8%)] and high-grade anal intraepithelial lesions [grade 2: 61.9% (21.4–82.8%); grade 3: 46.8% (20-77.9%)].
Offer HPV vaccine to males after surgical removal of high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia.
3.14.9. Prophylactic vaccination
A systematic review and meta-analysis reported that vaccination is moderately effective against genital HPV-related diseases irrespective of an individual’s HPV status; however, higher vaccine efficacy was observed in HPV-naïve males . Supporting the early vaccination of boys with the goal of establishing optimal vaccine-induced protection before the onset of sexual activity . An RCT including 1,124 demonstrated high efficacy of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine vs. placebo against HPV6/11/16/18-related persistent infections . Furthermore, the vaccine elicited a robust immune response and was well tolerated with mild vaccination-related adverse events e.g. injection-site pain and swelling . In addition, a Cochrane review, demonstrated that the quadrivalent HPV vaccine appears to be effective in the prevention of external genital lesions and genital warts in males .
Despite the fact quadrivalent HPV vaccines were approved for use in young adult males in 2010 vaccination rates have remained low at 10-15% . Barriers to uptake in this patient group include lack of awareness about HPV vaccines and HPV-related diseases, concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy, economic/cost issues related to vaccine uptake, underestimation of HPV infection risks and sexual activity . Health care professionals should provide easily understood and accessible communication resources regarding these issues, in order to educate young adult males and their families on the importance of HPV vaccination to reduce the incidence of certain cancers in the later life [447,448].
Summary of evidence
HPV vaccine is effective in the prevention of external genital lesions and genital warts in males.
HPV vaccination is moderately effective against genital HPV-related diseases irrespective of a individuals HPV status; however, higher vaccine efficacy was observed in HPV-naïve males.
A systematic review of HPV vaccination barriers among adolescent and young adult males identified a number of barriers to vaccine uptake including fear of side-effects, limited HPV awareness, financial costs and changes in sexual activity.
An intervention study to evaluate whether electronic messaging can increase HPV completion and knowledge among college students concluded that intervention increased knowledge but not vaccine completion.
Offer early HPV vaccination to boys with the goal of establishing optimal vaccine-induced protection before the onset of sexual activity.
Apply diverse communication strategies in order to improve HPV vaccination knowledge in young adult males.
Figure 3: Diagnostic and treatment algorithm for the management of HPV in men
3.15. Genitourinary Tuberculosis
3.15.1. Epidemiology, Aetiology and Pathophysiology
An estimated 246,000 new and relapse tuberculosis (TB) cases occurred in the WHO European Region in 2019, with 49,752 of these cases occurring within the 31 countries comprising the European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) region . An estimated 12.0% of incident TB cases in 2019 were co-infected with HIV. Extrapulmonary TB was notified on average for 16.6% of all incident TB cases in the Region. Eleven countries reported more than 30% of their TB cases having extrapulmonary localisation. The proportion of TB that is extrapulmonary is significantly greater among migrants than non-migrants. Genitourinary tuberculosis (GUTB) accounted for 4.6% of extrapulmonary TB cases in the EU between 1997-2017 . Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by a group of Mycobacterium species called the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MBTC) . Genitourinary TB can affect all genitourinary organs and is almost always secondary due to the hematogenous spread of chronic latent TB infection (LTBI) . Risk factors include primary and LTBI, diabetes, old age, low BMI, oncological comorbidities, immune suppression (including HIV), renal failure and poor socioeconomic living conditions. The risk of reactivation is estimated to be up to 15% during one’s lifetime . The WHO recommend either a tuberculin skin test (TST) or interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) for the diagnosis LTBI .
The diagnosis of GUTB is challenging as no single diagnostic test exists. Diagnosis relies on a high suspicion of infection based on patient history; microbiological, molecular and histological testing; and imaging findings. Patients generally present with non-specific urological complaints for which no obvious cause is identified including haematuria, increased urinary frequency, difficulty voiding, abdominal, lumbar and suprapubic pain, and in female patients menstrual irregularities and pelvic pain. Patients may also present for infertility issues; however, infertility and TB will not be addressed in detail in this text..
126.96.36.199. Smear Microscopy
Smear microscopy is a simple and cost-effective way of detecting the presence of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in urine samples, semen, tissue specimens, pus, or discharged or prostatic massage fluid, through microscopic examination using Ziehl–Neelsen or auramine staining [455,456]. A major limitation of smear microscopy is its low sensitivity (ranging from 0-25%) in urine [457,458].
The culture-based method (both solid and liquid media) for biological specimens is the reference standard for M. tuberculosis isolation from biological samples. Three midstream first-void urine samples, on consecutive days, are recommended for TB culture . A disadvantage of culture-based methods is the long incubation period needed for results at least nine to ten days for positive results and six weeks to be considered negative as well as the need for highly equipped laboratories. In addition, studies have reported high specificities of 92–100% but low sensitivities 23.3–30% for urine culture in renal TB specimens [459,460].
188.8.131.52. Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests
In recent years, nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) have been introduced in the diagnostic pathway of TB, to overcome the limits of early and rapid diagnosis and of drug susceptibility testing. In 2021 the WHO issued an update to its guidelines for the rapid diagnosis of TB in which they made a conditional recommendation that in patients with signs and symptoms of extrapulmonary TB, Xpert MTB/RIF may be used as an the initial diagnostic test . Xpert MTB/RIF pooled sensitivity and specificity were 84.7% (70.8 to 93.1) and 97.3% (91.0 to 99.2) for the diagnosis of genitourinary TB . The 2021 WHO guidelines also contain a number a recommendations for additional PCR testing systems as well as moderate complexity automated NAATs .
Note: A number of other diagnostic tests are currently under investigation by the WHO but cannot be recommended for the diagnosis of GUTB at this time.
Imaging modalities aid in the localisation of the foci of infection in GUTB and in the assessment of the extent of the damage to the genito-urinary system. Imaging techniques for the diagnosis of GUTB have a sensitivity of approx. 90% . However, the quality of the evidence available for diagnostic imaging of TB is low to very-low and further studies are required to allow the Panel to make recommendations on this topic.
Ultrasound is a cost-effective and non-invasive imaging modality that has been shown to be effective for the diagnosis of testicular, epididymal and vas deferens TB [464-468]. Ultrasound examination may also allow for the identification of parenchymal masses, cavities, mucosal thickening of the collecting system and bladder, stenosis and consecutive obstruction of the collecting system, vesicoureteral reflux, and calcifications . In female GUTB patients US may identify ovarian masses, intrauterine thickening and calcifications .
Intravenous urography aids in the identification of renal and ureteral TB, but lacks specificity. Approximately 10-15% of patients may have normal findings on IVU [471,472]. The most common findings on IVU are hydrocalycosis, hydronephrosis or hydroureter due to stricture, autonephrectomy and urinary calcifications [473-475].
In recent years CT and MRI have largely replaced IUV. The most common findings on CT are parenchymal scarring, hydrocalycosis, hydronephrosis or hydroureter due to stricture, and thickening of the renal pelvis, ureter and bladder walls [473-475]. In TB of the seminal vesicles and vas deferens CT imaging can show enlarged heterogeneously enhancing seminal vesicles with possible wall thickening, contraction, and intraluminal or wall calcifications [476,477]. Prostate TB appears as a low attenuating and marginally enhancing cystic mass, which is indistinguishable from a non-TB prostatic abscess . In female GUTB the fallopian tubes are most frequently affected area and present with enlargement, hydrosalpinx, pyosalpinx, and wall thickening, with calcification on CT .
Magnetic resonance imaging has low sensitivity for the diagnosis of GUTB in the early stages of the infection . As an imaging modality MRI is useful in patients in whom CT is contraindicated, including patients with renal failure or contrast hypersensitivity reactions or those who wish to avoid exposure to radiation. Renal and ureteral abnormalities are comparable to those described for CT findings and must be distinguished from acute pyelonephritis [470,481]. Epididymitis and testicular TB appears as a diffusely enlarged epididymis or testis with heterogeneous high T2 signal due to fibrosis and calcification . Multiparametric MRI of the prostate distinguishes between the nodular or diffuse patterns of prostate TB .
Female GUTB has a wide range of appearances on HSG affecting the fallopian tubes, endometrium and uterus [483,484]. Tubal obstruction is the most common finding with HSG . In addition, deformity of the uterine cavity can be observed, such as a T-shaped and Dwarfed uterus, resulting from abnormal scaring and fibrosis . As the disease progresses this process can potentially lead to a complete obliteration of the uterine cavity referred to as Netter syndrome .
3.15.3. Medical Treatment
The WHO recommends a daily six month regimen for treatment of newly diagnosed extrapulmonary TB, including an intensive phase of two months with isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol, followed by a continuation phase of four months with isoniazid and rifampicin . For the treatment of multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB (i.e. resistance to rifampicin and isoniazid) an individualised treatment regime should be applied with at least five effective tuberculosis medicines during the intensive phase, including pyrazinamide and four core second-line tuberculosis medicines .
3.15.4. Surgical treatment
Combination drug therapy is the first-line treatment for GUTB. However, in more than 50% of patients ablative, endoscopic or reconstructive surgery is required due to the destructive nature of the infection coupled with a delay in initial diagnosis [488-490]. In 26.9% of cases of diagnosed GUTB there is a non-functioning unilateral kidney and in 7.4%, renal failure .
In the largest observational study of 4,288 GUTB patients a total of 2,364 different surgical procedures were carried out of which 948 were reconstructive . In a retrospective series of 241 patients who underwent surgery for GUTB, a total of 128 reconstructive procedures were done in which 30.29% of patients had bladder augmentation . A retrospective single-centre study of 128 patients reported renal units in the reconstruction group had 5.44-fold longer survival than the permanent diversion group suggesting that when feasible renal reconstruction may be better for renal function preservation . Reconstructive surgery may include augmentation cystoplasty, uretero-ureterostomy, ureteroneocystostomy, ureteral reimplant, pyeloplasty, ureterocalicostomy and ileal ureter or external diversion, where indicated .
There is limited evidence with regard to the optimum surgical approach. Minimally invasive options, have been reported as feasible and safe strategies, comparable to open surgery [495-499]. In addition, the optimal timing for surgery is controversial. A delay of two to six weeks up to nine months after the initiation of medical treatment has been proposed to allow for a reduction in active inflammation and stabilisation of the TB
Due to lack of high-quality evidence for surgical treatment of GUTB the Panel are unable to give a recommendation on surgical treatment at this point in time. Patients with GUTB should be assessed on an individualised bases and the decision to operate taken depending on the location, extent of disease progression and damage to the genitourinary system.
3.15.5. Summary of evidence and recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of GUTB
Summary of evidence
The risk of reactivation of latent TB is estimated to be 15% in an individual’s lifetime.
Smear microscopy for acid-fast bacilli has a low sensitivity in urine ranging from 0-25%.
Studies have reported high specificities of 92–100% but low sensitivities of 23.3–30% for urine culture in renal TB specimens.
Xpert MTB/RIF pooled sensitivity and specificity were 84.7% (70.8 to 93.1) and 97.3% (91.0 to 99.2) for the diagnosis of GUTB.
Standard six month anti-tuberculous drug regimens are effective in all forms of TB (pulmonary and extrapulmonary).
There is limited evidence with regard to the optimum surgical approach and timing of surgery in GUTB patients.
Take a full medical history including history of previous tuberculosis infection (pulmonary and extrapulmonary) form all patients presenting with persistent non-specific genitourinary symptoms and no identifiable cause.
Perform smear microscopy on urine, semen, tissue specimens, discharged or prostatic massage fluid using Ziehl–Neelsen (ZN) or auramine staining in patients with suspected genitourinary tuberculosis (GUTB).
Perform acid-fact bacilli culture on three midstream first-void urine samples, on three consecutive days for M. tuberculosis isolation in patients with suspected GUTB.
Use a recommended PCR test system in addition to microbiological reference standard (MRS) in urine specimens as a diagnostic test in patients with signs and symptoms of GUTB.
Use imaging modalities in combination with culture and/or PCR to aid in the diagnosis of GUTB and to assess the location and extent of damage to the genitourinary system.
Use medical treatment as first-line treatment for GUTB.
Use a daily six-month regimen for treatment of newly diagnosed GUTB this should include an intensive phase of two months with isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol. Followed by a continuation phase of four-months with isoniazid and rifampicin.
Treat multi-drug resistant TB with an individualised treatment regime including at least five effective tuberculosis medicines during the intensive phase, including pyrazinamide and four core second-line tuberculosis medicines.
Table 12: Treatment regimens for newly diagnosed GUTB and MDR-TB
Six month regimen for treatment of newly diagnosed GUTB
Intensive two month phase
5 mg/kg every 24 h; max daily dosage 300 mg
10 mg/kg every 24 h; max daily dosage 600 mg
25 mg/kg every 24 h; max daily dosage 2000 mg
15–20 mg/kg every 24 h; max daily dosage ranging from 800 mg to 1600 mg depending on body weight
Continuation four month phase
5 mg/kg every 24 h; max daily dosage 300 mg
10 mg/kg every 24 h; max daily dosage 600 mg
Treatment regimen for multi-drug resistant TB
Treat multi-drug resistant TB with an individualised treatment regime including at least five effective tuberculosis medicines during the intensive phase, including pyrazinamide and four core second-line tuberculosis medicines*.
Levofloxacin, Moxifloxacin and Gatifloxacin
Amikacin, Capreomycin, Kanamycin and Streptomycin**
Other second-line agents
Ethionamide/ Prothionamide, Cycloserine/Terizidone, Linezolid and Clofazimine
Add-on agents (not part of the core MDR-TB regime)
D1: Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol, and High-dose isoniazid
D2: Bedaquiline and Delamamid
D3: p-aminosalicylic acid, Imipenem-cilastatin, Meropenem, Amoxicillin-clavulanate and Thioacetazone***
* Drugs should be chosen as follows: 1 from group A, 1 from group B, and at least 2 from group C. If the minimum number of five TB medicines cannot be composed from drugs included in Groups A to C, an agent from group D2 and other agents from group D3 may be added to bring the total to five .
**Streptomycin can substitute other injectable drugs if none of these agents can be used and if the strain is shown not to be resistant .
***Thioacetazone should not be used if the patient is HIV seropositive .
3.16. Peri-Procedural Antibiotic Prophylaxis
3.16.1. General Principles
184.108.40.206. Definition of infectious complications
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the CDC have both presented similar definitions recommended for the evaluation of infectious complications [500,501].
220.127.116.11. Non-antibiotic measures for asepsis
There are a number of non-antibiotic measures designed to reduce the risk of surgical site infection (SSI), many are historically part of the routine of surgery. The effectiveness of measures tested by RCTs are summarised in systematic reviews conducted by the Cochrane Wounds Group (http://wounds.cochrane.org/news/reviews). Urological surgeons and the institutions in which they work should consider and monitor maintenance of an aseptic environment to reduce risk of infection from pathogens within patients (microbiome) and from outside the patient (nosocomial/healthcare-associated). This should include use of correct methods of instrument cleaning and sterilisation, frequent and thorough cleaning of operating rooms and recovery areas and thorough disinfection of any contamination. The surgical team should prepare to perform surgery by effective hand washing , donning of appropriate protective clothing and maintenance of asepsis. These measures should continue as required in recovery and ward areas.
Patients should be encouraged to shower pre-operatively, but use of chlorhexidine soap does not appear to be beneficial . Although evidence quality is low, any required hair removal appears best done by clipping, rather than shaving, just prior to incision . Mechanical bowel preparation should not be used as evidence review suggests harm not benefit [505,506]. There is some weak evidence that skin preparation using alcoholic solutions or chlorhexidine result in a lower rate of SSI than iodine solutions . Studies on the use of plastic adherent drapes showed no evidence of benefit in reducing SSI .
18.104.22.168. Detection of bacteriuria prior to urological procedures
Identifying bacteriuria prior to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures aims to reduce the risk of infectious complications by controlling any pre-operative detected bacteriuria and to optimise antimicrobial coverage in conjunction with the procedure. A systematic review of the evidence identified eighteen studies comparing the diagnostic accuracy of different index tests (dipstick, automated microscopy, dipslide culture and flow cytometry), with urine culture as the reference standard . The systematic review concluded that none of the alternative urinary investigations for the diagnosis of bacteriuria in adult patients prior to urological interventions can currently be recommended as an alternative to urine culture .
22.214.171.124. Choice of agent
Urologists should have knowledge of local pathogen prevalence for each type of procedure, their antibiotic susceptibility profiles and virulence in order to establish written local guidelines. These guidelines should cover the five modalities identified by the ECDC following a systematic review of the literature . The agent should ideally not be one that may be required for treatment of infection. When risk of skin wound infection is low or absent, an aminoglycoside (gentamicin) should provide cover against likely uropathogens provided the eGFR is > 20 mL/min; second generation cephalosporins are an alternative . Recent urine culture results including presence of any multi-resistant organisms, drug allergy, history of C. difficile associated diarrhoea, recent antibiotic exposure, evidence of symptomatic infection pre-procedure and serum creatinine should be checked. The panel have decided not to make recommendations for specific agents for particular procedures as there is considerable variation in Europe and worldwide regarding bacterial pathogens, their susceptibility and availability of antibiotic agents.
3.16.2. Specific procedures and evidence question
An updated literature search from February 2017 (cut-off of last update) to June 2021 identified RCTs, systematic reviews and meta-analyses that investigated the benefits and harms of using antibiotic prophylaxis prior to specific urological procedures. The available evidence enabled the panel to make recommendations concerning urodynamics, cystoscopy, stone procedures (extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy [ESWL], ureteroscopy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy [PCNL]), transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB). For nephrectomy and prostatectomy the scientific evidence was too weak to allow the panel to make recommendations either for or against antibiotic prophylaxis. The general evidence question was: Does antibiotic prophylaxis reduce the rate of post-operative symptomatic UTI in patients undergoing each named procedure?
The literature search identified one systematic review for antibiotic prophylaxis in women only . This included 3 RCTs (n=325 patients) with the authors reporting that prophylactic antibiotics reduced the risk of bacteriuria but not clinical UTI after urodynamics . A previous Cochrane review identified nine RCTs enrolling 973 patients with overall low quality and high or unclear risks of bias . The outcome of clinical UTI was reported in four trials with no benefit found for antibiotic prophylaxis vs. placebo [RR (95%CI) 0.73 (0.52-1.03)]. A meta-analysis of nine trials showed that use of antibiotics reduced the rate of post-procedural bacteriuria [RR (95%CI) 0.35 (0.22-0.56)] .
Three systematic reviews and meta-analyses [514-516] and one additional RCT on cystoscopy for stent removal were identified. Garcia-Perdomo et al., included seven RCTs with a total of 3,038 participants. The outcome of symptomatic UTI was measured by five trials of moderate overall quality and meta-analysis showed a benefit for using antibiotic prophylaxis [RR (95%CI) 0.53 (0.31 – 0.90)]; ARR 1.3% (from 2.8% to 1.5%) with a NNT of 74 . This benefit was not seen if only the two trials with low risk of bias were used in the meta-analysis. Carey et al., included seven RCTs with 5,107 participants. Six trials were included in meta-analysis of the outcome of symptomatic bacteriuria which found benefit for use of antibiotic prophylaxis [RR (95%CI) 0.34 (0.27 – 0.47)]; ARR 3.4% (from 6% to 2.6%) with NNT of 28 . Zeng et al., included twenty RCTs and two quasi-RCTs with a total of 7,711 participants. The outcome of symptomatic UTI was measured by eleven RCTs of low overall quality and meta-analysis showed a possible benefit for using antibiotic prophylaxis [RR (95% CI) 0.49 (0.28 – 0.86)] . For systemic UTI, antibiotic prophylaxis showed no effect compared with placebo or no treatment in five RCTs [RR (95% CI) 1.12 (0.38 - 3.32)]. However, prophylactic antibiotics may increase bacterial resistance [(RR (95% CI) 1.73 (1.04 – 2.87)].
Given the low absolute risk of post-procedural UTI in well-resourced countries, the high number of procedures being performed, and the high risk of contributing to increasing antimicrobial resistance the panel consensus was to strongly recommend not to use antibiotic prophylaxis in patients undergoing urethrocystoscopy (flexible or rigid).
126.96.36.199. Interventions for urinary stone treatment
188.8.131.52.1. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy
For patients without bacteriuria undergoing ESWL two systematic reviews and meta-analyses were identified with latest search dates of November 2011 and October 2012, respectively [518,519] and two further trials . Lu et al., included nine RCTs with a total of 1,364 patients and found no evidence of benefit in terms of reducing the rate of post-procedural fever or bacteriuria . Mrkobrada et al., included eight RCTs with a total of 940 participants and found no evidence of benefit for antibiotic prophylaxis to reduce rate of fever or trial-defined infection . A RCT with 274 patients and severe risk of bias found no reduction in fever at up to one week post-procedure using a single dose of levofloxacin 500 mg and no difference in the rate of bacteriuria . Another RCT (n = 600) again with severe risk of bias found no difference in UTI and positive urine culture rates at two weeks post-procedure using 200 mg ofloxacin post-operatively for 3-days vs. placebo .
For patients with bacteriuria or deemed at high risk of complications one RCT comparing the use of ofloxacin or trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole for three days prior and four days subsequent to ESWL in
56 patients with ureteric stents was identified . They found no difference in rate of clinical UTI at seven days (no events) and no difference in post-ESWL bacteriuria.
One updated systematic review and meta-analysis with last search date of June 2017 was identified and included eleven RCTs with 4,591 patients . The meta-analysis found that post-operative pyuria and bacteriuria rates were significantly lower in patients who received pre-operative antibiotic prophylaxis pyuria (OR: 0.42, 95% CI 0.25–0.69 and OR: 0.25, 95% CI 0.11–0.58, respectively). Five studies assessed post-operative febrile UTI (fUTI) and found no difference in the rate of fUTIs between patients who did or did not receive antibiotic prophylaxis (OR: 0.82, 95% CI 0.40– 1.67; p = 0.59). However, a significantly higher risk of post-operative fever in the pre-operative antibiotic prophylaxis group (OR: 1.75, 95% CI 1.22–2.50; p = 0.002) was reported. A subgroup analysis on the type of pre-operative antibiotic prophylaxis found no difference between a single dose of oral vs. intravenous antibiotics .
A RCT comparing different ciprofloxacin-based antibiotic prophylaxis regimens on the incidence of SIRS after URS found there was no difference in the incidences of SIRS between the regimens including the zero-dose regime . However, there was a greater risk of SIRS in patients who did not received antibiotic prophylaxis when the stone size was > 200 mm2 . Another RCT comparing the use of two oral doses of 3g Fosfomycin tromethamine before surgery to standard of care did not find any difference in the incidence of infections, bacteriuria or fever .
Panel discussion considered that despite low quality evidence suggesting no benefit in reducing risk of clinical UTI, clinicians and patients would prefer to use prophylaxis to prevent kidney infection or sepsis. Ideally this should be examined in a robustly designed clinical study.
184.108.40.206.3. Percutaneous neprolithotomy (PNL)
The largest systematic review and meta-analysis performed, latest search date April 2019, included 1,549 patients in thirteen comparative studies on antibiotic prophylaxis strategies for PNL . Compared with a single dose before surgery pre-operative antibiotic prophylaxis significantly reduced post-operative sepsis and fever (OR 0.31, 95%CI 0.20-0.50 and OR 0.26, 95%CI 0.14-0.48, respectively) . Similarly, the rate of positive pelvic urine and positive stones culture were reduced when pre-operative prophylaxis was given. There was no difference in sepsis rates between patients receiving or not receiving post-operative prophylaxis; however, patients who received post-operative antibiotic prophylaxis had more fever .
Four RCTs with overall low risk of bias comparing different antibiotic regimes in PNL were identified [527-530]. Seyrek et al., compared the rate of SIRS following PNL in 191 patients receiving either a combination of sulbactam/ampicillin or cefuroxime. There was no difference in SIRS or urosepsis rates . Tuzel et al., investigated single dose ceftriaxone versus ceftriaxone and subsequently an oral third-generation cephalosporin until after nephrostomy catheter withdrawal at mean (SD) of 3 (1) days in 73 participants undergoing PNL. They found no difference in rate of infectious complications between the two antibiotic regimens . Taken et al., compared the administration of 1g ceftriaxone and 1g cefazoline both administered 30 minutes before surgery and continued till nephrostomy removal. They found no difference in terms of SRIS or sepsis between groups . Omar et al., compared ciprofloxacin 200 mg IV vs. 2 mg cefotaxime 30 minutes before and 12hours after surgery and found a higher rate of fever in the cefotaxime group . However, these results remain limited by the high risk of bias and the lack of data regarding post-operative infection. These studies give moderate evidence that a single dose of a suitable agent was adequate for prophylaxis against clinical infection after PNL.
220.127.116.11. Transurethral resection of the prostate
A systematic review of 39 RCTs with search date up to 2009 was identified . The update search to February 2017 did not reveal any further relevant studies. Of the 39 RCTs reviewed by Dahm et al., six trials involving 1,666 men addressed the risk of septic episodes, 17 trials reported procedure related fever and 39 investigated bacteriuria. Use of prophylactic antibiotics compared to placebo showed a relative risk reduction (95% CI) for septic episode of 0.51 (0.27-0.96) with ARR of 2% (3.4% - 1.4%) and a NNT of 50. The risk reduction (95% CI) for fever was 0.64 (0.55-0.75) and 0.37 (0.32-0.41) for bacteriuria.
18.104.22.168. Transurethral resection of the bladder
One systematic review which included seven trials with a total of 1,725 participants was identified . Antimicrobial prophylaxis showed no significant effect on post-operative UTIs [OR (95% CI) 1.55 (0.73 - 3.31)] and asymptomatic bacteriuria [OR (95% CI) 0.43 (0.18 – 1.04)] . The review did not attempt sub-group analysis according to presence of risk factors for post-operative infection such as tumour size. Risk factors for development of post-operative UTIs were evaluated only by three of the included studies and most of the parameters were analysed by no more than one study.
A RCT (n = 100) comparing oral fosfomycin 3g (the night before surgery) vs. intravenous cefoxitin 2g (30 min pre- and 24 hrs post-surgery) on post-operative UTIs found that a single oral administration of fosfomycin was non-inferior to intravenous administration of cefoxitin in the prevention of post-TURB UTI, even in patients considered at higher risk .
Panel discussion concluded that a weak recommendation to use antibiotic prophylaxis for patients undergoing TURB who had a high risk of suffering post-operative sepsis would be appropriate.
22.214.171.124. Midurethral slings
One systematic review and meta-analysis identified one study assessing the role of pre-operative antibiotics for midurethral sling surgery alone . The study was halted due to low rate of infectious outcomes seen at the first scheduled interim analysis. The study enrolled 29 women in the antibiotic prophylaxis (cefazolin) group and 30 in the placebo group with a total follow-up of six months. No statistically significant difference between the cefazolin and placebo groups, with respect to wound infections [1 (3.3%) and 0 (0%)] or bacteriuria [3 (10%) and 1 (3.5%)] was found .
126.96.36.199. Renal tumour ablation
One systematic review publication date 2018 included 6,952 patients across 51 studies . Infectious complications were reported in 74 patients including fever (60.8%), abscess (21.6%) and UTI (8.1%). Prophylactic antibiotic use was reported in 5.4% of patients but it was not possible to study its association to infectious complications due to lack of reporting.
188.8.131.52. Prostate biopsy
184.108.40.206.1. Transperineal prostate biopsy
A total of eight randomised studies including 1,596 patients compared the impact of biopsy route on infectious complications. Infectious complications were significantly higher following transrectal biopsy (48 events among 789 men) compared to transperineal biopsy (22 events among 807 men), [RR (95% CIs) 2.48 (1.47 to 4.2) [536,537]. In addition, a systematic review including 165 studies with 162,577 patients described sepsis rates of 0.1% and 0.9% for transperineal and transrectal biopsies, respectively . Finally, a population-based study from the UK (n=73,630) showed lower re-admission rates for sepsis in patients who had transperineal versus transrectal biopsies (1.0% vs, 1.4%, respectively) . The available evidence demonstrates that the transrectal approach should be abandoned in favour of the transperineal approach despite any possible logistical challenges.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of eight non-RCTs reported no significant differences between patients receiving or not receiving antibiotic prophylaxis in terms of post-biopsy infection (0.11% vs. 0.31%) and sepsis (0.13% vs. 0.09%), for the transperineal approach . This is in line with another systematic review and meta-analysis of 112 individual patient cohorts which also showed no significant difference in the number of patients experiencing post-transperineal biopsy infection with 1.35% of 29,880 patients receiving antibiotic prophylaxis and 1.22% of 4,772 not receiving antibiotic prophylaxis (p = 0.8) . In addition, two recently published RCTs have reported comparably low post-biopsy infection rates for transperineal biopsy regardless of whether antibiotic prophylaxis was administered or not [542,543].
There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that antibiotic prophylaxis may not be required for transperineal biopsy; however, the Panel have chosen to wait until a number of ongoing RCTs report their study findings before making a recommendation on this.
220.127.116.11.2. Transrectal prostate biopsy
An updated meta-analysis of eleven RCTs including 2,237 men showed that use of a rectal povidone-iodine preparation before biopsy, in addition to antimicrobial prophylaxis, resulted in a significantly lower rate of infectious complications [RR (95% CIs) 0.47 (0.36 to 0.61) [536,544-546]. Single RCTs showed no evidence of benefit for perineal skin disinfection , but reported an advantage for rectal povidone-iodine preparation before biopsy compared to after biopsy .
A meta-analysis of four RCTs including 671 men evaluated the use of rectal preparation by enema before transrectal biopsy. No significant advantage was found regarding infectious complications [RR (95% CIs) 0.96 (0.64 to 1.54) .
An update meta-analysis of 28 RCTs with 4,027 patients found no evidence that use of peri-prostatic injection of local anaesthesia resulted in more infectious complications than no injection [RR (95% CIs) 1.08 (0.79 to 1.48)] [536,537,549]. A meta-analysis of nine RCTs including 2,230 patients found that extended biopsy templates showed comparable infectious complications to standard templates [RR (95% CIs) 0.80 (0.53 to 1.22)] . Additional meta-analyses found no difference in infections complications regarding needle guide type (disposable vs. reusable), needle type (coaxial vs. non-coaxial), needle size (large vs. small), and number of injections for peri-prostatic nerve block (standard vs. extended) .
A meta-analysis of eleven studies with 1,753 patients showed significantly reduced infections after transrectal prostate biopsy when using antimicrobial prophylaxis as compared to placebo/control [RR (95% CIs) 0.56
(0.40 to 0.77)] .
Fluoroquinolones have been traditionally used for antibiotic prophylaxis in this setting; however, overuse and misuse of fluoroquinolones has resulted in an increase in fluoroquinolone resistance. In addition, the European Commission has implemented stringent regulatory conditions regarding the use of fluoroquinolones resulting in the suspension of the indication for peri-operative antibiotic prophylaxis including prostate biopsy .
A systematic review and meta-analysis on antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of infectious complications following prostate biopsy concluded that in countries where fluoroquinolones are allowed as antibiotic prophylaxis, a minimum of a full one-day administration, as well as targeted therapy in case of fluoroquinolone resistance, or augmented prophylaxis (combination of two or more different classes of antibiotics) is recommended . In countries where use of fluoroquinolones are suspended cephalosporins or aminoglycosides can be used as individual agents with comparable infectious complications based on meta-analysis of two RCTs . A meta-analysis of three RCTs reported that fosfomycin trometamol was superior to fluoroquinolones [RR (95% CIs) 0.49 (0.27 to 0.87)] , but routine general use should be critically assessed due to the relevant infectious complications reported in non-randomised studies . Of note the indication of fosfomycin trometamol for prostate biopsy has been withdrawn in Germany as the manufacturers did not submit the necessary pharmacokinetic data in support of this indication. Urologists are advised to check their local guidance in relation to the use of fosfomycin trometamol for prostate biopsy. Another possibility is the use of augmented prophylaxis without fluoroquinolones, although no standard combination has been established to date. Finally, targeted prophylaxis based on rectal swap/stool culture is plausible, but no RCTs are available on non-fluoroquinolones. See figure 1 for prostate biopsy workflow to reduce infections complications.
3.16.3. Summary of evidence and recommendations for peri-procedural antibiotic prophylaxis
Summary of evidence
The outcome of clinical UTI was reported in four out of eleven RCTs with no benefit found for antibiotic prophylaxis vs. placebo in patients following filling and voiding cystometry.
A meta-analysis of five trials of moderate quality showed a benefit for using antibiotic prophylaxis for the reduction of symptomatic UTI in patients undergoing cystoscopy. However, this benefit was not seen if only the two trials with low risk of bias were used in the meta-analysis.
Two meta-analyses found no benefit for antibiotic prophylaxis following ESWL in terms of reducing the rate of post-procedural fever and bacteriuria or trial-defined infection in patients without bacteriuria.
Two meta-analyses found no evidence of benefit for antibiotic prophylaxis prior to ureteroscopy in reducing the rate of clinical UTI; however, the rate of bacteriuria was reduced.
A meta-analysis of five RCTs demonstrated a moderate level of evidence that antibiotic prophylaxis was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the risk of post-procedural UTI following PNL.
Two RCTs concluded that a single dose of a suitable agent was adequate for prophylaxis against clinical infection after PNL.
A systematic review of 39 RCTs concluded that antibiotic prophylaxis reduced the rate of infectious complications in men undergoing TURP.
A systematic review of two RCTs found no benefit for antibiotic prophylaxis in patients undergoing TURB.
A meta-analysis of eight studies including 1,596 patients showed significantly reduced infectious complications in patients undergoing transperineal biopsy as compared to transrectal biopsy.
A meta-analysis of eight non-RCTS reported comparable rates of post-biopsy infections in patients undergoing transperineal biopsy irrespective if antibiotic prophylaxis was given or not.
A meta-analysis of eleven RCTs including 2,036 men showed that use of a rectal povidone-iodine preparation before transrectal biopsy, in addition to antimicrobial prophylaxis, resulted in a significantly lower rate of infectious complications.
A meta-analysis on eleven studies with 1,753 patients showed significantly reduced infections after transrectal biopsy when using antimicrobial prophylaxis as compared to placebo/control.
Do not use antibiotic prophylaxis to reduce the rate of symptomatic urinary infection following:
Use antibiotic prophylaxis to reduce rate of symptomatic urinary infection following ureteroscopy.
Use single dose antibiotic prophylaxis to reduce the rate of clinical urinary infection following percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
Use antibiotic prophylaxis to reduce infectious complications in men undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate.
Use antibiotic prophylaxis to reduce infectious complications in high-risk patients undergoing transurethral resection of the bladder.
Perform prostate biopsy using the transperineal approach due to the lower risk of infectious complications.
Use routine surgical disinfection of the perineal skin for transperineal biopsy.
Use rectal cleansing with povidone-iodine in men prior to transrectal prostate biopsy.
Do not use fluoroquinolones for prostate biopsy in line with the European Commission final decision on EMEA/H/A-31/1452.
Use either target prophylaxis based on rectal swab or stool culture; augmented prophylaxis (two or more different classes of antibiotics); or alternative antibiotics (e.g. fosfomycin trometamol*, cephalosporin, aminoglycoside) for antibiotic prophylaxis for transrectal biopsy.
*Of note the indication of fosfomycin trometamol for prostate biopsy has been withdrawn in Germany as themanufacturers did not submit the necessary pharmacokinetic data in support of this indication. Urologists are advised to check their local guidance in relation to the use of fosfomycin trometamol for prostate biopsy.
Table 13: Suggested regimens for antimicrobial prophylaxis prior to urological procedures
As stated in section 18.104.22.168 the panel has decided not to make recommendations for specific agents for particular procedures, those listed below represent possible choices only. Urologists should choose a specific antimicrobial based on their knowledge of local pathogen prevalence for each type of procedure, their antibiotic susceptibility profiles and virulence.
* Note option 2 is against antibiotic stewardship programmes
** Of note the indication of fosfomycin trometamol for prostate biopsy has been withdrawn in Germany as the manufacturers did not submit the necessary pharmacokinetic data in support of this indication. Urologists are advised to check their local guidance in relation to the use of fosfomycin trometamol for prostate biopsy.
Figure 4: Prostate biopsy workflow to reduce infectious complications
1. Two systematic reviews including non-RCTs and two RCTs describe comparable rates of post-biopsy infection in patients with and without antibiotic prophylaxis.
2. Be informed about local antimicrobial resistance.
3. Banned by European Commission due to side effects.
4. Contradicts principles of Antimicrobial Stewardship.
5. Fosfomycin trometamol (3 RCTs), cephalosporins (2 RCTs), aminoglycosides (2 RCTs).
6. Only one RCT comparing targeted and augmented prophylaxis.
7. Originally introduced to use alternative antibiotics in case of fluoroquinolone resistance.
8. Various schemes: fluoroquinolone plus aminoglycoside (3 RCTs); and fluoroquinolone plus cephalosporin (1 RCT).
9. Significantly inferior to targeted and augmented prophylaxis.
GRADE Working Group grades of evidence. High certainty: (⊕⊕⊕⊕)very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect. Moderate certainty: (⊕⊕⊕⊖)moderately confident in the effect estimate: the true effect is likely to be close to the estimate of the effect, but there is a possibility that it is substantially different. Low certainty: (⊕⊕⊖⊖) confidence in the effect estimate is limited: the true effect may be substantially different from the estimate of the effect. Very low certainty: (⊕⊖⊖⊖) very little confidence in the effect estimate: the true effect is likely to be substantially different from the estimate of effect. Figure reproduced from Pilatz et al., with permission from Elsevier .
* Of note the indication of fosfomycin trometamol for prostate biopsy has been withdrawn in Germany as the manufacturers did not submit the necessary pharmacokinetic data in support of this indication. Urologists are advised to check their local guidance in relation to the use of fosfomycin trometamol for prostate biopsy.
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The 2019 Winter Solstice is at 04:19 GMT on Sunday 22 December in the Northern Hemisphere. This is the day with the least hours of sunlight. It occurs when the North Pole has its maximum tilt away from the Sun. Read more from the Royal Museums Greenwich about this annual astronomical event.
Across the world, mid-winter is celebrated in various spiritual and religious traditions. Atheists and agnostics can still rejoice! After the Winter Solstice, the nights are shorter and the days are longer.
Famous ancient monuments, such as Maeshowe in Orkney, Newgrange in Ireland and Stonehenge in England, were built to be carefully aligned with the Winter Solstice. It’s a special experience to stand inside the inner circle at Stonehenge joining many others who make a pilgrimage to this unique place on the Winter Solstice.
In Brighton, England, people gather together during the Winter Solstice to take part in Burning the Clocks. They craft lanterns made of paper and willow which they then carry through the streets until they reach the beach. The lanterns are then burned to commemorate the end of the year.
The days are shorter and the temperature is lower so it is reasonable to expect that solar PV will not be as productive as in the summer. However, solar PV panels need light, not heat. They can actually perform better when kept cool. Read some of the science from UC Santa Barbera.
Snow can also reflect light and help improve PV performance. This is known as the albedo effect. However, if the panels are covered with snow there is a modest reduction in performance rather than a blackout. See this study from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology for more information.
There are upsides of course, but wood is a relatively inefficient fuel and can create air quality issues. There is also great debate about the carbon footprint.
Science writer Fred Pearce reported in Yale Environment 360 that using wood pellets in electricity generation is a “loophole”. He worries that this could cause an unseen surge in carbon emissions and fatally undermine the Paris Climate Agreement.
Burning wood may be close to carbon neutral if cut trees are replaced sustainably. However, burning wood immediately releases carbon and it can take up to a century for a replacement tree to absorb the same amount of carbon whilst the original carbon emission continues to drive climate change.
“Unless forests are guaranteed to regrow to carbon parity, production of wood pellets for fuel is likely to result in more CO2 in the atmosphere and fewer species than today.” William Schlesinger (the eminent biogeochemist).
Schlesinger points out that timber plantations do not store as much carbon as natural forests and that it could take 40 to 100 years for a managed forest to capture the same amount of carbon as a natural forest. Unfortunately, most plantation forests are harvested at 20-year intervals and never make it to the carbon-neutral point.
In conclusion, to be sustainable biomass requires a long-term approach and proper management of the replanted forests.
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Presentation on theme: "Unit 2 – Diversity of Life"— Presentation transcript:
1Unit 2 – Diversity of Life Millions of species (2-4.5 million) exist on planet earth (huge amount of biodiversity).Classifying all these species helps make sense of all the biodiversity.Many species have become extinct in the past.Many existing species are becoming extinct before we even know they exist! Some of these species could be important for our species in terms of medical or ecological significance.Taxonomy – the science of naming and classifying organismsTaxon – a group of organisms in a classification system
2Binomial Nomenclature Two-word standard naming system for all known organismsBased on the dead language latin – dead because it is not spoken any more and thus doesn’t change over timeTwo part name – genus + species: ex. Homo sapiens, Canis lupisUniversal over all languages so species identification cannot be mistaken from language to language.a scientific (biological) name can help distinguish common name confusion.
3What is a Gopher? In Saskatchewan, a gopher is this: In Florida, a gopher is this:Species name: Gopherus polyphemusSpecies name: Urocitellus richardsonii
4LinnaeusCarl von Linne (Carolus Linnaeus – he “Latinized” his name) – Swedish botanist: developed the Linnaean system of classification (binomial nomenclature)His system of naming organisms is still used today3 rules used:Genus – always capitalized, ex: CanisSpecies – always not capitalized ex: lupisEntire species name (genus and species) is underlined (if handwritten) or italicized (if typed)Underlined (or italicized) so that the scientific name stand out from rest of the text present
57 Levels of Classification (Taxons) Kingdom – ex: AnimalsPhylum (animals) / Division (plants) - ex: ChordataClass – ex: MammaliaOrder – ex: PrimatesFamily – ex: HominidaeGenus – ex: HomoSpecies – ex: sapiens“King Phillip Came Over For Graduation Speeches”
6Questions 1-3, page 521 What is binomial nomenclature? - It is a system that gives every species a unique two-part name that identifies it. The first part is the genus, and the second part is the species descriptor.Name each taxon in the Linnaean system of classification, from most general to most specific.- kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, speciesWhat are some limitations of the Linnaean classification system?- It only accounts for physical and structural similarities between organisms, which can be the result of convergent evolution and therefore not indicative of relatedness.
7Questions 4-5, p521How is a scientific name similar to an address that includes city and state?- A state (or province) has many cities as a genus has many species. Like species descriptors, city names cannot be used alone because the same city names can occur in different states (or provinces), as with Portland (Maine and Oregon).Which two species are more closely related: Ursus maritimus, Ursus americanus, or Bufo americanus?- Ursus maritimus (polar bears) and Ursus americanus (black bear) are most closely related; they belong to the same genus.
8Question 6, p521During his voyage, Charles Darwin collected thousands to organisms, which he classified using the Linnaean classification system. How did this system help him share his findings with other naturalists?- Others could understand the relationships between organisms, such as Darwin’s finches, and there was uniformity in temrs of language. Had he used common names alone, they would have required translation into many languages.
9Dichotomous KeysDichotomous keys are used to identify objects or organisms that have already been described by another scientist.As its name implies (di- means "two"), a dichotomous key is made up of paired statements.Each pair of statements divides the objects to be classified into two categories.This means that each object must fit into one category or the other, but not both.
143 Domains of Life Domain – Bacteria Domain – Archaea - One kingdom: BacteriaSingle celled prokaryotes (lack a nucleus and organelles)One of the largest group of organisms on earthDomain – ArchaeaOne Kingdom: ArchaeaLive in extreme environments: deep sea vents, hot geysers, Antarctic waters, salty lakes, acidic environments
15Domain – Eukarya Four kingdoms: PlantaeProtistaFungiAnimaliaSingle-celled (protista) or multicellular (fungi, plantae & animalia)Eukaryotic: cells possess a nucleus and organelles
16Questions 1-2, page 535Why is classification of life considered a work in progress?- Scientists are always finding more information about organisms that forces a re-examination of classification schemes.What kingdoms are included in each of the three domains in the modern tree of life?Bacteria: bacteriaArchaea: archaeaEukarya: protista, fungi, plantae, animalia
17Questions 3-4, page 535If you come cross across an unusual single-celled organism, what parts of the cell would you study to classify it into one of the three domains?- Nucleus (or lack thereof) and cell wallExplain, using the traditional definition of species, why it is difficult to classify some bacteria and archaea at the species level.A species can be defined as an interbreeding group of organisms that produce fertile offspring. But bacteria and archaea do not breed to produce offspring; they reproduce by binary fission. In reproduction, as it is generally defined, parents also pass genetic material to their offspring. However, many bacteria and archaea can take up genetic material from their environment – a transfer of genes outside of typical reproduction that does not occur in eukaryotes.
18Question 5, p535History of Life – The Archaea lineage may include the first life on Earth, which began under much different environmental conditions from those present today. What characteristics of archaea help support this statement?- Archaea exist in extreme environments that are similar to those of early Earth.
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Pico de la Forqueta (3,007 ms) is a summit located in the Massif of Posets, to the south of the Col of Eriste (or Forqueta de Eriste), from which it takes the name and that separates it of the central nucleus of the massif. As it happens in all the massif, its structure is complicated, with curved ridges crossing in all directions, small lakes in the most unsuspected places or streams than born to disappear anywhere. Although the predominant rock is the granite, this was mixed with soluble minerals, which has led to this surprising relief. The hollows left by those missing materials drain with much rapidity the high areas, extremely barren, whereas the accumulate humidity is much in the valley bottoms, under the 2,000 ms, where dense mixed mountain forests prosper. Another consequence of the abundance of intrusive rocks in the granite is the variety of colors, with frequent red, black and even greenish layers between the typical gray colors.
Pico de la Forqueta projects several ridges, all of them narrow and rugged, where there are several secondary peaks, with prominences under 100 ms (300 fts). First, the west ridge, with several breachs, which rises in Pico Millares (2,942 ms), just before the homonym col, which separates the group of Forqueta and Picos de Eriste. The south-east ridge begins with the other threethousander of the group, the Point SE of Forqueta (3,004 ms); after that, it descends and is narrowed until Pico de los Turets (2,952 ms), that is another knot of ridges. One of them goes towards the Tuca (Tower) of Llantia (2,837 ms, also called Bagüeña), extending very far, in lower altitudes, between valleys of Eriste and La Vall. The other ridge goes to the east and passes through several small needles and breaches, culminating in its end in the spectacular Needles of Forcau (2,865 and 2.786 ms).
Before continue, I want to clarify why I call Turets to this modest peak that appears anonymous in the present maps. During some years, between the decades of 1950 and 1990, Pico de la Forqueta was called sometimes Turets by error. That has been corrected later but then… what was Turets? Turet means "small rock standing on a ridge" in local dialect. Looking among old papers, I have found a sketch map published in 1948 (Editorial Mont Blanc, Barcelona) where call “los Turets” (plural) to the small needles on the ridge beetwen this peak and the breach (2,815) previous to Forcau. I think that we can call Pico de los Turets to this 2,952 ms point.
Forqueta is one of the most modest and less known peaks over 3,000 ms in the Pyrenees. In fact, it was climbed for the first time in august 12, 1905, when the great summits had been all conquered decades ago, by Le Bondider, with the guide J.M. Sansuc. They went up by the current normal path of Col of Eriste. Regarding to other peaks of the group, the first ascent to Llantia was made by Brulle and C. Passet in 1911 and, the two needles of Forcau, by H. and R. Brulle in 1913.
The panorama from the summit of Pico de la Forqueta is very beautiful, especially towards the north and east, where the rest of the massif rises and the peaks of the Maladeta are seen in the horizon. To the west, the view arrives until Monte Perdido.
From the Valley of Bielsa, the base would be Viadós (Valley of Chistau). In this case, there are different sorts of accomodation in Plan and other facilities in Ainsa or Bielsa.
From the Valley of Benasque, the most logical routes start in Eriste or surrounding places. Although there are some facilities in this village, it is possible to find almost everything in Benasque, that is only to 3 km.
Public transport in this area is very deficient. You can arrive to Huesca from Madrid or Barcelona via Zaragoza by train (information and ticket reservations in this link). From there, adventure begins: only by bus, few each day and with frequents change of schedule. Anyway, here is the main bus company website.
Bus station of Huesca telephone number: 00 33 974210700 (service only in spanish).
For a convenient route by car from our point of departure, I recommend to use the Michelin website. In the case of Viados, the last 10 km are a dirt road suitable by a normal car.
The whole Massif of Posets is included in a natural reserve. No permits are required but it is forbiden:
- Do campfire
- Hunt or collect plants or animals
- Keep pets without tying
- Park cars outside signalized areas
Vibouac is allowed but to set a tent is limited: exclusively at nigth (8 PM to 8 AM) and changing location every day.
Camping and Huts
The ascents in the group of Forqueta can follow three axes. For each of them, these resources are available.
1. Valley of Eriste (Benasque side)
- Camping (with the Red Tape section restrictions) or vibouac in Pleta de Riberes, a landing grass with some trees and crossed by a stream, at 1,800 m. Accesible from Eriste (2h15 / 700 ms elevation gain) or Pleta del Estallo (5 km of dirt road faisible by car plus 45 minutes / 250 ms elevation gain).
- Angel Orús (or Forcau) Hut: served hut at 2,100 ms , open all year. In summer and major holidays is advisable to reserve in advance. For information and contact, website of the Mountaineering Federation of Aragón. Accesible from Eriste (3h15 / 1,000 ms elevation gain) or Pleta del Estallo (5 km of dirt road faisible by car plus 1h45 / 550 ms elevation gain).
2. Valley of Bagüeña or La Vall (Benasque side)
- Camping (with the Red Tape section restrictions) or vibouac in Pleta de La Vall, a landing grass with some trees and crossed by a stream, at 2,000 m. There are two little huts, visibles from the landing itself but are in very poor condition. Accesible from Eriste or Guayente (3h15 in both cases / 900 ms elevation gain) or Tramarius bridge (2 km of dirt road plus 2h45 / 700 ms elevation gain).
3. Valley of Ribereta (Bielsa side)
- Viadós Hut: served hut at 1,600 ms , open from june to september and some weekends the rest of the year (changing every year, is convenient a previous call to confirm dates). For information and contact, website of the Mountaineering Federation of Aragón. It is advisable to reserve in advance. When closed, there is a free little hut for six people. Accesible from San Juan de Plan by car when open (10 km of dirt road).
Most Common Routes
Pico de la Forqueta:
- Northwest ridge, through Col of Eriste, from Angel Orus Hut or Viadós (F). The most usual.
- West face, from Valley of Bagüeña (PD).
Point SE of Forqueta: From Pico de la Forqueta, by the ridge (F+).
- Norhteast side from Angel Orus Hut (F+).
- From Point SE of Forqueta, by the ridge (F).
Millares: From Pico de la Forqueta, by the ridge (AD).
Llantia: Whole ridge between Southeast and Northwest breaches, from Angel Orus Hut or Pleta de la Vall (PD+).
High Needle of Forcau: South face from Angel Orus Hut (F+).
Low Needle of Forcau: Southeast face from Angel Orus Hut (PD+).
Other Practical InfosFor regional / local weather forecast: Spanish government weather agency.
Cartography: Editorial Alpina, digital sheet "Posets".
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OMAHA (DTN) -- The Nebraska On-Farm Research Network launched the project Sensors for Efficient Nitrogen Use and Stewardship of the Environment (SENSE) three years ago on about 20 on-farm research sites. It is a partnership of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Extension, the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Natural Resource Districts (NRD). The research, now in year three, focuses on crop canopy sensors directing variable-rate, in-season nitrogen application in corn.
Sensors mounted on the bar of high-clearance application equipment emit light onto the crop canopy and then measure reflectance from the canopy with photodetectors. The light source simultaneously emits visible and near infrared light.
These wavelengths are combined to create various vegetation indices that are indicative of crop condition. Algorithms then translate the indice values into an in-season nitrogen recommendation.
In simpler terms, the greener the plant is, the less nitrogen is applied. More fertilizer is applied to less green plants.
"We basically took a commercially available system off the shelf with no modifications. The goal of this is to show the grower what it would look like if they purchased a system themselves," said Joel Crowther, UNL grad student and member of the Project SENSE team, at a field day near Schuyler, Nebraska, in early August.
UNL Extension provides the sensors and applies the recommended nitrogen during the growing season. This eliminates producers having to invest in equipment they are not completely sold on, Crowther said.
The team tries to apply nitrogen in the V8 to V14 stage of growth. Nitrogen can be applied in earlier stages of growth, but the sensors need a full canopy of crop, which usually happens at the V8 stage.
Participating farmers applied a base rate of nitrogen earlier in the growing season, usually around 75 lbs./acre. Then, an in-season nitrogen application trip uses sensors with application rates ranging from 76 lbs. to 254 lbs./acre. Crowther said 172 lbs./acre was the average in 2017.
John Parrish, Project SENSE technician, said two treatments were made in the field: One was the grower's normal nitrogen management, and one that was recommended by the sensors. A high nitrogen reference point also is applied to the field. Most sites had around a 20- to 30-acre research plot.
"In 2015, we ended up reducing the amount of nitrogen applied by 40 lbs./acre but also reduced the yield some by 5 bushels per acre," Parrish said. "You see this sensor-based equipment lowering yields some, but you are saving money in the end."
By using the sensor-based nitrogen application, growers would have saved about $8 per acre compared to their normal nitrogen application management, he said.
Similar results were seen in the second year of the research in 2016, Parrish said. Applications were reduced by about 35 lbs./acre and yields were only reduced about 3 bpa. The cost of savings by being more efficient with applying nitrogen was at $7 per acre, he said. Results are not in yet for 2017, but in-season assessments look similar to the two previous years.
The goal of using sensor-based equipment is to improve fertilizer efficiency while improving profit per acre.
Parrish said that by using the 2016 calculations, researchers wanted to see what a breakeven cost on acres would be in using a sensor-based system to apply nitrogen. Research factored in a cost of the complete sensor system at $15,000 and didn't include the cost of the high-clearance applicator.
To pay off the cost of the sensor system, you would need to use it on 720 acres every year for three years, Crowther said.
The researchers also carried out pay-off to six years, roughly the lifespan of a sensor system before new technology likely would appear. A grower would need to cover only about 360 acres a year to pay off the system in six years.
Russ Quinn can be reached at [email protected]
Follow Russ Quinn on Twitter @RussQuinnDTN
© Copyright 2017 DTN/The Progressive Farmer. All rights reserved.
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Description[ edit ] Parrotfish are named for their dentition which is distinct from other fish, including other labrids.
Development[ edit ] Deterioration of the hull of a wooden ship was a significant problem during the Age of Sail. Ships' hulls were under continuous attack by shipwormbarnacles and various marine weedsall of which had some adverse effect on the ship, be it structurally, in the case of the worm, or affecting speed and handling in the case of the weeds.
The most common methods of dealing with these problems were through the use of wood, and sometimes lead, sheathing. Expendable wood sheathing effectively provided a non-structural skin to the hull for the worm to attack, and could be easily replaced in dry dock at regular intervals.
Weed, however, grew rapidly Protecting seaweed slowed ships. Lead sheathing, while more effective than wood in mitigating these problems, was too heavy and reacted badly with the iron bolts of the ships. There were three main substances used: White stuff, which was a mixture Protecting seaweed whale oilrosin and brimstone ; Black stuff, a mixture of tar and pitch ; and Brown stuff, which was simply brimstone added to Black stuff.
It was common practice to coat the hull with the selected substance, then cover that with a thin outer layer of wooden planking. The first experiments with copper sheathing were made in the late s: The copper performed very well, both in protecting the hull from worm invasion and in preventing weed growth for, when in contact with water, the copper produced a poisonous film, composed mainly of copper oxychloridethat deterred these marine organisms.
Furthermore, as this film was slightly soluble, it gradually washed away, leaving no way in which marine life could attach itself to the ship.
However, it was soon discovered by the Admiralty that the copper bolts used to hold the plates to the hull had reacted with the iron bolts used in the construction of the ship, rendering many bolts nearly useless.
Inbecause of the poor condition of the iron bolts, Alarm's copper was removed. The results were far more favourable this time, but still the problems with the bolting remained.
The onset and intensification from of the war with America took the focus off the bolting issue necessary to allow a full-scale coppering programme.
This would not have happened but for war. This also came about because in a Mr. Fisher, a Liverpool shipbuilder who did a brisk trade with West Africa sent a letter to the Navy Board.
The letter itself does not survive and is obliquely referred to in other official correspondence held by the National Maritime Museum; it may have contained or been coincidental with a critical new technical breakthrough of protecting the iron bolting by applying thick paper between the copper plates and the hull.
This breakthrough was to be what would win over the Admiralty. This effectively turned what was a local civil war into a global conflict. Spain followed in and the Netherlands inand so Britain had to face its three greatest rivals. Middleton took the view that the Britain was "outnumbered at every station", and the Navy was required to "extricate us from present danger".
He understood that coppering allowed the navy to stay at sea for much longer without the need for cleaning and repairs to the underwater hull, making it a very attractive, if expensive, proposition.
He had to expand the Navy but there was no time to add to the fleet, and limited resources available. It could take five years and trees to build a warship. However he could refurbish the existing fleet, he grasped Fisher's solution and on 21 January wrote to the Admiralty.
He also petitioned King George III directly on this "matter of the gravest importance" for the necessary funding. He took with him a model of HMS Bellona showing a coppered bottom to illustrate the method.
The King backed him for what was an expensive process for an untested technology. Each ship on average required 15 tonnes of copper applied on average as plates. All the copper was supplied by British mines the only country in the world at that time that could do sothe largest mine being Parys Mountain in Angleseynorth Wales.
The benefits of increased speed and time at sea were deemed to justify the costs involved. Middleton in May placed orders at the Portsmouth Docks for coppering all ships up to and including 32 guns when next they entered dry dock. In July, this order was expanded to include ships of 44 guns and fewer, in total 51 ships within a year.
It was then decided that the entire fleet should be coppered, due to the difficulties in maintaining a mixed fleet of coppered and non-coppered ships. By82 ships of the line had been coppered, along with fourteen gun ships, frigates, and unrated vessels.
All this was too late to avert the loss of the American colonies, however; meanwhile the French were threatening the lucrative sugar trade in the Caribbean, reckoned at the time as being of more importance to British interests than the 13 colonies.
The Royal Navy's newly coppered ships, as yet untested, were used successfully by Rodney in defeating the French at the Battle of the Saintes off Dominica in By the time the war ended inproblems with the hull bolting were once more becoming apparent. At great cost, the Admiralty decided in to go ahead with the re-bolting of every ship in the navy, thus finally eliminating the bolt corrosion problem.
This process lasted several years, after which no significant changes to the coppering system were required and metal plating remained a standard method of protecting a ship's underwater hull until the advent of modern anti-fouling paint.
Muntz metal had the advantage of being somewhat cheaper than copper. Civilian use[ edit ] With its widespread adoption by the Royal Navy, some shipping owners employed the method on their merchant vessels.Protecting Pollinators.
Inextricably linked, wild flowers provide the nectar and pollen for pollinators and many of our favourite flowers rely on these insects to set seed. Acadian Seaplants Ltd., manufacturers of kelp, seaweed and other macroalgae products, human health supplements, sea vegetables, crop health and protection inputs, animal and aquaculture feed and nutritional supplements.
Fresh from the sea products with known health benefits for all. Protection & Recovery From Radiation Harmful Effects.
High-dose chemotherapy directly destroys the bone marrow's ability to produce white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. The best thyroid support supplement available. ThyroMate's formula contains amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and herbs that support thyroid function.
Unlock 15% savings Save 15% when you receive 5 or more products in one month to one address with auto-deliveries. Currently, you'll save 5% on your Dec 22 delivery.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF SEAWEED CULTURE. M. J. PHILLIPS. Institute of Aquaculture University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA Scotland. The impact of aquaculture on the environment and effects of environment on aquaculture production have become important issues in recent years.
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Nearly 10 percent of ELCA congregations and 16 synods are in the Appalachian region. The Lutheran presence dates to the late 18th century and includes Paul Henkel, a prominent Lutheran pastor who ministered in what is now West Virginia. In 1990, the ELCA created the Evangelical Lutheran Coalition for Mission in Appalachia to connect and equip God’s people for Christ’s mission in the region.
'The pull to the home place is so strong here'
The rest of this article is only available to subscribers.
© 2013 Augsburg Fortress, Publishers
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Outbreaks of Marburg virus reported in two African countries lead to ‘unprecedented’ situation
For the first time, two simultaneous outbreaks of the deadly Marburg virus are occurring in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania.
The Marburg virus, which is closely related to Ebola, has been extremely rare until now. On March 21, Tanzania announced an outbreak of the disease, in addition to the one in Equatorial Guinea on the other side of the African continent.
As of April 6, eight cases have been confirmed, with five fatalities. The US Center for Disease Control has issued a warning, advising doctors in the US to remain aware of the potential for imported cases.
The World Health Organisation has also issued an alert, after inexplicable deaths in villages in the north of Equatorial Guinea.
The official tallies may be underestimating the true impact, as spread has been detected in regions far apart.
Since the Marburg virus was first detected in humans in 1967, it has only emerged in a dozen outbreaks in Africa, with most outbreaks affecting no more than a dozen people.
However, this unprecedented and simultaneous outbreak, its increased detection in countries with improved monitoring systems, coupled with ecological disruptions and climate change, heighten the risk of viral disease becoming more significant.
Nonetheless, the Marburg virus does not spread as easily as Covid-19, and transmission occurs through contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals rather than respiratory droplets.
Currently, the WHO estimates that each of the outbreaks poses a moderate risk at the regional level. Vaccine development is underway, and health authorities are ready to test vaccine candidates in the countries affected.
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Please explain what it is and how can I correct this.
The article chosen for this assignment is published on July 24, 2008, in the Journal of Transcultural Nursing, (Fisher, Fontaine, Kennedy, and Martin-Holland 2008 p.363-370).
This is, perhaps, the most frequently asked question on this forum, asked at least once each day.
You can see many of these questions and their answers if you search for "passive voice" in the search box at the top of this page. When I last looked, this search returned 52 recent questions/answers.
Wikipedia has a good article explaining the English passive voice at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_passive_voice
The University of North Carolina provides an excellent handout concerning the passive voice at
Remember, passive voice is a choice of style. It is neither right nor wrong. While active voice is generally more powerful and more interesting for the reader, there are types of writing where the passive voice is preferred. Even, as may be the case with your sentence, the best choice for an individual sentence.
|link comment||answered Oct 26 '12 at 17:34 Jeff Pribyl Grammarly Fellow|
Hero of the day
Person voted on the most questions.
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Medical Definition of Autotransplant
Autotransplant: Tissue transplanted from one part of the body to another in the same individual. Also called an autograft.Source: MedTerms™ Medical Dictionary
Last Editorial Review: 6/9/2016
Medical Dictionary Definitions A - Z
Search Medical Dictionary
- Personalized Tips for Managing Migraine
- Do You Take Good Care of Your Eyes?
- Tips for a Clean Home & Healthy Cat
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Even if you live in a climate that has warm weather year round, you can make your own snowstorm with this fun science activity by Little Bins for Little Hands.
The sun can do a lot of cool things! Help your kids learn all about what solar power does here on Earth with these fun activities by The Educators Spin On It.
Do your kids love looking at the clouds? This fun activity from Parenting Chaos will help them understand how clouds form. Find the instructions here.
Who doesn’t love a scavenger hunt? This one from Smart Cookie is adaptable to any age and subject. Find the instructions here.
This fun activity helps kids understand rain clouds. For full instructions please visit www.tobyandroo.com.
Kids are curious by nature. Nurture that curiosity with this at-home science journal by Smart Cookie. Find the instructions here.
How do the different parts of an ecosystem work together? Find out with this activity from Layers of Learning. Get the instructions here. Please Note: We were offered feedback that for the health of the fish you should make sure the plants and soil used are unfertilized.
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| 0.924737 | 240 | 3.625 | 4 |
During last week’s scichat (#scichat) on Twitter, I mentioned, “play with a purpose.” Play with a purpose is a saying that I often use with students. It means checking out something new in a systematic way; having fun in an organized fashion; discovery with a goal.
Play with a purpose activities are opportunities for students to discover and explore something that you hope will inspire inquiry. It is a way to guide inquiry while still doing open-ended inquiry. It is also a good way to assess inquiry skills.
The idea of play with a purpose is that you give students something – an object, a set of chemicals, an organism, a system – and ask them to see what they can find out about it. I usually ask them to record their findings in a t-chart of observations vs. questions. Of course, you must clearly identify any safety hazards prior to this activity.
After play with a purpose, students should have a lot of questions and thoughts generated that they can use to create a scientific question that they want to answer.
Some examples of play with a purpose activities I’ve done with students:
- combine cornstarch with water and see what happens [fluid dynamics, macromolecules, polymers, non-Newtonian fluids]
- observe stoneflies (they do pushups when the dissolved oxygen level in their water gets low) [homeostasis, gas exchange, physiology, respiration, etc.]
- mix Alka-Seltzer with water in a closed film canister and observe the resulting explosion [reaction kinetics, acid/ base chemistry]
- make whirligigs [gravity, aerodynamics]
- vinegar and baking soda [acid/ base chemistry, gas production, reaction kinetics, etc.]
- dilute HCl and various materials [metals, wood, plastics, etc.]
- bromothymol blue, calcium chloride, and baking soda [endothermic/ exothermic reactions, reaction kinetics, etc.]
Let’s pick one and see where it goes, shall we?
Prior to an inquiry investigation into the effects of different parameters on reaction rates, I have students play with alka seltzer and film canisters. I demonstrate one and require all to wear safety goggles. I then give them the materials and step back and observe. I answer no questions, except those related to safety. They play with the stuff, manipulating variables haphazardly to see what happens. They jot down observations and questions. After a period of this, they are ready to generate a scientific question and design experiments.
The learning target that is posted on the board during these activities: “I can play with a purpose”
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Wendy Lower, Hitler’s Furies: German Women in the Nazi Killing Fields
October 18, 2013 § Leave a comment
In Holocaust studies, one type of perpetrator, fashioned after Adolf Eichmann and others who organized deportations of Jews from Berlin headquarters, is the male bureaucratic killer, or desk murderer. He commits genocide through giving or passing along written orders; thus his pen or typewriter keys become his weapon. This type of modern genocidaire assumes that the paper, like its administrator, remains clean and bloodless. The desk murderer does his official duty. He convinces himself as he orders the deaths of tens of thousands that he has remained decent, civilized, and even innocent of the crime. What about the women who staffed those offices, the female assistants whose agile fingers pressed the keys on the typewriters, and whose clean hands distributed the orders to kill? (pp. 98-99)
Nearly seventy years after the last death camps were liberated, the mechanics of the Endlösung still trouble readers and historians alike. Who was involved or at least complicit in the genocide of Jews and other undesirable ethno-social groups? To what extent, if any, were these mass killings planned? Did the Holocaust arise from a Sonderweg, or “special path,” that the Germans followed as a response to industrialization and modernity done at a faster pace than those of Western Europe? Is the Shoah the horrific consequence of the earlier Ostland neo-colonial view of “space and race”? How does one reconcile the machinery of the gas chambers and desk murderers with images of street violence in the occupied East, as mobs of Germans, Poles, Lithuanians, Belarussians, and Ukrainians beat tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of Jews, often to death?
To this litany of questions has recently been added another: what roles did women play in the Holocaust? For decades, outside of a few memorable cases such as that of the infamous “Bitch of Buchenwald,” Ilse Koch, not much attention has been paid to the roles that women played in carrying out the so-called “Final Solution.” In landmark studies such as Christopher Browning’s 1993 book, Ordinary Men: Reserve Police Battalion 101 and the Final Solutionin Poland, the “ground level” focus has almost invariably been on men. Soldiers, Einsatzgruppen, functionaries, and guards, these were the main perpetrators of the killings at their most intimate, face-to-face, level. But who did the paperwork processing, the nursing, and other tasks both domestic and industrial alike that were a vital component of the concentration camp social societies? Who helped tend the vast farms on which several thousand Jews and other concentration camp prisoners were forced to work as slaves to supply food for the German armies? Yet women have often taken a back seat to men in discussions of the Holocaust.
In her National Book Award-nominated history, Hitler’s Furies: German Women in the Nazi Killing Fields, Wendy Lower begins to explore the matter of those women (mostly) behind the scenes whose actions (or non-actions) aided and abetted genocide. Utilizing an impressive number of interviews that she conducted with the now-elderly women who were the farmers, the secretaries, and in some cases the murderesses, Lower has pieced together a history that promises to be a significant study. Yet that word, “promises,” is a damning one, as Hitler’s Furies fails to become the authoritative or landmark book that it could have become. It hints at matters, yet does not place them adequately within the framework of current historiographical discussion, leaving the work in that nebulous halfway house between being an oral history of those who were reticent at best to talk of their past lives and a study that places these women and their actions within a larger conceptualization of the Holocaust and its origins and characteristics.
Lower begins her book by introducing several issues that she intends to address. Among these are institutional power (ranging from direct corporate-style hierarchies to less indirect ones such as the terminology employed in the Third Reich regarding cultures and nations and their degrees of worthiness) and its ability to shape women into the roles desired of them. Yet, as Lower argues, these women were not passive objects to be set in place but instead were in many cases active agents who themselves engaged in atrocities (and not always then just to please their male companions). This, however, does not mean that the women such as Erna Petri or Liselotte Meier, to name two of the women Lower discusses at length, display a great deal of independence in their actions. No, their actions, whether they be shooting Jewish fugitives on Petri’s manor or Meier’s torturing of those rounded up as the German army advanced eastward, are placed within the context of what their male lover/husband did: Petri following the lead of her abusive husband and Meier that of her officer boyfriend. While Lower does a good job fleshing out the personalities she discusses, there curiously is a relative lack of discussion of motives beyond the coercive factors of society and ideology. It is as though Petri, Meier, and the others discussed in the book had lives, dreams, and ambitions of their own, but when it comes to the flashpoint of their roles in the Holocaust, those divergent characteristics fade suddenly into the backdrop of those caught up in the competing whirlwinds of loyalty to male-centric power structures and a sadistic joy in inflicting suffering. More could have been done to discuss this, but Lower’s explanation late in the book felt inadequate in that she relies too heavily on Theodor Adorno’s work on authoritarian personality to explain these women’s actions. While certainly there is something to Adorno’s view, it does little to account for the complexities of the actions undertaken during this time by both men and women (ranging from outright sedition down through implicit resistance to complicity and then ultimately a surpassing of the authority’s desires, as if by doing so, the perpetrator could assert her own stamp on matters); there is much more to the matter.
Of greater interest, yet barely fleshed out, is the idea that neo-colonialist attitudes toward the East and its denizens might explain the actions of Petri and her compatriots:
Petri’s testimony is rare. There are few wartime and postwar records of ordinary German women expounding on their views of Jews and the Holocaust. More common was a colonist discourse about how stupid, dirty, and lazy “the locals” were, referring to Poles, Ukrainians, and Jews, or veiled references to the dark terrain infested with “Bolsheviks,” “criminals,” and “partisans,” or to the infantilized native who is clever but inferior, and thus dispensable. (p. 156)
This is where I suspect more and more studies of the Holocaust will go, away from focusing strictly on the mechanics of the Final Solution and toward a broader cultural analysis of the times and in particular the World War I era of Ostland and how the Ostland’s governmental practices, so reminiscent of late 19th century European neo-colonialism in Africa and Asia, helped shape German attitudes toward Ostland and its natives in a much more insidious fashion than the Nazi ideology on “space” and “race.” Yet despite there being hints of this colonialist attitude in many of the women Lower profiles, she does not give as much credence to this as perhaps she should have.
The sources included in the endnotes is impressive. Although I haven’t kept up with the literature since late 1997, there are a wealth of studies on the issues of women in the Third Reich and roles of women in the Holocaust that appear to be promising reads. Yet within the body of her study, Lower rarely mentions any of these other historians and their contributions to the field. Perhaps this is due to Hitler’s Furies being marketed more to a general audience than toward an academic one, but ultimately this leads to the sense that Lower’s narrative is detached too much from the debates that historians have had on this subject over the past six decades. While it may be understandable that Lower wants to avoid the old Intentionalist/Functionalist debate regarding the level of intent that the decision-makers had in beginning the Final Solution, the book suffers because there is insufficient grounding of her arguments within the context of larger discussions of the Holocaust’s beginning, mechanics, and how its perpetrators justified their actions. Even the women involved seem at times acting within a narrative vacuum; there is not enough explanation to cover their myriad actions.
Yet despite these serious issues that I have with Hitler’s Furies, it is a book that at the very least presents vividly-described actresses and whose discussions at least point the way to possible future paths of exploration within the field. It is a flawed work, but for non-historian readers curious about the time period, it certainly is a work that will appeal to them. For many historians of the period, however, Lower’s work may be frustrating in the sense that it seems that with just more focus on placing her work within the context of current historiography, her work could have been as important as those of Ian Kershaw and Browning in discussing the mindsets of those involved in the Shoah. The arguments on complicity and the forms in which it took here will continue to rage on.
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Novel associations between plants and pathogens can have serious impacts on managed and natural ecosystems world-wide. The introduction of alien plants increases the potential for biogeographically novel plant–pathogen associations to arise when pathogens are transmitted from native to alien plant species and vice versa. We quantified biogeographically novel associations recorded in New Zealand over the last 150 yr between plant pathogens (fungi, oomycetes and plasmodiophorids) and vascular plants. We examined the extent to which taxonomic similarity, pathogen traits, contact opportunity and sampling effort could explain the number of novel associates for host and pathogen species. Novel associations were common; approximately one-third of surveyed plants and pathogens were recorded with at least one biogeographically novel associate. Native plants had more alien pathogens than vice versa. Taxonomic similarity between the native and alien flora and the total number of recorded associations (a measure of sampling effort) best explained the number of novel associates among species. The frequency of novel associations and the importance of sampling effort as an explanatory variable emphasize the need for effective monitoring and risk assessment tools to mitigate the potential environmental and economic impact of novel pathogen associations.
Bufford, J., Hulme, P., Sikes, B., Cooper, J., Johnston, P., & DUNCAN, R. (2016). Taxonomic similarity, more than contact opportunity, explains novel plant–pathogen associations between native and alien taxa. New Phytologist, 212(3), 657-667. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.14077
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SBUV (Version 8.6) INSTRUMENT SUMMARY
The Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet (SBUV) observing system consists of a series of instruments that measure the ozone profile from the ground to the top of the atmosphere. All data have been retrieved using the Version 8.6 algorithm (released Spring 2012).Measurements are reported as partial column ozone amounts in defined pressure layers. The total column ozone is the sum of the partial column amounts. Three versions of the SBUV instrument are used in the series, but the fundamental measurement technique is the same over the evolution of the instrument from BUV to SBUV/2. A next generation instrument, the Ozone Mapping Profiler Suite (OMPS) Nadir Profiler, will continue the SBUV series.
We use the following rules to construct Release 6 of the Merged Ozone Data Set
- Include only measurements taken when the Local Equator Crossing Time (LECT) of the orbit is between 8am and 4pm, with the exception of N11 pre-terminator data to avoid gaps in the record.
- Do not include N9 data, except to fill gaps in the TOTAL OZONE in 1994-1995 as N11 progressed towards the terminator and lost latitudinal coverage.
- Filter Profile MOD after the eruptions of the El Chichon and Mt. Pinatubo volcanoes.
- Use a simple average to combine data when multiple instruments are operating to construct a single consistent data set. No additional offsets are applied to indivdiual data sets.
Table of Measurements used in Release 7 MOD
|Instrument||Data Links*||Data Start||Data End||Data Usage/Comments|
|Nimbus 4 BUV||
|May, 1970||April, 1976||In mid-1972 partial failure of the N4 solar power array forced limitations on
instrument operating time, resulting in intermittent data coverage, which became increasingly
sparse with time. Zonal mean data are limited after mid-1972 but zones with sufficient coverage
are included in the data set.
All N4 BUV data are used.
|Nimbus 7 SBUV||
|November, 1978||May, 1990||N7 SBUV data after February 1987 are affected by chopper
wheel synchronization errors. This caused an
increase in measurement noise, but monthly zonal mean values
are minimally effected.
All N7 SBUV data are used.
|NOAA 9 SBUV/2||
|February, 1985||January, 1998||N9 SBUV/2 profile data are of poorer quality, though the total
column ozone compare well with other instruments. Therefore N9
total ozone are used, but only to fill gaps in the MOD total ozone
data set caused by decreased N11 latitude coverage in 1994-1995. Power problems
after June 1997 seriously degraded the N9 longitudinal
coverage. The N9 orbit drifted throughout its operation.
No N9 SBUV/2 profile data are used.
N9 SBUV/2 total column data are used only to fill gaps only 1994-1995.
|NOAA 11 SBUV/2||
|January, 1989||March, 2001||N11 SBUV/2 suffered problems with the instrument grating drive
beginning in late 1993. These errors increased in the late 1990s,
but soft-calibration techniques are used to correct the data. The
N11 orbit drifted in time, such that the satellite was in a
terminator orbit from April 1995 - July 1997. We use all data before the orbit
reached terminator, and data after the LECT passed 8am.
Apr 1995 - Sep 1997 N11 data are not used.
|NOAA 14 SBUV/2||
|March, 1995||September, 2006
||N14 SBUV/2 developed grating drive errors several months
after launch, and the errors became progressively worse with
time. In addition, the cloud cover radiometer failed
directly after launch. The grating drive control was
reprogrammed in June 1998 to compensate for grating drive
issues as well as for the CCR failure. The N14 satellite was
in a terminator orbit from May 2002 - August 2003 and outside
the 8am-4pm LECT range from May 2000 - June 2004.
May 2000 - June 2004 N14 data are not used.
|NOAA 16 SBUV/2||
|October, 2000||May, 2014||N16 SBUV/2 periodically experiences electronic
interference in measurements that are used in the derivation
of total ozone. However, total ozone calculated as the sum
of the profile total, as is done in the V8.6 SBUV MOD, is not
sensitive to this error. The N16 satellite began drifting in
early 2004, was in a terminator orbit from May 2009 - March 2010, and was outside the
8am-4pm LECT range from July 2007 - November 2011. The N16 instrument failed in early June, 2014.
July 2007 - November 2011 N16 SBUV/2 data are not used .
|NOAA 17 SBUV/2||
|August, 2002||March, 2013||The N17 satellite was launched into a morning local solar time orbit, and
began drifting toward the terminator (earlier in time) in late 2007. In October 2011 N17
passed the 8am LECT orbit threshold, and entered into a terminator orbit in February 2013.
N17 was decommisioned in April, 2013.
No N17 SBUV/2 data are used after September 2011.
|NOAA 18 SBUV/2||
|July, 2005||November, 2012||The N18 instrument chopper wheel ceased operating in December 2012.
All N18 SBUV/2 data are used.
|NOAA 19 SBUV/2||
|March, 2009||Operational||NOAA-19 was launched in March 2009, but has now drifted beyond the 4pm LECT threshold.
No N19 SBUV/2 data are used after March 2018.
|Suomi NPP OMPS||December, 2011||Operational||OMPS is the next generation
nadir-viewing BUV instrument used to continue the MOD time
series. OMPS Nadir Profiler V2.6 data are now included in MOD. The V2.6 data have been inter-calibrated to
the SBUV series based on overlap comparisons with N19.
All OMPS NP Data after April 2012 are used.
|SBUV Satellite Data Coverage shows the time period during which each instrument was collecting reliable profile ozone measurements (blue line segments in figure). When data from all the instruments are included, the coverage is nearly continuous from late 1978 to the present.|
*The 5° MZM files for each instrument are the base data sets for the Merged Data Set. Level 2 links to individual ozone profile measurements from each instrument in the "Compressed Format" ASCII files first used on the Version 8 SBUV DVD. Note that the layer definitions of each data product vary, but all are some combination of the 21 retrieval layers.
Additional V8.6 SBUV Data Links
Several data products are available based on the Version 8.6 SBUV data. Users may follow these links to access SBUV data for specific purposes.
- 5° Monthly Zonal Means with Ancillary Data [Monthly Mean Ozone, Smoothing Error, Averaging Kernels, Averaging Statistics, in HDF Format.]
- 5° Monthly Zonal Mean README File [Informative document covering individual instrument issues and contents of full 5° Monthly Zonal Means files.]
- Daily Overpass Profiles at Specified Stations [Daily overpass files from all instruments aggregated into single file.]
- MOD Release 7 daily overpass data [Daily overpass files are merged according to the MOD Release 7 data specifications.]
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CC-MAIN-2020-16
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https://acd-ext.gsfc.nasa.gov/Data_services/merged/instruments.html
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The Whole-Body Scanners – Are They Safe?
by Vadim Antonov
In the recent weeks TSA started to aggressively steer people towards the whole-body scanners, which are capable of producing “naked” images of people. This policy was introduced without much public debate, raising numerous concerns about privacy, legality, civil rights, etc. In this article we’ll concentrate on safety of these screening devices.
TSA and a number of officials from FDA have issued assurances that these scanners are safe, claiming that a number of experts have reviewed the radiation exposure data and agrees that the doses of radiation travelers get from being scanned are well within exposure limits established as safe. However, the technical specifications, details of operation and construction, and other data necessary for an independent review of safety of these devices are not published.
What is known is that there are two different types of scanners – one uses scattering of “soft” X-rays, and another uses the terahertz (millimeter) microwaves to form an image. We will discuss the X-ray scanners first.
The general public is well aware of danger of exposure to X-rays; this danger is being forcefully underlined by the usual safety procedures of clinical radiologists donning lead vests and retreating before turning the X-ray machines on. Unlike high-intensity radiation, low-intensity X-rays do not kill or burn cells outright, but the energetic photons can and do damage DNA in the cells. Most DNA damage is not critical, and is repaired by the cells; however some damage remains unrepaired – crippling cellular mechanisms, or disabling them completely when enough damage is accumulated. One of these mechanisms, called apoptosis, or programmed cellular death, prevents cells in our bodies from multiplying uncontrollably. Once this mechanism is disabled, the cell becomes cancerous. (Radiation exposure was also recently found to increase mortality from cardiovascular diseases).
It is important to understand that because of this cumulative nature of damage caused by radiation, the effects of being exposed to additional radiation do not usually appear immediately. It often takes 10-15 years from the initial exposure for the irradiated tissue to become cancerous – by which time it would be impossible to say what exactly caused the cancer. The dangers are better understood in terms of number of unnecessary deaths the scanners would likely cause given the millions of travelers and crew members being scanned every year.
The commonly used estimate is that relative risk of death from cancer increases 3% for every 10 mSv or 1000 mrem of additional exposure (J.P. Ashmore et al, First Analysis of Mortality and Occupational Radiation Exposure based on the National Dose Registry of Canada, Am. J. Epidemol. (1998) 148(6): 564–574) – with melanoma (an aggressive and usually fatal form of skin cancer being the biggest contributor). For comparison, a single cross-country flight on an airplane yields about 4 mrem of exposure, and chest X-ray is at about 10 mrem.
TSA claims that single whole-body backscatter scan yields only 0.002 mrem of exposure. For now, we will accept this figure.
What TSA and FDA experts do not say is that X-rays used by the scanners are very different from the X-rays used in the medicine. Medical X-rays are “hard,” and use higher frequency photons with energies from 50KeV to 150KeV. These energetic photons are penetrating (like background radiation from the Sun, radioactive elements in soil, etc), and for them biological tissues are semi-transparent. The “soft” X-rays used in backscatter machines (20KeV or less) are mostly absorbed in the skin – making them useless for medical imaging. All medical X-ray emitters are equipped with special filters to suppress soft X-rays – both to increase clarity of images and to reduce exposure.
The health effects of hard X-rays are well studied due to their wide-spread usage. Information on health effects of soft X-rays is scarce.
Because of the penetrating nature of hard X-rays, the exposure is spread all over the body (and exposure limits are calculated per kilogram of body mass). With soft X-rays the exposure is concentrated in the skin, which makes the effective exposure per unit of mass of tissue 100 or more times bigger than for hard X-rays.
Unfortunately, skin is exactly the wrong tissue to gather the additional radiation exposure. Unlike muscles, fat, bones, or most internal organs skin contains very large numbers of quickly dividing cells. We are constantly growing the new skin and hairs from inside, shedding the old dead cells on outside. The abundance of dividing cells means that DNA damage is quickly multiplied by getting into daughter cells, and that some mechanisms which suppress cell growth are less active in skin cells. These are the reasons why skin cancers are the most prevalent kind of cancer (though the mortality is usually low except for melanomas).
With penetrating X-rays, most absorbed X-ray photons are absorbed in dense tissue and bones, which are much less pre-disposed to cellular damage turning into cancer. This may multiply the biological effects of soft X-ray irradiation by as much as an order of magnitude.
Another difference between soft and hard X-rays is their absorption by the tissue. Absorption depends critically on the probability of interaction between particles (such as photons) and atoms, a property called “cross-section” by the physicists. You can understand cross-section by imagining atoms to be targets and photons to be bullets with cross-section being the size of the targets. Perhaps counter-intuitively, cross-section is often bigger when particles have smaller energies (this is the reason nuclear reactors employ moderators to slow down neutrons so the cross-section of their interaction with uranium nuclei will increase). Similarly, soft X-rays are more likely to be absorbed by the tissue (and thus cause damage) than the hard X-rays. The mass energy absorption coefficient in soft tissues for 10KeV X-rays is 4.6 cm2/g versus 2.5 cm2/g for 100KeV (NISTIR 5632, Tables of X-ray Mass Attenuation Coefficients and Mass Energy-Absorption Coefficients…, J.H.Hubbell and S.M.Seltzer, 1996) – meaning that soft X-ray photons are absorbed nearly 2 times as often as hard X-ray photons.
Taken together, these equivalent-dose multipliers can amount to a factor of about 2000.
One more issue to consider is intensity of X-rays. Medical imaging uses essentially point-like sources, with rays spreading out from a bright dot on a tungsten electrode, resulting in a uniform low intensity. Although the details of construction of the backscatter whole-body scanners are not published, it is possible, by simply looking at the geometry of these devices, to conclude that they use a moving spot of concentrated X-rays scanning over the body. While the overall dose could be small, the intensity (brightness) in the spot can be high.
The probability of DNA damage depends significantly on the X-ray intensity. DNA is two-stranded, and damage to one strand is relatively easily and reliably repaired by the cells because the other (complementary) strand serves as a template for repair. Damage to both strands in the same or nearby locations is much harder to repair – there’s no longer a reliable second copy. The higher intensity of X-rays, the more probability is that two photons will strike DNA molecule near each other.
The simplified rules radiologists use to calculate exposure limits do not take into account this intensity dependency because most medical X-ray sources use similar intensities, just sufficient to provide sufficient exposure to the films or sensors. Applying these rules to estimate safety of exposure to higher intensity X-rays is simply not valid.
All these effects can make biological effects of radiation from the whole-body scanners to be up to 10000 times stronger than effects of the same dose of X-rays from a medical X-ray source – i.e. the equivalent effective dose of radiation would be more like 10–20 mrem per scan, using the published scanner radiation exposure figure.
However, this starting figure, 0.002 mrem, is highly suspicious. To create an image, a sensor has to capture sufficient energy (i.e. to have sufficient exposure) to “heat” pixels above thermal and other noise in the sensor (i.e. it has to have a good signal/noise ratio). It does not matter if radiation passed through or was scattered. Are we being led to believe that manufacturers of the backscatter X-ray scanners have invented some revolutionary new X-ray detection technology which is 5000-10000 times more sensitive than the sensors used in mere medical devices? Why these fantastic new sensors are not used in medicine then, to reduce doses to the patients and doctors? Would they care to explain how did they manage this minor miracle?
Assuming that there was no such break-through in sensor technology, the 0.002 mrem figure is simply a lie. (Alternatively, this could be simple incompetence – such as using X-ray radiometer designed for calibration of medical X-ray sources to measure exposure in a full-body scanner. However, the first thing a medical radiometer does is filtering out soft X-rays and other electromagnetic radiation with irrelevant frequencies, so that using such radiometer in a backscatter scanner will result in readings which are way too low).
Given so little actual information on the construction of these X-ray scanners, it is impossible to estimate the actual level of danger they pose to the public; but until all the concerns above are addressed in a credible way, we should assume that the backscatter X-ray scanners are at least as dangerous as medical X-ray machines – and probably more.
Using the increased risk per dose estimate above and multiplying that by more than 750 mil of passengers per year (assuming that all of them are scanned once, and using the generally accepted linear risk dependency per dose of radiation) we can estimate about 225 thousand of additional cases of cancer per year (3%/1000 mrem * 10 mrem * 750,000,000) in addition to 2 million cases diagnosed in US yearly (Skin Cancer Facts); resulting in approximately 1700 additional deaths. This makes these machines about six times more dangerous than terrorists: the average number of people killed in terrorist attacks is only about 286 per year for the 11 year period spanning 1995 through 2005.
If the manufacturers of these machines are lying about the radiation exposure, the danger to the public can be much higher – up to 500 times more, if we assume that sensitivity of the X-ray sensors used is in line with the common medical sensors. Deployment of these machines today could become public health disaster ten years later.
The terahertz microwave scanners are a bigger unknown, mostly because the ability to produce terahertz radiation with useful intensity is relatively new. The actual numbers on intensity of terahertz microwaves emitted by these scanners is not published. Only little is known about the health effects of terahertz microwave radiation. TSA and FDA officials mislead public by comparing this radiation to more common (and relatively benign) gigahertz microwaves used in cell phones and wireless data networks.
What is different about terahertz radiation is that it was shown that many biological molecules, including DNA, have resonant frequencies in this range. (Resonance is a phenomenon known to anybody who ever pushed a playground swing – when you get the frequency of pushes and pulls just right, it really starts to swing). When photons have just the right frequency for a particular kind of molecules, these molecules start absorbing energy from these photons. Non-resonant microwaves simply heat the tissue; hit the resonant frequency, and they start tearing the specific molecules apart.
How much this is dangerous to the live organisms for the intensities and specific frequencies of terahertz radiation being used is largely unknown. In fact, it won’t be possible to learn about these effects until 10–20 years worth of statistics is collected. Essentially, US travelers are being forced to become unwilling and mostly uninformed laboratory rats. Same is true about effects of small doses of soft X-rays.
We should understand that claims of safety made by FDA and TSA are not based on any kind of empirical evidence – we will not have this evidence without clinical trials taking decades; the basis for their assurances is opinions of their “experts.” We have shown above that these opinions are not grounded in science, and are merely the result of mechanical and scientifically invalid application of safety data from other frequency ranges – despite the obvious differences in biological effects.
We should demand removal of these machines before the actual trials establishing their safety empirically are done, and before the details of construction of the specific models are made public and available for independent review. There are sufficient grounds to challenge the validity of the theoretical numbers used as a basis of claims that these machines are safe. The valid trials cannot be completed in less than 10 years – simply because it takes that long for cancers to appear following the exposure.
Meanwhile, travelers would be well advised to stay clear of the whole-body scanners.
December 3, 2010
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The Goods and Services Tax, popularly known as the GST is a single unified tax system whose primary focus is to consolidate the several tax systems that have plagued India’s current tax regime. You may have heard of One Nation – One tax – this concept has become popular in an attempt to do away with the complex taxes that are levied, often times unfairly, within the country. This GST is so hyped because it has become the biggest tax reform to have taken place in India since independence.
People are concerned as to the impact that the GST reform will have and most importantly, crave to understand the differences in the current tax regime as opposed to the GST. What are the changes it will bring? How will it affect the taxpayer?
As per the GST, geographical boundaries are expected to be done away with so that the entire country can work together in a single marketplace. Under the GST system, taxes are proposed to be collected and shared amongst the centre, states and union territories on the basis of the nature of the transaction so conducted – whether intrastate or interstate.
The various tax components that have been segregated are –
- Central GST – applicable to supplies taking place within the state and to be shared with the centre.
- State GST – applicable to supplies taking place within the state and to be shared with the state.
- Integrated GST – applicable on supplies taking place interstate as well as imports and to be shared between the centre and the state.
The current tax regime has various taxes which have now been subsumed with the advent of the GST in the following manner –
- Central Tax to include Excise Duty, Service Tax, ADE, Surcharge and cess, CVD and SAD.
- State Tax to include VAT, CST (to be shared between the state and centre), purchase tax, luxury tax, surcharge and cess, entry tax.
The taxes that have been subsumed under the GST are as follows –
- Central GST to include – excise duty, service tax, ADE, surcharge and cess
- State GST to include – VAT, purchase tax, luxury tax, entry tax, surcharge and cess
- Integrated GST to include – CST, CVD and SAD
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Stone Collection: Volume 22 - Item 7
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7. W. S. Scarborough, “The Race Problem,” Arena (October 1890): 560-67.
Analysis of the “Negro problem” from an African American’s point of view. The author begins with these thoughts. “This question, improperly styled the ‘Negro problem,’ is in reality the white man’s question. From the negro’s standpoint the conditions that usually enter into a problem are absent and therefore the [sic] wonder why all this discussion in regard to the blacks, why this confusion, these sectional differences, this bitter strife concerning the negro’s rights,--his citizenship?” A photograph of the author appears opposite the title page.
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There are many different types of exercise that athletes, and those who are just looking to get into shape, use in order to achieve their goals. To a beginner, all of these terms may seem overwhelming.
One of these that often comes up is the concept of isokinetic exercise – but what exactly is this? And how is it used by athletes and fitness buffs?
If you’re wondering about these questions, then you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’re going to take a close look at isokinetic exercise and how you can use it to reach your fitness goals.
We’ve also included some additional information for who it is good for, and who might want to avoid it. So let’s get right into it!
How Does Isokinetic Exercise Work?
Isokinetic exercise is a form of strength and conditioning training that utilizes specialized equipment in order to produce a constant speed of motion. This type of exercise is often used in physical therapy, athletic training, and in rehabilitation programs.
Isokenetic exercise machines provide resistance that will be matched to the user’s force output, resulting in a constant speed of movement.
This can be used to isolate specific muscles or to condition the body to be accustomed to specific movements that can help them in athletic competition.
Now let’s take a close look at what Isokinetic exercise means and why this is an important word. In short, isokinetic exercise can be broken down into two components: concentric and eccentric. These are the two pillars we can use to understand it.
Concentric movements occur when the muscle shortens while producing force, while eccentric movements occur when the muscle lengthens while producing force.
Isokinetic exercise machines use resistance that matches the user’s force output, resulting in a constant speed of movement throughout both the concentric and eccentric phases.
The resistance provided by an isokinetic exercise machine can be adjusted to match the user’s ability. This is beneficial for physical therapy patients and athletes because it allows them to work at their own pace and avoid injury.
How Does Isokinetic Exercise Work?
Isokinetic exercise works by providing a constant speed of motion throughout the range of motion. This is achieved by using specialized equipment that provides resistance that matches the user’s force output.
This resistance is always adjustable, allowing the user to work at their own pace. Isokinetic exercise machines are typically used in physical therapy, rehabilitation, and athletic training.
Physical therapists often use isokinetic exercise to help patients recover from injuries or surgeries. The constant speed of motion helps patients build strength and range of motion while minimizing the risk of re-injury.
Athletic trainers, on the other end of the scale, use isokinetic exercise to help athletes improve their performance and prevent injuries. By working at a constant speed of motion, athletes can improve their strength, power, and endurance while minimizing the risk of overuse injuries.
Who Is Isokinetic Exercise For?
Isokinetic exercise is suitable for a wide range of individuals, including physical therapy patients, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts. It can be used to improve strength, power, endurance, and range of motion.
Physical therapy patients can benefit from isokinetic exercise because it allows them to work at their own pace and build strength without risking re-injury.
Athletes can use isokinetic exercise to improve their performance and prevent injuries, while fitness enthusiasts can incorporate it into their workouts to improve their overall fitness and achieve any specialized fitness goals that they might have.
Who Should Avoid It?
While isokinetic exercise is generally a good training method for most individuals, there are some who should avoid it. Individuals with joint pain or arthritis may find the constant speed of motion to be uncomfortable or painful.
Additionally, individuals who are pregnant or recovering from a recent surgery should consult with a doctor before beginning any new exercise program, including isokinetic exercise.
So that was our short guide on what Isokenetic exercise is. In short, it is a valuable form of strength training that provides a constant speed of motion throughout the range of motion. It is useful for physical therapy patients, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts.
The adjustable resistance of isokinetic exercise machines allows individuals to work at their own pace and avoid injury. While it is generally safe for most individuals, those with joint pain or arthritis should approach it with caution.
We hope that this guide has taught you everything you wanted to know about the basics of isokinetic exercise. If you still have some questions, keep reading for our short FAQ section. We wish you the best of luck, and hope that you hit your training goals, no matter what they are!
Frequently Asked Questions
These are two fitness terms that are often confused, because of their similarities, however, they are not the same thing.
Isotonic exercise involves using constant weight throughout your movement exercises, in order to create more strength. Isokinetic uses constant speed, and the two types of exercise do slightly different things.
The frequency of a session of isokinetic exercise is going to depend on a person’s individual fitness abilities and goals. However, a good rule is that isokinetic exercise should be done two to three times a week for good results.
However, you should know that physical therapy patients may need to do this more frequently as part of their rehabilitation programs.
It is generally accepted that isokinetic exercise can be used to contribute to weight loss. This happens as it is a way of increasing muscle mass and improving your overall fitness.
However, you’ll need to keep in mind that weight loss requires you to combine it with other things such as a healthy diet, and other forms of exercise for optimal weight loss results. It should not be used in isolation as a one-way ticket for weight loss!
- Ultimate Guide to Yoga Strap Stretching: 12 Poses for Flexibility - September 15, 2023
- Phalakasana or Kumbhakasana – Plank Pose - September 13, 2023
- All About Iyengar Poses: Beginner to Advanced Guide - September 11, 2023
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By Erica Overfelt | Bond LSC
When Will Costigan came to MU he knew he wanted to do research, but wasn’t sure what exactly.
Costigan joined Freshman Research in Plant Sciences (FRIPS) the first moment he could his freshman year to explore his research options.
“When I started, I didn’t think I was interested in plants very much,” Costigan said. “But after getting some experience working in the lab, I found that plants are more important and complex than I could’ve imagined.”
So, he started working in Scott Peck’s lab a year ago, earlier than many of his peers.
“A benefit to joining a lab early is that I can apply what I have learned in the lab to things I’m doing in the classroom,” Costigan said. “I have been very fortunate that there is so much carry over from the lab to the classroom, so I better understand certain concepts and techniques.”
Costigan started off like most people who are new to a lab. He cleaned the dishes, cared for the plants and learned the knowledge needed to research. The Peck lab studies how plants adapt to changes in their environment and infections.
“My research focuses on the regulation of pattern triggered immunity” Costigan said. “Pattern triggered immunity is a plant’s first line of defense against bacterial pathogens. It allows a plant to recognize an infection and initiate physiological changes that stop the infection from spreading.”
This research has implication for both crop resistance and food security.
“Crop production is very important to sustaining civilization,” Costigan said. “As the population continues to grow, equipping our crops with tools to fight disease will be necessary to maintain food security.”
Costigan understands he may not be directly helping someone, but the impact is there.
“Helping people face-to-face is very important but research enables you to develop something, whether it’s a new technique or principle, that can help people on a larger scale.” said Costigan. “The possibilities are endless. I would definitely say that helping people on a broad scale is something I am very passionate about. Science is a great way to help others.”
Costigan may only be a sophomore but he plans on getting a Ph. D.
“Science definitely takes critical thinking skills, but it’s also something you have to be passionate about,” Costigan said. “I have used my passion to better understand terms and techniques. It is kind of its own language in its self, learning how to talk about it and live it.”
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The mills of Minneapolis had a humble beginning, but they soon emerged as a world-renowned flour powerhouse. On their path to fame, the mills struggled to tame St. Anthony Falls and to mill and market the coarser varieties of spring wheat that grew in Minnesota. The mills and St. Anthony Falls formed a close-knit connection; the mills would not have without the falls, and the falls would not have been reinforced without the mills.
Because the state’s harsh winter climate eliminated soft winter wheat it as an option for Minnesota wheat farmers, they grew spring wheat which they could plant in the spring and harvest in the fall. Yet hard spring wheat created challenges for the mills. Because it had a brittle husk, the wheat produced a darker and coarser flour than the more popular winter wheat. It was also difficult to mix evenly, resulting in flour that soured more quickly than the flour produced from softer winter wheat varieties. To solve these problems Minneapolis millers applied and adapted two innovations. The first, called a “middlings purifier,” blasted air through the flour, removing the undesirable bran and husks from the valuable flour, making the final product less coarse and lighter-colored. The second, a process called “gradual-reduction,” replaced the traditional millstones made of stone with roller mills made of porcelain or iron. These new rollers successfully mixed the gluten and the starch, which gave the flour a longer shelf life. With the unique challenges of milling hard spring wheat solved, sales skyrocketed - along with the reputation of Minneapolis millers.
In 1870, there were thirteen flour mills by St. Anthony Falls, versus a total of five hundred other mills throughout the state. That year, the Minneapolis mills produced 200,000 barrels of flour. As wheat production shifted from southeastern Minnesota to the northwestern part of the state, the Minneapolis mills became more central to the wheat economy. With its direct connection to the Mississippi River and its proximity to the Great Lakes, Minneapolis became a hub for flour. By 1884, Minneapolis was the world’s leading flour miller. In 1890, the Minneapolis mills produced a record seven million barrels of wheat. Even though less than four percent of the country’s mills were in Minnesota, these mills produced nearly a fourth of the nation’s flour. It was the golden age of flour milling in Minneapolis, fueled by the falls and by innovations in the mills.
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channels of least resistance are used, and the greatest amount of labor performed with a given amount of energy.
As long, therefore, as physical exercise is grossly neglected, and unpsychological methods of teaching remain in general use, disease must continue in abundance, though ever so many improvements be made in sewerage, ventilation, and disinfection; for, as our argument has shown, attempts at prevention will in great part remain ineffectual until good systems of physical and natural methods of mental development have been introduced into the schools.
|WAYS OF THE OWL.|
SINCE June, 1888, I have had in my possession for longer or shorter periods eleven live owls, including snowy, great-horned, long-eared, barred, and screech owls. I have also had opportunities of watching Acadian and screech owls in a wild state. In June, 1888, I secured two young barred owls from a hollow beech tree in a White Mountain forest. I have them still after three and a half years of happy companionship. During the first summer they were pets not easily petted. They used beak and claws fiercely and resented familiarity. I kept them in a large slatted cage in my barn, where they had plenty of air and light. They bathed freely and frequently. They ate largely of animal food. They were awake by day, restless at twilight, but profoundly quiet by night. They could see perfectly in bright sunlight, and better at night than most creatures. In the autumn I took them to Cambridge, where they were given a large cage in my cellar. During the winter I handled them more and more freely, beginning by using stout leather gloves, but soon stroking and rubbing their heads with my bare hands. They became more and more gentle, and I found that even when they nipped me with their beaks they did not attempt to cause serious pain. One of them, whose name is Puffy, injured his wing early in his captivity, and has never been able to fly. The other I keep clipped in one wing. In the spring of 1889 I began taking Puffy with me on walks. I found at once that he was wonderfully useful in attracting other birds. During the summer of 1889, the following winter, and the summers of 1890 and 1891 he was my companion on walks, drives, and trips in my Rushton boat. To a smaller extent I have taken his mate Fluffy with me, but he is of a less patient disposition than Puffy, and during a long walk is sure to hop from the stick upon which I carry him many more times than Puffy would in an equal period. In May, 1891, 1 secured a third baby barred owl from the same beech
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All students will have a 15, 30, 45 or 60 minute weekly lesson. Lesson length depends on the student's age and level. These weekly lessons are scheduled with the private teacher at the beginning of the year and continue for the year. Annual Tuition fees are divided into a monthly amount and the Teacher and Student commit to a specific regular weekly lesson time for the full school year. There is no guarantee that an alternate time can be found should your schedule change mid-year.
- Be prepared - Come ready to learn with all of your books and instrument. Arrive a few minutes early and unpack your instrument, tune and warm-up. Talk with your child about what you practiced the preceding week.
- Take notes - Bring a notebook to organize your lesson assignments.
- Communicate - If you have questions for the teacher, please ask at the beginning of the lesson so that the teacher can address the issue in that lesson.
- Listen quietly - "One teacher please". It is important to let your child answer for him or herself and to interact with the teacher.
- Practice everyday - follow through on practice assignments
- Listen - play the Suzuki recording every day. Create the music-filled home environment with Suzuki and recordings of classical music. Attend concerts.
- Work together - Suzuki home practice is a collaborative effort between Parent and child. Your teacher will give assignments and provide guidance and direction.
- Review all of your pieces to develop ability and establish fluency on the instrument.
Practice time varies with age and level and commitment. Home practice is a part of your music study, take the time to schedule the daily home practice times and make it a priority.
- Pre- twinkle, book 1 15 - 30 minutes 6 days a week.
- Book 2 - 3 30 - 45 minutes 6 days a week.
- Book 4 - 5 45 - 60 minutes 6 days a week
- Book 6 and up 60 - 120 minutes 6 days a week
These times do not include listening, classes, lessons or performances.
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There is a problem with drinking and driving regardless of age. Teens are no exception. Fortunately, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found a fifty percent decrease in the percentage of teens in high school that drink and drive since 1991. It is still a problem, however, and they have offered four prevention tips that have proven themselves to be effective. Learning these tips may help save the next teen from a Virginia drunk driving accident.
Any information that can help prevent someone from a serious injury or accident is always helpful. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has provided four different prevention techniques and tips. These tips include:
- Enforcing a minimum legal drinking age—According to research, the enforcement of minimum drinking age laws in every state has had a great impact on teens getting access to alcohol. There are alcohol retailer compliance checks that sporadically happen and help reduce the sale of alcohol to those under the age of 21.
- Teaching a Zero Tolerance Policy—It is illegal in all states in the United States to drive under the influence of alcohol. Teaching teens that one indiscretion is serious and has grave consequences has proven to reduce the drinking and driving crashes.
- A new gradual driver’s license program—A new program was enforced a few years back that forced teen to go through stages to get a driver’s license. Each stage allowed a new set of privileges like driving at night and driving with other minors in the car. Teens are able to gain more experience over a longer period of time and therefore learns the importance of safe driving. Each state has a version of the gradual license program but the laws in each state vary slightly. Research has shown this change in the program has helped prevent crashes and saved lives.
- Parental involvement—This is something research has found to help in many areas, including drinking and driving. When parents have a focus on monitoring and restricting the rights of their teen drivers, it helps them stay safe while learning. Experts have found when there is an agreement between parents and teens regarding the “rules of the road” and their ability to drive and have freedom, teens take it more seriously. This concern helps lower rates of risky driving, and accidents.
It’s crucial that everyone help prevent drinking and driving. If you are a parent whose teen has been involved in a drunk driving accident and you need help, we are here for you. The attorneys at Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas are knowledgeable and ready to help. Call for your free consultation today.
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This week we’re profiling Doctors Without Borders. Are they in your Givolio?
During a time of warfare in Paris in the spring of 1968, a group of doctors chose to help victims of war and major disasters. This marked a new brand of humanitarianism that would reinvent the concept of emergency aid. In France they were known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and known internationally as Doctors Without Borders.
In 1971, Raymond Borel and Philippe Bernier, journalists from the medical review Tonus, issued an appeal to establish a band of doctors to help people suffering in the midst and wake of major disasters. MSF was officially created on December 22, 1971. At the time, 300 volunteers made up the organization: doctors, nurses, and other staff, including the 13 founding doctors and journalists.
MSF was created on the belief that all people have the right to medical care regardless of gender, race, religion, creed, or political affiliation, and that the needs of these people outweigh respect for national boundaries. MSF observes neutrality and impartiality in the name of universal medical ethics and the right to humanitarian assistance and claims full and unhindered freedom in the exercise of its functions. Members undertake to respect their professional code of ethics and maintain complete independence from all political, economic, or religious powers.
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999. The judges chose MSF “in recognition of the organization’s pioneering humanitarian work on several continents” and to honor our medical staff, who have worked in more than 80 countries and treated tens of millions of people.
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Following Thomas Becket’s murder in 1170, in addition to great monasteries and the presence of the English Church’s senior cleric, Canterbury now had a saint! The town became a major centre of pilgrimage. Several “hospitals” were established to provide hospitality for all these folk.
Large numbers of faggots were required for cooking purposes, meat and fish were preserved using salt and barrels were used for storage by the catering industry. Salt was made by evaporating brine at Seasalter and this needed huge quantities of fuel. Travel was rough, necessitating running repairs to horses, carts, footwear and clothing. Consequently smiths were supplied with charcoal for their forges and tanners with cartloads of oak-bark for their leather making. All this stretched the resources of the woodland infrastructure.
With thanks to the Blean Heritage and Community Group
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Indigenous Peoples in Global Inequality
ETHSTD C73AC | CCN: 23574
MWF 8:00 - 8:59am 109 Dwinelle
This course examines the history of indigenous, aboriginal, native, or “tribal” peoples over the last five centuries. Particular attention is paid to how these groups were brought into relations with an expanding Europe, capitalist development, and modern nation-states. How have these peoples survived, what are the contemporary challenges they face, and what resources and allies have they drawn on in the present?
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History and Meaning of the Raven Tattoos in Different Cultures
Being ones of the smartest birds, ravens have always fascinated people. There’s something so enchanting, mysterious and slightly scary about ravens that it is impossible to stay indifferent towards them.
This helps us understand why raven tattoos are so popular among both men and women. However, raven tattoos appear to be one of the most contradictable images. And the reasons are clear if we take into account different cultures:
- In the Celtic culture, a raven was the symbol of wisdom and longevity.
- For ancient Greeks, these birds were the symbols of productivity and a good fellow traveler.
- In the Scandinavian mythology, Odin had 2 raven-helpers and they symbolized intellect and memory.
- Ancient Egyptians believed that raven was the symbol of destruction and death.
The interesting thing is, you can have a raven tattoo done just to show your admiration of this creature. If you belong to the subculture of goths, you might like the gloomy appearance of this bird, too. All in all, it’s you who decide the true meaning of a tattoo.
It is common to get ravens images inked in dark colors, though you can add colors, like red or blue. The number of possible raven designs is endless: from realistic flying raven tattoos to small and simple black raven inks. The final decision is only yours.
You are about to be blown away by the beauty of 100 raven tattoo designs, so keep scrolling.
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My friend has a daughter who recently began kindergarten.
Her daughter is six.
She received a call from the school nurse that her daughter had been throwing away most of her lunch. Concerned, her mother told the girl to bring home what she didn’t finish, and she would eat it for her lunch the next day. When the lunchbox came home with the girl, she noticed her sandwich, cookies, and juice remained untouched. The only thing eaten were the baby carrots. My friend also noticed the small container of ranch dressing she packed for her was unopened. This was surprising, as prior to kindergarten, she wouldn’t eat vegetables without it. She became more worried when she learned that the girl had begun to use her recess time to go for a “jog” with her friends (also 6 and 7). Instead of eating cookies and playing hide-and-seek, she was eventually informed by her child that she was on a DIET.
Her school is proudly and actively fighting childhood obesity. They were all sent home pamphlets about it the first week of school. My friend asked her daughter if she knew what “dieting” meant. She said it meant “not being fat”. When questioned what 2 tablespoons of salad dressing had to do with a diet, her daughter informed her that it was just “empty calories”.
The final straw came last week, when her daughter got into a tiff with another girl in her grade. During their back-and-forth, her daughter called the other little girl “fat”.
She was punished by my friend for name-calling, and asked, once again, if she knew what these words meant.
So lets recap:
-This 6 year old “knows” that her sandwich, juice, and 2 small cookies are unhealthy.
-This child “knows” that being fat is a bad thing. In another young person, it is akin to being naughty or mean.
-This child “knows” that in order to keep herself from being fat, she needs to devote her free time (recess) to exercise, instead of any other activity.
-This child has begun to use the word “fat” to describe someone in a hostile, insulting way (the other little girl, by the way, was not fat)
-This child is pleased with herself for “dieting” and thus, in her own words, “not being fat”
I’m not exactly sure how the concept of childhood obesity is being taught to children. But I’m pretty sure this type of “programming” will lead to nothing good.
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Forgot your username or password?
What do professional designers really do? This question needs to
be asked in order to answer why you need a design education and
what you need to study. The projects created by designers give form
to the communication between their client and an audience. To do
this, designers ask: What is the nature of the client? What is the
nature of the audience? How does the client want to be perceived by
the audience? Designers also explore the content of the message the
client wishes to send, and they determine the appropriate form and
media to convey that message. They manage the communication
process, from understanding the problem to finding the solution. In
other words, designers develop and implement overall communication
strategies for their clients.
Some of the projects presented here will probably seem familiar
because of their broad exposure in the media. Others, which are
limited to a particular audience, may surprise you. You'll see that
design arrests attention, identifies, persuades, sells, educates,
and gives visual delight. There is a streak of pragmatism in
American culture-our society tends to focus on results.
The processes that went into creating these design projects are
often invisible, but the designer's own words describe the
significant strategies. It's clear that some projects, because of
their size, would be inconceivable without considerable project
management skills. And the range of content clearly demonstrates
the designer's need for a good liberal arts education to aid in
understanding and communicating divers design content.
The projects that follow represent various media, such as print
(graphic design's historic medium) and three-dimensional graphic
design media, including environmental graphic design, exhibitions,
and signage. Electronic media, such as television and computers, as
well as film and video are also represented. Various kinds of
communication are included, from corporate communications to
publishing and government communications. Some project focus on a
specialization within design, such as corporate identity programs
or type design. Information design and interface design (the design
of computer screens for interactivity) reflect the contemporary
need to streamline information and to use new media
Three designer roles are also highlighted. Developed over a
lifetime, these careers go beyond the commonly understood role of
the designer. The corporate executive oversees design for a large
company; the university professor teaches the next generation of
designers and thus influences the future of the field; the design
entrepreneur engages in design initiation as an independent
business. Consider these and other design-related roles as you plan
your studies and early job experience.
The projects and designers presented her were selected to
illustrate the range of graphic design activities and to represent
the exceptional rather than the ordinary. Seeing the best can give
you a glimpse into the possibilities that await you in the
competitive, creative, and rewarding field of design.
[ top ]
Digital design is the creation of highly manipulated images on the
computer. These images then make their final appearance in print.
Although computers have been around since the forties, they were
not reasonable tools for designers until the first Macintoshes came
out in 1984. April Greiman was an early computer enthusiast who
believes that graphic design has always been involved with
technology. After all, Gutenberg's fifteenth-century invention of
movable type created a design as well as an information
Greiman's first interest was video, which led naturally to the
computer and its possibilities. She bought her first Mac as a toy,
but soon found it an indispensable creative tool. “I work
intuitively and play with technology,” says Greiman. “I like
getting immediate feedback from the computer screen, and I like to
explore alternative color and form quickly on-screen. Artwork that
exists as binary signals seems mysterious to me. It is an
exhilarating medium!” She wants to design everything and to control
and play with all kinds of sensory experience.
Designers working with digital design need to be more than
technicians. Consequently, their studies focus on perception,
aesthetics, and visual form-making as well as on technology.
I didn't have the math skills (so I thought) to become an
architect. My high school training in the arts was in the
“commercial art” realm. Later at an art school interview I was told
I was strong in graphic design. So as not to humiliate myself, not
knowing what graphic design was, I just proceeded onwards?the
“relaxed forward-bent” approach, my trademark! -April
The book remains our primary way of delivering information. Its
form has not changed for centuries, and its internal
organization-table of contents, chapter, glossaries, and so
forth-is so commonplace that we take it for granted. But now a
challenger has appeared: the computer. No longer merely a tool for
preparing art for the printer, the computer is an information
medium in itself.
Computer-based design delivers information according to the
user's particular interest. Information is restructured into webs
that allow entry from different points, a system that may be more
like our actual thinking processes than the near order of the book
is. On the computer, the designer can use time and sound in
addition to text and image to draw attention, to animate an
explanation, or to present an alternative way to understand a
concept. This new technology demands designers who can combine
analysis with intuition. Clement Mok does just that. He is a
certified Apple software developer (he can program) and a graphic
designer comfortable in most media. QuickTime system software,
recently released by Apple, supports the capability to do digital
movies on the Macintosh. As system software, it is really
invisible. “Providing users with this great technology isn't
enough,” says Mok. “You also have to give them ideas for what they
can do and samples they can use.”
Mok addressed this problem by developing QuickClips, a CD
library of three hundred film clips ranging from excerpts of
classic films to original videos and animations created by his
staff. These fifteen- to ninety-second movies can be incorporated
into user-created presentations. It is like having a small video
store in your computer. With QuickClips, Mok opened new avenues for
presentation with the computer.
It is easy to overlook type design because it is everywhere.
Typically we read for content and ignore the familiar structural
forms of our alphabet and its formal construction in a typeface.
Only when the characters are very large, or are presented to us in
an unusual way, do we pay attention to the beautiful curves and
rhythms of repetition that form our visible language.
Since Gutenberg's invention of movable type in the mid-fifteenth
century, the word has become increasingly technological in its
appearance. Early type was cast in metal, but today's new type
design is often created digitally on the computer through a
combination of visual and mathematical manipulation.
The history of culture can be told through the history of the
letterform. The lineage of many typefaces can be traced back to
Greek inscriptions, medieval scribal handwriting, or early movable
type. Lithos, which means “stone” in Greek, was designed by Carol
Twombly as a classically inspired typeface. She examined Greek
inscription before attempting to capture the spirit of these
letterforms in a type system for contemporary use.
Lithos was not an exact copy from history nor was it created
automatically on the computer. Hand sketches, settings that used
the typeface in words and sentences were developed and evaluated.
Some were judged to be too stiff, some “too funky,” but finally one
was just right. These were the early steps in the search for the
form and spirit of the typeface. Later steps included controlling
the space between letters an designing the variations in weight for
a bold font. Twombly even designed foreign-language variations.
Clearly, patience and a well-developed eye for form and system
are necessities for a type designer.
As a kid, when I wasn't climbing trees, skiing, or riding
horses, I was drawing and sculpting simple things. I wanted a
career involving art of some kind. The restrictions of
two-dimensional communication appealed to my need for structure and
my desire to have my work speak for me. The challenge of
communicating an idea or feeling within the further confines of the
Latin alphabet lad me from graphic design into type design. -Carol
Most people have had the experience of losing themselves in a film
but probably haven't given much thought to the transition we go
through mentally and emotionally as we move from reality to
fantasy. Film titles help to create this transition. The attention
narrows, the “self” slips away, and the film washes over the
senses. Film titles set the dramatic stage; they tune our emotions
to the proper pitch so that we enter into the humor, mystery, or
pathos of a film with hardly a blink.
Rich Greenberg is a traditionally schooled designer who now
works entirely in film. His recent Dracula titles are a
classic teaser. He begins with the question: What is this film
about? Vampires. What signals vampires for most of us? Blood.
Greenberg believes that a direct approach using the simplest idea
is usually the best. “What I do in film is the opposite of what is
done with the print image. Dracula is a very good example of
the process. There is very little information on the screen at any
time, and you let the effect unfold slowly so the audience doesn't
know what they're looking at until the very end. In print,
everything has to be up front because you have so little time to
get attention. In film you hold back; otherwise it would be boring.
The audience is captive at a film-I can play with their minds.”
Special effects are also of interest to Greenberg. In
Predator, the designer asked, How can I create a feeling of
fear? He began by exploring the particular possibilities for horror
that depend on a monster's ability to camouflage himself so he
seems to disappear into the environment. The designer's visual
problem was to find a way for the object to be there and not be
there. It was like looking into the repeating, diminishing image in
a barber's mirror. To complicate matters, the effect needed to work
just as well when the monster was in motion.
Whether designing opening title or special effects that will
appear throughout a film, designers have to keep their purpose in
mind. According to Greenberg, “Nobody goes to a film for the
effects; they go for the story. Effects must support the
Motion graphics, such as program openings or graphic demonstrations
within a television program, require the designer to choreograph
space and time. Images, narration, movement, sound and music are
woven into a multisensory communication.
Chris Pullman at WGBH draws an analogy between creating a
magazine with its cover, table of contents, letters to the editor,
and articles, to that of a television program like Columbus and
the Age of Discovery. In both cases, the designer must find a
visual vocabulary to provide common visual features.
Columbus opens slowly and smoothly, establishing a time and
a place. A ship rocking on the waves becomes a kind of “wallpaper”
on which to show credits. The opening is a reference to what
happened—it speaks of ships, ocean, New World, Earth—without
actually telling the story.
In contrast, the computer-graphic map sequences are technical
animation and a critical part of the storytelling. Was Columbus
correct in his vision of the landmass west of Europe? Something was
there, but what and how big? Was it the Asian landmass Columbus had
promised to find? In 1516, Magellan sailed around the Americas by
rounding Cape Horn-and found 5,000 more miles of sea travel to
Japan! Columbus had made a colossal miscalculation.
The designer needed to visualize this error. Authentic ancient
maps established the perspective of the past; computer animation
provided the story as we understand it today and extended the
viewer's perspective with a three-dimensional presentation. Pullman
created a 3-D database with light source and ocean detail for this
fifty-seven-second sequence. “The move was designed to follow the
retreating edge of darkness, as the sun revealed the vastness of
the Pacific Ocean and the delicate track of Magellan's expedition
snaked west. As the Pacific finally fills the whole frame, the
music, narration, and camera work conspire to create that one
goose-bump moment. In video, choreography, not composition, is the
Objects, statistics, documentary photographs, labels, lighting,
text and headlines, color, space, and place—these are the materials
of exhibition design. The designer's problem is how to frame these
materials with a storyline that engages and informs an audience and
makes the story come alive. The Ellis Island Immigration Museum
provides an example of how exhibition designers solve such a
The museum at Ellis Island honors the many thousand of
immigrants who passed through this processing center on their way
to becoming United States citizens. It also underscores our
diversity as a nation. The story is told from two perspectives: the
personal quest for a better life, which focuses on individuals and
families, and the mass migration itself, a story of epic
Tom Geismar wanted to evoke a strong sense of the people who
moved through the spaces of Ellis Island. In the entry to the
baggage room, he used space as a dramatic device to ignite the
viewer's curiosity. Using a coarse screen like that used in old
newspapers, Geismar enlarged old photographs to life size and then
mounted these transparent images on glass. The result is an open
space in which ghostly people from the past seem to appear.
The problem of how to dramatize statistical information was
another challenge. The exhibit Where We Came From: Sources of
Immigration uses three-dimensional bar charts to show the
number of people coming from various continents in twenty-year
intervals; the height of the vertical element signals volume.
The Peopling of America, a thematic flag of one thousand
faces, shows Americans today. The faces are mounted on two sides of
a prism; the third side of the prism is an American flag. This
striking design becomes a focal point for the visitor and is
retained as a powerful memory.
Exhibit design creates a story in space. Designers who work in
this field tend to enjoy complexity and are skilled in composition
and visual framing, model making, and the use of diagrams,
graphics, and maps.
Even as an adolescent, I was interested in “applied art.” I
was attracted to the combination of “art” (drawing, painting, etc.)
and its practical application. While there was no established
profession at the time (or certainly none that I knew of), my eyes
were opened by the Friend-Heftner book Graphic Design and my
taste more fully formed under a group of talented teachers in
graduate school. I still enjoy the challenge of problem solving.
As people become more mobile-exploring different countries, cities,
sites, and buildings—complex signage design helps them locate their
destinations and work out a travel plan. One large and multifaceted
tourist attraction that recently revamped its signage design is the
world-famous Louvre Museum, in Paris, France. In addition to the
complexity of the building and its art collection, language and
cultural differences proved to be fundamental design problems in
developing a signage system for the Louvre.
Carbone Smolan Associates was invited to compete for this
project sponsored by the French government. In his proposal, Ken
Carbone emphasized his team's credentials, their philosophy
regarding signage projects, and their conceptual approach to
working on complex projects. Carbone Smolan Associates won the
commission because they were sensitive to French culture, they were
the only competitor to ask questions, and their proposal was unique
in developing scenarios for how museum visitors would actually use
the signage system.
The seventeenth-century Louvre, with its strikingly modern
metal-and-glass entryway designed in the 1980s, presented a visual
contrast of classicism and modernity. Should the signage harmonize
with the past or emphasize the present? The design solution
combines Granjon, a seventeenth-century French typeface, with
The signage design also had to address an internal navigational
problem: how would visitors find their way through the various
buildings? To add to the potential confusion, art collections are
often moved around within the museum. The designers came up with an
innovative plan: they created “neighborhoods” within the Louvre,
neighborhoods that remained the same regardless of the collection
currently in place. The signage identified the specific
neighborhoods; the design elements of a printed guide (available in
five languages) related each neighborhood to a particular Louvre
environment. It's clear that signage designers need skills in
design systems and planning as well as in diagramming and model
Design simply provided the broadest range of creative
opportunities. It also appealed to my personal interest in two- and
three-dimensional work including everything from a simple poster to
a major exhibit. -Ken Carbone
Packaging performs many functions: it protects, stores, displays,
announces a product's identity, promotes, and sometimes instructs.
But today, given increased environmental concern and
waste-recycling needs, packaging has come under scrutiny. The
functions packaging has traditionally performed remain; what is
needed now is environmentally responsive design. Fitch Richardson
Smith developed just such a design-really an “un-packaging”
strategy-for the Gardenia line of watering products.
A less-is-more strategy was ideally suited to capture the
loyalty of an environmentally aware consumer-a gardener. The
designers' approach was to eliminate individual product packaging
by using sturdy, corrugated, precut shipping bins as
point-of-purchase displays. Hangtags on individual products were
designed to answer the customer's questions at point-of-sale and to
be saved for use-and-care instructions at home. This approach cut
costs and reduced environmental impact in both manufacturing and
consumption. What's more, Gardena discovered that customers liked
being able to touch and hold the products before purchase.
Retailers report that this merchandising system reduces space
needs, permits tailoring of the product assortment, and minimizes
the burden on the sales staff. A modular system, it is expandable
and adaptable and can be presented freestanding or on shelves or
pegboards. The graphics are clear, bright, and logical, reinforcing
the systematic approach to merchandising and information design.
Contemporary environmental values are clearly expressed in this
packaging solution. The product connects with consumers who care
about their gardens, and the packaging-design solution relates to
their concern about the Earth.
Package designers tend to have a strong background in
three-dimensional design, design and product management, and design
Environmental graphics establish a particular sense of place
through the use of two- and three-dimensional forms, graphics, and
signage. The 1984 Olympics is an interesting example of a project
requiring this kind of design treatment. The different
communication needs of the various Olympics participants—athletes,
officials, spectators, support crews, and television
viewers—together with the project's brief use, combined to create
an environmental-design problem of daunting dimension and
In the 1984 Los Angeles Games, the focus was on how a
multicultural American city could embrace and international event.
Arrangements were basic and low-budget. Events, planned to be
cost-conscious and inclusive, were integrated into Los Angeles
rather than isolated from it. Old athletic stadiums were
retrofitted rather than replaced with new ones. These ideas and
values, as well as the celebratory, international nature of the
Olympics, needed to be expressed in its environmental design.
One of the most important considerations was to design a visual
system that would provide identity and unity for individual events
that were scattered throughout an existing urban environment.
Through the use of color and light, the visual system highlighted
the geographic and climatic connection between Los Angeles and the
Mediterranean environment of the original Greek Games. The graphics
expressed celebration, while the three-dimensional physical forms
were a kind of “instant architecture”—sonotubes, scaffolding, and
existing surfaces were signed and painted with the visual system.
The clarity and exuberance of the system brought the pieces
together in a cohesive, immediately recognizable way.
Under the direction of Sussman/Prejza, the design took form in
workshops and warehouses all over the city. Logistics—the physical
scope of the design and the time required for its development and
installation—demanded that the designers exhibit not only skill
with images, symbols, signs, and model making but also considerable
Strategic design planners are interested in the big picture. They
help clients create innovation throughout an industry rather than
in one individually designed object or communication. First, the
strategic design planners develop a point of view about what the
client needs to do. Then they orchestrate the use of a wide variety
of design specialties. The end result integrates these specialties
into an entire vision for the client and the customer. This
approach unites business goals, such as customer satisfaction of
increasing market share, with specific design performance.
The scope of strategic design planning is illustrated by one
Doblin Group project. Customer satisfaction was the goal of the
Amoco Customer-Driven Facility. Larry Keeley, a strategic design
planner at the Doblin Group, relates that “the idea was to
reconceive the nature of the gas station. And like many design
programs, this one began with a rough sketch that suggested how gas
stations might function very differently.” The design team needed
to go beyond giving Amoco a different “look.” They needed to
consider customer behavior, the quality of the job for employees,
the kinds of fuel the car of the future might use, and thousands of
other details. Everything was to be built around the convenience
and comfort of customers.
Keeley and his team collaborated with other design and
engineering firms to analyze, prototype, and pilot-test the design.
The specific outcomes of the project include developments that are
not often associated with graphic design. For example, the project
developed new construction materials as well as station-operation
methods that are better for the environment and the customer. A gas
nozzle that integrated the display of dispensed gas with a
fume-containment system was also developed. This system was
designed to be particularly user-friendly to handicapped or elderly
customers. For Amoco itself, software-planning tools were developed
to help the company decide where to put gas stations so that they
become good neighbors. These new kinds of gas stations are now in
operation and are a success.
Creating a visual system is like designing a game. You need to ask:
What is the purpose? What are the key elements and relationships?
What are the rules? And where are the opportunities for surprise?
With over 350 national parks and millions of visitors, the United
States National Park Service (NPS) needed a publication system to
help visitors orient themselves no matter which park they were in,
to understand the geological or historical significance of the
park, and to better access its recreational opportunities. The
parts of the system had to work individually and as a whole.
Systems design involves considerations of user needs,
communication consistency, design processes, production
requirements, and economies of scale, including the standardization
of sizes. Rather than examining and designing an isolated piece,
the designer of a system considers the whole, abstracting its
requirements and essential elements to form a kind of game plan for
the creation of its parts. When Massimo Vignelli was hired to work
with the NPS design staff, they agreed on a publication system with
six elements: a limited set of formats; full-sheet presentations;
park names used as logotypes; horizontal organization for text,
maps, and images; standardized, open, asymmetric typographic
layout; and a master grid to coordinate design with printing. The
system supports simple, bold graphics like Liberty or
detailed information like Shenandoah Park, with its relief
map, text, and photographs.
A well-conceived system is not a straightjacket; it leaves room
for imaginative solutions. It releases the designer from solving
the same problem again and again and directs creative energy to the
unique aspects of a communication. To remain vital and current, the
system must anticipate problems and opportunities. Designers
working in this area need design-planning skills as well as
creativity with text, images, symbols, signs, diagrams, graphs, and
Educational publishing isn't just textbooks anymore. Traditional
materials are now joined by a number of new options. Because
children and teenagers grow up with television and computers, they
are accustomed to interactive experiences. This, plus the fact that
students learn best in different ways—some by eye and some by
ear—makes educational publishing an important challenge for
Ligature believes that combining visual and verbal learning
components in a cooperative, creative environment is or paramount
importance in developing educational materials. Ligature uses
considerate instructional design, incorporating fine art,
illustrations, and diagrams, to produce educational products that
are engaging, substantive, relevant, and effective.
A Ligature project for a middle school language arts curriculum
presents twelve thematic units in multiple ways: as a full-color
magazine, a paperback anthology, an audiotape, several videotapes,
a language arts survival guide giving instruction on writing,
software, fine art transparencies, and a teacher's guide containing
suggestions for integrating these materials. These rich learning
resources encourage creativity on the part of both teachers and
students and allow a more interactive approach to learning.
Middle school students are in transition from child to adult.
The central design issue was to create materials that look youthful
but not childish, that are fresh, fun, and lively, yet look “grown
up.” The anthology has few illustrations and looks very adult,
while the magazine uses type and many lively images as design
In educational publishing, multidisciplinary creative teams use
prototype testing to explore new ideas. Materials are also
field-tested on teachers and students. Designers going into
instructional systems development need to be interested in
information, communication, planning, and teamwork.
What makes you pick up a particular magazine? What do you look at
first? What keeps you turning the pages? In general, your answers
probably involve some combinations of content (text) and design
(images, typography, and other graphic elements). Magazine
designers ask those same questions for every issue they work on;
then they try to imagine the answers of their own particular
audience-their slice of the magazine market.
At Rolling Stone, designers work in conjunction with the
art director, editors, and photo editors to add a “visual voice” to
the text. They think carefully about their audience and use a
variety of images and typefaces to keep readers interested. “We try
to pull the reader in with unique and lively opening pages and
follow through with turnpages that have a good balance of photos
and pullquotes to keep the reader interested,” says deputy art
director Gail Anderson. Designers also select typefaces that
suggest the appropriate mood for each story.
The designers work on their features from conception to
execution, consulting with editors to help determine the amount of
space that each story needs. They also work with the copy and
production departments on text changes, letterspacing, type, and
the sizing of art. At the beginning of the two-week cycle,
designers start with printouts of feature stories. They select
photographs and design a headline. Over the course of the next two
to three days, they design the layouts. At the same time, each
Rolling Stone designer is responsible for one or more of the
magazine's departments and lays out those pages as well. Eventually
both editors and designers sign off on various stages of the
production process and examine final proofs.
Anderson is excited about how the new technology has changed the
role of magazine designers. “We now have the freedom to set and
design type ourselves, to experiment with color and see the results
instantly, and to work in what feels like 3-D. The designer's role
has certainly expanded, and I think it is taken more seriously than
it was even a few years ago.” Magazine designers should enjoy
working with both type and images, be attuned to content concerns
and able to work well with editors, have technological expertise,
and be able to tolerate tight deadlines.
Drawing—deciding what is significant detail, what can be suggested,
and what needs dramatic development—is a skill that all designers
need in order to develop their own ideas and share them with
others. Many designers use drawing as the core of their work.
Milton Glaser is such a designer.
Keeping a creative edge and searching for new opportunities for
visual development are important aspects of a lively design
practice. When Glaser felt an urge to expand his drawing vocabulary
and to do more personally satisfying work, he found himself
attracted to the impressionist artist Claude Monet. Glaser liked
the way Monet looked: his physical characteristics expressed
something familiar and yet mysterious. Additionally, Monet's visual
vocabulary was foreign to Glaser whose work is more linear and
graphic. While many designers would be intimidated by Monet's
stature in the art world, Glaser was not because he was consciously
seeking an opportunity for visual growth. In a sense, Glaser's
drawings of Monet were a lark-an invention done lightly.
Glaser worked directly from nature, from photographs, and from
memory in order to open himself to new possibilities. The drawings,
forty-eight in all, were done over a year and a half and then were
shown in a gallery in Milan. They became the catalog for a local
printer who wanted to demonstrate his color fidelity and excellence
in flexibility of vision: the selection of detail, the balancing of
light and shadow, and the varying treatments of figure and
Drawing is a rich and immediate way to represent the world, but
drawing can also illustrate ideas in partnership with design.
Creating the key graphic element that identifies a product or
service and separates it from its competitors is a challenging
design problem. The identity needs to be clear and memorable. It
should be adaptable to extreme changes in scale, from a matchbox to
a large illuminated sign. And it must embody the character and
quality of what it identifies. This capturing of an intangible is
an important feature of identity design, but it is also a subtle
Hotel Hankyu International is the flagship hotel for the Hankyu
Corporation, a huge, diversified Japanese company. It is relatively
small for a luxury hotel, with only six floors of accommodations.
The client wanted to establish the hotel as an international hotel,
rather than a Japanese hotel. In Japan, “international” mean
European or American. Consequently, the client did not look to
Japanese designers, but they hired Pentagram-with the understanding
that the hotel's emblem would be a flower, since flowers are
universally associated with pleasure.
The identity was commissioned first, before other visual
decisions (such as those about the interior architecture) were
made. Here the graphic designer could set the visual agenda. Rather
than one flower, six flowers were designed as the identity, one for
each floor. To differentiate itself in its market, this small
luxury hotel benefited from an extravagant design. Each flower is
made up of four lines that emerge from the base of a square. The
flowers are reminiscent of the 1920s Art Deco period, which suggest
sophistication and world travel. Color and related typefaces link
the flowers. One typeface is a custom-designed, slim Roman alphabet
with proportions similar to those of the flowers. The other
consists of Japanese characters and was designed by a Japanese
The identity appears on signage, room folder, stationery,
packaging, and other hotel amenities. It is clear and memorable and
conveys a sense of luxury. Designers working with identity design
need to be skilled manipulators of visual abstraction, letterforms,
and design systems.
Systems design seeks to unify and coordinate all aspects of a
complex communication. It strives to achieve consistent verbal and
visual treatment and to reduce production time and cost. Systems
design requires a careful problem-solving approach to handling
Caterpillar Inc. is a worldwide heavy-equipment and engine
manufacturer. Its most visible and highly used document is the
Specalog, a product-information book containing
specifications, sales and marketing information, and a
competitive-product reference list. A Specalog is produced
for each of fifty different product types into twenty-six
languages. The catalog output totals seventy million pages
annually. Before Siegel & Gale took on Specalog, no
formal guidelines existed, so the pages took too much time to
create and were inconsistent with Caterpillar's literature strategy
and corporate image.
Bringing systematic order and clarity to this mountain of
information was Siegel & Gale's task. First they asked
questions: What do customers and dealers need to know? What do the
information producers (Caterpillar's product units) want? An
analysis of existing Specalogs revealed problems with both
verbal and visual language: there was no clear organization for
content; language was generic; product images were taken from too
great a distance; and specifications charts lacked typographic
clarity. The brochures of Caterpillar's competitors were also
analyzed so as not to miss opportunities to make Specalog
distinctive. These activities resulted in a clear set of design
A working prototype was tested with customers and dealers.
Following revisions, the new design was implemented worldwide. Its
significant features include an easy-to-use template system
compatible with existing Macintosh computers (thus allowing for
local-market customization), a thirty-percent saving in production
time and cost, and increased approval by both customers and
dealers. Achieving standardization while encouraging customization
is a strategy in many large international organizations. Designers
involved with projects like this study information design, design
planning, and evaluation techniques.
Designers are problem solvers who create solutions regardless
of the medium. But, designers create within the confines of
reality. The challenge is to push the limits of reality to achieve
the most effective solution. -Lorena Cummings
Whether they are large or small, corporations need to remind their
public who they are, what they are doing, and how well they are
doing it. Even the venerable Wall Street banking firm of J.P.
Morgan needs to assert itself so the public remembers its existence
and service. Corporate communications serve this function, and the
design of these messages goes a long way toward establishing
Usually corporate communications include identity programs and
annual reports, but there are also other opportunities to
communicate the corporate message. Since 1918, J.P. Morgan has
published a unique guide that keeps up with the changing world of
commerce and travel. The World Holiday and Time Guide covers
over two hundred countries, and keeps the traveler current with
twenty-four time zones. In the Guide, the international
businessperson can find easy-to-read tables and charts giving the
banking hours as well as opening and closing business times for
weekdays and holidays. Specific cultural holidays, such as Human
Rights Day (December 10) in Namibia and National Tree Planting Day
(March 23) in Lesotho are included. The seventy-five-year history
of the Guide is also an informal chronicle of world change.
It has described the rise and decline of Communism and the
liberation of colonial Africa and Asia; today it keeps up with the
recent territorial changes in Europe. The covers of the Guide
invite the user to celebrate travel and cultural diversity; the
interior format is a model of clarity sand convenience.
In-house design groups have two functions: they provide a design
service for their company and they maintain the corporate image.
Because projects are often annual, responsibility for them moves
around the design group, helping to sustain creativity and to
generate a fresh approach to communication. Consequently, the
Guide is the work of several designers. To work in corporate
communications, designers need skills relating to typography,
information design, and print design.
My early exposure to a design studio made me aware of the
design profession as an opportunity to apply analytical abilities
to an interest in the fine arts. Graduate design programs made it
possible for me to delve more deeply into the aspects of design I
found personally interesting. Since then, the nature of the design
profession, which constantly draws the designer into a wide range
of subjects and problems, has continued to interest me in each new
project. It's been this opportunity to satisfy personal interests
while earning a living that ha made design my long-term career
choice. -Won Chung
Just as profit-oriented corporations need to present a carefully
defined visual identity to their public, so must a nonprofit
organization like the Walker Art Center. Even with limited
resources, this museum uses graphic designers to present its best
face to the public.
For twenty years the Walker Art Center presented itself in a
quiet, restrained, and neutral manner. It was a model of
contemporary corporate graphics. But times change, and like many
American museums, the Walker is now taking another look at its role
in society. The questions the Walker is considering include: What
kind of museum is this? Who is its audience? How does the museum
tell its story to its audience? What should its visual identity and
publications look like? Identity builds expectation. Does the
identity established by the museum's communications really support
the programs the Walker offers?
The stock-in-trade of the Walker Art Center includes exhibitions
and the performing arts for audiences ranging from children to
scholars, educational programs, and avant-garde programming in film
and video. As the museum's programming becomes even more varied,
the old “corporate” identity represented by a clean, utilitarian
design no longer seems appropriate. To better represent the
expanded range of art and audience at the museum, The Design
Studio, an internal laboratory for design experimentation at the
Walker, is purposely blurring aspect of high and low culture and
using more experimental typefaces and more eclectic communication
approaches. Posters, catalogs, invitations to exhibitions, and
mailers for film and performing art programs often have independent
design and typographic approaches, while the calendar and members'
magazine provide a continuity of design.
Publication design, symbol and identity systems, and type and
image relationships are among the areas of expertise necessary for
in-house museum designers.
I like the way words look, the way ideas can become things. I
like the social, activist, practical, and aesthetic aspects of
design. -Laurie Haycock Makela
How do you get around in an unfamiliar city? What if the language
is completely different from English? What kind of guidebook can
help you bridge the communication gap? Access Tokyo is a
successful travel guide to one of the most complex cities in the
world. It is also an example of information design, the goal of
which is clarity and usefulness.
Richard Wurman began the Tokyo project as an innocent, without
previous experience in that city. His challenge was to see if he
could understand enough about Tokyo to make major decisions about
what to include in a guidebook. He also needed to develop useful
instruction to help the English-speaking tourist get around.
Ignorance (lack of information) and intelligence (knowing how to
find that information) led him to ask the questions that brought
insight and order to his project. Using his skill in information
and book design, the designer used his own experience as a visitor
to translate the experience of Tokyo for others.
Access Tokyo presents the historical, geographical, and
cultural qualities that make Tokyo unique, as well as resources and
locations for the outsider. Maps are a particular challenge since
they require reducing information to its essential structure. The
map for the Yamanote Line, a subway that rings Tokyo, is clear and
memorable. The guide is bilingual because of the language gap
between English with it Roman alphabet and Japanese with its
ideographic signs. The traveler can read facts of interest in
English but can also show the Japanese translation to a cab
Wurman also wanted to get the cultural viewpoint across. To this
end, he asked Japanese architects, painters, and designers to
contribute graphics to the project. The colorful tangram (a puzzle
made by cutting a square of paper into five triangles, a square,
and a rhomboid) is abstract in a very Japanese way. Access
Tokyo bridges the culture chasm as well as the information
“One who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business
enterprise?” This dictionary definition of the word
entrepreneur is a bland description of a very interesting
possibility in design. A design entrepreneur extends the general
definition: he or she must have a particular vision of an object
and its market. While many designers believe they could be their
own best client, few act on this notion. Tibor Kalman of M&Co.
acted: he was a design entrepreneur.
Kalman's firm, M&Co, was not without clients in the usual
sense. Their innovative graphics for the Talking Heads music video
“(Nothing but) Flowers” demonstrates that creativity and even fun
are possible in traditional design work for clients. But somehow
this wasn't enough for Kalman. He was frustrated with doing the
packaging, advertising, and promotion for things he often viewed
critically. He wanted to do the “real thing,” the object
Kalman started with a traditional object, a wristwatch. He then
applied his own particular sense of humor and elegant restraint to
the “ordinary” watch in order to examine formal ideas about time.
The Pie watch gives only a segment, or slice, of time, while
the Ten One 4 wristwatch is such a masterpiece of
understatement that it is in the permanent design collection of the
Museum of Modern Art. Other variations include Romeo (with
Roman numeral rather that Arabic ones), Straphanger (with
the face rotated ninety degrees to accommodate easy reading on the
subway), and Bug (with bugs substituted for the usual
numerals). These few examples give a sense of the wry humor that
transforms an ordinary object into a unique personal pleasure.
Entrepreneurial design requires creativity and business savvy
along with design and project-management skills. Of course, an
innovative concept is also a necessity. Vision and risk-taking are
important attributes for the design entrepreneur.
I became a designer by accident; it was less boring than
working in a store. I do have some regrets, however, as I would
prefer to be in control of content rather form. -Tibor
If you are a take-charge person with vision, creativity, and
communication and organizational skills, becoming a design
executive might be a good long-term career goal. Obviously, no one
starts out with this job; it takes years to grow into it. A brief
review of Robert Blaich's career can illustrate what being a design
executive is all about.
Educated as an architect, Blaich became involved with marketing
when he joined Herman Miller, a major American furniture maker.
Then he assumed a product-planning role and began to consciously
build design talent for the organization. By the time he was vice
president of design and communication, Blaich was running Herman
Miller's entire design program (including communication, product,
and architectural design). In a sense, he was their total
In 1980 Blaich came to Philips Electronics N.V., an
international manufacturer of entertainment and information
systems. Located in the Netherlands, Philips is the world's
twenty-eighth largest corporation and was seen by many Americans as
a stodgy foreign giant. The president of Philips asked Blaich to
take the corporation in new directions. By the time Blaich left in
1992, design was a strategic part of Philips's operation and its
dull image was reinvigorated and unified. What's more, the
corporation now saw its key functions as research, design,
manufacturing, marketing, and human resources-in that order.
Design's number-two position reflected a new understanding of its
importance. Today, as president of Blaich Associates, Blaich is a
consultant for Philips and responsible for corporate identity and
for strategic notions of design.
Just what do corporate design executives do? They look at design
from a business point of view, critique work, support new ideas,
foster creativity and collaboration, bring in new talent, and
develop new design capabilities. They are design activists in a
The best teaching is about learning, exploring, and making
connections. Teachers in professional programs are almost never
exclusively educators; they also practice design. Sheila Levrant de
Bretteville is a case in point. She is a professor of graphic
design at Yale University and owner of The Sheila Studio. Both her
teaching and design are geared toward hopeful and inspiring
Looking at a student assignment and at one of de Bretteville's
own design projects illuminates the interplay of teaching and
practice. De Bretteville saw the windows of abandoned stores in New
Haven as an opportunity to communicate across class and color
lines. She chose the theme of “grandparents,” which formed a
connection between her Yale students and people of the community.
The windows became large poster that told stories of grandparents
as immigrants, as labor leaders, as the very aged, and more. The
project gave students the opportunity to explore the requirements
of space, materials, and information.
De Bretteville's project, Biddy Mason: Time and Place, is
an example of environmental-design. Located in Los Angeles, it
explores the nine decades of Biddy Mason's life: as a slave prior
to her arrival in California and as a free woman in Los Angeles
where she later lived and worked and founded the AME church. “I
wanted to celebrate this woman's perseverance and generosity,” says
de Bretteville. “Now everyone who comes to this place will know
about her and the city that benefited from her presence here.” A
designed tactile environment, which included the imperfections in
the slate and concrete wall, required working with processes and
materials that were often unpredictable-like the struggles Biddy
faced in her life.
Biddy Mason and the grandparent windows connect design
practice and teaching as de Bretteville encourages her students to
use their knowledge, skills, and passion to connect to the
community through design.
Graphic Design: A Career Guide and Education Directory
Edited by Sharon Helmer Poggenpohl
The American Institute of Graphic Arts
Suppose you want to announce or sell something, amuse or
persuade someone, explain a complicated system or demonstrate a
process. In other words, you have a message you want to
communicate. How do you “send” it?
Section: Tools and Resources -
There are probably as many kinds of designers as there are kinds of
design, so how do you know whether a career in design might be
right for you?
Tips for design students on finding the first job.
Section: Tools and Resources -
Designing websites is getting more and more complex, from design considerations to technical and functional approaches. What are the technologies designers can use to create successful web experiences, regardless of context? Join moderator Callie Neylan in a discussion with Dan Mall of Big Spaceship and Scott Fegette of Adobe for the third in the “Breakthroughs” series of members-only webinars.
John Maeda, president of the Rhode Island School of Design, talks shop with The Creative Group, shedding light on what the future holds for today’s creatives. Find out what this acclaimed designer and creative-industry veteran has to say about the Creative Team of the Future in this two-part video.
Section: Tools and Resources -
in-house design, in-house issues, professional development, INitiative, advice, innovation, creativity
Designer & Marketing ManagerPental Granite and Marble, Inc
Seattle, WashingtonAugust 11 2014
Vipera: A Collaboration Between Luca Zamoc and Ferran Gisbert
August 18, 2014
LPforDesign (The LivingPrinciples)
How to make the most of your sustainability Master’s degree http://t.co/QSAnq2AS0r
5 hours ago
LPforDesign (The LivingPrinciples)
Danger, Nostalgia, and Playgrounds http://t.co/rkUZVjjqVi
Cascades 2008 Report on Sustainable Development
Core77 Design Awards 2014: The Best Visual Communication Designs of the Year
3 days ago from
Nick Jr. IDs: Bouncing Ball, Ants, Reindeer, Owls, Counting Creatures
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Sallen-Key Low Pass Filters: Second-Order Active Filters with Voltage Amplification and Gain Control
Updated in 2022.
The Sallen-Key low pass filter and the multiple feedback low-pass filter are the two topologies of second-order active low pass filters.
The Sallen-Key low pass filter is the most popular second-order active low pass filter. The design of Sallen-Key filters is similar to voltage-controlled voltage-source (VCVS), with filter characteristics such as high input impedance, good stability, and low output impedance.
The merits of the Sallen-Key low pass filter are a simple design, voltage gain control, cascading of filters, wide frequency range, high-order filter design, multiple stages, different gains, and stability.
Filter circuits are essential in telecommunication systems
Filters are vital in communication circuits, as they eliminate noise and help optimize performance. Filter applications in telecommunication systems vary from high frequency to very low-frequency. The channel selection in telephone services is a task of high-frequency band-pass filters, whereas data acquisition relies on anti-aliasing low pass filters. For active low pass filter and low pass filter circuit performance, it is vital to understand circuit cutoff frequency, and high frequency performance whether looking at RC low pass filter, active filter, or passive low pass filter design.
The function of high pass and low pass filters are diametrically opposite and so is their hardware realization. High-frequency filters operate on signal frequencies greater than 1 MHz and they are usually realized using passive components such as resistors (R), capacitors (C), and inductors (L). The frequency of operation of low pass filters is within 1Hz to 1MHz, making the size of L and C components used in passive filter designs bulky. Usually, low pass filters are realized using active and passive components and collectively called active low pass filters.
Important Features of Active Filters
The most commonly used active component in filters is the operational amplifier, or op-amp. Advantages such as its lighter weight, high sensitivity, and better response at low frequency make an active low pass filter a constant in communication systems. It is also possible to amplify the output in active filters.
Gain control is the next important feature of any active filter. The active low pass filter is always attached to the word ‘order’. The number of passive components present in the filter determines the order of the active filter. The first order active low pass filters are commonly seen in speaker, equalizer, and amplifier circuits. The second-order filters are used as anti-aliasing filters, hissing sound filters, and echo elimination filters. The Sallen-Key low pass filter and multiple feedback low-pass filters are the two topologies of second-order active low pass filters.
Sallen-Key Low Pass Filters
The Sallen-Key low pass filter consists of an active component—an op-amp—as well as passive components such as resistors and capacitors. RC components control the frequency response characteristics, whereas the op-amp is responsible for the voltage amplification and gain control. The figure above shows a Sallen-Key low pass filter. The op-amp in the amplifier can be used either as a unity gain buffer or a non-inverting amplifier.
Sallen-Key low pass filters are the most popular second-order active low pass filter. The design of Sallen-Key filters is similar to voltage-controlled voltage-source (VCVS), with filter characteristics such as high input impedance, good stability, and low output impedance.
When the op-amp is used as a non-inverting amplifier, the output voltage amplitude can be varied by controlling the gain of the op-amp. The voltage gain of the Sallen-Key low pass filter is always greater than unity, with a non-inverting amplifier op-amp configuration. In a non-inverting amplifier configuration, the gain of the Sallen-Key filter is given by the equation:
Gain, Av =
However, the gain of the op-amp amplifier should be maintained less than 3, as Av greater than 3 makes the Sallen-Key filters unstable.
The RC networks control the frequency response of the Sallen-Key low pass filter. By varying the resistor and capacitor values, the frequency response of the filter can be controlled. The cut-off frequency of the filter can be given by equation:
Cut-off frequency, fc=
The four components R1, R2, C1, and C2 of the filter can be chosen according to the required frequency response. The high value of the resistors prevent performance degradation of the filters at high frequencies. The DC performance, bias currents, and the impact of the capacitors can be enhanced by choosing low resistor values.
If your objective is to only filter the input, then the solution is a Sallen-Key low pass filter, with the op-amp configured as a unity gain amplifier.
Merits of Sallen-Key Low Pass Filters
The merits of Sallen-Key filters can be summarized as:
Simple design- The Sallen-Key design is simple, with one op-amp and RC component.
Voltage gain control- By using Sallen-Key filters, it is possible to increase the output voltage greater than the input voltage. The input voltage is given to the non-inverting op-amp amplifier and the voltage gain control of the op-amp is comparatively easy.
Cascading of filters- The high input impedance and low output impedance make the cascading of the Sallen-Key filters much easier. The low-pass and high-pass stages of Sallen-Key filters can be cascaded together.
Attenuator to an amplifier- The incorporation of the op-amp in the Sallen-Key filter helps to overcome the effect of RC components on filter characteristics.
Wide frequency range- The impedance characteristic of these filters reduces the external loading of the filter. It possesses the property of adjusting to a wide frequency range without altering the designed frequency response.
Different configurations- The op-amp in the Sallen-Key filter can be configured either as a unity gain buffer or non-inverting amplifier
High-order filter design- The Sallen-Key filters can be cascaded with RC components to increase the order of the filter. The number of capacitors in the design determines the order of the filter and orders greater than 2 are possible.
Multiple stages and different gains- The multiple filter stages built using RC components in a Sallen-Key topology can have different voltage gains and cut-off frequencies.
Stability- The good stability of Sallen-Key filters is a factor enabling the cascading. The filter stability is dependent on voltage gain, which in turn is controlled by the resistors in the op-amp amplifier circuit.
Sallen-Key low pass filters give us so much freedom during the filter design process. The aim to achieve better filter performance can be fulfilled by appropriately choosing the RC components in the Sallen-Key low pass filter. The voltage amplification and voltage gain control features with stable filter operation are the USP of Sallen-Key low pass filters. Next time you are designing anti-aliasing filters or low pass noise filters, try the Sallen-Key topology for improved performance.
and design, , , , , and more design techniques require a robust understanding of and or interactions, as well as challenges with . For your next , rest easy regardless of , usage, , and or . Your can move ahead comfortably.
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CC-MAIN-2023-23
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https://resources.system-analysis.cadence.com/blog/msa2020-sallen-key-low-pass-filters-second-order-active-filters-with-voltage-amplification-and-gain-control
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s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-23/segments/1685224644867.89/warc/CC-MAIN-20230529141542-20230529171542-00533.warc.gz
|
en
| 0.893685 | 1,622 | 2.84375 | 3 |
Tim Vernon is blind, but you wouldn’t know it from reading his résumé. Like many young professionals with a visual impairment, Vernon chooses not to share that information with potential employers until he lands an interview.
“I know from personal experience that sometimes disclosing a disability (right away) tends to be more problematic than successful,” he said.
A new online course created by Perkins School for the Blind and Harvard Extension School seeks to make it less difficult for qualified candidates like Vernon to reveal their disabilities – and get a job.
The course, called “Introduction to Inclusive Talent Acquisition” (INC1.1), is designed for hiring professionals in small, medium and large companies. It offers techniques and strategies for recruiting, interviewing and onboarding applicants with blindness or other disabilities.
“It’s an opportunity for them to rethink how their organization treats nontraditional candidates,” said Perkins Community Resource Manager Rachel Kerrigan, who helped create the course. “Do they have a strategy in place or is diversity just a buzzword?”
The course, which launched in September, is available for free on edX, the preeminent online educational platform utilized by top colleges and universities.
Launching a course on edX is “a really big deal,” said Karina Lin, an online course developer at Harvard Extension School who helped design the course. “It has the potential to reach millions of people.”
“Introduction to Inclusive Talent Acquisition” follows the natural trajectory of the hiring process – from recruitment to an employee’s first day on the job. Its four sessions cover topics like making it easier for applicants to disclose disabilities, setting up accessible office space and changing a company’s culture to be more inclusive.
Material is delivered in a variety of formats, from videos and reading materials to interactive hiring exercises. The course also includes discussion boards where participants can exchange ideas with classmates.
“A big goal for our team was to make sure this course was interesting – that you don’t doubt that this is something you really need to know,” said Lin. “I think we achieved that.”
The course also includes videos of Vernon and other young professionals with visual impairment, who share their experiences with the employment process. Some stories are positive, while others illustrate the misconceptions and biases that applicants with disabilities commonly experience.
“We really wanted to show the person behind it,” said Kerrigan. “It’s their perspective that will help build understanding.”
By the end of the course, Kerrigan said participants will have learned concrete tips and strategies to improve their organization’s hiring process, and gained an understanding that “diversity” includes people with blindness and other disabilities.
“We want participants to be able to envision people of different abilities in their own workplace,” she said. “This course won’t solve the employment problem in 24 hours – but it has the potential to make a difference.”
Learn more and sign up for the course at www.perkins.org/edx.
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<urn:uuid:aaf9c33b-2ebf-40d7-8518-839b30614153>
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CC-MAIN-2020-10
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https://www.perkins.org/stories/the-business-of-inclusion
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s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-10/segments/1581875146714.29/warc/CC-MAIN-20200227125512-20200227155512-00203.warc.gz
|
en
| 0.950606 | 656 | 2.671875 | 3 |
Author: Adam Shappard
Common Names: N/A
Native Distribution: Central and South America
Aquarium Placement: Midground to background
Requirements: Mid to high light, ample nutrients, CO2 injection for submerged growth
Ludwigia inclinata is an aquatic herb found in wet areas, sometimes on the beds of dried ponds or lakes, either submerged or with emergent stems. Submerged leaves have an ovate to ellipsoid shape on erect or trailing stems and are orange to red in color. Branching can be profuse or sparse, but typically it will branch profusely as a stem trails the surface.
This is a highly variable species, with the L. inclinata “verticillata” variants being the most popular in the aquarium hobby. L. inclinata “verticillata” var. “Cuba” is a large, showy stem that grows more erect than L. inclinata, and with very different submerged growth characteristics. Its leaves are long, narrow, and very colorful—transitioning from green at the base to orange/yellow with deep red on the crown. “Cuba” is very vigorous and, if its needs are met, will grow large quite fast. It is useful as a background stem plant in aquarium layouts; routine trimming and planting of the cut tops will yield a dense and colorful contrast to smaller green plants in the midground and foreground areas. L. inclinata “verticillata” var. “Pantanal” is another variety that is similar in growth appearance to “Cuba” but with narrower and thinner leaves.
The coloration on “Pantanal” is its biggest appeal, with deep-pink leaves that become a reddish color on the crowns. “Pantanal” is a smaller and less vigorous variety than “Cuba” and is more sensitive to changes in water parameters, but rewards the aquarist with a very attractive display in a grouping of healthy stems. It is useful as a midground to background stem plant in an aquarium layout. L. inclinata “verticillata” var. “Araguaia” is similar in size and requirements to “Pantanal” but has coloration more similar to “Cuba,” with yellowish lower leaves to orange and red crowns. It is less often found in the aquarium hobby, but its smaller size and attractive growth make it a good choice as a background plant for a medium-sized aquarium.
The emergent growth of L. inclinata and its variants are all very similar: Stems that break the surface will form thicker, green, and more ovate leaves, sometimes with red veins or reddish margins. Solitary flowers form on pedicels (a stem that holds the flower) up to 3 inches long, originating from the nodes, and having four yellow petals.
Requirements are also similar for all varieties—bright lighting and soft water is preferred, and ample macro- and micro-nutrients are needed for the best health and coloration. In a dense grouping of stems, it is important to maintain good water flow through the plant beds to prevent loss of leaves or melting of the bases. As with many aquarium plants, L. inclinata will benefit greatly from the addition of CO2 to the aquarium, which is highly recommended to bring out the plant’s best appearance. Emergent growth is less demanding, and the stems will usually begin to branch profusely at the water surface, making propagation more rapid. The emergent growth is also convenient for shipping, especially for the more delicate varieties, since it is more likely to survive even a long trip as long as it is kept moist.
Propagation for all varieties is essentially the same; just cut off the top of the stem and plant it. Side shoots will appear on the base that remains and will create a dense grouping of attractive stems. Emergent stems convert easily to submerged growth—allow them to float or place them in the substrate of a well-lit aquarium and wait for side shoots of submerged growth to appear. Once they are 3 to 4 inches long, snip them off and plant them in the substrate. You can then toss the original emergent stem if it starts to deteriorate, but many times L. inclinata will survive the conversion to submerged growth and only lose the emergent leaves.
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<urn:uuid:1e01f6d1-3a73-43b5-8be4-d0cba8d8a329>
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CC-MAIN-2023-23
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https://www.tfhmagazine.com/articles/aquatic-plants/ludwigia-inclinata
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s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-23/segments/1685224644855.6/warc/CC-MAIN-20230529105815-20230529135815-00467.warc.gz
|
en
| 0.937035 | 988 | 2.71875 | 3 |
Winter Storm Warning
Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013
June 20, 2012Posted Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at 3:20 PM
As Americans, we have every right to be proud of our culture, our nation, and our flag. So raise the flag every June 14th, and every day with pride!
Today the flag consists of thirteen horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with 6 white. The stripes represent the original 13 colonies, the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well: Red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor, White symbolizes Purity and Innocence and Blue represents Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.
There is a right way and a wrong way to display the flag. The American flag should be held in the highest of regards. It represents our nation and the many people who gave their lives for our country and our flag. Here are the basics on displaying the American flag:
- The flag is normally flown from sunrise to sunset.
- In the morning, raise the flag briskly. At sunset, lower it slowly. Always, raise and lower it ceremoniously.
- The flag should not be flown at night without a light on it.
- The flag should not be flown in the rain or inclement weather.
- After a tragedy or death, the flag is flown at half staff for 30 days. It's called "half staff" on land, and "half mast" on a ship.
- When flown vertically on a pole, the stars and blue field , or "union", is at the top and at the end of the pole (away from your house).
- The American flag is always flown at the top of the pole. Your state flag and other flags fly below it.
- The union is always on top. When displayed in print, the stars and blue field are always on the left.
- Never let your flag touch the ground, never...period.
- Fold your flag when storing. Don't just stuff it in a drawer or box.
- When your flag is old and has seen better days, it is time to retire it. Old flags should be burned or buried. Please do not throw it in the trash.
Did you Know? There is a very special ceremony for retiring the flag by burning it. It is a ceremony everyone should see.Your local Boy Scout group knows the proper ceremony and performs it on a regular basis. If you have an old flag, give it to them. And, I encourage you to attend the ceremony.
Famous Flag People:
Betsy Ross was a seamstress who made clothes for George Washington. In June, 1776, Washington approached her to make the country's first flag and the rest is history.
Francis Scott Key, inspired by the British bombardment of Fort McHenry, penned the lyrics to our national anthem as he witnessed the event as British rockets whizzed in the air while our American Flag flew in the breeze
As always, it is an honor to serve you in the Missouri House. If you would like to discuss any issue, please call 573-751-3629. You can also email me at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you.
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<urn:uuid:79345eed-a9ce-4d3a-b703-6d3723a36889>
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CC-MAIN-2013-48
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http://www.dddnews.com/blogs/1661/entry/48260/
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s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-48/segments/1386163045140/warc/CC-MAIN-20131204131725-00060-ip-10-33-133-15.ec2.internal.warc.gz
|
en
| 0.921998 | 677 | 2.671875 | 3 |
Programs: Fermilab Prairie Plant Survey
Description: Be a field scientist along with Fermilab docents to help monitor prairie restoration. Learn scientific plant monitoring techniques while enjoying our beautiful prairie when you join this program. Open to the public, adult groups, families, scouts and more. Suggested age for this program is 10 and older. Participants will learn to identify prairie plants, map a prairie plot and track restoration progress just like the experts. Participants use the Education Office's website to enter data they collect.
Come once or come back two or three times a year. Keep an eye on this prairie for years to come. Be ready to hike and explore parts of our site that are not normally open to the public. Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.
There is no charge for this program; we value your contribution to prairie science!
Look at the Calendar to see scheduled sessions.
- Sue Sheehan, Education
Fermilab, MS 777, P.O. Box 500, Batavia, IL 60510-0500
(630) 840-5058, [email protected]
- More Program Information
- 2006 Quadrat Data taken by volunteers.
- Schedule of Sessions
- 2007 Quadrat Data taken by volunteers.
- 2008 Quadrat Data taken by volunteers.
- 2009 Quadrat Data taken by volunteers.
- 2010 Quadrat Data taken by volunteers
- 2011 Quadrat Data taken by volunteers
- 2012 Quadrat Data taken by volunteers
- 2013 Quadrat Data taken by volunteers.
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<urn:uuid:0b060b6a-7131-42cd-b9d3-e4f6678a37b9>
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CC-MAIN-2014-41
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http://ed.fnal.gov/programs/quadrat
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|
en
| 0.844544 | 329 | 2.734375 | 3 |
Research findings from China's Tianzhou-1 Space Mission have shown that the microgravity environment in space promotes heart cell differentiation of mice induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, providing new perspectives on future human space travel.
During space travel, the human body is in a state of weightlessness due to minimal gravitational pull from the earth, which is known as microgravity. Exposure to microgravity may have a profound influence on the physiological function of human cells.
Researchers from China's Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Tsinghua University and the Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences took the opportunity of the Tianzhou-1 space mission, China's first cargo spacecraft launched in 2017, to investigate how spaceflight may affect cardiac differentiation of mice iPS cells.
Pluripotency is from the Latin word pluripotentia which means the capacity for many things. In cell biology, pluripotent stem cells refer to stem cells that have the capacity to differentiate into other types of cells.
The iPS cells are a type of pluripotent stem cell artificially derived from a non-pluripotent cell. By "forcing" the expression of certain genes and transcription factors, the non-pluripotent cells can be induced to have the same genetic information as early embryonic cells.
The technique to induce cells into a pluripotent state earned two scientists the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2012.
The development of iPS cells has been the rocket fuel for regenerative medicine, an experimental branch of medicine that seeks to replace diseased cells, tissues or organs.
The Chinese researchers reported on the journal Stem Cells and Development that compared with cells cultured in an identical environment with ground gravity, iPS cells differentiated significantly quicker in space. The differentiation was enhanced four days after launch and lasted for 10 days afterward, indicating robust cardiac muscle cells formation.
According to the researchers, a bioreactor was designed to perform cell culturing and the time-lapse imaging experiments in orbit. The bioreactor consisted of three principal modules: the biological experiment module which had 48 cell culturing units, medium bags, as well as pumps and connections.
During the experiment, the camera, which can function automatically or follow remote control commands, took bright-field and green fluorescence images of live cell samples, which were then transmitted to the earth.
The control experiment was carried out in an identical bioreactor with the same culturing conditions at normal gravity of the earth.
The researchers said it is the first real-time imaging study of iPS cell-derived cardiac muscle cells differentiation in space, providing rare information about iPS cells cardiac differentiation in space.
In the future, similar automated stem cell experiments may help to realize personalized cardiac tissue bio-manufacturing and drug tests during space travel, the researchers said.
Tianzhou-1 was launched on April 20, 2017 and completed an automated docking with the orbiting Tiangong-2 space lab two days later. The Tiangong-2 space lab, launched on Sept. 15, 2016, is conducting in-orbit tests and will de-orbit after July this year.
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<urn:uuid:c2e20b34-d691-4e97-968a-c9225851d868>
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CC-MAIN-2023-23
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https://p4-r5-01081.page4.com/_blog/12123-raumfahrt-chinas-space-research-finds-microgravity-promotes-ips-cells-regenerative-potential/
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s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-23/segments/1685224646457.49/warc/CC-MAIN-20230531090221-20230531120221-00165.warc.gz
|
en
| 0.931605 | 650 | 3.78125 | 4 |
Measuring Electrical Resistance of Different Tissues on the Outer Surface of the Heart
This is a research study to evaluate the electrical properties of heart tissue. The purpose of this study is to determine the impedance (electrical resistance) of different tissues on the outer surface of the heart. This may be important for distinguishing scarred heart muscle from fat that can be seen on the surface of the heart. This information may eventually be utilized in patients that undergo a procedure (called catheter ablation) for the treatment of life-threatening heart rhythms. Investigators expect a detectable difference between the impedance of normal and infarcted myocardium (approximately 50 ohms).
|Study Design:||Observational Model: Cohort
Time Perspective: Prospective
|Official Title:||Impedance Measurement of Epicardial Substrate for Ventricular Arrhythmias: Case Control Series of Patients With and Without Myocardial Scarring|
|Study Start Date:||April 2006|
|Study Completion Date:||January 2008|
The treatment of cardiac arrhythmias with endocardial catheter ablation has evolved rapidly over the past few decades. At the time of this writing, the ablation of almost all atrial and ventricular arrhythmias has been described in the literature. Multiple energy modalities (e.g. radiofrequency, cryotherapy) and approaches (e.g. retrograde aortic, transseptal puncture) have been described, yet ablation of some rhythms is not as successful as others.
The realization that ventricular tachycardia (VT) in the setting of Chagas Disease can originate in the epicardium has lead to the development of a percutaneous, transthoracic epicardial approach to mapping and ablation of this arrhythmia. This approach has now been applied to patients with VT in the setting of ischemic and nonischemic heart disease at many centers throughout the world. Traditional mapping technologies are utilized on the epicardium to define scarred heart tissue and locate the VT circuit.
It is well known that human hearts display a variable amount of fat overlying the epicardium. Not only is the coronary vasculature embedded in a layer of adipose tissue, but the rest of the heart may have areas of epicardial fat. As fat is an insulator and does not generate or easily conduct electrical activity, current mapping techniques may classify epicardial fat incorrectly as myocardial scar. This may have important effects on the ability to diagnose and treat arrhythmias with epicardial ablation.
|United States, Pennsylvania|
|Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania|
|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104|
|Principal Investigator:||David J. Callans, MD||University of Pennsylvania, Dept of Medicine, Cardiology Division|
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<urn:uuid:f67483d2-d26d-43fd-8236-ab47b8685e74>
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CC-MAIN-2013-20
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http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00291174
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s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699201808/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101321-00049-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz
|
en
| 0.864129 | 596 | 2.8125 | 3 |
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Botanical name: Eruca vesicaria
Arugula is a leafy green herb of the mustard family. Known also as rocket, Italian cress, roquette, and rucola has elongated dark green leaves that are lobed like the leaves of an oak. In the ground, the plant resembles a loose lettuce with long, slender leaves. The flavor of the leaves is similarly hot and peppery. The leaves can be between 3 and 8 inches (7.5–20 centimeters) in length, depending on the maturity of the leaf. Native to the Mediterranean region, arugula has been grown as a vegetable since the Roman era. The flowers are small, white with dark centers and can be used in the salad for a light piquant flavor. The seed was used for flavoring oils.
How to grow
Arugula seed prefers a cool soil temperature of 40 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit and prefer a slightly shaded area in which to grow. For the best results, the soil should be fertile and loose, but Arugula will tolerate a wide range of soil conditions and will grow just about anywhere provided water is available
When planting the seeds in the open soil, sow the seeds one inch apart and in rows that are located 12 to 18 inches apart. Cover the seed with 1/8th of an inch of soil and apply water. The seeds should sprout in 3 to 10 days (longer in cooler than ideal temperatures). For a continuous crop, sow another row every two weeks and this will insure that new cuttings are available at regular intervals.
Once the seedlings are established and begin to crowd one another, thin the plants to four inches apart. (At this stage, you are encouraged to use the thinning).
Arugula matures very quickly, typically within 40 days. Care should be taken not to allow the leaves to grow too large as they are susceptible to growing very bitter and will be tough. (Arugula also becomes bitter if grown in full sun, so this is definitely a crop for growing in places where many others will not grow). For the best results, select young, tender leaves.
To harvest simply pick the young leaves when the leaves are still smooth and the plant will keep generating new ones for months. Older leaves are a bit tougher and have a stronger taste.
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<urn:uuid:9c7b3b4c-3126-4dd3-9a30-6bb94f656c7f>
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CC-MAIN-2017-47
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http://myseedgarden.blogspot.com/2010/05/arugula.html
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s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-47/segments/1510934808935.79/warc/CC-MAIN-20171124195442-20171124215442-00439.warc.gz
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en
| 0.955357 | 487 | 2.921875 | 3 |
Jonah was a prophet just before the ten tribes of Israel were taken captive into Babylonia, a country east of Israel. Only a small part of Jonah’s story is told in the Old Testament, but the part that is recorded teaches us that the Lord offers salvation to everyone who will repent.
The Lord commanded Jonah to tell the wicked people of Nineveh, a city north of Babylon, that if they didn’t repent, they would be destroyed. Jonah didn’t want to go to that wicked place. He didn’t think the people would listen to him or want to change, so he got on a boat that was sailing west to Tarshish, Spain.
A terrifying storm arose and tossed the boat to and fro. The sailors cried out to the prophet, who was sleeping, to pray to his God to save them. Knowing that his disobedience was the cause of the storm, Jonah told them, “Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you” (Jonah 1:12).
Though they didn’t want to, the sailors finally did as Jonah asked and threw him into the sea. “Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” (Jonah 1:17.)
While in the fish, Jonah cried unto the Lord. He knew that he had disobeyed, and he wanted the Lord to forgive him. The Lord did, then caused that the fish “vomited out Jonah upon the dry land” (Jonah 2:10). He again told the prophet to go to Nineveh.
Jonah obeyed. To his surprise, when he told the people of Nineveh that the Lord was displeased with them and that they would soon be destroyed, they believed him and turned from their evil ways. They accepted the gift of repentance that would come through the Savior, and they were not destroyed. Both the prophet and the people he preached to had need of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ so that they could return to Heavenly Father. Because this gift is given to everyone, we too can repent when we make mistakes.
Mount the flannel-board figures on heavier paper, color them, cut them out, and use them to tell the story of Jonah and the people of Nineveh.
The Savior; Jonah; People of Nineveh. (Illustrated by Beth Whittaker.)
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<urn:uuid:deb44232-97f8-41f2-b900-7c54947827d5>
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CC-MAIN-2017-39
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https://www.lds.org/friend/1998/04/jonah-and-the-people-of-nineveh?lang=eng
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s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-39/segments/1505818689373.65/warc/CC-MAIN-20170922220838-20170923000838-00637.warc.gz
|
en
| 0.984585 | 519 | 3.09375 | 3 |
It’s official, a cup of coffee can boost our memories, and it can do it for as long as 24 hours. HealthDay reports that researchers at Johns Hopkins asked 100 people to look at hundreds of common, everyday images on a computer screen: shoes, a chair, a rubber duck, etc. Five minutes later, they gave 200 milligrams of caffeine (a cup of coffee usually contains about 160 milligrams) to half of those people and a placebo to the others. About 24 hours later, when the caffeine was out of their system, the study subjects looked at more images and were asked to label the pictures as either old, new or similar to the original images they’d seen. The researchers found that people who had taken the caffeine were better at distinguishing the similar pictures from the original ones, and those who had received the placebo were more likely to incorrectly identify the similar images as the old images. Read more in HealthDay.
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<urn:uuid:151cc1ad-5a72-4aeb-b09d-3c1b3f4f5e4e>
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CC-MAIN-2017-26
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http://sportsgeezer.com/2014/coffee-helps-us-remember-remember-what/
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s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-26/segments/1498128320257.16/warc/CC-MAIN-20170624101204-20170624121204-00438.warc.gz
|
en
| 0.978962 | 194 | 3.171875 | 3 |
Radiation Therapy, Temozolomide, and Erlotinib in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Multiforme
RATIONALE: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as temozolomide, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Erlotinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Giving radiation therapy together with temozolomide and erlotinib after surgery may kill any remaining tumor cells.
PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving radiation therapy together with temozolomide and erlotinib works in treating patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme.
CNS Tumor, Adult
Drug: erlotinib hydrochloride
Radiation: radiation therapy
|Study Design:||Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: Open Label
Primary Purpose: Treatment
|Official Title:||A Phase II Trial of Erlotinib With Temozolomide and Concurrent Radiation Therapy Post-Operatively in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Multiforme|
- Progression-free survival [ Time Frame: at 6 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
- Progression Free Survival [ Time Frame: at 1 yr ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
- Number of patients that experience toxicity (CTCAE V2) [ Time Frame: at 6 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
- Overall Survival [ Time Frame: date of final follow up visit ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
|Study Start Date:||October 2005|
|Study Completion Date:||September 2012|
|Primary Completion Date:||October 2007 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)|
|Experimental: Radiation Therapy, Temozolomide, and Erlotinib||
Drug: erlotinib hydrochloride
Erlotinib is available as 25 mg, 100 mg, and 150 mg tablets. It should be administered orally once daily at the prescribed dose specified in the clinical study protocol per dose escalation schema. Preferably, erlotinib should be taken in the morning with up to 200 mL of water at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
Other Name: TarcevaDrug: temozolomide
TMZ is supplied in white opaque, preservative-free, two piece hard gelatin capsules of the following sizes: 100mg capsules, 20mg capsules, and 5mg capsules. TMZ will be a once a day orally administered (75 mg/m2 x BSA x 42 days)set of capsules taken at least two hours after and one hour before a meal.
Other Name: TemodarRadiation: radiation therapy
Concomitant focal RT will be delivered once daily at 2 Gy per fraction, 5 d/wk, for a total of 60 Gy. (6 weeks) as mentioned in therapeutic modalities.
Other Name: RT
- Determine the progression-free survival and overall survival of patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme treated with adjuvant radiotherapy, temozolomide, and erlotinib hydrochloride.
- Evaluate the toxicity of this regimen in these patients.
OUTLINE: This is a non-randomized study.
Patients receive oral temozolomide once daily on days 1-42 and undergo concurrent radiotherapy once daily on days 1-5, 8-12, 15-19, 22-26, 29-33, and 36-40. Four weeks after completion of radiotherapy and temozolomide, patients receive oral temozolomide once daily on days 1-5. Treatment with temozolomide repeats every 28 days for up to 12 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also receive oral erlotinib hydrochloride once daily beginning on day 1 of radiotherapy and continuing in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
After completion of study treatment, patients are followed periodically.
PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 30 patients will be accrued for this study.
|United States, Ohio|
|Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center|
|Cleveland, Ohio, United States, 44195|
|Study Chair:||David M. Peereboom, MD||Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center|
|
<urn:uuid:20bde03f-e203-41f5-a382-d33212cd68c4>
|
CC-MAIN-2013-48
|
http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00274833
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| 0.819323 | 989 | 2.53125 | 3 |
Pre-College Class Goes Deep into the DIY Maker Movement
- By Joshua E. Brown
Rachel Schneck holds up a thin sheet of wood intricately cut into the shape of a leaf. Down the table sits a plastic toy guitar with its electronics ripped open. On one wall, a 3-D printer slowly ejects layers of plastic in the shape of Minnie Mouse, an elephant and a Star Wars clone trooper helmet. At the other end of the room is the tabletop laser-cutter that she programmed to cut out her leaf.
Schneck, age 16, travelled from Chicago to Vermont to work in this room, UVM’s Fabrication Laboratory in the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. She’s taking a pre-college course, “Vermont FabLab Workshop,” instructed by Jenn Karson, MFA, that is introducing her to the increasing number of links between art and technology. “This class really helps me see the connections between the physical and digital worlds,” Schneck says.
And it may be helping her set her path for college and beyond. “I wanted to figure out what I wanted to do for college, but I didn't have any ideas,” she says. “This has opened new worlds for me. I would never have pulled apart toys, or opened circuits or really thought about engineering if it wasn't for this course.”
“We’re not just thinking about stuff,” she says. “You know, we’re building stuff.” Sure, they might be “Barbies with LEDs sticking out of their eyes,” as Schneck describes one of the projects, but underneath this slightly creepy/goofy toy hacking project is a serious introduction to a new world where art and engineering converge: “the DIY maker movement” as Karson’s course description puts it.
Jenn Karson holds up Schneck’s wooden leaf again. It looks lovely, but a few of the filigrees look a bit ragged and one or two sections didn’t get cut through fully. She speaks with her student and her teaching assistant, Alex Poniz ’15, a mechanical engineering major. They agree to run the design through the laser cutter again. Getting it right is part of the learning.
Into the unknown
Another student in the course, Griffin Spurr, age 16, traveled from San Francisco to Vermont. He’s never taken a summer course before. He’s carefully connecting a series of wires and a tiny motor to a circuit board connected to a laptop; it’s an arduino kit. Spurr has done a fair bit of computer programming in the past, he says, and has received careful instruction in the basics of how this kit works—but this morning he’s moving into terra nova, working on his own—and he finds it both difficult and exciting. “I’m not sure what I’m doing right now,” he says. “I’m not even sure what this is supposed to do,” he says, pointing to a dime-sized two-bladed rotor. Then he stops, looks up, and grins. “I have a feeling it’s probably going to spin.”
Going cheerfully into the unknown is part of the learning too. He, Schneck, and the other high schoolers in this UVM Summer Academy course offered by Continuing and Distance Education are being pushed to think about the connections between design, ecology, and creativity -- while making handmade electronics, microcontrollers, e-textiles, and other hybrid electronic/art/digital objects. They each are culminating the course with a self-designed project. “I want to make a laptop cooling pad -- I have one and it’s terrible,” Griffin says. “I can make mine better.” After the group portion of this course concludes, they’ll spend two week working on their own to finish these projects. Spurr imagines one that pumps nonconductive mineral oil directly over his computer’s circuits. He’s looking forward to building it.
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As music educators one of our goals is to help our students develop into independent musicians. A crucial component of independent musicianship is the ability to successfully read music. Developing music literacy is essential to the goal of equipping students with independent musicianship skills (Henry, 2004). Often students do not receive enough instruction on sight-reading. This is most likely because music educators are often required to focus on producing high quality performances rather than teaching music literacy (Asmus, 2004). However, research suggests that teaching students to sight-read drastically improves the success of an ensemble. The purpose of this article is to offer some research-proven successful sight-singing strategies.
In 2007 Darrow and Marsh asked students to self-evaluate their sight-singing skills. Their findings indicated that students were reasonably accurate at predicting their sight-singing accuracy and even more accurate at evaluating their performance. It is conceivable that as students gain more experience with sight-singing their ability to predict and assess their musical skills will become more accurate (Darrow & Marsh, 2007). Even though students possess the analytical skills, their success rate dramatically decreases unless they have been taught successful sight-singing strategies. Henry and Killian (2005) studied the effects of 30 seconds of extra sight-singing preparation time on advanced, intermediate, and low-accuracy sight-singers. Their study found that medium and advanced singers benefited significantly from the extra 30 seconds of preparation time. “However, comparison of the melodies sung with and without practice time revealed no significant differences for the low-accuracy singers” (Henry & Killian, 2005, p. 57). This difference suggests students need to have some knowledge of best practices before they attempt to sight-read. Based on their observations Henry and Killian found that some sight-singing practices were more successful than others. These skills included Curwen hand signs, isolating problem areas, private piano lessons, and keeping a steady beat on the body.
The research suggests that teachers should strive to teach their students strategies such as the ones stated above that they can use to be successful in sight-singing. Although these skills can be utilized individually, it is recommended that directors use them daily with their ensembles. Consistently teaching sight-singing in a group setting has also proven to be a successful method for strengthening sight-singing skills (Henry, 2004). By allowing our students to develop successful sight-singing skills we help them develop into independent musicians.
Asmus JR., E. (2004). Music teaching and music literacy. Journal of Music Teacher Education, 13(2), 6-8.
Darrow, A. A., & Marsh, K. (2006). Examining the validity of self-reporting: middle level singers’ ability to predict and assess their sight singing skills. International Journal of Music Education, 24(1), 21-29.
Demorest, S. M., (2004). Choral sight singing practices: A revisiting a web-based survey. International Journal of Research in Choral Singing. 1 (2), 3-10.
Henry, M. L., (2004). The use of targeted pitch skills for sight-singing instruction in the choral rehearsal. Journal of Research in Music Education 53 (3), 206-217.
Henry, M. L., & Killian, J. N., (2005). A Comparison of successful and unsuccessful strategies in individual sight-singing preparation and performance. Journal of Research in Music Education, 53 (1), 51-65.
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http://www.acdami.org/index.php?view=article&catid=91%3Afeatured-articles&id=174%3Asuccessful-sight-singing-techniques&option=com_content&Itemid=177
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| 0.942825 | 726 | 3.890625 | 4 |
THE BERMUDA MILITIA ARTILLERY
1895 - 1965
|The Bermuda Militia Artillery (BMA) was formed in the last decade of the nineteenth century - together with the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps and a unit of volunteer sappers and miners - as part of the re-organization of British military forces intended to allow a useful part of the Regular Army to be available for either the defence of the UK in case of a European war, or to expiditiously form expiditionary forces for deployment elsewhere. The problems with the Army's previous disposition, providing garrisons around the Empire, as well as its detriment in funding to the benefit of the Royal Navy, had been highlighted during the Crimean War, when the War Office had been forced to resort to the deployment of troops from the Militia and the Yeomanry. Along with the recent dramatic changes in the military balance in Europe --most notably, with Prussia's easy defeat of Austria, and then the French--Britain could no longer sit so smugly behind the Channel, ignoring its defences at a time when the offensive capabilities of bellicose European powers were rapidly growing.|
|This complacency had actually been long-noted by many in Britain, and had been the cause of the creation of the popular Volunteer Army, purely as a private enterprise. At first, the British government looked warily at this new force, though it had no legal ability, at that time, to put a stop to it. The units of the Volunteer Army grew rapidly through the 19th. Century, despite no real financial or training support from the War Office. As time went on, however, the value of this new reserve, already funtional at no cost to the Government, became very alluring to the War Office. It took an increasing hand in setting the standards, and orders of these units, helping with their arming, and training. By the end of the century, the Volunteer Army was an indespensible part of British military planning and structure. Consequently, when the private association which oversaw the VA was threatened with insolvency, the War Office took the Volunteer Army over entirely, as a branch of the Government forces, re-organizing it as the Territorial Army in 1908.|
|Long before then, the War Office had begun eying the quieter colonies from which they might bleed Regular Army troops. In time, this would allow the creation of the British Expiditionary Force, but at this early point, simply removing the Regular troops was not possible in places such as Bermuda, which, while not likely to descend into insurrection, were important to Imperial Defence, and likely to foreign attack if left defenseless. The primary threat to Bermuda was the United States, and the primary target was the Royal Navy's headquarters, and only Dockyard, in the Western Hemisphere, on Ireland Island.
Also, the Admiralty could no more allow the US Navy the island as a base, than to lose it for itself.
Consequently, the Imperial Garrison at Bermuda, which included a full battalion of infantry, together with coastal artillery, engineering and other troops (and the Royal Navy's own guard of Marines at the Dockyard,) was only to be reduced, not removed, and that reduction could only be allowed by the creation of local Volunteer Army units, along the lines of those in Britain.
The War Office had long attempted fruitlessly to encourage the Colonial Assembly (Parliament,) to pass a Militia Act and to create militia forces. The colony had always done so, when left to its own devices, but since the build up of the Imperial Garrison had begun, along with the Dockyard, after the American War of Independence, the interest had waned. The last Militia Act had been pased specifically in response to the needs of the American War of 1812. Although the War Office had wanted a permanent Act, the Assembly had only passed a temporary one, and the Militia, as organized and funded under a Colonial Act, faded away soon after the War's end. Short-lived militias had, thereafter, been organized by the Governor, but these fell victim to the general apathy and disinterest of the population.
The War Office had made renewed efforts to induce the Colonial Assembly to form militias after the Crimean War, but had been steadfastly refused. The primary excuse given by the Colonial Assembly for their inaction was the delicate racial situation, which could only be aggravated by the raising of either a segregated or an integrated corps. Doubtless, the expectation that they would largelly, if not completely, fund whatever unit was created played into their reluctance, also.
The War Office decided to proceed circuitously, encouraging the creation of civil rifle clubs. These were supplied with Martini-Henry service rifles, direct from Government armouries. It was hoped that club-members would soon take the initiative of creating volunteer rifle units, and soon enough a group did approach the Colonial Assembly, seeking permission to form a Rifle Corps from club members. They were rebuffed, however, as resolutely as the War Office had been.
The War Office was not finally able to succeed in encouraging the Assembly until 1890. The previous year, the Colonial government, via the office of the Governor, had requested from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, permission to form a Joint Stock Company for the creation of a premier hotel to cater to the growing tourist industry. The Bermudians who were planning this hotel - which would be the Princess Hotel, on the outskirts of Hamilton - had arranged financial backing from a US company wich already had a related interest in the venture. The possession of land on the colony by foreigners was forbidden, under the Imperial defence consideration that this might be used to justify an invasion, such as had happened in Texas when the US had appropriatted that territory from Mexico. There was also a request made regarding the proposed widening of the shipping channel into Saint George's Harbour. This was necessary to maintain that town's economy, but could presumably have made the landing of invading troops easier by allowing easier ingress to the harbour to large vessels.
Seeing their chance, the War Office, when notified of these requests, insisted that neither of these requests could be allowed to diminish the security of the colony (or rather, 'base') while the Colonial Assembly was taking no part in the island's defence. They would be willing to reconsider the issues, however, they stated, should there be movement on the issue of militias.
With the colony's economy already having suffered severly at the loss of its ship-building and mercantile marine industries ( and privateering) and teetering along wholly on Imperial defence expenditure and a short-lived agricultural industry, the Assembly's hand was forced, and Acts were passed in 1892 authorixing the creation of the three units. The Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps was raised first, drawing on the already existing rifle clubs for membership. As it was desired to exclude Blacks from this unit, but not by any overt means, the entry to the Corps was hinged, at the outset, on membership in a civil rifle club. As all of these barred Black membership, the BVRC was kept a white unit.
The Bermuda Militia Artillery began enlistment in 1895. Although the ranks were recruited from the colony's Black population, commissions were restricted to Whites. The uniform worn was that of the Royal Artillery, without a distinctive cap badge.The first drill took place on the 15 June, 1896.
Initially, all of the coastal artillery batteries were manned by regular artillerymen. The BMA were gunners were slowly trained to proficiency in all roles within a battery.By the end of the decade, they were able to field gun teams, and began to take an increasing part of the Garrison's artillery role, though they remained a reserve to be mobilized in wartime, rather than replacing the regulars altogether. The last major revision and re-armament of the Garrison's coastal artillery was completed in 1910, leaving 22 pieces distributed through a number of the older forts and batteries, and one new battery on Saint David's head. This number began to dwindle almost immediately as the batteries were reduced, guns being relocated or moth-balled as necessary.
THE GREAT WAR,
1914 - 1918.
Coastal Artillery was already a dated concept by the start of the Great War. By then, the navies of the Great Powers were based on battleships with guns that dwarfed typical coastal artillery of the time. The Royal Navy's HMS Queen Elizabeth carried 15" guns which could fire a shell of 1,938 lbs. to a range of 16.25 miles. By comparison the 6" guns at St. David's could fling their shells a mere 6.25 miles. The reality was that naval vessels already had the advantage of maneouvre, and now could safely sit beyond the range of the coastal artillery and lay waste to them, and to the targets they were meant to protect, levelling the island with unanswerable and overwhelming fire.
Fortunately, the Central Powers lacked the naval strength to project a threat to the colony, and, after the Battle of Jutland, the German High Seas Fleet never attempted to challenge the Royal Navy's command of the Atlantic ( although the German Navy's submarines were somewhat more succesful in their attacks on Britain's oceanic commerce).
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| 0.982396 | 1,914 | 3.078125 | 3 |
In this chapter:
1. “Foreign protection order” means a protection order issued by a tribunal of another state.
2. “Issuing state” means the state whose tribunal issues a protection order.
3. “Mutual foreign protection order” means a foreign protection order that includes
provisions issued in favor of both the protected individual seeking enforcement of the order and the respondent.
4. “Protected individual” means an individual protected by a protection order.
5. “Protection order” means an injunction or other order, issued by a tribunal under the domestic violence or family violence laws of the issuing state, to prevent an
individual from engaging in violent or threatening acts against, harassment of,
contact or communication with, or physical proximity to another individual. The term
includes an injunction or other order issued under the antistalking laws of the issuing
6. “Respondent” means the individual against whom enforcement of a protection order is sought.
7. “State” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the
jurisdiction of the United States. The term includes an Indian tribe or band that has
jurisdiction to issue protection orders.
8. “Tribunal” means a court, agency, or other entity authorized by law to issue or
modify a protection order.
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What Are Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS)?
by Vintage Road Haulage
Vehicle communication systems of the very near future…
Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) are vehicle related communication networks that are being rapidly developed on an international level. In relation to the public, the most often discussed applications of C-ITS relate to cars and other road traffic, but it also encompasses other forms of transportation, including water, rail and air.
The different lines of communication that are considered part of C-ITS are any combination of the various bodies involved, that is, vehicles, infrastructure, and individuals using personal devices, potentially including pedestrians and cyclists. So, for example, C-ITS can be used to facilitate communication between vehicles, between vehicles and infrastructure, and between individuals and vehicles etc.
In relation to road traffic, this communication can travel through a number of different systems: Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC), which provide communication between vehicles and a particular location or structure, like a toll plaza; cellular networks; Wifi and Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN); radio; and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), like GPS.
Benefits of C-ITS
It’s use potentially presents a wide range of benefits, some contributing to improved road transport convenience, others to efficiency and safety.
The most commonly provided examples of how C-ITS can improve road transport safety involve vehicle to vehicle communication of an impending collision. For example, drivers coming to an intersection, whose cars are not visible to each other, will be warned if their direction and speed is likely to result in an accident. An Australian report estimates that up to 35 percent of serious crashes could be prevented with the full integration of C-ITS.
C-ITS will be able to communicate information gathered by vehicles and infrastructure regarding road and weather conditions, unexpected events like spillages or road closures, and other relevant information. In addition to improving safety levels, it also aims to increase road transport efficiency and reduce congestion by sharing of this type of information.
C-ITS in Australia
The Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) is currently researching and planning for the introduction of C-ITS in Australia. Trials are being performed nationally in order to evaluate the precise nature of the benefits to assist in the planning process and to help raise public awareness of the C-ITS and its potential benefits.
The results of trials being performed elsewhere in the world will also contribute to the Australian research. Internationally, trials are well established and continuing across the US, Europe and Asia.
In addition to its many benefits, the Australian National Transport Commission (NTC) has identified several key issues that the introduction of C-ITS will raise.
These issues include legal questions regarding liability – who will be responsible for crashes that do occur while C-ITS are in use? – and driver distraction problems.
Another complex problem that must be addressed with the introduction of C-ITS is the issue of privacy – who will be responsible for the vast amount of information gathered about individuals, companies and their vehicles, and how will this information be used?
Vintage Road Haulage
Go to Home
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| 0.946734 | 645 | 3.0625 | 3 |
Lost and Found Capitol Treasures
In addition to the ongoing preservation work that is conducted throughout the Capitol building, one of the most rewarding challenges for the Capitol Preservation Committee is locating lost items or facts that relate to the history of this magnificent State treasure.
Like most public buildings, the Capitol has seen countless changes over the many decades since its construction in 1906. As styles and tastes changed over the years prior to the formation of the Capitol Preservation Committee, original furnishings were often abandoned and/or replaced to match "modern" decor.
The majority of the original furnishings, which were custom designed by Capitol architect Joseph M. Huston, contained many features to match the architectural profiles of specific suites. For example, highly ornate chairs made from quarter-sawn oak with tooled leather seats and backs were exclusive to the Governor's Reception suite.
All other rooms were supplied with mahogany furniture. Items such as coat trees, matching sofas and chairs, and wardrobes with beveled glass doors were all custom-designed and meticulously crafted specifically for the Capitol building.
There are still many more Capitol treasures waiting to be found. You can help by sharing knowledge about other historic artifacts that may have originated from the Pennsylvania State Capitol by contacting the Committee.
The important task of preserving and maintaining the history of the State Capitol is one that benefits all Pennsylvanians and generations to come. Click on a year below to view some of the Committee's notable discoveries.
FOUND: Hill's Capitol Member's Desk
The committee was able to obtain an original 1822 Hill's Capitol House Chamber member's desk. The Hill's Capitol was the original building built in Harrisburg. Work was begun in 1819 and the building was finished and furnished by 1822, however by 1867-68 most all of the original furniture had been upgraded and was sold. Desks were again replaced after the new state constitution of 1877 enlarged the legislature. In 1897 the Hill's Capitol burned beyond repair and was razed. Several unique items such as artwork and settees survived, but most original furniture that remained was lost to the fire. Unlike later desks made for the Hill's Capitol, this unique original desk has a seat number listed on its front, so we are able to identify all the members who may have occupied this seat during the course of the nineteenth century�truly a unique piece of Capitol history.
FOUND: House Bills, 1899 Session
The Capitol Preservation Committee recently acquired a historic bound copy of the House Bills of the 1899 session. Rep. Frank H. Naftzinger of Berks County originally owned this folio. The 1899-1901 sessions of the Pennsylvania State Legislature are unique because they were the only two to meet in the Cobb Capitol Building, which served as the interim Capitol until the current Joseph Huston-designed building was constructed. The bound folio of House bills numbers approximately 2900 pages and is eight inches thick, which is exceptionally interesting given the fact that the 1899 legislative session ranks as one of the shortest and least active in terms of the passing of laws in the history of the legislature. This acquisition will be placed in the newly constructed Rare Books Room in the Pennsylvania State Library and be available to patrons interested in researching the historical operations of the Pennsylvania State Legislature.
FOUND: Historic Capitol Bench
The Committee was very fortunate to find a bench from the 1906 Capitol which was originally located in the House Anteroom. This bench can be seen in the original 1902 Special Furniture drawings that were produced by architect Joseph M. Huston. The bench is approximately 10 feet long and is upholstered on the seat, back, and sides. It has high sides without arms and was intended as a waiting bench for lobbyists, guests, and others waiting to conduct business or have discussions with Representatives before they went into official session on the floor. The historic Capitol bench will undergo restoration and be placed back in the Capitol.
FOUND: Cherub Light Fixture
A surprising discovery was made by Ruthann Hubbert-Kemper on eBay when this wall sconce was detected immediately as one of only four originals made for the Governor's Private Office in the Capitol building. This exquisitely detailed cast bronze sconce is hand chased and was custom made by the Pennsylvania Bronze Company, located in Philadelphia. Once the committee made the purchase, the previous owner revealed that it had lain in a garage for many years and that it was acquired at a public sale in Harrisburg from a man who had worked for the state in the 1950's.
In the decade following World War II the capitol underwent many renovations that included upgrades such as heating, air conditioning, and electrical. During this time frame many of the 1906 bronze light fixtures were removed and discarded, some were sold for scrap metal and others were part of the work designated for dispersal by contractors. This was a time when many suspended ceilings were installed so that ductwork could be hidden and florescent lighting could be added.
In the governor's private office the two original chandeliers and four similarly-styled cherub sconces were taken down. The sconces were not replaced and the holes in the walls were fitted with a piece of wood. The cut crystal chandeliers were removed from the ceiling and the bottom sections with the cherubs and crystal were separated from the canopy. A contemporary "post office modern" styled fixture was attached to the existing 1906 canopy and chain, and re-hung at the existing location. These two fixtures are still in the room. The committee plans to use the rediscovered sconce to make a mold for replication of the lost fixtures, and to return the original to its historic location.
LOST: Information About Capitol Rhombicosidodecahedrons
In addition to documenting the preservation aspects of a project, when the final report is compiled it often includes relevant background history, if known. In some cases, however, historic background information remains a mystery since documentation prior to the project commencing does not exist.
As part of the plaza balustrade preservation project, the Committee performed preservation maintenance repairs to the pair of rhombicosidodecahedrons, which flank the north entrance to the upper parking deck of the Capitol building. Unfortunately, there is very little information about these enormous and unusual architectural elements to be found.
Besides being a tongue twister, a rhombicosidodecahedron is a shape that has 20 regular triangular faces, 30 regular square faces, 12 regular pentagonal faces, 60 vertices, and 120 edges. The derivation of the three part name for the planar shapes, which make up the polyhedron "meaning many faces" come from the word rhombic meaning square or cube; isosahedron the equilateral triangle; and pentagon dodecahedron.
Polyhedrons are usually named by the Greek word for the number of faces on the solid, plus the word hedron. Plato felt that creation involved sorting out pre-existing elements fire, air, earth, and water into coherent patterns. He identified fire with a tetrahedron, earth with the cube, air with the octahedron, and water with the icosahedron. The cosmos, Plato believed, was a dodecahedron that consumed everything. Knowing this, however, does not explain the significance or reason that rhombicosidodecahedrons were installed in Capitol Park in 1928. It is only known that architects William Gehron and Sydney Ross designed them in 1927.
The Committee would appreciate learning further details about the Capitol's rhombicosidodecahedrons. If you have details about these, or other historic items, please contact the Capitol Preservation Committee.
FOUND: Civil War Flag
Flags that are returned to the Capitol Preservation Committee usually have some quintessentially odd historical provenances attached to their extra 135 years of travel, like that of the Pennsylvania Bucktails or the 150th Volunteers. Each has stories that make their wartime and post-war service unique. The postwar history of the regimental color for the 11th Reserves (40th Infantry) is no different.
This regimental (large Federal style eagle) flag was at one time owned by Francis A. Lord, noted author and collector of southern Civil War artifacts, who sold it to Mr. David Vernum-Holder, a native of Great Britain. The flag remained in England for numerous years until Steve Heller of Newport, PA, a collector of Civil War memorabilia, discovered it. Mr. Heller acquired the flag from Vernum-Holder and donated it to the Committee to ensure that the remnants will last for as long as possible.
Prior to its ownership by Francis A. Lord, it is uncertain where the flag resided. The Committee is currently working with a textile conservator to conserve the pieces of the color. As the process is undertaken, the Committee hopes to discover more evidence of the flag's post-Civil War provenance.
FOUND: Pennsylvania Coat of Arms
Joseph Konrad of Washington, D.C. contacted the Committee over the summer with an interesting discovery. He had acquired a 1930s plaster casting mold of the Pennsylvania Coat of Arms. The Committee was able to research and document this piece as being an original to the Forum Building, formerly known as the Education Building located in the Capitol Complex.
Typically, these casts were kept in the attics of the buildings for which they were designed. This was a safeguard so that if the original ever became damaged, a replica could be made.
Mr. Konrad bought the cast from a friend who had acquired it years ago in Philadelphia. Upon learning of its history, he offered to return it to its proper home for $300 the cost he originally paid.
FOUND: 1876 House Members Framed Print
This framed print, a rather unusual find, shows each member of the House of Representatives from 1876. The bottom of the print reads, "Photograph by Le Rue Lemur Harrisburg, Pennsylvania."
Previously the print belonged to Mrs. Bea Kistler of Cumberland County, who presented it to the Committee through Senator Patricia Vance. It had been in the Kistler family for generations because William Kistler served in the Legislature from 1874-1876 representing Carbon and Monroe counties.
Another interesting fact is that this print was produced the same year as the nation's centennial. But more importantly, it contains photographs of the legislative members, which at this early date are very difficult to find. Unlike the Pennsylvania Manual of today that contains printed photographs of legislative members, the early version of this state printed document, Smull's Legislative Hand Book and Manual, contained only engravings of the State Capitol building, not photos of Assembly Members. This is a welcome addition to the Committee's collection, thanks to Mrs. Kistler and Senator Vance.
FOUND: Capitol Club Chair
During a trip to an antique shop in Lemoyne, then-Committee Executive Director Ruthann Hubbert-Kemper immediately recognized this chair to be a historic 1906 Capitol club chair. Custom-designed by architect Joseph Huston, it is one of a series of specially made furniture that was ordered for the Capitol and placed in the "Heads of State" offices.
It is made from mahogany with carved and turned elements and was originally covered in leather, although the upholstery was altered over the years. Long before the Committee was formed, many pieces of Capitol furniture were sent to State Surplus as decor was altered to fit changing tastes. The Committee plans to restore this historic piece and return it to an office in the Capitol.
FOUND: Capitol Inaugural Pin
William Alexis Stone (1846-1920) was inaugurated as the Governor of Pennsylvania on January 17, 1899 and served until January 20, 1903. This historic pin depicts the winning competition design by architect Henry Ives Cobb for the construction of a new State Capitol in 1898. A disastrous fire had consumed the old Capitol designed by Steven Hills on February 2, 1897.
In his message to the legislature when he took office in January 1901, Governor Stone recommended passing legislation for the purpose of building a State Capitol and expending money from the general revenues of the state. Stone, as President of the Capitol Building Commission, awarded a contract in 1902 to Joseph Huston to complete the Capitol that had been started by Cobb. Unfortunately Cobb's original design, depicted on this pin, was never completed.
LOST: Table from Lieutenant Governor's Ladies Lounge
The round, marble-topped table shown on the left was originally placed in Room 203 the Ladies' Lounge. No longer used as a lounge, this room now serves an office for the Lieutenant Governor's staff.
This historic photograph shows a view of this room taken after the Capitol's dedication in 1906. The ornate features of the table's mahogany base and legs are indicative of the custom furniture designed by Capitol architect Joseph Huston. Today, the whereabouts of the table remains a mystery.
The Committee would appreciate learning about information on this table as we continue to document the Capitol's history.
FOUND: Artifacts From Underneath Capitol's West Steps
Workers made some fascinating discoveries amidst the rubble underneath the Capitol's west steps during the project's excavation phase.
Featured items: three milk bottles imprinted with "One pint liquid; Bellevue Dairy, Jos. A. Rudy, Paxtang, PA;" large chunks of granite, coal; and brownstone; clay bricks imprinted "FLEURIE," which were from the steps' original support piers; a chunk of clay brick showing a series of figures printed in pencil; a whiskey bottle imprinted "Pure all rye whisky, bottled expressly for family use, honest measure."
FOUND: Capitol Pillowcase
William H. Thomas, local collector and longtime friend of the Committee, discovered this unique item at a local flea market. When he saw it he decided immediately to purchase and donate it to the Committee. It was found with the original price tag marked .50 1/2. Measuring 22 3/4 inches square, the pillowcase is imprinted with the words "Made Expressly for Bowman & Co Harrisburg, PA." The cotton pillowcase is comprised of a plain red backing along with of the front featuring hand-painted designs of the 1906 State Capitol; Pennsylvania State Seal; American flag; and the "Old Capitol" (that was destroyed by fire in 1897). Undoubtedly sold as a souvenir, the two separate pieces of cloth could be sewed together to make a decorative display pillow.
LOST: House Chamber Chandeliers
Originally when the Capitol was first built, the House Chamber contained eight chandeliers (a larger set of four located on the ceilings' outer perimeter, along with four smaller chandeliers located in the center). In 1912 during the installation of Edwin Austin Abbey's "Apotheosis of Pennsylvania" the enormous painting on the central south wall of the House Chamber four of the smaller chandeliers were removed because they obstructed the view of visitors from the gallery. The whereabouts of the chandeliers following their removal remains a mystery, and therefore, the Committee would be appreciative to learn of any new information as we continue to compile documentation about the Capitol's history.
FOUND: 1936 Scrapbook of Capitol Photos
In the fall of 2004, local book dealer and collector, William H. Thomas of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, found and donated to the Committee a historic scrapbook containing information about the Capitol. Mr. Thomas has been a loyal friend to the Committee since it was established in 1982 by donating and providing leads on Capitol artifacts.
This unique piece of history was assembled in 1936 by Harrisburg resident Charles W. Whisler during the cleaning and repointing of the Capitol and State Museum buildings (the latter was renamed the Speaker Matthew J. Ryan Legislative Office Building in 1999). Whisler served as senior engineer on the project, which was conducted between May and December of 1936.
Most unique is the incredible amount of detail Whisler captured in his thirty-six-page Capitol memento. The majority of the pages are devoted to eight-by-ten-inch black and white photographs that capture the two buildings before, during, and at completion of the project (much like one of the Committee's final project reports would appear today). Not just ordinary snapshots, the photographs were taken by renowned local photographer S.W. Kuhnert. Known for aerial and architectural photography in and around Central Pennsylvania, Kuhnert's photographs are today valuable and highly collectible with the State Museum housing one of his larger collections.
Other important aspects of the scrapbook include newspaper clippings about the progress of the project; handwritten notes detailing what materials and methodologies were used during the course of the project; and autographs ranging from then-Governor George Earle, to project engineers, and contractors including the Piccirilli Brothers.
One of the pages includes a detailed photograph of the Barnard statuary at the Capitol's front entrance, which in September 1936 were being cleaned and preserved by the Piccirilli Brothers the same New York firm who had installed the statuary in 1911. Within the documentation, we discovered details about how the statuary were cleaned, which included sandblasting and the application of a coat of beeswax and paraffin. Important details such as these give the Committee an understanding of the maintenance history, along with better insight as to the statuary's present condition and stability requirements. This invaluable resource will become part of the Committee's permanent collection of historic documentation and serve as a resource for current and and future restorations.
FOUND: 1910 Sweet's Catalogue of Building Construction
In the spring of 2004, Committee architect Hyman Myers shared his copy of the 1910 Sweet's "Catalogue of Building Construction" after noticing that it contained information relating to the Pennsylvania Capitol Building.
On page 328 the catalogue features a listing for the Wm. F. Remppis Company in the ornamental metal work section. The Wm. F. Remppis Company had fabricated the ornamental ironwork for the Capitol. The firm's Philadelphia office was located in the Witherspoon Building, which was the same building where Capitol architect Joseph M. Huston's office was housed.
The listing shows several illustrations highlighting the beautiful and artistic quality of the company's work for some of its prominent customers. Included are two interior shots featuring the Capitol's cast-iron light wells and staircases.
An excerpt from the listing reads:
"The Wm. F. Remppis Company is at all times ready to furnish the architect, contractor, or owner with complete estimates for all classes of work, and to submit special designs upon request. For the convenience of our many out-of-town clients we have fitted up commodious quarters, equipped with writing materials, phones, stenographer, and all the accessories of a modern office, which they are cordially invited to use as their headquarters while visiting Philadelphia. Our plant is modern in every respect, and we are prepared to execute orders of any magnitude, with the utmost promptness."
Since 1906 Sweet's has been the number one reference source for architects, engineers, and contractors. These generously illustrated old catalogues are a treasure trove of information and history.
LOST: Cherub Horns, Governor's Reception Room Light Standard
Situated at both the east and west corners of the Governor's Reception Room, located on either side of the marble fireplaces, are a pair of cast bronze light standards. These ornate lighting fixtures were made by the Henry-Bonnard Bronze Company of Mount Vernon, New York and are finished with a solid mercurial gold finish.
Each standard is adorned with four cherubs encompassing the mid-section of the post. Historically, the cherubs each held a horn, which are no longer extant. If you have any information about the missing horns, please contact the Capitol Preservation Committee.
FOUND: Governor Gifford Pinchot Photograph
In November 2003 Committee architect Hyman Myers found and donated the above historic photograph taken sometime during the Pinchot administration (1923-1927).
The identities of the women in the photograph are unknown, as well as the nature of their business with Governor Pinchot, who appears to be signing an official document of some type. Please contact us if you know any background information or details explaining the significance of the event depicted in the above photograph.
FOUND: Johnson System Thermostats Catalog
In July 2003, while performing research on the original contract for the Capitol's historic thermostats, the Committee found and contacted the original supplier, Johnson Controls, Inc. (formerly known as Johnson Service Co. when the Capitol was built in 1906).
A representative from the corporate archives department at Johnson Controls sent digital images scanned from a catalog used during 1902-1912 to promote Johnson thermostats. We also received confirmation that there were 363 thermostats supplied by Johnson Service Co. for the Capitol.
In 1904 the Capitol's thermostats cost $51.70 each and were designed by a French artist. The Johnson Service Co. opened a Philadelphia branch in 1901 with contracts to produce thermostats for the U.S. Capitol, Union Station in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Customs House,the New Jersey State House, and the Pennsylvania State Capitol.
The company has come a long way since the early days when it supplied the Capitol with thermostats. Today, Johnson Controls, Inc. is headquartered in Glendale, Wisconsin with more than 500 locations worldwide. It now makes car seats, interior systems, and batteries for the automotive industry, along with continuing to make environmental control systems for commercial buildings.
FOUND: Historic Wallpaper from Cobb Capitol
During the demolition phase for the 110 Suite restoration project, the Committee made several interesting discoveries. Located in the suite behind several wood pilasters and sections of paneled wainscoting were wallpaper remnants from the Cobb Capitol (1898-1902).
When architect Joseph Huston designed the present Capitol, he incorporated the Cobb Capitol into the building's construction. This original untouched decoration of the Cobb Capitol has been encased in the current Huston Capitol for nearly 100 years. These remnants were photographed for documentation purposes, but otherwise were left undisturbed, thus preserving them as part of the Capitol's history.
LOST: Star Lamp Standards
According to correspondence from architect William Gehron, the star lamp standards for the Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Bridge were designed in harmony with the character of the monumental bridge. Gehron writes, "The post of the lamp standard depicts reeds tied together with bands symbolizing the union of the states.
The cross bars were in the form of arrows to symbolize war. The star is the symbol used by the American Legion. A star was awarded to the mothers and wives of those lost on the battlefield, and, of course, the star has an important part in the great seal of the United States where it is intended to symbolize glory or light . . . The eagle takes its significance from the great seal of the United States and is also used on the seal of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."
The Committee is interested to learn of any information on the whereabouts of remaining star lamp standards or details on when the lights were dismantled.
LOST: Capitol Fountains
The first Capitol fountain, known as the "rustic fountain," was installed in Capitol Park, complementing the Hills Capitol during the 1870s. It was located between the south office building (now known as the K. Leroy Irvis Office Building) and the Mexican War Monument and was later removed during 1893-1894 for the construction of the Executive, Library and Museum Building (known today as the Speaker Matthew J. Ryan Legislative Office Building).
To compensate for its loss an appropriation was made for two additional fountains. Photographs of the park following the construction of the Huston Capitol show two identical cast iron fountains with shallow retaining pools placed at the north and south extremes of the circular walk in front of the Capitol.
Their placement required modifications of the walk including the addition of two small circular paths around the fountains. They, in turn, were removed during reconstruction of the park in the early 1920s. The whereabouts of the twin fountains or their predecessor, the "rustic fountain," remain a mystery.
FOUND: Historic Capitol Table
The Committee conducts periodic searches for Capitol furnishings throughout many state buildings. During a visit to the Harrisburg State Hospital, this historic table immediately caught our attention. After taking photographs, we searched our archive of Joseph Huston's original 1906 Capitol furnishings and found a match showing the table was from the House Post Office. Now fully restored, it will be placed in a Capitol office.
Another interesting component of the State Capitol is the many chandeliers that hang in public and private rooms throughout the building. Most would not expect that a light fixture, weighing hundreds of pounds, would change locations. However, over the course of time the vast majority of these heavy bronze fixtures, which contained cut glass globes, have been relocated or taken down and sold as scrap metal.
Beginning in 2000 Committee staff created an inventory system to classify different globe types with fixtures, based on historic documentation. This will help with current and future preservation projects in determining the type of globe that matches a chandelier or sconce, how many pertain to that fixture, and gathering statistics such as the number of fixtures and globes within the Capitol building.
FOUND: Lieutenant Governor's Desk
While on a routine survey of items housed at State Surplus, Committee staff discovered and acquired the original, custom-designed Lieutenant Governor's desk. The mahogany desk, which had been missing for decades, was slated for transfer to another state agency. Utilizing historic photographs and original architectural line drawings, the desk was substantiated. After undergoing restoration, the desk was returned to its proper historic setting.
FOUND: Historic Capitol Table
The Committee conducts periodic searches for Capitol furnishings throughout many state buildings and agencies. During a visit to the State Hospital, this historic table immediately caught our attention. After taking photographs, we searched our archive of Joseph Huston's original 1906 Capitol furnishings and found a match showing the table was from the House Post Office. Now fully restored, it will be placed in the Capitol.
FOUND: Violet Oakley Prints
In 1907 reproduction prints of Violet Oakley's Governor's Reception Room murals were produced by Curtis & Cameron Publishers and sold to public schools and institutions. During the summer of 2001, an elevator repairman at Mansfield University discovered four of Oakley's prints in a storage room, after which the university contacted and donated them to the Capitol Preservation Committee.
Before the prints were installed in Capitol conference rooms, they underwent conservation work that included cleaning, restoring the oak frames, replacing broken glass, and mounting with acid-free materials.
During this process, the Committee discovered that the prints were embellished with hand-painted highlights. The prints, which also appear in Oakley's "The Holy Experiment Our Heritage from William Penn 1644-1944," are titled: "Penn Having Been Liberated," "Penn's Arrest While Preaching," "Writing in Prison," and "Penn Denouncing His Son."
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Written by Heather Elvidge
It used to be said about March that it’s the month when winter starts packing its bags. Certainly the sun is on our side, even when it’s hiding behind clouds.
Spring sweeps northwards at around one hundred miles a week
The sun climbs rapidly higher this month, the days continue to lengthen and as the land begins to warm, spring sweeps northwards at around one hundred miles a week.
Already there’s a cheerful choir at dawn, with most of our songsters joining in. Rising above the chorus are the fluting notes of that sublime soloist, the blackbird. He’s been silent for some time, so when we hear his languid song we know that spring really is here.
Other birds are searching for nest sites. Pairs of long-tailed tits sneak away from their winter flock for a while to check out thick hedges and gorse bushes. Mallard partners leave their pond and waddle some distance to find the right place sheltered by hedge or bush. Rookeries bustle with activity as birds bring new twigs to repair old nests; rejected twigs lie scattered beneath the trees.
Those great roosting flocks of starlings are breaking up now into smaller groups, and on a fine day each male starling returns to his old nest site. In that hole under the roof tiles there’s spring-cleaning to be done. Out goes last year’s rubbish; in comes clean grass and leaves. If he can find a small flower, he’ll add that too. Then he perches close by to sing about it. His partner will line the nest with moss and feathers, providing she approves of his efforts.
Out in the fields brown hares are going crazy. This is the month when jacks chase jills, and jills box jacks, while other hares sit calmly watching. Those mad March hares are testing out each other’s suitability for breeding.
Folklore isn’t short of sayings about March weather, because people needed to know what was going to happen on the land. So we have: “A wet March makes a sad harvest” and “March damp and warm will do farmers much harm.” They all add up to one thing: for good weather in August to ripen grain – and for the peak holiday season – we need dry, cold days in March.
However, it’s worth remembering that the month is capable of anything. “March, month of many weathers, wildly comes in hail and snow and threatening floods and hums.” If it should turn grey and damp, the old lore offers some consolation: “Better to be bitten by a snake than to feel the sun in March.”
Take note of any misty days this month because “a mist in March is a frost in May.” This reliable saying is useful for fruit trees that need blossom protecting from late frosts. It can also protect us from spring fever. You know you’ve got it when you find yourself buying tender plantlings and rushing to bed out the poor things far too soon.
Everyone knows that, “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb,” and so it did. Let’s hope we’ve got the wild weather out of the way.
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The charge state of a lead acid battery (% charged) can be estimated from the voltage measured at the terminals of the battery. The chart below shows the relationship.
First, it is important to understand the terminology. “C” is the capacity of the battery in amp-hours. For example, this battery has a rating of 215AH when discharged over 20 hours. Note: The Duracell GC2 battery is a 6V golf cart battery. So, the chart is applicable to two of these batteries connected in series.
For easy reference, here are calculations of the currents shown on the chart:
|Curve||Current Draw/Charge||Approximate Wattage Draw/Charge|
Here are several examples of interpreting voltage:
It is night and no solar energy is available to charge the battery. Several small pieces of electronic equipment are connected to the battery. They consume about 25W or so. The battery voltage is 12.5V. This means that the battery is about 60% charged.
If the battery voltage were 12.0V, then the battery would only be 10% charged. Likewise, if the voltage were about 12.7V, the battery would be pretty much fully charged.
It is night and no solar energy is available to charge the battery. An inverter, which draws about 2A (~25W) of current is powering a small air conditioner and 6 high intensity recessed LED lights. The air conditioner consumes 500W of power and the lights consume 75W. So, the total power drawn from the battery is about 600W, which is between the C/3 and the C/5 curve – but closer to the C5 curve.
If the battery voltage measures 12.0V, then the battery is almost certainly fully charged. If it measures 11.5V, the battery is about 60% charged. And if it measures 10.5V, it is somewhat less than 10% charged.
Note that discharging a battery at the C/3 or even the C/5 rate decreases the life of the battery. C/10 or C/20 is much safer. In addition, battery life is shorted by discharging a battery below 50% of its capacity. 600W represents 50A of current. So, using a Duracell G2 battery pair like this for more than two hours decreases life because of the discharge rate as well as discharging too deeply. For usage such as this, it is advisable to use at least 4, if not 6 of these batteries, in series/parallel combination. 6 batteries would reduce the discharge rate to C/16.7 and would increase the safe usage time to about 6 hours.
In the chart below, the area in green represents the safest discharge rates and amounts for best battery life. Note that battery terminal voltages under 12.0V are always suboptimal.
It is a sunny day, nothing is using power from the battery, and a solar panel system is producing about 10A of current. The voltage at the battery terminals measures 14.0V. This means that the battery is approximately 90% charged. On the other hand, if the voltage at the battery terminals measures 13.0V, the battery is approximately 50% charged.
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Canadian History Infancy Of Quebec
Champlain was the founder of this old capital of French Can...
Battle Of Ticonderoga
In 1758, the English commanders, incensed at the loss of Fo...
Discovery Of Lake Champlain
This beautiful lake owes its name to Samuel de Champlain, t...
The Governors-general: Sir Charles Bagot
Sir Charles Bagot, the second governor-general of United Cana...
Massacre Of The Devil's Hole
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The Governors-general: Lord Metcalfe
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British Opinion And Canadian Autonomy
While these great modifications were being made in the form a...
A Legend Of Ticonderoga
Mention has been made of the death of Major Duncan Campbell...
Siege Of Fort Niagara
The River Niagara was known to the Jesuits as early as 1640...
There are antinomies in politics as in philosophy, problems w...
The Governors-general: Lord Sydenham
Between 1839 and 1854, four governors-general exercised autho...
Massachusetts Attacks Quebec
Like Montreal, Quebec transformed itself in time lost much ...
Siege And Massacre Of Fort William Henry
Having failed to take Fort William Henry by surprise, the F...
Discovery Of Lake George
It was thirty-three years since Champlain had first attacke...
The Birth Of Montreal
We come now to an enterprise as singular in its character a...
The Heights Of Abraham
The early part of the Seven Years' War was disastrous to En...
The Canadian Community
To understand the political evolution of Canada it is essenti...
Battle Of Lake George
For more than a century after the death of Jogues, Lakes Ge...
The Governors-general: Lord Elgin
The year which intervened between Metcalfe's departure and th...
A Military Mission
Quebec was without a governor. Who should succeed Champlain...
The Heights Of Abraham
The early part of the Seven Years' War was disastrous to England. The
tide turned with the accession to power of the great war minister,
William Pitt. In 1759, he sent General James Wolfe with a combined
military and naval force to capture Quebec. The British troops numbered
somewhat less than nine thousand, while Montcalm and Vaudreuil were
posted to receive them, on positions almost impregnable, with an army of
regulars, Canadians, and Indians, amounting in all to about sixteen
thousand. The great height of the shores made the British ships of
little or no use for purposes of attack.
Wolfe took possession of Point Levi, from which he bombarded Quebec. He
also seized the high grounds just below the Montmorenci, and vainly
tried to cross that stream above the cataract and gain the rear of
Montcalm's army, which lay encamped along the shore from the Montmorenci
to the city. Failing in this and every other attempt to force the enemy
to a battle, he rashly resolved to attack them in front, up the steep
declivities at the top of which they were intrenched. The grenadiers
dashed forward prematurely and without orders, struggling desperately to
scale the heights under a deadly fire. The result was a complete
repulse, with heavy loss.
The capture of Quebec now seemed hopeless. Wolfe was almost in despair.
His body was as frail as his spirit was ardent and daring. Since the
siege began he had passed with ceaseless energy from camp to camp,
animating the troops, observing everything, and directing everything;
but now the pale face and tall lean form were seen no more, and the
rumor spread that the General was dangerously ill. He had in fact been
seized by an access of the disease that had tortured him for some time
past; and fever had followed. His quarters were at a French farmhouse in
the camp at Montmorenci; and here, as he lay in an upper chamber,
helpless in bed, his singular and most unmilitary features haggard with
disease and drawn with pain, no man could less have looked the hero. But
as the needle, though quivering, points always to the pole, so, through
torment and languor and the heats of fever, the mind of Wolfe dwelt on
the capture of Quebec. His illness, which began before the twentieth of
August, had so far subsided on the twenty-fifth that Captain Knox wrote
in his Diary of that day: "His Excellency General Wolfe is on the
recovery, to the inconceivable joy of the whole army." On the
twenty-ninth he was able to write or dictate a letter to the three
brigadiers, Monckton, Townshend, and Murray: "That the public service
may not suffer by the General's indisposition, he begs the brigadiers
will meet and consult together for the public utility and advantage, and
consider of the best method to attack the enemy." The letter then
proposes three plans, all bold to audacity. The first was to send a part
of the army to ford the Montmorenci eight or nine miles above its mouth,
march through the forest, and fall on the rear of the French at
Beauport, while the rest landed and attacked them in front. The second
was to cross the ford at the mouth of the Montmorenci and march along
the strand, under the French intrenchments, till a place could be found
where the troops might climb the heights. The third was to make a
general attack from boats at the Beauport flats. Wolfe had before
entertained two other plans, one of which was to scale the heights at
St. Michel, about a league above Quebec; but this he had abandoned on
learning that the French were there in force to receive him. The other
was to storm the Lower Town; but this also he had abandoned, because the
Upper Town, which commanded it, would still remain inaccessible.
The brigadiers met in consultation, rejected the three plans proposed in
the letter, and advised that an attempt should be made to gain a footing
on the north shore above the town, place the army between Montcalm and
his base of supply, and so force him to fight or surrender. The scheme
was similar to that of the heights of St. Michel. It seemed desperate,
but so did all the rest; and if by chance it should succeed, the gain
was far greater than could follow any success below the town. Wolfe
embraced it at once.
Not that he saw much hope in it. He knew that every chance was against
him. Disappointment in the past and gloom in the future, the pain and
exhaustion of disease, toils, and anxieties "too great," in the words of
Burke, "to be supported by a delicate constitution, and a body unequal
to the vigorous and enterprising soul that it lodged," threw him at
times into deep dejection. By those intimate with him he was heard to
say that he would not go back defeated, "to be exposed to the censure
and reproach of an ignorant populace." In other moods he felt that he
ought not to sacrifice what was left of his diminished army in vain
conflict with hopeless obstacles. But his final resolve once taken, he
would not swerve from it. His fear was that he might not be able to lead
his troops in person. "I know perfectly well you cannot cure me," he
said to his physician; "but pray make me up so that I may be without
pain for a few days, and able to do my duty: that is all I want."
In the last of August, he was able for the first time to leave the
house. It was on this same day that he wrote his last letter to his
mother: "My writing to you will convince you that no personal evils
worse than defeats and disappointments have fallen upon me. The enemy
puts nothing to risk, and I can't in conscience put the whole army to
risk. My antagonist has wisely shut himself up in inaccessible
intrenchments, so that I can't get at him without spilling a torrent of
blood, and that perhaps to little purpose. The Marquis de Montcalm is at
the head of a great number of bad soldiers, and I am at the head of a
small number of good ones, that wish for nothing so much as to fight
him; but the wary old fellow avoids an action, doubtful of the behavior
of his army. People must be of the profession to understand the
disadvantages and difficulties we labor under, arising from the uncommon
natural strength of the country."
On the second of September a vessel was sent to England with his last
despatch to Pitt. It begins thus: "The obstacles we have met with in the
operations of the campaign are much greater than we had reason to expect
or could foresee; not so much from the number of the enemy (though
superior to us) as from the natural strength of the country, which the
Marquis of Montcalm seems wisely to depend upon. When I learned that
succors of all kinds had been thrown into Quebec; that five battalions
of regular troops, completed from the best inhabitants of the country,
some of the troops of the colony, and every Canadian that was able to
bear arms, besides several nations of savages, had taken the field in a
very advantageous situation,--I could not flatter myself that I should
be able to reduce the place. I sought, however, an occasion to attack
their army, knowing well that with these troops I was able to fight, and
hoping that a victory might disperse them." Then, after recounting the
events of the campaign with admirable clearness, he continues: "I found
myself so ill, and am still so weak, that I begged the general officers
to consult together for the general utility. They are all of opinion
that, as more ships and provisions are now got above the town, they
should try, by conveying up a corps of four or five thousand men (which
is nearly the whole strength of the army after the Points of Levi and
Orleans are left in a proper state of defence), to draw the enemy from
their present situation and bring them to an action. I have acquiesced
in the proposal, and we are preparing to put it into execution." The
letter ends thus: "By the list of disabled officers, many of whom are of
rank, you may perceive that the army is much weakened. By the nature of
the river, the most formidable part of this armament is deprived of the
power of acting; yet we have almost the whole force of Canada to oppose.
In this situation there is such a choice of difficulties that I own
myself at a loss how to determine. The affairs of Great Britain, I know,
require the most vigorous measures; but the courage of a handful of
brave troops should be exerted only when there is some hope of a
favorable event; however, you may be assured that the small part of the
campaign which remains shall be employed, as far as I am able, for the
honor of His Majesty and the interest of the nation, in which I am sure
of being well seconded by the Admiral and by the generals; happy if our
efforts here can contribute to the success of His Majesty's arms in any
other parts of America."
Perhaps he was as near despair as his undaunted nature was capable of
being. In his present state of body and mind he was a hero without the
light and cheer of heroism. He flattered himself with no illusions, but
saw the worst and faced it all. He seems to have been entirely without
excitement. The languor of disease, the desperation of the chances, and
the greatness of the stake may have wrought to tranquillize him. His
energy was doubly tasked: to bear up his own sinking frame, and to
achieve an almost hopeless feat of arms.
Audacious as it was, his plan cannot be called rash if we may accept the
statement of two well-informed writers on the French side. They say that
on the tenth of September the English naval commanders held a council on
board the flagship, in which it was resolved that the lateness of the
season required the fleet to leave Quebec without delay. They say
further that Wolfe then went to the Admiral, told him that he had found
a place where the heights could be scaled, that he would send up a
hundred and fifty picked men to feel the way, and that if they gained a
lodgment at the top, the other troops should follow; if, on the other
hand, the French were there in force to oppose them, he would not
sacrifice the army in a hopeless attempt, but embark them for home,
consoled by the thought that all had been done that man could do. On
this, concludes the story, the Admiral and his officers consented to
wait the result.
As Wolfe had informed Pitt, his army was greatly weakened. Since the end
of June his loss in killed and wounded was more than eight hundred and
fifty, including two colonels, two majors, nineteen captains, and
thirty-four subalterns; and to these were to be added a greater number
disabled by disease.
The squadron of Admiral Holmes above Quebec had now increased to
twenty-two vessels, great and small. One of the last that went up was a
diminutive schooner, armed with a few swivels, and jocosely named the
"Terror of France." She sailed by the town in broad daylight, the
French, incensed at her impudence, blazing at her from all their
batteries; but she passed unharmed, anchored by the Admiral's ship, and
saluted him triumphantly with her swivels.
Wolfe's first move towards executing his plan was the critical one of
evacuating the camp at Montmorenci. This was accomplished on the third
of September. Montcalm sent a strong force to fall on the rear of the
retiring English. Monckton saw the movement from Point Levi, embarked
two battalions in the boats of the fleet, and made a feint of landing at
Beauport. Montcalm recalled his troops to repulse the threatened attack;
and the English withdrew from Montmorenci unmolested, some to the Point
of Orleans, others to Point Levi. On the night of the fourth a fleet of
flat boats passed above the town with the baggage and stores. On the
fifth, Murray, with four battalions, marched up to the River Etechemin,
and forded it under a hot fire from the French batteries at Sillery.
Monckton and Townshend followed with three more battalions, and the
united force, of about thirty-six hundred men, was embarked on board the
ships of Holmes, where Wolfe joined them on the same evening.
These movements of the English filled the French commanders with mingled
perplexity, anxiety, and hope. A deserter told them that Admiral
Saunders was impatient to be gone. Vaudreuil grew confident. "The
breaking up of the camp at Montmorenci," he says, "and the abandonment
of the intrenchments there, the re-embarkation on board the vessels
above Quebec of the troops who had encamped on the south bank, the
movements of these vessels, the removal of the heaviest pieces of
artillery from the batteries of Point Levi,--these and the lateness of
the season all combined to announce the speedy departure of the fleet,
several vessels of which had even sailed down the river already. The
prisoners and the deserters who daily came in told us that this was the
common report in their army." He wrote to Bourlamaque on the first of
September: "Everything proves that the grand design of the English has
Yet he was ceaselessly watchful. So was Montcalm; and he, too, on the
night of the second, snatched a moment to write to Bourlamaque from his
headquarters in the stone house, by the river of Beauport: "The night is
dark; it rains; our troops are in their tents, with clothes on, ready
for an alarm; I in my boots; my horses saddled. In fact, this is my
usual way. I wish you were here; for I cannot be everywhere, though I
multiply myself, and have not taken off my clothes since the
twenty-third of June." On the eleventh of September he wrote his last
letter to Bourlamaque, and probably the last that his pen ever traced.
"I am overwhelmed with work, and should often lose temper, like you, if
I did not remember that I am paid by Europe for not losing it. Nothing
new since my last. I give the enemy another month, or something less, to
stay here." The more sanguine Vaudreuil would hardly give them a week.
Meanwhile, no precaution was spared. The force under Bougainville above
Quebec was raised to three thousand men. He was ordered to watch the
shore as far as Jacques-Cartier, and follow with his main body every
movement of Holmes's squadron. There was little fear for the heights
near the town; they were thought inaccessible. Even Montcalm believed
them safe, and had expressed himself to that effect some time before.
"We need not suppose," he wrote to Vaudreuil, "that the enemy have
wings;" and again, speaking of the very place where Wolfe afterwards
landed, "I swear to you that a hundred men posted there would stop their
whole army." He was right. A hundred watchful and determined men could
have held the position long enough for reinforcements to come up.
The hundred men were there. Captain de Vergor, of the colony troops,
commanded them, and reinforcements were within his call; for the
battalion of Guienne had been ordered to encamp close at hand on the
Plains of Abraham. Vergor's post, called Anse du Foulon, was a mile and
a half from Quebec. A little beyond it, by the brink of the cliffs, was
another post, called Samos, held by seventy men with four cannon; and,
beyond this again, the heights of Sillery were guarded by a hundred and
thirty men, also with cannon. These were outposts of Bougainville, whose
headquarters were at Cap-Rouge, six miles above Sillery, and whose
troops were in continual movement along the intervening shore. Thus all
was vigilance; for while the French were strong in the hope of speedy
delivery, they felt that there was no safety till the tents of the
invader had vanished from their shores and his ships from their river.
"What we knew," says one of them, "of the character of M. Wolfe, that
impetuous, bold, and intrepid warrior, prepared us for a last attack
before he left us."
Wolfe had been very ill on the evening of the fourth. The troops knew
it, and their spirits sank; but, after a night of torment, he grew
better, and was soon among them again, rekindling their ardor, and
imparting a cheer that he could not share. For himself he had no pity;
but when he heard of the illness of two officers in one of the ships, he
sent them a message of warm sympathy, advised them to return to Point
Levi, and offered them his own barge and an escort. They thanked him,
but replied that, come what might, they would see the enterprise to an
end. Another officer remarked in his hearing that one of the invalids
had a very delicate constitution. "Don't tell me of constitution," said
Wolfe; "he has good spirit, and good spirit will carry a man through
everything." An immense moral force bore up his own frail body and
forced it to its work.
Major Robert Stobo, who, five years before, had been given as a hostage
to the French at the capture of Fort Necessity, arrived about this time
in a vessel from Halifax. He had long been a prisoner at Quebec, not
always in close custody, and had used his opportunities to acquaint
himself with the neighborhood. In the spring of this year he and an
officer of rangers named Stevens had made their escape with
extraordinary skill and daring; and he now returned to give his
countrymen the benefit of his local knowledge. His biographer says that
it was he who directed Wolfe in the choice of a landing-place. Be this
as it may, Wolfe in person examined the river and the shores as far as
Pointe-aux-Trembles; till at length, landing on the south side a little
above Quebec, and looking across the water with a telescope, he descried
a path that ran with a long slope up the face of the woody precipice,
and saw at the top a cluster of tents. They were those of Vergor's
guard at the Anse du Foulon, now called Wolfe's Cove. As he could see
but ten or twelve of them, he thought that the guard could not be
numerous, and might be overpowered. His hope would have been stronger if
he had known that Vergor had once been tried for misconduct and
cowardice in the surrender of Beausejour, and saved from merited
disgrace by the friendship of the intendant Bigot and the protection of
The morning of the seventh was fair and warm, and the vessels of Holmes,
their crowded decks gay with scarlet uniforms, sailed up the river to
Cap-Rouge. A lively scene awaited them; for here were the headquarters
of Bougainville, and here lay his principal force, while the rest
watched the banks above and below. The cove into which the little river
runs was guarded by floating batteries; the surrounding shore was
defended by breastworks; and a large body of regulars, militia, and
mounted Canadians in blue uniforms moved to and fro, with restless
activity, on the hills behind. When the vessels came to anchor, the
horsemen dismounted and formed in line with the infantry; then, with
loud shouts, the whole rushed down the heights to man their works at the
shore. That true Briton, Captain Knox, looked on with a critical eye
from the gangway of his ship, and wrote that night in his Diary that
they had made a ridiculous noise. "How different!" he exclaims, "how
nobly awful and expressive of true valor is the customary silence of the
In the afternoon the ships opened fire, while the troops entered the
boats and rowed up and down as if looking for a landing-place. It was
but a feint of Wolfe to deceive Bougainville as to his real design. A
heavy easterly rain set in on the next morning, and lasted two days
without respite. All operations were suspended, and the men suffered
greatly in the crowded transports. Half of them were therefore landed on
the south shore, where they made their quarters in the village of St.
Nicolas, refreshed themselves, and dried their wet clothing, knapsacks,
For several successive days the squadron of Holmes was allowed to drift
up the river with the flood tide and down with the ebb, thus passing and
repassing incessantly between the neighborhood of Quebec on one hand,
and a point high above Cap-Rouge on the other; while Bougainville,
perplexed, and always expecting an attack, followed the ships to and fro
along the shore, by day and by night, till his men were exhausted with
ceaseless forced marches.
At last the time for action came. On Wednesday, the twelfth, the troops
at St. Nicolas were embarked again, and all were told to hold themselves
in readiness. Wolfe, from the flagship "Sutherland," issued his last
general orders. "The enemy's force is now divided, great scarcity of
provisions in their camp, and universal discontent among the Canadians.
Our troops below are in readiness to join us; all the light artillery
and tools are embarked at the Point of Levi; and the troops will land
where the French seem least to expect it. The first body that gets on
shore is to march directly to the enemy and drive them from any little
post they may occupy; the officers must be careful that the succeeding
bodies do not by any mistake fire on those who go before them. The
battalions must form on the upper ground with expedition, and be ready
to charge whatever presents itself. When the artillery and troops are
landed, a corps will be left to secure the landing-place, while the
rest march on and endeavor to bring the Canadians and French to a
battle. The officers and men will remember what their country expects
from them, and what a determined body of soldiers inured to war is
capable of doing against five weak French battalions mingled with a
The spirit of the army answered to that of its chief. The troops loved
and admired their general, trusted their officers, and were ready for
any attempt. "Nay, how could it be otherwise," quaintly asks honest
Sergeant John Johnson, of the fifty-eighth regiment, "being at the heels
of gentlemen whose whole thirst, equal with their general, was for
glory? We had seen them tried, and always found them sterling. We knew
that they would stand by us to the last extremity."
Wolfe had thirty-six hundred men and officers with him on board the
vessels of Holmes; and he now sent orders to Colonel Burton at Point
Levi to bring to his aid all who could be spared from that place and the
Point of Orleans. They were to march along the south bank, after
nightfall, and wait further orders at a designated spot convenient for
embarkation. Their number was about twelve hundred, so that the entire
force destined for the enterprise was at the utmost forty-eight hundred.
With these, Wolfe meant to climb the heights of Abraham in the teeth of
an enemy who, though much reduced, were still twice as numerous as their
Admiral Saunders lay with the main fleet in the Basin of Quebec. This
excellent officer, whatever may have been his views as to the necessity
of a speedy departure, aided Wolfe to the last with unfailing energy and
zeal. It was agreed between them that while the General made the real
attack, the Admiral should engage Montcalm's attention by a pretended
one. As night approached, the fleet ranged itself along the Beauport
shore; the boats were lowered and filled with sailors, marines, and the
few troops that had been left behind; while ship signalled to ship,
cannon flashed and thundered, and shot ploughed the beach, as if to
clear a way for assailants to land. In the gloom of the evening the
effect was imposing. Montcalm, who thought that the movements of the
English above the town were only a feint, that their main force was
still below it, and that their real attack would be made there, was
completely deceived, and massed his troops in front of Beauport to repel
the expected landing. But while in the fleet of Saunders all was uproar
and ostentatious menace, the danger was ten miles away, where the
squadron of Holmes lay tranquil and silent at its anchorage off
It was less tranquil than it seemed. All on board knew that a blow would
be struck that night, though only a few high officers knew where.
Colonel Howe, of the light infantry, called for volunteers to lead the
unknown and desperate venture, promising, in the words of one of them,
"that if any of us survived we might depend on being recommended to the
General." As many as were wanted--twenty-four in all--soon came forward.
Thirty large bateaux and some boats belonging to the squadron lay moored
alongside the vessels; and late in the evening the troops were ordered
into them, the twenty-four volunteers taking their place in the
foremost. They held in all about seventeen hundred men. The rest
remained on board.
Bougainville could discern the movement, and misjudged it, thinking that
he himself was to be attacked. The tide was still flowing; and, the
better to deceive him, the vessels and boats were allowed to drift
upward with it for a little distance, as if to land above Cap-Rouge.
The day had been fortunate for Wolfe. Two deserters came from the camp
of Bougainville with intelligence that, at ebb tide on the next night,
he was to send down a convoy of provisions to Montcalm. The necessities
of the camp at Beauport, and the difficulties of transportation by land,
had before compelled the French to resort to this perilous means of
conveying supplies; and their boats, drifting in darkness under the
shadows of the northern shore, had commonly passed in safety. Wolfe saw
at once that, if his own boats went down in advance of the convoy, he
could turn the intelligence of the deserters to good account.
He was still on board the "Sutherland." Every preparation was made, and
every order given; it only remained to wait the turning of the tide.
Seated with him in the cabin was the commander of the sloop-of-war
"Porcupine," his former school-fellow John Jervis, afterwards Earl St.
Vincent. Wolfe told him that he expected to die in the battle of the
next day; and taking from his bosom a miniature of Miss Lowther, his
betrothed, he gave it to him with a request that he would return it to
her if the presentiment should prove true.
Towards two o'clock the tide began to ebb, and a fresh wind blew down
the river. Two lanterns were raised into the maintop shrouds of the
"Sutherland." It was the appointed signal; the boats cast off and fell
down with the current, those of the light infantry leading the way. The
vessels with the rest of the troops had orders to follow a little later.
To look for a moment at the chances on which this bold adventure hung.
First, the deserters told Wolfe that provision-boats were ordered to go
down to Quebec that night; secondly, Bougainville countermanded them;
thirdly, the sentries posted along the heights were told of the order,
but not of the countermand; fourthly, Vergor at the Anse du Foulon had
permitted most of his men, chiefly Canadians from Lorette, to go home
for a time and work at their harvesting, on condition, it is said, that
they should afterwards work in a neighboring field of his own; fifthly,
he kept careless watch, and went quietly to bed; sixthly, the battalion
of Guienne, ordered to take post on the Plains of Abraham, had, for
reasons unexplained, remained encamped by the St. Charles; and lastly,
when Bougainville saw Holmes's vessels drift down the stream, he did not
tax his weary troops to follow them, thinking that they would return as
usual with the flood tide. But for these conspiring circumstances New
France might have lived a little longer, and the fruitless heroism of
Wolfe would have passed, with countless other heroisms, into oblivion.
For full two hours the procession of boats, borne on the current,
steered silently down the St. Lawrence. The stars were visible, but the
night was moonless and sufficiently dark. The General was in one of the
foremost boats, and near him was a young midshipman, John Robison,
afterwards professor of natural philosophy in the University of
Edinburgh. He used to tell in his later life how Wolfe, with a low
voice, repeated Gray's Elegy in a Country Churchyard to the officers
about him. Probably it was to relieve the intense strain of his
thoughts. Among the rest was the verse which his own fate was soon to
"The paths of glory lead but to the grave."
"Gentlemen," he said, as his recital ended, "I would rather have written
those lines than take Quebec." None were there to tell him that the hero
is greater than the poet.
As they neared their destination, the tide bore them in towards the
shore, and the mighty wall of rock and forest towered in darkness on
their left. The dead stillness was suddenly broken by the sharp Qui
vive! of a French sentry, invisible in the thick gloom. France!
answered a Highland officer of Fraser's regiment from one of the boats
of the light infantry. He had served in Holland, and spoke French
A quel regiment?
De la Reine, replied the Highlander. He knew that a part of that corps
was with Bougainville. The sentry, expecting the convoy of provisions,
was satisfied, and did not ask for the password.
Soon after, the foremost boats were passing the heights of Samos, when
another sentry challenged them, and they could see him through the
darkness running down to the edge of the water, within range of a
pistol-shot. In answer to his questions, the same officer replied, in
French: "Provision-boats. Don't make a noise; the English will hear us."
In fact, the sloop-of-war "Hunter" was anchored in the stream not far
off. This time, again, the sentry let them pass. In a few moments they
rounded the headland above the Anse du Foulon. There was no sentry
there. The strong current swept the boats of the light infantry a little
below the intended landing-place. They disembarked on a narrow strand at
the foot of heights as steep as a hill covered with trees can be. The
twenty-four volunteers led the way, climbing with what silence they
might, closely followed by a much larger body. When they reached the top
they saw in the dim light a cluster of tents at a short distance, and
immediately made a dash at them. Vergor leaped from bed and tried to run
off, but was shot in the heel and captured. His men, taken by surprise,
made little resistance. One or two were caught, and the rest fled.
The main body of troops waited in their boats by the edge of the strand.
The heights near by were cleft by a great ravine choked with forest
trees; and in its depths ran a little brook called Ruisseau St.-Denis,
which, swollen by the late rains, fell plashing in the stillness over a
rock. Other than this no sound could reach the strained ear of Wolfe but
the gurgle of the tide and the cautious climbing of his advance-parties
as they mounted the steeps at some little distance from where he sat
listening. At length from the top came a sound of musket-shots, followed
by loud huzzas, and he knew that his men were masters of the position.
The word was given; the troops leaped from the boats and scaled the
heights, some here, some there, clutching at trees and bushes, their
muskets slung at their backs. Tradition still points out the place, near
the mouth of the ravine, where the foremost reached the top. Wolfe said
to an officer near him: "You can try it, but I don't think you'll get
up." He himself, however, found strength to drag himself up with the
rest. The narrow slanting path on the face of the heights had been made
impassable by trenches and abatis; but all obstructions were soon
cleared away, and then the ascent was easy. In the gray of the morning
the long file of red-coated soldiers moved quickly upward, and formed in
order on the plateau above.
Before many of them had reached the top, cannon were heard close on the
left. It was the battery at Samos firing on the boats in the rear and
the vessels descending from Cap-Rouge. A party was sent to silence it;
this was soon effected, and the more distant battery at Sillery was next
attacked and taken. As fast as the boats were emptied they returned for
the troops left on board the vessels and for those waiting on the
southern shore under Colonel Burton.
The day broke in clouds and threatening rain. Wolfe's battalions were
drawn up along the crest of the heights. No enemy was in sight, though a
body of Canadians had sallied from the town and moved along the strand
towards the landing-place, whence they were quickly driven back. He had
achieved the most critical part of his enterprise; yet the success that
he coveted placed him in imminent danger. On one side was the garrison
of Quebec and the army of Beauport, and Bougainville was on the other.
Wolfe's alternative was victory or ruin; for if he should be overwhelmed
by a combined attack, retreat would be hopeless. His feelings no man can
know; but it would be safe to say that hesitation or doubt had no part
He went to reconnoitre the ground, and soon came to the Plains of
Abraham, so called from Abraham Martin, a pilot known as Maitre Abraham,
who had owned a piece of land here in the early times of the colony. The
Plains were a tract of grass, tolerably level in most parts, patched
here and there with cornfields, studded with clumps of bushes, and
forming a part of the high plateau at the eastern end of which Quebec
stood. On the south it was bounded by the declivities along the St.
Lawrence; on the north, by those along the St. Charles, or rather along
the meadows through which that lazy stream crawled like a writhing
snake. At the place that Wolfe chose for his battle-field the plateau
was less than a mile wide.
Thither the troops advanced, marched by files till they reached the
ground, and then wheeled to form their line of battle, which stretched
across the plateau and faced the city. It consisted of six battalions
and the detached grenadiers from Louisbourg, all drawn up in ranks three
deep. Its right wing was near the brink of the heights along the St.
Lawrence; but the left could not reach those along the St. Charles. On
this side a wide space was perforce left open, and there was danger of
being outflanked. To prevent this, Brigadier Townshend was stationed
here with two battalions, drawn up at right angles with the rest, and
fronting the St. Charles. The battalion of Webb's regiment, under
Colonel Burton, formed the reserve; the third battalion of Royal
Americans was left to guard the landing; and Howe's light infantry
occupied a wood far in the rear. Wolfe, with Monckton and Murray,
commanded the front line, on which the heavy fighting was to fall, and
which, when all the troops had arrived, numbered less than thirty-five
Quebec was not a mile distant, but they could not see it; for a ridge of
broken ground intervened, called Buttes-a-Neveu, about six hundred paces
off. The first division of troops had scarcely come up when, about six
o'clock, this ridge was suddenly thronged with white uniforms. It was
the battalion of Guienne, arrived at the eleventh hour from its camp by
the St. Charles. Some time after there was hot firing in the rear. It
came from a detachment of Bougainville's command attacking a house where
some of the light infantry were posted. The assailants were repulsed,
and the firing ceased. Light showers fell at intervals, besprinkling
the troops as they stood patiently waiting the event.
Montcalm had passed a troubled night. Through all the evening the cannon
bellowed from the ships of Saunders, and the boats of the fleet hovered
in the dusk off the Beauport shore, threatening every moment to land.
Troops lined the intrenchments till day, while the General walked the
field that adjoined his headquarters till one in the morning,
accompanied by the Chevalier Johnstone and Colonel Poulariez. Johnstone
says that he was in great agitation, and took no rest all night. At
daybreak he heard the sound of cannon above the town. It was the battery
at Samos firing on the English ships. He had sent an officer to the
quarters of Vaudreuil, which were much nearer Quebec, with orders to
bring him word at once should anything unusual happen. But no word came,
and about six o'clock he mounted and rode thither with Johnstone. As
they advanced, the country behind the town opened more and more upon
their sight; till at length, when opposite Vaudreuil's house, they saw
across the St. Charles, some two miles away, the red ranks of British
soldiers on the heights beyond.
"This is a serious business," Montcalm said; and sent off Johnstone at
full gallop to bring up the troops from the centre and left of the camp.
Those of the right were in motion already, doubtless by the Governor's
order. Vaudreuil came out of the house. Montcalm stopped for a few words
with him; then set spurs to his horse, and rode over the bridge of the
St. Charles to the scene of danger. He rode with a fixed look, uttering
not a word.
The army followed in such order as it might, crossed the bridge in hot
haste, passed under the northern rampart of Quebec, entered at the
Palace Gate, and pressed on in headlong march along the quaint narrow
streets of the warlike town: troops of Indians in scalplocks and
war-paint, a savage glitter in their deep-set eyes; bands of Canadians
whose all was at stake,--faith, country, and home; the colony regulars;
the battalions of Old France, a torrent of white uniforms and gleaming
bayonets, La Sarre, Languedoc, Roussillon, Bearn,--victors of Oswego,
William Henry, and Ticonderoga. So they swept on poured out upon the
plain, some by the gate of St. Louis, and some by that of St. John, and
hurried, breathless, to where the banners of Guienne still fluttered on
Montcalm was amazed at what he saw. He had expected a detachment, and he
found an army. Full in sight before him stretched the lines of Wolfe:
the close ranks of the English infantry, a silent wall of red, and the
wild array of the Highlanders, with their waving tartans, and bagpipes
screaming defiance. Vaudreuil had not come; but not the less was felt
the evil of a divided authority and the jealousy of the rival chiefs.
Montcalm waited long for the forces he had ordered to join him from the
left wing of the army. He waited in vain. It is said that the Governor
had detained them, lest the English should attack the Beauport shore.
Even if they did so, and succeeded, the French might defy them, could
they but put Wolfe to rout on the Plains of Abraham. Neither did the
garrison of Quebec come to the aid of Montcalm. He sent to Ramesay, its
commander, for twenty-five field-pieces which were on the Palace
battery. Ramesay would give him only three, saying that he wanted them
for his own defence. There were orders and counter-orders;
misunderstanding, haste, delay, perplexity.
Montcalm and his chief officers held a council of war. It is said that
he and they alike were for immediate attack. His enemies declare that he
was afraid lest Vaudreuil should arrive and take command; but the
Governor was not a man to assume responsibility at such a crisis. Others
say that his impetuosity overcame his better judgment; and of this
charge it is hard to acquit him. Bougainville was but a few miles
distant, and some of his troops were much nearer; a messenger sent by
way of Old Lorette could have reached him in an hour and a half at most,
and a combined attack in front and rear might have been concerted with
him. If, moreover, Montcalm could have come to an understanding with
Vaudreuil, his own force might have been strengthened by two or three
thousand additional men from the town and the camp of Beauport; but he
felt that there was no time to lose, for he imagined that Wolfe would
soon be reinforced, which was impossible, and he believed that the
English were fortifying themselves, which was no less an error. He has
been blamed not only for fighting too soon, but for fighting at all. In
this he could not choose. Fight he must, for Wolfe was now in a position
to cut off all his supplies. His men were full of ardor, and he resolved
to attack before their ardor cooled. He spoke a few words to them in his
keen, vehement way. "I remember very well how he looked," one of the
Canadians, then a boy of eighteen, used to say in his old age; "he rode
a black or dark bay horse along the front of our lines, brandishing his
sword, as if to excite us to do our duty. He wore a coat with wide
sleeves, which fell back as he raised his arm, and showed the white
linen of the wristband."
The English waited the result with a composure which, if not quite real,
was at least well feigned. The three field-pieces sent by Ramesay plied
them with canister-shot, and fifteen hundred Canadians and Indians
fusilladed them in front and flank. Over all the plain, from behind
bushes and knolls and the edge of cornfields, puffs of smoke sprang
incessantly from the guns of these hidden marksmen. Skirmishers were
thrown out before the lines to hold them in check, and the soldiers were
ordered to lie on the grass to avoid the shot. The firing was liveliest
on the English left, where bands of sharpshooters got under the edge of
the declivity, among thickets, and behind scattered houses, whence they
killed and wounded a considerable number of Townshend's men. The light
infantry were called up from the rear. The houses were taken and
retaken, and one or more of them was burned.
Wolfe was everywhere. How cool he was, and why his followers loved him,
is shown by an incident that happened in the course of the morning. One
of his captains was shot through the lungs; and on recovering
consciousness he saw the General standing at his side. Wolfe pressed his
hand, told him not to despair, praised his services, promised him early
promotion, and sent an aide-de-camp to Monckton to beg that officer to
keep the promise if he himself should fall.
It was towards ten o'clock when, from the high ground on the right of
the line, Wolfe saw that the crisis was near. The French on the ridge
had formed themselves into three bodies, regulars in the centre,
regulars and Canadians on right and left. Two field-pieces, which had
been dragged up the heights at Anse du Foulon, fired on them with
grape-shot, and the troops, rising from the ground, prepared to receive
them. In a few moments more they were in motion. They came on rapidly,
uttering loud shouts, and firing as soon as they were within range.
Their ranks, ill ordered at the best, were further confused by a number
of Canadians who had been mixed among the regulars, and who, after
hastily firing, threw themselves on the ground to reload. The British
advanced a few rods; then baited and stood still. When the French were
within forty paces the word of command rang out, and a crash of musketry
answered all along the line. The volley was delivered with remarkable
precision. In the battalions of the centre, which had suffered least
from the enemy's bullets, the simultaneous explosion was afterwards said
by French officers to have sounded like a cannon-shot. Another volley
followed, and then a furious clattering fire that lasted but a minute or
two. When the smoke rose, a miserable sight was revealed: the ground
cumbered with dead and wounded, the advancing masses stopped short and
turned into a frantic mob, shouting, cursing, gesticulating. The order
was given to charge. Then over the field rose the British cheer, mixed
with the fierce yell of the Highland slogan. Some of the corps pushed
forward with the bayonet; some advanced firing. The clansmen drew their
broadswords and dashed on, keen and swift as bloodhounds. At the English
right, though the attacking column was broken to pieces, a fire was
still kept up, chiefly, it seems, by sharpshooters from the bushes and
cornfields, where they had lain for an hour or more. Here Wolfe himself
led the charge, at the head of the Louisbourg grenadiers. A shot
shattered his wrist. He wrapped his handkerchief about it and kept on.
Another shot struck him, and he still advanced, when a third lodged in
his breast. He staggered, and sat on the ground. Lieutenant Brown, of
the grenadiers, one Henderson, a volunteer in the same company, and a
private soldier, aided by an officer of artillery who ran to join them,
carried him in their arms to the rear. He begged them to lay him down.
They did so, and asked if he would have a surgeon. "There's no need," he
answered; "it's all over with me." A moment after, one of them cried
out: "They run; see how they run!" "Who run?" Wolfe demanded, like a man
roused from sleep. "The enemy, sir. Egad, they give way everywhere!"
"Go, one of you, to Colonel Burton," returned the dying man; "tell him
to march Webb's regiment down to Charles River, to cut off their retreat
from the bridge." Then, turning on his side, he murmured, "Now, God be
praised, I will die in peace!" and in a few moments his gallant soul had
Montcalm, still on horseback, was borne with the tide of fugitives
towards the town. As he approached the walls a shot passed through his
body. He kept his seat; two soldiers supported him, one on each side,
and led his horse through the St. Louis Gate. On the open space within,
among the excited crowd, were several women, drawn, no doubt, by
eagerness to know the result of the fight. One of them recognized him,
saw the streaming blood, and shrieked, "O mon Dieu! mon Dieu! le
Marquis est tue!" "It's nothing, it's nothing," replied the
death-stricken man; "don't be troubled for me, my good friends." ("Ce
n'est rien, ce n'est rien; ne vous affligez pas pour moi, mes bonnes
* * * * *
Some of the fugitives took refuge in the city and others escaped across
the St. Charles. In the next night the French army abandoned Quebec to
its fate and fled up the St. Lawrence. The city soon surrendered to
Wolfe's successor, Brigadier Townshend, and the English held it during
the winter. In April, the French under the Chevalier de Levis made a
bold but unsuccessful attempt to retake it. In the following summer,
General Amherst advanced on Montreal, till in September all Canada was
forced to surrender, and the power of France was extinguished on the
North American continent.
University Press: John Wilson & Son, Cambridge
Previous: Massachusetts Attacks Quebec
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Giftedness, by definition, means a score at approximately the 98th percentile or higher on standardized measures of intelligence, such as the Wechsler Preschool Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV) for children under seven years of age, and the Wechsler Scale of Intelligence for Children – Fifth Edition (WISC-V) for older children and teens. Gifted assessments are typically required for admission to a gifted program such as Westmount Charter School (WCS) or the Gifted and Talented Education Program (GATE) as offered through the Calgary Board of Education (CBE). Alberta Education guidelines indicate that criteria for giftedness consists of an IQ score of 130 (plus or minus five).
Many students who are gifted require differentiated programming and supports to meet their exceptional learning needs. Typical developmental issues faced by all students also are experienced by students who are gifted. These issues may be complicated by the exceptional learning needs and characteristics many students who are gifted demonstrate, particularly during adolescence. Students who are gifted may face a variety of challenges, including perfectionism, underachievement, uneven or asynchronous development, and learning difficulties. For some students who are gifted, a combination of characteristics may lead to difficulties with peer relations, avoidance of risk taking, or excessive self-criticism.
Students who may be more at risk emotionally, socially and academically include:
• divergent thinkers who suggest ideas that are logical to them but unusual to classmates
• creative high achievers, particularly those with artistic gifts, who may experience feelings of isolation or depression, and, as a result, may be subject to anxiety, insomnia, feelings of worthlessness, loss of energy or decreased ability to concentrate.
Common intellectual characteristics of students who are gifted include:
- Advanced intellectual achievement
- High motivation and interest
- Verbal proficiency
- Problem-solving ability
- Logical thinking
Perfectionism is a pattern of characteristics and behaviours that includes compulsiveness about work habits, over concern for details, unrealistically high standards and rigid routines. Perfectionism can develop at various stages of development for various reasons, but for many students it is simply a part of their personality, not necessarily the result of parental pressure or any other outside influence. Perfectionism can be thought of as part of the experience of being gifted, which can be used in a positive way to achieve excellence.
A Gifted assessment for Westmount Charter School is as follows:
A two hour appointment that consists of:
- A 30 minute consultation with parents to discuss background information and to obtain consent for the assessment
- One-and-a-half to two hours of testing to administer an intellectual assessment (WPPSI-IV, WISC-V)
- A follow-up meeting within one week of assessment to discuss results and provide reports to parents
* PLEASE NOTE: IF YOUR CHILD’S RESULTS ARE NOT GIFTED, YOU HAVE THE OPTION OF NOT PAYING FOR A REPORT OR ATTENDING THE FINAL MEETING. RESULTS WILL BE COMMUNICATED OVER THE PHONE AND EMAIL ONLY AT A REDUCED ASSESSMENT RATE OF $500.00 DUE AT THE FIRST APPOINTMENT.
A gifted assessment for the Gifted and Talented Education Program (GATE) as offered by the Calgary Board of Education consists of:
- a 45 minute consultation with parents to discuss background information and to obtain consent for the assessment
- Two two-hour assessment sessions to administer an intellectual assessment (WPPSI-IV, WISC-V) and achievement test (WAIT-III)
- A follow up meeting within one week of assessment to discuss results and provide reports to parents.
*PLEASE NOTE: IF YOUR CHILD’S RESULTS ARE NOT GIFTED ON THE IQ TEST, YOU HAVE THE OPTION OF DISCONTINUING THE ASSESSMENT AND NOT ATTENDING THE FINAL MEETING. RESULTS WILL BE COMMUNICATED OVER THE PHONE AND EMAIL ONLY AT A REDUCED ASSESSMENT RATE OF $500.00 DUE AT THE FIRST APPOINTMENT.
For additional information about Westmount Charter School admission visit The Westmount Charter School.
For additional information about the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program as offered by the Calgary Board of Education visit them here: The Calgary Board of Education
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Toyota is aiming to build 7000 cars a year at its UK plant using solar energy.
It is installing 17,000 solar panels with the capacity of saving 2205 tons of CO2 emissions annually, saving the equivalent of 4.6 million kWh or the energy needed to manufacture 7000 cars.
The panels are in addition to other energy saving schemes at the Burnaston, Derby plant including a `brise soleil' or sunshade type solar panels fitted above windows and a wall of solar glass that replaces existing windows.
The total investment has been some $15.7 million and, the solar equipment was manufactured in the UK. Toyota's British plant is one of Toyota's five standard-bearing `eco-factories' and is the production center for the Auris hybrid.
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A cartoon doing the rounds
on Twitter on Wednesday compared the way we listen to music, watch films and read the news 15 years ago to today. Now, of course, those are all things we do alone while plugged in to a computer. Beyond the punchline, is there some truth in the assumption that despite our hyper-connectedness, we are potentially more isolated than ever?
Research by Pew
claims that online social networks
do provide genuine emotional support and well-being, including advice, information and companionship. Using an established system of measuring well-being, Pew found that internet users felt it provided significant emotional support for them, particularly through social networks and particularly through Facebook.
There's an important distinction there; it was not that they found that users of Facebook were
better supported emotionally, but that they reported that they felt
they were, and in two key categories of emotional support and companionship. Pew described the sensation of well-being as equivalent to around "half the boost in total support that someone receives from being married or living with a partner".
The average American, Pew found, has 634 social ties from family and close friends to colleagues and acquaintances. But the average internet user has 669 compared to 506 for those who do not use the internet. Nearly half of all US adults, or 47% of the population, use at least one social network, and 56% of those are female.
Facebook is by far the most dominant, used by 92% of people who engage with online social networking
, with 29% (still) on MySpace, 18% using LinkedIn and 13% on Twitter. In the popular imagination MySpace might appear to be dead, yet according to Pew's research it still has more than half the user accounts of MySpace.
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September’s five visible Planets
~ Dazzling Jupiter, rising in the East at sunset and setting in the West at sunrise, at his closest to the Earth in 47 years
(with a pair of good binoculars we could even spot far away Uranus, close to Jupiter throughout the night) ~
~ Mercury, now Morning Star, makes his best appearance in the East by the second week of September ~
~ Venus shows off her brightest self between September 17 and October 4 in the West, after sunset, nearer to the horizon now ~
~ Mars is visible after sunset in the South West, slightly dimming as the month advances ~
~ Saturn is disappearing with the Sun at dusk, passing behind the Sun at the end of September. It can still be glimpsed during the first week of September low on the western horizon after sunset
MERCURY reached its Inferior Conjunction with the Sun on September 3, re-emerging as a Morning Star from September 9 until the end of the month. This will be the best dawn apparition of Mercury this year (magnitude -0.3). By mid-September Mercury will be about 15 degrees above the horizon before sunrise, reaching its greatest elongation around September 19.
To spot elusive Mercury look for the constellation Leo, it will appear very very close to the star Rho, ρ of Leo Constellation, on the foot of the lion, on September 16 and 17, as shown in the sky scape below taken around 5.15 on September 16.
Our Sister Planet will reach magnitude -4.8 by October 1, so bright in fact to be visible even before sunset. Her most dazzling apparition will occur between September 17 and October 4, becoming Stationary Retrograde on October 8. By October 19 Venus will disappear completely in the glow of the setting Sun, reaching her Inferior Conjunction with the Sun at the end of October. Venus will re-appear as the Morning Star in November.
The Evening Star’s incarnation of Venus represents a collective opportunity to become more self-reflective, acknowledging our contribution to any relationship issues we may be experiencing. The Goddess of Love is looking deeper into our hearts and show us the way to a less self-centered and more aware kind of loving.
MARS is still visible in the evening sky, looking toward the South West, slowly losing brightness as the month progresses (magnitude +1.5) and also inching closer to the horizon. It will remain in proximity to Venus throughout September.
JUPITER is at his most brilliant in September, reaching the maximum magnitude of -2.94. This is because he will be in opposition to the Sun (with Uranus) on September 21. From now to March 2011 Jupiter is making his closest passage to planet Earth in 47 years (since 1963). This phenomenon will not occur again for another 12 years (until 2022).
Jupiter will rise at sunset and set at sunrise. On September 18 our giant planet will be very close to Uranus, 0.8° away from each other. You could be able to spot Uranus with the help of a good pair of binoculars. Giant Uranus, spinning at right angle to everyone else, is a bluish/green star-like object,the brightest object in the vicinity of Jupiter.
Jupiter and Uranus became conjunct for the first time in nearly 14 years on June 9. Jupiter and Uranus meet cyclically (synodic cycle) every 13.7 years. This time they are playing a prolonged duet, though, meeting twice in 2010 (June 9 and September 22) and a third time on January 2, 2011. This is a rarer opportunity for the energies of these planets to blend for a sustained period, so exerting a greater overall influence over the affairs of the whole year. The last time Jupiter and Uranus met three times was in 1983, 27 years ago.
Animation of the triple conjunction of Jupiter-Uranus in 2010/11, from Martin J.Powell astronomical site, can be found HERE.
Observing the eastern sky after sunset we will be able to admire the beautiful Constellation of Pegasus, the flying horse, appearing as a great square just left (North) of the planet, as shown in this sky scape taken on September 15, around 9.30 pm.
Saturn is disappearing in the twilight glow after sunset in September. The ringed planet will move behind the Sun on September 30, becoming visible again a month after that as a Morning Star! Saturn can be glimpsed, close to the western horizon, during the first week of September.
All the Sky Snapshots have been generated using Stellarium, a wonderful Planetarium freeware software.
Information for the Sky Events has been gathered from these web sites:
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Baker, Josephine (Freda Josephine McDonald) (1906–1975) By Das, Joanna Dee
At the height of her career in the late 1920s, Josephine Baker was perhaps the most famous dancer in the world. Her performances of ‘the primitive exotic’ shocked and titillated European audiences, who saw in her novelty the promise of a fresh start after the First World War exposed the moral and cultural bankruptcy of European civilization. What African sculpture had done for Pablo Picasso and other visual artists, what James Reese Europe’s ragtime band had done for music, Baker would do for dance—inject a Black aesthetic into Modernism. Far from being an instinct-driven ‘savage’, however, Baker was a skilled performer who consciously shaped and re-shaped her image to suit audience desires. Later in her career, she morphed herself into a ‘Black Venus,’ a combination of sophistication and seduction; still later, she positioned herself as a war hero, and then an anti-racist activist. The late 1920s phase of her career, however, was the most important to Modernism, for it awakened the European world to new ways of moving the body that felt modern in their purported primitivism.
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Editor’s note: Amy Prieto, professor of chemistry at Colorado State University, wrote this piece for The Conversation in honor of the recipients of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry in October 2019. Colorado State is a contributing institution to The Conversation, an independent collaboration between editors and academics that provides informed news analysis and commentary to the general public. See the entire list of contributing faculty and their articles here.
“The three winners of the Chemistry Nobel this year started an enormous field of research that people like me are very excited about contributing to.
How battery innovation progressed
A battery’s two electrodes are meant to shuttle lithium ions between them. When your battery is fully charged, lithium atoms are stored in the anode – that’s pretty high energy. Then, when you use your battery to do work, electrons flow through your device creating the current you are using to do work; the lithium ions flow from the anode to the cathode.
M. Stanley Whittingham, one of three recipients of the Chemistry prize, demonstrated the first rechargeable lithium battery, using a compound called titanium disulfide (which is basically a clay) as the cathode. This material lets lithium ions hang out between the layers of titanium and sulfur atoms, like a Chantilly cake, while they wait to get charged up again.
John B. Goodenough, the second winner, built a better cake using a really simple, elegant understanding of how different atoms on the periodic table like to bond together. He used cobalt oxide as the cathode and nearly doubled the amount of energy that the battery can store.
Both Whittingham and Goodenough used elegant applications of the kind of chemistry professors like me teach to first-year undergraduates. However both of their batteries were limited by the lithium metal anode, which gets rough over time and grows bristles of lithium metal on the surface that look like the branches of a pine tree. This is a big problem that leads to shorts and can cause the battery to catch on fire after multiple recharges.
Akira Yoshino’s key insight was to store the lithium atoms between layers of graphite in the anode, thereby solving the roughening problem. The innovations built off each other like a zig zag ladder.
The power of synergistic collaboration
There is a key lesson from the success of this device that battery developers must communicate more broadly. Translating the battery design that the three men ultimately came up with – LiCoO2 as the cathode, graphite as the anode – to the massive manufacturing scale that exists today required innovation, ambition and years of patience.
While each of the winners worked on a different component of this device, they all recognized that it’s the interactions between components that create the greatest challenges.
The areas researchers need to improve now are how to store even more energy in a single battery so that our cell phones last longer and we can drive electric cars further. Scientists and engineers also need to develop batteries that charge and release energy very quickly on demand, how to make batteries last longer, and how to make them safe.
Solving the next big challenges in energy storage will require discovering new materials for each component of the battery. We need anodes and cathodes that store lots of lithium, or even better, elements that can donate two or more electrons per atom, instead of just one, so that we can double or triple the amount of energy a battery can store. Batteries would also benefit from more stable electrolytes that are not flammable. Finally, all these components need to be combined into functioning devices.
Although the current lithium ion battery is a great device that certainly makes life easier, there are areas of significant possible improvement to enable better portable devices, better cars and better grid-scale renewable energy storage.
The boundaries of materials discovery is being pushed by incredible advances in theory and modeling to help find new materials faster and predict their behavior more accurately, in chemical synthesis, and in the characterization of new materials as well as what happens when they work together. That means we’re talking about bringing together scientists and engineers who think about problems from very different angles. To successfully invent, understand and scale the next generation rechargeable battery, collaboration and learning from very disparate ways of thinking must come together. We need to encourage people to understand each other’s scientific languages so they can better work together. The 2019 Nobel Prize for Chemistry recognizes the incredible advances that can be made when that approach is implemented.
[ Deep knowledge, daily. Sign up for The Conversation’s newsletter.]
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The WannaCry Virus, a Lesson in Global Unpreparedness
The recent cyber ransomware attack provides important opportunities for learning—really relearning—lessons about how to secure cyber networks. But first, it is important to separate what is known about the attacks from the hard truths about global cyber preparedness.
Recently, a piece of malware—the WannaCry virus—exploded on the scene with unprecedented speed and scale. The virus exploited a known security flaw in Microsoft XP operating software that spread to over 150 countries, infecting over two hundred thousand computers and locking the data of software users. The perpetrators of the attacks demanded a Bitcoin payment of $300 be deposited in exchange for unlocking that data. Failure to pay the ransom would result in the destruction of the data.
Information about the existence of the security flaw was purportedly contained in a U.S. National Security Agency toolkit that was inadvertently discovered. In March of this year, upon realizing the toolkit was compromised, Microsoft developed a patch for the sixteen-year-old software and made fixes available for free for the older XP systems.
But the use of ransomware to lockdown user data and extort a payment is hardly a new occurrence. In a twelve-month period ending June 2016, more than 50 percent of the organizations surveyed had been hit with ransomware. In the first quarter of 2016 alone, more than $209 million had been paid out. Despite these payments, slightly less than half of the organizations that paid the ransom were able to recover their data.
Of course the question on everyone’s mind is, who perpetrated such an act? The answer will likely take days and weeks to establish, and even then there will be uncertainties.
While clues are beginning to emerge, the situation remains ambiguous. The attack was not particularly sophisticated and was based on a known security flaw, not engineered specially for the attack. A wide range of actors—spanning from nation-states, to criminals, to individual hackers—could have been responsible.
A time stamp on the code—nine hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time—suggests the creators could be in the Far East. The relatively large number of attacks in Russia would strongly indicate that it was not a Russian generated attack, either by the government or a criminal element. As law enforcement and intelligence agencies around the globe try to unravel the mystery, North Korea is being mentioned as the possible perpetrator.
The requested ransom payment was also an anomaly. The ransom amount was much smaller than the average. In 2016, the average ransom demand was $679, for the WannaCry virus, only $300. Furthermore, the method of payment to one of three Bitcoin purses, rather than each “infection” generating a separate Bitcoin purse was unique.
The failure to disable the now famous “kill switch,” which ultimately helped to contain the attack was curious as well. Was it done deliberately or an error by the perpetrator?
Examining WannaCry’s victims provides an important starting point for understanding how to reduce, if not prevent, such attacks. The victims were largely reported to be businesses and governments. In Brazil, Petrobas—the semi-public national petroleum company—was affected. In Russia, Germany and Spain, the train systems were affected. In Britain, the health-care system was largely taken offline. In India, power companies were affected. In China, railways, hospitals and government offices were affected.
Virtually all of these attacks involve critical national infrastructure. The implications are that nations around the globe are using outdated hardware and software and that security patches are not being updated, even when warnings about known insecurities have been given.
To rectify this, updating computer security is a must. Features enabling automated updates should be used to ensure that software is patched as soon as fixes become available. Anti-virus software should be installed and operational.
Block obsolescence for IT systems should be carefully managed. Hardware and software should be treated as expendable items. When security patches are no longer available, the systems should be replaced. Newer systems have better embedded security features. It is a telling observation that governments and businesses running obsolete systems were the targets of the WannaCry ransomware.
Individual users are the linchpin in cybersecurity and have a key role to play in their own cybersecurity. Surveys indicate they are concerned—that concern should translate into action. Most cyber insecurities occur when individuals open files from people or addresses they do not know or from malicious files with file extensions like “.exe,” “.vbs” and “.scr.”
Security will be more important as cyber becomes ever more entwined in individuals’ daily lives. With technologies such as autonomous vehicles, assured and secure cyber should be non-negotiable.
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This learning tutorial introduces students to informatics, client-care technology, evidence-based practice, and important roles that these topics play in improving healthcare. Through active participation, students are set up for success in clinical and practice settings.
Nursing Informatics and Technology promotes student competency in:
Patient & provider safety
- Information Management Systems
- Literacy Skills and Consumer Educational Needs
- Virtual Social Networks
Knowledge for them, know-how for you.
- Media-rich tutorials
- Case studies with quizzes
- Module tests with rationales
- Nationally normed assessments with NCLEX-style questions (practice & proctored)
After completing all modules, students will know how to:
- Integrate informatics best practices into their professional development practices
- Monitor client trends, patterns, and outcomes using informatics
- Reduce errors using decision-making systems and evidence
- Evaluate evidence for its credibility before integrating into practice
- Use a variety of electronic client records while safeguarding health information
- Recognize the value and need for lifelong learning
- Educator Implementation Guide
- Video case studies
- Lesson plans
- Video library
Ask your ATI Integration Nurse Educator how this solution aligns with your QSEN-based student learning outcomes or course objectives.
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Crested wood partridge
The crested wood partridge is a dimorphic species (males and females differ in appearance). It is a rotund, short-tailed bird; both sexes having a scarlet patch of bare skin around the eyes and red legs without a spur or hind toe. The male is metallic green on top with glossy dark blue under-parts and a brownish wing panel. The male’s head is adorned with a tall red crest (a display feature used during mating season), a white forehead spot, and black frontal bristles. The female has pea green body plumage with brown wing coverts. The head is slate grey with the bristles but no spot or crest. The bill is dark coloured. Juveniles are duller versions of the adults of the same sex.
Conservation Status: IUCN
This small partridge is a resident breeder in lowland rainforests in southern Myanmar, South Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo.
They prefer tropical forests, mainly in plains and foothills but, in places, up to 1200 m. elevation. They live and nest on the forest floor and can be found living in pairs or, at times, in groups of up to 15 birds.
Seeds, large fruits, beetles, wood ants, and small molluscs. They tend to associate with wild pigs, feeding on the pigs’ discarded fruit fragments, as these small birds are unable to tackle the whole fruit. Stationing themselves below the trees where primates are feeding is another way they can obtain dropped and/or discarded fruit fragments.
Breeding depends very much on the territory and the seasonal conditions where the birds live. This can be anywhere from January to December. The nest is a ground scrape lined with leaves, concealed under a heap of leaf litter. There are five or six white eggs, which are incubated by the female for 18 days. This species is known to build a “bower” if materials are available.
Unlike most precocial birds (ones that are mature and able to feed themselves almost from the moment they hatch) these altricial chicks remain in the nest for about one week and are fed bill-to-bill by the parents. Chicks of partridges and other birds of the order Galliformes (partridges, chickens, and quail) sometimes use their wings in an unusual fashion. As they cannot yet fly, they often flee predators by running while furiously flapping their wings. The flapping, once thought to be an instinctive but futile attempt to fly away, is now believed to provide a downwards acting force that actually provides them with greater traction. This allows them to run up slopes that are too steep for predators to follow. Gallinaceous birds “dust-bath” to clean their plumage. Clean feathers are needed so that birds can trap a layer of air which acts as insulation and helps to maintain their required body temperatures.
Threats to Survival:
Some populations appear to be declining due to habitat destruction, especially in Indonesia.
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It’s well known that asthma causes a narrowing of the airways, reduces oxygen flow, and makes it difficult to breathe. It’s a chronic, scary disease that affects the lungs and entire respiratory system. But can it be true that asthma may also affect dental health? The team at our dental office in Chapel Hill has the surprising answer in this week’s blog.
More than 20 million adults and over 6 million children in the United States alone suffer from asthma. There is no cure for this disease that takes the lives of an estimated 3,600 people every year. Even more suffer asthma attacks, become sick, or are even hospitalized. Asthma is not a disease to take lightly and patients should take their medication as prescribed. However, there are some lesser known side effects of asthma that should be talked about.
It’s incredibly common for asthma sufferers to breathe out of their mouths instead of their noses – simply because it’s easier and they can get more oxygen that way. But mouth breathing is a known contributor to dry mouth and cavities. Constantly exposing the inside of the mouth to air really reduces saliva production. Typically, saliva would rinse away damaging bacteria and acid, but without it, they’re left behind to do some serious damage. Both bacteria and acid will attack enamel, removing the teeth’s protective barrier and increasing the likelihood for cavities. What’s more is that common asthma treatments may also cause dry mouth, which doubles the risk of inadequate saliva production and decay.
Asthma patients are more likely to develop cavities, but following the steps below can help minimize the risk of dental problems.
Besides following the tips above, you should always brush and floss your teeth regularly. Brushing twice a day and flossing once a day will help keep your mouth protected in between dental appointments. If it’s been longer than six months since you’ve been to the dentist, we welcome you to call our Chapel Hill dental office to schedule your appointment today.
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Colleges and universities have banned fraternities from campus to stave off problem drinking and hazing incidents. But a researcher says those problems are deeper than any campus ban can solve.
Scholars propose a new education system centred on human development to end hazing rituals in Indonesian universities.
When scandals take place at a college, the natural reaction for some people is to avoid the school. But two economists suggest potential applicants think hard about their decision.
Addressing male cultures of tribalism and violence needs to be central to the response to reports of hazing and violence in Austrslia's university colleges.
Hazing is unacceptable, but criminalising it may cause more problems than it solves.
Another student has died due to hazing. Research shows that there has been at least one such death in the US since 1954 (with 1958 the only exception). So why does hazing happen in the first place?
With the fall term underway and an ongoing case over the death of a Penn State pledge in February, colleges are trying once again to figure out why hazing happens and what should be done to stop it.
Military institutions and militarised cultures seek to generate a unity of people and purpose. Initiation rituals have been a historically stable strategy to achieve this.
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Collecting Antique Walking Sticks and Canes
Of course, the dictates of society have changed drastically since then and the fashionable engagements that filled the days of the well-to-do are far less stringent. Today, canes are more utilitarian in nature and are used primarily as an aid for getting around.
They generally lack the attention to aesthetic beauty that once dominated their manufacture. Yet despite their decline on the fashion scene, the walking stick is enjoying an extraordinary resurgence in popularity among collectors who have become fascinated with the history, workmanship and hidden treasures found in them.
While it is impossible to expound on all of the fascinations of canes and cane collecting in such a limited space, the following is a brief overview of walking sticks along with a few hints on building a collection and a list of helpful reference materials.
From Prehistoric Man to the Thrones of Europe
The first canes were probably little more than tree branches used for support when prehistoric man took his first upright steps. Since then the use, symbolism and form of the walking stick has evolved quite drastically. Ornate staffs carved with mythical characters and symbols would have belonged to prehistoric chieftains as would those made of mammoth tusks and stag horns. First written mention, if somewhat circumstantial, can be found in the Old Testament's Book of Genesis where the story of Caine and Abel unfolds. Caine used a stick to kill his brother Abel, and some enthusiasts have ventured to suggest that the word "cane" was thusly derived. I will leave that argument to the historians.
Even farther back in time, numerous references to the cane can be found among ancient Egyptian artifacts. Walking sticks, it seems, were very popular among the ancient Egyptians with each profession such as merchant, shepherd or priest possessing a cane of differing form and function. Even the Pharaoh would have carried a special staff of some kind. The cane's importance to the Egyptians extended from life even into death as exemplified by the legendary King Tut. More than 100 staffs, or walking sticks, were found in his tomb undoubtedly to assist and protect him in the afterlife.
Indeed, the cane has always been used as a form of protection whether by design or circumstance. Travelers of the Middle Ages would seldom take to the unfriendly roads without the protection of their walking stick. These rudimentary aides were indispensable as weapons, tools, supports and even as smuggling devices for money and other precious cargoes.
The cane's role as a token of social stature took hold during the 16th and 17th centuries when kings and aristocrats introduced them into society duly encrusted with jewels and precious metals. So fervent was the demand by stature-hungry nobility for extravagant walking sticks that artisans were compelled to stretch the level of their creativity to new heights. Portraits of kings and aristocrats of Europe often include extraordinary walking sticks of gold and silver outlandishly encrusted with jewels of every hue and size.
By the 19th and early 20th century, the importance of the walking stick as a status symbol had extended down to the middle and, in some cases, the lower classes and its role as a fashion accessory was firmly in place. The industrial revolution that swept through Europe in the mid 19th century added further fuel to the cane's enormous popularity by making production faster and much less expensive. It was during this period that the system cane or gadget cane, those that served a dual or hidden purposes, flourished. More than 1500 patents for these wonderful canes were applied for ranging from sword canes, to physician's canes, to fishing pole canes and even to canes that converted into bicycles.
While most decorative canes were manufactured in England and France, Carl Fabergé of Russia and Tiffany Studios in America produced some of the most magnificent and expensive canes in the world. Today, these canes are the most highly prized pieces in any collection.
Walking Sticks Enjoy an Un-Cane-y PopularityFew collectibles offer a better telltale of history than canes. Their range in decoration and function are certainly testaments to the ingenuity and talent of the artisans who created them, but they are also windows into the lives of our ancestors who possessed them. The magic of owning a walking stick lies in the story buried within it. Beneath the surface of many sticks one can find an extraordinarily accurate commentary not only of the people, but also the major social, economic and political issues of the times.
For example, many ladies of the 18th and 19th centuries carried a "vinaigrette" cane to protect them from a variety of ailments. Throughout history, vinegar has been heralded for its medicinal qualities. A sponge soaked in the healing liquid was placed in a small container with holes in it on the handle of the cane. Should a lady's tight corset cause her to faint or should she encounter someone with a dreaded illness, her vinaigrette tucked into her cane was close at hand to protect her. In a similar fashion, many ladiessoaked a sponge in perfume to relieve them from the unpleasant odors encountered in unsanitary public places.
In France, during the civil unrest of the 19th century, canes were often prohibited in public places or during public gatherings as they often concealed deadly weapons such as swords, spikes and guns. French insurgents used canes with hidden razors to discretely sabotage police horses in crowded gatherings by slashing their ankles. When the police looked for the dastardly perpetrator, the weapon was already retracted, hidden in its innocent looking cane shaft and the insurgent was well on his way from the scene... completely undetected.
Canes were also used during politically tumultuous times to demonstrate allegiance. One such cane had what appeared to be an ivory knob handle with ordinary rings carved into it. However, when a light was shined upon it, it cast a shadow of Napoleon's profile, identifying the carrier as a supporter of the overthrown emperor. Canes also identified members of organizations such as the Freemasons who carried three-sided canes representing their society's symbol.
Such anecdotes number in the thousands and for the collector they are the driving force behind collecting walking sticks. Add to that the incredible beauty, workmanship and rarity of many walking sticks and collectors find themselves unable to resist this engaging pastime.
Categorizing Your Walking Sticks
There are basically three types of walking sticks: decorative, folk art and system. While the distinctions can be fuzzy for many sticks, they provide a good foundation for categorizing the thousands of canes that have been produced over the past several hundred years.
Decorative canes, as the name implies, were the cane as fashion accessory in its purest form. Unlike their system cane counterparts, their function was for the most part aesthetic. The variety of materials and forms of these decorative canes was limited only by the imagination of highly trained artisans and craftsmen. Ivory, gold, silver, porcelain, jewels, enamel and even glass were just a few of the materials employed in creating formal, decorative walking sticks.
Folk art canes, unlike their more formal counterparts, by definition were made by single, often untrained artisans. There purpose was to cast attention on the creator not the carrier; they were an expression of the artists skill and personality and can be distinguished from formal canes in various ways. The folk art cane is most often crafted completely of wood and is often highly carved from its handle to the bottom of its shaft. There is seldom a ferrule on folk art canes. And, while folk art canes are often less formal in appearance, they are nonetheless some of the most beautiful canes ever produced are are highly regarded among collectors.
System canes, or gadget canes as they are also known, are perhaps the most fascinating and highly collected type of walking sticks. This category of canes consists of those with a dual or hidden purpose, such as a sword, a whiskey flask and glass, or a walking stick carried by physicians containing scalpels and syringes. More than 1500 patents for gadget canes were applied for during the 18th and 19th centuries and were used in much the same way as we use a purse or wallet today.
Because gadget canes were more utilitarian in nature and usually not as beautifully embellished as decorative canes, they were often relegated to the dusty corners of attics and basements after they fell from fashion in the 1920s. Worse yet, many were given to children as playthings. They are therefore very difficult to find complete with all of their various pieces making them some of the most desirable and popular, albeit sometimes the hardest to find, type of cane.
The decorative canes available to collectors today are those hailing primarily from the second half of the 19th century and into the 1920s. Most decorative canes have a plain shaft with a decorative handle crafted from a variety of materials.
Silver handles were widely produced during this time period and are easily obtained making them a good starting point for a decorative cane collection. Be careful, however; many handles that may have the appearance of sterling silver are not and they should be priced accordingly, unless the stick has other historical importance, provenance or rarity. Finely chased sterling and gold knob handles were often inscribed and used as presentation sticks while even fancier sterling knobs might take the form of animals, human figures or elaborate crook handles. The Art Nouveau period produced some extraordinary sterling-handled canes which are highly prized by collectors.
Ivory was a favorite medium for cane artisans who carved fabulous handles of every shape and form for a seemingly insatiable market. Because of its rarity, however, ivory sticks were generally only attainable by the wealthiest members
of society. Among the rarest and most expensive examples are those canes carved completely of ivory. More than any other material, ivory handles offer the greatest variety of subjects to be found on cane handles. Practically every type of animal, from dogs to elephants, has been represented as well as every example of flower or mythical character and beast. Faces and human forms also had their place on the carved ivory cane handle. They continue to be enormously popular among collectors, especially examples that are embellished with glass eyes or jewels and which are free from heavy discoloration or cracks. Dry, hot weather and direct sunlight can cause ivory to crack, so great care should be taken to control the humidity and sun exposure in areas where these canes are displayed.
Because of their high cost, canes with gold handles are among the rarest and most dear to collectors. Look for highly chased crook handles with the gold content marked. Many canes carved from less expensive materials will have an ornate gold collar as an accent. Most gold handled canes were made for evening use and will usually have an ebony or equally elegant shaft.
Porcelain handles produced by renowned makers such as Meissen and Sèvres are highly collectible due to their extraordinary beauty and rarity. Because they are so fragile, most porcelain handles were damaged over the years and are difficult to find in mint condition.
Other materials used to craft handles and shafts for decorative canes included tortoise shell, bone, antler, brass, bronze, wood, snakeskin, leather, sharkskin, and even glass. As with most decorative antiques, care should be taken to acquire canes that are free of cracks, chips or repairs. Use your judgement however. Rarity, exceptional beauty or important provenance should at times override minor flaws.
Perhaps the most important canes on the market today are those that were produced by elite houses such as Fabergé and Tiffany. These canes, often encrusted with diamonds and jewels, can command prices well over $15,000 and are most certainly considered the prize of any collection. The shop of Fabergé was known for its intricate enamel and diamond handles while Tiffany produced elegant gold handles with shining ebony or handsome tortoise shell shafts. Examples are few and prices continue to soar as collectors scoop these masterpieces off of the market.
Due to the variety of decorative canes, the collector can build upon a number of variations. Prices will depend not only on the materials used, but also on the degree of decoration, the quality of the workmanship and the rarity of a particular theme. Canes that combine various materials, such as porcelain and gold, or ivory and sterling can also command premium prices. Erotic canes, depicting nude forms, carved from ivory or cast in sterling often bring a small premium over canes of similar materials. Even sticks whose decorative material may be somewhat less than appealing can bring high prices based on its rarity. One such stick is the bull's penis cane which, aptly named, is covered from top to bottom wtih the phallic skin of one very unlucky bull. Fortunately, the material's origin is not readily apparent unless an explanation is offered.
The System Cane
System canes are the most highly collected types of canes and there are literally thousands of types from which to choose. As stated earlier, a system cane is one that has a dual purpose or hidden meaning or function. These canes were used in much the same way as we use a wallet or a purse today and wealthy gentlemen or ladies would have owned several canes to be used for different outings and purposes.
Gadget canes fall into four broad categories based on their function, many of which were quite ingenious. Professional canes were used by a host of tradesmen and professionals to carry various tools and accessories. City canes, used most often by fashionable ladies and gentleman, often housed such necessities as cigars, snuff boxes, perfume atomizers and bottles, watches, opera glasses, pipes, and even hidden cameras. Musical canes such as flutes and violins also fall into this category. Outdoor canes held the items needed for outdoor activities including fishing, birdwatching, and lawn games. Weapon canes, as the name implies, concealed swords, daggers, spikes, flails, bludgeons and even guns. Some particularly sinister sticks were those outfitted with retractable razor blades and spikes along the shaft. It would be virtually impossible to expound on every type of system cane created in such a short space. Be assured, there is a cane for virtually every whim and fancy and collectors often have a hard time trying to choose a direction for their collection. Following are a few examples of some of the more popular and important gadget canes created during the 18th and 19th centuries. They are listed by category.
The most important rule of thumb when collecting system canes is to acquire only those canes whose contents are complete. They are, of course, a little more expensive, but in the end they will render a much more valuable collection.
Of the professional canes, none seems to enjoy more popularity than the doctor's cane. The caduceus, two snakes entwined around a central staff, has long been the symbol of the medical profession, and the cane was a natural manifestation of that symbol. Eighteenth- and 19th-century physicians were seldom without their walking sticks and such a close association was formed that patients derived a sense of reassurance at the sight of their physician's powerful walking stick. These handsome canes often served as a medicine bag for busy physicians with many containing surgical instruments, syringes, medicines, bleeders and vinaigrettes. It is interesting to note that a doctor might make several house calls without ever changing or cleaning the instruments handily tucked into the shaft of his cane. Canes containing small flasks for holding liquor were also popular with physicians who might take a few swigs on his rounds to protect himself from cholera or other deadly epidemics. The mortician's cane is one of the more unusual canes I have come across, and though its design is quite simple, the cane is extraordinarily rare. During the 18th and 19th centuries, when epidemics spread like wildfire, a town's mortician was often very busy, and one might assume, very wealthy. The mortician's cane consists of a brass rod notched with measurement indicators that slide from the shaft of the cane allowing fast and easy measurement of the deceased in preparation for his final resting place. Dog racers used a similar device outfitted with a leather strap for measuring their racers. Many incorporated a whistle in the handle too!
Tailors and seamstresses often carried sticks housing tools of their trade including measuring tapes that could be pulled from the handle, needles, thread, ivory or sterling thimbles, pin cushions and even vials of beads for fancy decoration.
Sailors and ship captains had a variety of canes from which to choose including those with powerful telescopes hidden inside. Lower ranking sailors might have carried canes with small knives or eating utensils as well.
One of the most interesting professional canes I have acquired is the painter's cane constructed of a rather plain bamboo shaft with an ivory knob. One would never suspect that it held all of the tools of the artist's trade including paints, brushes, rags, water canisters and pencils. The shaft of the cane even converts into a portable easel!
Some of the most beautiful of the system canes are those used for more social or fashionable purposes. City canes included those outfitted with mother-of-pearl opera glasses, handsome pocket watches, or a handy umbrella which held obvious appeal on rainy days.
One of the finest and perhaps most salacious of the city sticks is the "whore house" coin cane handsomely decorated with a leather and brass crook handle. A gentleman could exercise the ultimate in discretion as he dispensed from his fine cane the exact amount of money needed to purchase the services of a prostitute.
Musical canes also fall into this category and are among the most rare and highly sought after among collectors. The violin cane, in particular, complete with a bow hidden inside the shaft, has fetched prices as high as $25,000 and is in demand among serious collectors. Flute canes and other wind instruments are also popular and in many cases, much more accessible than their stringed counterparts.
System canes were also fashionable among society women who often carried fans, embroidery needles and thread, powder boxes, parasols, atomizers and perfume bottles hidden in the shafts or handles of their delicately appointed canes. Ladies' system canes were often more decorative adn can be found with carved ivory, gold, sterling, enamel and porcelain handles.
Outdoor canes also offer collectors a wealth of excellent choices. Their complexity ranges from the single mechanism seat cane to the picnic cane complete with knives, forks, corkscrews, salt and pepper shakers, and even chopsticks! Other outdoor canes held compasses, fishing poles, doge leashes and maps.
Of all the outdoor canes, however, the tippling cane continues to be very popular among collectors. Also known as a whiskey flask cane, these handy types of sticks were made famous by the renowned painter Toulouse Lautrec whose penchant for drink led him to the desperate measuring of hiding illegal absinthe in a flask ingeniously fitted into the shaft of his cane. The most common model has compartments for a glass flask and a small stem glass. These canes enjoyed a resurgence in popularity during Prohibition in the United States.
Weapons canes present the more sinister side of the system cane and often carry the highest price tags. They are among the most complex of canes as they were skillfully crafted to conceal a host of deadly weapons.
Seemingly innocuous and plain in demeanor with little embellishment, these canes could, at the flick of the wrist, become a lethal weapon. So deceptive were these weapon canes, the French government declared it illegal to carry a cane into a public gathering for fear that any one of them might conceal harmful weapons, including guns.
These fears were apparently well founded. Three of the most diabolical canes known to exist were used by insurgents during 19th- century street riots in France. One such cane patented in 1883 and aptly named "La Terrible" contained three sets of double razor blades that emerged from its painted metal shaft ripping the hands of anyone trying to grab it. This cane along with two similarly outfitted canes, "La Diabolique," and "La Redoutable" were so sinister they were outlawed in France shortly after they went into production. Today, very few collectors have had the good fortune of acquiring a set of these rare canes.
As a rule, most gentleman of the 19th century owned a wide variety of
canes. That collection would most assuredly have included at least one sword, dagger or stiletto cane. Sword canes are, as the name suggests, long blades hidden in the shaft of a cane. The primary value of these sticks more than likely is derived from the blade as opposed to the cane itself. High quality blades by Toledo in Spain or Wilkinson from England carry a premium over other blades of less renowned manufacture, and likewise, Toledo blades with special etching or spring-action handles will bring a higher price than plainer models.
In all of my years acquiring and selling canes, two sword canes stand out. Keep in mind that during the 19th century a man's honor was sacrosanct and the least verbal infraction against that honor was taken as an affront worthy of a duel to the death. The wise man was always prepared, and for the carrier of the "dueling cane," doubly so. This clever cane was equipped with not one, but two swords, in the event that one's opponent was without a weapon! The second sword cane, also intended for duels, bore the French inscription "Never take me out with reason...Never put me back without honor."
Dagger canes are, in a sense, swords with shorter blades. Many daggers were specially designed to inflict the maximum amount of injury and many can be found with intricate embellishment. Stiletto canes were probably the most ingenious of the weapon canes as they were completely hidden with no visible break in the cane. A quick flip of the wrist could eject a sharp blade from either the handle or ferrule of the cane.
One adaptation of the stiletto was a cane whose shaft would retract as the blade was plunged into the body unbeknownst to any onlookers.
Gun canes were designed as concealed weapons which might explain their unrefined appearance. Used for self defense and by poachers, an ornate and flashy cane might have drawn unwanted attention to the carrier. Gun canes can be found with a variety of firing mechanisms including the flintlock and breech loaders. While most firearm sticks are highly desirable, those manufactured by well-known manufacturers like Derringer and Remington often carry a premium price.
The Anatomy of a Cane
Like any area of collecting there are certain related terms that bear explanation when discussing the anatomy of a cane. The first is the handle by which the cane is held and can be found in numerous shapes and forms and, as pointed out earlier, can be crafted from a host of different materials.
The main support of the cane comes from the shaft which is the long straight part of the cane and it too can be found made of a host of different materials. The wood used for the shaft of the cane often indicated its purpose. Elegant ebony or tortoiseshell shafts with gold or jewelled handles were most often intended for evening wear while lighter woods such as malacca, fruitwood, or bamboo were used during the day for less formal occasions. Make a note when buying canes, that ebony and ebonized are completely different. An ebony shaft means that the cane is made from ebony wood. The color will vary from deep black to dark red. Ebonized, on the other hand, indicates only that the shaft of the cane has been enamelled black or otherwise disguised to mimic ebony wood. Ebony, of course, is the most desirable, but many fine canes can be found wiht ebonized shafts at a lower price.
If the shaft and the handle are made of different materials, as is often the case with more formal or non-folk art canes, they are often held together by a band or collar which was used to hide the joint and to provide decorative accents to the cane. Earlier sticks dating prior to the mid-18th century usually had no collars and those following shortly after had thin collars. By the beginning of the 19th century, artisans began using the collar as an integral part of the cane's overall decoration making them much wider and in many cases intricately chased and incised. The collar was often used for inscriptions on presentation canes and sterling and gold collars can often be found on many canes whose owners could not afford to have a larger handle made completely of precious metal.
You may notice a small eyelet drilled near the top of many canes and lined with metal or ivory. Wrist Cords were passed through these holes and could be worn around the wrist for easier carrying. Finally, the ferrule protects the tip of the cane and can often be used as a fairly accurate telltale of the age of your cane. Some ferrules are made of the same material as the handle, while most were simply made of some other durable material like hard metal. Earlier canes were made with a longer brass ferrule, sometimes 6 or 7 inches, in order to protect the cane from mud on unpaved roads. As more and more roads, especially those in the city, were blacktopped ferrules became progressively shorter. Most folk art canes do not have a ferrule.
Displaying your canes
Displaying your cane collection is a matter of personal taste. A small collection can be attractively displayed in something as simple as an umbrella stand. There are many stands specifically made to display canes and they can vary greatly in shape and price. Wall racks also make attractive displays.
Porcelain, glass, enamel and jewelled canes should be displayed carefully so as not to allow them to bump one another. Many a fine cane has been damaged due to a careless display. As a dealer in important and rare canes, I carry an extensive selection of display cases that allow for safe and handsome displays.
Building Your Collection
Building any kind of collection is a highly personal endeavor and whichever road you choose to follow, if you adhere to the premise of quality over quantity you will be well on your way to amassing a valuable collection. Collections of any kind that hold superior
value and importance are those whose pieces were selected primarily for their quality, rarity or provenance and secondly for their price.
Generally, decorative canes of exceptional beauty or complete system canes bring a higher price than those with damage or those that are incomplete. The exception will lie with canes made of exotic and rare materials or with those that carry with them a special provenance.
As a rule, it is always advisable to buy from a respected dealer. If you find a cane, shake it and listen, there could be a treasure inside and unexpected finds are always the best and most memorable. But beware. Reproductions abound and unscrupulous dealers will try to pass them off as authentic.
There are several wonderful reference books on antique walking sticks, but there are a few I highly recommend. If you are interested in building your collection around system canes, you will not want to be without "Cane Curiosa," a thorough and definitive work by Catherine Dike. This extensive volume features hundreds of photographs and descriptions of virtually every system cane known. Another indispensable volume for collectors of American canes is "Canes in the United States" also by Catherine Dike.
Other notable works include "Canes Throughout the Ages" by renowned collector Francis Monek and "Canes from the 17th to the 20th Century" by Jeffrey B. Snyder. A wonderful book by Italian collector Alfredo Lamberti provides useful information along with a collection of stunning photographs of both decorative and system walking sticks. Folk Art cane collectors will want to study George H. Meyer's "American Folk Art Canes."
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Slip and fall accidents occur all over Florida and all across the country each day. In many cases, these injuries lead to nothing more than injured pride, but these slips can also lead to spinal cord injury, fractured bones, brain injuries, and other serious problems. If you slip and fall, here is what you should do:
1) Stay calm. Rather than trying to get up immediately, take several deep breaths to relax. Try to determine whether you are hurt. Taking your time does two things. First, it allows your to get your bearings after the shock of a fall. Secondly, it ensures that if you are injured, you will not try to get up the wrong way, thus causing more damage.
2) If you appear uninjured or you think you can get up safely without assistance, first roll over onto your side and then push yourself slowly into a sitting position. Take a small rest, then slowly get up on your hands and knees and crawl to the nearest sturdy sitting area. Place your hands flat on the seat and push one foot forward until it is flat on the floor. Kneel on the other leg. Gradually rising from this position, turn your body to sit down. This may seem overly cautious, but this method gives your body and blood pressure time to adjust. Trying to stand up immediately after a fall can lead to another fall if your blood pressure has dropped or if you are feeling dizzy.
3) If you are injured or are not sure that you can get up safely without help, ask someone to call 911 or call for help. If there is no one near you, try to move to a more comfortable position and wait for someone who can help you. Unless it is an emergency, try not to move or get up. If you are injured, movement can cause more harm.
4) As soon as you can, write down where, how, and when you fell down. Write down anything you can remember about how you felt, what you were doing right before you fell, and any other details you remember. Make an appointment to see your doctor soon after the fall and bring your notes with you. Your doctor can determine whether the fall had a medical reason. Your doctor can then help you find ways to prevent future falls.
If you are often alone and have had trouble with dizziness, falls, or balance in the past, consider investing in a personal emergency response system. This service allows you to have necklace or bracelet with you all the time that is linked to your home phone system. If you fall, you only have to push the button to get in contact with emergency personnel. There is a monthly cost for this type of service, but the peace of mind it offers – not to mention it’s lifesaving potential – are often worth it for those who are at risk of slip and fall accidents. Another option is to get a cell phone or portable phone that you can keep with you as you move around your home. If you do fall, you can use the phone to call for help.
If you have fallen, you may wish tot visit a physical therapist to develop more balance and strength through exercise in order to regain your confidence and to prevent more falls. You may also wish to invest in walking aids or make changes in your home to reduce the chance of future falls. If you suffer from osteoporosis and are prone to falls, be sure to invest in a “hip protector.” This padded piece of clothing is worn under the clothes and absorbs some of impact when you fall, making a hip fracture far less likely.
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| 0.960129 | 730 | 2.515625 | 3 |
Could we really create artificial gravity up in space?
The Most Elusive Waves in the Universe
We could be on the verge of discovering the most elusive waves in the history of physics!
Interstellar Chemistry: An Elemental Universe
How did the elements come to be? A first look at interstellar chemistry.
Orbiting a Black Hole
If the Sun were to collapse into a black hole right now, would we survive? Before we tackle this question, let's get our hands dirty with a bit of the physics behind black holes. Firstly we have to find out what they actually are, and how they were proposed in the first place. On top... Continue Reading →
Sputnik: The Soviet satellite that changed the World
The Cold War. It was a time of espionage, competing political ideologies, and nuclear weapons. But while the James Bond’s of each nation were saving the world from top secret evil organisations, the two superpowers of the world were desperately trying to outwit each other both politically and economically. And they knew exactly what the... Continue Reading →
The Dark Side of the Universe
At the turn of the twentieth century, the solution to a trivial problem in physics led to one of the most revolutionary theories imaginable. Now, more than a century later it seems as though history is on the verge of repeating itself with the realisation that our world, along with the rest of the observable... Continue Reading →
Confronting Aliens: Are We In Danger?
If the human race were to ever pick up an alien like signal, should we respond? On one hand it will be an amazing discovery, finally succeeding in our search to find intelligent life other than ourselves in the cosmos. But on the other, could we be risking the extinction of the human race by... Continue Reading →
Falling into a Black Hole
The year is 2241. You are an astronaut on-board the 'Orion Interstellar Space Module', or OISM for short. You contemplate what your journey has in store, but know that it is of little use to ponder over. The hatchet doors lock into place, its metallic joints fully lubricated. You fall into a deep slumber as... Continue Reading →
Tides of a Jupiter System
Life. It is abundant on this world we call Planet Earth. But where else could life possibly exist in our solar system? Mars, maybe Venus? Possibly. But there is one other planetary body which NASA has their eye's set upon - Europa. Europa itself is just a satellite - one of the four large moon... Continue Reading →
How Nuclear Fusion Directly Affects The Earth’s Orbit
Will the Sun's nuclear fusion lead to dramatic consequence for the Earth as we know it?
The Andromeda Galaxy has its course set for a head on collision with our own Milky Way Galaxy....But what will happen when it reaches us?
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| 0.933917 | 592 | 2.625 | 3 |
What is cultural heritage?
Since its inception, the JCCCNC has remained committed to the preservation and promotion of Japanese American cultural and historical heritage. The following page defines cultural heritage and describes its importance.
- Culture is a group’s values, traditions, art, etc.
- Heritage is a group’s history of their values, traditions, achievements, etc.
- Cultural heritage is the expressive lifestyle that is passed down from generation to generation
Cultural heritage is both tangible and intangible. Tangible elements include: art, memorabilia and artifacts, clothing, food, physical spaces, products, agriculture, landscapes, buildings, and photographs. Intangible elements of cultural heritage include: customs and traditions, values and beliefs, language, achievements, history, religion, activities, and skills.
Cultural heritage can only be successfully preserved if individuals value and subsequently transmit culture to the next generation. Cultural heritage is important because it is a core element of an individual’s identity. Additionally, it increases feelings of belonging and access to groups or communities; it preserves history and culture; and it is a direct connection to the past and an individual’s ancestors. When individuals enjoy, understand, value, and care about their cultural heritage, it can be passed on to other generations, allowing for its future observance and practice.
The Nikkei Photo Contest was born from the idea that cultural heritage requires sharing. Through the contest, the JCCCNC hopes to further its mission of preserving and promoting Japanese American cultural heritage.
The “Heritage Cycle,” originally created by Simon Thurley and developed by cultureindevelopment.nl, represents the cycle of cultural heritage. The ”Heritage Cycle” outlines an integral piece of cultural heritage. It drives the point that heritage must be understood, valued, cared for, and enjoyed in order to be shared. The JCCCNC hopes to encourage individuals to explore their cultural heritage so that they may better understand, value, care, and enjoy it.
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| 0.920388 | 413 | 3.640625 | 4 |
Squaring the Circles - bias in distribution maps
Naturalists have been avidly recording plants and animals in Britain for centuries. The records are usually presented as 'dot' distribution maps (e.g. Perring & Walters 1962; Sharrock 1976; Harding & Sutton 1985; Arnold 1993), which are widely used for biogeography or assessing conservation status. However, after ten years of research and attempts to interpret the mapping data, I have come to the conclusion that such dot maps have severe limitations owing to the unsystematic way in which the data are recorded (Rich 1997a, 1997b, 1998; Rich & Smith 1996; Rich & Woodruff 1990, 1992, 1996).
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| 0.897987 | 139 | 2.65625 | 3 |
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