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Where To Study Forensic Science Course In Ghana ? An educational program or curriculum that concentrates on the study of scientific procedures and techniques used in criminal investigations and judicial proceedings is referred to as a “forensic science course.” A variety of scientific fields, including biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology are used in forensic science to collect and examine evidence from crime scenes and produce unbiased scientific findings that may be presented in court. Typical topics covered in a forensic science course include crime scene investigation, evidence collection and preservation, fingerprint and DNA analysis, ballistics, toxicology, forensic psychology, forensic anthropology, and forensic pathology. Students gain knowledge of the methods and ideas involved in evaluating various sorts of evidence as well as how to use scientific methods to solve crimes. Both academic information and practical training may be covered in the course. What are the Requirement For Forensic Science Course In Ghana Depending on the institution delivering the program, different forensic science courses in Ghana may have different requirements. Nonetheless, the following are some typical expectations for generic requirements: - Application procedure: Prospective students normally need to fill out an application form and provide supporting materials, such as transcripts, diplomas, and identification documents, along with the application. It is advised to speak with the institution directly as the precise application requirements and processes can change. - Age Requirement: There is typically a minimum age requirement for applicants to forensic science programs in Ghana. Usually, this is someone who is at least 18 years old. However, age requirements can vary, thus it’s important to verify the policies of the particular organization. - Education requirements: In order to enroll in the majority of forensic science programmes in Ghana, applicants must have completed a senior secondary school certificate examination (SSSCE) or a West African senior school certificate examination (WASSCE). Although the precise grade requirements may change, it is frequently important to have a solid foundation in science disciplines including biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. - English Language Proficiency: A strong command of the English language is typically required for forensic science courses because they include a lot of reading, writing, and communication. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) may be required of applicants as proof of competency (IELTS). - Entrance Exams: To determine a candidate’s aptitude and subject-specific expertise, some institutions may ask them to take an admission exam. It’s crucial to confirm the specific institution’s policies on the format and substance of these exams. It’s vital to keep in mind that the qualifications listed above are only basic guidelines and that each institution may have its own unique admission standards. Thus, it’s essential to look out and get in touch with the individual universities offering forensic science programs in Ghana in order to learn the most recent information on their entrance standards. How Much Does It Cost To Study Forensic Science Course In Ghana? A number of variables, such as the institution offering the program, the level of study (undergraduate or postgraduate), and whether you are an international or local student, might affect the cost of taking a forensic science course in Ghana. Also, tuition costs are subject to vary, therefore it’s crucial to confirm the most current and correct information with the respective universities. But, as of the deadline in 2023,We are aware that domestic students’ tuition for a forensic science study in Ghana can range from between GHS 5,000 to GHS 20,000 every academic year. Higher tuition costs may apply to international students; they frequently range from GHS 8,000 to GHS 25,000 or more per academic year. What Is The Bachelor’s Degree In Forensic Science Course In Ghana there are several universities in Ghana that offer a Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science or related fields. Here are a few examples: - Central University: Central University offers a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Forensic Science program. The program provides a comprehensive understanding of forensic science principles, crime scene investigation, evidence collection and analysis, and forensic laboratory techniques. - University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA): UPSA offers a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Forensic Accounting and Criminal Investigation program. This program combines elements of forensic science and accounting to equip students with skills in detecting and preventing financial crimes. - University of Cape Coast (UCC): UCC offers a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Forensic Science program. The program focuses on the application of scientific principles and techniques in solving crimes and investigating forensic evidence. - A Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Forensic Science program is available at Wisconsin International University College. The course material includes lessons in forensic chemistry, toxicology, psychology, and biology. - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST): KNUST offers a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Forensic Science program. The program covers various aspects of forensic science, including crime scene investigation, forensic chemistry, forensic biology, forensic anthropology, and forensic psychology. The availability of programs and the specifics of the curriculum may change over time, it is crucial to remember that. For the most accurate and current information about Bachelor’s degree programs in forensic science in Ghana, it is therefore advised to visit the websites or contact the various universities directly. Where To Study Forensic Science Course In Ghana There are numerous institutes in Ghana where you can study forensic science or courses that are linked to it. The following colleges and universities provide forensic science programs or similar fields: - Wisconsin International University College: Wisconsin International University College offers a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Forensic Science program. The curriculum covers forensic biology, forensic chemistry, forensic psychology, and forensic toxicology. - University of Cape Coast (UCC): UCC offers a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Forensic Science program. They also have postgraduate programs in forensic science. - Central University: Central University offers a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Forensic Science program. They provide training in various aspects of forensic science and related fields. - University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA): UPSA offers a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Forensic Accounting and Criminal Investigation program. This program combines forensic science principles with accounting and criminal investigation. - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST): KNUST offers a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Forensic Science program. They also provide postgraduate options in forensic science. These are only a few instances of Ghanaian institutions that provide forensic science or related courses. To find out more specific and current information about the programs, entrance requirements, and other pertinent information, it is crucial to carry out additional research, visit their websites, and get in touch with the organizations directly. Is Forensic Science A good career in Ghana ? For those who are interested in using scientific techniques in criminal investigations and judicial proceedings, forensic science might be a rewarding career choice in Ghana. While assessing the prospects of a forensic science career in Ghana, keep the following things in mind: - Many work prospects can be found by pursuing a career in forensic science. Graduates may get employment in governmental organizations like the Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Immigration Agency, or Ghana Police Service. Additionally, forensic laboratories, private investigative companies, law firms, and academic organizations all employ forensic experts. - Demand for Forensic Experts: Due to the rising crime rates and complexity of criminal activity, there is an increasing demand for forensic experts who can help with crime scene investigation, evidence analysis, and expert testimony in court. To support their investigative and judicial processes, law enforcement agencies, forensic labs, and legal institutions in Ghana need qualified forensic professionals. - Challenges: It’s vital to remember that professions in forensic science might provide certain difficulties. Long hours, stressful conditions, and exposure to horrific crime scenes may all be part of the job. The field also demands excellent analytical abilities, critical thinking, and attention to detail. It’s critical to be ready for the obligations and demands that come along with a job in forensic science. - Contributing to Justice and Society: Through aiding in the discovery of evidence, the establishment of facts, and the pursuit of justice, forensic scientists support the criminal justice system. Those who work in this sector have the chance to improve society, help solve crimes, and guarantee the fairness of courtroom procedures. - Professional Development: With the constant development of science and technology, forensic science is a dynamic area. Continuous learning, specialization, and professional development are all options for professionals in this industry. To stay current on the most recent forensic science methodology and procedures, this can involve participating in conferences, workshops, and training programs. Ultimately, whether forensic science is a wise career choice in Ghana will depend on your interests, skill, and dedication to the field. While making a decision, it is advised to do extensive research on the opportunities that are available, understand the educational and training requirements, and take into account your own passion and dedication for the field. What Is The Average Salary Of A Forensic Science In Ghana The level of experience, education, employment position, and the organization hiring the forensic scientist will all affect the typical compensation for one in Ghana. It’s crucial to remember that particular wage ranges might vary across areas and organizations, as well as throughout time. The average salary range for forensic scientists in Ghana is between GHS 2,000 to GHS 5,000 per month as per my knowledge cutoff in 2023. Yet, depending on a number of variables, this number can change dramatically. While people with advanced degrees, specialized training, and years of experience may earn greater pay, entry-level forensic scientists or those with little experience may receive a salary that is closer to the lower end of the range. leaders who are senior forensic scientists, managers, or supervisors.

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If you grew up in the 80s and 90s, you know that we were taught to believe that each person can single-handedly save the environment by recycling. It was no mistake that kid’s shows like Captain Planet and The Smoggies were handing the heavy weight of saving the world to the next generation. Through these shows and school programs, Generation Y and older Millenials grew up with a focus on Reduce Reuse Recycle being the clear path to saving the planet. But along the way, someone failed the mention that while Recycling might be the easiest ‘R’ to incorporate into our lives, it’s actually the least impactful. What Happens To Our Recycling? Your household, like many others, probably takes the time to separate out your bottles, cans and paper goods into the recycling box. But after you rush to get it to the curb on time, where does it actually go? Recycling brings to mind images of glass being smashed, melted and turned into new glass. Stock footage we’ve been exposed to since this infamous episode of Sesame Street first explained recycling to us as children. And while that does happen to some lucky bottles, would it shock you to know that only 7-10% of the items you throw in the recycling (especially plastics) actually end up there? “And the rest?” you ask. The landfill. How We’re Recycling Wrong Are you the person that scrubs out the greasy film from the cream cheese container before throwing it in the recycling or the person who tosses it in with a scoop too small for a sandwich still left inside? Do you check your plastics for a recycling logo before tossing it in or do you assume all plastics are recyclable? It’s not uncommon for up to 25% percent of what goes into the recycling bin to be either contaminated or not recyclable in the first place. The cost of sorting out non-recyclables and cleaning contaminated items is simply too high, so, unfortunately, entire batches of recycling wind up heading to the landfill instead. If you’re a perfectionist when it comes to cleaning your recycling, keep up the good work! But Wait, Doesn’t China Buy Our Recycling? Not anymore. After decades of purchasing a huge portion of the West’s plastic recyclables, China has put an end to being the country that cleans up our mess. And they’ve got some serious messes of their own to consider. China announced the National Sword policy, banning plastic waste from being imported, in July 2017, and the ban officially began January 1, 2018. This came following the release of a documentary called Plastic China, which shed some pretty uncomfortable light on the hazardous implications of the prevalent ‘unofficial’ recycling centers in China. Coincidence? Probably not. Now China is making moves to shut down informal recycling plants and build better, safer and more efficient recycling systems for their own growing waste problem. So, our recycling is back to being our own costly problem. Was Captain Planet Wrong? Yes and no. Recycling is a lot better for our conscience than it is for our planet or the economy. We recycle because we’re told to recycle. That it’s the right thing to do. But if it’s all a performance and those bottles don’t actually get melted down and turned into new bottles, then what’s the answer? Should you take all the recyclables in your home and throw them in the trash can? Absolutely not! But should you make an effort to focus on ways to reduce, reuse and altogether refuse to use plastic? You bet! When the Planeteers would join their rings to summon Captain Planet, he would remind us all that “The power is yours!”. And while that may have ended up being a little more complicated than tossing a greasy pizza box in the recycling and calling yourself an environmentalist, the message remains the same. We each hold the power to make an environmental impact. And if not with our recyclables, then with our wallets and our voices, our votes, and our habits.

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When you think about dangerous situations, you might think about walking alone at night or driving in bad weather. The reality for thousands of Americans is they face danger every single day, simply by going to work. New information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that there were over 5,000 workplace deaths in 2018, which equals 3.5 fatalities per 100,000 workers. However, the number of mortalities is nearly 30 times that for certain jobs. Here is a glimpse of the most dangerous industries, based on the number of fatalities per 100,000 workers in that industry: 10. First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service and groundskeeping workers 9. First-line supervisors of construction and extraction workers 8. Structural iron and steel workers 7. Farmers, ranchers and other agricultural workers 6. Driver/sales workers and truck drivers 5. Reuse and recyclable materials collectors 3. Aircraft pilots and flight engineers 2. Fishers and related fishing workers 1. Logging workers Overall, workplace accidents increased slightly from 2017. The number of fatalities remained the same. More than 2,000 workplace deaths, or 40% of all work-related fatalities, were a result of transportation accidents. Contact with objects and equipment was the next most-common fatality, resulting in 786 deaths. This includes running equipment and machinery, as well as being hit by falling objects. Another common accident was falls, slips and trips. While accidents are bound to happen from time to time, employers are obligated to keep work spaces as safe as possible. When employer negligence leads to workplace accidents, you may have the right to seek compensation for your injuries.

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New data maps world’s most water-stressed regions A quarter of the world’s population lives in water-stressed regions that are at risk of running out of water. ‘Day Zero’ – the day when taps run dry – has threatened large cities from Cape Town to Chennai in recent years, while Australian country towns across New South Wales and Queensland are facing the reality that their drinking water supplies might dry up. Now, the World Resources Institute (WRI) has found 17 countries face “extremely high” levels of baseline water stress, with irrigated agriculture, industries and municipalities withdrawing more than 80% of the available supply every year. Meanwhile, one-third of the Earth’s inhabitants – spread across 44 countries – face high levels of water stress as more than 40% of the available supply is used per year. Such small gaps between supply and demand mean even short dry spells, which are set to increase due to climate change, can have dire consequences for communities. The WRI compiled the information using its Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas, which ranks water stress, drought risk and riverine flood risk across 189 countries and their sub-national regions, like states and provinces. To provide an indication of baseline water stress, it compared available surface and groundwater supplies to the amount withdrawn for domestic, industry, irrigation and livestock use. President and CEO of the WRI Dr Andrew Steer said water stress is “the biggest crisis no one is talking about”. “Its consequences are in plain sight in the form of food insecurity, conflict and migration, and financial instability,” Steer said. “A new generation of solutions is emerging, but nowhere near fast enough. Failure to act will be massively expensive in human lives and livelihoods.” Feeling the heat Twelve of the 17 most water-stressed countries are in the Middle East and North Africa, with Qatar, Israel and Lebanon topping the list. According to the WRI, hot and dry conditions mean water supply in the region is low to begin with, but population growth has put more demand on existing resources. Climate change is set to make this worse, with the World Bank finding the area has the greatest expected economic losses from climate-related water scarcity, at about 6% to 14% of GDP by 2050. Geopolitics also complicates things – some 60% of surface water resources in the region are transboundary, and all countries share at least one aquifer. But it’s not all bad news. Just 18% of the area’s wastewater is currently reused, which means it is an untapped resource that could help boost water security. Oman is leading the way and already reuses 78% of the wastewater it collects. Australia came in at 50th on the WRI’s list, with medium-high baseline water stress overall. But, as the data shows, pockets of extreme stress can exist even in countries with relatively low scores. For example, while the US has low-medium stress on average, the state of New Mexico has extremely high stress levels, as does the Western Cape in South Africa, which is home to Cape Town. “The populations in these two states rival those of entire nations on the list of most water-stressed countries,” the WRI said. “While it’s helpful for policymakers to understand and take action on water stress at the national level, water is an inherently local issue.” To find out more about water stress around the world, click here.

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What is Podiatric Medicine? Podiatric Medicine is a field of medicine that strives to improve the overall health and well-being of patients by focusing on preventing, diagnosing and treating conditions associated with the foot and ankle. Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPMs) are physicians and surgeons who practice on the lower extremities, primarily on feet and ankles. The preparatory education of most DPMs includes four years of undergraduate work, followed by four years in an accredited podiatric medical school, followed by a hospital-based residency. DPMs are licensed in all 50 states and The District of Columbia to diagnose and treat the foot and its related or governing structures by medical, surgical or other means. The vast majority of states also include ankle care as part of the podiatric physician's scope of practice. In addition to private practice, podiatrists serve on the staff of hospitals and long-term care facilities, on the faculties of schools of medicine, as commissioned officers in the Armed Forces and the US Public Health Service, in the Department of Veterans Affairs, and in municipal health departments. Podiatrists may also be members of group medical practices. The skills of podiatric physicians are in increasing demand because disorders of the foot and ankle are among the most widespread and neglected health problems facing us today.

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Few things are changing as fast on our home planet as the cryosphere–the frozen portion of the earth’s surface, which is melting quickly. And nowhere faster or with more grievous effect than along the Andes, as this piercing film makes clear! Author, Educator, Environmentalist Mountain glacier demise preludes the fate of the great ice sheets on Greenland and Antarctica, if humanity does not come to its senses soon. Steinman’s film wakes us up to the danger by hearing directly from the ones suffering the consequences of society’s inaction. Fmr. Head, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies Adjunct Professor, Columbia University Earth Institute Filmmaker Ethan Steinman’s beautifully-filmed and sobering documentary paints a bleak picture of the future for an already struggling people. Tropical glaciers have historically topped the Andes Mountains, running all the way down the western spine of South America. But as Earth’s atmosphere warms, those glistening white expanses are shrinking, with immense consequences for farmers who rely on glacial melt for their water; many, if not most, will have no choice but to relocate, most likely to an urban setting. Steinman follows scientists as they collect core samples from the remaining glaciers (to be stored and studied when the ice masses themselves are gone). Interviewees include educators and environmentalists (including Al Gore), as well as men and women working the soil in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina, who understand what is happening to the climate, even as residents of the Northern Hemisphere debate whether anything significant is occurring at all. A second disc included deleted scenes and extended interviews. As much an anthropological study and geography lesson as a climate-change documentary, this is highly recommended. Glacial Balance is a captivating film, stunningly beautiful and deeply disturbing. From the glaciers high atop the Andes to the cities in the valleys below, the film takes a close-up and personal look at the lives of local villagers and the work of glaciologists racing to document the disappearance of the Andes snow and ice due to climate change. Seattle-based filmmaker, Ethan Steinman, documents the heartbreaking decline of agricultural communities in the region, from the livelihoods of small-plot coffee farmers in Colombia to the viability of industrial agriculture in Chile, where farms that feed the world are facing inevitable drought and decline. As touching as it is haunting, Glacial Balance brings into high relief the uncertainty we face in the wake of climate change. Lives are in the balance as glaciers in South America, and across the planet, slowly melt away, taking with them unique ecosystems, ancient communities, and individual livelihoods, and leaving us to face a most uncertain future. Environmental Columnist, The Japan Times Although there’s been plenty of talk about the Andean glaciers melting fast—and faster than originally projected–this film moves the issue from the realm of a vague concept to a real phenomenon, affecting real people’s lives in many ways every day. Glacial Balance not only admirably presents modern glacial science but also balances the science with the social consequences of rapidly melting glaciers in the Andes. Cindy L. Parker MD, MPH Bloomberg School of Public Health Johns Hopkins University Through the lens of a documentary we see the impact of climate change on the peoples and countries of South America that rely on the glacier fields of the Andes for their water supply. Taking a country–by–country approach, the filmmakers follow two different sets of individuals in each geographical location. What do we find? One group they follow includes the farmers who live in a particular area and the impact of the shrinking glaciers on the dominant crop grown there, as well as how that affects the livelihoods of the farmers and their community (e.g. they follow a coffee farmer in Columbia and a wine–maker in Argentina). The other group followed is the team of scientists studying and recording the changes in the glaciers in that same country and how their research is informing public policies at both the community and national levels. What I especially like about this film is how it documents the day–to–day activities of the farmers and how climate change very directly impacts their everyday lives. You see firsthand how changes in the annual patterns of glacier melt forces people to alter what they plant and the consequent diet they eat (e.g. beans instead of potatoes in Peru because potatoes consume too much water) as well as how these changes impact basic energy consumption in societies that for decades have relied primarily on hydro–electric power production. The science is also well documented and the film is divided into “chapters” with a menu to select country by country. The average attention span of a modern teenager is not going to sit through more than one country’s worth of this movie at a given time; being able to pick–and–choose will make it far more likely for a teacher actually to use this very good film in his or her classroom. National Science Teachers Association Baltazar Ushca, the last iceman of Ecuador, climbs Chimborazo higher than he has since he was a boy to collect the ice from the glacier so that he may sell it at the markets below. Glacial Balance is a documentary film that reveals the truth of the Andean Glaciers and the South American communities that are shrinking along with them. Documentary filmmaker, Ethan Steinman, takes his camera and treks the Andean Glaciers traveling through the countries of Columbia, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia. He documents the work of ice core expert, Dr. Lonnie Thompson along with the local communities that are faced with the very real present effects of glacial change, such as the disappearing water supplies, and the conflicts that it causes between communities. Effects that we in America think are either impossible, in the too distant future, or simply inapplicable to us. Glacial Balance educates on such a superior level that after watching it, I was immediately googling how communities could adapt to decreasing water supplies. If you’re like me, you usually don’t say or write glaciers and South America in the same sentence. Now, I cannot think of South America without thinking of its glaciers. Glacial Balance leaves you with the sobering thought of what South America will be like without them. On second thought…how will the United States be affected and how would we adapt? Climate change is happening. Glacial Balance challenges us to think ahead and start a dialogue as to what our communities worldwide need to do to adapt to it. DC New Movies Examiner At the heart of Ethan Steinman’s documentary film are the everyday, current effects of melting glaciers on humankind. It is especially the small-scale farmers of the global South whose lives Steinman seeks to understand. But he also interviews climate change research scientists, and for one of these – Lonnie Thompson – a far more universal concern underpins his research. This is the preservation, for some unknown future, of core samples of glacier material that span millennia. The gems within this preserved material are fragments of plant residue that may give us new knowledge of a distant climactic past. The theory goes that once we know how climate has been in the past – as preserved in the pristine core samples of ancient glaciers whose secrets are often only revealed at high altitude sites – we can then more clearly understand just what it is that humans are adding to the climate change equation. That the glaciers of South America are now rapidly disappearing adds pressure to this already passion-filled quest. From the scientists’ perspective, here is the catch: when glaciers “retreat,” they also reduce. This reduction comes at the top layer of the glacier as global temperatures rise and less snow accumulates. But it occurs at the bottom of the glacier, too, as massive pressure-packed glacial snow – now ice – is eroded by meltwater that flows underneath the glacier. As a glacier’s ice melts, with it go priceless fragments of plant material. For Lonnie Thompson, this means the loss of crucial climate information about the past – an off-hand shrug, an added insult to the injury that is climate change itself. In this film, we find represented both the most practical and land-rooted labour of small-scale farmers, and the highest theoretical work on climate change. Curiously, both of these groups share high-altitude environments in their work. For small-scale farmers of the Andean countries between Colombia and Argentina where this film is shot, the concerns are more proximate and personal. The tiny size of their farms – often less than two hectares – makes them more agile: they can change farming practices by moving locations or adopting new strategies quickly. But their small size also makes them vulnerable and invisible. They are vulnerable because their lives depend on the success of their work, and their work is implicated in the diminishing source of the water necessary to grow food. They are invisible because they have little cultural power and voice. This film goes part way to increasing this voice. Baltazar Ushca, for example, is one of the last people to collect and sell ice from glaciers. He now has to go higher in altitude than he did a few years before, to find suitable ice. Small coffee growers will have to relocate higher, as the climate warms. Farmers in Ecuador are choosing to grow quinoa over potatoes, because quinoa re- quires less water. It is one thing to take water from a stream that you know will be there forever; it is quite another to use a glacier’s last fast flush before its ultimate expiry. These farmers know the difference, and throughout the Andes, they already feel the effects of climate change as both an environmental alteration and as a psychological state. The film-making itself matches the now pastiched nature of glaciers. The camera is often hand-held, with little evidence of the use of steadycams; wind static is frequently heard in interviews; stories of farmers are interspersed with those of scientists; and there is no voice-of-god narration to summarize and give the “truth” about glaciers and climate change. Instead, the information presented comes from the accumulations of layers of multifaceted voices in the same way a glacier comes into being. And from the first stunning shot of a camera mounted in a core drilling rig, which sees the ice change as it quickly rises to snow level, the imagery goes far beyond interviews to the land itself, as it shows the effects of a changing climate. The artistry of the glaciers themselves is meshed with the landscape-changing artistry of the small-scale, adaptive farmers. The purpose behind these farmers’ solutions is not beauty, but survival; still, their solutions are beautiful and their various adaptations indicate an alternative path to human development that might address some aspects of climate change. This path is based on small-scale adaptive change, with life needs in mind, not a large-scale monolithic greed-based economy. This is a film that could not have been made a decade ago: it was clearly completed on a (nobly) small budget, and ten years ago, small and portable cameras delivering high-definition video quality were not easily sourced. Despite its modest roots, Steinman has avoided the “simple solution” traps that documentary film makers of- ten succumb to. He has maintained the métissage quality of the film by including differing opinions – even including one researcher who apparently seeks to see the bright side of climate change. The film works. Despite occasional excursions into manure composting and methane production that have only passing relevance to the film’s central thesis, the film manages to combine divergent opinions to provide both scientists’ theoretical understandings of climate changes, and farmers’ responses to it. The movement bet- ween experience and explanation is helpful. This is a noteworthy film in the history of documentary film-making: it shows what can be done by a small crew with a pas- sion to tell an important story, from both the ground up and from the science down. Brandon University, Canada Encounters/Encuentros/Rencontres on Education Vol. 15, 2014, 251-252

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Roman gladiator school digitally rebuilt Imaging tools revive an ancient city’s training facility with no excavation By Bruce Bower, 11:22 AM March 13, 2014 Click image above to view slideshow Without breaking ground, researchers have uncovered the largely complete remains of a nearly 1,900-year-old Roman school for gladiators in what’s now eastern Austria. Advanced imaging techniques led to the discovery of a training center for these warrior-entertainers at Carnuntum, a Roman city excavated on and off since the late 19th century. The ancient facility lies beneath a field near the remains of an amphitheater that could have held about 13,000 specta... Source URL: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/roman-gladiator-school-digitally-rebuilt

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Samples of the Sutter's Mill meteorite, found quickly after being dropped by a brilliant daylight fireball, contain pieces of primitive, carbon-rich matter like none ever studied before. Peter Jenniskens is a cautious, soft-spoken researcher at the NASA-affiliated SETI Institute. But he morphs into an aggressive tiger when it comes to tracking down freshly fallen meteorites. Back in 2008, facing all odds, he spearheaded the effort to recover pieces of a small asteroid that broke apart over northern Sudan. On April 22nd, luck was on his side when a big cosmic prize fell right into his lap. A dazzling fireball, peaking at magnitude –18 to –20, had streaked east-to-west above Nevada and California at 7:51 a.m. It was widely seen by astonished onlookers — and, more importantly, captured on the cameras of two of them. These records, combined with distinct echoes in Doppler-radar scans, strongly suggested that pieces of the object had fallen to Earth near the towns of Coloma and Lotus, just 120 miles northeast of Jenniskens' office in Mountain View, California.All the evidence pointed toward a really large arrival — later reconstructions estimate that object was the size of a small car (2½ to 4 m across) and had a mass of perhaps 40 tons before it slammed into the atmosphere. Jenniskens wasted no time, quickly driving to the area in the hope of finding freshly fallen meteorites. He came away empty-handed after searching in a state park but eventually spotted a small 4-g sample — partly crushed from being run over — in a parking lot. By then other searchers were scouring the territory, and in fact professional space-rock hunter Robert Ward found a small fragment before Jenniskens did. It's now called the Sutter's Mill meteorite, SM for short, named for the area landmark that triggered the 1848 California gold rush. April's interplanetary arrival triggered another gold rush of sorts, as a loosely knit consortium of scientists, meteorite hunters, and local hopefuls repeatedly combed the hilly terrain. At one point Jenniskens and some colleagues even took to the sky in Airship Ventures' Zeppelin to look for small impact craters pocking the Sierra foothills. They didn't find any, but so far collectors have located nearly 80 pieces, with a total mass of just over 2 pounds (943 g).Critically, the two pieces found on April 24th by Ward and Jenniskens, plus a third spotted that same day by local sleuth Brien Cook, got snatched up before rain soaked the area. This meteorite's dark, crumbly texture was an immediate sign that it's very primitive, a C-class chondrite having fallen to Earth virtually unaltered since its formation 4½ billion years ago — and thus of special interest to planetary scientists. For example, geochemists studying these samples found abundant bits of the mineral oldhamite (calcium sulfide), so touchy that it decomposes after even the slightest exposure to water vapor. Score one for the quick recovery! As Jenniskens and 69 coauthors report in Science for December 21st, the Sutter's Mill stones are a mash-up of rocks with varying degrees of exposure to heat and moisture. Planetary scientists term this a breccia, representing pieces of parent bodies with very different origins. "The SM meteorite demonstrates that the complexity of C-class asteroid surfaces is greater than previously assumed," conclude the analysis team. Some pieces have experienced temperatures of up to 400°F (300°C), unlikely to be the result of the flash-heating they got in Earth's atmosphere. Others contain clay and carbonate minerals (from contact with water somewhere in space) and traces of organic compounds. To learn more about these celebrated space rocks, see the press releases from NASA and the SETI Institute, or check out Jenniskens' web page dedicated to the impact and recovery. Also worthwhile is a 40-minute Google+ interview moderated by science writer Alex Witze.

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Shipping was not included in the global temperature-reduction targets agreed in the historic 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change, yet the shipping industry pledged to move forward “in the spirit of Paris,” says a report in the WSJ. There is much businesses and shipping nations can do to act on global emissions standards, says the report. Shipping doesn't figure in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) as it is a global activity, so it would be complicated to apportion shipping emissions to nations. Instead, the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from shipping falls to the International Maritime Organization, the specialized agency of the United Nations that sets global standards for international shipping. Three things are missing: a target, measures to reach the target and a driver of change. Shipping has an important stake in the global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The industry’s emissions output measured 900 million metric tons in 2012, representing 2.6% of global emissions. According to an IMO study, greenhouse gas emissions may increase up to 250% by 2050. The industry would have to cut these emissions in half by 2050 to be in line with the pathway to the Paris target. However, there is no target for the industry at all.

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The City of Cape Town – and southwest Africa more generally – experienced its worst drought on record between 2015 and 2018. With fresh rains as well as careful water management, the city has now emerged from this environmental and economic emergency. The final consequences of the drought might never be known for certain. This is because the effects on groundwater depletion or biodiversity loss may not appear until years after the event. But the economic impact of the drought is more easily identified. Over 30,000 jobs have been lost in the agricultural sector in the Western Cape region, caused by a 20% decrease in agricultural production. There are other consequences too, such as the impact on the city’s international reputation, as well as residents’ and policymakers’ experiences of water restrictions and the threat of “Day Zero”. So what are the lessons learnt? The City of Cape Town has recently released a draft strategy for water supply and management which aims to ensure safe access to water and sanitation for all the city’s residents, efficient water use, diversified water sources and shared costs and benefits by 2040. This strategy has been strongly informed by events of the past three years and is a bold statement of intent. As such, it sets a benchmark for sustainable development in the city and the wider region. The strategy is aimed at increasing usable water availability and managing that water better. But some elements are missing. An uncertain future Missing parts of the strategy include the uncertainty of future trends in climate, economic activities, population growth, water demand and infrastructure investment needs. Increasing water availability is easy in theory because it is based on balancing supply to need. But this water needs to come from somewhere. Rainfall is becoming ever more precarious, groundwater aquifers are depleted, and river and dam water is already allocated. Desalinisation is an option. But this is expensive and has unknown environmental impacts. Another option is water redistribution. In the recent drought, water was diverted from the agriculture sector to supply the city. But this had ripple effects on farming communities and economies. This approach is probably no longer sustainable. There is also the option of reducing water demand. The new draft strategy doesn’t specifically mention managing demand – it makes vague reference to the need to use water wisely. It may be that the memory of water restrictions is too recent to discuss in this document. But water management is not just about supplying water, it’s about changing hearts and minds. These take much longer to change. For some Capetonians, the drought is over and normal business is resumed. For others, the spectre of Day Zero still remains. And the plan doesn’t indicate that lessons have been learnt. For example, an innovative Water Map used by the City of Cape Town was able to “name and shame” excessive water users, but some township users were exempt from restrictions while other wealthy users largely ignored the water restrictions because they could afford to pay the resulting fines. This kind of behavioural analysis is important when it comes to equitable planning and water management, and provides a rich source of data for drought epidemiology – Cape Town knows more about how its residents use water than most cities. Emerging from disaster Over the next decades, it’s anticipated that southern Africa will experience both higher average annual temperatures, in particular in summer. It’s also expected to have more variable and somewhat lower rainfall. Collectively, these climatic changes will result in greater water insecurity, irrespective of any changes in population, water demand or capacity of water infrastructure. A recent study shows that climate change has trebled drought risk in Cape Town. Future-proofing cities such as Cape Town to withstand water insecurity and drought conditions cannot be done without managing water infrastructure better. In South Africa, 56% of waste water treatment plants are not fully operational. This limits its ability to deliver on the future promises outlined in the City of Cape Town strategy document. Water restrictions in Cape Town have eased over recent months. But persistent drought still exists elsewhere in the region, in small town rural communities where there’s a lack of water infrastructure, lack of access to dam water supplies and depleting aquifers. Addressing the future water problem for Cape Town should not be done at the expense of the wider region, and must be formulated as a national-scale strategy. This should be a government priority.

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Vendors are claiming that the end of antivirus is upon us. Antivirus scans have proven to be very ineffective but are the traditional way of identifying new viruses, with many of the most popular antivirus programs detecting 50-70% of the viruses and only 2% of viruses are detected by all antivirus scan types. This leaves everyone in a very vulnerable position. Others say it is far too early to write off antivirus software altogether as although antivirus may not be the perfect solution it is all we have to rely on presently, new defences are only at the start up stage of evolution. The problem we face is the speed at which malware is being developed and with great sophistication. The previous malware being developed as a joke or to impress others is no longer the case, the development of malware is now pursued by established, professional and purposeful entities and have grown as crime-ware. The malware our antivirus is now up against is refined and intentionally coded to escape detection from the various antivirus suites available. Most antivirus systems will detect common malware threats however they are powerless at detecting the new targeted malware which is increasingly found in business networks today. Antivirus is a reactive technology meaning the virus first needs to be studied to identify its ‘signature’ before a program can be developed to remove it. This ‘reactive’ process is part of the problem as it can take from a couple of hours to many years to resolve, leaving a gap for excessive damage to occur. The reality of antivirus in 2013 It is no secret that antivirus is very ineffective when it comes to detecting malware. Some may work slightly better than others however none are perfect. Most antivirus programs have all the features to enable the recognition of threats but they just don’t work effectively. Accuracy is poor with many false negatives or false positives. When new threats are thrown into the mix accuracy worsens even further. Most antivirus companies have done a poor job at defending against these many threats or are just overpowered by the continuous flow of ever-changing malware and just can’t keep up with the fight. With this in mind recent evaluations into the antivirus market has shown that antivirus software is still around and will still be used by most businesses in 2013 despite its questionable protection. Reasons businesses still choose to use antivirus - Most businesses continue to use licensed antivirus software to conform to company compliance mandates. - Free antivirus is aimed at consumer use and rarely offers the business deployment and management capabilities needed by the business - Most businesses lack a proper understanding of the threat vectors thus hindering the move to a more effective security technology - Most businesses rely on general IT for security and believe that antivirus and a firewall are enough. This means that most businesses don’t have the essential threat knowledge to implement accurate risk assessments and the appropriate security measures. - Businesses are held in a rut. They fail to advance their defences because most of them don’t see a need to change, antivirus and a perimeter firewall have worked in the past so a different approach is not a necessity. It will just relate to extra ‘unnecessary’ cost. - Few businesses adopt a defence in depth strategy. Where is antivirus being used? Research shows that on average 70% of organisation say that they will continue to purchase and use antivirus technologies in 2013. Majority still choose antivirus as an essential part of their security regime. 3% of organisations have chosen not to use antivirus at all. 5% have chosen to reduce their use of antivirus and 1% is looking to discontinue the use of antivirus. This is proving to be a mistake as many of these organisations are spending their days cleaning up the mess that is left behind after an infection. Antivirus spending is 90% of the time allocated to desktops and 84% of the time to servers, with 38% of the antivirus spending being allocated for mobile devices. With mobile environments so abundant you’d expect the antivirus in this area to be much greater than it is. What alternatives do we have? A variety of technologies are been developed to improve antivirus security and companies are becoming creative when it comes to developing new forms of security. Some of the routes being explored include the following: - Behaviour-based blocking looks at file characteristics, including the time of development and the locations where it’s been installed, before allowing it to run. 75% of the time malware is detected through alternate technologies such as these. - Building defences into programs such as browsers that block software flaws which would potentially be exploited by malware as a rout into the machine - Instead of blocking the ‘bad’, as antivirus and perimeter firewalls are meant to do, another technology monitors access to servers, databases and files looking for suspicious activity - Whitelisting is an approach that only allows traffic through that the system knows is safe, not allowing unknown files to run on the machine. - Investigating the source of attack, the threat source, enabling issuing of early warning signs so that businesses are prepared for the potential threat - Web crawlers that search web pages to find executables that are malware. Once identified a warning can be issued or the malware blocked - Monitoring and spotting unusual behaviour and clean up after attack seems to be the alternate approach in the future - Isolating business apps in a virtual environment, inspecting it for suspicious activity, before taking an informed decision whether to let the traffic through or not. Polymorphic malware adopts a range of techniques to disguise itself to avoid detection, including mutation each time it starts up. This type of malware is designed to evade the traditional antivirus countermeasures. The traditional way of the antivirus company is such that once a new virus has been detected its signature is identified and stored in the signature database for future detection, however with polymorphic malware the signature is always changing. Many are beginning to question the use of signatures as new variants will infect multiple systems before the new signatures even reach the database. It is a continuous issue as the virus continues to mutate. Some are doing away with the signature approach altogether. Rather focusing on file behavioural characteristics rather than a copy of the malware. The nature of signature use in security is changing. Signature based defence is not enough; however there is still a place for signatures within the security layer. Signatures still play an important part. They are valuable for detecting and cleaning up viruses on the system and also play an important part in investigation and forensics. They may be moving from being utilised as a blocking tool however still have their roles. Many businesses still view antivirus as an essential layer in their security but are looking to invest in other technologies to strengthen their security and meet today’s threats. Antivirus still has an important role to play, guarding against common threats however businesses need to ensure that they have a multi-layered approach to information security as there isn’t a single technology offering complete protection against targeted attacks. With new virus strains growing exponentially, from under 10 million to 49 million in 10 years, and the incapability for antivirus to keep up other options must be explored. With the advance of computing into the world of mobility malicious apps are now compromising our mobile devices too. The ‘Baddies’ are continuing to get better at what they do whereas antivirus is lagging behind. We desperately require an all-inclusive solution. Antivirus used alone merely offers us an illusion of security. The arms race continues…

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Popular Science Monthly/Volume 10/November 1876/Prenatal and Infantile Culture |PRENATAL AND INFANTILE CULTURE.| TO educate children for themselves is rare in Europe, and is considered rather quixotic. The youth of the people are merchantable commodities, soon to be credited to the party which puts its stamp upon them. Therefore, when they are worth having, they are picked up as eagerly as nuggets. Priests pretend to teach them to think, yet care only to impose upon them a belief which implies obedience to their craft; Kaisers claim their direction, not to elevate them, but to put them among their droves of subjects; bourgeois and manufacturers give them a minimum of instruction, just sufficient to insure their working dependence, and to qualify their own sons to be fed at the public expense; while the working-men themselves—demoralized by such examples—put their apprentices at menial employment, and cheat them out of their rightful technical training. From this standpoint we consider European children as in four groups: those who receive no education; those who do not receive the education they need; those who receive an education which disqualifies them for work; and those whose education prepares them for work. From another point of view we saw that the European children enter the school younger, are trained longer, and are advanced further, than the Americans. As a consequence of this last contrast, we shall have less to say about the primary and grammar schools, and more about the infantile and the professional. We will leave the other consequences to issue naturally from observation. 1. The Cradle.—At the Vienna Exposition there was a pavilion de l'enfant (infant pavilion), a room replete with the necessaries of the nursery—and also with its superfluities—intended altogether to represent the unbounded wishes of a mother for her baby's comfort and happiness. This palace of luxurious nursing ought, in the estimation of the writer, to have been accompanied by a little manual of what is necessary to protect and to prepare life before nativity, in relation to what may be called fœtal education. During this first period the feelings come mainly through reflex impressions from the mother, a process which not only lays the foundation of health and vitality, but which forms the deeper strata of the moral dispositions and of the so-called innate ideas. The managers of the world "from behind the screens" know this, for it is at this time that they impose on plebeian women pilgrimages and ecstatic "novenas," and keep those of a higher class under more stringent impressions. Here, in Vienna, for instance, from the time of the Emperor Charles V. till quite recently, when an heir to the throne was expected, the empress was given in charge of a special director, who would regulate all her actions and surroundings, in view of commencing the course of submissive education of the contingent monarch, as early as the first evolution from the yolk-substance of the human egg during embryogenesis. Similar influence is now claimed for an object diametrically opposed to the degeneracy thus arrived at in the house of Hapsburg. It can be attained by counsels printed either in book-form or on scrolls, as are the sentences of the Koran. But, whatever may be the form given to this magna charta of the rights of the unborn, let it be found precisely where these rights ought to be kept most sacred, in the nursery; where their enforcement would protect the mother and elevate her function, at the same time that it would insure her fruit against the decay resulting from wrong prenatal impressions. We know that a cold contact with the mother makes the fœtus fly to the antipode of its narrow berth; that a rude shock may destroy it, or originate life-long infirmities; that, the emotion of fear in the mother is terror or fits within; that harsh words vibrate as sensibly in the liquor of the amnion as in the fluid of the labyrinth of the ear. For instance, when a mother has lulled her home-sorrows with strains of soothing music, her child, too often an idiot, shows wonderful musical proclivities amid the wreck of all the other faculties of his mind. For thirty-five years the writer has furnished his share of the facts, which abound in modern books on physiology, in support of this doctrine. It is useless to give here the illustrations detailed in the report; but experienced physicians will testify that, when their hands receive a new-comer, they plainly read upon his features the dominant feelings and emotions of its mother during that intra-uterine education whose imprints trace the channel of future sympathies and abilities. Therefore, if it is noble work to educate or to cure the insane, the idiot, the hemiplegic, the epileptic, and the choreic, how much higher is the work of preventing these degeneracies in the incipient being, by averting those commotions which storm him in the holy region intended for a terrestrial paradise during the period of evolution! To teach him reverence toward the bearer of his race, to instruct her in the sacredness of bland and serene feelings during the Godlike creative process, is educating two generations at once—this is the highest education of the nursery. From this, the true cradle of mankind, let us look at that made for the baby. There was no end of cradles in the pavilion de l'enfant; and we may find more philosophy in them than the upholsterer intended to put there. Therein the infant will at first but continue his ovum-life; and for this the cradle must be fitted. Let us see. The head is bent, the extremities are drawn up, and the body shaped like a crescent. This attitude gives to the muscles the greatest relaxation, and to the cartilages, which cap the bones, the position most favorable to nutrition and growth. Generally, the baby rests on the right side, to free the heart from pressure and to facilitate its movements. In this mode of reclining, the left hemi-cerebrum will contain more blood than the right, which is compressed by the pillow. Attitudes concordant with the sleepy habits of the first months, and the activity of the mind during this long sleepiness, indicate the future preponderance of the mental operations of the left over the right side of the brain, the approaching superior nutrition and dexterity of the right over the left hand, and later even the causation of paralysis on the left. For the present, and for some time yet, the infant will live mainly in his sleep; during which, more than when awake, he will be seen angry, smiling, or thinking, even in his well-defined dreams. How important it is, then, that the cradle be formed in accordance with these natural indications! A transitory abode between the basin and the bed, it should be a warm, soft, yet supporting recipient, ampler than the former, better defined in its shape than the latter, with curves less short than circles, and more varied than ovals. An egg, vertically split, would make two such cradles, or nests, suited either for child or bird. But as soon as the nursling awakes to the world, and wants to be introduced to everything, his couch must be enlarged and enlivened, and must look more and more like a school and play-room. Otherwise it becomes a prison, whence, Tantalus-like, baby looks at his surroundings. Here is his first lesson of practical sociability. To see, and not be able to reach, to perceive images, with no possibility of seizing the objects, renders him impatient, fretful, or unconcerned, and opens an era of exaction upon others, or of diffidence of himself, or of indifference for any attainment, which unavoidably ends in immorality or incapacity, or in both. Viewed from this standpoint, these cradles, so varied, so elegant, so easy to keep clean, and to carry from the light of the window by day to the recess of the alcove at night—the best being of French and Austrian manufacture—are yet very imperfect in their bearing on education. Let us mark some of their shortcomings. Little ones have an instinctive horror of isolation. Whoever studies them knows that when they awake they look not, at first, with staring eyes, but with searching hands; they seek not for sights, but for contacts. This love of contact, whence results the primary education of the most general sense, the touch, is ill-satisfied with the uniformity of the materials at hand, as exemplified at Vienna or Paris. (In November last I saw a similar exhibition, a pavilion de l'enfant, in the Champs Élysées, but it was no improvement on that of the Prater.) In this respect, the child of poor people fares better, having the opportunity of amusing himself for hours in experiencing the rude or soft, warm or cold, contacts of his miscellaneous surroundings; whereas the hand of the offspring of the rich finds all around the sameness of smooth tissues, which awake in his mind no curiosity; he calls for some one to amuse him, gets first angry, then indifferent, and does not improve the main and surest sense of knowledge, his touch. But soon other senses are awakened: audition—of which hereafter—and vision, for the enjoyment of which the cradle becomes a kind of theatre. For a mother must be very destitute or despondent who does not try to enliven it with some bright things laid on, or flapping above. One may benevolently smile at the extravagancies of colors and patterns intended to express this feeling, but these exaggerations must also give a serious warning. Physiologically viewed, this is a grave matter. The form of the cradle demands fitness; its ornamentation requires a more extended knowledge. When planning it, a mother must remember that the fixity of the eye upon any object—particularly upon a bright one, and more so if that object is situated upward and sideways from the ordinary range of vision—and through the eye the fixedness of the mind while the body is in a state of repose, constitute a concurrence of conditions eminently favorable to the production of hypnotism, and its terrible sequels, strabismus and convulsions. Hypnotism, which, when unsuspected, is not controlled, is often mistaken for tranquil happiness or natural sleep. Psychologically viewed, the decoration of the cradle is of equal moment. To surround an infant with highly wrought or colored figures, often grotesque, or at least untrue to Nature, may, by day, attract more attention than his faculties of perception can safely bestow; hence fatigue of the brain, or worse; but it will, by night, evoke other than the perceptive and rational powers, for, when the lights and shadows of dusk alter all the forms and deepen every color, the faculty of imprinting images being led astray, it photographs distorted imprints from confused, often moving, sometimes rustling, ornaments. In this way the mind is made the subject of hallucinations, which it accepts as objective, without inquiring into their causes, till it comes to the fatal credo quia absurdum (I believe, because it is absurd). The seeds of most of the insanities are sown at or before this time. These were the first impressions that forced themselves upon my mind in the pavilion de l'enfant. Here is, in a few words, a résumé of them: Paucity of the material upon which the inexperienced yet inquisitive baby can exercise, with interest and profit, his sense of touch; profusion, bad taste, and dangerous disposition of the objects which speak to the eye, if not always with the intention, at least with the almost uniform result, of giving wrong or dangerous impressions. Attention was next called to what had been done, and to what had been left undone, for the cultivation or the satisfaction of the other senses of the infant. But here it was soon perceived that our inquiries went beyond the sphere of what was exhibited. There were plenty of Farina's and Rimmel's volatilities, some of Alexander's, Debain's, or Smith's sighing accordeons, but no means of cheering and educating the nascent yet already inquisitive senses. Further examination showed that the perfumes were there as an attenuation and the music as a distraction, and both intended for other senses than the infant's. From these and other omissions it was concluded that nursery arrangements are as yet intended rather for the mother's and nurse's comfort than for the baby's improvement. 2. The Crèche.—This pavilion de l'enfant ought to contain at least one model crèche. Crèche is the French name of the public nursery where workingwomen leave their little ones in the morning, and whence they bring them home at night. The crèche! Horrid necessity! Beginning of the communistic inclined plane upon which those who pay and do not receive rents slide with a fearful rapidity; yet a kind institution for those already fallen into the gulf. Since, therefore, crèches must be, their latest improvements should have been represented at the Vienna Exhibition next to the appliances of the most luxurious nursing. There could have been tested the action of colors, of light, and its various attributes, on the organ of vision; the influence of varied sounds, of harmonies and melodies on the virgin audition, the mind, and the sympathetic centres; the power of primary perceptions to awaken first ideas, to impel to determinations of the will, and to raise or calm the various passions; the effects of diet upon those passions; the effect of modification of food and digestion; the influence of rest and sleep on the body's temperature, on the pulse and respiration; the influence of the artificial, the moist, or the dry heat of the nursery on the too precocious development of the nervous centres, and, subsequently, on the prevalence of chronic or acute meningitis, diphtheria, and croup; besides many other problems whose solution depends on the early study of phenomena which can be found in the crèche as surely as the flower in the bud. There, better than anywhere else, they may be studied with profit to all parties. Let us bear in mind that the rich man can never flatter himself that he does a gratuitous charity, since from its poor recipient comes many times its worth in useful experience, directly benefiting the would-be benefactor. We do not overlook the fact that many mothers, particularly among those both educated and fruitful, pay the closest attention to these questions, and become expert therein, but, as they lack the means of record and transmission of their observations, their experience dies, so to speak, with each generation. Hence the nursing of babies continues to be a work of devotion, but does not become the coordinated and progressive art it ought to be in well-organized crèches open to criticism in public exhibitions. Thus in Vienna, at least, an opportunity was lost. - Extracts from the Report of the Commissioners of the United States to the International Exhibition held at Vienna, 1873. - A nine days' season of prayer.

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Clitorectomy is the surgical removal of the clitoris. It is often accompanied by the removal of the inner labia as well. Other forms of female circumcision include: pricking or removing the clitoral hood, but not the clitoris, removing the clitoris, inner labia and part of the outer labia, and pharonic circumicision or infibulation, the sewing together of the remainder of the outer labia, leaving only a small opening for the flow of urine and menstrual fluids. According to the World Health Organization, clitorectomy is considered a rite of passage for female children in many African, Indonesian and Malaysian cultures. Do we need a mohel for that?

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As we have discussed in earlier posts, approximately 6% of the freight cars that transit Ashland carry ‘highly hazardous chemicals’. These are materials that are flammable, explosive or toxic (often a combination of these three). And many of these cars carry elemental sulfur. Today (2017-11-27) a CSX freight train derailed in Lakeland, Florida. It is reported that several cars rolled over and that four of those cars contained molten sulfur. There was a significant release of sulfur and there appears to be considerable damage. There are no reports of injuries. Elemental sulfur comes from oil refineries. The crude oil that they receive contains sulfur compounds that need to be removed in the early stages of the refining process. These compounds are converted to sulfur, which is then loaded as a liquid into tank cars. These are transported to sites were the sulfur is used to manufacture many chemicals, including the sulfuric acid used in car batteries. The melting point for sulfur is 115C/239F — and it is transported at a higher temperature than this to prevent it from solidifying in the cars. Which means that it is hot — much hotter than boiling water. (In the Bible it is referred to as Brimstone). The image below shows the NFPA 704 Diamond for elemental sulfur. If there is a spill of sulfur there are three issues to consider. In its solid form at room temperature sulfur is virtually non-toxic although sulfur dust is a mild irritant to some peple. If someone is close to a sulfur spill they could be badly burned by the hot liquid. Sulfur is flammable. The combustion produces highly toxic sulfur dioxide gas. The following advice is given to firefighters. If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2016) What does all this mean for the residents of Ashland? Well, there is no such thing as a good sulfur spill. However, were there to be a release such as the one in Florida, the sulfur should solidify quite quickly, thus reducing the hazards to do with toxic gases and fire. However, were the release to be in a trench the sulfur would have nowhere to flow. This would increase the risk of fire and the associated production of highly toxic sulfur dioxide fumes. Furthermore, the emergency response teams would have a more difficult time working with a spill in a trench than they would in an open location.

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Comparing and Ordering Decimals More Lessons for Grade 5 Videos, worksheets, stories and songs to help Grade 5 students learn how to compare and order decimals. Comparing and arranging decimals This is a short video tutorial on comparing and arranging decimals. Decimals Comparing and Ordering Understand how to compare decimals. Compare Decimals by using Number Line and Place Value Learn to compare decimals by using number line and place value. Ordering Decimals and Comparing Decimals Order Decimals from Least to Greatest Learn to order decimals from least to greatest. Rotate to landscape screen format on a mobile phone or small tablet to use the Mathway widget, a free math problem solver that answers your questions with step-by-step explanations. You can use the free Mathway calculator and problem solver below to practice Algebra or other math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations.

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - View original article A head-on collision is a traffic collision where the front ends of two vehicles such as cars, trains, ships or planes hit each other in opposite directions, as opposed to a side collision or rear-end collision. With rail, a head-on collision often implies a collision on a single line railway. This usually means that at least one of the trains has passed a signal at danger, or that a signalman has made a major error. Head-on collisions may also occur at junctions, for similar reasons. In the early days of railroading in the United States, such collisions were quite common and gave to the rise of the term "Cornfield Meet." As time progressed and signalling became more standardized, such accidents became rarer, however the term still sees some usage in the industry. The origins of the term are not well known, but it is largely attributed to stemming from accidents happening in rural America where farming and cornfields were common. The first known usage of the term was in the mid 19th century. With railways, the distance required for a train to stop is usually greater than the distance that can be sighted before the next blind curve, which is why signals and safeworking systems are so important. In U.S. railroad jargon, this type of collision is called a cornfield meet. Note: if the collision occurs at a station or junction, or trains are travelling in the same direction, then the collision is not a pure head-on collision. With shipping, there are two main factors influencing the chance of a head-on collision. Firstly, even with radar and radio, it is difficult to tell what course the opposing ships are following. Secondly, big ships have so much momentum, that it is very hard to change course at the last moment. Head-on collisions are an often fatal type of road traffic collision. U.S. statistics show that in 2005, head-on crashes were only 2.0% of all crashes, yet accounted for 10.1% of US fatal crashes. A common misconception is that this over-representation is because the relative velocity of vehicles traveling in opposite directions is high. While it is true (via Galilean relativity) that a head-on crash between two vehicles traveling at 50 mph is equivalent to a moving vehicle running into a stationary one at 100 mph, it is clear from basic Newtonian Physics that if the stationary vehicle is replaced with a solid wall or other stationary near-immovable object such as a bridge abutment, then the equivalent collision is one in which the moving vehicle is only traveling at 50 mph., except for the case of a lighter car colliding with a heavier one. The television show MythBusters performed a demonstration of this effect in a 2010 show. Head-on collisions, sideswipes, and run-off-road crashes all belong to a category of crashes called lane-departure or road-departure crashes. This is because they have similar causes, if different consequences. The driver of a vehicle fails to stay centered in their lane, and either leaves the roadway, or crosses the centerline, possibly resulting in a head-on or sideswipe collision, or, if the vehicle avoids oncoming traffic, a run-off-road crash on the far side of the road. Preventive measures include traffic signs and road surface markings to help guide drivers through curves, as well as separating opposing lanes of traffic with wide central reservation (or median) and median barriers to prevent crossover incidents. Median barriers are physical barriers between the lanes of traffic, such as concrete barriers or cable barriers. These are actually roadside hazards in their own right, but on high speed roads, the severity of a collision with a median barrier is usually lower than the severity of a head-on crash. The European Road Assessment Programme's Road Protection Score (RPS) is based on a schedule of detailed road design elements that correspond to each of the four main crash types, including head-on collisions. The Head-on Crash element of the RPS measures how well traffic lanes are separated. Motorways generally have crash protection features in harmony with the high speeds allowed. The Star Rating results show that motorways generally score well with a typical 4-star rating even though their permitted speeds are the highest on the network. But results from Star Rating research in Britain, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden have shown that there is a pressing need to find better median (central reservation), run-off and junction protection at reasonable cost on single carriageway roads. Another form of head-on crash is the wrong-way entry crash, where a driver on a surface road turns onto an off-ramp from a motorway or freeway, instead of the on-ramp. They can also happen on divided arterials if a driver turns into the wrong side of the road. Considerable importance is placed on designing ramp terminals and intersections to prevent these incidents. This often takes to form of special signage at freeway off-ramps to discourage drivers from going the wrong way. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices provides instruction on this signage installation in its Section 2E.50. Sideswipe collisions are where the sides of two vehicles traveling in opposite directions touch. They differ from head-on collisions only in that the errant vehicle impacts the side of the other vehicle rather than the front. Severity is usually lower than a head-on collision, since it tends to be a glancing blow rather than a direct impact. However, loss of control of either vehicle can have unpredictable effects and secondary crashes can dramatically increase the expected crash severity. Sideswipe collisions are frequently caused by a failure to control a vehicle. |Look up head-on collision in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.|

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One Norwegian explorer discovered the New World 500 years before Columbus. Another was first to cross Greenland by land. In 1911, a Norwegian was first to the South Pole, and in 2006, a fellow countryman nailed history’s longest solo and unresupplied ski journey, 3,000 miles across the South Pole region. Who are these people? When the opportunity arose to visit Oslo and Bergen, and as a passionate, long-time enthusiast of historic exploration, I jumped at the chance to determine why Norway is home to the world’s greatest explorers. My search begins in Oslo where I learn that nothing in this country straddling the Arctic Circle is predictable or run-of-the-mill. We’re sitting in the courtyard of a restaurant in Oslo incongruously called “New Orleans.” Our group is enjoying some after-dinner Frydenlund beers with members of the Norwegian chapter of The Explorers Club, when out of the blue just minutes before midnight comes marching in a 30-piece brass and woodwind band. Trombones, trumpets, clarinets, saxophones, and flutes. The works. In fact, more band members than restaurant patrons. Seems they’re members of the Malvik Musikkorps who like to show up at local establishments unannounced. Even my Norwegian hosts were astounded by the late-night energy of these musicians, most in their 50’s and 60’s. But I soon learned that nothing about this quirky nation, an incubator for history’s greatest explorations, should surprise me. Erling Kagge, arguably Norway’s best-known living polar explorer, tells me over a lunch of fish soup and bread at his home in an Oslo suburb, “In a country of five million, polar explorers here are as famous as football players in the states. Exploration has been a part of our culture for 1,000 years. Being an explorer here is a natural state of being.” He should know. Kagge and fellow countryman Borge Ousland were first to ski to the North Pole unassisted (1990); Kagge was first to ski to the South Pole solo and unsupported (1992-93); and by 1994 had become the first to reach the North Pole, South Pole and the summit of Everest. “In Sweden or Denmark, you’ll hardly find an explorer,” Kagge stereotypes. “This is a Norwegian thing.” I had to see for myself, so my next stops were three museums dedicated to seagoing exploration. It seems Norwegians haven’t met an old ship they didn’t want to enclose in a building of one sort or another. With a $40 Oslo Pass that included admission to some 40 museums, I began my quest with a visit to the aptly-named Viking Ship Museum housing three ships discovered in large burial mounds: the Oseberg Ship (820 A.D.), the Gokstad (890 A.D.) and the Tune (built around 900 A.D.). Keeping those craft company were human skeletons, magnificent sleds, wagons and carved animal-heads, all attesting to wanderlust Vikings who from about 800 to 1050 A.D. were the lords of the sea, sailing west to the British Isles, then over the North Atlantic to Iceland, Greenland and Newfoundland. Leaping forward 1,000 years, I next toured the Fram Museum which houses the Fram, the world’s most famous polar ship, built in 1892. The 128-ft. vessel was used on three important expeditions: with Fridtjof Nansen who drifted over the Arctic Ocean in 1893-96; with Otto Sverdrup to the arctic archipelago west of Greenland—now the Nunavut region of Canada—1898-1902; and with Norway’s Roald Amundsen to Antarctica for his South Pole expedition of 1910-12. Norwegians consider Nansen (1861-1930) to be the most important man in the country’s history. He was a doctor of science, humanitarian, diplomat, winner of the 1922 Nobel Peace Prize, and most impressive to an armchair explorer such as myself, the first to cross Greenland (1888). He returned to Oslo (then called Christiana) a hero on May 30, 1889 when 200,000 Norwegians turned out to greet the team. In his book, The First Crossing of Greenland (1919), Nansen writes, “It was hard to cross Greenland, but in full seriousness I must say that it is even worse to return.” I visit the Kon-Tiki Museum next, located adjacent to the Fram. Thor Heyerdahl (1914-2002) gained worldwide fame when he crossed the Pacific Ocean on a balsa raft in 1947. The 46-ft. raft traveled from Lima’s port of call, Callao, to Raroia in French Polynesia, 4,340 miles in 101 days, proving that it would have been possible for South American Indians to have reached Polynesia in pre-Columbian times. In addition to the original raft, the museum is a treasure trove of memorabilia from the historic voyage. The collection includes Heyerdahl's 1951 Oscar for Best Documentary Feature Film; the U.S. military rations they ate in addition to fresh flying fish that landed on deck; and a chew stick from the team's pet parrot, Lorita, which, it’s worth noting, they did not eat—it flew away in a storm. A 2012 Kon-Tiki movie has resulted in renewed interest in the museum. One out of every five Norwegians has seen it, says museum manager Halfdan Tangen, Jr. At the Holmenkollen Ski Museum, just outside of Oslo, Norwegians are justly proud of King Olav V, if for no other reason than due to his enthusiasm for skiing. In fact, during a gas shortage in the early 1970s, a popular photograph shows him traveling on the Holmenkollbanen suburban railway to the local ski hill carrying his skis on his shoulder. There’s his seat, his outfit, even his train ticket for fans of the Folkekongen ("The People's King") to view. But most impressive to me were displays of skis dating to 600 A.D., and those belonging to British Captain Robert F. Scott (1868-1912) in an exhibit honoring Amundsen's historic discovery of the South Pole in December 1911. Scott, who arrived at the pole a month later than Amundsen and who perished with his team on the return, would most certainly roll over in his grave at the thought of his skis mounted next to those of his nemesis. Dozens of tourists from Japan, Italy, and Poland strolled by in search of the ski jump elevator, as I stayed to linger on the diorama featuring a stuffed and mounted, very dead sled dog—Obersten (“The Colonel”)—who went to the pole with the famed Norwegian explorer. A Close Relationship with Nature My next destination was Bergen, on the west coast, a seven-hour train journey from Oslo. This is Norway’s second-largest city and gateway to the fjords. There are more direct trains, but I chose to travel on a tourist excursion called “Norway in a Nutshell,” that included a 12-mile ride on the vintage Flam Railway over northern Europe’s largest mountain plateau. The train chugs past thick forests, churning rapids turned white as foam, past slender, impossibly high waterfalls, and rolling fields with shrink wrapped hay that looked like giant marshmallows. The Nutshell tour goes on to include a fjord boat tour, and a bus ride down the Stalheimskleiva, a mile-long, dizzying, barely two-lane road. With 13 spectacular hairpin twists and turns, it’s considered the steepest in northern Europe. It was in Bergen, in damp, rainy skies that I began to understand the Norwegian love of the outdoors. Despite the weather, locals everywhere are jogging, hiking, Nordic Walking, screaming downhill on mountain bikes, cross-country roller skiing, and racing down switchback mountain roads on skateboards (wearing spiked metal gloves). Their love of the outdoors is such, you can see numerous “Bergensers” cooking hot dogs on small disposable aluminum charcoal grills the size of laptops. Synnove Marie Kvam, president of the Norway chapter of The Explorers Club, tells me, “Norwegians have a close relationship with nature. We need to be respectful because there’s so much harsh weather.” Indeed. Norwegians seem specially adapted to the cold and wet. Gore-Tex waterproof/breathable is the outerwear of choice. Hardy children play in schoolyards in brightly colored slickers, oblivious to the rain. Standing there, soaked down to my Calvins, the ticket-taker for the M/S White Lady fjord tour boat says, “This is actually quite good weather in Bergen.” (Assuming, of course, you’ve descended from the Vikings.) Fellow travelers and I would later fight for the few plastic chairs that were sheltered from the incessant drizzle. It was just a minor inconvenience compared to the astounding scenery, with waterfalls dotting the impossibly steep sheer granite cliffs of the Osterfjorden fjord, north of Bergen. This city of seven mountains has not one, but two lifts to nearby mountaintops – the Ulriken643 cable car and the Floibanen funicular, both popular with tourists and locals alike. Although mountainous, there’s plenty of oxygen to share. The highest peak barely tops out at 2,200 feet. Historian Sturla Ellingvag, a friend of explorer Erling Kagge’s, provided some insight on the Norwegian outdoor ethic. “If you’re a parent and your five-year-old hasn’t been camping in the mountains with you, it’s called bad parenting.” But there's more to the Norwegians' spirit of exploration. Listen to Eva Britt Kornfeldt of VisitOslo: “Swedes, they do as they are told. Norwegians? We are a stubborn, impulsive, inventive and independent people. But above all, we’re curious.” Bergen city guide Jim Paton explains that according to the Viking Law of Inheritance, the farms were inherited by the eldest sons. The younger children had to make their fortune elsewhere as they were left to their own devices. “Exploration is in the Norwegian genes. It’s part of their Viking heritage, living as we are in a severe climate and being confronted by the elements.” There’s a park near Hakon's Hall, in the shadow of the Rosenkrantz Tower. Below a statue of King Haakon VII, father of the skiing King Olav V, is a row of cannons protecting the harbor. A sign warns of a “high rampart.” It’s not the sort of word you’d see in the U.S. warning of a steep 40-ft. drop just beyond. Were this in the litigious states, there would be a chain link fence protecting visitors from themselves. A sign reading "Danger!" Maybe a skull and crossbones for good measure. But this is Norway, a still sparsely settled, self-reliant country lying 40 percent above the Arctic Circle—home to a people with centuries of exploration experience in their DNA. I have no doubt – rampart or not, they’ll be just fine. About the Author: Jeff Blumenfeld, a resident of Boulder, Colo., is editor of ExpeditionNews.com, and author of the adventure sponsorship book titled, Get Sponsored: A Funding Guide for Explorers, Adventurers, and Would-Be World Travelers (Skyhorse Publishing, 2014). A Fellow of The Explorers Club in New York, he also belongs to the American Alpine Club, and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. An avid sea kayaker, fly-fishing angler, downhill skier and sailor, he’s also fluent in Morse code, although he’ll be first to admit it doesn’t come up too often in conversation.

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Instructions: Watch the video clip titled Dave Ramsey. After watching the video clip, answer the following questions. 1. What is the rhetorical situation of the speech? 2. Is the speaker effective or ineffective? 3. List the specific qualities that make the speaker good or bad. 4. What, if any, speech mannerisms do you find particularly annoying about the speaker? 5. What speech mannerisms do you engage in that others may find annoying?

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17th Amendment – A case for repeal BRIEF ON BEHALF OF AMICUS CURIAE CONSERVATIVE LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND As it relates to the 10th and 17th Amendments. Repeal the 17th Amendment It’s where big government begins. May 12, 2004, 7:48 a.m. There is only one time when a U.S. senator is really free to speak the truth — when he’s announced his retirement. Since he no longer has to worry about raising money, pandering to voters, or retaliation from his colleagues, he can say what he really thinks about issues no other member of the Senate will discuss. For this reason, it is worth listening to Sen. Zell Miller, Democrat of Georgia, who recently spoke a truth that no senator except a retiring one would dare say. On April 28, Sen. Miller, the last genuinely conservative Democrat we will likely ever see in the Senate, laid the blame for what ails that august body at the door of the 17th amendment to the Constitution. This is the provision that provides for the popular election of senators. Few people today know that the Founding Fathers never intended for senators to be popularly elected. The Constitution originally provided that senators would be chosen by state legislatures. The purpose was to provide the states — as states — an institutional role in the federal government. In effect, senators were to function as ambassadors from the states, which were expected to retain a large degree of sovereignty even after ratification of the Constitution, thereby ensuring that their rights would be protected in a federal system. The role of senators as representatives of the states was assured by a procedure, now forgotten, whereby states would “instruct” their senators how to vote on particular issues. Such instructions were not conveyed to members of the House of Representatives because they have always been popularly elected and are not expected to speak for their states, but only for their constituents. When senators represented states as states, rather than being super House members as they are now, they zealously protected states’ rights. This term became discredited during the civil-rights struggle of the 1960s as a code word for racism — allowing Southern states to resist national pressure to integrate. But clearly this is an aberration. States obviously have interests that may conflict with federal priorities on a wide variety of issues that defy easy ideological classification. Many states, for example, would probably enact more liberal laws relating to the environment, health, and business regulation if allowed by Washington. Two factors led to enactment of the 17th amendment. First was the problem that many state legislatures deadlocked on their selections for the Senate. The upper house and the lower house could not agree on a choice, or it was prohibitively difficult for one candidate to get an absolute majority in each house (as opposed to a plurality), which was required by federal law. Some states went without representation in the Senate for years as a consequence. The second problem involved a perception that the election of senators by state legislatures made them more susceptible to corruption by special interests. The Hearst newspapers were a major force arguing this point in the early 1900s. The pressure of public opinion eventually forced the Senate to approve a constitutional amendment changing the election of senators to our current system of the popular vote. The fact that many states (such as Oregon) had already adopted a system whereby legislatures were required to choose senators selected by popular vote was ignored. The 17th amendment was ratified in 1913. It is no coincidence that the sharp rise in the size and power of the federal government starts in this year (the 16th amendment, establishing a federal income tax, ratified the same year, was also important). As George Mason University law professor Todd Zywicki has noted, prior to the 17th amendment, senators resisted delegating power to Washington in order to keep it at the state and local level. “As a result, the long term size of the federal government remained fairly stable during the pre-Seventeenth Amendment era,” he wrote. Prof. Zywicki also finds little evidence of corruption in the Senate that can be traced to the pre-1913 electoral system. By contrast, there is much evidence that the post-1913 system has been deeply corruptive. As Sen. Miller put it, “Direct elections of Senators … allowed Washington’s special interests to call the shots, whether it is filling judicial vacancies, passing laws, or issuing regulations.” Sen. Miller also lays much of the blame for the current impasse on confirming federal judges at the door of the 17th amendment. Consequently, on April 28 he introduced S.J.Res. 35 in order to repeal that provision of the Constitution. Over the years, a number of legal scholars have called for the repeal of the 17th amendment. An excellent summary of their arguments appears in Ralph Rossum’s book, Federalism, the Supreme Court and the Seventeenth Amendment. They should at least get a hearing before Zell Miller departs the Senate at the end of this year. — Bruce Bartlett is senior fellow for the National Center for Policy Analysis. ILLEGALS INVASION & THE 17th AMENDMENT By: Devvy Kidd June 5, 2006 “Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in.” – President Andrew Jackson The level of anger against the counterfeit U.S. Senators who voted last week to reward criminal activity in their so-called “immigration reform bill” continues to grow. Poltroons like Teddy Chappaquidick Kennedy and John deceptive war hero McCain are still making the talking head shows trying to sell their bogus arguments about illegals and giving them a free pass. None of this is washing with Americans who respect the rule of law and who understand the dire situation on the border: terrorists crossing our borders, thousands of diseased illegals crossing over, the increasing numbers of gangs from South America and the tons of addictive narcotics (heroin and cocaine) and weapons being smuggled across. Let’s not forget the staggering number of violent sexual predators coming across the border and now out there trolling for your child: “Based on a one-year in-depth study, a researcher estimates there are about 240,000 illegal immigrant sex offenders in the United States who have had an average of four victims each.” Deborah Schurman-Kauflin of the Violent Crimes Institute Going hand in hand with traitorous counterfeit senators like McCain, the border states under invasion are saddled with cowardly governors like Janet Napolitano of Arizona. While their state legislature is trying to crack down on this massive human, drug and weapons smuggling, Napolitano can’t find her backbone. At the same time, their legislature is stuck with no representation in Washington, DC. If our government were operating legally, the Arizona State Legislature could have recalled “Senator” McCain, fired his backside and replaced him with a real U.S. Senator to go back to DC and stand up for the rights of the State of Arizona. Please allow me to explain the importance of the Seventeenth Amendment – especially as it relates to the illegals invasion. The courage and wisdom of those who birthed this Republic was nothing short of a magnificent event in the history of the world. When creating the federal government, it was imperative that the colonies (later called states) and the people be represented fairly. The method decided upon was the people would vote for their voice – a representative to serve in the House of Representatives. The states of the Union would each have an equal number of U.S. Senators (fixed at two), appointed by their state legislature to represent the interests of the state. Should that U.S. senator fail in their job, the legislature would recall them and appoint a new one. The decision to have the states appoint their U.S. senators was very calculated. All of that changed with the fraudulent ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment. 1913 was a treasonous, disastrous year for our republic with the announcement the Sixteenth Amendment was ratified (it clearly was NOT), the announcement that the Seventeenth Amendment was ratified (it clearly was NOT) and passage of the unconstitutional Federal Reserve Act. All in the same year. All necessary for The Destroyers to finally take control of our republic. After the fraudulent Seventeenth Amendment went into effect, U.S. senators were then elected instead of the state legislatures appointing them. The states lost their suffrage rights, they no longer had any representation in Washington, D.C., and the federal machine has walked all over them since. As we can see right now, states like Arizona and California are saddled with ‘counterfeit’ senators whose political ideology is communism, while they pass themselves off as either Republican or Democrat: McCain in Arizona and the twin evils in California, Boxer and Feinstein. This issue is one of the most important problems facing this nation today, yet few know anything about it. Last summer, I prepared a working paper for Rep. Henry McElroy of the New Hampshire State Legislature on the history of this amendment and why it is imperative the states step forward and force a constitutional showdown. unfortunately he didn’t survive his next election. Please feel to use this paper when going after your state rep and senator. These public servants in the state house will soon realize that it’s to their utmost advantage to press this issue and for the sake of our Republic, this challenge must be made to restore the balance between the states and the people. America is not a democracy of mob rule, but that’s exactly what has happened with the election of U.S. senators. For those who might knee jerk this would cause constitutional chaos, I can’t highly recommend enough Judge Andrew Napolitano’s excellent book, “Constitutional Chaos.” We’re already in constitutional chaos on a hundred issues and the situation will only continue to deteriorate without immediate action. The Seventeenth Amendment was never properly ratified. I have seen the proof with my own eyes at the National Archives and from the documents obtained by Bill Benson from all 48 state legislatures in his work, “Proof the 17th Amendment Was Not Ratified.” I also collected court certified documents on this from the bowels of the California State Archives. They are incontrovertible and prove without question that Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan, on May 31, 1913, knowingly and willfully issued a memo declaring the Seventeenth Amendment ratified even though he knew the required number of states did not ratify it. The courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, have been very specific on the rigid requirements for ratification. There can be no mistake fraud was committed and that every U.S. senator since 1913 sits in office under a law that does not exist. U.S. senators ratify treaties, confirm federal judges, U.S. Supreme Court justices and hold impeachment trials. Legally, our participation in the United Nations, every destructive trade treaty, i.e., NAFTA, GATT, Roe v. Wade and any other legislative acts committed by U.S. senators these past 93 years are invalid. The courts refuse to touch this issue because they don’t have the backbone. While several states have introduced resolutions to nix the Seventeenth Amendment (introduced by patriotic representatives and killed by Republicans in every instance), realistically, there’s no question this current crop of Congress will never do the right thing. Therefore, it is up to the people and the States of the Union. One thing that doesn’t help the situation is so-called constitutionalists running for the U.S. Senate who refuse to pursue the path of integrity. Over the past decade I have been contacted by many candidates running for the U.S. Senate on ‘alternative party’ tickets asking for my endorsement and support. When I tell them about the Seventeenth Amendment and the fact that they are running for office under a law that doesn’t exist, they don’t care and give me all kinds of excuses, i.e., “After I’m elected, I’ll bring this out.” No. You don’t rob a bank and say, “Gee, after I’m done using the money for a good reason, I’ll put it back.” Are we a nation of laws or lies? The people must get the proof and begin a systematic assault (non violent, of course) on their state legislatures to appoint two U.S. senators to represent them and send them to Washington, D.C. This will force the issue into a court of law where it should have gone decades ago. Is there any chance this can be accomplished? Not unless hundreds of thousands of Americans climb in the face of their state legislators and those elected public servants do what’s right by making this a hot issue in their state house. You have to build a bond fire, just like The Minutemen have done on the illegals invasion and the Seventeenth Amendment IS critically important. Let me give you an example of what happens when there isn’t mass publicity to get a bill passed. Our hopes were recently dashed by the cowardice of senators in the New Hampshire State Senate who killed HB 1592 to stop the draconian ‘National ID. While America goes to Hell, the New Hampshire state senators put this critical bill into a study committee! In March, the House side of the New Hampshire General Court overwhelmingly passed it because they fully understand what this Nazi style “National ID” is really all about. New Hampshire is the only state left with an honest ballot box. It would be fabulous if the people booted out every state senator who voted the wrong way on the National ID issue in the next election. Of course, without a massive public campaign throughout the state to get those good folks to understand just what these senators did, chances are these turn coat senators won’t be held accountable. Without question this is a Herculean task, but it can be done – especially if it’s a small state like Idaho, Montana or Iowa. The one thing it would take is massive public saturation on the fraud of the Seventeenth Amendment and why it’s imperative the states step up to the plate and regain their rightful power. It is my personal opinion that right along with the illegals invasion, these unconstitutional wars and the building of a massive police state, exposing the fraud of the Seventeenth Amendment is of paramount importance. Make a commitment to oust any state legislator or senator who refuses to undertake this fight. I know a lot of folks are strapped for money, but if you can, get Bill Benson’s Proof the Seventeenth Amendment Was Never Ratified by sending him $20.00 (includes postage) to: Bill Benson, P.O. Box 550, South Holland, Illinois 60473. I have given a dozen copies to state legislators over the years, but due to lack of massive heat by the people, not a single state has taken the courageous step to get back their rights. The result is the states are being bankrupted by the illegals invasion and they’re sticking you with the bill in higher taxes. It will only get a far, far worse if the House of Representatives “compromises” and gives the U.S. Senate what they want: amnesty and legalizing criminal behavior for some 15 MILLION illegals and that will be just the beginning of the flood gates opening. The American people have to get out to these town hall meetings and get in the face of your state legislators on the stump for reelection. Candidates for the state legislatures need to make this a top issue. If you serve in a state legislature and want to see your state get back its rightful power, you have to spend the money to conduct a massive public relations campaign in your district to shove this in the people’s face in a way they will embrace it and demand the situation be corrected. There is a mass awakening going on from border to border, coast to coast, but we need to get everyone on the same page of constitutional government. The destiny of this Republic lies in the hands of we the people. Time grows short. Border Partol Agents: Senator McCain Sells us Out, Again Devvy Kidd authored the booklets, Why A Bankrupt America and Blind Loyalty, which sold close to 2,000,000 copies. Devvy appears on radio shows all over the country, ran for Congress and is a highly sought after public speaker. Your complimentary copy of the 32-page report may be obtained from El Dorado Gold. Devvy is a contributing writer for www.NewsWithViews.com. Devvy’s website: www.devvy.com E-mail is: [email protected] by Josie Wales The 17th Amendment is stupid: The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years…. But let me start at the beginning. Article I § 3 cl. 1 of the Constitution originally established the election of Senators through the state legislatures. The Federalist #62 laid out numerous arguments for the Constitutional framework of the Senate and its method of selection. The senatorial trust, which, requiring greater extent of information and stability of character, requires at the same time that the senator should have reached a period of life most likely to supply these advantages…. The Senate is composed of eloquent advocates, distinguished generals, wise magistrates, and statesmen of note, whose arguments would do honor to the most remarkable parliamentary debates of Europe. This man would never have been elected to the Senate prior to the 17th Amendment. (more…)

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Biblical Archaeology discoveries made in 2013 have given us new information about biblical events and people. This list is subjective, and based on news reports rather than peer-reviewed articles in scientific publications. These discoveries illustrate the important work that goes on at excavations across Israel every year, and just scratch the surface of what has been found in 2013. Quite possibly a decade from now, with added perspective and more digging, the most important discoveries of 2013 may look different than this list. 1. The Egyptian Scarab of Khirbet el-Maqatir This tiny 3/4-inch long amulet, carved in the familiar shape of a dung beetle, has been dated to the Late Bronze I period, 1550-1450 BC. Its discovery in the remains of a fortress at Khirbet el-Maqatir, nine miles north of Jerusalem, strengthens the case being made by the excavators that this site is the real location of Ai, the city destroyed in Joshua 8. The site archaeologists have traditionally associated with Ai, nearby et-Tell, lacks destruction that could be dated to the time of Joshua, which raised questions about the accuracy of the conquest narrative. 2. Jezreel Winepress Ancient winepresses are found all over Israel. The fact that this winepress is one of the largest, and is located near one of the most famous vineyards of the Bible, makes it of interest. 1 Kings 21 tells the story of how the evil Queen Jezebel plotted with her husband, King Ahab, to eliminate Naboth and convert his vineyard to a garden for the king's palace. Jezreel was one of the capital cities of the northern kingdom, an important site in the history of Israel, but it has been lightly excavated. And despite 7,000 years of history at the site, based on ...1

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The table below shows the residential water consumption over recent days in Dubbo, Geurie and Wellington: || Water Consumption in Dubbo || Water Consumption in Geurie || Water Consumption in Wellington | Sunday 17 December || 913 L/person/day || 132 L/person/day || 1128 L/person/day | Saturday 16 December || 773 L/person/day || 121 L/person/day || 1092 L/person/day | Friday 15 December || 836 L/person/day || 98 L/person/day || 891 L/person/day | Thursday 14 December || 889 L/person/day || 504 L/person/day || 870 L/person/day | Wednesday 13 December || 933 L/person/day || 475 L/person/day || 633 L/person/day | Tuesday 12 December || 801 L/person/day || 325 L/person/day || 696 L/person/day | Monday 11 December || 709 L/person/day || 95 L/person/day || 1049 L/person/day Council has developed a procedure to estimate daily water consumption per person. By reporting residential water consumption this way, Council hopes that residents will be better informed about their actual water usage, and then be able to take steps to curb it if necessary. At present, there are no water restrictions in force in Dubbo. At Council's Ordinary meeting on Monday 23 November 2009, Council adopted Regional Water Restriction system (PDF 43.7KB), which had been developed collaboratively by the Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo (BOD) Alliance. How does water usage in Dubbo compare to other centres? Dubbo has a hot dry climate compared to other parts of NSW. While Sydney receives precipitation of about 1,200mm per year on average, and Orange receives about 880mm, Dubbo only receives 580mm precipitation per year on average. Dubbo has higher temperatures and therefore greater evaporation of precipitation that does fall. In addition many houses in Dubbo are fitted with evaporative coolers. These are only effective in areas of low humidity. For that reason they are almost unknown on the coast. While these units use water, they use much less electricity than the refrigerated air conditioners common on the coast. Water Usage Compared to Permitted Water Usage (Water Licence) The solid red line shows the cumulative water consumption that would just meet Dubbo's existing water extraction licences. So that the City does not exceed the existing licence limits, the City water extraction must stay "below" this line. The actual cumulative City water extraction each month is shown by the dotted line. 2016/2017 Water usage compared to permitted water usage (PDF 156KB) How can I keep track of my water usage? You can monitor your water usage simply by reading your water meter on a regular basis. By checking your meter regularly, you can keep a record of how much water you are using. Council reads your water meter quarterly in order to establish your water usage, which recorded in kilolitres. To find out how to monitor and record your water usage please read How to read your water meter (PDF 883.7KB) Council encourages water conservation. The following tips and guides will show you how to conserve water in the backyard and information on drought tolerant plants for a range of gardens. - Water only during the cooler part of the day - Avoid watering hard surfaces - Use a timer to prevent over watering - Use a trigger grip type hose nozzle Savewater Gardens (PDF 2.5MB) Sustaining Gardens in dry times (PDF 5MB) Climate change and its effect on water supply and usage Climate change will have a profound effect on Council’s Water and Sewerage undertakings. What does climate change mean for the water industry? In Australia, the approach, quite sensibly, has always been to exploit the cleanest and closest water source. Typically this meant capturing runoff in large dams, in hilly or mountainous regions upstream of our major cities. The water quality in such large storages is quite good and the water can often flow under gravity to the city downstream in the valley. Climate change means that rainfall will decrease and that rainfall events will be more intense but more sporadic. Runoff will only occur when rain falls on already wet catchments. Climate change models predict that rainfall over much of Australia may fall by 10%. However, the probability that this reduced rainfall will fall on already wet catchments, generating runoff, is much less. Modelling indicates a 10% reduction in rainfall will see a 40% reduction in runoff. Another issue, already evident in Australia, is that bushfires and intense storms can result in runoff that causes serious degradation of water quality in the storage dams. With the existing dams now supplying less water, the water industry will have to go further afield to seek out poorer quality water sources, sources that would have been rejected in the past. The problem with this is that these new water sources are expensive because of the cost, particularly of energy, to treat them and the cost, again in energy, to transport them to the cities. These high energy costs are also likely to increase sharply in price due to the economic impact of climate change. Some of these new sources could be stormwater, sewage and even seawater. The adoption of these new sources will see a big increase in water costs over time. Until recently it was common for water to be available to city dwellers for less than one dollar a tonne on demand. In the future, it is likely there will be a major shift in the cost of water, to reflect these new higher cost water sources, and to replace cheap coal-based energy used to source and treat this water, with more expensive but renewable energy. Last Edited: 18 Dec 2017

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RankCountryGDP per capita 2007 1Qatar88320,78 2Luxembourg77766,19 3United Arab Em.51342,68 4Brunei50568,99 5Bermuda48867,42 6Norway48391,18 7Singapore44598,62 8USA42897,42 9Kuwait42061,18 10Ireland41635,31 11Iceand38196,59 12Switzerland37308,82 13Australia36302,66 14Canada36166,12 15Austria36026,75 16Netherlands34391,35 17 Denmark 34287,45 18Belgium33794,14 19Sweden32952,04 20Finland32481,02 Denmark: Limited natural ressources of historical importance; geographically small; surrounded by powerful nations... Prosperity a small miracle? Why are European countries comparatively rich today? Proximate reason: Started growing earlier than all other countries on the planet; Denmark (DNK) late 19th century How was that possible? DNK adopted the Industrial revolution. How..? Universal education (early 19th century) was the facilitator Why then did DNK adopt education early on? The question. OUTLINE The Danish Growth Miracle: A Theory Remarks on external validity of the theory Implications for the current political-economic debate CountryCoast/areaPopulation in 2000 (1000s) 1Singapore0.274036 2Danmark0.175337 3Philippines0.1281222 4Kroatia0.104410 5Greece0.1010559 6Jamaica0.092615 7Estonia0.091379 8Mauritius0.091185 9Norway0.084492 10Japan0.08126729 Tabel 2. Top 10: Coast/Area Sources: CIA factbook, World Development Indicators Initial condition: (Uncommonly) coastal Travel by sea; hunting and gathering (Tauber, 1981; Enghoff, 1994) Incremental innovation process: boat building, navigation (e.g., Hale, 1998) Result: Potential to become a nation propelled by international interaction – trade. This potential was realized … Why was the trade potential realized? 1.Limited ressources (need is the mother of nessesity) 2.Limited market (small country) 3.Fortunate location: Europe (e.g., Diamond, 1997) End result: 1.Geography (Coast/Area) International Interaction and Trade Implications of being a nation propelled by trade? A need to be open to new ideas (affects the percieved return to knowledge accumulation) Evidence? Archaeology, Anthropology (religion, pre Christianity), Technology adoption prior to formal schooling (i.e., before 1500) End result: Trade Cultural Opennes to new ideas (/high inherent return to knowledge accumulation) Universal education; great idea, but not of Danish origin Key events: Protestant reformation (e.g., Landes, 1999; Becker/Woessmann, 2009) – 1530 in DNK; Enlightenment (e.g., Easterlin, 1981; Mokyr, 2005) - 1690-1800 E.g. Kirkeordinansen (1537); Forordningen om undervisningspligt på landet (1739); undervisningspligt såvel på land som i by (1814) Pre-existing high inherent return to knowledge accumulation in DNK Early adoption of universal education in DNK Theory: Coastal (limited natural resources, location) Trade High inherent return to knowledge accumulation Early adoption of universal education Technology adoption and take-off Cross country data: 1.Coast/area predicts cultural valuation of new ideas (and patents pr capita) 2.Coast/area predicts early (1910) school enrolment rates 3.Coast/area predicts GDP per capita in 21st area (via HC) 4.Coast/area predicts the size of the service sector CountryCoast/areaPopulation in 2000 (1000s) 1Singapore0.274036 2Danmark0.175337 3Philippines0.1281222 4Kroatia0.104410 5Greece0.1010559 6Jamaica0.092615 7Estonia0.091379 8Mauritius0.091185 9Norway0.084492 10Japan0.08126729 IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CURRENT POLITICAL-ECONOMIC DEBATE Human capital seems to have been critical. Quantity in focus in the economic political economic debate. Perhaps time to consider educational institutions though (generalists vs specialists) Technology adoption has always been critical; not invention per se. In the economic-policial debate all focus seems to be on the latter however Services: historically critical, contemporarily critical. Not in focus in economic-political debate, which focuses on Industry

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The Federal Radiological Situation Centre GRS is one of the institutions that support the work of the Federal Radiological Situation Centre with its emergency organisation. The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), the Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management (BASE) and the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) are also involved in supporting the situation centre. What are the tasks of the Federal Radiological Situation Centre? The Federal Radiological Situation Centre becomes active in the event of a radiological emergency, the consequences of which may affect Germany. These include, for example, accidents in German nuclear power plants or abroad or severe accidents during the transport of radioactive material. The Federal Radiological Situation Centre collects, evaluates and documents all available data on the event and gives a so-called radiological situation picture. This situation picture describes the current radiological situation – this includes e.g. measurements and meteorological data – and predicts the further development as far as possible. It is forwarded by the Federal Radiological Situation Centre to the Länder, other federal authorities and the joint information and situation centre of the Federation and the Länder (GMLZ) of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance and serves as a basis for decisions on any necessary protective measures. In addition, the Federal Radiological Situation Centre also performs coordination and reporting tasks. It is the contact for authorities in Germany and abroad, for example, when it comes to coordinating emergency protection measures. Where is the Federal Radiological Situation Centre located? The Federal Radiological Situation Centre is not located in one place, but a spatially distributed network. The central point of the network is the Federal Environment Ministry. The participating institutions use their own emergency preparedness and response infrastructure in case of demand. For such cases, GRS provides its Emergency Centre in the city centre of Cologne. The Emergency Centre has the necessary technical and personnel infrastructure to evaluate information on the current situation in the plant concerned in the event of a severe accident, to make forecasts on other possible developments and to communicate with all relevant actors. How does radiological emergency preparedness and response work in Germany? In the event of a radiological emergency, e.g. due to an accident in a nuclear power plant, radiological emergency response measures will be initiated. The aim of all these actions is to protect people and the environment as far as possible from the dangers of ionising radiation. A distinction is made between on-site and off-site emergency preparedness. On-site emergency preparedness and response comprises all measures taken within a nuclear installation. The aim of these measures is to prevent or minimise the release of radioactive substances. An example of this is the use of mobile emergency diesel generators in the event of complete loss of other external and internal power supplies. Off-site emergency preparedness and response consists of all measures to protect the population from the dangers of radioactive substances released. On the one hand, this includes measures of disaster control, such as recommendations for staying indoors, the distribution and intake of iodine tablets or the evacuation of areas affected. On the other hand, off-site emergency preparedness and response also comprises medium to long-term emergency management to reduce radiation-related risks. Concrete measures may include restrictions on the consumption of agricultural products contaminated with radioactive substances.

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We all know that music makes us feel good. Even as infants, we are soothed by the calming effect of a simple lullaby, and according to research, this phenomenon continues well into old age. Simply listening to music has been shown to not only improve the mood of people suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s, but also improve cognitive skills and reduce the need for certain medications. Benefits of Music Therapy Music therapists working closely with Alzheimer’s patients have witnessed firsthand the powerful effect music can have on those overwhelmed by the disease. Patients described as withdrawn, detached, and depressed have been brought “back to life” when the sounds of familiar songs are played for them. They become more social and engaged by their surroundings, some even speaking after being silent for years. Patients are suddenly able to recall long forgotten memories, and those living with later stages of the disease are sometimes even able to remember who they are. Neurologist Oliver Sacks, MD studied the effects of music therapy and wrote in his book, Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain, that for Alzheimer’s patients, music is like medicine. “Music is no luxury to them, but a necessity, and it can have a power beyond anything else to restore them to themselves, and to others, at least for a while.” Here are some of the most common benefits of music therapy for dementia patients: - Positive changes in mood and emotional state - Memory recall - Management of stress-induced agitation - Increased social interaction - Improved cognitive functioning - Improved coordination and motor movement - Non-pharmacological pain management How Music Therapy Works Although it remains somewhat of a mystery exactly how the brain and body process music, we do know that it is processed on many levels simultaneously. Researchers have found a strong link between the brain’s auditory cortex and it’s limbic system, where emotions are processed. Because of this connection, music is instantly processed by areas of the brain that are responsible for long-term memory and emotion. According to Sacks, “Alzheimer’s can totally destroy the ability to remember family members or events from one’s own life—but musical memory somehow survives the ravages of disease, and even in people with advanced dementia, music can often reawaken personal memories and associations that are otherwise lost.” Additional research shows that actively making music by singing or playing instruments, rather than simply listening to it, can help improve motor skills by stimulating another part of the brain called the cerebellum, which controls balance and movement. However, even just listening to music releases dopamine in the brain and sends pleasure signals to the body, helping create positive feelings and relief from stress. Music Therapy Tips for Caregivers Here are some ideas for integrating music into your loved one’s daily life: - Try creating a personalized music playlist using an iPod. Select songs that were popular during your loved one’s youth (ages 18-25) as they can stimulate some of life’s fondest memories. If they are living with late-stage dementia, choose songs reaching even farther back into their childhood days. - Play songs that are aligned with the time of day and your loved one’s mood. Upbeat, happy songs can help energize them in the morning and start their day off right, while soft, soothing music can help calm anxiety or encourage sleep. - Be careful to observe your loved one’s reaction while listening to music and turn it off if they seem distressed or agitated. It’s possible that certain songs can bring up bad memories or remind them of sad life experiences. If you are interested in help from a professional, The American Music Therapy Association maintains a list of board-certified music therapists on their website, along with other helpful information related to music therapy. If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible. Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.

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Environment Transportation Planes, Trains and Automobiles: How Noisy Is Transportation Where You Live? By Mary Jo DiLonardo Senior Writer University of Cincinnati Mary Jo DiLonardo covers a wide range of topics focused on nature, health, science, and anything that helps make the world a better place. our editorial process Mary Jo DiLonardo Updated June 05, 2017 Airplane and highway noise can be as loud as a humming refrigerator or garbage disposal, depending on where you live. Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH/Shutterstock Share Twitter Pinterest Email Environment Active Automotive Aviation Public Transportation This map takes a closer look at the metro Atlanta area, where Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport produces a flush of color. National Transportation Noise Map What do you hear when you go outside? Maybe it's just birds singing and kids playing, but depending on where you live, you're also likely to hear something less pleasant: noise pollution. More than 97 percent of people in the U.S. have the potential to be exposed to low-level noise from airplanes and highways, according to a new National Transportation Noise Map from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics. At levels below 50 decibels, that's about the same level of noise as a humming refrigerator. A significantly smaller group of Americans might be exposed to higher levels of aviation and highway noise. Less than one-tenth of 1 percent of the U.S. population has the potential to be exposed to noise levels of 80 decibels or more. That's about as loud as a garbage disposal. Check out the map below. You'll see that the areas surrounding big cities are more colorful, meaning they're noisier. If you click on the map itself, you can search by city name, ZIP code or even narrow it down to your address. For example, here's a snapshot of noise pollution in the New York City area: The darker the area, the higher the decibel of noise. Case in point: New York City. National Transportation Noise Map According to a release from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the purpose of the map is "to facilitate the tracking of trends in transportation-related noise, by mode, and collectively for multiple transportation modes. The data allow viewing the national picture of potential exposure to aviation and highway noise. The data also allow viewing of the potential exposure at the state or county level." The map uses 2014 data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to determine the average number of daily flight operations from airports across the country and daily noise levels for automobiles, medium trucks and heavy trucks to determine traffic road noise. The map only considers transportation noise and not other ambient noise sources. An audiologist weighs in Most conversation is about 60-65 db, which is louder than the traffic noises most of the country is exposed to daily. Liderina/Shutterstock We wanted to know more, so we asked certified audiologist Pamela Mason, M.Ed, CCC-A, to look at the map. Mason, director of audiology professional practices for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) says her first impression was surprise. "I was surprised that more than 97 percent of people in the U.S. are exposed to less than 50 db aviation and traffic noise. That's lower than the level I'm talking," she says. "That is not a level than damages hearing but it could be annoying. It's really soft." For healthy hearing, you can listen to 75 decibels all day and it's not going to damage your hearing, Mason says. To put things into perspective, conversation is about 60-65 db. Mason says she lives in the Washington, D.C., area where communities near the airport are impacted by airplanes landing every few minutes. "It may not be enough to hurt your hearing, but it certainly can interrupt your quality of life," she says. There are plenty of other communities in the U.S. where noise pollution may be an issue outside of aviation sounds and interstate noise. For example, the study only takes into account highway noise versus the constant hum of surface streets. And there are many other types of noises in a community that can be annoying — things like construction noises and early garbage pickup, for example. But these noises fall outside the scope of this report. "There are two ways of looking at noise: Is it damaging to your hearing or are you looking at the non-auditory effects of noise?" Mason asks. For example, your quality of life can be disrupted by some of the side effects. You can have intestinal problems or stress headaches or even trouble communicating because of noise. "These non-auditory effects include the annoyance factor," she says. "It may not be loud enough to damage hearing, but it may be enough to be annoying."

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- a member of a council. Origin of councilor Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018 Examples from the Web for councilor Councilor Carlos Apolinário insists on proposing laws that encourage hate and discrimination.A Brazilian Straight Pride Day? August 5, 2011 "They are no more than yours," sharply interrupted the councilor.Standish of Standish Jane G. Austin And the councilor who presents your cause must be a member of your clan, of course. If things went wrong, a councilor could get his neck on a block for sure. "No one objects," said Faslar, the ex-king's Prime Minister and councilor.Invaders from the Infinite John Wood Campbell To a councilor belonging to the parliament, sire, whose name is Vanel.Louise de la Valliere Alexandre Dumas, Pere Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Word Origin and History for councilor Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

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What it is The Satir Change Model describes the series of steps that occur for an individual during any process of change. The model identifies four stages and two key events within the change process: - Old status quo - This is the current state of familiar equilibrium. Difficulties may be experienced, but no one is affecting any change. In this stage, reliable predictions about the immediate future can be made, and day-to-day events generally remain unchanged from one day to the next. Working practices are well-established and require little or no alteration. - Introduction of a foreign element - At some point, a new element will enter the system. This may be a change instigated by someone within the company, a change in the market or operating environment, the invalidation of a critical assumption or some other catalyst. Whatever the nature of the foreign element, its introduction into the system will disrupt the status quo and initiate the next stage - chaos. - Chaos - In the chaos phase, the system is now operating in ways we cannot predict. According to Satir, "The chaos phase is when the healing begins." The individuals affected by the change may react in different ways during this phase. Some may be in a state of disbelief or denial at first, having lost the sense of security and stability they gained from the old status quo. Some may work to actively resist the change in an attempt to protect the status quo, perhaps even attempting to sabotage any new plans and ideas. Dread, panic, anger and disorganisation are commonly found in varying degrees during this stage, but at some point, the next event, the transforming idea, occurs, signalling the beginning of the end of the chaos. - Transforming idea - At some point, often when the situation has reached its very lowest point, a transforming idea occurs. This happens as the feelings of denial and disbelief subside, and the mood shifts to one of acknowledgement and acceptance. The transforming idea shows a potential way forward and gives a glimmer of hope that the chaos may end and a new, better status quo can be found. - Integration and practice - In this stage, a plan is generated from the transforming idea, and implementation begins. This will take time and effort, but with sufficient commitment from all involved, the chaos will start to fade, and new working patterns will be found. However, established habits are hard to break, so everyone will need to practice and persevere. Managers will need to lead by example and monitor the implementation to ensure that new approaches are anchored in the culture (see Kotter's Eight Steps). - New status quo - Once the integration and practice phase is over, the new ways of thinking and working are firmly embedded, and a new status quo is established. This marks the end of the change process, although it will begin again should another sufficiently disruptive foreign element enter the system in the future. Virginia Satir was a pioneer in the field of family reconstruction therapy. In 1991, three years after her death, her work was published in "The Satir Model: Family Therapy and Beyond" (see Further reading). Soon after its publication, business management academics began to identify the usefulness of her change model in predicting, understanding and managing employee reactions to change and transformation initiatives. When to use it - To understand the emotional state of employees involved in significant change. - When creating a plan for change within an organisation. - To counter resistance to change. - To prevent a change from reverting to its previous state. How to use it The model is helpful to managers and leaders in predicting, understanding and managing the emotional health of employees involved in change processes. It can be helpful to acknowledge the stress and underlying dynamics, such as fear, and explain to struggling team members that their feelings are a normal part of the change process. It is also important to remember that not every team member will move through the process at the same pace and that emotional stages may well overlap for individuals. It is also possible that individuals may revert to previous emotions or even whole stages if an adequate resolution was not found. The model can help move the change process along by guiding staff towards the next stage. The model is also valuable for managers planning change to remind them of the emotional impact on staff and the performance impact of change processes, at least in the short term, thus allowing them to plan accordingly and provide additional support as necessary. Satir, V., Banmen, J., Gerber, J. and Gomori, M. (1991) The Satir Model: Family Therapy and Beyond. Palo Alto, CA: Science and Behavior Books.

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Zion National Park Utah Finding one of the glistening Emerald Pools and a riparian habitat under the canyon walls Awe-inspiring cliffs and verdant valleys create an out-of-this-world landscape Zion, the oldest of Utah’s five National Parks, was named after an ancient Hebrew word meaning “sanctuary.” The name is fitting: Zion National Park’s landscape, shaped by weather and the peaceful Virgin River, dazzles with 305-meter-high cream, pink and red cliffs that contrast the brilliant blue sky. These incredible sandstone rocks, which can be found just northeast of St. George in the southwest corner of the state, also awed 19th-century Mormon settlers. They gave the rocks names like Angel’s Landing, the Three Patriarchs, the West Temple and the Great White Throne. You can enjoy spectacular views of the park by following the trails that lead to these famous rocks and their outlooks. Or, for a closer look at the cliff walls, take a less strenuous hike through one of the park’s narrow slot canyons. As you traverse this otherworldly scene, keep your eyes peeled for the unique creatures — such as lizards, mule deer and bighorn sheep — that call the park home.

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What is a  dental filling? A tooth consists of enamel,dentine, pulp and cementum. Enamel is the outermost layer which forms the crown of a tooth. Tooth surface is covered by a bacterial biofilm,known as plaque. The bacteria metabolizes sugar and releases acid which destroys the enamel. This process is called decay or dental caries. When oral hygiene is inadequate, dental decay progresses into the dentine layer and in later stage, into the pulp. Decayed tooth is weak and brittle, thus it becomes soft, forming what is called cavity. A tooth damaged by decay needs to be filled to restore its normal function, shape and strength. When do you need a filling? Only a dentist can decide whether you need a filling or not. Initial stages of dental caries can be reversed by practicing good oral hygiene. In the early stages, when the caries affects only the enamel ,the tooth is still intact and the affected area appears opaque on x-ray, as judged by the dentist. The dentist will advise toothbrushing using fluoridated toothpaste at least twice a day to reverse the progression of caries. Reversed caries will appear harder and darker in colour. If caries progresses into the deeper layers of the tooth, you will feel pain and sensitivity which indicates that the caries has reached the dentine. When caries progresses into the deeper layers of tooth and cavity forms you will need to fill your tooth. How a dental filling is done? If the involved tooth is painful the dentist will first administer local anaesthesia to numb the it. Then the decayed tooth material is removed and the tooth cleaned. The dentist then fills the cavity with an appropriate filling material. The materials used for filling includes amalgam ( an alloy of mercury, silver, copper,tin and zinc), composite ( tooth coloured fillings), gold and porcelain. Fillings helps prevent further decay by sealing the tooth and avoiding ingress of bacteria. Which is the most suitable type of  dental filling? There is no one type of filling which is best for everyone. Different individual present with different types of complaint and damage. The suitable type of filling is determined by the extent of repair, whether you have allergies to certain materials, the location of the damaged tooth and the cost of material used. There are various types of  dental filling materials available: Many experts believe that gold is the best filling material due to it’s biocompatibility and strength. Gold fillings can last up to 20 years and is well tolerated by the gum tissues. One of the disadvantage of using this material is that the procedure requires multiple visit because it is not directly placed on the tooth. First the dentist takes an impression of the tooth. The inlay is then prepared the laboratory and finally cemented into place. The material is also very expensive, thus patients prefer cheaper material like amalgam. Amalgam is an alloy of mercury, silver, tin, copper and zinc. It is relatively cheap and stronger compared to other filling materials. Amalgam filling can last up to 10 years. However, due to its dark colour amalgam is used in the back teeth and not in visible areas such as the front teeth. Composite resin filling material is less stronger than amalgam but it is much preferred because it is matched to be the same colour as the natural teeth. It comes in different shades, which suits different individuals. The aesthetic value of composite makes it the material of choice for visible areas such as the front teeth. It is placed directly into the cavity. Composite may not be the ideal material for large fillings as it may chip or wear over time. It is also susceptible to stains from food such as coffee or tobacco. Composite lasts from 3 to 8 years. Porcelain fillings are called inlays or onlays and are produced to order in a lab and then bonded to the tooth. They can be matched to the color of the tooth and resist staining. A porcelain restoration generally covers most of the tooth. Their cost is similar to gold. If decay or a fracture has damaged a large portion of the tooth, a crown, or cap, may be recommended. Decay that has reached the nerve may be treated in two ways: through root canal therapy (in which nerve damaged nerve is removed) or through a procedure called pulp capping (which attempts to keep the nerve alive). I didn’t realize that porcelain dental fillings can resist staining. Ever since I lost a tooth as a child when I was playing baseball, I’ve been pretty self-conscious about the gap in my teeth. A gold tooth has never caught my fancy, but because a porcelain tooth matches the color of the rest of my teeth and can’t get stained, I think I’ll speak with a dentist about getting a dental filling.

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The previous article discussed Wiener process with the relevant characteristics that describe the process. In particular, it was further demonstrated that a wiener process is characterized by an increase in uncertainty as a function of . In this article, the aim is to get a generalized description of a wiener process. The mean change per unit time for a stochastic process is known as the drift rate and the variance per unit time is known as the variance rate. The Wiener process discussed in the previous article has a drift rate of zero and a variance rate of 1.0. This means that the expected value of of at a future time is equal to its current value. The variance rate of 1.0 means that the variance of the change in in a time interval of length equals . A generalized wiener process for a variable can be defined in terms of where and are constants. The term implies that has an expected drift rate of per unit of time. Considering the term on the right side, which implied that , on integrating wrt time, the equation obtained is where is the value of at time 0. In a period of time of length , the variable increases by an amount The term is considered to add noise or variability to the path followed by . The amount of this nose or variability is times a Wiener process. A Wiener process has a variance rate per unit time of 1.0, times a wiener process has a variance rate per unit time of . In a small time interval , the change in the value of is given as where has a standard normal distribution which means has a normal distribution. In the next article, the Itô process is introduced as a further general representation of a wiener process where the drift rate and variance rate are functions instead of constant variables.

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14. Episcopal Conferences constitute a concrete application of the collegial spirit. Basing itself on the prescriptions of the Second Vatican Council, the Code of Canon Law gives a precise description: "The Conference of Bishops, a permanent institution, is a grouping of Bishops of a given country or territory whereby, according to the norm of law, they jointly exercise certain pastoral functions on behalf of the Christian faithful of their territory in view of promoting that greater good which the Church offers humankind, especially through forms and programs of the apostolate which are fittingly adapted to the circumstances of the time and place".(61) 15. The Council clearly highlighted the need in our day for harmonizing the strengths deriving from the interchange of prudence and experience within the Episcopal Conference, since “Bishops are frequently unable to fulfill their office suitably and fruitfully unless they work more harmoniously and closely every day with other Bishops”.(62) It is not possible to give an exhaustive list of the issues which require such cooperation but it escapes no one that issues which currently call for the joint action of Bishops include the promotion and safeguarding of faith and morals, the translation of liturgical books, the promotion and formation of priestly vocations, the preparation of catechetical aids, the promotion and safeguarding of Catholic universities and other educational centres, the ecumenical task, relations with civil authorities, the defence of human life, of peace, and of human rights, also in order to ensure their protection in civil legislation, the promotion of social justice, the use of the means of social communication, etc. 16. Episcopal Conferences are, as a rule, national, that is, they bring together the Bishops of one country only,(63) since the links of culture, tradition and common history, as well as the interconnection of social relations among citizens of the same nation require more constant collaboration among the members of the episcopate of that territory than the ecclesial circumstances of another territorial entity might require. Nevertheless, canonical legislation makes provision for an Episcopal Conference to "be erected for a smaller or larger territory so that it includes either the Bishops of some particular churches constituted in a given territory or those presiding over particular churches belonging to different countries".(64) It follows that there can be Episcopal Conferences of varying territorial extension or of a super-national extension. The judgement on the circumstances relative to persons or things which suggest a greater or lesser extension of the territory of a Conference is reserved to the Holy See. In fact, "after hearing the Bishops involved, it pertains to the supreme Church authority alone to erect, suppress or change the Conferences of Bishops".(65) 17. Since the purpose of the Conferences of Bishops is to provide for the common good of the particular Churches of a territory through the collaboration of the sacred pastors to whose care they are entrusted, every individual Conference is to include all the diocesan Bishops of the territory and those who in law are equivalent to them, as well as coadjutor Bishops and the other titular Bishops who exercise a special task entrusted to them by the Holy See or by the Episcopal Conference itself.(66) In the plenary meetings of the Episcopal Conference, the deliberative vote belongs to diocesan Bishops and to those who are equivalent to them in law, as well as to coadjutor Bishops; and this by reason of the law itself. The statutes of the Conference cannot provide otherwise.(67) The President and Vice-President of the Episcopal Conference must be chosen only from among the members who are diocesan Bishops.(68) As regards auxiliary Bishops and other titular Bishops who are members of the Episcopal Conference, the statues of the Conference should determine whether their vote is deliberative or consultative.(69) In this respect, the proportion between diocesan Bishops and auxiliary and other titular Bishops should be taken into account, in order that a possible majority of the latter may not condition the pastoral government of the diocesan Bishops. However, it is appropriate that the statutes of Episcopal Conferences allow for the presence of Bishops emeriti, and that they have a consultative vote. Particular care should be taken to enable them to take part in some study Commissions, when these deal with issues in which a Bishop emeritus is particularly competent. Given the nature of the Episcopal Conference, a member's participation in the Conference cannot be delegated to someone else. 18. Every Episcopal Conference has its own statutes, which it frames itself. These must however receive the recognitio of the Apostolic See. Among other things these are "to provide for the holding of plenary meetings of the Conference as well as for the establishment of a permanent council, of a general secretariat of the Conference, and other offices and commissions which in the judgement of the Conference will help it fulfil its aims more effectively".(70) Such aims, however, require that an excessively bureaucratic development of offices and commissions operating between plenary sessions be avoided. The essential fact must be kept in mind that the Episcopal Conferences with their commissions and offices exist to be of help to the Bishops and not to substitute for them. 19. The authority of the Episcopal Conference and its field of action are in strict relation to the authority and action of the diocesan Bishop and the Bishops equivalent to them in law. Bishops "preside in the place of God over the flock whose shepherds they are, as teachers of doctrine, priests of sacred worship and ministers of government. (...) By divine institution, Bishops have succeeded to the Apostles as Shepherds of the Church",(71) and they "govern the particular churches entrusted to them as the vicars and ambassadors of Christ, by their counsel, exhortations and example, but also by their authority and sacred power (...). This power, which they personally exercise in Christ's name is proper, ordinary and immediate".(72) Its exercise is regulated by the supreme authority of the Church, and this is the necessary consequence of the relation between the universal Church and the particular Church, since the latter exists only as a portion of the People of God "in which the one catholic Church is truly present and operative".(73) In fact, "the primacy of the Bishop of Rome and the episcopal College are proper elements of the universal Church that are not derived from the particularity of the churches, but are nevertheless interior to each particular Church".(74) As part of such regulation, the exercise of the sacred power of the Bishop "can be circumscribed by certain limits, for the advantage of the Church or of the faithful".(75) This provision is found explicitly in the Code of Canon Law where we read: "A diocesan Bishop in the diocese committed to him possesses all the ordinary, proper and immediate power which is required for the exercise of his pastoral office except for those cases which the law or a decree of the Supreme Pontiff reserves to the supreme authority of the Church or to some other ecclesiastical authority".(76) 20. In the Episcopal Conference the Bishops jointly exercise the episcopal ministry for the good of the faithful of the territory of the Conference; but, for that exercise to be legitimate and binding on the individual Bishops, there is needed the intervention of the supreme authority of the Church which, through universal law or particular mandates, entrusts determined questions to the deliberation of the Episcopal Conference. Bishops, whether individually or united in Conference, cannot autonomously limit their own sacred power in favour of the Episcopal Conference, and even less can they do so in favour of one of its parts, whether the permanent council or a commission or the president. This logic is quite explicit in the canonical norm concerning the exercise of the legislative power of the Bishops assembled in the Episcopal Conference: "The Conference of Bishops can issue general decrees only in those cases in which the common law prescribes it, or a special mandate of the Apostolic See, given either motu proprio or at the request of the Conference, determines it".(77) In other cases "the competence of individual diocesan Bishops remains intact; and neither the Conference nor its president may act in the name of all the Bishops unless each and every Bishop has given his consent".(78) What comes to surface is that if the human hearts of the world would allow themselves to be transformed into the Divine Heart, if the Divine Heart would be permitted to inflame all human hearts, it would be a different world, perhaps something like the world that we would have had, had it not been for the fall of our first parents. This now presents a challenge to every single human being, that of giving up control of one's human heart in favor of allowing the Divine Heart to transform it so that it would be completely under its influence. The human heart would thus be able to act under the influence of the Divine Heart and would thus produce fruits far above its own ability, one of which would be an increase of love power within each person for every other person on the face of the earth. The human heart, transformed by the Divine Heart, would also begin to enjoy qualities other than love. There would come wisdom, understanding, and knowledge far above human capabilities. Human beings would be able to endure forces, pressures, pains far beyond what the human element could possibly endure on its own. The Divine Heart brings with it Divine Energy and Divine Creativity, in addition to a tremendous intensification of true freedom, the experience of a Divine Peace and a Divine Joy. The question can now be asked, what about us, about you and me, who have been baptized, who are of the faith, who have received Jesus in Holy Communion year after year. How is it that this transformation of the heart has not taken place, how is it that there are even those of us who have slipped into a humanistic way of life, who profess the Faith of Jesus and still bear grudges, hostility and unforgiveness? What about those of us who have made use of whatever the Church puts at our disposal and still do not reflect the qualities of the Divine Heart? We have been confirmed, have received the gifts of the Holy Spirit and yet we don't live in a way which would reflect the operation of these gifts in our daily living. We might come to our defense by presenting St. Paul's, "those things which I wish to do, I do not and those that I do not wish, those are the things that I do." (Romans 7, vs. 19). I think that it is a valid defense, but I think too that it is somewhat of a cop out. It would seem to me that what I need to do, as well as everyone else, is to take on the responsibility of my limitations and failures by admitting to myself first that there is still too much human in me and not enough of the divine or that I have not truly given my heart over to Jesus generously and completely enough for Him to transform my heart into His Own. Jesus' loving Mother and ours is asking each of us, among other things, to PRAY WITH THE HEART. Mary is one who truly knows what our world needs, what we of the Faith need and what you and I need. What is so sad is that she seems to be pleading in these days with what might be an agonizing voice. Her plea seems to be so unheeded. Even those of us who are in leadership roles, those of us in administrative positions in our peace groups and centers seem not to be able to reflect the peace that would give evidence to that "prayer with the heart." so many of us may feel that we are May's children and yet by our behavior there is something missing, something quite not right. As I see it, it boils down to a lack of Love Power. If only each one of us would but increase a desire for an outpouring of that Divine Love into our tired, anxious and weakened hearts, we would do Our Lady a great favor, not to mention what we could contribute to our own life, the life of our family, the life of our Faith com-munity. What a fine prayer it would be if I asked the Lord Jesus to help me first to live in my heart, to allow my heart to be transformed by His and then to be able to truly pray with the heart. In our times, difficult as they are, we need to tap into Divine Love Power to be able to surmount the mountains of difficulties that stand in the way of our own personal peace. When I can personally be transformed by the Loving Heart of Jesus and live daily inflamed by His Love, I can personally contribute assistance to Our Blessed Mother's crusade in her battle over Satan. Dear children, I ask each one of you to come now to conversion of heart. I have asked you to dedicate and consecrate yourselves to the Sacred Heart of my Son and to my Immaculate Heart. Now, in this, the age of The Two Hearts, I am also asking you to consecrate yourself to the Holy Spirit. Do not be concerned about the time when you do this. Prepare with a period of meditation and prayer on the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to come and anoint you in His Love, Wisdom and all His Fruits and Gifts. Go to the Sacrament of Penance and worthily receive Holy Communion. Then, with profound faith, hope and love, consecrate yourself to The Holy Spirit, speaking to Him with words from your heart. He, the Spirit and Fire of Love will come and renew you. Through the Holy Spirit you shall receive enlightenment and discernment, that the truth of all my words may be made known to you. Dear little ones, how vital this is for the plan of salvation. Consecrate yourself that you may persevere as my faithful army in these last days. Chaos breaks upon your world like a tidal wave, but you remain blinded. Come, my children, pray and receive the Holy Spirit that my Immaculate Heart may Triumph. I love you, my little ones. Please heed my words and pray. Offer your lives in union with my Son's Passion that you may be a living prayer. Throughout the world shall come great events that shall fulfill all scripture. Only in and through the Holy Spirit shall you be awakened. I bless you and thank you for responding to my Call! If you understood God's love you would never cease praying. If you understood God's love you would be of one mind and one heart. My little ones, it is very important that you are little. This is according to God's Plan that He, the Almighty One may receive your prayers, your actions as kisses of your love. Do you think your Heavenly Father is not pleased by your caresses? O! With what Infinite Love and Mercy He responds to your embrace. Do not be deceived that when you sin and refuse God's love and mercy, you cause Him, who created you, so much sorrow! Dear children, would that you would learn the infinite value of silence. Not only does the inner silence allow God to speak and work within you, but it prevents you from uttering useless words, words that are a sin against charity. Be charitable above all else. See my Divine Son in everyone, for that is how God sees His children, through their souls. Do not speak lest you damage your own soul and the soul of another. Rather, turn your thoughts at once to God and speak to Him from your Heart. Your flight to eternal life will be swift and sure. Little ones, I weep because you are lukewarm. You do not want to recognize the signs God is giving, both as a warning and out of Love. Beware the false prophets who tell you that God is all Love and will not punish. I have come to prepare you for the chastisement, and of the many sorrows which will befall all mankind. Pray! Convert your hearts! Fast! Do penance united to my Son. Then you will understand my words. I love and bless you. Thank you for responding to my Call!

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Asking middle school students to write (and share) book recommendations isn’t new. It gives them the opportunity to write about literature they have enjoyed, be inspired to check out books that their peers have loved, and demonstrate their growing reading and writing skills for their teacher. But move those book recommendations to the students’ own blogs, and suddenly they are learning a whole hard drive’s worth of new skills. As my students created their own blogs and crafted book reviews for their first blog posts, I wandered around the room, amazed at the myriad skills they were learning. Here’s a list, probably incomplete: - creating online accounts (emails, usernames, passwords) - confirming online accounts via email - “edit” = “make changes to” - adding pages to a website - writing an “about the author” blurb - using images and text to personalize a blog/website/post - finding copyright-free images on Google, pics4learning, etc. - choosing images that represent (symbolize) ideas in a post - inserting copyright-free images into a blog/website - writing an original title for a blog post - saving a draft before going “live” - changing blog settings to “approve comments,” giving them control over what appears on their blogs - changing a blog’s style: fonts, themes, colors, images - formatting columns in a post - formatting text around images - inserting links in a blog post - adding linked buttons in a blog post - proofreading and correcting a draft before publishing - and finally, publishing a post and viewing it “live” Next class we will talk about how to post appropriate, academic comments on a blog. And wouldn’t it be nice if all online users had the same lesson? Are your students blogging? What benefits do you see?

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To complement his first collection of articles (Rome's Fall and After, 1989), Walter Goffart presents here a further set of essays, all but two published between 1988 and 2007. They mainly focus on two types of historiography: early medieval narratives, with special attention to Bede's Historia ecclesiastica; and printed maps designed to portray and teach history, with special attention to the ubiquitous 'map of the barbarian invasions'. The wide-ranging concerns represented extend from the underside of the Life of St Severinus of Noricum, and further evidence for dating Beowulf, to the questions whether the barbarian invasions period was a 'heroic age' and how Charlemagne shaped his own succession. Attention is also paid to the earliest map illustrating the Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy and to the historical vignettes of the Vatican Galleria delle carte geografiche. The collection opens with the appraisal of certain writings dealing with what is now called 'ethnogenesis theory'. To conclude, Professor Goffart adds brief second thoughts about each of these essays and supplies an annotated list of his articles that have not been reprinted. Contents: Preface; Two notes on Germanic antiquity today; What's wrong with the map of barbarian invasions?; The map of barbarian invasions: a preliminary report; The map of barbarian invasions: a longer look; Does the Vita S. Severini have an underside?; Conspicuously absent: martial heroism in the Histories of Gregory of Tours and its likes; Bede's Uera lex historiae explained; The Historia ecclesiastica: Bede's agenda and ours; Bede's History in a harsher climate; Paul the Deacon's Gesta Episcoporum Mettensium and the early design of Charlemagne's succession; Charters earlier than 800 from French collections; Le problème des Translationes S. Liborii; The first venture into 'medieval geography': Lambarde's map of the Saxon heptarchy (1568); Hetware and Hugas: datable anachronisms in Beowulf; The name 'Meringovian' and the dating of Beowulf; Christian pessimism on the walls of the Vatican Galleria delle carte geografiche; Addenda; Additional articles (annotated list); Index. The first title in the Variorum Collected Studies series was published in 1970. Since then well over 1000 titles have appeared in the series, and it has established a well-earned international reputation for the publication of key research across a whole range of subjects within the fields of history. The history of the medieval world remains central to the series, with Byzantine studies a particular speciality, but the range of titles extends from Hellenistic philosophy and the history of the Roman empire and early Christianity, through the Renaissance and Reformation, up to the 20th century. Islamic Studies forms another major strand as do the histories of science, technology and medicine. Each title in the Variorum Collected Studies series brings together for the first time a selection of articles by a leading authority on a particular subject. These studies are reprinted from a vast range of learned journals, Festschrifts and conference proceedings. They make available research that is scattered, even inaccessible in all but the largest and most specialized libraries. With a new introduction and index, and often with new notes and previously unpublished material, they constitute an essential resource. For further information about contributing to the series please contact Michael Greenwood at [email protected]

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Have you recently suffered with irritation in your eyes, nose, or throat? Or, have your chronic conditions, like asthma, have worsened? If so, the cause could be mold, and living with mold in your home can be dangerous. Where Does Mold Grow? Mold is all around us and can grow in a variety of conditions. In nature, mold helps to break down decaying materials. Indoors, it can cause problems for you, your family, and your home. Mold thrives in dark, damp environments. That could be a basement, an attic, a bathroom, and even in the walls of your home. The moisture helps mold to grow and spread, through tiny spores that float through the air. When you breathe in these mold spores, that is when it can begin to have a harmful effect on you. Is Mold Dangerous to Live With? If you have experience water damage, or you live in a humid climate, your home can be the perfect place for mold to grow. Once it infiltrates your living space, it can be hard to get rid of. The CDC has warned that mold can lead to problems with the respiratory system, as well as spur increased symptoms of asthma and allergy, and conditions like pneumonia. Because mold is not always visible, you may not realize that you have come into contact with its spores. However, there are ways to tell if you have been exposed. Health experts say people may experience some of the following symptoms after spending time in an area where mold is present: As mold spores travel through the air, they produce allergens, irritants and mycotoxins. Some of those are toxic and lead to more serious conditions, such as: Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis – This condition is caused by an allergy to certain dusts, fungi, molds or chemicals. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis causes the lungs to become inflamed and can cause scarring if it goes untreated. Bronchitis – Bronchitis causes inflammation in the air passages that lead to your lungs. Some of the most common molds, including black mold, has been linked to disorders of the lungs such as bronchitis. Chronic Rhinosinusitis – If you suffer from sinus infections often, mold could be contributing to your sickness. Mold spores make their way into the sinus cavity, which causes the body to release a chemical to fight any fungi. This chemical causes irritation and sticks around as long as there are fungi in the sinuses. Who is most at-risk for health issues associated with mold? Mold affects people in different ways. For some, symptoms are mild. Others, who are most sensitive, may suffer from more serious reactions when exposed to mold. There are certain risk factors that make you more likely to have allergy symptoms, or worse. Those risk factors include: - A family history of allergies - Immune suppression and/or underlying lung disease - Chronic respiratory disease, such as asthma - Living in a home with high humidity and poor ventilation - Working or living in a home with water damage or excess moisture What other problems can mold cause in my home? While we know that mold can be harmful to our health, mold can cause other problems in your home. At the first sign of mold, contacting a professional to assess the situation and guide you in the removal process can keep you from getting sick, and from compromising the safety of your home. Damage to Building Materials/Structure – Mold feeds on organic materials, and once it begins to grow can cause substantial damage. Molds can cause materials such as wood, paper and fabrics to rot. So, keeping an eye on your walls, carpet, floorboard and other structures is important. Left growing, mold could eventually lead to a ceiling collapse, the caving in of a floor, or the toppling of a wall. Compromised HVAC Unit – Mold can also grow in ductwork, like in your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. While mold can eat away at certain materials used in these systems, the larger danger is how quickly the spores can spread. Not only is the mold difficult to remove from your HVAC unit, the flow of air makes it easier for mold to reach other areas of your home. While mold is not always easy to spot, it is important for homeowners to recognize the signs that mold may be present in your living area. If found, calling a professional to inspect and remove the mold will help ensure you and your family are not in any danger. Aside from finding and getting rid of mold, mold remediation services can also include getting rid of items or materials that may be leading to the growth of mold in your home, finding better ventilation to improve air circulation, and find ways to lower moisture levels. To learn more about mold remediation services please call Precision Environmental Services at (940) 597-2673.

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The practice of Yoga has evolved over many thousands of years. The tradition, founded in ancient Indian philosophy, dates back to at least 3,000 BC. Because the teachings of Yoga were for millennia passed on from teacher to student, the precise origin of Yoga is not known. About 2,000 years ago, the sage Patanjali systematized the science of Yoga and wrote it down in the form of aphorisms, short statements that capture the essence of Yoga philosophy and practice. Patanjalis Yoga Sutras (meaning threads in Sanskrit) is one of the most important Yoga texts and has been interpreted by many Yoga masters since its writing. An Indian Yogi named Swami Vivekananda first brought yoga to the United States in 1893. Over the last century, many Indian Yoga masters and their students have established schools in this country. Among them are Paramhansa Yogananda (Ananda Yoga), Swami Vishnu Devananda (Sivananda Yoga), Swami Satchidananda (Integral Yoga), Yogi Desai (Kripalu Yoga), Swami Rama (Himalayan Institute), Swami Muktananda (Siddha Yoga) and B.K.S. Iyengar (Iyengar Yoga). Although from the same tradition, these different styles of Yoga reflect the unique interpretation and voice of their founders. What is Yoga? Most people think of Yoga as a physical practice of stretching the body in different ways. To some, Yoga evokes images of seemingly impossible contortions accomplished only by the adept. But the physical practice of Yoga is only one facet of a holistic system that addresses all aspects of our experience. The Sanskrit word Yoga literally means to yoke, bind, focus ones attention; it also means union or communion. The ancient Yogis sought to experience our essential nature, beyond the bounds of body and mind. Through practice and discovery using the instruments of our very existence- the body, breath, senses and mind- they reconnected with the universal of which we are all an expression. This is the essence of Yoga. By moving into stillness through the layers of the body, emotions and thoughts, we find at our core a sense of deep peace and connection. The science of Yoga is a guide to that peace. Recognizing the multifaceted nature of human beings, the system of Yoga addresses our complex relationship with the external and internal worlds. This system, called Astanga Yoga or the Eight-Limbed Path, encompasses Yama (ethical observances), Niyama (personal disciplines), Asana (physical postures), Pranayama (control of the breath), Pratyahara (drawing in of the senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (higher consciousness). These Eight Limbs are like rungs on a ladder; each one is an important step on the path and leads naturally to the next. While it takes many years of dedicated practice to reach the highest rung, the beauty of Yoga is that the means and ends are one; the benefit is in the practice, in the present. Postures, breathing practices and meditation restore equilibrium, promote health, agility and vitality, develop concentration and cultivate a sense of well-being. By consciously bringing together body, breath and mind in the practice, we experience our own integrity. Yoga ultimately is an act of self-love and self-healing; only through self-acceptance can we truly open our hearts to the love that surrounds us.

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Hey, Good to see you here 😀 …… In this Article, We’re gonna discuss in Detail the Morphology & Culture characteristics of Yersinia pestis….. If you have any queries, don’t forget to mention in Comments….. Thanks Morphology of Yersinia pestis (Y. pestis) Yersinia pestis is a short, plump, ovoid, rod shape (bacillus) bacterium with rounded ends and convex sides. The size of Y. pestis is about 1.5 mm × 0.7 mm (micrometer). Yersinia pestis is arranged singly, in pairs or in groups. Y. pestis is a motile bacterium when in the host body but is non – motile when isolated in the laboratory. Yersinia pestis is a flagellated bacterium with peritrichous flagella arrangement. The Yersinia pestis is a non–sporing bacterium. The Y. pestis is surrounded by a slime layer which may be a capsule or an envelope which can easily be demonstrated using India ink preparation, appear as a clear halo in a dark background. Yersinia pestis is a Gram -ve (Negative) bacterium. In the microscopic view of Giemsa or Methylene blue-stained smear, shows bipolar staining (safety pin like appearance) with the two ends densely stained and a clear central area. Also, pleomorphism is quite common in Yersinia pestis and in old cultures, involution forms are commonly seen (like Coccoid, club-shaped, filamentous & Giant form). Culture Requirements of Yersinia pestis (Y. Pestis) Special requirements – Yersinia pestis or Y. pestis have no complex nutritional requirements and readily grow in an ordinary media like Nutrient Agar medium (NAM). Commonly the NAM & Blood Agar medium is used for the cultivation of Yersinia pestis in Laboratory. Optimum temperature – The temperature for the growth of Yersinia pestis ranges from 2–45°C but the optimum temperature for the cultivation in the laboratory is 27°C and usually cultivated at this temperature in laboratories. However, the envelope develops best at 37° C. Optimum pH – Y. pestis can survive at 5.0–9.6 pH but the maximum growth observed at 7.2. Also, the pH requirement varies as per the strain of Yersinia pestis. Oxygen requirements – Yersinia pestis (Y. pestis) is an aerobic bacterium i.e. grow best in the presence of oxygen and it is also a Facultative anaerobic organism i.e. can grow in the low oxygen environment. There are various culture media used for the cultivation of Yersinia pestis (Y. pestis) in the laboratory and most commonly the Nutrient Agar medium and Blood Agar medium is used, the other media are as follows – - Columbia Horse Blood Agar medium - Trypticase Soy Agar medium - MacConkey Agar medium - Oil or Ghee Broth - The liquid medium (Nutrient Broth medium, TSB medium, etc.). The oil or Ghee (Clarified butter) broth is particularly used for the cultivation of Yersinia pestis in the laboratory due to its characteristic growth that occurs in ghee broth. The ghee broth can easily be prepared by adding the Ghee or oil in the Flask or Test tube containing broth medium. It will float on the medium due to its low density. Cultural characteristics of Yersinia pestis (Y. pestis) Cultural Characteristics Nutrient Agar Medium (NAM) MacConkey Agar medium Blood Agar Medium Shape Circular Circular Circular Size 1-2 mm 1-2 mm 1-2 mm Elevation Low Convex Low Convex Low Convex Surface Smooth ; mucoid (capsulated) Smooth ; mucoid (capsulated) Smooth ; mucoid (capsulated) Color Colorless – Greyish white Colorless Greyish white Structure Transparent – Opaque Transparent Translucent –Opaque Hemolysis ----- ----- γ-Hemolysis (Non - Hemolytic) In liquid culture media like Trypticase soy broth or Nutrient broth, a flocculent growth of the bacterium occurs at the bottom along with the sides of the tube or flask (whatever is used) with a little or no turbidity throughout the solution, which is further analyzed for the morphology (under the microscope), gram reaction, biochemical tests, and Yersinia pestis-specific tests. In Blood Agar medium, some of the strains show Gamma hemolysis i.e. no hemolysis occur on blood agar medium but the colonies are brown colored due to the absorption of the hemin pigment. In MacConkey Agar medium, the colonies of Yersinia pestis are colorless due to the lack of lactose fermentation which is of great importance in differentiating Y. pestis from other Bacteria that may present in the specimen, especially from Gram-positive bacteria and E. coli & Klebsiella species which are lactose fermentors and gives Pink colored colonies on MacConkey agar medium. In Ghee or Oil Broth medium, the oil floats on the top of the broth so a Characteristics growth of the organism occurs as it hangs down into the broth from the surface of the broth resembling the stalactite and popularly known as Stalactite growth. That’s all about the Morphology & Culture Characteristics of Yersinia pestis (Y. pestis) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Q1. What are the characteristics of Yersinia culture? Yersinia species are facultative anaerobes that grow well on a variety of culture media. Colonies of Yersinia are usually small, round, and smooth with a slightly raised center. They are non-hemolytic and typically do not produce any distinctive pigments. Q2. What is the morphology of Yersinia? Yersinia are gram-negative, non-sporulating, non-motile rods that are typically 0.5-0.8 μm in diameter and 1-5 μm in length. They are often described as being “plump” or “coccobacillary” in shape, meaning that they are shorter and more rounded than typical bacilli. Q3. What is the culture media of Yersinia pestis? Yersinia pestis can be cultured on a variety of media, including blood agar, MacConkey agar, and sheep blood agar. However, the most commonly used media for culturing Y. pestis is a specialized medium called “yersinia selective agar” (YSA), which contains specific nutrients and inhibitors that encourage the growth of Y. pestis and suppress the growth of other bacteria. Q4. Which of the following is a characteristic of Yersinia pestis? Yersinia pestis is the causative agent of bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic plague. It is known for its ability to form “safety-pin” shaped bipolar staining on Gram staining, which is a distinctive feature of the bacterium. Q5. What are cultural characteristics of bacteria? Cultural characteristics of bacteria refer to the observable traits of bacteria grown in culture, such as colony morphology, pigment production, growth rate, and motility. These characteristics can be used to help identify and classify bacterial species. Q6. What are culture characteristics of bacteria? Culture characteristics of bacteria include features such as colony morphology, growth rate, pigmentation, and motility. The type of culture media used to grow bacteria can also affect their cultural characteristics. These characteristics can be used to identify and differentiate bacterial species. User Review( votes) Laboratory Hub aims to provide the Medical Laboratory Protocols & General Medical Information in the most easy to understand language so that the Laboratory Technologist can learn and perform various laboratory tests with ease. If you want any protocol to be published on Laboratory Hub, Please drop a mail at [email protected]. Happy Learning!

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Color: Pale blue to lavender or white Common name: Blue Flax, Lewis Flax Latin name: Linum lewisii Height: 2 feet Description: The flowers are 1.5–3 cm diameter, with five petals on a smooth stem. The 4–6 mm sepals are egg-shaped. Leaf: The 1–2 cm long blue-green needlelike leaves are spirally arranged. Range: Desert, California Floristic Province, n East of Sierra Nevada, White and Inyo Mountains Habitat: Dry open ridges, slopes Elevation: 400–3000 m. Flowering time: May-Sept Notes: Linum lewisii is extremely durable, even aggressive, in favorable conditions, successfully seeding even into established lawns. The plant, a dicot, is a perennial herb that is native to California and is also found elsewhere in North America and beyond. This photo was taken on May 7, 2005 in the New York Mountains in the Mojave National Preserve, San Bernardino County, California. SEARCH THIS SITE Past Wildflower Season Videos click on links below Wildflower Field Guide - find flowers by color Click here to see current desert temperatures! DesertUSA is a comprehensive resource about the North American deserts and Southwest destinations. Learn about desert biomes while you discover how desert plants and animals learn to adapt to the harsh desert environment. Find travel information about national parks, state parks, BLM land, and Southwest cities and towns located in or near the desert regions of the United States. Access maps and information about the Sonoran Desert, Mojave Desert, Great Basin Desert, and Chihuahuan Desert.

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Smart city trailblazers lead the way to a greener future Valladolid and Palencia are two examples of 'LightHouse' and 'Follower' cities within the EU mission to create 'Climate Neutral' and 'Smart Cities'. They are pioneering a holistic approach for a sustainable urban regeneration model, supporting organisational, human and economic decision-making processes towards large-scale renovation and city transformation. These cities leading the way for the pilot will be where an initiative or specific technology is tested and then replicated in other European urban environments. Miguel Ángel García, coordinator of the REMOURBAN project in Valladolid, explained to Dailyrater, for this week's Futuris show, the importance of this kind of pilot project. "The main advantage of this project is the creation of a comprehensive urban regeneration model that has allowed us to capture experiences and recommendations for other cities, to also transform their environments and face the challenges that the cities of the future will face. I mean, increasing resilience, improving sustainability and providing citizens with services more sustainable and respectful to the environment," he said.

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Speed bumps are one of the ways countries resort to to enhance traffic safety and try to control the speed of cars on the roads, especially near schools, hospitals and residential areas. Despite the critical importance of the bumps, they are one of the factors that cause cars to be damaged and sometimes accidents, sometimes due to the presence of bumps that do not conform to international specifications and standards, and there are drivers who pass these bumps incorrectly and at high speed. Therefore, today we will show you the most prominent damages resulting from overtaking artificial bumps incorrectly, and how to avoid these damages. First, the damages that can be caused to the car from hitting industrial bumps: Car scissors are broken Damage to the engine bases Shock absorber breakage and damage - Broken and damaged car exhaust Loss of balance in the car, which may lead to swerving to the right or left - car rollover Steering wheel box damaged Second, how to avoid the damages of industrial bumps: The motorist must be careful while driving and always pay attention to the directions so that he can identify the places of the bumps, especially if he is driving on the road for the first time. The speed must be reduced and the brakes should be used several meters before the bumps to reduce the speed of the car so as not to collide violently and cause damage to the bottom of the car. – Do not apply the brakes when a sudden bump is detected, as this procedure often has counterproductive results, and all the driver has to do is stick to the steering wheel and make sure that the car does not swerve to the right or left until the collision. – The best way to safely bypass the bump is to cross it transversely, by climbing on the bump in the front tires of the car and then turning the steering wheel in a semi-circular way until it climbs with the two rear tires as well and then walking forward.

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Travis orders withdrawal to Alamo compound and Almonte asks Texans to surrender. Cannons fired, James Bowie falls ill, and Travis writes famous letter asking for reinforcements Mexicans fight with Texans for two hours and advance within 50-100 yards of Alamo. Travis also sends Juan Seguin to find Sam Houston and ask for help. Mexicans attacked the Texans while trying to acquire water and other supplies. Texans fired eastern cannons as well. The Mexican cut off the San Antonio river to the Texans, eliminating all the water. Texans kept firing at Mexicans trying to create entrenchments closer to Alamo. Help arrives from Gonzales and the Texans 12 pounder cannon hits Santa Anna's camp. Declaration of Independence was adopted at convention at Washington on Brazos, defenders at Alamo have no knowledge of this Attacks continues, Travis sends out last letters for help, and James Bonham returns from trying to recruit help. Travis gathers army for line in sand speech and share no help is coming. Santa Anna moves closer in the night and plans outs attack from all sides. The Texans fought hard firing cannons and rifles in the long range fight while, fighting with knives and clubs within Alamo walls. The Mexicans outnumbered them and continued to kill all defenders.

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It’s that time of year again. The air is filled with echoing coughs and sniffles. Gut reaction is to reach for hand sanitizer or fervently wash our hands with whatever will kill off those germs. But before reaching for that antibacterial soap, you should learn the facts. Photo by Fotolia/dimakp Currently, there is no evidence that over-the-counter (OTC) antibacterial soap products are more effective at preventing the spread of infection than regular soap. The FDA has even issued such statements in the past (see “Is Antibacterial Soap Really Necessary?”). Not only are antibacterial soaps likely ineffective, they may cause more harm than help thanks to the common active ingredients triclosan and triclocarban, two potential hormone disrupters (see “Antibacterial Soaps Contain Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals”). So why do we get trapped into buying these false promises? Clever marketing. There is hope, though. The FDA proposed a new rule Monday that would help to determine the safety and effectiveness of antibacterial soaps. (This rule would not affect hand sanitizers, wipes or antibacterial products used in health-care settings.) The rule would require manufacturers of antibacterial hand soaps and body washes to provide evidence that their product is safe for long-term, daily use and more effective than plain soap. This rule could result in required new labeling or reformulation for current OTC products. It is important to note that the FDA still emphasizes the importance of washing your hands, as it is one of the best ways to prevent illness. You can avoid the harsh chemicals in store-bought soaps by making your own. Here are a few recipes for plain and simple soap. Victoria Pitcher is Web Editor at Mother Earth Living. Find her on Google+.

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Exploding vacuum cleaner NCEC recently received a call from a HazMat Officer at a metal tooling factory where a vacuum cleaner used for collecting metal powders had exploded, causing second degree burns to the operative who was subsequently hospitalised. The caller wanted to know what had caused the explosion and how to deal with the vacuum cleaner. Our Emergency Responder advised the HazMat Officer that metal powders, such as aluminium and titanium, can form explosive mixtures in air and can react with water to produce explosive hydrogen gas. Prior to the arrival of the emergency services, the casualty's colleague had poured water into the vacuum cleaner and the contents were continuing to react and produce a gas. Our Emergency Responder advised the caller that the gas was most likely to be hydrogen and that the area should be well ventilated to prevent an explosive atmosphere. The use of dry extinguishing agents and quenching quantities of water were discussed, but ventilation was thought to be the most appropriate course of action. NCEC's chemists understand the dangers of hazardous materials and are able to determine the products of reaction, whether that is with firefighting media or other chemicals. You can rely on our experience and expertise. Exploding fridge freezer NCEC recently received a call from a Fire Service Incident Commander who was trying to ascertain the cause of an exploding fridge-freezer at a domestic property. After determining the details of the incident, including the type of appliance and refrigerant gas involved, our Emergency Responder suggested that either the system had over pressurised or a leak had been ignited. There were no scorch marks or combustion residues suggesting that the appliance had over pressurised, but the plastic food wrappers inside the fridge appeared shrunken and stiff, as if exposed to heat. The refrigerant gas was pentane and our Emergency Responder explained that it would burn cleanly and easily at low concentrations (flashpoint -49C, explosive limits 1.5 to 7.8% in air) suggesting that a leak ignited by the thermostat or other ignition source was the likely cause of the explosion. Our Emergency Responders are available to discuss unusual incidents and can draw on their diverse range of expertise. Remote from the scene, they are able to research the problem and précis the results for you over the phone. Leak at a COMAH-regulated site Between 500 and 1,000 litres of molten phthalic anhydride was leaking at a COMAH site and the fumes were drifting off site. The HazMat Officer at the scene wanted advice about suitable isolation distances due to the proximity of residential and commercial properties. Our Emergency Responder advised the caller that molten phthalic anhydride produces harmful and sensitising fumes, and recommended an initial isolation distance of 50 metres in all directions, and 300 metres downwind. Because the local weather conditions were cold and dry with not much wind, the Emergency Responder advised the caller that the fumes would stay close to the ground and would not dissipate readily. It was decided that people should be told to remain indoors with their windows and doors closed, rather than evacuate. The leaked material was covered in a foam blanket and a water curtain was set up downwind of the leak to reduce the fumes going off site. NCEC's Emergency Responders use a wide range of reference materials, including Chemdata, to provide comprehensive advice in the event of an incident. The UK emergency services rely on our expert advice to protect people, property and the environment.

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|Home | About | Journals | Submit | Contact Us | Français| The alpha rhythm in the EEG is 8–12 Hz activity present when a subject is awake with eyes closed. In this study, we used simultaneous EEG and fMRI to make maps of regions whose MRI signal changed reliably with modulation in posterior alpha activity. We scanned 11 subjects as they rested with eyes closed. We found that increased alpha power was correlated with decreased MRI signal in multiple regions of occipital, superior temporal, inferior frontal, and cingulate cortex, and with increased signal in the thalamus and insula. These results are consistent with animal experiments and point to the alpha rhythm as an index of cortical inactivity that may be generated in part by the thalamus. These results also may have important implications for interpretation of resting baseline in fMRI studies. In Berger’s first EEG recordings from the human scalp in the late 1920s, he noticed a prominent sinusoidal wave of around 10 cycles/s that he later named the alpha rhythm . The EEG of most adults contains this 8–12 Hz signal in occipital, parietal and posterior temporal regions . The alpha rhythm (alternatively called the posterior dominant rhythm) is highest in amplitude when a subject is awake and relaxed with eyes closed, and is attenuated by opening the eyes and by mental effort, as well as by drowsiness or sleep . Although recognized since the beginnings of EEG, the functional significance of the alpha rhythm in humans is not known definitively. Alpha band activity has been used as an indirect measure of brain activation because increased activity in this frequency range is thought to correspond to decreased functional activity in underlying cortex . Because the alpha rhythm is present only when a subject is awake, the loss of this rhythm is used clinically to signify the first stages of sleep . Alpha activity also has been studied in event-related paradigms that have pointed to alpha as a marker of visual attention generated in part by retinotopic visual areas . Studies in both animals and humans have shown the thalamus and regions of occipital and parieto-occipital cortex to be involved in alpha rhythm generation. Using electrodes implanted in dogs, Lopes da Silva demonstrated significant thalamo-cortical coherences in the lateral geniculate nucleus and pulvinar [8,9] and also found alpha sources in dog visual cortex . Studies of spontaneous alpha in humans using MEG have shown sources of the posterior alpha rhythm around both the parieto-occipital and calcarine sulci . The identification of generator regions using scalp EEG or MEG alone, however, is challenged by the fundamental difficulties in localizing sources in a conductive volume from only surface information (the ‘inverse’ problem ). At least three groups of investigators have used EEG in concert with medical imaging techniques in an attempt to localize the alpha rhythm in humans. Sadato and colleagues looked at changes in alpha power using O15-water PET ; they recorded EEG simultaneously with PET in normal volunteers while the subject’s eyes were open. They then produced statistical maps of the correlation between alpha power in the posterior electrodes and blood flow from the PET images. Sadato’s group reported that relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) increased in the right thalamic region, areas of the pons and midbrain and parts of the limbic system including the hypothalamus, right amygdala, basal frontal cortex and insula as alpha power increased (positive correlation). They found also that increases in alpha power were associated with decreased rCBF (negative correlation) in the bilateral occipital cortex, including primary and association visual areas, as well as the left dorsomedial prefrontal cortex. Larson and Lindgren examined the relationship between alpha power and the thalamic metabolic rate of glucose using fluoro-deoxyglucose PET and EEG acquired just prior to PET scanning in normal controls and in depressed subjects. Unlike Sadato, both Larson and Lindgren found that global alpha power was correlated inversely with the thalamic rate of glucose metabolism. Larson found this across subjects, whereas Lindgren found no thalamic correlation in subjects who were depressed. By interleaving EEG and functional MRI recording, Singh and colleagues used an eyes open vs eyes closed paradigm and a relaxation vs mental arithmetic paradigm with eyes closed to observe the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) response in the parietal and occipital lobes correlated with occipital alpha rhythm. The EEG was recorded in blocks between functional scans. In each study, they found a negative BOLD response (indicative of decreased blood flow [18,19]) in portions of the occipital lobe correlated with increased power in the alpha band. In the present experiment, we used EEG and fMRI acquired simultaneously, which we have termed simultaneous imaging for tomographic electrophysiology (SITE), to localize potential generator regions of the alpha rhythm during eyes closed rest . Unlike the above studies, SITE enables imaging with both high temporal and high spatial resolution. Eleven normal volunteers (mean age 30, range 23–43, five females) participated in the study. The subjects were in various states of drowsiness at the time of scanning (see Discussion). All subjects gave informed consent approved by the UCLA Human Subject Protection Committee. We recorded simultaneous EEG and fMRI on all subjects while they were at rest with their eyes closed. No visual or auditory stimuli were presented at any time during functional scanning beyond the ambient scanner noise, which was continuous regardless of alpha levels. Each subject underwent either two consecutive 4 min 30 s or three consecutive 9 min functional scans. Two of the 11 subjects were scanned on multiple days (subject A, 3 days; subject B, 2 days). EEG was recorded from 16 scalp sites of the international 10–20 system in a hard-wired bipolar montage (Fp2-F8, F8-T4, T4-T6, T6-O2, O2-P4, P4-C4, C4-F4, F4-Fp2; Fp1-F7, F7-T3, T3-T5, T5-O1, O1-P3, P3-C3, C3-F3, F3-Fp1) using silver/silver chloride coated plastic cup electrodes, each of which was equipped with dual carbon fiber leads. This allowed each lead pair to be twisted together to reduce artifacts caused by induced EMF in the MR scanner. The EEG system was designed specially for in-magnet recording by our lab in collaboration with Grass-Telefactor (a division of Astro-Med, Inc., West Warwick, RI) and has been described in detail elsewhere . With this system, artifact in the EEG due to gradients and radio frequency noise appears only while each slice is being collected. By spacing slice acquisition evenly through the TR period, windows of EEG are visible between gradient bursts. By reducing the MR brain coverage to six slice planes, we were able to record interpretable EEG during 87% of each TR period . We have since developed a method for recording simultaneous EEG/fMRI without this restriction [22,23]. We performed all scans on a General Electric 3 T imager with Echo Planar Imaging (EPI) capability provided by Advanced NMR Systems. We acquired a sagittal localizer scan to set up the orientation of the functional slice planes. We then collected functional EPI gradient-echo scans (TR = 2500 ms, TE = 45 ms, 80° flip angle, 20 × 20 cm FOV, 64 × 64 matrix, 4 mm skip 1 mm) in six adjacent slice planes, with the second most inferior slice oriented through the anterior commissure-posterior commissure (AC-PC) line to ensure consistency of slice planes across subjects. The slice locations were chosen to include the thalamus and a majority of the occipital lobe. We also acquired a co-planar high-resolution spin echo EPI scan (TR = 4000 ms, TE = 54 ms, 20 × 20 cm FOV, 128 × 128 matrix) to serve as an anatomic reference for the functional scans. Whether acquired as 9 min or 4 min 30 s studies, functional scans were broken into 4 min 30 s segments to compare across subjects. Using FSL software (http://www.fmrib.ox.ac.uk/fsl), functional images were motion corrected, spatially smoothed (FWHM = 5 mm) and highpass filtered (cut-off 150 s) to attenuate low frequency drift. EEG was post-processed using software developed in-house to remove scanner artifacts and ballistocardiographic artifact, which is present due to the small pulse-related translations of the scalp in the static magnetic field. In order to focus specifically on the posterior dominant rhythm (and not other rhythms in the alpha range such as the mu rhythm over the motor cortex), only the four bipolar channels containing occipital electrodes (T6-O2, O2-P4, T5-O1, O1-P3) were included in further analyses. Using a Fast Fourier Transform, we calculated the power in the alpha band in 2.5 s epochs corresponding to each TR for each of these four bipolar channels. The average of the alpha power at each epoch across the four channels, Pα(t), was then calculated and used for image analysis. Periods of EEG that, by visual inspection, appeared to contain minor motion or muscle artifact were discarded and replaced by interpolating the alpha band power linearly between segments before and after the artifact. We then convolved the resulting alpha power curves with an a priori hemodynamic response function and performed a voxel-wise correlation to yield fMRI maps using scanSTAT (Cohen MS. Methods 25, 201–220 (2001)). The statistical maps were superimposed onto the high-resolution EPI images of each subject acquired in the same scan session (Fig. 1). The sensitivity of the BOLD method depends upon the modulation of an independent variable; we used the following unbiased method for selecting sessions with substantial alpha fluctuation to be included in the analysis. To compare depth of alpha modulation across scans, we used the coefficient of variation (CV), calculated for each scan as CVα = σP(t)/P(t), where σP(t) is the standard deviation and P(t) is the average of Pα(t). Because the distribution of CVα across scans was skewed and unimodal based on a Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, we included in further analyses only the scans with CVα above the median value of 0.16. We then quantified motion in the fMRI data using the translational motion estimates from FSL (a six-parameter rigid body model). Motion displacements (max − min) in x, y, and z were added as a vector sum for each scan, and images containing motion greater than one standard deviation from the mean across scans were excluded from further analysis. In addition, correlation maps with strong signal correlation in non-brain areas (such as the ventricles) were discarded. Due to the reduced slice coverage in this study, the remaining images were compared using regions of interest (ROIs), drawn based on anatomical landmarks in each individual scan. Nine separate ROIs were used, including the thalamus, anterior cingulate, left and right insula, a left and a right region containing the lateral superior temporal and inferior frontal cortex, and three regions in occipital cortex, (1) the occipital pole with adjacent medial occipital cortex, (2) the anterior medial occipital cortex, and (3) the left and right lateral occipital cortex. At a per-voxel correlation threshold of r ≥ 0.3 (uncorrected p < 0.001), we estimated the cluster size for each ROI above which the probability of type I errors was <0.05 using the Monte Carlo simulation AlphaSim with a mask of the dimensions of the ROI and assuming a spatial correlation of FWHM = 8 mm. Only cluster sizes larger than this were included in the ROI analysis. BOLD signal percentage change values for each ROI were calculated as the average slope of the regression line for voxels above the threshold r ≥ 0.3. The average and variance of the number of voxels and percentage signal change in each ROI were calculated per subject. If a subject had only one scan, the variance for that subject was calculated using mean imputation of the variance for the remaining subjects. Group statistics were then were calculated across subjects by weighting the within-subject values by the number of scans for that subject. To describe the results more fully, and not obscure zero values, only non-zero ROIs were included in the group calculations and the fraction of non-zero scans per ROI are given (thus, the average for each ROI across all 10 scans can be calculated from Table 1 as [no. voxels] × [fraction nonzero]). Group statistics are presented as the mean ± s.d. A total of 34 scan blocks of 4 min 30 s were analyzed, and 15 of these (five subjects) had a CVα greater than the median value of 0.16. Of these, five scans were discarded due to image motion artifact. The remaining scans (subject A, four scans; subject B, two scans; subject C, three scans; subject D, one scan) are presented here. Alpha power correlated negatively with MRI signal in the three occipital ROIs. Negative correlations were found also in left and right superior temporal/inferior frontal regions, and in the anterior cingulate region. Positive correlations of alpha power with MRI signal were seen in the thalamus and insula. A representative single subject map is shown in Fig. 2, and the BOLD signal changes for each ROI in this scan are shown in Fig. 3. Because of the high correlation between time courses, the curves for R and L insula (r = 0.86), R and L superior temporal/inferior frontal (r = 0.94), and the three occipital ROIs (r ≥ 0.91) have been averaged in Figure 3. The ROI results for all 10 scans are summarized in Table 1. With the exception of the left insula, all of the ROIs contained voxels with correlation above r = 0.3 in at least one scan per subject. The ROI in the left insula, however, contained voxels with correlation above threshold in only two of the four subjects. We have shown with this study that fMRI can identify brain regions associated with changes in the alpha rhythm. Signal detected by the scalp EEG most likely comes from cortical areas near the recording electrode; however, the fMRI maps of alpha activity presented here include correlated BOLD signal in areas other than the posterior cortex, even though EEG from only posterior electrodes was used. What, then, is the possible role of these correlated regions? We propose that there are three types of regions highlighted by SITE mapping: (1) generator regions of the EEG rhythms themselves, (2) regions that are part of a generating circuit but that do not themselves directly generate the rhythms detected by scalp EEG (e.g. regions at depth such as the thalamus), and (3) regions where activity is correlated with the EEG but not causally linked to rhythm generation (for example, drowsiness corresponded to the alpha power in our experiment but it may have anatomic bases that are independent to the generators of the alpha rhythm). Clearly, the present experiment cannot distinguish among these three. Our findings are consistent with the notion that the alpha rhythm is an index of reduced cortical activity, and that the thalamus is likely to play a role in producing this active stand-by state. The three occipital regions that showed negative correlation with the alpha rhythm in our experiment (indicating there was less activity in occipital cortex as indexed by BOLD when alpha power was high) also have been identified by others as separate alpha generator regions by independent component analysis (ICA) . Our finding that BOLD response in the insula correlates positively with alpha power replicates Sadato’s findings in PET as well as a study by Valdez-Sosa using EEG source modeling (personal communication). Indeed, this result may indicate a physiologic association between insular activity and the alpha rhythm instead of a direct role of the insula in alpha generation. Drowsiness did play a role in alpha modulation in our study in some subjects and thus might be a factor; however, Sadato’s experiment was performed in individuals with eyes open, suggesting that the correlation in the insula was not due solely to drowsiness. We, as well as Sadato, showed a positive correlation with alpha power in the thalamus. However, both Larson and Lindgren found a negative correlation between alpha power and thalamic glucose metabolism. While at first these studies seem contradictory, they actually may highlight different thalamic contributions. Because of the low temporal resolution of FDG-PET (30 min), Larson and Lindgren were not able to look at phasic changes in the EEG on an individual subject level. Therefore, their experimental results may point to trait-like properties of alpha generation across subjects. Our findings with fMRI, as well as those of Sadato (collected in 90 s time points), instead reflect alpha modulation on an individual subject level, and thus may highlight the role of the thalamus in moment-to-moment wave generation. Alpha power fluctuates relatively rapidly, so that delayed imaging [14,15] or interleaved studies run the risk of decreased sensitivity or accuracy from misidentified periods of increase or decrease in alpha power. Thus, the development of tools for simultaneous collection of EEG and fMRI data is particularly significant. Compared to interleaved methods, it is also notable that the scanner noise in our studies was continuous and therefore unlikely to act as a modulator of alpha energy. This study may also have important implications for interpretation of resting state brain activity. fMRI is a method of mapping changes in brain hemodynamics, and many studies utilize a resting state as a contrast to the activation task of interest. However, BOLD activity during this resting baseline varies widely. Some groups have investigated the variation present in baseline measures [27–29], and have found high correlation among functionally connected regions. As the present study was conducted entirely while the subjects were at rest with their eyes closed, we have shown that alpha rhythm changes may account for at least some of the BOLD changes seen in baseline measures of alpha correlated brain regions. Although subjects in our study reported being in various states of drowsiness in post-scan interviews, the relationship between depth of alpha rhythm modulation and drowsiness was not consistent. Nonetheless, the alpha rhythm modulation during at least some of the scans may have been due to fluctuating drowsiness levels. Thus, our fMRI maps may show BOLD correlation with drowsiness as well as with the alpha rhythm. Our results, however, were consistent across subject and scan, and are also consistent with existing theory on sources of the alpha rhythm as well as other imaging studies of non-drowsy subjects. Additional SITE experiments that distinguish between waking alpha rhythm and drowsiness are necessary to decipher which anatomical regions are involved in each. SITE is a potentially powerful tool for mapping EEG sources. It combines the spatial localizing power of fMRI with the electrophysiological information obtainable from EEGs. Here, using fMRI, we mapped spontaneous changes in cerebral activity as identified by the EEG, and for the first time, used simultaneous EEG and fMRI to map potential generators of the alpha rhythm. Our study is consistent with prior human and animal studies that identify occipital cortex, thalamus, and possibly other cortical regions as alpha sources. Our approach can be applied, without modification, to the study of other EEG spectral components associated with brain activity that occur at rest, with cognitive tasks, and with changes in global state such as sleep and depression. Furthermore, these general methods are equally applicable to studies of other electrical phenomena, such as interictal epileptiform discharges and event-related potentials. We thank James Sayre for statistics advice and Susan Bookeimer for her neuroanatomy expertise. This work was supported in part by grant number R01-DA13054-01 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. R.I.G. was supported by the Epilepsy Foundation and a UCLA Eugene Cota-Robles Fellowship. We receive support from the Brain Mapping Medical Research Foundation, The Ahmanson, Pierson-Lovelace, Jennifer Jones Simon, and Tamkin Foundations, the UCLA Council on Research, and the Grass-Telefactor Division of Astro-Med, Inc.

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Health Tip: Defrost Meat Properly -- Many people defrost meat by letting it sit on the counter, by running it under hot water or by putting it in the oven. But the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says those methods can make you sick. The academy offers these suggestions for thawing meat properly: - Place frozen meat in a refrigerator set to below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. - Place the meat in the microwave, using the "defrost" setting. - Place the meat (still tightly wrapped in airtight packaging) in the sink in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes, and make sure it's below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Posted: September 2012 Recommended for you

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The bacteria in our gut has become a very hot topic in both the eye of the public and under the microscope of researchers. Doctors and scientists are beginning to realize that our gut flora is responsible for more actions in the body than we ever imagined, and research shows that even the bacteria in our gut have their own microbial communities living within them. Our microbiome is constantly working to protect us. For now, let’s keep it simple and focus on the best ways to keep our own gut flora happy so that they can help us in the following areas: 1. Vitamin synthesis and nutrient absorption One of the earliest known functions of gut microbes is the production of vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting and healthy blood circulation. Bacteria live in the gut, feed off of our undigested food, and in turn produce vitamin K for the body to use. The bacteria also help to produce B vitamins, which help the body generate and maintain energy. Studies also point out that these microbes help promote the absorption of antioxidants, which are important compounds with anti-inflammatory effects in the body. 2. Immune system regulation Research shows that our gut flora is responsible for the development and regulation of the immune system—80 percent of it, to be more exact! Babies born via C-section have a much different colonization of gut bacteria than babies born vaginally, and therefore their immune system development is different. Autoimmune disorders like IBS, type 1 diabetes, lupus, celiac disease, and rheumatoid arthritis are also associated with a dysfunctional microbiome. 3. Mental health and brain function One of the most profound ways the microbiome affects our well-being is by assisting in the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter and hormone responsible for moods and feelings of positivity. Gut microbes work in conjunction with human cells in the gastrointestinal tract to produce over 90 percent of the body’s serotonin. The gut flora may influence the body’s stress response, sleep regulation, and even pain sensitivity. More research is needed to understand the complex relationship between the gut and the brain. 4. Weight status Research shows that the microbiome of obese individuals is markedly different from those of lean individuals. And studies in mice show that when changes are made to the microbiome in mice, weight status is greatly affected; gut microbes also seem to have the ability to influence appetite regulation. Diet, stress, sleep, exercise, and environment all affect the health of your microbiome. Diet plays a huge role in the type of bacteria that colonize in the gut, affecting everything from weight to mood, energy levels, and immune health. We should nourish our gut bacteria so that they continue to nourish us. 1. Probiotic-rich foods These foods include yogurt, kefir, kimchee, sauerkraut, miso, kombucha, and other cultured and fermented foods. Probiotic-rich foods help to boost the microbiome by increasing the number of bacteria in the gut. The gut is colonized by over 400 different species of bacteria. It is important to eat a variety of cultured foods as a means of ingesting a variety of bacteria strains. 2. Prebiotics and fiber One of the best and easiest ways to increase the health of your microbiome is through fructooligosaccharides and galactooligosaccharides—also known as fiber. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that humans cannot digest because we lack the enzymes to break it down. However, our gut bacteria have these necessary enzymes and can break down and utilize fiber for their own energy and health. Prebiotics help increase the absorption of calcium and magnesium, minerals essential for bone health. Good sources of prebiotics, the food for your gut flora, include onions, garlic, legumes, oatmeal, bananas, apples, berries, leeks, leafy greens, and whole-wheat grains. Consider combining cultured foods with foods rich in prebiotics for a synergistic effect. To get the leading all-natural prebiotic on the market, email me (fran at fitbodyhealthybody.com) for more information. 3. Avoiding antibiotics Antibiotics are lifesaving and they absolutely have a time and a place in our health. However, antibiotics tend to be overprescribed especially for things such as the common cold, which is a viral infection and untreatable with antibiotics. A course of antibiotics not only kills the “bad” bacteria causing the infection but also the “good” bacteria that is beneficial to our health. Antibiotics can throw off the delicate balance of bacteria in the gut. It can take months for the microbiome to rebound and rebuild after a course of antibiotics. And this is where No. 4 comes into play. Probiotic supplements are a great way to boost gut bacteria variety and amount. However, not all supplements are created equal. Look for a probiotic supplement that is refrigerated and contains at least 30 different strains and 50 billion live cultures. This may seem like a lot, but the gut has trillions of bacteria living in it. Also, not all the probiotics in a supplement will survive the gastrointestinal environment on their way to making a home in the large intestine. Remember that you are unique, and so is your microbiome. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the health of your gut flora. An individual’s microbiome is as unique as their fingerprint. More research is needed to continue to answer questions on how bacteria, as separate living organisms, can affect the health and well-being of their host. However, we do know that a diet high in fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as well as consuming cultured and fermented foods can greatly affect the health of the microbes inhabiting your gut. Nourishing these microbes is a vital part of optimizing well-being—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Consult with a registered dietitian or physician for personalized health advice. I’d like to thank the author of https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-28288/think-you-know-everything-about-the-microbiome-heres-your-gut-health-checklist.html for the use of their content which was curated to bring you this information.

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Overview of selected research: What protects dignity Studies have found that the inner strength and resilience of many older people enables them to bear situations which others might find challenging or disabling. Researchers in Sweden (Franklin et al., 2006) interviewed a group of very elderly people (aged 85+), living in nursing homes and nearing the end of life. Taped conversations based on questions about the residents’ past and present lives, and views about their future revealed three consistent themes. The first two related to very negative aspects of their situation: 'unrecognisable’ bodies, and dependency or fragility. Both undermined their self-respect and dignity, often as a result of the attitudes of others. When I lost my hearing, people started to ignore me. They didn’t treat me as a human being any more and then when I lost my eyesight, there was nothing left. They never have time for us here, not even to say a word: it’s like we are nothing.Study participants But the third theme demonstrated that a sense of self-worth, coherence and meaning was strongly maintained by many of the older people despite the sometimes grim aspects of their daily lives. References to their families and their previous lives, a focus on small pleasures, and finding ways of 'being needed’ all helped. Other people – especially family members, but also key staff – reinforced this strength, and enabled them still to enjoy life. Research with older people who were admitted to acute hospital care in the USA (Jacelon, 2003) also found that they developed strategies for resisting the demoralising effects of their situation. These involved maintaining a 'positive attitude’; managing how they appeared to staff – for example, by deliberately 'not bothering the nurses’; and supporting their sense of worth by consciously reviewing their previous lives and achievements. These and other studies make the point that resilience can be reinforced or undermined by the practice of health and social care workers; and that the existence of this quality in older patients should not be used as a reason for underestimating the very real threats to their self-esteem and well-being in some care settings. Another Swedish study, involving interviews with people aged over 75 who knew they were approaching the end of life, broadly confirmed the themes outlined above. But in addition, it found that, ‘the last phase of life in old age meant turning inwards, reflecting on the entire life as a way to reach peace’ (Andersson et al., 2008). The implications of dignity for end of life and palliative care will be considered more fully below, but it is clear that for these people, part of the quality described above as ‘resilience’ enabled them to preserve their sense of self-worth, and the meaning of their lives in face of the challenge of death. Older people receiving care at home, in hospital or care homes have a wide range of rights, and some analysts (Townsend, 2006) see the enforcement of these rights, and increased insistence on them by people who use services, as the best way to overcome embedded systems and outdated attitudes. They include the following: The Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA), which incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into English law, protects all citizens from action by public authorities that threaten their fundamental freedoms. These include freedom from 'degrading’ treatment, which affects the person’s human dignity (Article 3), and from arbitrary detention (Article 5). Article 8 also protects a person’s private life, including 'his home and correspondence’. Although 'human dignity’ is not explicitly mentioned in the Convention, the High Court has held that it is implicit in almost every one of the Convention’s provisions (High Court of Justice, 2003). In the second half of the decade, debates about the care of the elderly increasingly appealed to the language of the HRA; and in 2007, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights took the situation of elderly people as the focus of their Eighteenth Report, The priority, they concluded, was, ‘to develop greater understanding of the application of the HRA to older people’s healthcare’. Voluntary organisations developed materials which would promote awareness and use of the Act amongst the general public, and older people in particular : see, for example, material published by the British Institute of Human Rights (Matthews et al., 2008). Following public pressure and debate, the Act was amended in 2008 to extend its protection to elderly people who live in private and voluntary sector homes, and whose care is paid for by the local authority. The Mental Capacity Act provides the legal framework for decision-making when a person may lack capacity to make decisions themselves. This provides a range of safeguards including access to the Court of Protection to challenge decisions and the availability of Independent Mental Capacity Advocates in some situations for people who don’t have family or friends who can represent them. Other safeguards for people with mental health problems are as follows: - There are additional safeguards to protect people from being unlawfully deprived of their liberty. An example of this could be a person being kept in a care home against their wishes and those of a family member. The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards aim to ensure that people are not subject to significant restraint or restrictions in care homes or hospitals without the appropriate authority. - Older people with mental health problems who are subject to the Mental Health Act have the protections afforded by that legislation. This includes the powers of the nearest relative, the availability of Independent Mental Health Advocates, and access to a Mental Health Review Tribunal. The rights of older people receiving health and social care services to safe, fair and high-quality provision are supported in a number of ways: - Standards reflecting a new approach to quality and safety in health and social care, were published by the Care Quality Commission in December 2009. These are part of a new registration system for care providers, designed to ‘make sure that services to meet essential standards of quality and safety that respect their dignity and protect their rights’. (See CQC: Essential standards of quality and safety (PDF file)) - From October 2009, the Vetting and Barring Scheme began to register the workforce to prevent unsuitable people from working with ‘vulnerable adults’. No Secrets, statutory guidance on the safeguarding of adults, is currently under review (see below). - From October 2007, the Commission for Equality and Human Rights has had the duty to combat age discrimination, made under the Equality Act 2006. - In 2010, the Law Commission launched a consultation paper that makes proposals for rationalising and updating the current legal framework for adult social care. ‘Dignity in care’ features among the possible ‘statutory principles’ which might underpin consolidated legislation. Views are sought from a wide range of professionals, from carers and people using services, and the general public. (See The Law Commission: Consultation Paper No 192 - Adult Social Care (PDF file)) There is evidence that older people – especially the very elderly – may not be aware of these rights (Harding, 2005); advocacy may have an important part to play here (Wright, 2006). Many care staff also remain unaware of them (Woogara, 2005). But inspection and research have also found that the framework of rights is gradually having some impact on standards of care, and next and subsequent generations of older people may increasingly demand them (Woolhead et al., 2004, Stratton and Tadd, 2005). The person, at the centreOpen ‘Acknowledging patients as whole persons is one of the most ardent predictors of dignity’ (Chochinov, 2006) Person-centred care – care that empowers, includes and puts the needs and aspirations of the individual at the centre of planning – has been the subject of much policy, research and comment. Person-centred planning was first identified with the reform of care for people with learning and physical disabilities in North America, and has gradually been adopted for other groups of people. Some of its principles appeared in community care policy in the UK as early as 1989 (Dowling et al., 2006). More recently, it has been linked to debates about choice and quality in the NHS; about direct payments and individual budgets as a means of supporting people with a range of care needs; and about the promotion of dignity, privacy, respect and autonomy throughout the care system. Putting the commitments about person-centred care made in law and policy statements into action has involved campaigns to change practice, change attitudes and promote new ways of working. One of these – Essence of Care (384kb PDF file), launched in 2001 and revised two years later (DH, 2003c) – was intended to embed good person-centred practice in the care of NHS patients. It is organised around ten key themes or 'benchmarks’. During 2009, the DH launched a consultation on a proposed new benchmark in relation to the management of pain. (See DH: Essence of care - a consultation on a new benchmark on pain). The table below shows the factors that were identified as important, in consultation with patients, carers and professionals, when it comes to privacy and dignity. Although designed mainly for use in the NHS, many of the aspects of dignity in care generally discussed in this guide feature in the table. Benchmarks for privacy and dignityOpen Factor Benchmark of best practice Attitudes and behaviour Patients feel that they matter all the time Personal world and personal identity Patients experience care in an environment that actively encompasses individual values, beliefs and personal relationships Personal boundaries and space Patients' personal space is actively promoted by all staff Communicating with staff and patients Communication between staff and patients takes place in a manner which respects their individuality Privacy of patient -confidentiality of patient information Patient information is shared to enable care, with their consent Privacy, dignity and modesty Patients' care actively promotes their privacy and dignity, and protects their modesty Availability of an area for complete privacy Patients and carers can access an area that safely provides privacy Privacy = freedom from intrusionDignity = being worthy of respect From Essence of Care (384kb PDF file), 2003 Research into the extent to which the dignity benchmarks were being met in three NHS hospital wards in 2002 (Woogara, 2005) found that they were not met by health professionals, and the 'little things’ which would protect the patients’ privacy and dignity were often forgotten. Another article (Birrell et al., 2006) reports on a privacy and dignity project launched at a major NHS hospital – Addenbrooke’s – in 2001, led by the palliative care team. Patient and staff views on privacy and dignity were collected by interview and questionnaire, followed by 'specific and prompt’ action. For example, when patients identified that they preferred being wheeled to the toilet rather than using commodes, more wheelchairs were purchased. This enabled staff and patients to see that their views were being acted on, and that the team produced tangible outcomes. The project led to the development of a local guide, which translated patients’ worries about privacy and dignity into practical and detailed instructions for care staff. The guide was expanded and extended throughout the trust and five years later, the project is still under active review and development. Locally defined Addenbrooke’s Standards for privacy and dignity, linked to the Essence of Care benchmarks, were agreed in January 2005, and formed the basis for a practice audit later that year. The audit found much good practice, but also specific areas for improvement, which led to a range of recommendations and the development of targeted projects within the hospital (McIntyre and Woodruff, 2006). Another study (Innes et al., 2006), involving a literature review as well as consultation with discussion and focus groups of people who used services (including older people), focused on the role of frontline workers in promoting a person-centred approach to community care services. It found a number of barriers in the way of person-centred care including: increasing bureaucracy, tighter budgets and restrictive commissioning leading to limited staff time for flexible, personal care; poor and inconsistent management, and a mixed picture on training. These barriers were made even worse for people using services and staff from black and ethnic minority backgrounds by language and cultural factors as well as discrimination. A current King’s Fund programme, The Point of Care, aims to improve all hospital patients’ experience of care, and has adopted a definition of person-centred care based on one developed by the US Institute of Medicine (PDF file) in 2001. One focus of the project has been the exploration of ‘compassionate’ care, based on empathy, respect for the individual and honesty. Self-directed support has featured as part of the government’s ‘personalisation’ agenda for more than a decade. First through the Direct Payments Scheme, and subsequently through personal budgets, people in need of services have in principle been able to use allocated funds to secure personally-tailored care. A major evaluation of the introduction of Individual Budgets at 13 pilot sites in England, published in 2008, found that the elderly were underrepresented among people taking advantage of the new scheme (Evaluation of the Individual Budgets Pilot Programme (IBSEN) (PDF file), 2008). Guidance produced by DH in the same year commented that: The evaluation reports that older people did not benefit across the pilot in the same way as the other groups. They were less likely than others to report higher aspirations as a result of the individual budget process and people in the individual budgets group reported lower psychological well-being. The qualitative interviews suggested that many people and their carers interviewed for the pilot did not want the additional burdens that they associated with planning and managing their own support.DH: Making personal budgets work for older people: developing experience (PDF file) A review of literature commissioned by DH on ageism and age discrimination in social care in the UK (Clark, 2009) found that older people were being excluded from funding by the local operation of Fair Access to Care Services, which determined eligibility and discriminated against people directly by the allocation of differential rates of support, according to age. In October 2009, the Association of Directors of Adult Services published a Common Resource Allocation Framework (PDF file). This was designed, amongst other things, to establish principles of fairness and transparency in the allocation of budgets, and eliminate discrimination in resource allocation on grounds of age. Take-up of personal budgets among older people is now increasing, and is likely to do so further if the principle is extended into health care provision, on the completion of the current pilots in 2012 (Personal health budgets update (PDF file)). A recent article in The Guardian suggested anecdotally that, with proper support, older people are using the budgets to restore parts of their personal lives that were gradually being lost, and to regain the sense of control that is a fundamental element in dignity. (See The Guardian: Boost for 'cost-effective' individual budgets)

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The idea the world is sleepwalking to war, much like Europe did in the early years of the 20th century, deserves to be taken seriously. One of us (Chris Barrie) set the hares running recently when he said that, as in 1914, political leaders today are doing just that. Barrie was following the lead of eminent historians like Margaret MacMillan and Christopher Clark, who concluded that Europe did sleepwalk into the first world war – even if they are at a loss to explain why. MacMillan, like Barrie, has pointed out the “disquieting parallels with the present”. But the problem with history is that it is always easy to gainsay such parallels. History doesn’t repeat itself – at least not in an exact way. The parallels that exist are usually at such a high level of abstraction that small shifts in local circumstances can render them useless. History’s problem is the problem of the dynamics of all complex systems. Their futures are not determined, yet nor are they random. At any given point in time, the next step for any complex system exists as many possibilities – some of which are much more likely to occur than others. How complex systems thinking can help Complex systems thinking offers another approach to examine the parallels between today and the early 20th century. We can look forward with a complex systems perspective to seek the many possible futures, and then ask the question: which is the most likely? We can do this through simulation. In this case, we need a model of the strategic interactions between countries that is sufficiently general that both the model and the real world are similar complex systems. And we need a model that is sufficiently realistic that its behaviours are easily recognisable in the real world of strategic interaction. Until about 20 or 30 years ago, simulations of complex systems were pretty clunky and unrealistic. With advances in complex systems science, we can now build models that meet both criteria – generality and realism. In this vein, we (Roger and Dmitry) have been building a general simulation framework that models the strategic interactions between countries. In discussion with Chris, we created a model within that framework that explores the essence of the sleepwalking hypothesis. What we found broadly confirmed the hypothesis – but added some surprising wrinkles of its own. What we found The model stripped the problem to its essentials – a set of countries that interact with each other through competition (at its extreme, war) and co-operation (at its extreme, peace). Countries can grow in wealth and power through these interactions. But there are costs imposed (especially by war) even on winners, so countries can also decline in wealth and power. Countries choose how to interact with a strategy they develop from their past experience and from observing what works for their neighbours. For the sleepwalking hypothesis, we focused on two parameters that are part of a country’s strategy – hawkishness and risk aversion. There is evidence of hawkishness in the rise in nationalism within countries as they adopt more aggressive postures in their international relations. In recent years, hawkishness has been growing in China, Russia, North Korea and the US. An aggressive posture is one thing – but doing something about it is another, as countries factor in the costs and risks of aggression. So, we see risk aversion as a parameter distinct from hawkishness. Saudi Arabia has demonstrated less risk aversion combined with high hawkishness in its Yemen excursions – as have Turkey and Iran in their Syrian adventure. But they also can be decoupled – North and South Korea are both pretty hawkish, but South Korea’s subtly calibrated risk aversion in the face of outrageous North Korean aggression has kept the two countries from war. For instance, in 2010, a North Korean submarine, in an unprovoked attack, sank the South Korean corvette Cheonan. South Korea kept its response to the diplomatic domain. We hypothesised that the world sleepwalks to war when hawkishness rises to high levels and risk aversion falls to low levels across the ensemble of states. The interactive below shows the evolution of countries’ strategies when they believe war is not costly (whether it is or not), and when they have a tendency to copy other countries’ successful strategies. We see that hawkishness grows very quickly and risk aversion declines very quickly across the whole ensemble. We also see that these strategies are very stable once achieved. When successful, the willingness of countries to resort to war to resolve their strategic dilemmas increases, the threshold for such a resort decreases, and this willingness is resistant to change once it is in place. The model clearly confirms the hypothesis. Is there a way out? But is a de-escalation path available once the ensemble of countries is locked into high hawkishness and low risk aversion, and just waiting for a trigger for a major conflict? Because of the in-step nature of “sleepwalking to war”, we wondered if explicit policy action by individual countries could carve out a de-escalation path. So, we drilled down into the behaviour of pairs of countries to see if we could visualise paths from war to peace. Here we modelled, for a pair of countries, the most likely regions of war, peace and stand-off in their interactions for different degrees of hawkishness for each. We added the idea of a stand-off to our model to account for the “not-peace, not-war” phenomenon observed, for example, during the Cold War. We then tracked the evolution of that landscape as risk aversion increased, as shown below. We can see clearly that increased hawkishness alone will not lead to war unless risk aversion is also low. When risk aversion is high, there is plenty of peaceful space available even in the highly hawkish parts of the landscape. In the Cold War, even though both sides mirrored each other in highly hawkish ways, their mutual risk aversion actually created a long, if tense, peace – a stand-off. And statesmanship on both sides continually steered the strategies towards the more peaceful parts of the landscape. But we can also see that the peaceful domain in the landscape shrinks rapidly as risk aversion decreases, such that, at low risk aversion, even low levels of hawkishness can drive countries to war. What does all this mean? Taking both sets of results together, we think that, in walking countries away from war, statesmanship might find much more purchase on risk aversion than on hawkishness. It seems hawkishness is more about values (as seen, for example, in emotional calls to nationalism and populism). Risk aversion, by contrast, seems more about the rational balance of war’s costs and benefits. With hawkishness strongly influenced by the behaviours of other countries, it is easier to talk it up than down. And, with high emotional content, it’s likely to be resistant to statesmanship – that is, policy actions that go against the grain of the moment. But risk aversion, as a rational action, depends to a significant degree on a country’s internal policy environment – how its citizens feel about the costs of war – and so may be more amenable to change. In an increasingly hawkish world, this may be our best bet for maintaining peace.

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Author's disclaimer: Certain characters in this story use language that is quite offensive. Racist attitudes form an important part of the opening chapters. These attitudes do not reflect those of the author. Lord Byron 01 - Coming out! Lord Byron (as our hero would later come to be known) was born George Byron Lord in Arima, Trinidad on the fourth of July 1964. He stood just five foot and six inches tall with a slim thirty-inch waist and a lithe muscular body. George was one of those lucky people who carry little body fat and although he wasn't muscled, his lithe body looked gym-toned! He had ebony coloured skin and a tight-cropped head of black curls. George's parents moved to England in late 1969 when he was just five years old so he never regarded himself as fully Trinidadian. However, race relations in the part of Manchester where they lived at that time were not the best and so he never felt that he was quite British either. The attitudes of his classmates in the local comprehensive school were quite racist so his parents moved him into the local boys' grammar school. Life there was even worse. There were only a handful of boys from ethnic minorities in that school and all of them were either Asian or Arabic. As a result George was very much more an outsider there than he had ever been in the comprehensive. In his attempt to carve out a life and an identity for himself he learnt what he could of his people and his homeland from the excellent history section of the school library. The stories about the slave trade and the role of the English in it made George particularly angry. He read Uncle Tom's Cabin and saw the serialised version of Roots on television and he began to wish that he could get some revenge on the English for what they had done to his ancestors. Although he lived in Manchester he wasn't that far from Liverpool. Liverpool had made its wealth from the slave trade and George was upset by the fact that he was living with the descendents of the people who had kidnapped his own ancestors. In his lonely world George began to despise his classmates. They were (in his mind) the wealthy ancestors of the slavers and they could only afford their places in the school from their ill-gotten profits from slavery. For the next two years he became more and more of a recluse. He spent his lunch hour alone and read anything he could find on the history of black America. In all, it was a tragic history and it aroused strong passions of pity and anger simultaneously in his young head. George developed a very isolated lifestyle. He refused to associate with his schoolmates but then that couldn't be held against him. His isolation made him the butt of many taunting remarks and these served to guile him and move him further away from his peers. Every evening after school he returned home and studies and read. He became quite articulate and knowledgeable. This led to further abuse from his class. All day long the other boys called him 'faggot', 'swot' or 'nigger'! The school authorities knew well what was happening but chose to turn a blind eye. This led George to believe that they were all in a collective conspiracy against him. His room became a lonely place and George stopped reading. His mind turned towards a critical vision of himself and he began to dislike himself. He knew he was dark-skinned and couldn't change that, that wasn't the source of his loneliness. He knew that he was quite bright at school and that made the other boys jealous. But he could not understand why the boys said that he was queer! Unaware of the fact that allegations of homosexuality were the best weapons that the other boys had against him George simply spent his time questioning what was so different about him. If he had been wise enough to know that some boys call other boys fags to prevent them from excelling. All young men hate queers and use it as the ultimate slur. George was to receive that slur on myriad occasions. By the time that he was fourteen years of age George accepted that he was queer. He wasn't sure but he didn't object to the prospect. Being queer would mark him out even further apart from the lads he hated so much. He would be queer quite happily if it meant he wasn't like them! George's build made him quite agile and he was good at sports. By the time he was sixteen he was playing midfield on the school soccer team and he was on the swimming team as well. His emerging sexuality was still at the voyeur stage and so he snatched plenty of glimpses of the milky white arses of his classmates in the changing rooms after gym class. He was in two minds about what he would like to do with those arses. Part of him wanted to walk straight up behind any of his classmates and ram his dick straight up the other bloke's arse. The other part of him wanted to get a bullwhip and flay the same arse along with the unfortunate's back and legs! Alone in his bed he tossed off thinking about the sight and imagining his two alternatives. The sex aroused him but he felt he had a duty to avenge centuries of abuse as well. He found that the idea of flogging turned him off sexually but he certainly got hard when he imagined riding his school chums' butts! There was no doubt about it; George was sixteen years of age and gay as Christmas! One day after swimming one of his classmates, John Keegan, stood in the middle of the changing rooms and called the other boys' attention. Sixteen-year-old public schoolboys are generally quite modest and dressed with towels around their waists. The towel draped boys stopped and looked at him; they had no idea what he was going to do. Keegan was the class joker and one of the biggest bullies in the school. "Lads I have a proposal!" he announced in grandiose fashion, "I hear we are to begin sex education this week!" "How do you know that?" one asked. "I saw the letter the school sent my parents. It said that Doctor Hynes will be coming to the school today to speak with the forth form about matters sexual!" The lads started mumbling excitedly among themselves. The Grammar school always invited Doctor Myra Hynes in to give these classes, and even though the boys were all experts on matters sexual, they relished these days more than any others in fourth form. To have a leggy redheaded doctor talking sex was every teenaged boy's dream of what a class should be! "And you know what I'm going to do?" Keegan continued, "I'm going walk straight up the top of the class and give the good doctor a piece of this!" So saying he jutted his hips forward and his towel fell to the ground. He grabbed his dick in his hand and wagged it at the others. They all laughed but George just sat there quietly. Keegan never amused him. "What's the matter Lord?" Keegan shouted noticing George's disinterest, "I suppose you'd prefer to swing on it instead!" The others laughed but George simply continued dressing. He saw no point in answering. "Bet he's love to suck it!" one of the boys called. By now George was dressed and walking towards the door. "Save it for the good doctor!" he said sarcastically as he passed the still-naked Keegan, "I'm half Muslim so I wouldn't touch pork!" George was outside the door before Keegan realised he had been insulted "I'll fucking kill that bastard faggot fucking nigger when I gets my hands on him!" he roared. Mr. Chadwick the gym teacher was outside when George walked out. He heard the roars and the words that were spoken but pretended he heard nothing. That disgusted George even more. When George reached the classroom an eminent looking gentleman was waiting there. It was Dr. Hynes' father. This man was also a doctor but had retired recently. His daughter was unwell and he had been asked by the school authorities to take her place. The other boys arrived one by one and Dr. Hynes senior began to speak. Keegan arrived late. He made a muttered apology for his tardiness to the doctor and fumbled over the schoolbags in the passageway as he made his way to his desk. "Bet the good doctor will really enjoy what you're going to give him!" George muttered as the bully scrambled past. "Fuck you!" Keegan muttered, "I'm going to kick your fucking black bollocks to shit after school!" >From that day George's life in school was a nightmare. Keegan and his pals were waiting for him as he tried to slip home quietly. They dragged him off across the playing fields and took him behind the changing rooms. The lad was scared. Keegan's mates reached inside George's school trousers and grabbed the waistband of his underpants. They lifted the hapless lad off the ground until the crotch ripped and the lads pulled his pants up over his chest. George fell to the ground in agony clutching his balls. The rip has stung his crotch quite badly. Suddenly the pain moved as Keegan laid a boot into the crumpled lad's stomach. "Maybe that'll teach you your place! Fucking nigger!" Keegan scowled, "this is a fucking white school and you've no fucking right to be here!" With that he laid an unmerciful kick into the crumpled boy's balls. "In fact you've no fucking right to be in this country!" Amazingly they left it at that. Keegan and his brave henchmen walked away leaving George on the ground writhing in agony. When eventually he managed to sit up he was too sore to walk. He sat against the wall of the changing room and cried. He hated school, he hated Keegan and he even hated himself. He hated England, he hated everything! When he felt strong enough to stand he hobbled off home with his torn underpants in his hands. He discarded them in a bin on his lonely shameful walk. When he got home he went straight to his room and cried on his bed. He didn't mind being queer but he hated being black! What Keegan had said had hurt him more than the kicking had. But that was only the beginning of George's lonely torment at school. Keegan continued to throw all sorts of abuse his way as he walked the corridors or sat at lunch. He had no peace. He kept his comments to himself and became more and more withdrawn than he had been prior to this. In his lonely little world there was only one joy – one day he would find a white arse that he would fuck to shreds and make its owner his slave. One day! Two months later Mr. Chadwick brought George's class out to play rugby and that experience ignited a moment of liberation for the fettered ambitions that were growing in George's lonely world of fantasy. The raw physical contact of the young black athlete with the lightly covered arses of his white classmates on the rugby pitch gave George a taste of what this fantasy would be like! As he walked to the changing rooms he fantasised about dominating and punishing some of his classmates, he would be the master; the lord of the house and his white companions would be his slaves. But, by the time that he arrived to the door of the changing room he knew that this idea was likely to be a fantasy that he would probably never realise. That same afternoon George was introduced to the works of Lord George Byron by Mister Venables, the English teacher. Poetry wasn't his first interest but the poet's name was remarkable similar to his own and he liked the idea of using a masterful title like Lord for himself. Mr. Venables began to read the opening lines of Don Juan in his usual monotonous voice. As Venables droned on George sat at his desk he thought of the new name – George Byron Lord could easily change his name to Lord George Byron. The powerful resonance of this new name excited him and his sizable black dick began to push against the flies of his grey school trousers. It wasn't long before his eight-inch dick was rock solid and straining against the underside of his wooden desk. George panicked when he heard Mr. Venables' voice. "I said stand!" the teacher reiterated firmly. George looked around nervously as all twenty-five sets of eyes in the room turned in his direction. He blushed but the dark skin didn't show that as clearly as it would have on any of his classmates. His horn was refusing to subside and he knew that if he stood out as instructed that the bulge would be highly noticeable to the entire class. "I will not tell you again!" Mr. Venables said in a menacing voice as he walked towards George's desk. George, fearing the teacher's ire, stood slowly as the man approached. When Venables noticed that George was complying with his instructions, he stopped and stared at the black youth who was embarrassed by his predicament. "What has got into you today?" the teacher asked impatiently as the class began to snigger. Venables looked around in a rage at the boys and glared at them, "and what do you lot find so amusing?" he snapped. As he turned he noticed the standing flies of George's trousers and realised immediately what the source of the mirth was. "Sit down Lord!" he instructed quietly and turned to return to his desk at the top of the class – "teenagers!" he muttered. "Now boys read the first two pages of the poem to yourselves!" "Hey black boy!" George froze as he heard the whispered voice of John Keegan "Is it the poetry or Venables that's getting you all horny?" Byron clenched his teeth and looked straight ahead. "Well which is it?" "Neither!" muttered George. "Well who is it then?" Keegan sang. "It's certainly not fucking you!" George snarled through his teeth. "Maybe not! I suppose it's me fucking you that's getting you going!" George looked down at his book and tried his best to ignore the taunts from behind him. "We know your type!" Keegan continued, "I saw you today on the rugby field. Copping a feel here, a quick grope there. A quick peep at the boys' mickeys in the showers ... you're just a little black faggot!" "Keegan!" Venables hollered, "What are you talking about?" "Was I talking sir? Sorry sir! I must have been reading the poem under my breath!" Venables sighed, "read it quietly will you!" "Yes sir! Sorry sir!" Venables moved to the window and stared out over the playing fields. Mr. Chadwick, the gym teacher, had the seniors out playing rugby. "Hey fag boy!" Keegan whispered, "I bet you'd just love to feel my big white dick sliding in and out of your greasy black arse, wouldn't you? Is that making you horny black-fag?" "Keegan!" Venables roared. The bell rang. As the class tumbled out Keegan walked behind George and grabbed his arse. "Hey fag-boy! Would you like me to ..." Before Keegan had a chance to finish, George had swung a right hook and landed a punch firmly onto Keegan's nose. The bully fell backwards but a few of his mates prevented him from falling down. "That's it faggot! You're mine after soccer practice this evening!" Venables was in the secretary's office at the back of the building after school finished when he heard the commotion beneath the window. He looked down at the group gathered in the gardener's tool-yard by the playing fields. >From his vantage point Venables could see only the tops of the boys' heads but he recognised Keegan and George quite easily. He opened the window to hear what was going on. What he heard shocked him! "Okay nigger!" he heard Keegan say, "Down on your fucking knees and suck my dick or I'll fucking beat you to a fucking black pulp!" The English teacher knew that he had to stop this, this was by far the most explicit piece of bullying he had ever encountered in twenty years of teaching. He knew well that George was regularly bullied by the others but like the rest of the staff he had kept away from any situation that would have demanded intervention. Mr. Venables wasn't racist; it was just he didn't like to stop the boys' natural development. He believed firmly in the school of hard knocks. He thought that a certain amount of confrontation tested and improved the mettle of a lad. This was clearly more than testing a bloke's stamina! He tried to open the window but it wouldn't move. He knocked on the glass and roared, but the boys below couldn't hear him. Just as he turned to leave the room he heard the caretaker lock the office door from outside. He ran to the door and began to pound on it and call the caretaker. But old Charlie Jones the caretaker was a bit deaf and didn't hear Venables through the heavy wooden door. The door had leather-silencing pads on it from the time that it was the dean of discipline's office in earlier days. He ran to the desk and called the staff room to get somebody up to release him, but there were no teachers on the premises and Venables got no answer. By now the two boys that were holding George had forced him to the ground and Keegan was rubbing his flaccid dick around the restrained boy's mouth. "Suck it nigger!" Keegan ordered. "Fuck off pervert!" George replied through gritted teeth. "If you don't suck it I'll fuck your worthless black arse you fucking faggot! Suck!" George continued in his refusal. Venables rang the sports hall hoping that Chadwick would still be there. It took a few moments before he got an answer. "Michael!" he panted, "get over to the gardener's compound quickly, some of the boys are acting up over there, quick it's urgent!" "Peter? Is that you? Where are you? What's going on?" "I'm locked into the secretary's office. Don't mind me, George Lord is in danger, quick go and help him!" Chadwick dropped the phone and ran towards the compound. "Okay boys!" Keegan ordered the other two, "stand him up and turn him around!" George struggled against the boys' efforts but they managed to get him up and bent him over an oil drum. Keegan moved behind and yanked down George's football shorts in a single jerk. He took his dick and ran it along the dark crevice of George's arse. "Okay nigger boy! Beg me to fuck you!" Just as Keegan spoke Chadwick burst through the gates of the compound. He marched the four boys over to his office in the sports' hall and sat them outside it. He left to find old Charlie Jones and got Peter Venables released from the secretary's office. The four boys waited in silence for ten minutes before Chadwick and Venables returned. Keegan was crying – he knew that he was in big trouble. "Mr. Venables and I are both witnesses to what happened out there. This is a most serious matter, give me your parents' phone numbers immediately!" Chadwick ordered the boys to shower and dress and then to return to the office immediately. He and Venables went into the office and called Mr. Bromley, the school principal. Bromley went to George's house to tell his parents personally what he had heard. Chadwick called the other boys' parents and they arrived at the school to an urgent meeting with the principal. The outcome of the meeting was predictable. The three boys' parents offered to withdraw their respective sons from the school immediately. George's parents were upset but they made it clear that they didn't want to press charges against the other boys. The other boys' parents thanked the Lords for their generosity and understanding. "Boys will be boys!" said Mr. Lord sadly as he put his arm around his son and with his wife holding the boy's hand they led him from the room." The following day Mr Venables looked at the depleted class. Rumours and stories were flying in all directions. He took a deep breath and explained the previous evening's events to his class. They listened in silence as Venables explained that this was not a story for repeating in gossip. "This was a sad and serious matter," he said, "it's not the kind of story you should tell anybody lightly. If anything good can come of this it would be that you would all learn to treat people in a polite and special way. I hope boys that you can let this sad incident die a dignified death and learn from it. In later life remember that you should never do anything with another person without their consent!" "Will Lord be coming back to school?" one of the students asked. "I don't know Richard!" Venables replied, "I just don't know!" When Carlyle and Chrissie Lord got their son home they were still very upset. "Do you want a doctor son?" Carlyle asked. "No Dad! I'm fine!" "Are you sure?" Chrissie asked as she dried her eyes. "Yeah! I'm sure!" "How did this happen?" Carlyle asked. "Well Dad, the boys in school slag me off all the time because I'm queer!" "No! Now listen son!" Carlyle jutted in immediately, "the boys slag you because they think you're queer, not because you are! There's a big difference!" George knew that the moment had come when he had to tell his parents how he felt. "I'm sorry Dad, what I said is what I wanted to say!" "What do you mean?" Chrissie asked as she looked at her son with a huge sadness in her eyes – she knew what was coming. "Dad, Mum, I am queer!" Chrissie began to sob. "Shut up woman!" Carlyle snapped as he looked tenderly at his only child. "Please son! You're only sixteen, you cannot be sure of what you are so early!" "But I am Dad! You met mum when you were fifteen, how were you so sure of what you wanted at that stage?" "It's different son ..." his father began but George cut him dead. "No it's not!" he said confidently, "I'm big enough, old enough and bright enough to know who I am and what I feel!" Carlyle stared at his son intently. "Maybe we should talk about this later!" "No Dad! We've started now and I want to finish! Please?" "Go on son!" George stood and hugged his parents. "Mom, Dad! I'm queer, I've always been queer and I don't really mind being queer but I'm still George and I love you two very much and I hope you will still love me always!" Carlyle joined his wife as the two of them cried quietly. "Is there anything we can do for you son?" Carlyle asked wiping his eyes. "Like what?" George asked. "Do you want to move to another school?" "No!" George replied with a sobbed confidence in his voice, "I'm in a grammar school and that's the best kind of school to be in. If I leave now I will only be running away and I don't want to do that!" "Please son!" Chrissie begged, "You know you've never been happy there!" "Please mum, don't start on that! I am black and I am queer, I live in a country that is racist and homophobic. I have to learn to stand my ground or I won't survive at all!" "Your mum is right," added Carlyle, "you have been very unhappy in that school for nearly three years now!" "I wasn't unhappy in school!" George stated, "I was unhappy because I felt my life wasn't worth shit and that nobody would love me if I was queer and I was. Now that you both know who I am I think I can be happy again!" Carlyle and Chrissie hugged their son. "Maybe that bastard Keegan did me a good turn after all!" George said as he returned his parents' loving hugs with gusto. AUTHOR'S NOTE : I am very fond of the George character and would like your opinions. I'm not asking you to write to me and tell me that you think I'm wonderful or anything like that. I enjoy and learn from criticism and very much appreciate the effort some of you make to help refine these characters. As unpaid work in the public domain I see my efforts as a group effort. There are lots of us out there that want to read about new villains and heroes and when I hear what you want to say I can make the characters deeper and better for everybody else's enjoyment.

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Pulukunava Asanaghara and the Raja Maha Viharaya at Ampara – පුළුකුණාව ආසනඝරය රජමහා විහාරය Ampara Pulukunava Asanaghara, caves and ancient ruins lies at the boundary of the Galoya scheme on the Ampara – Mahiyangana road is on a large forested hill. On the southern scrap of the hill are a large number of dripledged caves. In many of these caves are pre-Christian inscriptions. At the foot of the hillock south of this hill are the remains of a number of structures. Among these are a three dagaba vandalized by treasure hunters, some pillared structures and a pond. Buried under the earth is the torso of a Buddhist statue. The structures at the site are girt by a prakara. Climbing up the hill, you will come across another vandalized stupa which some believe built enshrining the remains of Arhath Pussadeva. Close to this stupa is a natural pond which supplied water to the temple complex below. Remains of numerous buildings can be seen scattered around at this level. Climbing futher six hundred steps you will come across large number of drip ledge caves used by meditating bikkhus scattered all over the hill top. Pre christian era script on one of the caves speaks of the donation of the cave to Arhat Pussadeva. The most important ruin of the Pulukunava Cave Temple is the massive Asanagaraya which is considered to be the largest in Sri Lanka. The oldest The Bodhighara, Chethiyaghara and Asanaghara are considered by scholars to be the three oldest Buddhist architectural elements in Sri Lanka. Of these, the Chethyaighara also called Vatadage and the Bodhighara are mentioned in most ancient Buddhist literature but the sources do not mention the Asanagara in detail. But there are some references to this in the ancient Attakathas and in the ancient chronicles such as the Mahavamsa and the Deepavamsa. Archaeologically, the Asana seems to have become popular at the same time the carvings of the sacred footprint (siripathulgala) became popular as a symbol of the Buddha or shortly thereafter. Mr. Gunapala Senadheera (Buddhist Symbolism and Wish Fulfillment) states that the use of seats dates back to the 3rd century BC to the 9th century. With the advent of the creation of Buddha statues in Sri Lanka, the use of symbols to commemorate the Buddha had declined. The Pulukunawa monastery was recorded in 1961 by the then Superintendent of Archeology, Charles Godakumbure. The Asana slab of rock is 14 feet 5 inches long and 2 feet thick. It was set on stone pillars about 2 feet high. The four corners of the seat are decorated with a strip of carved beading. There had been a building around this Asana which is the Asanagharaya. It may have been made of wooden poles on a stone foundation. Excavations at this site have uncovered about 24 foundation base stones. Mr. Godakumbure notes that when the surrounding buildings were inspected, it was suspected that the entrance to the building was located on the east side. In addition, a stone slab 10 feet 8 inches long and 10 feet 5 inches wide can be found at Colony No. 29 near Pulukunawa village. It is believed that there was a another Asanaghara here too according to the foundation base stones made of stone. Mr. Godakumbure states that there was a circular Asanaghara enclosing the Asana found among the Rajagala ruins near Pulukunawa. If you are traveling from Ampara, travel along the Maha Oya road and passing Piyangala Temple, you will come across a large freshly installed name broad of Pulukunava Raja Maha Viharaya. Travel about 2 km passing the board towards Maha Oya and you will come to a small road on the left which will lead to the temple. Although considered a Raja Maha Viharaya, currently this is only a adobe to one priest who is struggling to build a temple here. - ඇම්. ජී. රත්නපාල, 1997. වජ්රාසනය. සංකෘතික පුරාණය, 2(8), pp.31-38. Map of Ampara Pulukunava caves and ancient ruins The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites Zoom out the map to see more surrounding locations using the mouse scroll wheel or map controls. Travel Directions to Ampara Pulukunava caves and ancient ruins If you are traveling from Ampara, travel along the Maha Oya road and passing Piyangala Temple, you will come across a large freshly installed name broad of Pulukunava Raja Maha Viharaya. Travel about 2 km passing the board towards Maha Oya and you will come to a small road on the left which will lead to the temple. |Route from Ampara to Pulukunava Raja Maha Viharaya| |Through : Ampara-Uhana-Maha Oya Highway and A27| Distance : 32 km Travel time : 20 minutes Driving directions : see on google map

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Destroyer became part of the Russian fleet March 1, 1904. His commander was appointed Konstantin Yurasovsky, who was the captain of the second rank. The mechanical engineer on the destroyer was Pavel Dmitriev, and the navigator officer was Midshipman Andrei Akinfeev. The artillery officer on the ship was Yermiy Maleev. Maleev was the only one in the crew who had served in the Far East for several years. On March 30 the destroyer, as part of the 8 ships, went to the island of Sapshantau. By 22 hours the sky was clouded with clouds, it started to rain, fog filled the water. Visibility was close to zero. About two in the night, the squad saw the silhouettes of several ships (6). Due to weather conditions, it was impossible to make out their belonging to this or that fleet, it was decided to wait. But, as soon as the “Terrible” gave his call signs, they opened fire on the destroyer. It was an enemy. The battle began. The first Japanese projectile destroyed the destroyer nose gun. Yurasovsky, the commander of the ship, also died; the situation was difficult. Then, Lieutenant Maleev took command in his own hands. The destroyer was leaving in the direction of Port Arthur, at top speed, firing from the enemy. One of the Russian torpedoes caused heavy damage to the Japanese cruiser. The ship went to drift. To the rescue of another comrade hurried another cruiser. Now the pursuers are left with only 4-D. The situation only began to straighten out, as ... a Japanese shell hit the torpedo of the feed apparatus. Most of the people who were on the deck at that moment died. Of the officers, only Maleev survived. The ships got closer, some 70 meters remained between them. "Perish, but do not give up!" - said Maleev. The ship slowly sank. During this time, the remnants of the team managed to make several shots, causing great damage to the enemy. 31 March 1904 of the Year, “Terrible”, fearlessly fighting, went under water in 6 hours 15 minutes. The feat of Russian sailors and officers will remain forever in stories of our fleet. In the Russian fleet, ships appeared that proudly bore the names of battle heroes — Lieutenant Maleev, Mechanical Engineer Dmitriev, Captain Yurasovsky. Two years later, the new destroyer “The Terrible” was launched. The officers of the destroyer "The Terrible"

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This is an example of an increasingly rare intact rural church. It has a highly pitched front-facing gable roof, and two sets of double doors. Local tradition states the church originated a couple miles down the road as the circa 1838 Bethlehem Methodist Church. Portions and materials of this early church were likely incorporated into the 1888 Pelham Church. The interior is original with windows along the sides, wood walls and ceilings and early pews. It also contains a pulpit and flanking lamp stands that appear to be from the late-antebellum period. This church was added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks & Heritage (ARLH) on March 29, 2012. It is located on Choctaw CR 42 approximately 8 miles northwest of Pennington, AL in the community of Edna (GPS coordinates 32.279458, -88.117473). Source: The Alabama Historical Commission PreserveALA Media Release, August 31, 2012.

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First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) follows its mission to strengthen American Indian economies in order to support healthy Native communities. First Nations invests in and creates innovative institutions and models that strengthen asset control and support economic development for American Indian people and their communities. First Nations recognizes that within this mission, it is critical to support and encourage up-and-coming entrepreneurs. Last year, First Nations gave a grant to the Sequoyah Fund to support its Cherokee Entrepreneur Video Project. This project linked Cherokee youth with local Cherokee entrepreneurs in order to spark the youth to consider entrepreneurship as a career. The project was also designed to help youth learn from their elders and learn more about historical business leadership in their region. Funded in part by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, this project provided a group of Cherokee high school students an education in historical research and video production. Students learned to search historical records, identify and recruit interview subjects, and conduct interviews. They also learned the basics of video shooting and editing, and the development and implementation of social media strategies to share their video. The students researched the local history of cultural entrepreneurship and economic development and created a list of Cherokee businesses. They also requested information from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to identify business licenses. This information was used to assess how the economy has grown and changed throughout the years. The process made the students more aware of their local economy. In addition, they saw how difficult leasing land for business use can be on tribal lands and how difficult obtaining information about those leases can be. The Cherokee youth learned a lot from interviewing tribal elders about their careers in entrepreneurship. This learned about the types of businesses each elder owns, the advantages and disadvantages of entrepreneurship, and advice each tribal elder had for future Cherokee entrepreneurs. All of their work resulted in a video that can be found here: https://vimeo.com/129228832. First Nations is proud to have supported this project that contributes to the development of future Native entrepreneurs. The video description on Vimeo is as follows: Cherokee, North Carolina, is also known as the Qualla Boundary, the home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. For years it has been a bustling tourist destination offering history and culture along with the natural beauty of the land preserved as the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. One hour from the nearest airport, mall and most nationally known businesses, the Cherokee economy has long subsisted on small businesses to provide community services and to offer retail and restaurant offerings to the millions of people who visit annually. In 1997, the Eastern Band (EBCI) began offering gaming services and the economy of Cherokee shifted. Positive and negative impacts resulted, but the small business community has been resilient. Students at Cherokee High School filmed and edited this video to showcase how the Cherokee economy once looked, to highlight he pros and cons of owning a business in Cheorkee, and to preserve the stories of some of our oldest entrepreneurs. They interviewed tribal elders, artists and entrepreneurs and discovered a lot about their community, their opportunities, and how to successfully blend culture and business. By Lisa Yellow Eagle, First Nations Program Officer

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We can have safer roads for bicycling -- if transportation planners and engineers, bicycle riders, and drivers accept appropriate responsibilities for making communities safer. The Bicycle Federation of America has developed a four point plan to make our communities bicycle friendly -- four points aimed at making roads better and drivers and bicyclists smarter. - Good roads. Streets and highways are designed and built to accommodate all users -- bicycle riders, pedestrians, and motor vehicles. Bicycle lanes are provided on many streets. Traffic calming techniques are used to ensure that motor vehicles operate at the appropriate speed. - More trails. Multi-use trails are developed on rights-of-way, and have few, if any, at grade crossing of streets. Abandoned railroad rights-of-way are used extensively to provide good trails. Children and casual adult riders have good places to develop riding skills and to ride together socially. - Better drivers Motor vehicle operators act responsibly and with due care and respect for other users of the streets and highways. Speeding, running red lights, and other forms of aggressive driving are minimal. Traffic laws are routinely enforced and our courts hold drivers strictly accountable for the consequences of their actions. - Better bicyclists. Bicyclists understand how to operate on streets and in traffic as vehicles (bicycles are defined as vehicles in all 50 states). They obey traffic laws and law enforcement activities are used to ensure compliance. Children get bicycle safety education and training in school. All bicyclists use appropriate safety gear. Each of the elements of this four point plan can be addressed, in part, by improvements in ISTEA. ISTEA has provided vital support for bicycle use and bicycle safety and our findings indicate that improvements to the law can make our streets and highways better for bicyclists. To ensure that these goals are met, in the reauthorization of ISTEA Congress must: - Double the amount of money in ISTEA that is dedicated to bicycle facilities and projects. - Preserve and expand ISTEA's funding framework and planning provisions, especially for bicycles and pedestrians. Congress must reject proposals that would allow money from the "Enhancements" and "Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement" (CMAQ) programs (the largest source of money for bicycle use and bicycle safety) to be transferred to other programs. - Require that all highway, road, and transit projects include appropriate accommodations for bicyclists and pedestrians. - Improve the transportation planning and implementation process to better accommodate bicycles, by ensuring that bicycle projects included in transportation plans are implemented at least at the same rate as improvements for other modes of transportation. - Ensure that bicyclists and pedestrians get a fair share of federal safety program dollars, and make ISTEA's safety programs responsive to the safety needs of non-motorized travelers. States should be required to allocate ISTEA safety funds to bicycle and pedestrian safety programs at a rate at least equal to the percentage of bicycle and pedestrian fatalities in that state. Special emphasis should be given to funding bicycle safety education and training. - Collect more accurate and detailed data on bicycling and walking. There is no comprehensive information on bicycle miles traveled, as there is for motor vehicle miles traveled. More information is needed about how much and how often people ride their bicycles and how these factors vary within and among differing communities. The reauthorization of ISTEA presents an ideal opportunity to correct this information vacuum.

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We are so glad you chose to visit this site. The classroom is an adventure-filled learning environment. Students will learn to explore their imagination and curiosity in a safe and secure learning environment. Please visit the link under Resources for Parents for information on the Common Core State Standards. This will tell you exactly what your second grader should know in math by the end of second grade as well as at the end of every grade level. There is also a link to Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and technical subjects. 2nd grade newsletters can be found in the Newsletter links to your right.. Feel free to look back at previous newsletters and use this website as a resource if a newsletter has been misplaced. Resources for Parents Skills Practice for Students - ABCya Numbers - Hooda Math - Sheppard Software Math - Fun 4 the Brain - Johnnie's Math Page - Soft Schools - Mr. Nussbaum's Math Lab - 2nd Grade Math Games Homework, Schedule, and Behavior Policy Homework begins the second week of school. It will be given out on Mondays and returned on Friday. We will do our best to send any news and notes from the classroom and school notices home in the Monday folders, so check those every week.

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Cities can achieve a reduction in traffic speeds using a variety of traffic calming techniques. While certain speed controls alter the configuration of a roadway, others change how people psychologically perceive and respond to a street. Consider the following tools to encourage motorists to drive at target speeds. Medians create a pinchpoint for traffic in the center of the roadway and can reduce pedestrian crossing distances. Chokers or pinchpoints restrict motorists from operating at high speeds on local streets and significantly expand the sidewalk realm for pedestrians. Chicanes slow drivers by alternating parking or curb extensions along the corridor. A lane shift horizontally deflects a vehicle and may be designed with striping, curb extensions, or parking. Speed humps vertically deflect vehicles and may be combined with a midblock crosswalk. 2-way streets, especially those with narrower profiles, encourage motorists to be more cautious and wary of oncoming traffic. See Yield Street Roundabouts reduce traffic speeds at intersections by requiring motorists to move with caution through conflict points. A traffic diverter breaks up the street grid while maintaining permeability for pedestrians and bicyclists. Signals timed to a street’s target speed can create lower speeds along a corridor. See Coordinated Signal Timing A dense built environment with no significant setbacks constrains sightlines, making drivers more alert and aware of their surroundings. Trees narrow a driver's visual field and create rhythm along the street. On-street parking narrows the street and slows traffic by creating friction for moving vehicles. Adapted from the Urban Street Design Guide, published by Island Press.

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Harvard scientists say that low-carbon nuclear power may eventually gain greater support in the United States, suggesting that new, more economical plants could play an important role in the country’s energy production midcentury and beyond. Beset by high construction costs and undercut by cheaper natural gas, wind, and even solar power, the nation’s nuclear fleet is struggling, with nuclear power producing about 20 percent of U.S. electricity today. Plant development is rare and economically risky, while the pace of retirements is increasing, driven by aging infrastructure and red ink. Environmental fellow Michael Ford and climate scientist Daniel Schrag say those conditions are unlikely to change soon, but that the low-carbon power provided by nuclear plants may prove an important part of a future energy mix, one designed to fight climate change. “Certainly right now, the existing fleet is struggling,” Ford said. “There are quite a few plants that are under market pressure, many early closings. … And if you pay any attention to attempts to deploy new nuclear in this country, efforts in South Carolina failed in 2016 and the Vogtle construction project in Georgia is something on the order of 100 percent over budget and years behind schedule.” The central challenge, according to a paper Ford and Schrag published in October in the journal Nature Energy, is ensuring that acceptable technology — safe, cheaper, more efficient — is available to be deployed by midcentury, when market trends may again make nuclear power competitive with other sources. At the moment, the main barrier for American nuclear projects is “the high price of new development and market economics, driven by cheap renewables and natural gas — combinations that are somewhat unique to the U.S.,” said Ford, whose doctoral work at Carnegie Mellon University focused on the state of the U.S. nuclear industry. Ford and Schrag recommend that the U.S. government initiate a “tortoise” approach, investing in steady development of a range of advanced nuclear technologies, evaluating each so that the best option will be ready to go when need and market conditions arise. “We believe the likely timescale for the demand for this technology is still at least a couple of decades away,” said Schrag, the Sturgis Hooper Professor of Geology, a professor of environmental science and engineering, and director of the Harvard University Center for the Environment. In his work with the center, Ford, a retired Navy captain and nuclear engineer, has developed models of possible futures for the industry and is now creating a more detailed version of the proposal outlined in the October paper. The industry itself has pinned its hopes on developing a generation of smaller, less-expensive reactors that could be built more quickly on site, he said. A number of companies are betting on new nuclear designs to get there — technologies that use substances other than water for cooling, such as liquid sodium or molten salts. Ford and Schrag warn that there’s a risk in rushing ahead with a single advanced technology — what they call the “hare” approach — because it’s hard to know which of several options will work well enough to be deployable. In addition, whatever the technology, market conditions affecting nuclear power today are going to take decades to shift, they say. “The idea of developing advanced nuclear like the Manhattan Project actually doesn’t fit the pace of the problem,” Schrag said. “What we’re trying to explain is that there are a sequence of steps in the decarbonization process [of the electricity grid], and absolutely we can accelerate them, but those steps are unlikely to change.” Cheap and relatively clean natural gas will likely drive the closing of most of the nation’s coal-fired plants in the coming decades, Schrag said. At the same time, renewable power from wind and solar — both of which have become cheaper than nuclear in recent years — will likely take a larger share of the power grid. Market conditions could shift in nuclear’s favor as the intermittent nature of wind and solar creates higher demand for new sources of support. Though market conditions will initially favor natural gas in that role, gas is likely to become more expensive as demand increases, say Ford and Schrag, adding that pressure to include carbon capture technology could also boost the cost of electricity produced by natural gas plants. “A new demand for nuclear power in the U.S. is likely to come only when natural gas is expensive or considered dirty or both,” Schrag said. Ford and Schrag suggest that the U.S. direct research and development support to advanced nuclear designs and adopt a strategy that provides $200 million to $250 million annually to develop four or five promising technologies. Policy makers should also commit to providing additional funding — in partnership with industry — to demonstration plants that can scale up and test competing technologies, they say. Schrag said the amount needed is relatively small in the context of overall energy spending, making it more likely to survive budget battles and swings in priorities between Republican and Democratic administrations. Nonetheless, advanced nuclear won’t have a guaranteed spot in the nation’s energy mix, the scientists say. The industry would still have to compete with technologies such as carbon capture and large-scale battery storage. “We’re saying nuclear needs to be an option, we’re not saying that nuclear has to win that competition,” Schrag said.

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In March 2009, the advocacy group Campaign for Safe Cosmetics made an alarming announcement about baby bath-care products. The group tested the composition of 48 major-brand products looking for two specific chemicals believed to cause cancer: formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane. It found that the vast majority of them contained at least one of the two [source: Layton]. The implications of the discovery are unclear. While most experts believe that trace amounts of the chemicals don't harm humans, others argue that the cumulative effect of using several contaminated products hasn't been studied. And then there's the burning question: If dozens of baby-care products contain harmful chemicals, how many other products do, too? Could your body wash actually give you cancer? The controversy surrounding cosmetics safety is a big one. Lots of potentially dangerous chemicals have been found in products like soap, deodorant and shampoo. Some carry warnings, some have been banned, some have been abandoned and some still show up in lots of products on the shelves. As a result, demand for natural cosmetics has exploded. It's increasing five times faster than demand for conventional cosmetics, up 12.5 percent in 2008 and expected to rise even more in 2009 [source: Vereckey]. Marketing companies believe it has more to do with safety concerns than with environmental ones. Clearly, people are taking cosmetics safety to heart. But what exactly are "natural cosmetics?" Are they really safer? Are they really even natural? In this article, we'll learn what "natural cosmetics" are all about. We'll find out what they should be, what they are and whether natural is always better when it comes to cosmetics. Let's begin with the basics: How is a "natural" deodorant different from any other kind?

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I am reading this book. In the chapter "The Ontology of Metaphysical Realism" the author says: Many relations are such that pairs of objects enter into them only when taken in a certain order. Thus, being the father of is an asymmetrical relation: if one thing, a , is the father of another thing, b , then b is not the father of a . As logicians put it, it is the ordered pair, <a,b> ( a and b taken in just that order), that exhibits the relation. The three relations we have considered are all two-place or dyadic relations; but obviously there can be three-place, four-place, and, generally, n -place relations. I understand the idea of an ordered pair when we talk about different objects a and b. However, we do not require that a and b be different. That is, we can write (a, a) and order a and a. What does this mean? How can an object be ordered with itself? On the Internet, I found only a formal definition of an ordered pair, and this did not help me because these definitions are simply expressions for which the characteristic property holds. Can you explain what (a, a) is with clear examples?

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Low Earth Orbit is an orbit that extends from the Earth’s surface at sea level to an altitude of 2,000 km. What is interesting about the majority of Low Earth Orbit is that most of it lies within the Earth’s atmosphere. For this reason most spacecraft and artificial satellites have rapidly decaying orbits due to the drag created by air molecules in the thermosphere, the last layer of the Earth’s atmosphere, before the exosphere. Low Earth Orbit is a region that includes Earth at Sea Level and up to 2000 kilometers above sea level. This region is close enough for a panoramic view of the Earth but just far enough that most space craft can stay in orbit without being pulled down to the surface by Earth’s gravitational field. However satellites at this altitude have to move at extraordinary speeds to partially escape the pull of Earth’s gravity. A satellite in low Earth orbit travels at a mean velocity of 26,000 to 27,000 km per hour or 17,000 miles per hour Low Earth Orbit has been used for both military and aeronautical purposes. Military rocketry and missiles have long taken advantage of this orbit to launch missiles and rockets over long distances. A missile launched in low earth orbit follows three stages. First it would launch into a suborbital path using its engine. The second stage would be where the thrust and momentum created would allow the missile to reach cruising speeds. In final stage the influence of gravity brings it back to Earth towards it target. In space flight the majority of human spaceflight occurs here. Right now the cost of human spaceflight are astronomical so most space agencies are funded by governments and need to work within set budgets for missions. This is why Low Earth Orbit is still the destination of choice for missions. Other than lunar flights Low Earth Orbit defines the boundary of all human space exploration. This shows the major technical and financial obstacles that need to be overcome in order to make even nearby interplanetary travel possible. However there is promise in the technologies used to send satellites into Geostationary Orbit and beyond. In the meanwhile there are a lot major achievements in low earth orbit such as the international space station and the ongoing development of commercial space flight and space stations. The first commercial space flight companies are rapidly finding ways to make spaceflight cheaper and more accessible. We have written many articles about low Earth orbit for Universe Today. Here’s an article about the Earth’s orbit, and here’s an article about the orbit velocity. We’ve also recorded an entire episode of Astronomy Cast all about Getting Around the Solar System. Listen here, Episode 84: Getting Around the Solar System.

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THE MINERAL FORSTERITE Forsterite is named for the German naturalist, Johann Forster. It is one of two minerals that are simply known as The other mineral is Fayalite is the iron rich member with a pure formula of Forsterite is the magnesium rich member with a pure formula of The two minerals form a series where the iron and magnesium are substitutable for each other without much effect to the crystal structure. Fayalite due to its iron content has a higher index of refraction, is heavier and has a darker color than forsterite. Otherwise they are difficult to distinguish and virtually all specimens of the two minerals contain iron and magnesium. For intermediate specimens or those difficult to differentiate as well as simplicity sake and general public recognition, they are often treated as one mineral, olivine, although it is not officially recognized as a mineral. Forsterite's gemstone variety known as is one of the most mispronounced of gemstone names. The correct pronouciation has peridot rhyming with doe or depot. But peridot is often pronouced incorrectly so that it rhymes with dot. Peridot is the birthstone of August and is usually a very affordable colored gemstone. Unfortunately it is often compared to the rich dark green of emerald and in this comparison it is often found lacking. But peridot has its own unique green-yellow color that is different from emerald and this comparison is rather unfair. Most peridot is forsterite and its color is caused by the presence of iron ions. Fayalite's higher iron content make for darker, less attractive specimens that are not generally used as gemstones. The best colored peridot has an iron percentage less than 15% and includes nickel and chromium as trace elements that may also contribute to the best peridot color. Most gem grade forsterite comes from volcanic basalts, but the gem gravels of Mogok, Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) are thought to have weathered out of peridot-containing metamorphosed marbles. Forsterite is found in ultramafic igneous rocks or in marbles made from the metamorphism of Mafic is a word that is used to define igneous rocks with a high iron and magnesium content. The "MA" is for magnesium while the "F" is for ferrum, the latin word for iron. The olivine minerals have a high melting point and are the first minerals to crystallize from a mafic magma. Forsterite crystallizes first with fayalite crystallizing last when other minerals such as the pyroxenes are just beginning to form. This early crystallization is the reason that molten lavas will contain already crystallized grains of olivine before they are ejected from volcanoes. Some ultramafic intrusive rocks can be composed of almost all olivine and these are called dunites or peridotites. Forsterite is never found with as these two common minerals are unstable in each others proximity (during crystallization of course). If quartz were present, the two would react and form the mineral by the following formula: Mg2SiO4 (forsterite) + SiO2 (quartz) = Forsterite is also found in many Not just as small grains but as significantly sized crystals sometimes occupying over 50% of the meteorites volume. Thinly cut slices of these meteorites are extremely attractive with the polished steel gray of the iron and the embedded grains of gemmy green forsterite crystals. The effect produces the closest mineral equivalent to stained glass artwork. Some meteoritic forsterite/olivine crystals have been cut into gems. - Color is a light green yellow to the more common yellowish green; also known to be colorless. - Luster is vitreous. - Transparency crystals are transparent to translucent. - Crystal System is orthorhombic; 2/m 2/m 2/m. - Crystal Habits include flatten tabular to box shaped crystals, but good crystals are rare. More commonly found as grains in alluvial gravels and as granular xenoliths in magnesium rich volcanic rock. Also massive. Twinning is rare, but has produced star shaped trillings. - Cleavage is poor in two directions at 90 degrees, rather indistinct and rarely noticed. - Fracture is conchoidal. - Hardness is 6.5 - 7. - Specific Gravity is approximately 3.2 when pure Mg2SiO4 and rises with increasing iron content (somewhat above average for non-metallic minerals). - Streak is white. - Other Characteristics: Index of refraction is 1.64 - 1.71 and has double refraction. - Associated Minerals are diopside, iron-nickel meteorites and - Notable Occurrences are numerous and include the ancient source of Zagbargad (Zebirget) Island in the Red Sea off the coast of Egypt and Mogok, Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). The type locality is Mt. Vesuvius, Italy and other localities include Kohistan, Pakistan; South Africa; Ural Mountains, Russia; Norway; Sweden; France; Minas Gerais, Brazil; Eifel, Germany; Chihuahua, Mt. Franklin, Victoria, Australia; Notre-Dame-du-Laus, Quebec Canada; China and Salt Lake Crater, Oahu, Hawaii; North Carolina; Bolton, Massachusetts; Crestmore, California; New Mexico and the most productive source of peridot to date from Peridot Mesa, San Carlos Apache Reservation, Gila County, - Best Field Indicators are color, hardness, mafic or metamorphic environment, lack of good cleavage and density.

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Dark Energy Could End Universe In 'Big Rip' If you've ever wondered about the fate of the Universe, you're not alone. And now, five researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China, the Institute of Theoretical Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Northeastern University, and Peking University have looked into the nature of dark energy for the key to the conclusion of the cosmos. Little is known about dark energy - which makes up a full 70 percent of the current content of the Universe - but the team inferred what they could from what is known of its properties. Like Us on Facebook "We want to infer from the current data what the worst fate would be for the Universe," the researchers said, according to Zee News. In a theory dubbed the "Big Rip", the density of dark energy will grow to infinity and its gravitational repulsion will continuously increase until it trumps all forces holding objects together, resulting in a tearing apart of everything in the Universe. Though nothing will escape this destiny, said the researchers, systems more tightly bound would last longer. "If a doomsday exists, how far are we from it?" the team asked. In a worst-case scenario, the Milky Way will be torn apart 32.9 million years before the Universe meets its ultimate end. The Sun will last until 28 minutes before the end of time, when it will explode. Earth would be destroyed 16 minutes before the end of all things. It sounds like a horrifying fate, but rest easy tonight. We have quite a while before this gloomy scenario plays out. "At worst, the time remaining before the Universe ends in a big rip is 16.7 billion years," according to The Daily Mail. © 2012 iScience Times All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

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Acid is a substance capable of forming hydrogen ions when dissolved in water. It can weaken cellulose in paper, board, and cloth, leading to discolouration and embrittlement. Acids may also be introduced by migration from other materials or from atmospheric pollution. See also pH and ACID Acid-free materials have a pH of 7.0 or higher. Such materials may be produced from any cellulose fiber source including cotton and wood, if measures are taken during manufacture to eliminate active acid from the The transfer of acid from an acidic material to a less acidic or pH neutral material. This may occur directly, when two materials are in close contact. Alkaline substances have a pH over 7.0. They may be added to material to neutralize acids or as an alkaline reserve or buffer for the purpose of counteracting acids that may form in the future. A number of chemicals may be used as buffers; the most common are magnesium carbonate and calcium American National Standards Institute. Sets national materials standards. ANSI establishes criteria for storage enclosures and a wide variety of media including paper, microfilm, etc. |ARCHIVAL; ARCHIVALLY SAFE MATERIALS| Archival is a non-technical term that suggests a material or product is permanent, durable, or chemically stable and is therefore suitable for preservation purposes. Archivally safe materials are for the most part inert and non-reactive. For example, plastic envelopes usually have heat-sealed seams which eliminate problems associated with off gassing from adhesives. Archival quality products are available in a wide array of formats and materials including polyester, polyethylene and polypropylene. |CALCIUM CARBONATE (BUFFERING)| An alkaline chemical used as a buffering agent in papers and boards. Neutralizes acidic material. It is the main component of many fibrous plant products, including paper and The treatment of archival materials, artwork, or museum objects to stabilize them or strengthen them physically, ensuring their survival as long as possible in their original form. See also PRESERVATION. A conservation treatment that neutralizes acids in materials such as paper. In the encapsulation process, an item is enclosed between two sheets of polyester film and sealed on all four sides with either double-sided tape or a special polyester-welding machine. Encapsulation is useful for protecting fragile documents, especially if they are torn. Polyester film is optically clear and allows for easy viewing of the artifact. Embedded in the cellular structure of plants, Lignin contributes to their strength and rigidity and is found naturally, along with cellulose. It is thought that Lignin contributes to chemical degradation. To a large extent, it can be removed during manufacture. The International standard SI (système internationale) for measuring visible light such as sunlight and incandescent lighting. A unit of illumination equal to one lumen per square meter, uniformly one meter distant from a point source of one candela. One lux is equivalent to .0929 footcandle. The only difference between lux and lumen is that lux takes into account the area over which the luminous flux is spread. A mil is a unit of thickness equaling one thousandth of an inch (.001"). Having a pH of 7, neither acid nor alkaline. Ability of a material to resist chemical deterioration. Permanent paper usually refers to a durable alkaline paper that is manufactured according to ANSI Standards. See ANSI. pH is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution, which is a measure of acidity or alkalinity. Seven is pH neutral; numbers below 7 indicate increasing acidity with 1 being most acid. Numbers above 7 are an indication of increasing alkalinity, with 14 being most alkaline. Paper with a pH below 5 is considered highly acidic. Buffered storage materials typically have a pH between 7 and 8.5. |PHOTOGRAPHIC ACTIVITY TEST (PAT)| The test reveals whether storage enclosures such as boxes, envelopes, file folders or canisters will damage photographs, negatives, slides, and motion picture films. It can be used to assess potential photographic activity caused by components including adhesives, inks, paints, labels, and tape. POLYVINYL ACETATE (PVA) An odourless, nontoxic, transparent, water-insoluble thermoplastic resin used in emulsion paints and adhesives for sealing porous surfaces. Also |POLYVINYL CHLORIDE | A plastic, often abbreviated as PVC. It is not as chemically stable as other plastics, and emits hydrochloric acid as it deteriorates. Therefore, it has no application in the preservation of books and paper. Preservation is considered a broader term than Conservation. It includes activities associated with maintaining library, archival, or museum materials for use, either in their original physical form or in some other format. The goal of preservation management is to slow down or minimize physical change caused by use or storage over time. |RELATIVE HUMIDITY (RH)| The amount of water vapour in the air, expressed as a percentage of the maximum amount required to saturate it at the same temperature. Ratio of actual water vapour pressure to saturation vapour pressure. See also VAN'THOFF'S RULE. Respect the guiding principle of conservation. Do not do anything that you cannot undo. Conservators are the ones most qualified to repair valuable artifacts. They have the expertise and knowledge to assess the condition of an artifact and recommend a suitable course of action. For example, paper conservators abide by the mender¹s rule; they do not use materials that are either weaker or stronger than the items being mended. Material used to screen out ultraviolet (UV) rays from visible light. Ultraviolet radiation is potentially damaging to library, archival, and museum collections and is present more in sunlight and fluorescent light than in incandescent light. Removing UV radiation from storage and exhibition spaces reduces the rate of deterioration and prolongs the life of materials found there. Certain acrylic sheet materials have UV filtering properties as well. |VAN'T HOFF'S RULE| Van¹t Hoff¹s Rule states that chemical reactions double with every increase of 10° C in temperature.

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It all started in 2008 when OSPAR, the international Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, adopted its list of threatened species and habitats. This list, essential to identify key marine species in need of conservation measures, was the starting point of active conservation policies for restoring marine biodiversity in the region. However, the intrinsic flaw of working with lists is their static nature and lack of adaptability. Worse is if you add in strong political resistance to updating or amending them in light of new scientific knowledge. You quickly end up with an obsolete tool, inadequate to inform decisions and address the right priorities. This is particularly apparent when dealing with marine biodiversity, which is known to be rapidly degrading as a result of natural and human pressures. That is the story of the OSPAR List, which has not been updated since its adoption eight years ago, and whose scientific foundation has been questioned by Oceana. We’ve called on OSPAR to expand its list in order to reflect the full range of threatened marine species and habitats, and not only focus on the most iconic or least controversial. In 2015, the first complete IUCN Red List assessment European marine fishes was released by the IUCN, a scientific evaluation that categorises species according to their level of extinction risk. This assessment compiles the most reliable scientific estimates of species status from the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and several of its species Specialist Groups. Oceana also collaborated on a number of species assessments. Beyond the detailed results of the assessment in itself, what is obvious for the North-East Atlantic is the wide gap between the OSPAR List and the 51 marine fish species that are currently threatened in that region. We have compared the two lists, and have found that: - 78% of these threatened species are not included at all on the OSPAR List. - 70% of threatened species in the OSPAR area have no legal measures of protection under international law1 - 2 of the threatened skate species ignored by OSPAR, the sandy skate (Leucoraja circularis) classified as ‘Endangered’ and the shagreen skate (Leucoraja fullonica) classified as ‘Vulnerable’, are considered endemic to European waters and occur largely in the North-East Atlantic. Sandy skate (Leucoraja circularis) © Andy Martinez/NOAA Shagreen skate (Leucoraja fullonica) © David Fenwick. Across Europe, the most threatened fishes are the Chondrichthyans family (sharks, rays, and chimaeras), and in the North-East Atlantic, they also face an elevated risk of extinction, with 36.2% of species considered threatened. - 26 threatened species of sharks and rays are ignored by OSPAR, among which: - 55% of the Critically Endangered species - 79% of the Endangered species - 100% of the Vulnerable species It is clear that in the case of marine fishes, the OSPAR List of Threatened and/or Declining Species and Habitats neglects many North-East Atlantic species that have been assessed as threatened. As a result, OSPAR does not recognise them as conservation priorities, and so it does not grant them any protection. OSPAR has stated in the past that it does not intend its List to be comprehensive, and prefers to focus on those species that are not protected under other international laws. For many of the ignored threatened fishes, however, this explanation is insufficient, as most of these species are not covered by any protective measures whatsoever in the North-East Atlantic. OSPAR Contracting Parties have a responsibility to improve the status of threatened species and habitats in the waters of the North-East Atlantic. A basic step towards fulfilling this obligation means updating the OSPAR List, on the basis of the best available science, to recognise what could potentially be lost. 1 For example EU legislation, the Bern Convention, the Bonn Convention, CITES and other relevant instruments. Fisheries management TACs allowing exploitation were not considered measures of protection

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The tracking of how scholars cite each others' work over time is what we mean by citation searching and tracking. Citations can be traced through the use of several tools that are available on the market. The three primary tools are Web of Knowledge, Scopus and Google Scholar. The citation indexes are strongest in the sciences with Scopus including over 12,000 science and medicine titles and Science Citation Index over 6,100 titles. Coverage in other fields is markedly less comprehensive. In the social sciences Scopus covers around 2,700 titles and Social Sciences Citation Index covers around 1,700 titles. Arts & Humanities Citation Index includes approximately 1,300 publications and is the only tool for tracking citations in those fields. Reference Desk: 973-655-4291 Google Scholar is another useful option for citation search, but one that is an anomaly in the library profession. While it tracks citations for articles from both books and articles, Google does not share the list of what vendors are involved in the project and so librarians cannot tell with any certainty just what it is searching. Links to articles about Google Scholar's coverage:

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Mains Public Administration Syllabus PAPER – I Meaning, scope and significance of Public Administration; Wilson’s vision of Public Administration; Evolution of the discipline and its present status; New Public Administration; Public Choice approach; Challenges of liberalization, Privatisation, Globalisation; Good Governance: concept and application; New Public Management. 2. Administrative Thought : Scientific Management and Scientific Management movement; Classical Theory; Weber’s bureaucratic model – its critique and post-Weberian Developments; Dynamic Administration (Mary Parker Follett); Human Relations School (Elton Mayo and others); Functions of the Executive (C.I. Barnard); Simon’s decision-making theory; Participative Management (R. Likert, C.Argyris, D.McGregor). 3. Administrative Behaviour : Process and techniques of decision-making; Communication; Morale; Motivation Theories – content, process and contemporary; Theories of Leadership: Traditional and Modern. 4. Organisations : Theories – systems, contingency; Structure and forms: Ministries and Departments, Corporations, Companies, Boards and Commissions; Ad hoc and advisory bodies; Headquarters and Field relationships; Regulatory Authorities; Public – Private Partnerships. 5. Accountability and control : Concepts of accountability and control; Legislative, Executive and Judicial control over administration; Citizen and Administration; Role of media, interest groups, voluntary organizations; Civil society; Citizen’s Charters; Right to Information; Social audit. Meaning, scope and significance; Dicey on Administrative law; Delegated legislation; Administrative Tribunals. 7. Comparative Public Administration: Historical and sociological factors affecting administrative systems; Administration and politics in different countries; Current status of Comparative Public Administration; Ecology and administration; Riggsian models and their critique. 8. Development Dynamics: Concept of development; Changing profile of development administration; ‘Anti-development thesis’; Bureaucracy and development; Strong state versus the market debate; Impact of liberalisation on administration in developing countries; Women and development – the self-help group movement. 9. Personnel Administration: Importance of human resource development; Recruitment, training, career advancement, position classification, discipline, performance appraisal, promotion, pay and service conditions; employer-employee relations, grievance redressal mechanism; Code of conduct; Administrative ethics. 10. Public Policy: Models of policy-making and their critique; Processes of conceptualisation, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and review and their limitations; State theories and public policy formulation. 11.Techniques of Administrative Improvement: Organisation and methods, Work study and work management; e-governance and information technology; Management aid tools like network analysis, MIS, PERT, CPM. 12. Financial Administration: Monetary and fiscal policies; Public borrowings and public debt Budgets – types and forms; Budgetary process; Financial accountability; Accounts and audit. Public Administration PAPER – II 1. Evolution of Indian Administration: Kautilya’s Arthashastra; Mughal administration; Legacy of British rule in politics and administration – Indianization of public services, revenue administration, district administration, local self-government. 2. Philosophical and Constitutional framework of government: Salient features and value premises; Constitutionalism; Political culture; Bureaucracy and democracy; Bureaucracy and development. 3. Public Sector Undertakings: Public sector in modern India; Forms of Public Sector Undertakings; Problems of autonomy, accountability and control; Impact of liberalization and privatization. 4. Union Government and Administration: Executive, Parliament, Judiciary – structure, functions, work processes; Recent trends; Intragovernmental relations; Cabinet Secretariat; Prime Minister’s Office; Central Secretariat; Ministries and Departments; Boards; Commissions; Attached offices; Field organizations. 5. Plans and Priorities: Machinery of planning; Role, composition and functions of the Planning Commission and the National Development Council; ‘Indicative’ planning; Process of plan formulation at Union and State levels; Constitutional Amendments (1992) and decentralized planning for economic development and social justice. 6. State Government and Administration: Union-State administrative, legislative and financial relations; Role of the Finance Commission; Governor; Chief Minister; Council of Ministers; Chief Secretary; State Secretariat; Directorates. 7. District Administration since Independence: Changing role of the Collector; Union-state-local relations; Imperatives of development management and law and order administration; District administration and democratic decentralization. 8. Civil Services: Constitutional position; Structure, recruitment, training and capacity-building; Good governance initiatives; Code of conduct and discipline; Staff associations; Political rights; Grievance redressal mechanism; Civil service neutrality; Civil service activism. 9. Financial Management: Budget as a political instrument; Parliamentary control of public expenditure; Role of finance ministry in monetary and fiscal area; Accounting techniques; Audit; Role of Controller General of Accounts and Comptroller and Auditor General of India. 10. Administrative Reforms since Independence: Major concerns; Important Committees and Commissions; Reforms in financial management and human resource development; Problems of implementation. 11. Rural Development: Institutions and agencies since independence; Rural development programmes: foci and strategies; Decentralization and Panchayati Raj; 73rd Constitutional amendment. 12. Urban Local Government: Municipal governance: main features, structures, finance and problem areas; 74 th Constitutional Amendment; Global-local debate; New localism; Development dynamics, politics and administration with special reference to city management. 13. Law and Order Administration: British legacy; National Police Commission; Investigative agencies; Role of central and state agencies including paramilitary forces in maintenance of law and order and countering insurgency and terrorism; Criminalisation of politics and administration; Police-public relations; Reforms in Police. 14. Significant issues in Indian Administration: Values in public service; Regulatory Commissions; National Human Rights Commission; Problems of administration in coalition regimes; Citizen-administration interface; Corruption and administration; Disaster management

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A summary and tables of the LTE frequency band spectrum allocations for 3G & 4G LTE – TDD and FDD There are a growing number of 4G LTE frequency bands that are being designated as possibilities for use with LTE. Many of the 4G LTE frequency bands are already in use for other cellular systems, whereas other LTE bands are new and being introduced as other users are re-allocated spectrum elsewhere. FDD and TDD LTE frequency bands FDD spectrum requires pair bands, one of the uplink and one for the downlink, and TDD requires a single band as uplink and downlink are on the same frequency but time separated. As a result, there are different LTE band allocations for TDD and FDD. In some cases these bands may overlap, and it is therefore feasible, although unlikely that both TDD and FDD transmissions could be present on a particular LTE frequency band. Often a single UE or mobile device will need to detect whether a TDD or FDD transmission should be made on a given band. UEs that roam may encounter both types on the same band. They will therefore need to detect what type of transmission is being made on that particular LTE band in its current location. Many chipsets used in modern devices can operate with either FDD or TDD, usually within specific frequency ranges. The different 4G LTE frequency allocations or LTE frequency bands are allocated numbers. Currently the bands between 1 & 22 are for paired spectrum, i.e. FDD, and LTE bands between 33 & 41 are for unpaired spectrum, i.e. TDD. 4G LTE frequency band definitions FDD LTE frequency band allocations There is a large number of allocations or radio spectrum that has been reserved for FDD, frequency division duplex, LTE use. The FDD LTE frequency bands are paired to allow simultaneous transmission on two frequencies. The bands also have a sufficient separation to enable the transmitted signals not to unduly impair the receiver performance. If the signals are too close then the receiver may be “blocked” and the sensitivity impaired. The separation must be sufficient to enable the roll-off of the antenna filtering to give sufficient attenuation of the transmitted signal within the receive band. FDD LTE is popular for traditional cellular operators who already have established 2G and 3G services, where spectrum is traditionally “paired” as FDD. |FDD LTE BANDS & FREQUENCIES| |WIDTH OF BAND (MHZ)||DUPLEX SPACING (MHZ)||BAND GAP (MHZ)| |1||1920 – 1980||2110 – 2170||60||190||130| |2||1850 – 1910||1930 – 1990||60||80||20| |3||1710 – 1785||1805 -1880||75||95||20| |4||1710 – 1755||2110 – 2155||45||400||355| |5||824 – 849||869 – 894||25||45||20| |6||830 – 840||875 – 885||10||35||25| |7||2500 – 2570||2620 – 2690||70||120||50| |8||880 – 915||925 – 960||35||45||10| |9||1749.9 – 1784.9||1844.9 – 1879.9||35||95||60| |10||1710 – 1770||2110 – 2170||60||400||340| |11||1427.9 – 1452.9||1475.9 – 1500.9||20||48||28| |12||698 – 716||728 – 746||18||30||12| |13||777 – 787||746 – 756||10||–31||41| |14||788 – 798||758 – 768||10||–30||40| |15||1900 – 1920||2600 – 2620||20||700||680| |16||2010 – 2025||2585 – 2600||15||575||560| |17||704 – 716||734 – 746||12||30||18| |18||815 – 830||860 – 875||15||45||30| |19||830 – 845||875 – 890||15||45||30| |20||832 – 862||791 – 821||30||–41||71| |21||1447.9 – 1462.9||1495.5 – 1510.9||15||48||33| |22||3410 – 3500||3510 – 3600||90||100||10| |23||2000 – 2020||2180 – 2200||20||180||160| |24||1625.5 – 1660.5||1525 – 1559||34||–101.5||135.5| |25||1850 – 1915||1930 – 1995||65||80||15| |26||814 – 849||859 – 894||30 / 40||10| |27||807 – 824||852 – 869||17||45||28| |28||703 – 748||758 – 803||45||55||10| |29||n/a (DL only)||717 – 728||11||n/a| |30||2305 – 2315||2350 – 2360||10||45||35| |31||452.5 – 457.5||462.5 – 467.5||5||10||5| |32||n/a (DL only)||1452-1496||44||n/a| |67||n/a (DL only)||738-758||20||n/a| |69||n/a (DL only)||2570-2620||50||n/a| |252||n/a (DL only) unlicensed||5150-5250 Note: “offload” use only |255||n/a (DL only) unlicensed||5725-5850 Note: “offload” use only TDD LTE frequency band allocations With the interest in TDD LTE, there are several unpaired frequency allocations that are being prepared for LTE TDD use. The TDD LTE bands are unpaired because the uplink and downlink share the same frequency, being time multiplexed. TDD LTE is popular in ISP and closed networks where there is either predominantly Data-centric use (rather than voice), no legacy of 2G/3G, or pressure on limited spectrum available. |TDD LTE BANDS & FREQUENCIES| |ALLOCATION (MHZ)||WIDTH OF BAND (MHZ)| |33||1900 – 1920||20| |34||2010 – 2025||15| |35||1850 – 1910||60| |36||1930 – 1990||60| |37||1910 – 1930||20| |38||2570 – 2620||50| |39||1880 – 1920||40| |40||2300 – 2400||100| |41||2496 – 2690||194| |42||3400 – 3600||200| |43||3600 – 3800||200| |44||703 – 803||100| |45||1447 – 1467||20| |46||5150 – 5925 (unlicensed) Note: “offload” use only |47||5855 – 5925 (unlicensed) Note: “offload” use only |48||3550 – 3700||150| There are regular additions to the 4G LTE frequency bands / LTE spectrum allocations as a result of negotiations at the ITU regulatory meetings. These LTE allocations are resulting in part from the digital dividend, and also from the pressure caused by the ever growing need for mobile communications. Many of the new LTE spectrum allocations are relatively small, often 10 – 20MHz in bandwidth, and this is a cause for concern. With LTE-Advanced using channel aggregation to use bandwidths of 100 MHz, channel aggregation over a wide set of frequencies many be needed, availability of sufficient spectrum has been recognised as a significant technological problem. There are many different bands that are being allocated for use with LTE. These bands are defined on the previous page. On this page, additional notes and information are given about these different LTE bands. 4G/LTE bands Overview The number of bands allocated for use has increased as the pressure increases on spectrum. It has not been possible for all LTE band allocations to be the same across the globe because of the different regulatory positions in different countries. It has not been possible to gain global allocations. In some cases bands appear to overlap. This is because of the different levels of availability around the globe, where various countries have allocated the frequencies differently now and historically. This means that roaming with LTE may have some limitations as not all handsets or UEs will be able to access the same frequencies. Notes accompanying LTE band tabulations There are a few notes that can give some background to the LTE bands defined in the table on the previous page. - LTE Band 1: This is one of the paired bands that was defined for the 3G UTRA and 3GPP rel 99. - LTE Band 4: This LTE band was introduced as a new band for the Americas at the World (Administrative) Radio Conference, WRC-2000. This international conference is where international spectrum allocations are agreed. The downlink of band 4 overlaps with the downlink for Band 1. This facilitates roaming. - LTE Band 9: This band overlaps with Band 3 but has different band limits and it is also only intended for use in Japan. This enables roaming to be achieved more easily, and many terminals are defined such that that are dual band 3 + 9 - LTE Band 10: This band is an extension to Band 4 and may not be available everywhere. It provides an increase from 45 MHz bandwidth (paired) to 60 MHz paired. - LTE Band 11: This “1500 MHz” band is identified by 3GPP as a Japanese band, but it is allocated globally to the mobile service on a “co-primary basis”. - LTE Band 12: This band was previously used for broadcasting and has been released as a result of the “Digital Dividend.” - LTE Band 13: This band was previously used for broadcasting and has been released as a result of the “Digital Dividend.” The duplex configuration is reversed from the standard, having the uplink higher in frequency than the downlink. - LTE Band 14: This band was previously used for broadcasting and has been released as a result of the “Digital Dividend.” The duplex configuration is reversed from the standard, having the uplink higher in frequency than the downlink. - LTE Band 15: This LTE band has been defined by ETSI for use in Europe, but this has not been adopted by 3GPP. This band combines two nominally TDD bands to provide one FDD band. - LTE Band 16: This LTE band has been defined by ETSI for use in Europe, but this has not been adopted by 3GPP. This band combines two nominally TDD bands to provide one FDD band. - LTE Band 17: This band was previously used for broadcasting and has been released as a result of the “Digital Dividend.” - LTE Band 20: The duplex configuration is reversed from the standard, having the uplink higher in frequency than the downlink. - LTE Band 21: This “1500 MHz” band is identified by 3GPP as a Japanese band, but it is allocated globally to the mobile service on a “co-primary basis”. - LTE Band 24: The duplex configuration is reversed from the standard, having the uplink higher in frequency than the downlink. - LTE Band 33: This was one of the bands defined for unpaired spectrum in Rel 99 of the 3GPP specifications. - LTE Band 34: This was one of the bands defined for unpaired spectrum in Rel 99 of the 3GPP specifications. - LTE Band 38: This band is in the centre band spacing between the uplink and downlink pairs of LTE band 7. Although 3GPP can defined bands for use in LTE or any other mobile service, the actual allocations are made on an international basis by the ITU are World radio Conferences, and then the individual country administrations can allocate spectrum use in their own countries. 3GPP has no legal basis, and can only work with the various country administrations. Frequency bands may be allocated on a primary and secondary basis. Primary users have the first access to a band, secondary users, in general, may use the band provided they do not cause interference to the primary users. For More Information For More Information on CableFree products and services, please Contact Us and our team will be delighted to advise on a precise solution to match your exact requirements.

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By the middle of the 19th century, the benefits brought by the host of advances of the industrial age were gradually beginning to reach America, which soon developed a spectacular achievement of its own – the Transcontinental Railway, reaching right across the continent. They battled against hostile terrain, hostile inhabitants, civil war and the Wild West. With two teams, one building from the east and the other from California in the west, they battled against hostile terrain, hostile inhabitants, civil war and the Wild West. Yet in 1869, the two teams’ tracks were joined, shrinking the whole American continent, as the journey from New York to San Francisco was reduced from months to days. While touching on a century of railroad expansion and development in the vast southwest territory between Kansas City and the West Coast, this latest book from Borneman focuses on a relatively brief period from the 1860s to the 1880s during which a network of thousands of miles of railroad was built westward from Chicago and Kansas City to the west coast, with the dramatic accompanying population shifts and development of agricultural, mining, and other resources of these vast new western lands. Through these rail connections, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and California were rapidly incorporated into the commercial, social, and political sphere of the greater United States. The arrival of the railroads dramatically transformed the West Coast. Once connected with Chicago, Los Angeles rapidly grew from a sleepy coastal town into one of America’s great cities. Click to Buy Rival Rails: The Race to Build America’s Greatest Transcontinental Railroad

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Ethnic Groups Of China With Different Language And Culture; Special Treatment For Minority Groups. There are many ethnic groups of China in Yunnan Province as we were to see during a visit to the Botanical Gardens in Xishuangbanna. There were replicas of homes of some of the ethnic groups of China in the Minorities Park near the city of Kunming. There is also a Minorities Park at Beijing that can be reached from the city center by taxi or service bus, and it is well worth the time to visit the park, to have an insight into the diverse cultures of the ethnic groups of China. Inevitably, these Minority Parks have become tourist attractions for visitors to China. Inevitably, the design and layout of the Minority Parks have been influenced by the possible expectations and needs of the visiting tourists. There were minority groups in Jinghong, to where we had flown from Kunming, and we would stop to visit one of the ethnic groups on our return journey from the Botanical Gardens to Jinghong. The minority group we visited, existed in isolation, and not in a specific park allocated for their observation. We felt privileged to have had the opportunity of visiting them; we felt guilty of intrusion into their private lives. When we first arrived in Jinghong, it was like being in a different country, and not just in another province of China. Most of the women were attired in head wrap, coloured blouses, and sarongs, as if we were in Thailand or Laos, and their language was similar to the dialects of those countries. The new houses being built in Jinghong did not have any different appearance to new houses being built in some other parts of China, but the old wooden houses of the ethnic minorities in Jinghong, were of the Dai style, built on stilts, with room beneath for cows and pigs. Children At Roadside, Members Of Yunnan Ethnic Group, Show Signs Of Malnutrition. Access to the minority group we visited during our journey back from the Botannical Gardens, was by walking up a steep track from the road, where our minibus was parked. Our first contact was with a group of young children of the ethnic group, the age range appeared to be between 1 years old and 12 years old, with the older children caring for their younger siblings. At the time of out visit we were told that there were less than 2000 surviving members of this ethnic group. The children we came in contact with looked happy enough, despite the conditions in which they found themselves. Amongst the group rambled 2 very fat pot bellied pigs, snorting away as they searched for something to eat. We moved to another part of the commune and entered one of the large wooden houses built on stilts. In one part of the house a young woman was cooking a meal in a pot supported by three stones over a woodfire. All the other people in this room were elderly. In another smaller room, that was rather dark, four old women sat watching a small black and white television. All the members of this ethnic group we saw during our visit were either quite young or very old. When we asked about the fathers and mother of the children of the ethnic group, we were told that they would be out working in the fields, or selling their produce in the markets. At the end of our visit, and when we returned to the minibus on the road, there was a group of five young boys in the layby. Two were sitting on their bench, that happened to be part of a tree trunk, and the other boys of the ethnic group were standing. Only two of the boys were wearing sandles, the others were barefooted. From the appearance of the children it would seem that they showed the signs of malnutrition, and the age of the children was difficult to gauge. I had the feeling that I could have lifted up all of the five children at the same time. ''''' In the politics of some countries, a minority is an ethnic group that is recognized as such by respective laws of its country and therefore has some rights that other groups lack. Speakers of a legally-recognized minority language, for instance, might have the right to education or communication with the government in their mother tongue. Countries that have special provisions for minorities include China, Germany, India, Romania, Russia, and the United Kingdom (which does maintain the concept of a British supra-nation, however). In the United States, the term minority typically refers to members of the non-white population. Src: Wikipedia.com. ''''' Click here for next picture CLOSE this window to RETURN to your picture album. * * * * * * * * All images strictly copyright metcn8.com, all rights reserved. 9th June, 2007 Send Robert email |BILLBOARD Useful links.Wide selection. Click HERE for full list. Great Opportunities!| |Silk Fabric; Silkworm factory; Chinese silk.||Spices and herbs; Chinese food; Kungfu in China.||Chinese clothing; Wedding Beds; Perfect smile.||Treat Eczema; Hand creams; Hand Dryers.||Yangtze Cruise; Boats for sale; Magical Tours.|

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This photo shows Stolperstein Holocaust monuments in Berlin, Germany. The one at the right commemorates Jewish woman Ruth Hirsch, who used to live there. She was born in 1919. From 1940-1943, she was a forced labourer at Siemens and IG Farben corporations. In 1943, she was deported to Auschwitz concentration camp; where she was murdered. Björn Hocke, a prominent politician of the German extreme right AfD party, has spoken out against Holocaust monuments and commemorations. Translated from the German Tagesschau TV show today: Outraged, the International Auschwitz Committee reacted to the demand of an AfD politician to end the stumbling block [Stolperstein] campaign in memory of Nazi victims. This was an attack on the basic democratic consensus. Since 1992, stumbling blocks have been put as a reminder of those persecuted by the Nazi regime. More than 60,000 of the gold plaques are now present in more than 20 European countries. Attack on democratic basic consensus After the AfD politician Wolfgang Gedeon had demanded the abolition of this “forced culture of remembrance”, the International Auschwitz Committee reacted outragedly: “The AfD fights ever more brutally and unscrupulously what the survivors of Auschwitz as contemporary witnesses have reached in German society”, said the vice-chairman of the committee, Christoph Heubner. The statement is an attempt to push the survivors and their memories out of society. The criticism by the International Auschwitz Committee explicitly does not only refer to Gedeon: rather, the AfD “consciously destroys the fundamental democratic consensus that is repeatedly invoked in German society after dealing with the murderous Nazi system as the common property of the Republic.” Heubner warned the society to “this time stop [anti-Semitism] at the beginning”. Gedeon is an AfD member of the state parliament in Baden-Württemberg. He already had a reputation as an anti-Semite before this scandal. German parliament follows in the tracks of the far-right Alternative for Germany: here.

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Why this year’s NAIDOC theme is so significant In the big picture, NAIDOC Week is a national and annual event during which Australia celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and communities and recognises the valuable contributions they make to our country. On a more personal level, the week presents the opportunity for my community to showcase and share our rich and diverse culture with pride – celebrating together as Aboriginal people and choosing to open our arms and encourage others to participate and understand our value. NAIDOC Co-Chair Pat Thompson says Indigenous Australians seek recognition of their unique place in Australian history and society today. “For generations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have looked for significant and lasting change. We need our fellow Australians to join us on this journey – to finish the unfinished business of this country,” he said. Under the theme Voice. Treaty. Truth. Let’s work together for a shared future, NAIDOC Week 2019 kicked off on Sunday and will continue until July 14. This year’s theme is reflective of the three key elements to the reforms set out in the Uluru Statement from the Heart – reforms that represent the unified position of First Nations Australians. The 2019 NAIDOC theme is significant because it challenges all of us to participate in conversations about how we are going to heal this country and work not on behalf of, or for, but with and alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. To listen to our voices, start a process for treaty and seek to enlighten ourselves with the truth as it pertains to the power structures we continue to enable in our society. “We tell ourselves that racism is about moral values when instead it is about the survival strategy of systemic power.” – Dr Tim Soutphommasane. It is no surprise there are many misconceptions out there on what the reforms within the Uluru Statement aim to do – in particular, the voice to parliament. So, what do we mean when we talk about voice? Ultimately it isn’t just about being heard, because we have been speaking about the same issues for decades now. It is about our knowledge being respected and listened to in an attempt to address the failure of government to rectify the damage caused by colonialist policies and the persistent nature of entrenched systemic racism experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We hope to use our lived experience, expertise and insights to advise government on laws and policy to ensure that they are not inadvertently discriminatory in nature towards or bound to disproportionately affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is our perspective we wish to share, to assist our government in making a difference. Dr Tim Soutphommasane, former Race Discrimination Commissioner, explored this further in his keynote address at the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation’s Institutional Racism conference in 2017. “It’s not always easy or comfortable to hold a mirror up to our society on such questions, but it’s vital that we are honest and open in doing so,” he said. This leads us to treaty and truth. Treaty, as it relates to the Uluru Statement from the Heart, references The Makarrata Commission. Makarrata is a Yolungu word meaning ”a coming together after a struggle” and it has two roles: supervising a process of agreement-making and overseeing a process of truth-telling. Essentially a Makarrata Commission would provide support at national and regional levels for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and aims to assist parties to reach agreement. We are the only Commonwealth nation that does not have a treaty with our First Nations people. To paraphrase an incredible woman in Rosalie Kunoth-Monks – I am a cultured person, I am not something that fell out of the sky for the pleasure of somebody putting another culture into this already cultured being. I think the essence of that comment should remind people that Australia has an existing culture and many of us speak our language, practice our cultural ways and seek to repair and cease the damage caused by colonial policy and practices that sought to erase our identities. The absence of a treaty suggests an ongoing denial of the existence, prior occupation and dispossession of Indigenous people in Australia. Treaty is not just about politics and agreement-making – it is also about human rights, social justice and above all respect and healing. “Rather than locked into exclusive, restrictive group identities, individuals, previously marginalised in Australia, would be freed to explore the full range of their affiliations, ambitions and desires and identify themselves how they would wish.” – Stan Grant. One thing I strongly believe is that we are all the sum of our experiences; we are complex and intersectional. Our experiences teach us different things and add depth to who we are, how we navigate our spaces and the way we interact with others. The truth is, every day I am immersed in a perspective that is not my own and continually exposed to a narrative that is at odds with the lived experiences of my family. My mother, my grandparents and their parents have direct experience with segregation, systemic racism and colonial trauma that has also directly impacted on our culture. We live in a society where people do not know that Wadjemup (Rottnest Island), where they enjoy a long weekend holiday with their families, is also the location of a mass grave and where more than a thousand people died and their spirits are yet to be set free. It’s a society where we are aware of the history of slavery in the US and stand aghast at the thought that humans were capable of enacting such violence and violations on their fellow humans. Yet many of us do not know the extent of slavery and slave trading in the pearl industry in Broome or the sugar cane industry in Queensland that helped build the wealth of this nation. Our ignorance of injustices is detrimental to us all. For example, did you know that in Queensland, Aboriginal people could be forced to live on reserves until 1971, and could not own their own property until 1975? That in the 1970s the estate of an Aboriginal person who died without leaving a will was automatically put in the hands of the public trustee, rather than granted to the next of kin as is the case with non-Aboriginals? Or that in 1994, the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that 10.1% of Aboriginal people aged between 25 and 44 had been separated from their families and that another 10.6% of those older than 44 had suffered the same fate? We need to ask ourselves some hard questions which are not meant to assign guilt but enable acknowledgement and healing. “The history of our First Peoples is the history of all of us, of all of Australia, and we need to own it – hearing this history is necessary before we can come to some true reconciliation, some genuine healing for both sides.” – National NAIDOC Co-Chairs Pat Thompson and John Paul Janke. These honest conversations seek only to add value and depth to our identities as Australians and heal our relationships with our First Nations people, so that we can do better tomorrow than what we are doing today. It is time. A sociologist and Cannings Purple’s Senior Consultant in Corporate Affairs, Jordin Payne specialises in strategic communications and relationships with the community. She is a proud Nimanburr woman and traditional owner from Broome Western Australia with ancestral ties to Yawuru, Djugan, Nyul Nyul and Bardi groups on the Mid Dampier Peninsula. You can contact Jordin directly at [email protected]. More Cannings Purple news: - The ‘little but big’ things you can start doing for reconciliation - Why do businesses fail on Indigenous employment? - Grounded in Truth: reflections on Reconciliation Week 2019 - From conversation to action: bringing the Uluru Statement to life - Social licence and the challenge of finding ‘the overlap’ - Trust me, your staff want to put their faith in you

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Johann Konrad Dippel was rumored to create potions, perform electrical therapies, and partake in gruesome experiments involving stolen body parts from the graveyard. Born in the Castle Frankenstein in 1673, it’s disputed whether or not he was the inspiration for Mary Shelley’s mad scientist of the same name, who did some cadaver experiments of his own. What is sure about Dippel is his colorful career as an alchemist. He attached his name to Dippel’s Animal Oil, which he discovered from the destructive distillation of animal parts and claimed as a universal medicine. The animal oil came at the end of a wave of popularity for Iatrochemistry, which had moved alchemy from the search for creating gold to finding new medicines. The unpleasant taste and smell, as well as the progression of medicine, made Dippel's oil fall into disrepute by the end of the 18th century. Dippel later helped set up a laboratory in Berlin for making gold and, at one point, he ended up in prison on a Danish island for seven years due to political activities. In 1734, he finally had a stroke and died at the Castle Wittgenstein near Berleburg, although his friends claimed he was poisoned. By his own hand or that of another, it is unclear. The Castle Frankenstein is now in ruins, with only two towers, a restaurant and a chapel remaining. However, the perhaps mythical connection to Mary Shelley’s novel "Frankenstein" keeps it a popular destination, especially for Halloween. A popular annual party was started there by American soldiers stationed near the castle in World War II. Until it was deactivated in 2008, the US Army's 233rd Base Support Battalion in Darmstadt conducted an annual Frankenstein Castle run which finished at the tower. The castle was featured in an episode of "Ghost Hunters International" which aired in February of 2008.

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Since Sony commercialized the first lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) containing organic liquid electrolytes in 1991, LIBs have been widely used in portable electronic devices and more recently in vehicles. However, as the energy density and/or size of cells increases, LIBs have incurred safety concerns due to volatile and flammable organic liquid electrolytes. Therefore, the world is making an effort to replace existing liquid electrolytes with solid-state ones for high energy density and safety. NEDO of Japan forecasts that solid-state batteries will completely supersede conventional ones by 2030. Nonflammable and low-cost Amide Epoxy Polymer Electrolyte for Solid State Lithium-Ion Batteries (NAEPE), from Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), is an electrolyte material with high ionic conductivity and voltage stability, which can greatly improve the safety and cycle life of LIBs. NAEPE is achieved through polymerization of liquid electrolytes with the crosslinking agent and the initiator at ambient temperatures. NAEPE provides several advantages, including high safety, low cost and easy processing and excellent cyclability.

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Why do mineral stains show up so prolifically on black limestone pavers laid outside? We are often contacted about mineral stains on black limestone paving. This is often perceived as an issue with the supplied paving stones, laying process or sealing method. Below we explained how a combination of naturally occurring elements can cause this phenomenon. It is in fact not uncommon and occurs with most types of limestone; however the appearance of mineral salt deposits on a black or darker coloured stone is more prevalent. This is why it is possible to notice some marks appearing even before sealing. As a naturally occurring chemical reaction it is often difficult to avoid. However, if fully understood and considered when laying and protecting black limestone this potential issue can be effectively managed. What causes white and grey mineral stains on black limestone pavers? When rain water trickles through mortar it can dissolve and transport soluble alkaline compounds. Rain water percolating through sand-cement mortar screed, toppings and bedding under limestone paving can become moderately alkaline. As this rainwater evaporates, its alkalinity increases until the solution becomes saturated. This solution can then travel via natural capillaries within the limestone to the surface where it starts to deposit solids such as white and grey encrustations of calcium carbonate commonly known as lime plumes and efflorescence as seen in the image of the black limestone pavers shown below. Halo stains and bands of mineral deposits Trace amounts of sodium and potassium oxides within limestone can also be activated by rain water. Even where rain is mildly acidic, the solutions of these salts in rainwater will gradually become alkaline. Surface wetting and evaporation can produce recurrent patches and bands of dampness known as accumulation zones (rainwater pooling on the surface where it cannot run off). Evaporation concentrates the alkaline solutions until they become saturated at the outer limits or edge of accumulation zones. Further evaporation then causes precipitation, crystallisation and immobilisation of the salts at the surface and in pores immediately below the surface. The resulting bands of distinct pigmentation are halo stains as seen in the image of limestone pavers shown below. Reducing the impact PROTECT YOUR PAVING WITH THE CORRECT SEALING PRODUCT Sealers used to enhance the appearance and prevent limestone pavers staining from organic matter outside should be breathable. LTP Mattstone, LTP Stone Oil and LTP Colour Intensifier are examples of breathable sealers suitable for external use. As well as protecting the stone from staining, breathable sealers will allow the microscopic transition of moisture assisting any trapped moisture to escape through the stone from the mortar and sub surfaces. However, moisture permeating through the stone and sealer to the surface can still dry to leave a calciferous deposit. HOW DO I REMOVE MINERAL SALT STAINS FROM THE SURFACE OF LIMESTONE Wash the surface with a mild solution of acid. This will help disperse the mineral salt deposits from the surface. The downside of this approach is that the acid solution can have a slight etching effect on the surface of the stone causing it to dry much lighter. LTP Grout Stain Remover is a product suitable for this task. Dilute 1 part LTP Grout Stain remover in 4 parts warm water and apply to the surface of the stone. Agitate using an emulsifying pad or similar abrasive and then rinse thoroughly with plenty of clean water. Repeat this process to remove all mineral deposits. ENSURE YOU PROTECT YOUR PAVING BY RESEALING Once the surface is thoroughly dry and mineral salt deposits on the surface are greatly reduced, re-seal the stone with an appropriate limestone sealer. LTP Mattstone is our most popular and highly effective natural stone sealing solution and is suitable for external use. However, many of our customers have successfully used LTP Stone Oil after acid washing their stone as it helps to re-enhance and deepen the colour. Apply LTP Mattstone or Stone Oil impregnating sealer to the surface of the stone using a paint brush. Allow it to absorb into the stone and then remove any visible excess from the surface after 45 minutes using an absorbent dry towel. The aim is to completely saturate the stone with as many coats of sealer as necessary, but do not allow the sealer to dry and leave a film on the surface. Do not apply in direct sunlight. Still unsure? Try our new product guide to help select the correct products. Please note that this information is offered as general guidance only and without guarantee. Your specific circumstances may need an alternative approach. In case of doubt, any process should be tried out in an inconspicuous area before general application. Resolving stain issues on natural stone can prove difficult. At LTP we believe in helping to offer solutions and this is why we offer a no obligation LTP TECHNICAL HELPLINE, so please give us a call on +44 (0) 1823 666213 and we will be happy to help you.

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The same carbon dioxide bubbles that make sodas fizzy. In bread, those carbon dioxide bubbles are made by yeast, a tiny microbe that eats sugar and makes alcohol and carbon dioxide. In cookies, the bubbles are formed by a reaction between baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and an acid. The acid can be from something tart in the recipe, such as lemon juice or other fruit juices, vinegar, or buttermilk. Or it can be an acid produced when water is added to powdered tartaric acid (cream of tartar), or monocalcium phosphate. These are the powders that, along with baking soda, make baking powder. Baking soda by itself will decompose to release carbon dioxide as the temperature of the cookie rises. Steam will also enter the bubbles and expand them. Air that was beaten into the cookie dough will also expand as the cookies get hot. All of these things combine to help make the cookies rise in the oven. When the cookies cool, however, those hot gases will contract again. If the cookie has not been chemically changed by the heat, it will fall and get flat again. The chemical changes in the cookie that help it keep its fluffy texture and shape after it cools are mostly reactions of proteins. As proteins are heated, their carefully formed three dimensional structures unwind (denature), and the untangled strings and sheets of protein can form bonds with other proteins. The proteins join up into big nets and sheets that hold the bubbles in place, and as the hot gases cool and try to contract, the proteins hold their shape, so air from the outside is sucked in.

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A woman infamous for using a hatchet to smash up saloons nationwide visited Arkansas in 1904, then temporarily settled in Eureka Springs. |Carrie Nation and students stand outside "Hatchet Hall," 1910.| Carry Moore, later Carrie Nation, was born Nov. 25, 1846, in Kentucky. She married Charles Gloyd, an abusive alcoholic in 1867. The pair divorced after about a year, and she married David Nation in 1874. Her new husband also seemed fond of alcohol. Nation became a member of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, an organization partially devoted to ending the consumption of alcohol in America. Nation and her husband often quarreled. In 1901, he divorced her by citing “neglect of duty.” It seemed her temperance work kept her on the lecture circuit too much. Nation decided lecturing alone was not enough, and after a time of prayer, she said she had a vision from God to adopt a more militant tactic. Nation began going into saloons and smashing furniture, beer kegs and whiskey bottles with a hatchet while singing hymns and declaring God’s judgment against alcohol. She became a nationally recognized temperance figure. After a couple of years, and a few stays in jail for disturbing the peace, Nation’s saloon smashing days were largely over. She traveled throughout the Midwest lecturing audiences about temperance and encouraging them to take action against the sale and consumption of alcohol. She hoped her lectures inspired others to take part in her crusade. She carried a trunk of souvenir hatchets to sell to her audiences. Her lecture tours brought her to Arkansas in 1904. When she arrived in Mena, a growing mob greeted her with alternating jeers and cheers. As she traveled, Nation often stopped in front of saloons to lecture to bar patrons. During an Arkansas tour in 1906, Nation stopped in Little Rock and made a point to stand in front of the Hamel Saloon. She shook her fist and shouted, “Get out of there, you are all going to the devil!” She demanded Little Rock’s officials shut down the saloons. “I don’t want to find this same condition when I come back,” Nation said. Nation went to Hot Springs where she started a fight with a pool-hall owner, which led to her being jailed for assaulting a police officer. Years later, Nation decided she liked Arkansas. She took the large sum of money she made from selling souvenir hatchets and bought a farm in Eureka Springs in 1909. She seemed content to settle down and raise pigs, chickens and apples. Nation started the National College of Eureka Springs in 1910 to train temperance workers and speakers. But, her time in Eureka Springs was short. She collapsed Jan. 13, 1911 in Eureka Springs, and her friends took her to a hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. After a short stay in Kansas City, Nation settled in Leavenworth, Kansas, where she died June 9, 1911. Her home on 35 Steele St. in Eureka Springs still stands. Locals refer to the house as “Hatchet Hall” because of its connection to Nation. A spring named after Nation is located nearby. Information about Nation and other important historical figures connected to Arkansas is available at the Arkansas State Archives at 1 Capitol Mall, suite 215, or online at.

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One of the most interesting monuments of antiquity – the Dolmens - is located in Byala Treva area, near the village of Hlyabovo. The Dolmens (from Breton – dol – mass and men – stone), are the first representatives of the monumental tomb architecture on the Bulgarian lands. They are common for the territories of Haskovo area in the Strandzha and Sakar mountains and the eastern Rhodope mountain. They are the precursors of the later created unique Thracian tombs like the one near the village of Alexandrovo. The ancient Thracians laid the bodies of the dead in such tombs. These kind of tomb constructions were used by these lands in the period between the 12th and the 6th century BC. By their nature, the dolmens are single or dual-chamber rooms of oblong shape, the walls of which were formed from natural or roughly shaped stone blocks, covered by other large stone blocks. The ancient Thracians used to make small mounds of soil and small stones on the dolmens after a funeral. The Dolmen near the village of Hlyabovo is the largest one in Bulgaria. The ancient monument dates back to the early Iron Age (approximately 1050 – 500 year BC). It is believed that the dolmens used to be built for people with high social status, but no evidence for a specific person has been found yet. The dolmens near the village of Hlyabovo were declared a natural landmark by Order No 378 of 5 February 1964. Similar monuments can be seen in many places in Bulgaria, but among the most typical representatives of the megalithic culture are those in Bayamlaka area near the villages of Oryahovo and Plevun, Haskovo area.

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NaTour - Planning and management of tourism in natural areas In the last decade, the Azores archipelago turned from an almost unknown region to a highly awarded tourist destination. Furthermore, in April 2015 the local air space was opened to low cost flights, leading to an increase in the number of national and international arrivals. Cruise ships carrying thousands of tourists also arrive more frequently, mainly to Ponta Delgada harbour. The observed boom of tourists is recent in these islands but is already a fact in other neighbouring archipelagos. Thus, our research interests extend to the entire Macaronesian biogeographic region, which includes the EU’s outermost regions of the Azores, Madeira and the Canaries, as well as the African country of Cape Verde. In this context, we have already established recent contacts with Cape Verdean colleagues that might help develop joint research, within the frame of an ongoing H2020 project. In general, we are dealing with small oceanic islands, dispersed throughout the North Atlantic Ocean, that need a particular care when it comes to planning and managing activities that take place within their natural habitats, in order to preserve local natural resources while promoting ecotourism, nature-based tourism and a high quality touristic offer. Islands are mostly wanted for their natural beauties, and tourism is quite important for the economy of small island states. For instance, in the Azores, the beautiful landscape and seascape are the main reasons for most of the tourists to visit the archipelago. Thus, this group is built under the need to properly plan and manage tourist activities that take place within natural areas, both on land and at sea, harmonizing recreation and conservation, while minimizing possible impacts. Our main goals are to: - Study and value the nature-based tourism as a cultural service provided by the Macaronesian natural ecosystems; - Analyse and explore the existing natural resources that form our biological and geological heritage, in order to promote them for sustainable tourist uses; - Determine tourist carrying capacities in natural areas (e.g., in the existing trails) and help plan and develop new activities, routes and trails; - Plan the design of sub-aquatic trails for a sustainable use of the maritime resources (e.g., seascape, biodiversity assets), by the local maritime-tourism enterprises; - Study the potential to develop new forms of nature-based tourism to be implemented in the regions and analyse their economic revenue, without compromising the ecosystems’ conservation; - Promote certification schemes that can help preserve the natural capital; - Identify and develop management plans for certain terrestrial/marine species with conservation interests (e.g., umbrella or key species), that can in turn be used to promote local tourism; - Analyse cultural ecosystem services to support decision-making.

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Agriculture is one of those areas where we all can learn some new facts, and if you want to learn more, like I have with these facts below, check out Farm & Food Care Ontario’s facts on farming at www.realdirtonfarming.ca Traditionally, strawberry season has lasted only a few weeks in June. Berry farms are now growing day-neutral (ever-bearing) strawberries, which means we can now get them from May until October. Organic foods are those grown or produced without the use of synthetic (or man-made) fertilizers and pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMO’s), growth hormones, or medications such as antibiotics. For livestock farmers, their priority is to provide the best environment that they can for the animals in their care. It’s trying to balance animal needs, safe food, and environmental and economic realities, but they are continuously investing in animal welfare research to help them learn what is best. Today’s farm practices are a combination of practical experience, common sense, and good science. Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, barley, rye, triticale, and foods made with these grains. Gluten must be avoided by about 1% of Canadians who have Celiac disease, and about 5% of Canadians with gluten intolerance, or 1% of us who have wheat allergy. Otherwise, despite much media hype, gluten is not problematic for the rest of the population. Products which are labelled “gluten-free” are not any healthier; they are just made with alternative ingredients that don’t include gluten. Every one of us can take an active role in preventing disease and helping keep our animals and crops healthy. This means following government rules against bringing agricultural products such as plants, soils, or meats into Canada from other countries. Strange bugs and diseases could destroy our crops or our animals. Animal feed plays a key role in recycling. The ethanol industry uses corn as its main ingredient. During the ethanol production process, starch is removed from corn, leaving behind a product called dried distillers’ grain (DDG) that has increased concentrations of other nutrients like fiber, protein, fat, and minerals. It is an excellent feed ingredient, and feed manufacturers are now using it in pig and cattle diets. In Canada, only 9% of farms use any form of irrigation. The remaining 91% of farms rely solely on precipitation for crop watering. Irrigation is mainly used on higher quality crops such as berries, fruits and vegetables that are for direct human consumption. Farmers, like all animal owners, must follow laws for the humane treatment of animals. In addition to these laws, farmers have helped develop the “Codes of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farm Animals,” in conjunction with animal scientists, government, veterinarians, industry partners, and the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS). The Codes, which are internationally recognized as models of responsible animal care, spell out what is appropriate in the daily care and handling of livestock and poultry. Think about this – When we come to Christ in our brokenness, He makes us whole. Just some food for thought. Here in Chatham-Kent ‘We Grow for the World’. Check out: www.wegrowfortheworld.com Kim Cooper has been involved in the agribusiness sector for over 40 years. He can be reached at: [email protected] You can also follow him on Twitter at ‘theAGguy

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Sign Up For Our Newsletter Language Arts - Writing Middle/High Links verified 12/6/2019 Analogies | Lesson Plans - The Book of Magic Potions - Create your own potions after getting ideas and suggestions from this book! - By Grade Level - The Writing Source - Grades 4-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12. - Comic Strip - Create your own comic strip! - Compare and Contrast - Select two works of art from a list of 26. Then click the "Begin Essay" button in the selection box that displays your selections to write your own short essay comparing the works of art. This is a display from the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. - Creative Writing Worksheets - Story Starters to print. - Essay Map - Online tool to map out informational essays. - Essay Writing - Quick tips to review before writing your paper. - Essay Writing - Online Persuasive Essay Tool; Thesis Builder - An Excellent 5 Paragraph Essay: the Easiest Way to Write - the purpose of this article is to show you precisely how easy it is to write the perfect 5 paragraph essay - Expository Essays: - Exploratory Essays - Some things to consider when writing exploratory essays. - Food for Thought - an expository writing lesson plan for eighth grade - Writing a "How-to" Explanation - Student model as an example - Five Paragraph Essay - At this site, you will find the information you need to learn how to write the essay as well as some writing prompts to help you develop skill. - 5 Paragraph Essay Generator - This essay generator is designed to help you efficiently translate your ideas into words. It isn't an automated essay generator; you need to guide the development of the structure and concepts behind the essay - Graphic Organizers - several examples of how to use graphic organizers in brainstorming or pre-writing activities - Graphic Organizers - a collection of resources at Internet4Classrooms - Ideas for Writing Poetry in the Classroom - Acrostic Poems for Children - Acrostics Poems Submitted by Children - Main Character Questionnaire - Fill this out to discover things about the main character you are creating or have read about. - Narrative Essays : - Multiple Paragraph Essay - pointers on writing an essay - Narrative Essay - article on how to write a narrative essay - Ten Narrative Writing Prompts - targeted mainly at high school teachers - Student Writing Tools Handbook - [25 pages] Transitions, rubrics, grammar, citations, and more - Template for writing a narrative - scaffolding guide for students - Online Poetry Workshop - lessons and activities - Paradigm-On-line Writing Assistant - This site will take you through the writing process of editing, revising, organizing and other steps. - Paraphrase Craze - A Interactive Lesson in Expository Writing - Persuasive writing - Argument & Persuasive Writing Lesson plans and teaching resources - many lesson resources - Can You Convince Me? - basic concepts of lobbying for something that is important to them (or that they want) and making persuasive arguments. Lesson plan - Sample assignment - Invent an X-ray satellite, name it, draw a picture of it. Write a one- to two-page persuasion letter addressed to your Congressperson or essay for your local newspaper in order to obtain funding for your X-ray astronomy mission. - Scholastic's Writing Workshop - You already spend a lot of time trying to persuade your parents or teachers to allow you to watch more TV or do less homework. Now you can use those same skills to write a persuasive essay! - Study Guides and Strategies - persuasive writing - Ten Persuasive Prompts : Persuasive-Descriptive - Writing to Persuade - Persuasion means making someone with a different point of view from your own change their mind to your way of thinking. - Pre-Reading Clock - an activity designed to help establish vocabulary readiness - Prewriting - methods and tips - Prewriting Practices - an article by Alice L. Trupe - Prewriting Strategies - prewriting techniques - Prewriting Strategies - from Gallaudet University - Six Prewriting Steps - Principles of Composition - the writing process, structural considerations and patterns of composition - Read Write Think - Thinkfinity site - excellent lessons, resources and student materials - Self Evaluation Writing Rubric - Check yourself! - Ten Creative Writing Activities - List of creative writing assignments - Thinking Things from Snaith Primary - An interactive site with which you can create stories online. Click on the Character and Setting links at the top to write your own stories. Click on the numerous travel links to learn about history. - Transition Words: - Go with the Flow - Transitions - How to Use Transition Words and Phrases in an Essay - writing and studying skills and tips - Writing Transition words and phrases - a list of transitions - The Ultimate Guide to Writing Styles- ideas and links to other sites posted by Maryville University - Word Games for Writers -On those days you can't write prose or poetry, perhaps a good alternative is to play a word game - Writing - many online lessons and activities learning the writing process. Many forms of writing are included on this page, such as expository, narrative, summary and the 6-trait writing style. Lee's Summit School District site. - Writing Activities - Many ideas and activities (Warning: This Tripod site may be blocked by school filters) - Writing Handouts - Many PDF files: How to Avoid Plagiarism | Writing Tips | Resumes & Cover Letters | Study & Test-taking Tips | Research Paper Guidelines | Punctuation | Documentation Style Guides | Helpful Style Guide Links - Writing Lessons - A collection of writing lessons plans for your students' use to prepare for standardized testing. - The Write Place Catalogue - Many references to help writers - Writing Paragraphs - Precise instructions with definitions of each part. - Writing Prompts - 200+ Writing Prompts to Inspire You - writing prompts are an excellent way to maintain a regular writing routine - Creative Writing Prompts - Use the creative writing prompts and creative writing ideas to create stories, poems and other creative pieces from your imagination.Over 200! - Education World has 180 quotes for you, but that's also 180 writing prompts! - Imagination Prompt Generator - Click to get a new prompt. - Original WritingFix Prompt Generator - over 400 different prompts Sign up to have 6 Prompts from this page e-mailed to you every Sunday for your writing for the week! - Picture Prompts - Write your own Word list, then print the page for students to write their story. - Proverbs: Wisdom Tales Without the Plot - Have students choose a familiar proverb and develop a story that can surround and carry that thought. Multicultural proverbs offer interesting insights into the universality of wisdom. - Writing Prompts - Get-you-started Writing Prompts - scroll near the middle of the page for a list of prompts and Word banks. - Writing Prompts - Many ideas to start your students' minds - Writing Prompts - Narrative, Persuasive and Expository - Writing Prompts - for high school [list of the essay topics approved for use on the Regents' Test] - Writing Prompts with pictures - 64 page document to print - Writers' Digest - Idea joggers and brain starters to get your writing going. Presents you a new prompt each week - Writing Skills - Alliteration, Personification, Similes, Onomatopoeia, Hyperbole - Fact Monster Analogy of the Day - Analogy Quiz which requires students to type the word to complete the analogy - Analogy Lesson from Diana Dell - Analogy quiz 1 at Quia posted by Diana Dell - Analogy quiz 2 at Quia posted by Diana Dell - Analogy quizzes - from easy to hard - Analogy worksheets - many to choose from. - Awesome Analogies for one or two players - posted at Quia - Discovery School Analogy Quizzes - SAT AnalogyQuiz 8 - SAT AnalogyQuiz 9 - SAT AnalogyQuiz 10 - Puzz.com has a quiz with 125 analogies - pick one or two a day and practice this valuable skill Creative Writing Lesson Plans - Composition Ideas - writing lesson ideas - Lesson Ideas - 7 creative writing lessons that engage the children in writing - TeachNet Language Arts/ Writing Ideas - writing activities for grades 1-8 Stories for Older Children - Audio Books - Classics - Hear classical stories on-line. - Audio Books - Librivox - LibriVox provides free audio books from the public domain. - Page By Page Books - Many titles to select from. Hundreds of classic books you can read right now, all absolutely free! - Walks with Red Dog - Online stories. - The Throps and Squallhoots - Chapter book online. - Stories by MagicKeys - Online stories for older children. - Online Story Clips - download these audio stories for your class listening time! - Cool4Kids - Online stories in many genres. - Light Up your Brain - Stories online that are read aloud and students can read along with them. - Classics for Young People - Classical books available in full-text on the Internet. Don't see a book you are looking for? Do a search by author , or by title - Shakespeare - The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Twain - Mark Twain in his times - This site provides the capability of searching for reviews or electronic texts. Internet4classrooms is a collaborative effort by Susan Brooks and Bill Byles. 426452859 US 1 desktop not tablet not iPad

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French: Madanga à gorge rousse German: Orangekehl-Brillenvogel Spanish: Madanga Other common names: Rufous-throated White-eye Rothschild and E. J. O. Hartert, 1923, Wa Fehat, Buru. W & C Buru (Mt Kapalatmada and Mada Range), in S Moluccas. 13 cm. Has light greyish-olive crown, side of head and nape, paler on forehead and lores; rudimentary pale eyering consisting of very short scaly feathers; upperparts... read more Montane forest at 820–1750 m, mainly above 1450 m; probably restricted to small isolated... read more Food and feeding Few data; presumed to take invertebrates from bark and lichen. Forages in mixed-species flocks. Seen to climb up and down trunks in manner... read more Status and conservation ENDANGERED. Restricted-range species: present in Buru EBA. Uncommon and local. Four specimens collected in 1920s in mountains of W half of island. Revisited in 1990s, when... read more Only subscribers are able to see the bibliography. Login or Subscribe to get access to a lot of extra features!

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After a person has gone through an addiction treatment program, it’s important to implement techniques of relapse prevention. Relapse prevention can come in many forms: From structured behavioral therapy to support groups, a person in recovery can find a technique that works for them. It’s important to note that relapse is a very common part of the recovery process. If you or a loved one relapses, don’t give up hope. There are many ways to prevent and treat a relapse. What Is Relapse Prevention? Relapse prevention programs help recovering individuals abstain from the use of substances after they’ve gone through treatment for addiction. This is a cognitive-behavioral approach that focuses on the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of recovery. The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) states that relapse prevention reduces the likelihood and severity of relapse after a person quits using drugs or alcohol. The NCBI defines relapse prevention as having two primary aims: - to prevent initial relapse and maintain abstinence - to provide lapse management if a relapse occurs Why Relapse Prevention Is Important Relapse prevention cannot exist without an initial treatment program, nor can an addiction program provide long-term success without relapse prevention strategies in place. These are complementary programs designed to work in balance with one another. During inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment, you’ll learn new coping strategies, work through trauma, create a system of support with family and peers, and much more. But these skills must be cultivated outside the walls of a treatment facility if long-term sobriety is to be attained. Especially if you’re returning to old environments and people, it’s much more likely that the issue will return without the continued support of prevention measures. This is because it’s easy to forget the skills learned in classes, stop going to support meetings, and let go of the important progress made through therapy in your rehab program. Programs focused on continuing the development of these skills and factors help to keep a person motivated to pursue sobriety and create a healthier life for themselves post-treatment. Types Of Relapse Prevention Programs Relapse prevention programs typically involve in-person treatment; however, some services may be available via telehealth if you need virtual treatment. Here, we’ve broken down the primary forms of relapse prevention programs. Therapy may be used by itself or incorporated into a larger program. This is one of the most important steps of relapse prevention, as it offers the individual a healthy outlet to cope, discuss their roadblocks to recovery, work through emotional pain, and more. Several therapies may be used, including: - motivational interviewing - cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) - dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) - contingency management - family therapy For those recovering from opioids or another substance that causes uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) may be beneficial. MAT uses a combination of medication and behavioral therapy to take a whole-patient approach to recovery. Medications help to alleviate the symptoms of withdrawal and reduce cravings, allowing the individual to focus on other aspects of recovery. The program may last for a few months, years, or indefinitely, as you may use medications to assist in pain relief for as long as you need. Peer Support Programs Many relapse prevention programs involve peer support and mentoring. The goal of peer support is to provide a network of people who empathize with your situation and aid in acceptance. These programs might include: - Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings - group counseling sessions - SMART Recovery - peer recovery coaching Strategies Used In Relapse Prevention There are also many evidence-based techniques a treatment program might employ. Below are three common strategies often used in relapse prevention. Learning To Handle High-Risk Situations High-risk situations can be defined as circumstances in which a person’s sobriety might be threatened. These situations can include spending time with friends who abuse substances, experiencing stress, or visiting places that trigger a desire to use substances. Relapse prevention addresses high-risk situations by focusing on: - recognizing what a high-risk situation is - how to address a high-risk situation - how to avoid a high-risk situation - managing your response to these situations - developing skills for recovering from those situations Enhancing Self-Efficacy In Relapse Prevention Self-efficacy is a person’s attitude and beliefs about their ability to succeed in completing tasks to reach a goal. Low self-efficacy can significantly impact a person’s recovery process. Many people feel powerless over addiction and incapable of stopping the behavior. Relapse prevention redefines this warped view of one’s abilities. With this technique, recovering individuals learn that overcoming substance abuse has little to do with willpower and everything to do with skills acquisition. One such way to enhance self-efficacy is to create smaller, achievable goals so a person has a better chance at accomplishing each task. This provides a level of encouragement and motivation to push forward and apply the same ideas to other goals in life and addiction recovery. Cognitive restructuring is used in cognitive behavioral therapy. This technique involves reframing thought patterns and behaviors. Here are some common negative thought patterns many people have who abuse substances: - “I am alone in this, no one can help me.” - “I’ll never be able to get over this addiction.” - “I don’t need help, I can do this on my own.” - “Just one drink won’t hurt me.” - “Rehab doesn’t work, it’s not worth it.” - “I can’t get through today without a drink/drugs.” In a relapse prevention program, treatment specialists work to restructure these ideas and replace them with better alternatives. For example, a thought like, “I’m so alone,” or “I’ll never get over this,” might be replaced with something like, “I’m not alone, I can get through this with support from people.” What Might Trigger A Relapse? A relapse can be triggered by numerous internal and external factors. A person’s individual experience with addiction determines what those triggers are. There are several physical, mental, and emotional triggers connected to substance abuse responses. Physical Triggers Of Relapse One of the most difficult parts of recovering from addiction is addressing the potential physical roadblocks to recovery. Physical triggers include people, places, and other external situations that can cause relapse. Common physical triggers that may lead to relapse include: - withdrawal symptoms - being in close contact with a substance - seeing others use a substance - visiting places you associate with the addiction, such as a certain neighborhood, hotel, bar, or club - seeing people you associate with substance abuse - spoons, needles, baggies, papers, bottles, and other paraphernalia that may have been used to abuse substances - going to a friend or family gathering - pressure from outside forces - pain or medical issues Emotional And Mental Triggers Of Relapse A person might also experience mental and emotional effects post-treatment that can threaten their sobriety. Some of the most common emotional and mental triggers are:</strong. - lack of motivation - low self-esteem - meeting new people - paying bills or debt - times of celebration, such as a holiday or birthday - being alone - feeling happy, excited, or another positive emotion - a lack of social support or community - negative emotions, such as depression, fear, anxiety, guilt, or shame - relationship issues - problems at work, or with securing employment - boredom, or a lack of stimulation - feeling embarrassed - internal struggles with trauma - uncovering something difficult in therapy - life changes The Role Of Decision-Making In Relapse Many of these triggers are what researchers consider seemingly irrelevant decisions (SIDs). That is, decisions that seem harmless but have the potential to elicit cravings and cause relapse. For example, if a person knows that they’re most likely to drink when they’re alone in the evenings, deciding to spend the night in is a seemingly irrelevant decision. But for this person, a night spent alone is not irrelevant or harmless, it has the power to overwhelm the progress they’ve made and induce a relapse. So, it’s best to avoid this type of high-risk situation by putting barriers and support in place (for example, going to AA meetings in the evening time). Signs Of Relapse Relapse occurs in three stages: emotional relapse, mental relapse, and physical relapse. The first two stages are what instigate a physical relapse. If you can recognize the early stages of relapse, you can take action before a physical relapse occurs. Signs of emotional relapse include: - emotional distress, such as depression or anxiety - avoiding meetings, or staying quiet in meetings - avoiding family and friends - lack of sleep - poor eating habits Signs of mental relapse include: - hoarding money to spend on substances - spending or stealing money to get drugs or alcohol - thinking about drugs or alcohol - making a plan to get drugs or alcohol - reaching out to people associated with the addiction - seeking opportunities to relapse - planning relapse Signs of physical relapse include: - buying drugs or alcohol - using substances - inability to control substance use What To Do If You Relapse This is where all of the tools of treatment and relapse prevention come in: If you relapse, you can rely on the support you built during these programs and continue your recovery journey. In the event of a relapse, there are a few important steps you can take to get yourself back on a positive track toward sobriety. Here’s what you can do if you relapse: Reach Out For Support The first step is to reach out to other people for help. - seek help from a counselor or therapist - attend an AA or NA meeting - get together with your sponsor, if you have one - meet with friends and family with whom you have a healthy relationship - attend a detox clinic, if needed - surround yourself with positive influences Address Your Triggers If any of the triggers in the list above resonated with you, sit down and create a mental or physical list of the triggers you need to address and avoid. Take active steps to better prevent those triggers from happening, and create a plan of what to do if and when you run into those triggers again. Attend A Rehab Program If you’ve already been through an inpatient or residential rehab program, you might not have the ability to commit to another full-time treatment facility. There are many other options for part-time support that you can attend. - standard outpatient program (OP): This is the lowest level of outpatient treatment, and may only involve one to three hours of programming per week. - intensive outpatient program (IOP): For a step above standard OP, an intensive outpatient program can provide further structure and counsel after a relapse. - partial hospitalization program (PHP): As the highest-intensity option, PHP is best for those who need to spend the majority of their time in treatment to prevent drug abuse. - individual and group counseling: Many outpatient programs offer individual, group, and family sessions, which can help to provide emotional support after relapsing. Tips For Relapse Prevention If you or a loved one are working on recovering from addiction, the most important things to consider are self-care and how to honor your needs during this time. When you take care of yourself physically, emotionally, spiritually, and otherwise, you’re building your toolset to say no to old habits and begin better ones. Here are a few ways you can prevent relapse: - recognize, address, and avoid high-risk situations - incorporate a healthy diet - exercise or get active - get quality sleep - stay connected to people - engage in holistic practices, such as yoga, meditation, or mindfulness - practice visualization, imagining yourself successful in your health and sobriety - address any underlying mental or physical health conditions - place yourself in healthy environments - if you’re in therapy or a relapse prevention program, try a new coping skill every day that you’ve learned - stay in tune with your emotional state, journaling or reflecting regularly - fill your schedule with activities, meetings, and time with people - volunteer for a cause or organization you feel connected to - National Center for Biotechnology Information — Addiction Relapse Prevention - National Center for Biotechnology Information — Cognitive behavioral therapy - National Center for Biotechnology Information — Relapse prevention - National Center for Biotechnology Information — What Is the “Trigger” of Addiction? - National Institute on Drug Abuse — Treatment and Recovery - ScienceDirect — Relapse Prevention

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Drinking a sports drink that contains electrolytes and only drinking when thirsty can prevent electrolyte imbalances, according to Healthline. Drinking 4 to 6 ounces every 20 minutes during a strenuous activity is a general guideline for preventing electrolyte imbalance.Continue Reading Electrolytes in the human body include sodium, magnesium and calcium. Chloride, another electrolyte, is important in keeping the balance of electrolytes and the balance of acidity and alkalinity in the body, reports Healthline. Bicarbonate is another electrolyte that regulates heart function. Intense exercise is one of the most common causes of an electrolyte imbalance. Vomiting, kidney disease and eating disorders are other causes of electrolyte imbalance. Symptoms of an imbalance are nausea, lethargy and fluid retention, notes Healthline. This condition can be fatal, so medical professionals advise calling 911 if there is confusion, muscle weakness or irregular heartbeat. Other serious symptoms include seizures and chest pain. Treatment depends on whether there is an overabundance of electrolytes or a deficiency and the affected electrolytes. A doctor either increases or decreases fluids to treat this disorder. Hyponatremia is an electrolyte balance disorder that occurs when the body takes in too much fluid and not enough sodium. Also known as water intoxication, it can be deadly. However, it is rare for a severe illness to come from an electrolyte imbalance.Learn more about Fitness & Exercise

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However, you must remember that stars emit a wide spectrum of light — much of it isn't visible to the naked eye. Alpha Cephei Alderamin 21 19 +62.6 101.0 +9.1 A7IV 2.45 1.58 66.84 0.49 49 90. Scheat, Beta Pegasi, is a red giant with the stellar classification M2.5 II–IIIe. ι Pegasi, Latinized as Iota Pegasi is a double-lined spectroscopic binary star system located within the northern constellation of Pegasus, along a line between Lambda and Kappa Pegasi.It is visible to the naked eye as a yellow-hued point of light with a combined apparent visual magnitude of 3.77. Scheat, Beta Pegasi (β Peg) is a red giant star located in the constellation Pegasus. The star is losing mass and as a result it has a shell of gas and dust that is expanding with a radius of about 3500 times that of the Sun. Scheat visual magnitude is 2.42, making it the 84th brightest star in the sky. Its apparent magnitude was calibrated in 1983 at 3.96, yielding an intrinsic brightness of -1.45. It is the third brightest star in the constellation Pegasus and one of the four stars in the asterism ‘Great Square of Pegasus’. It is losing mass at a rate at or below 10 −8 times the Sun's mass per year, which is creating an expanding shell of gas and dust with a radius of about 3,500 times the Sun's radius (16 Astronomical Units ). It has a visual magnitude of … Absolute magnitude (M V)-1.45: Details ... Its apparent magnitude was calibrated in 1983 at 3.96, yielding an intrinsic brightness of -1.45. Beta Pegasi is a semi-regular variable with a period of 43.3 days and a brightness that varies from magnitude +2.31 to +2.74 (averaging 2.42). It is 95 times larger than the Sun and 1,500 times more luminous. Definitions of Beta_Pegasi, synonyms, antonyms, derivatives of Beta_Pegasi, analogical dictionary of Beta_Pegasi (English) Beta Pegasi has an apparent magnitude of 2.42 and is about 196 light years distant. Magnitude, whether it be apparent/visual or absolute magnitude is measured by a number, the smaller the number, the brighter the Star is. It is classified as a semi-regular variable star with a period of 43.3 days. With an apparent magnitude of 2.42, it is the second brightest star in Pegasus, after the orange supergiant Enif.Scheat lies at a distance of 196 light years from Earth. Let's take the star Sirius again. The stellar trio, all at roughly the same luminosity and distance (Sadalmelik at 760 light-years, Sadalsuud at 610) may have been born together in the same extended group and. Scheat - β Pegasi (beta Pegasi) Scheat, also designated as β Pegasi (beta Pegasi), is a variable and multiple bright giant star in the constellation of Pegasus. With a mass of 1.5 M ☉ and radius that is 28.5 R ☉, the star boasts a bolometric luminosity that is roughly 390 L ☉. Database references; SIMBAD: data: Beta Pegasi (β Pegasi, abbreviated Beta Peg, β Peg), formally named Scheat / ˈ ʃ iː æ t /, is a red giant star and the second-brightest star (after Epsilon Pegasi) in the constellation of Pegasus. The asterism represents Pegasus’ body and is formed by alpha, beta and gamma Pegasi together with alpha Andromedae, Alpheratz. It has the designation NGC 7078 in the New General Catalogue. It has a mean apparent magnitude of 2.42 and lies at a distance of 196 light years from Earth. Its brightness ranges from magnitude 2.31 to 2.74. The star marks the northwest (upper right) corner of the asterism. Enif seems to be part of a family of three similar supergiants that also includes the Alpha and Beta stars of nearby Aquarius, Sadalmelik and Sadalsuud. The 51 Pegasi system is a planetary system located some 50 light-years from Earth, in the constellation Pegasus. Apparent Magnitude is also known as Visual Magnitude. If you used the 1997 Parallax value, you would get an absolute magnitude of -1.49 If you used the 2007 Parallax value, you would get an absolute magnitude of -1.45. The planetary system is home to the planet 51 Pegasi B and its moon Pegasi Delta, whose rich oceans were mined by the Covenant for deuterium and tritium in 2545. λ Pegasi is a yellow giant with stellar classification G8II-III. Absolute magnitude (M V) −1.41: Details ... Scheat, 53 Peg, HR 8775, BD +27°4480, HD 217906, SAO 90981, FK5 870, HIP 113881. Parallax calculations place the star at a distance of roughly 112 parsecs from Earth, or 365 ± 10 light years away, about three times the distance of its line-of-sight double μ Pegasi.

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Results: Classification of the degree of baldness by the two researchers showed a high level of agreement (κ = 0.93). Forty-eight per cent of men had no hair loss or mild frontotemporal recession, 15% had predominant vertex loss, and 37% had significant scalp and vertex loss. After data were adjusted for potential confounding factors — including age, month of 25-OHD measurement, exercise levels, use of sunscreen, skin type and frequency of outdoor hat wearing — no significant differences in 25-OHD levels between these groups was detected (P = 0.60). Conclusions: The degree of baldness does not appear to influence serum 25-OHD levels. The high prevalence of baldness in older men does not explain sex differences in 25-OHD levels. Other novel hypotheses are required to help determine whether baldness serves any physiological purpose. Vitamin D insufficiency is very common in older people,1 and many cross-sectional studies of older populations have reported higher levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) in men than in women.2-4 These differences have not been adequately explained but have been attributed to sex differences in behavioural and cultural factors associated with sun exposure.4 Male-pattern hair loss (baldness) occurs almost universally with ageing in men, and more than 70% of men older than 70 years have significant hair loss.5 As vitamin D production in humans occurs in exposed skin, particularly in the hands, arms and face,6 we hypothesised that men with more baldness would have more exposed skin suitable for vitamin D production and, consequently, higher serum 25-OHD levels. If so, baldness in men might explain sex differences in 25-OHD levels. Also, preservation of vitamin D status might provide an evolutionary explanation for the high prevalence of baldness in older men. We therefore assessed whether 25-OHD levels are associated with degree of baldness in middle-aged and older men. We recruited 323 healthy, independent-living, middle-aged or older men to take part in a study on calcium supplementation. Full details of the study protocol have been published elsewhere;4 briefly, men aged 40 years and older, who did not have significant medical disease and were not receiving cholecalciferol supplements in doses exceeding 1000 IU/day, were eligible to take part. This substudy was approved by the Northern X Regional Ethics Committee. A total of 296 men consented to have photographs of the head taken. Degree of baldness was independently assessed by two of us (M J B and R W A); the photographs were compared with standardised pictures from the validated Hamilton–Norwood scale for assessing male-pattern hair loss.5 Results were then grouped into three categories: no hair loss or mild frontotemporal recession (Group 1), predominant vertex loss (Group 2), and significant scalp and vertex loss (Group 3). Lifestyle information, including the frequency of outdoor hat wearing and whether sunscreen was applied to the scalp, was gathered using a questionnaire. Skin type was self-rated by participants using the Fitzpatrick scale7 (Box). Serum 25-OHD was measured by radioimmunoassay (DiaSorin, Stillwater, Minn, USA) in the first 192 men who were recruited, then using a chemiluminescence assay (Nichols Institute, San Juan Capistrano, Calif, USA) in the other 104 men. All data obtained using the Nichols assay were converted to predicted DiaSorin results, as previously described.4 Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test for differences between groups for continuous variables, and the χ2 test was used to test for differences between groups for categorical variables. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test for differences in 25-OHD levels between the three baldness groups. Statistical analyses were two-tailed and performed using SAS, version 9.1 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA), and P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The study had 80% power, at the 5% significance level, to detect a between-groups difference in 25-OHD of 13 nmol/L. Initial assessment of baldness showed a high level of agreement between the two researchers (κ = 0.93). In 13 men for whom there was disagreement, degree of baldness was reclassified by consensus. In the final classification, 141 men had no hair loss or mild frontotemporal recession (Group 1), 45 men had predominant vertex loss (Group 2), and 110 men had significant scalp and vertex loss (Group 3). The descriptive and biochemical characteristics of the three groups are shown in the Box. There were significant differences between the groups for age, use of sunscreen on the scalp, and frequency of outdoor hat wearing. After adjusting for potential confounding factors — including age, month of 25-OHD measurement, exercise levels, use of sunscreen on the scalp, skin type and frequency of hat wearing — there were no significant differences in 25-OHD levels between the groups (F2,242 = 0.48; P = 0.60). Analyses that controlled for each of these factors individually produced similar results. Analysis restricted to men in Groups 1 and 3 who did not use sunscreen on their scalp and did not often or almost always wear a hat outdoors revealed that the mean 25-OHD level was higher in Group 3 (91 nmol/L [SD, 35 nmol/L]) than Group 1 (85 nmol/L [SD, 31 nmol/L]), but this difference was not statistically significant (F1,92 = 0.54; P = 0.50). However, the study did not have sufficient power to detect a difference of this magnitude. Finally, when the above analyses were repeated using raw 25-OHD values (ie, before Nichols assay values were converted to predicted DiaSorin results) and controlling for the 25-OHD assay, the results were similar. We found no evidence to support the hypothesis that the degree of baldness in men influences serum 25-OHD levels. This might be because vitamin D is not produced in the scalp and therefore baldness would not influence vitamin D status. Another possibility is that vitamin D is produced in the scalp but men with greater degrees of baldness are more prone to scalp sunburn, and hence modify their behaviours accordingly. These men might be more likely to avoid sun exposure, use sunscreen and wear hats — all of which are associated with lower 25-OHD levels.6 In this study, we did not directly measure time spent outdoors or level of sun exposure, but physical exercise (an indirect measure of time spent outdoors) was not associated with degree of baldness. However, men with greater degrees of baldness were more likely to use sun protection (use sunscreen on their scalp and wear a hat). We cannot exclude the possibility of bias attributable to undisclosed use of hairpieces or “comb over” techniques8 that might reduce scalp exposure to sunlight. Our findings suggest that baldness in men does not explain the reported sex differences in 25-OHD levels, which are likely to be due to sex differences in sun exposure and the use of sun protection. The findings also suggest that shaving of the head (a current trend favoured by celebrities and professional sportspeople) may not affect vitamin D status. We conclude that baldness does not appear to have an effect on vitamin D status. We are not aware of any reported health benefits of baldness; although some contend that it might offer a selection advantage,9 there is no accepted evolutionary explanation for the almost universal prevalence of hair loss in older men. We suggest that other hypotheses are required to determine why older men go bald and whether baldness serves any physiological purpose. Characteristics of healthy, middle-aged and older men with varying degrees of baldness METs = standard metabolic equivalents. 25-OHD = 25-hydroxyvitamin D. * Baldness was classified using the Hamilton–Norwood scale: Group 1, no hair loss or mild frontotemporal recession; Group 2, predominant vertex loss; Group 3, significant scalp and vertex loss.5 † Skin type was self-rated by participants as Types I–V using the using the Fitzpatrick scale, where type I is most fair (most sensitive to sun) and type V is least fair (least sensitive to sun).7 ‡ Data in all categories of skin type and hat wearing, respectively, were used to test for independence between Group and skin type, and between Group and hat wearing. - 1. Lips P. Vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism in the elderly: consequences for bone loss and fractures and therapeutic implications. Endocr Rev 2001; 22: 477-501. - 2. Dawson-Hughes B, Harris SS, Krall EA, Dallal GE. Effect of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on bone density in men and women 65 years of age or older. N Engl J Med 1997; 337: 670-676. - 3. Jacques PF, Felson DT, Tucker KL, et al. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D and its determinants in an elderly population sample. Am J Clin Nutr 1997; 66: 929-936. - 4. Bolland MJ, Grey AB, Ames RW, et al. Determinants of vitamin D status in older men living in a subtropical climate. Osteoporos Int 2006; 17: 1742-1748. - 5. Norwood OT. Male pattern baldness: classification and incidence. South Med J 1975; 68: 1359-1365. - 6. Holick MF. Environmental factors that influence the cutaneous production of vitamin D. Am J Clin Nutr 1995; 61: 638S-645S. - 7. Fitzpatrick TB. The validity and practicality of sun-reactive skin types I through VI. Arch Dermatol 1988; 124: 869-871. - 8. Smith F, Smith D, inventors. Method of concealing partial baldness. US patent 4 022 227. 10 May 1977. http://www.bpmlegal.com/wbald.html (accessed May 2008). - 9. Mauk B. Life’s little mysteries: why do men go bald? http://www.livescience.com/mysteries/070202_baldness.html (accessed May 2008). Publication of your online response is subject to the Medical Journal of Australia's editorial discretion. You will be notified by email within five working days should your response be accepted.

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The ideas of this group can be traced back to John Sadler's book, The Rights of the Kingdom (1649), but its modern form originated with John Wilson's Our Israelitish Origin (1814). The first society to propagate British Israelite views was the Anglo - Saxon Association founded in England in 1879. Today British Israelitism is in decline and only a few scattered groups remain; however, their influence in a somewhat distorted form is to be found in publications like Herbert W Armstrong's The Plain Truth. There is no authorized version of British Israelitism, but the following outline summarizes their main views. In the Bible God promised Abraham that as long as the sun and moon and stars endure Israel would survive as a nation. From promises found in the OT it is clear that Israel must exist somewhere today and must have had a continuous existence as a national entity right back to the time of Abraham. This required continuity means that the state of Israel, which came into existence in 1948, cannot be the nation of Israel. The present state of Israel is Jewish and therefore must not be confused with the historic nation of Israel. Marshaling a variety of arguments from the Bible and history, British Israelitism argues that the Anglo - Saxon people are the true Israel. |BELIEVE Religious Information Source - By Alphabet Our List of 2,300 Religious Subjects| With the Israelite origins of the British people established, OT prophecies are applied to the history of the British empire. America is included in the scheme by the application of Gen. 49:22, which is said to predict the emigration of the Pilgrim fathers, who left their relatives behind to establish a new nation. In addition to taking a highly literalist view of the Bible, British Israelites believe that the Great Pyramid of Egypt enshrines these truths in its measurements, which are sacred. British Israelitism is not a sect or a cult but rather a fellowship which is to be found in many churches. At its height, around 1900, it claimed over two million members. Today its membership consists of several thousand rather elderly people. A careful examination of the texts used by British Israelites to support their arguments shows that they flout the rules of biblical exegesis. Even if their arguments were true, Paul's comment in Col. 3:11 would indicate that they are unimportant. British Israelitism fails to recognize that the promises of God in the OT were sometimes conditional (Deut. 28:58 - 68; 1 Sam. 2:30), while in other places prophetic language has a symbolic or poetic quality. The historical arguments of British Israelites are equally tenuous and no reputable historian supports them. Although the Bible does not explicitly state the fact, it is clear that the so - called lost tribes of Israel were largely absorbed into the tribe of Judah. (Elwell Evangelical Dictionary) H L Goudge, The British Israel Theory; M H Gayer, The Heritage of the Anglo - Saxon Race; B Wilson, ed., Patterns of Sectarianism, ch. 10; J Tuit, The Truth Shall Make You Free; L Deboer, The New Phariseeism. This page - - - - is at This subject presentation was last updated on - - Send an e-mail question or comment to us: E-mail The main BELIEVE web-page (and the index to subjects) is at: BELIEVE Religious Information Source - By Alphabet http://mb-soft.com/believe/indexaz.html

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Health Indicator Report of Tobacco Use During Pregnancy Use of tobacco products during pregnancy is associated with poor birth outcomes. NotesData for White, Black, and Asian do not include Hispanics. Hispanic ethnicity includes persons of any race. - Birth Certificate Database, Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, New Jersey Department of Health - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Natality public-use data. CDC WONDER On-line Database accessed at [http://wonder.cdc.gov/natality.html] Data Interpretation IssuesTobacco use during pregnancy is self-reported and, thus, assumed to be under-reported to some degree. DefinitionSelf-reported use of any tobacco product by the mother during pregnancy NumeratorNumber of live births whose mothers used any tobacco product DenominatorTotal number of live births Healthy People Objective: Increase abstinence from alcohol, cigarettes, and illicit drugs among pregnant women: Cigarette smokingU.S. Target: 98.6 percent Other Objectives'''Revised Healthy New Jersey 2020 Objective MCH-5''': Decrease use of tobacco among pregnant women to 3.4% for the total population, 4.5% among Whites, 5.6% among Blacks, 1.8% among Hispanics, and 0.28% among Asians. '''Previous Healthy New Jersey 2020 Objective MCH-5''': Decrease use of tobacco among pregnant women to 4.2% for the total population, 5.4% among Whites, 6.9% among Blacks, 2.4% among Hispanics, and 0.5% among Asians. ''All targets have been met.'' '''Original Healthy New Jersey 2020 Objective MCH-5''': Increase abstinence from cigarette smoking among pregnant women to 94.8% for the total and White populations, 92.1% among Blacks, 96.8% among Hispanics, and 99.3% among Asians and Pacific Islanders. How Are We Doing?Tobacco use during pregnancy increases the likelihood of delivering preterm (< 37 weeks gestation) and at low birth weight (< 2500 g). Tobacco use during pregnancy is much more prevalent in southernmost New Jersey than in the rest of the state. It is also much more likely among Black and White women than among Asian and Hispanic women. How Do We Compare With the U.S.?The smoking rate among New Jersey mothers is less than half the nationwide rate. What Is Being Done?[http://momsquit.com/ Mom's Quit Connection] (MQC) helps pregnant and postpartum women as well as their families by providing free, one-on-one counseling for those who want to quit smoking to protect their children from exposure to harmful tobacco smoke. MQC is a program of Family Health Initiatives funded by the NJ Department of Health. Available ServicesMom's Quit Connection for Families: [http://momsquit.com/] Health Program InformationTobacco-Free for a Healthy New Jersey: [http://www.tobaccofreenj.com/] NJDOH Office of Tobacco Control, Nutrition and Fitness: [http://www.nj.gov/health/fhs/tobacco/] NJDOH Maternal and Child Health Services: [http://www.nj.gov/health/fhs/maternalchild/] Page Content Updated On 05/26/2021, Published on 05/26/2021

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LOOM, a machine for weaving fabrics by intersecting the longitudinal threads, the " warp," i.e. " that which is thrown across " (O.E. wearp, from weorpan, to throw, cf. Ger. werfen) with the transverse threads, the " weft," i.e. " that which is woven " (O.E. wefla, from wefan, to weave, cf. Ger. iveben). The O.E. geloma and M.E. lome meant an implement or tool of any kind. In the sense of property, furniture, etc., it appears in heirloom (q.v.). The earliest example with its specific meaning quoted by the New English Dictionary is from the Nottingham Records of 1404 (see WEAVING). " Loom " in the sense of " to appear indistinctly," to come into view in an exaggerated indistinct shape, must be distinguished from the above word. This appears to have been a sailor's term for the indistinct or exaggerated appearance of land, a vessel or other object through haze or darkness at sea. It is of obscure origin, but has been connected through the O. Fr. lumer, modern allumer, with Lat. lumen, light, and with the root seen in " lame," in the sense of " moving slowly towards one." L06N, the largest town of the province of Bohol, island of Bohol, Philippine Islands, on the extreme W. coast. Pop. (1903) 18,114. Loon is picturesquely situated on the W. slope of a hill, and is reached from the sea by steps cut in the rocks. The harbour is in a sheltered bay on the N. side of the town. The cultivation of coco-nuts, coffee, cocoa, maguey, tobacco, cotton and Indian corn, and the raising of livestock are the principal industries; there is also considerable commerce and some manufacturing. The language is chiefly Bohol- Visayan. Note - this article incorporates content from Encyclopaedia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, (1910-1911)

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Symptoms of a Mini Stroke also including major Stroke Symptoms A mini stroke is also known as a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). It has the same symptoms as a major stroke, except that it lasts only a few minutes, is usually milder, and sometimes has no apparent residual effects. About 10 percent of strokes are preceded by TIAs. Someone who's had one or more TIAs is 10 times more likely to have a stroke than someone of the same age and sex who has not. As a result, TIAs are extremely important stroke warning signs. Don't ignore the symptoms of a stroke! Call 911 NOW. Get medical help immediately. If you notice one or more of these symptoms of a stroke, don't wait. Call 911 immediately for an ambulance; get the person to a hospital right away! Expect the person to protest -- denial is common -- especially if it's "only" a mini stroke. Don't take "no" for an answer. Insist on taking prompt action. Treatment can be more effective if given quickly. Every second counts! Not all symptoms of a stroke occur every time. Don't ignore the symptoms, even if they go away! Important: If you suspect that your loved one is having or had a stroke, check the time. When did the first symptoms of a stroke start? You'll be asked this important question later by the health care professionals who will treat your loved one. Typical symptoms of a stroke ... Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body Sudden confusion, loss of memory, or loss of consciousness Difficulty speaking or understanding others Sudden loss, blurring or dimness of vision in one or both eyes Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination Sudden, severe headache with no known cause Nausea and vomiting along with any of the symptoms above Next Step — Call 911 NOW To help you find the right local eldercare services for your loved one, you could use the ElderCarelink service which has established a nationwide network of carefully screened eldercare providers and facilities. ElderCarelink provides this referral service free of charge. Within minutes of completing their brief Needs Survey, you will receive a detailed email report listing care providers in your area who match your specific requirements. Last year, over 100,000 families utilized this service in their search for high-quality senior care. Click here to use the ElderCarelink service. — Information Source — This information was found on the MEDLINEplus Web site. For more information, click on stroke symptoms. MEDLINEplus is a gold mine of up-to-date, quality health care information assembled by the Library of Medicine at the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Its information is extensive, well-written, easy-to-understand, and covers virtually all diseases and medical conditions, and generic and brand name drugs. To go to MEDLINEplus, click here. |Elder Care Home | Table of Contents | Your Privacy | Terms of Service | Contact Us © QuinStreet, Inc. 2009 All rights reserved The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is intended as a supplement, not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. More

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Chapter 13: Health Literacy in India: A Unique Challenge What is remarkable about India is that there is such a sharp ontrast between the haves and the have-nots. Health care facilities in some cities are so good that they rival that of the developed nations (for example, Mumbai has more MRI scanners than London). However, there are still many states with health care that is regarded as being among the worst in the world. Although health literacy is a problem worldwide, it needs to be addressed urgently in India. Ours is the second-most populated country in the world, with a population of 1.2 billion, only slightly behind China. Lack of health literacy poses a great threat to our nations economic stability as health care expenditures are on the rise, along with an expanding population. As a result of overpopulation, access to quality health care and reliable health information can be difficult to come by. India also has an unusually high rate of illiteracy and poverty in both urban and rural areas, both of which contribute to low rates of health literacy. Its not only the general public who suffer from a lack of accurate health information; a report from the World Bank stated, "a detailed survey of the knowledge of medical practitioners for treating five common conditions in Delhi found that the average doctor in a public primary health centre has around a 50-50 chance of recommending a harmful treatment." No wonder that people are wary of the medical system. The unequal status of women in Indian society also contributes to a lack of health literacy. Learning has traditionally not been encouraged for women and as one parent in Uttar Pradesh put it some years ago, "There is no point teaching a girl; she marries and goes away. Why waste money on sending her to school? " Many studies have shown that the greater the education and social status of women in any given society, the healthier the community. India is one of the most difficult places in the world to grow in as a child. Almost half of all Indian children under age five are malnourished, and a fifth of worlds deaths in children under age five and over 25% of neonatal deaths (occurring in the first month of life) occur in India alone. What is remarkable about India is that there is such a sharp contrast between the haves and the have-nots. Health care facilities in some cities are so good that they rival that of the developed nations (for example, Mumbai has more MRI scanners than London). However, there are still many states with health care that is regarded as being among the worst in the world. Though considerable progress has been made in the past few decades to improve the availability of health services, it has not necessarily led to an increase in their utilisation. Why is it so much harder to promote health literacy in India? A whopping 41% of women and 18% of men of 15-49 years of age have never been to school. With such a large percentage of the population unable to read and understand the simplest of sentences, even in their own regional language, elivering accurate health is a daunting task. If a patient with tuberculosis (TB) is not able to understand why he needs to continue taking his medications for at least six months, he is not likely to comply with his doctors medical advice. This high dropout rate leads to the development of multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB. The comparatively low rate of female literacy has also had a significant impact on amily planning and on the high rates of infant and maternal mortality. Many uneducated women are unaware of the types and amounts of nutrition that are important for their children to receive, which contributes to the highest rate of childhood malnourishment in the world. Despite being the worlds fourth largest economy, many parts of India still suffer from distressingly high rates of poverty. Over 900 million people live on less than Rs 100 per day. The Indian government currently devotes a mere 1% of its gross domestic product (GDP) to health care costs, much less than what many poor African countries spend. The government has pledged to raise that amount to 2% to 3% of GDP, but it still falls far short of what most developed countries spend on health care, ranging from approximately 6% to 8% of their GDP. Even if people are educated about how best to eat and care for their health, many are unable to do so because they lack the ability to pay for the simplest foods and medicines. People who do not even have enough money to eat are not likely to have either the capacity or desire to learn about health issues. This becomes a classic chicken and egg issue, where poverty contributes to poor health literacy, which in turn leads to even poorer health. Inequality, discrimination and traditional culture Another barrier to health literacy in India is marked disparity in social status. While making gradual improvements, India still lags far behind the rest of the world in ensuring gender equality and non-discrimination. Women and people from the Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) are viewed as second-class citizens and often receive discriminatory treatment. The median age of marriage for women in India is 17.2 years, despite 18 years declared as the legal minimum age. In some remote regions of the country women are barely allowed to cross puberty when they are married off. Not only is this damaging to the womans mental and physical health, it can also be detrimental for her children, who often suffer from intrauterine growth retardation. Studies have shown that spacing births at least three years apart reduces the risk of infant mortality, one of the most serious problems in India. Nevertheless, many women are not knowledgeable about, or have no access to, family planning methods. The government spends a lot of money promoting family planning in the media, but a lot of this is wasted because the services of experts in social marketing and advertising are not utilised effectively. The Health Ministry still uses age-old boring tools to try to educate the public -and they just do not work anymore. Deep distrust of the prevailing medical system Public healthcare services in India suffer from a severe lack of adequately trained staff, and given the small amount of money that India spends on health care, this is not surprising. A survey on health behaviour in India (Jain, Nandan, and Misra, 2006) was quite telling in this regard: Rather than see a physician, most young unmarried women will discuss their health problems with their mothers, elder sisters, or married women in the neighbourhood; married women will discuss their health problems with other women in the village and most often try a herbal or home remedy suggested by these women or will see a local indigenous medical practitioner (RMP) rather than go to a medical centre. It is only when their problem gets worse that they seek a doctor. It is the elder male members of the family who usually decide where to get professional medical care, particularly one which involves major expenditure. The socioeconomic status of the family tends to decide what kind of practitioner is sought for treating illness. The poor usually rely on either registered medical workers near them or on local indigenous practitioners, as they are likely to give less expensive treatment and occasionally provide medicines on credit. While some families will seek treatment at government health centres, which are usually less expensive, wealthier families go to private health care facilities and doctors for their treatment. There is a reluctance to utilise Primary Health Centres (PHC) and their sub-centres due to a number of factors, including long waiting times, long distances from home and unsuitable opening hours. In addition, many village women are unable to go to the clinic without being accompanied by a male member of the family or an elderly female relative. One of the top reasons people dont visit PHCs is the lack of doctors. In fact, 45 percent of the time, NO doctor is available, and when someone has travelled many miles and at great expense to see a doctor who is not there, it does not encourage them to return, and their experience is likely to be shared with other members of the family and village, leading to an even lesser likelihood of people seeking treatment from health centres. Furthermore, people report that the health centres have inadequate facilities (most do not even have electricity); and more often than not, they do not have any cost-free drugs on hand. Instead, most patients are given a prescription for medicines that they need to purchase on the open market at great expense. The health centre staff is often unmotivated and lacking in compassion, with many refusing to treat poor patients. Despite the cost, most people prefer using private practitioners over government-run health services due to the greater ease of accessibility, and because private doctors were "more concerned about their problems." Special challenges: Scheduled Tribes, rural villages and slums Approximately 72% of the Indian population lives in a rural area, and over 84 million people are members of a Scheduled Tribe. Tribal populations suffer from more severe and longer-lasting illnesses than that of the general population due to a number of factors. Poverty is one of the primary causes, with Scheduled Tribes accounting for 25% of the countrys poorest people. Access to remote villages is limited by bad roads and by poor (and expensive) transportation options. Medical facilities, with staff who can be insensitive or discriminatory toward tribal members, are often a significant distance from many of these rural villages and most tribal people cannot afford to get to them. Even if they had the money for transportation, most could not be able to afford the cost of services or the drugs prescribed, all of which must be paid for out-of-pocket. Malnutrition is rife, and problems accessing potable water, along with lack of sanitation and understanding of hygiene issues leads to greater vulnerability to all kinds of diseases. Indias slums do not fare a great deal better. According to well-known researcher Shradda Agrawal, people living in slums suffer from "poor utilisation of the free reproductive child health services provided by the government, leading to a lack of awareness regarding birth spacing, and very low use of contraceptives." All is not doom and gloom! There are some outstanding success stories that serve as a beacon of hope. The Comprehensive Rural Health Project run by Dr Arole at Jamkhed (@ https://crhpjamkhed.org) is an excellent model. They have made extensive use of the Village Health Worker (VHW), usually an uneducated and low caste woman, who serves as the key change agent for a comprehensive approach to health improvement. Selected by the communities themselves, the VHWs not only act as health workers, but also mobilise their communities to achieve better sanitation and hygiene, family planning, women and child nutrition and womens economic rights. An awe-inspiring example is the work done by the Amte family in Anandwan (@ https://www.anandwan.in/). At Anandwan, human beings (who also happen to be leprosy patients) enter the development process as responsible "subjects" - those who know and act, in contrast to "objects" which are known and acted upon. By helping them to become economically independent and stand on their own feet, they have become productive healthy members of society, rather than remain as unhealthy burdens. Dr Abhay Bangs outstanding work at SEARCH, Society for Education, Action and Research in Community Health, Gadchiroli, India shows what can be achieved when we have the humility to look at the world through an uneducated persons eyes. He has sent infant mortality rates plummeting in one of the most poverty-stricken areas of the world by training a group of local women (Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), known as arogyadoots, which means health messengers) in the basics of neonatal care. These uneducated women were not able to diagnose pneumonia in children reliably because they were unable to use watches to count the breathing rates in infants. To overcome this problem, Dr Bang devised a Breath Counter, which uses an abacus for counting and an hourglass for timing. One bead of the abacus is moved for every ten breaths taken by the child; if the red bead is moved before the sand runs out in the hourglass, pneumonia is diagnosed. This is a great example of the clever use of appropriate technology! (@ www.searchgadchiroli.org) Since 2000 the Tathapi Trust has been developing the concept of "Body Literacy". They have created workbooks for school children from the age of 10-12 years, which enable them to explore issues around sexuality and growing up. Each book also includes a section on how to stay safe from abuse, including child sexual abuse. The purpose of the Body Literacy workbooks is to encourage children to access useful information about their body, so they can learn to make their own decisions about their health. The workbooks enable teachers and parents to address sexuality issues in a non-threatening way and enable children to develop a healthy concept of their own body and mind. (@https://tathapi.org/body-literacy.html) The government has tried to learn from these projects. The National Rural Health Mission launched on 12th April 2005 created a corps of female health volunteers, named "Accredited Social Health Activist" (ASHA, which stands for hope) in each village@ https://www.mohfw.nic.in/NRHM/asha.htm. These ASHAs act as a `bridge between the rural people and health care providers. ASHAs are selected by the community, from within the community. They work on a voluntary basis, although compensation is provided to them for specific activities and services. They act as change agents, and are able to mobilise better and more rational health services in the villages in which they live. ile there are other projects that have helped to bring health care to those who cannot travel to a primary health care centre, most of these remain pilot projects - and the government has failed miserably in scaling them up and making them sustainable. If we cannot bring Mohammed to the mountain, we need to bring the mountain to Mohammed, and telemedicine is one of the most efficient ways to bring health care to rural villages. There are now more than 400 telemedicine platforms across the country, which enable for people in remote villages to consult with a doctor by video for only 50 rupees. Many hospitals in India have access to the best of modern Western medicine and mobile health initiatives in the form of village resource centres (VRC) are being established to reach those in the farthest corners of the country. Today, low health literacy is a threat to the health and well-being of Indians - and to the health and well-being of the Indian healthcare system. A health-literate India would be a richer and more productive country -and if we want to become a developed country, this is one of the first hurdles we need to cross. A health-literate India would be a society in which everyone is able to get safe high quality health care because: - Everyone has the opportunity to use reliable, understandable information that could make a difference in their overall well-being. - Health and science content would get included in school curricula. - People would be able to accurately assess the credibility of health information presented by the media - Public health alerts would be presented to inspire people to take needed action. - The cultural contexts of diverse people would be integrated into this content. - Doctors would communicate clearly with their patients, using everyday vocabulary and there would be ample time for discussions between patients and doctors. Some ask: can we afford to do this? The question should be -Can we afford not to? If we think literacy is expensive, lets not forget that ignorance (in terms of preventable diseases and premature deaths) costs us a hundred times more. The sad truth is that the Indian government has failed miserably in delivering healthcare. Its shameful that there is more reliable health information in Punjabi and Gujarati on the Internet on Canadian and UK government websites than on Indian websites - even though we are considered to be the IT powerhouse of the world. This is a sad commentary on our priorities! Fortunately, socially responsible individuals are now trying to bridge this gap, and JASCAP , a patient support group in Mumbai, has done some great work in translating patient educational materials on cancer into Indian regional languages. These can be downloaded free at https://www.jascap.org.

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CALCULUS Understanding Its Concepts and Methods Home Contents Index James Gregory (1638--1675)--- Historical Sketch One seldom hears of mathematicians who got their start in the subject from their mothers, but that is exactly the case with James Gregory who was born in 1638. His father was a pastor in a parish near Aberdeen, Scotland. It was likely because of his mother's influence that James became a mathematician. He was taught geometry by his mother and one of his two older brothers. He had no difficulty mastering Euclid's Elements. After studying at Marischal College in Aberdeen, James became very involved with telescopes, even to the point of writing a mathematically-oriented book (definitions, postulates, etc.) about reflecting telescopes, even though one had yet to be constructed. The book was later published. Visiting the University of Padua in 1664, he used infinite series to find areas or regions bounded by circles and hyperbolas. It was here that he was introduced to differentiation and integration, and he produced two publications on these subjects, one in 1667 and one in 1668. The latter has been described as the first textbook on calculus. In 1668, Gregory was elected a fellow of the Royal Society, and he presented papers to the Society on topics such as astronomy and mechanics. The Regius Chair of Mathematics was created for him at St. Andrews University and he occupied this position for six years. In 1674, he left for the University of Edinburgh where he was the first to hold the Chair of Mathematics. One year later, while showing his students the moons of Jupiter, he had a stroke, became blind, and died after a few days. Much in calculus is actually owed to Gregory, though many of the things he discovered are not attributed to him. Here are three examples: He discovered Taylor series some 40 years before Taylor did. He discovered Cauchy's test before Cauchy did. He defined the Riemann integral before Riemann did. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Copyright © 2006 Darel Hardy, Fred Richman, Carol Walker, Robert Wisner. All rights reserved. Except upon the express prior permission in writing, from the authors, no part of this work may be reproduced, transcribed, stored electronically, or transmitted in any form by any method.

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Whenever you control your computer remotely, SSH act as a life saver. Most of you people don’t know that you can download and uploads files too. May be you also don’t know. Using SSH keys, you don’t need to enter passwords. The method works fine on MAC OS X and Linux operating system. Proper SSH configuration is must for both OS. How to copy files on SSH Basic format for secure copy command is “scp [options] original_file destination_file”. When you need to address remote file, you have to write in the order given as: “user@server:path/to/file” Don’t be confused with server as it can be an IP address or URL. Let’s take an example to show this concept clearly scp –P 40050 Desktop/url.txt [email protected]:~/Desktop/url.txt In this command, -P lets you to write a port number instead of giving it a default value as 22. Now see the original file is “url.txt” and located in “Desktop” directory as it is also clear from above command. “yatri” user is running the command on server “192.168.1.50”. You can copy file from remote computer to desktop. It is annoying to write password for accessing remote computer that you use all the time. You have two key files. One is public and belongs to remote server while other is private that needs to be secure. These key files can be used instead of entering password. Enter command “ssh-keygen –t rsa”. Put generated keys in “~/.ssh/”. Enter passphrase and copy public key file to remote computer.

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A large group of Zimbabwian soldiers in the border area in 1939 are moving down a road when they hear a voice calling from behind a small hill: “One South African soldier is better than ten Zimbabwians!”. The Zimbabwian commander quickly orders 10 of his best men over the hill, whereupon the gunfire breaks out and continues – then silence. The voice once again calls out “One South African is better than one hundred Zimbabwians”. Furiously, the Zimbabwian commander sends his next best 100 troops over the hill and instantly a huge gun fight commences. After 10 minutes of battle, then again silence. The calm South African voice calls out again: “One South African is better than one thousand Zimbabwian”. The enraged Zimbabwian commander musters 1000 fighters and sends them to the other side of the hill. Rifle shooting, machine guns, grenades, rockets and cannon fire ring out, a terrible battle is being fought… Eventually one badly wounded Zimbabwian fighter crawls back over the hill and his dying words to his commander are: “Don’t send any more men… it’s a trap. There are two of them”.

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If a young man is a chronic gambler, the chances are extremely high that he also suffers from depression. This is one of the findings from a study led by Frédéric Dussault of the University of Quebec at Montreal in Canada. Published in Springer’s Journal of Gambling Studies, it is the first to investigate the extent to which gambling and depression develop hand-in-hand from the teenage years to early adulthood. Data were drawn from an ongoing long-term study that began in 1984. It follows a group of 1,162 kindergarten boys from economically disadvantaged areas in Montreal in Canada. Over the years information had been collected about the socio-family setting the boys grew up in, how impulsive they were and the quality of their relationships with their parents and friends. The current study includes data from 888 participants who were also asked at the ages of 17, 23 and 28 years old about possible gambling or depression problems. Only three percent of these young men experienced increasing chronic gambling problems between the ages of 17 and 28 years old. This corresponds with the prevalence rate of problem gambling among adults of between one percent and three percent. However, a majority of the young men (73 percent) with significant gambling issues also suffer from depressive problems. These problems develop hand-in-hand, becoming even more severe over time. This finding supports the notion that “pure” gamblers without related internalizing problems are an exception rather than the rule, at least during late adolescence to early adulthood. The likelihood is also greater that very impulsive boys will become increasingly depressed and have gambling problems. The problematic gambling behavior did not necessarily decline by the time the young men turned 28 years old. According to Dussault, this may be because, contrary to delinquent behavior such as violence or theft, gambling is legal once individuals reach adulthood. Also, the influence of deviant friends who entice others to commit offences often diminish as young people grow older. “Gambling problems may be more a personal problem similar to an addiction: once acquired, they are difficult to get rid of,” Dussault says. Dussault suggests that gambling problems should be treated together with depression. Whereas a strong parent-child relationship could counter the emergence of depressive symptoms, it does not necessarily do so for gambling tendencies. In this regard, Dussault believes early prevention programs should target specific risk factors particular to a person, such as being very impulsive or always making the wrong friends.

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Provide a system capability that compares and synchronizes internal system clocks with an authoritative source to generate time stamps for audit records. DiscussionInternal system clocks are used to generate time stamps, which include date and time. Time is expressed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), a modern continuation of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), or local time with an offset from UTC. The granularity of time measurements refers to the degree of synchronization between system clocks and reference clocks, for example, clocks synchronizing within hundreds of milliseconds or within tens of milliseconds. Organizations may define different time granularities for different system components. Time service can also be critical to other security capabilities such as access control and identification and authentication, depending on the nature of the mechanisms used to support those capabilities. This requirement provides uniformity of time stamps for systems with multiple system clocks and systems connected over a network. Each system must synchronize its time with a central time server to ensure that all systems are recording audit logs using the same time source. Reviewing audit logs from multiple systems can be a difficult task if time is not synchronized. Systems can be synchronized to a network device or directory service or configured manually. You are setting up several new computers on your company’s network, which contains CUI. You update the time settings on each machine to use the same authoritative time server on the internet [b,c]. When you review audit logs, all your machines will have synchronized time, which aids in any potential security investigations. Potential Assessment Considerations - Can the records’ time stamps map to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), compare system clocks with authoritative Network Time Protocol (NTP) servers, and synchronize system clocks when the time difference is greater than 1 second [c]? - Does the system synchronize internal system clocks on a defined frequency [c]?

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ROME — Pope Francis seems to have no trouble using the word “sorry” and recommending others use it often. Then why, people wondered, did he not use the word when speaking about the horrific discovery of the remains of as many as 215 children in unmarked graves at a Catholic-run school for Indigenous children in Canada? Pope Francis did express his condolences and sorrow June 6, recognizing the discovery brought up the traumas of the past when the Canadian government policy was to send Indigenous children to residential schools as part of a mistaken effort at assimilation. Catholic religious orders ran most of those schools, and stories of abuse are rampant. But the pope’s remarks in early June were a far cry from what the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action called for in 2015: “We call upon the pope to issue an apology to survivors, their families and communities for the Roman Catholic Church’s role in the spiritual, cultural, emotional, physical and sexual abuse of First Nations, Inuit and Métis children in Catholic-run residential schools. We call for that apology to be similar to the 2010 apology issued to Irish victims of abuse and to occur within one year of the issuing of this report and to be delivered by the pope in Canada.” Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny, who had had a meeting with the pope June 5, was asked about what the pope said after his Sunday Angelus talk and why an apology was not part of it. The cardinal told CTV Edmonton that he thought the pope did not use the occasion to apologize because, yes, it would have been “a spontaneous moment, but if it’s not well prepared, if we are not ready to receive it — more than to receive it, to live it” — then it would not make a difference. Instead, “it is something that should change our lives.” Archbishop Donald Bolen of Regina, Saskatchewan, said he believes the pope was “telling the leadership of the church in Canada” that the first step must be for them “to engage directly with Indigenous peoples, that we need to work with them, to listen to them, to accompany them, to apologize where appropriate, to make amends where that is asked for, and to find ways to walk together.” The pope, he told Catholic News Service June 10, wants the bishops “to be very honest about the past,” including “our sins and our terrible mistakes.” “He invites us to cultivate a penitential memory, to encourage people who have been wounded to speak about the past and never to ask them to suppress it,” he said. General expressions of sorrow and regret can be important, but they are no substitute for standing before the injured person and his or her family, acknowledging failure and requesting forgiveness. Bolen said that the Indigenous people he has spoken with have differing opinions about inviting Pope Francis to Canada, even though in the Canadian media there is a “clarion call.” But, he said, for many members of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, it is essential. First, of all, he said, “most Indigenous people, especially Indigenous Catholics, see the pope as the chief,” and “when there is a wound between families, the fathers are engaged in the reconciliation process.” So, he said, many Indigenous Canadians are looking to the pope “to be connected, to take some ownership and to speak on behalf of the church.” Asking the pope to make the apology formally on Canadian soil is not an arbitrary request, the archbishop said. “The land is so central to Indigenous spirituality, to meet people on their land is vital in terms of a relationship.” An initial step should take place before the end of the year. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops announced June 10 that a delegation of “Elders/Knowledge Keepers, residential school survivors and youth from across the country” representing First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities is preparing to travel to the Vatican. The trip originally was scheduled for last year but was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pope, Bolen said, will be able to listen to their stories and hear, in person, what they need from him and the church. It will not be enough, he said, but it is an important step. Already in 2009, Pope Benedict XVI met with representatives of Canada’s First Nations, expressed his sorrow for the suffering of Indigenous children over decades in the church-run residential schools. But he did so privately. The Vatican press office later put out a statement and the representatives spoke to the press, but the apology was not public. “That experience did not become the experience of Indigenous peoples in Canada; it became the experience of those who participated,” the archbishop said. “It was a private encounter that was powerful for those who participated,” but many more people want and need to hear from the pope in person. Archbishop Luigi Bonazzi, who was then-nuncio to Canada, said in 2016 that Pope Francis was considering a visit to Canada to make the apology. Then nothing more was said. Papal visits require an invitation both from the government and from the national bishops’ conference. Since the news broke about the remains of children found at the Kamloops school, the Canadian bishops have not had a chance to meet. But, Archbishop Bolen said, “I think there’s a greater awareness now than there has ever been of the waves of suffering, which flowed from the residential schools.” “The intergenerational trauma and legacy, the negative experience at those schools is very visible right now,” he said. “Right now, it’s very raw.”

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Laser material processing has digital bits encoded in its DNA. From day one, numerical control was the only option for engineers wishing to gain mastery over light, and they have since gathered 50 years of experience with this incorporeal phenomenon. This is a huge advantage for those tackling the challenges of the modern world in general and data-driven manufacturing in particular. The laser is a fully mature industrial tool that meets all requirements and can be immediately put to work. It is swift, flexible and direct. Ablation, coating, drilling, cutting, joining, metallurgical transformation, empering glass, and roughening, smoothing or cleaning surfaces: laser light can do it all. There’s no material in the world that laser beams can’t process: glass, plastics, organic compounds, and every type of metal. If smart factories are in their infancy, lasers are already “grown-up.” The trend toward ever more product variants, special editions, personalization and flexible batch sizes has spread to almost every sector of industry. This has driven up the cost of mechanical tools and led to absurdly long retooling times – sometimes longer than the actual production process. Lasers, by contrast, require neither special tools nor retooling. The major automotive companies have long since eliminated all mechanical machining steps downstream from the forming press, such as milling or drilling, and have set up laser stations instead. When designing car doors, for example, the raw body part is cut in such a way that it can be used in the maximum number of different models. In the subsequent processing stages, it makes no difference to the laser whether the angles have to be flatter for the soft-top version or wider holes have to be drilled for the station wagon version. The data package gives the instructions, and the laser executes them immediately. Intelligent scanner optics require nothing more than the data from the 3D simulation software to direct the laser to the right weld spots – without having to be taught. The tool adapts automatically to the workpiece. Connected manufacturing goes a step further by enabling workpieces to determine how they are to be processed. The laser head meets the workpiece and asks, “What can I do for you today?”. In tomorrow’s smart factories, each workpiece will bear a data matrix code enabling the system to retrieve information on its planned route through the production plant and what machining operations are required. Transport systems and machining stations are linked into the process. Integrated production systems like this need highly flexible tools that are easy to control, such as the laser. The data matrix codes are applied by a laser marking system, making them clearly legible on any surface, and checked by cameras during the labeling process. These codes also contain other information permitting full traceability throughout the manufacturing process – the beginning of a real smart factory. Additive manufacturing based on laser deposition welding or powder-bed 3D printing takes this approach to its ultimate form. As soon as the machine receives a data set, it produces whatever it is asked to do. The engineers’ ideas flow from the design program to the laser machine, where they can be instantly converted into real components: idea -> light -> object. As for part geometry, the engineers have maximum freedom, and can design new lighter, smarter and better parts. These features of laser-based additive manufacturing and 3D printing are the purest expression of data-based manufacturing. When the laser was invented in the 1960s, it was often decried as a tool in search of an application. Now it looks as though it has found its true vocation as a facilitator of the data-based society.

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NASA has developed a new camera system that can not only take pictures of alien rocks, it also draws meaning out of them, allowing a planet rover to decide if it should keep exploring a particular area or move on. The Curiosity rover exploring Mars boasts impressive technology but future rovers will need more smart technology to explore more distant worlds, researchers said. To help future rover and space missions spend less time waiting for instructions from Earth, Wagstaff and her colleagues developed an advanced two-lens camera, called TextureCam. Although Curiosity and other rovers can already, on their own, distinguish rocks from other objects in photos they take, they must send images all the way to Earth for scientific analysis of a particular rock. This process costs time and limits the potential scientific scope of rovers' missions. TextureCam can do the analysis by itself, researchers said. At the beginning of each Martian day, called a sol, scientists on Earth upload an agenda to a Mars rover. This scientific schedule details nearly all of the rover's movements: roll forward so many meters, snap a photo, scoop a soil sample, run rudimentary tests on it and move on. Even moving at light speed, instructions from Earth take about 20 minutes to reach the surface of Mars. This 40-minute round-trip makes real-time control of the rover impossible. On Jupiter's moon Europa, where astrobiologists suspect extraterrestrial life could exist, the delay balloons to over 90 minutes. Mars-to-Earth communication costs precious power and trickles at a bandwidth of around 0.012 megabits per second - about 250 times slower than a 3G cellphone network. Mars orbiters can help speed up the data transfer rate, though the satellites only orbit into correct alignment a few short minutes each day. Curiosity's constrained connection limits the number of Martian images it can send back to Earth. "If the rover itself could prioritise what's scientifically important, it would suddenly have the capability to take more images than it knows it can send back. That goes hand in hand with its ability to discover new things that weren't anticipated," said Wagstaff. When TextureCam's stereo cameras snap 3D images, a special processor separate from the rover's main computer analyses the pictures. By recognising textures in the photos, the processor distinguishes between sand, rocks and sky. The processor then uses the size and distance to rocks in the picture to determine if any

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SLAC Summer Institute Students Take a Close Look at Dark Matter Physicists have good reason to believe 85 percent of the matter in the universe is currently undetectable. But not being able to see it didn’t keep students at the 42nd SLAC Summer Institute (SSI), held at the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, from learning about it. At this year’s institute, "Shining Light on Dark Matter," more than 150 students from all over the world spent two weeks immersed in that mysterious substance that can only be detected by its gravitational effects on the matter we do see. "Dark matter is hot right now," said JoAnne Hewett, head of SLAC's Particle Theory group and SSI organizer. "There are a lot of experiments coming on line in the near future to search for it.” They include several with SLAC involvement, such as SuperCDMS-SNOLAB and LZ, both of which will look for dark matter deep underground, and the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, which looks for signs of dark matter in space. This experimental reach – from beneath the Earth's surface to the vastness of space – is another reason dark matter is a compelling topic, said Risa Wechsler, a co-organizer of SSI and astrophysicist with the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, a joint SLAC/Stanford institute. "It's one of the topics that integrates astrophysics and particle physics," she said. "We've got a good mix of students and a good mix of instructors. The particle physicists are really trying to explain their field to the astrophysics students and the astrophysicists are trying to explain their field to the particle physics students." This made for lively question and answer sessions, Hewett said. "I think the students had a really good time." Fatemeh Elahi, a graduate student in particle theory from Notre Dame University in Indiana, called the experience "a storm of knowledge." She said she had just started studying dark matter recently, and the amount of information about it contained in observations of the cosmos was a revelation. "I know we still have a long path in front of us, but I'm amazed we can predict cosmological features as well as we can," she said. The students took their own first steps along that path by working on projects devised by the SSI organizers. Groups of students designed dark matter experiments or theorized about dark matter properties, then presented their results to their peers on the final afternoon. "A lot of the students came up with their own equations and wrote mini-simulations to capture their ideas," Wechsler said, adding that some of the work was of high enough quality to form the basis for scientific papers: "They've really put in a lot of work." Elahi had another name for it. "I can't deny how much fun I'm having with this," she said. The 2014 SSI class. For questions or comments, contact the SLAC Office of Communications at [email protected]. SLAC is a multi-program laboratory exploring frontier questions in photon science, astrophysics, particle physics and accelerator research. Located in Menlo Park, Calif., SLAC is operated by Stanford University for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit science.energy.gov.

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As drought conditions worsen across much of the country, it’s time to pay close attention to water usage in our homes and gardens. However, if you think the drought is going to dry up your hopes of a beautiful garden filled with colorful annuals, don’t worry. Read on for tips and information about a few of the best drought tolerant annuals. Characteristics of the Best Drought Tolerant Annuals Annuals are plants that live for only one growing season. Generally, flowering annuals bloom all summer, then set seed before they die when the weather turns cold in autumn. The best drought tolerant annuals tend to have smaller leaves, which minimize moisture evaporation. The leaves may be waxy to retain moisture, or they may be covered with silvery or white hairs to reflect light. Drought-tolerant annuals often have long roots so they can reach for moisture deep in the soil. Drought Tolerant Annuals for Full Sun Here are some suggestions for annual plants that tolerate sunny, drought conditions: - Dusty miller (Senecio cineraria) – Silvery, fern-like foliage that provides an interesting contrast when planted next to annuals with deep green foliage and brightly colored blooms. Dusty miller is perennial in mild climates. - Marigolds (Tagetes) – Lacy, bright green foliage and compact blooms in shades of orange, copper, gold and bronze. - Moss rose (Portulaca grandiflora) – Sun- and heat-loving annuals with succulent leaves and masses of colors in a variety of intense shades such as yellow, pink, red, orange, violet and white. - Gazania (Gazania spp.) – Low-growing, ground-hugging plant that produces bright, daisy-like blooms of pink, orange, red, white, yellow and orange in parched, sunbaked soil. - Lantana (Lantana camara) – Shrubby annual with bright green leaves and a clusters of brightly colored blooms. Drought Tolerant Annuals for Shade Keep in mind that most shade-loving plants require small amounts of sunlight every day. They do well in broken or filtered light, or in a location exposed early morning sunlight. These shade to semi-shade loving annuals handle drought well: - Nasturtium (Tropaelum majus) – Easy-to-grow annuals with attractive green leaves and flowers in sunny shades of yellow, red, mahogany and orange. Nasturtiums love partial shade or morning sunlight. - Wax begonia (Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum) – waxy, heart-shaped leaves in shades of mahogany, bronze or bright green, with long-lasting blooms ranging from white to rose, pink or red. Wax begonia tolerates shade or sun. - California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) – drought-friendly plant that prefers sun but does well in partial shade. California poppy provides feathery, bluish-green foliage and intense orange blooms. - Spider flower (Cleome hasslerana) – another annual that loves sun but blooms well in partial shade, spider flower is a tall plant that provides exotic-looking flowers in shades of white, rose and violet. Drought Tolerant Annuals for Containers As a general rule, plants that are suitable for sun or shade are also well suited for containers. Just be sure the plants that share a container have similar needs. Don’t plant sun-loving plants in the same pots as annuals that need shade. How to Grow Drought-Tolerant Annuals Generally, drought-tolerant annuals require very little care. Most are happy with a deep watering whenever the soil is relatively dry. Most don’t tolerate bone dry soil. (Check container plants often!) Fertilize regularly throughout the blooming season to support continued flowering. Pinch seedlings at least once or twice to promote bushy grown and deadhead wilted blooms regularly to prevent plants from going to seed early.

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How many people have HIV September 17, 2014 The CDC estimates that 1,144,500 people 13 years how many people have hiv and older with HIV., Including 180 900 (15.8%) were not aware of their infection1 In the last ten years the number of people living with HIV has risen, while the annual number of new HIV infections has remained relatively stable. However, the number of new infections is still too high levels, especially among certain groups double. how many people have hiv HIV incidence (new infections): The estimated incidence of HIV remains more or less stable in recent years, more than 50,000 new HIV infections per year 2 In general estimate but some groups more than others will be affected. MSM continue to bear the greatest burden of HIV infection and racial / ethnic groups, African-Americans continue to be negatively affected. According to the latest estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV / AIDS, 34 million people were living with HIV in 2010, around the world, about half are women and ten children under 15 years. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has more about understanding HIV / AIDS. Latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data indicate that 1.1482 million Americans over the age of 13 years were living with HIV in 2009, 0.1 Among them: 279, 100 women first 76 April 00 is 13-241 years About 473,000 have AIDS, not only against viruses Infected more than 18% of people with HIV in the United States know their infection.2 young adults aged 25-34 in 2011 accounted for 28% of new HIV infections in the United States, youth 13-24 years accounted for 21% .2 This year, women accounted for about 10 512 or 21% of the how many people have hiv estimated 50 199 new cases of HIV in the United States.

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