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Biomechanics of Human Walking: Lessons from Biology, Applications to Robotics Time and Place Auditorium (NSH 1305) Refreshments 3:15 pm Talk 3:30 pm What makes biped	Biomechanics of Human Walking: Lessons from Biology, Applications to Robotics Time and Place Auditorium (NSH 1305) Refreshments 3:15 pm Talk 3:30 pm What makes bipedal walking a suitable gait for humans? Many biomechanical features of the body favor walking. Muscles produce high power for their mass, and yet can allow the joints to rotate freely with little resistance. The legs themselves have inertial properties that allow them to produce much of the walking motion passively. Moreover, much of the walking motion is stable, simplifying the problem of control. All of these features make walking not only the most economical gait for humans, but also the most sensible. Robotics has conventionally been fraught with many technical challenges, to the degree that human biomechanics have had little relevance to robot locomotion. However, recent advances such as the Honda Asimo humanoid robot surmount those challenges, making performance the next concern. Next-generation robots will focus on speed, efficiency, and agility. Humans are highly tuned for performance. We will discuss how the energetics of muscles result in trade-offs that make walking economical, and indeed, optimal. The characteristics of motors or other actuators will become increasingly important in determining the optimal robotic gait. I attended the For appointments, please contact Jonathan Hurst ([email protected]).
Upgrade to the Flash 9 viewer for enhanced content, including the ability to browse & search through your favorite titles. Click here to learn more! 1. To the minds of a Western audience, The Arabian Nights is the most important work we have	Upgrade to the Flash 9 viewer for enhanced content, including the ability to browse & search through your favorite titles. Click here to learn more! 1. To the minds of a Western audience, The Arabian Nights is the most important work we have from medieval Arabic. Its influence can be seen throughout Western culture, from references in Jane Eyre to the plots of cartoons. What are some examples of the direct influence The Arabian Nights has had on Western literature or culture? Why did readers, then and now, enjoy it? 2. Burton has been quoted as having said, "The main difficulty, however, is to erase the popular impression that the 'Nights' is a book for babies, a 'classic for children'; whereas its lofty morality, its fine character-painting, its artful development of the story, and its original snatches of rare poetry, fit it for the reading of men and women, and these, too, of no puerile or vulgar wit. In fact, its prime default is that it flies too high." How does one account for the fact that, historically, The Arabian Nights has been seen as a children's book? Is it more appropriate for adults than for children given its content and depth? What are the main attributes that make it suitable for either audience? 3. The structure of The Arabian Nights is an entire study in itself. Debate has raged over the tales' relation to one another and to the overall structure of the work. Is the narrative structure effective? Are the tales related to one another or are they simply a mixture of unrelated stories bound by a narrative created solely for that purpose? How important is the setting of The Arabian Nights to the interpretation of each individual tale? 4. One of the most important moral concepts in The Arabian Nights is that of fidelity. From the very beginning of the work, fidelity is the driving force that binds the brothers together and that provides the backdrop for the telling of the tales. Fidelity of all kinds is explored in The Arabian Nights: that between a husband and wife, between brothers, and between a lord and his servant. Describe different depictions of fidelity in specific tales and explain how they are central to the advancement of the plot and the characters. Why is such a high premium placed on fidelity throughout the book? 5. Morals and ethics are among the most important subjects dealt with throughout The Arabian Nights. Describe the moral system as it is depicted throughout the course of the book, giving examples of important moral concepts in specific tales. How do the morals serve to propel the plot of the tales? How can one reconcile the bawdiness of these tales with the serious moral and ethical messages conveyed? Does the overt sexuality and "inappropriate" content reduce in any way the impact or importance of these moral messages?
teaching american history The eighth grade students of Davis Waldorf School are completing a four week block on American history. We started with the Lost Colony of Roanoke. Then we went northward to Virginia to catch a glimpse of James Fort	teaching american history The eighth grade students of Davis Waldorf School are completing a four week block on American history. We started with the Lost Colony of Roanoke. Then we went northward to Virginia to catch a glimpse of James Fort, later renamed Jamestown. We saw John Rolfe save the colony with contraband tobacco, and essentially sparked one of America's first successful cash crops. Oh, and he also marries the beautiful Pocahontas! Plymouth Rock welcomes the Pilgrims, who escape religious oppression in England, only to be blinded by their own faith in the Salem Witch Trials where 20 of their own citizens were wrongfully convicted of witchcraft. Mercantilism builds the Thirteen Colonies. The French, also seeing the opportunities of the New World, find themselves traveling down the St. Lawrence River into the areas around the Great Lakes. They make friends with the indigenous people, trade muskets for beaver fur (whose felted fur is a hit with the fashion-forward Europeans), and establish forts in Ohio Country. Tensions rise as the English colonists crash their party. George Washington unconvincingly tries to encourage the French to leave Fort Le Boeuf, but after a bit of French wine, he leaves; his mission is a failure. Fighting ensues with the French and Indian War. It's an expensive war for the English crown, who subsequently levy heavy taxes on the colonists. The colonists cry "No taxation without representation!" Five Bostonians die in an altercation near the State House against British soldiers - the Boston Massacre. Then a Boston Tea Party. Intolerable Acts are pushed on the colonists to punish them for their actions. Patrick Henry gives an ultimatum: "As for me, give me liberty or give me death!" The colonists stockpile arms, ammunition, and supplies. The British march from Boston to Lexington and Concord, and the minutemen rise to meet them. (That's me in the picture, I taught the eighth graders how to fire muskets - eurythmy copper rods, and we charged across the field to fire at redcoats across the street!) George Washington, now Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, drives the British from Boston, crosses the Delaware River to take Trenton and Princeton from the British and the Hessians, hunkers down at Valley Forge with Baron von Steuben training the Army and boosting morale, and, with French allies, forces a surrender from Cornwallis at Yorktown. We covered 200 years in four
June 2, 2011 2 Comments This feature highlights a number of meteor showers, comets and asteroids which are visible during the month of June 2011. June 2011 Highlights * Saturn is easy to spot in the	June 2, 2011 2 Comments This feature highlights a number of meteor showers, comets and asteroids which are visible during the month of June 2011. June 2011 Highlights * Saturn is easy to spot in the evening * Jupiter is a sight to see just before dawn * Comet Garradd begins a many month stretch brighter than mag 10 Note: If anyone has pictures or observations of these objects/events and want to share them with my readers, send them to the Transient Sky at <[email protected]>. Moon - The table below lists important lunar dates for the month, including the phases of the Moon and nights of lunar-planetary and lunar-stellar conjunctions. Jun 1 - New Moon and Partial Solar Eclipse for high latitudes Jun 5 - Moon 9° from bright star Pollux Jun 6 - Moon 5° from Beehive Cluster Jun 7 - Moon 5° from bright star Regulus Jun 9 - First Quarter Jun 10 - Moon 8° from Saturn Jun 11 - Moon 3° from bright star Spica Jun 14 - Moon 4° from bright star Antares Jun 15 - Full Moon and Total Eclipse of the Moon (Africa, Asia, Australia) Jun 23 - Last Quarter Moon Jun 26 - Moon 5° from Jupiter Jun 28 - Moon 2° from Mars and Pleiades Jun 29 - Moon 7° from Aldebaran Mercury – Mercury starts the month very low in the ENE dawn sky but is quickly lost over the next few days. It doesn’t take long to reappear and by the last week of June it can be seen low in the WNW 45 minutes or so after sunset. During the last few nights of the month, Mercury makes a nice trio with the bright stars of Gemini, Castor and Pollux. All three can be seen in a 11° long straight line on June 30. Saturn – Saturn is now well past opposition at magnitude +0.8. It starts the night near its highest point on the meridian to the south. The planet is observable for the rest of the evening. Saturn is a slow moving planet and takes 29 years to circle the Sun as well as 29 years to do one circuit around the ecliptic constellations. As has been the case all year long, Saturn is still located in Virgo about 13-14° from 1st magnitude Spica. The planet is making a nice “double star” with 3rd magnitude Gamma Virginis. The two are within 0.25° of each other on June 9. Jun 10 - Saturn and Moon 8° apart Jupiter - Jupiter rises 2 to 3 hours before sunrise and is well up in the eastern sky as dawn begins. Shining at magnitude -2.2 the King of the Planets will be the brightest ‘star’ in the sky over the next few months. Jun 26 - Moon 5° from Jupiter Mars - Located 16° to the lower left of Jupiter at the start of the month, the gap increases all month long. Mars is a fast moving planet meaning it does a good job of keeping up with the Sun and as a result will only slowly rise higher in the sky from month to month. Though a relatively faint magnitude +1.4 (for a planet), it will get much brighter as it moves towards opposition in March 2012. Jun 28 - Moon 2° from Mars Venus - Venus will be a very difficult sight low in the ENE during dawn. Towards the end of the year, it will be a much easier sight as an evening object. Meteor activity is still near a seasonal minimum in June. The year is usually split in 2 with January through June having low rates with few major showers while July through December have high rates with many major showers. Sporadic meteors are not part of any known meteor shower. They represent the background flux of meteors. Except for the few days per year when a major shower is active, most meteors that are observed are Sporadics. This is especially true for meteors observed during the evening. During June mornings, 10-12 or so Sporadic meteors can be observed per hour from a dark moonless sky. Major Meteor Showers None this month Minor Meteor Showers Minor showers produce so few meteors that they are hard to notice above the background of regular meteors. Starting this month, info on most of the minor showers will be provided on a weekly basis by Robert Lunsford’s Meteor Activity Outlook. Additional information on these showers and other minor showers not included here can be found at the following sites: Wayne Hally’s and Mark Davis’s NAMN Notes, and the International Meteor Organization’s 2011 Meteor Shower Calendar. Naked Eye Comets (V < 6.0) None this month… Binocular Comets (V = 6.0 – 8.0) None this month… Small Telescope Comets (V = 8.0 – 10.0) C/2009 P1 (Garradd) Last month I mentioned how there al
Where can I find online resources for learning about accessible information technology? AccessIT Article ID: 1191 The following sampling of online resources includes both websites and discussion lists related to accessible information technology. Many of the websites listed include online courses and	Where can I find online resources for learning about accessible information technology? AccessIT Article ID: 1191 The following sampling of online resources includes both websites and discussion lists related to accessible information technology. Many of the websites listed include online courses and/or tutorials. Resources on electronic and information technology, postsecondary education, and careers for people with disabilities; one of the AccessIT sponsors. University of Washington Center for Technology and Disability Studies Resources on AT and IT including technical assistance and training, one of the AccessIT sponsors. Adaptive Technology Resource Centre (ATRC) The ATRC, located at the University of Toronto in Canada, conducts research and development and provides education, proactive design consultation, and direct service all geared toward advancing information technology that is accessible to all. Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) CAST provides resources, research, and examples to promote and assist in universal design for learning. Equal Access to Software and Information (EASI) EASI provides a variety of resources, including online training, on accessible technology and the design of barrier-free computer and information technology systems for persons with disabilities. HTML Writers Guild The Guild provides online training for web developers through their eClasses program. Their catalog of online courses covers the breadth of web work, from HTML to Flash, from Dreamweaver to PHP. Classes are taught by working professionals in the field. Their Accessible Web Authoring Resource and Education (AWARE) Center focuses on the importance of designing for universal accessibility. National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM) NCAM is a research and development facility dedicated to media and information technology accessibility for people with disabilities. NCAM's Tools & Guidelines provides tutorials to help developers learn how to incorporate accessibility features into rich media. Trace Research & Development Center The Trace Center works on ways to make standard information technologies and telecommunications systems more accessible and usable by people with disabilities. Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) WAI is part of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the group who develops and promotes web standards. WAI's specific focus is accessibility of the web, which it pursues through technology, guidelines, tools, education and outreach, and research and development. Free training resources are listed on the WAI Resources website. Web Accessibility in Mind (WebAIM) WebAIM conducts research and development, and provides information and training specifically focused on Web accessibility. Online Discussion Lists Adapt-L focuses on adaptive technology and libraries. To subscribe, send a message with a blank subject line to [email protected]. In the body of the message type "subscribe adapt-L Firstname Lastname." Adtech-ps focuses on adaptive technology and technology accessibility in postsecondary education. Subscribe at the adtech-ps Info Page. AToutcomes supports the development and use of reliable, valid, and sensitive outcome measures in assistive technology. To subscribe, send a message with a blank subject line to [email protected]. In the body of the message type "subscribe atoutcomes email-address." Axslib-l focuses on issues surrounding access to libraries by people with disabilities. To subscribe, send a message with a blank subject line to [email protected]. In the body of the message type "subscribe axslib Firstname Lastname." Crt-focus is for discussion of assistive technology for people with disabilities. To subscribe, send a message with a blank subject line to [email protected]. In the body of the message type "subscribe crt-focus Firstname Lastname." DISTEC is a Spanish-speaking discussion forum for researchers, designers, and users of assistive technology. To subscribe, send a message with a blank subject line to [email protected]. In the body of the message type "subscribe DISTEC Firstname Lastname." EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information) discusses technology access for people with disabilities. To subscribe, send a message with a blank subject line to [email protected]. In the body of the message type "subscribe easi Firstname Lastname." Uaccess-l is for discussion of universal access to information systems. To subscribe, send a message with a blank subject line to [email protected]. In the body of the message type "subscribe uaccess-l Firstname Lastname." WAI Interest Group is a very active forum for discussion of issues relating to web accessibility. It is hosted by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Consortium (W3C), the group responsible for the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. For more information and to subscribe, consult the WAI Interest Group Home Page. Last update or review: January 18, 2013
(MgAl2O4) is a much maligned gem mineral that is often thought of as a corundum simulant because in red and blue varieties it can closely resemble ruby or sapphire. It is, however, an	(MgAl2O4) is a much maligned gem mineral that is often thought of as a corundum simulant because in red and blue varieties it can closely resemble ruby or sapphire. It is, however, an outstanding gem material in its own right; it is hard (8), possesses an intermediate to high R.I., shows good dispersion, and is available in a wide variety of colors. Many of the worlds most famous large "rubies" are, in fact, red spinel (e.g. Black Princes' Ruby and Timur Ruby, both in British Crown Jewels). Such stones were once referred to as Balas Ruby, a term that is not used today but is synonymous with red spinel. The confusion is well-founded; the finest red spinels come from the same gem gravel deposits in Myanmar that are renowned for "Burma" ruby, and both share somewhat similar optical and Spinel, like garnet and tourmaline, is a mineral name that refers to a group of minerals all having the same crystal structure. Members within the group differ by containing varying amounts of Fe, Cr, Zn, Mn and Ni that substitute for Mg and Al in the crystal lattice. Probably the most familiar minerals that have the spinel crystal structure are the ore minerals magnetite (Fe2+Fe3+2O4) and chromite (Fe2+Cr2O4), neither of which is a gem material. Gem spinel is usually quite close in composition to Mg, Al spinel but contains small amounts of Fe, Zn, and Cr that act as chromophores and account for the wide range of possible colors. Red and pink spinel is colored by trace quantities of Cr; blue, violet, orange and green by Fe. Zn, Cr, and Co (rare) are also present in some blue, violet and purple stones. "Spinel" is synthesized in the lab by the flame fusion process (Verneuil method) and is widely used as a corundum, diamond, and chrysoberyl imitation. Virtually any color of the rainbow can be made, including those not found in nature (yellow), but all differ from natural spinel in chemical makeup (more Al than Mg in comparison to naturals). This difference is reflected in the R.I. and S.G., which are consequently valuable properties in distinguishing naturals from synthetics, or synthetic spinel from corundum (see below). Gem spinel forms in the same rocks and by the same processes that produce gem corundum. The most common occurrence of gem spinel is in metamorphosed impure limestones (marble), but it has also been found in pegmatites (Zn-rich varieties, these are rare). The principle historical producer of spinel was Burma (Myanmar). Presently most production is from the gem gravels of Sri Lanka and Thailand. Little info.. As with other colored stones, depth and purity of color and clarity are highly prized. Reds and pinks are apparently the most expensive, closely followed by lavender and blues. The price trend with color seems to follow sapphire. Good gem spinel in any color (particularly pinks and reds) in sizes of 3 carats or above is very rare (rarer than ruby or sapphire). Several authors state that given the rarity and beauty of good pink and red spinel these stones are highly undervalued and should continue to increase in price. Prices have historically suffered from confusion and comparison with corundum and synthetic spinel. Detractors from value are brownish or Grey overtones, or a muddy color, particularly in reds and blues. Prices for 3-5 carat or stones of top quality where in the following ranges in 1990:
A convex mirror with a radius of curvature of 34.0 cm forms a 0.95 cm tall image of a pencil at a distance of 12.5 cm behind the mirror. Calculate the object distance for the pencil and its height	A convex mirror with a radius of curvature of 34.0 cm forms a 0.95 cm tall image of a pencil at a distance of 12.5 cm behind the mirror. Calculate the object distance for the pencil and its height. Is the image real or virtual? What is the magnification? A plane flys 425 miles with the wind and 350 miles against the wind in the same length of time if the speed of the wind is 15 mph what is the speed of the plane A glass melting furnace is burning ethene in pure oxygen (not air). The furnace operates at an equivalence ratio of 0.9 and consumes 30 kmol/hr of ethene. Determine the energy input rate based on the LHV of the fuel in terms of kW. Determine O2 consumption rate in kmol/hr. 2- digit number. There are nine tens. The sum of its digits is 12. What is the number? Compare how much kinetic energy and potential energy the ball has at each point and describ
Tiny grains of the mineral spinel found in the Pacific may record the impact of a two-kilometre object at the end of the Cretaceous period, claim French geologists. The grains are rich in iridium, an element	Tiny grains of the mineral spinel found in the Pacific may record the impact of a two-kilometre object at the end of the Cretaceous period, claim French geologists. The grains are rich in iridium, an element rare on Earth but common in meteorites (Nature, vol 363, p 615). Eric Robin of the Centre des Faibles Radioactives near Paris suggests that the object was part of a barrage of impacts that wiped out the dinosaurs and many other species 65 million years ago. The theory of multiple impacts was suggested by Eugene Shoemaker of the US Geological Survey in Flagstaff, Arizona. Robin and his colleagues submitted their paper for publ
4 Principles of encryption 4.6 Hybrid systems As you have seen from earlier sections, a major advantage of asymmetric key systems over symmetric key systems is that no exchange of a secret key is required between communicating entities. However, in practice public	4 Principles of encryption 4.6 Hybrid systems As you have seen from earlier sections, a major advantage of asymmetric key systems over symmetric key systems is that no exchange of a secret key is required between communicating entities. However, in practice public key cryptography is rarely used for encrypting messages for the following reasons: - Security: it is vulnerable to chosen plaintext attacks. - Speed: encrypting data with public key algorithms generally takes about 1000 times longer than with symmetric key algorithms. Instead, a combination of symmetric and asymmetric key systems is often used. This system is based on the use of a session key – a temporary key used only for a single transaction or for a limited number of transactions before being discarded. The following sequence between Alice and Bob demonstrates the use of a session key. - Alice chooses a secret symmetric key that will be used as a session key. - Alice uses the session key to encrypt her message to Bob. - Alice uses Bob's public key to encrypt the session key. - Alice sends the encrypted message and the encrypted session key to Bob. - On receipt, Bob decrypts the session key using his own private key. - Bob uses the session key to decrypt Alice's message. Why might a session key be preferable to the use of a recipient's public key? I can think of a couple of reasons: - The more often a key is used and the more ciphertext produced by that key, the more likely it is to come under attack. A session key can simply be discarded after use. - Encryption and decryption can be performed much faster using symmetric keys than asymmetric keys.
Sharing: Development and Tips A rewarding experience in the eyes of parents is to watch a child master stages of development. The acquisition of sharing habits is an important one. A child who chooses to not share creates disruption for children and caregivers. Research	Sharing: Development and Tips A rewarding experience in the eyes of parents is to watch a child master stages of development. The acquisition of sharing habits is an important one. A child who chooses to not share creates disruption for children and caregivers. Research defines sharing to include three parts: item(s), giving action, and return, (giving) action. Practically, the process doesn't always include a return (as is candy, cookies). Success within young children depends on their readiness, the amount of things available for sharing, and adult involvement. Children begin sharing habits when they give an adult something that the adult returns to them. This gesture takes place in infancy and continues to be the foundation for other sharing actions. As toddlers reach 18-24 months, sharing becomes more deliberate. Upon learning more about himself, the toddler will reach out to others. By 4-5 years, a child recognizes wants and needs of others. He has also developed a sense of ownership, feeling more in control, and 'loans' his possessions more readily. Girls more likely share with friends than acquaintances. This is not the case with boys. When supplies are abundant, children make more effort to share. Their opportunity to participate is less threatened. Also structure settings to include activities which promote cooperation. Puzzles, blocks, building sets, several of the same toy, old clothes, hats, shoes, large pieces of paper for community drawing are all good choices which encourage children to talk as they play. Books are another device for promoting sharing. Promoting sharing within a story provides a good role model for children. Many stories contain examples within the story. These focus on sharing: Mine! A Sesame Street Book About Sharing, L. Hayward; Mine, Yours, Ours, B. Albert Jr. & L. Axeman (Henderson, 1991, Working Mother); Mine's the Best, C. Bonsall. Using a story is less threatening for the child who might be singled out for inappropriate behavior. Devise learning environments which make sharing a necessity. Settings requiring sharing provide children with the chance to respect the needs of others. Avoid the temptation to show favoritism. Children are quick to detect that they are not being treated equally. Entrust them with your willingness to share. Ch
Juvenile Law (West's Encyclopedia of American Law) An area of the law that deals with the actions and well-being of persons who are not yet adults. In the law a juvenile is defined as a person who is not old enough to be	Juvenile Law (West's Encyclopedia of American Law) An area of the law that deals with the actions and well-being of persons who are not yet adults. In the law a juvenile is defined as a person who is not old enough to be held responsible for criminal acts. In most states and on the federal level, this age threshold is set at 18 years. In Wyoming a juvenile is a person under the age of 19. In some states a juvenile is a person under the age of 17, and in Connecticut, New York, and North Carolina, a juvenile is a person under the age of 16. These age definitions are significant because they determine whether a young person accused of criminal conduct will be charged with a crime in adult court or will be required to appear in juvenile court. Juvenile courts generally have authority over three categories of children: juveniles accused of criminal conduct; juveniles neglected or abused by their parents or in need of assistance from the state; and juveniles accused of a status offense. This last category refers to conduct that is prohibited only to children, such as absence from school (truancy), flight from home, disobedience of reasonable parental controls, and purchase of alcohol, tobacco, or PORNOGRAPHY. Originally the term juvenile delinquent referred to any child found to be within the jurisdiction of a juvenile court. It included... (The entire section is 4910 words.) Want to Read More? Subscribe now to read the rest of this article. Plus get complete access to 30,000+ study guides! Juvenile Law and Justice (Great American Court Cases) Juvenile law refers to that body of law dealing with juveniles, or persons who are not yet adults. The definition of a juvenile varies from state to state according to the age at which a person is deemed to reach adulthood. In at least one state (Wyoming), the age of adulthood is 19; for some legal purposes, other states set the age at 16, and still others set the age at 17 or 18. Juvenile law is a special blend of law created especially for juveniles to account for their immaturity and innocence. There are three basic categories of children over which juvenile courts have jurisdiction: children accused of committing a crime; children who are in need of protection from the state; and children who have committed a status offense. A status offense is conduct that is prohibited only to children, and not to adults. Examples of status offenses include failure to attend school (known as truancy), failure to obey reasonable parental controls, cigarette smoking, drinking of alcohol, possession of pornography, and flight from home. Before the creation of juvenile law in the late nineteenth century, children in the United States generally were treated under the law as adults. For criminal behavior, only children under the age of seven were immune from criminal prosecution. A child of seven or older, if convicted of a crime warranting incarceration, was sentenced to prison with adults.... (The entire section is 2179 words.)
\|Passive Acoustic Device \| You've probably never gotten a good look at the Passive Acoustic Devices (PAD) out on the freeways … they're easy to miss. PADs are small objects that sit near the top of utility poles	\|Passive Acoustic Device \| You've probably never gotten a good look at the Passive Acoustic Devices (PAD) out on the freeways … they're easy to miss. PADs are small objects that sit near the top of utility poles and are barely visible to drivers below, but they collect a lot of useful data. PADs use microphones to “listen” to freeway traffic. These sophisticated devices can use that information to determine vehicle speed and density in an area. This information helps feed ADOT speed maps . Transportation Defined is a series of explanatory blog posts designed to define the things you see on your everyday commute. Let us know if there's something you'd like to see explained... leave a comment here on the blog or over on our Facebook page!
Elephants are the largest beasts alive on land today. Yet these goliaths are afraid of bees, researchers have discovered. The giants flee when they hear the buzz of a bee swarm. An angry swarm can sting elephants around their eyes and inside	Elephants are the largest beasts alive on land today. Yet these goliaths are afraid of bees, researchers have discovered. The giants flee when they hear the buzz of a bee swarm. An angry swarm can sting elephants around their eyes and inside their trunks and pierce the skin of young calves. Now, a new study shows that the pachyderms utter a distinctive rumble in response to the sound of bees, the first time an alarm call has been identified in elephants. A study suggests that this alarm call isn’t just a generalized vocalization but means specifically, “Bees!” This is an awesome discovery! Comes to show that there are might be many other different ways of how elephants communicate with each other.
Key Indian Health Issues: STD/HIV Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) occur in epidemic proportions in the United States, and the burden of disease is disproportionately high among minority race groups. In 2009, American Indians were just over	Key Indian Health Issues: STD/HIV Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) occur in epidemic proportions in the United States, and the burden of disease is disproportionately high among minority race groups. In 2009, American Indians were just over four times more likely than Whites to get chlamydia or gonorrhea. Gonorrhea and syphilis rates among AI/ANs have been decreasing over the past few years in fact gonorrhea is at the lowest rate ever recorded. In 2004 AI/ANs were twice as likely to contract syphilis as Whites but the 2009 data shows that both populations have almost the same rate of contracting syphilis. These infections compromise not only individual well being, but the well being of the community as a whole. Testing and treatment are the keys to reducing disease and long term consequences of undiagnosed STDs. Increased STD screening and targeted awareness efforts are essential to build on current progress and reduce disparities. While substantial progress has been made in preventing and treating certain STDs, experts estimate that 19 million infections occur each year in the United States. In addition to the physical and psychological consequences, these diseases also take a tremendous toll on the Indian healthcare system. Nationally, direct medical costs associated with STDs are estimated at $13 billion annually. STDs interact with reproductive health on a variety of levels: - High rates of sexually transmitted diseases indicate high-risk behavior and vulnerability to HIV. People infected with an STD are 2 to 5 times more likely to become infected with HIV. - Women are more likely than men to contract genital herpes, HIV, chlamydia, or gonorrhea. Women are biologically more susceptible than men to becoming infected if exposed to an STD, and STDs are more likely to remain undetected in women, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment. - The impact of STDs on teens is particularly notable. About two-thirds of new cases occur among 15-24-year-olds. By age 24, at least one in three sexually active people have had an STD. Teenage girls are especially vulnerable to STDs, which can more easily infect the immature cervix. - Untreated STDs can cause severe health consequences for women, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. Up to 40% of females with untreated Chlamydia infections develop PID, and 20% of those may become infertile. Because of factors such as rural geography, early sexual debut, close-knit sexual networks, and high rates of hepatitis C, substance use, and STDs, many experts now believe that HIV/AIDS is a “time bomb” that may reach epidemic proportions among Native communities. The number of American Indians and Alaska Natives diagnosed with AIDS has grown more rapidly than in any other ethnic group, increasing almost 800% from 1990 to 1999. In response, Tribes in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho have joined together to address this common concern by forming the Red Talon STD/HIV Coalition. The Coalition merged to create the Native Adolescent Health Alliance in late 2009. The Alliance meets quarterly to share wisdom, data, and resources, identify and address common priorities, and develop strategies to eliminate STD-related disparities in addition to the prevention of suicide, drug, and alcohol use. Visit Project Red Talon for more information and to obtain STD/HIV rates and trends among AI/ANs in the Pacific Northwest. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Surveillance 2009 has been published and is available at http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats09/default.htm For more information on STD/HIV go to the Red Talon Project Page
Mar. 12, 2002 Magnets are commonly found holding up photographs on home refrigerators and are perhaps best known as northward pointing needles in compasses. But they are far more common; indeed, their use is ubiquitous in industry	Mar. 12, 2002 Magnets are commonly found holding up photographs on home refrigerators and are perhaps best known as northward pointing needles in compasses. But they are far more common; indeed, their use is ubiquitous in industry and consumer products. Today a car uses no less than 300 parts that use the phenomenon of magnetism. Scientists are engaged in a search for new materials featuring magnetic properties and in understanding the basic fundamentals of magnetism. Now, researchers Guy Bertrand and David Scheschkewitz of the University of California, Riverside, and colleagues are opening new doors to understanding magnetic properties. On the other side of these doors lies the potential for developing new medical imaging devices and implants, efficient electrical conductors and non-metallic magnets. Put simply, all substances are formed by bonding atoms together using the atoms' valence electrons (valence electrons are electrons that are actively involved in chemical change). When one of these electrons is not used to form a bond, it results in a non-bonding electron, also called a radical. Magnetism results from the presence of many of these radicals coming close to one another. Several research groups worldwide have shown that materials based on "diradicals" will be even more magnetically active. In a diradical, two atoms which are close to each other have electrons ready to form a bond. And indeed, the difficulty is that usually the bond is formed, resulting in no magnetism. The UC Riverside chemists and their colleagues report in the 8 March 2002 issue of Science that they have prepared a "singlet diradical" where the two non-bonding electrons do not combine to form a bond. "The substance still remains a diradical," says Bertrand. "We have been able to obtain this diradical using the specific properties of two non-metallic elements boron and phosphorus." Until now, the most stable singlet diradical, which can be used as a basic building block for making materials, had a lifetime in the order of micro seconds at room temperature. The new singlet diradical, on the other hand, is stable at room temperature, both in solution and in the solid state. "This should pave the way for the availability of many stable singlet and triplet diradicals in the near future," says Bertrand. "Our new diradical can be handled under standard laboratory conditions, which is very beneficial. The next challenge will be to prepare the materials by replication of the diradicals. We can hope to get materials that would have the mechanical properties, the transparence, and the low density required for a new generation of magnets, magneto-optical and electrical devices." Other social bookmarking and sharing tools: The above story is based on materials provided by University Of California - Riverside. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above. Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
The bronze tree of Sanxingdui Is it the oldest man-made Genesis artefact? 5 September 2006 In 1986, workers from a brickyard near Guanghan, China, uncovered some bronze objects, which led to	The bronze tree of Sanxingdui Is it the oldest man-made Genesis artefact? 5 September 2006 In 1986, workers from a brickyard near Guanghan, China, uncovered some bronze objects, which led to the discovery of a thousand treasures of gold, ivory, pottery, bronze, marble and bone. Archeologists link the material to the Sanxingdui People and say it has been buried for at least 2700 years, probably much longer. How did the miraculous bronze smelting technique and the human culture that created the bronze ware come into being? One of the most intriguing finds, dug out of the pits, was a tall bronze object, which they were able to clean and reassemble. There is little doubt that the object represents a tree but there is much mystery about its meaning. Why did the ancient artists depict a fruit tree with life-sized fruit and at the same time have a long bronze serpent undulating to and fro down the trunk? Why are so many of the leaves around the fruit shaped like long knives? In the latest issue of the Journal of Creation, Stephen Brennecke describes the bronze tree in detail, and gives evidence that the ancient Sanxidngdui people in China shared the same ancestral history as the Chaldeans, from whom Abram was called to journey to the Promised Land. Stephen’s fascinating article shows that the tree gives an independent triangulation that complements the Genesis account in intimate detail. This sort of analysis is not available in most secular scientific journals because their editorial policies discriminate against authors with ‘creation credentials’, and against interpretations that link evidence to the biblical account. It’s not generally available to the Christian public either. But through the Journal of Creation (previously called TJ), the best creation thinkers are able to brainstorm their ideas and get the faith-building information out. The Journal is a vital cog in the creation movement worldwide. Also in the current Journal of Creation 20(2) read about: - Problems with cosmic background radiation—not evidence for the big bang. - Hominid missing links—made for walking, not crawling on all fours. - The moon’s recession from the earth and how it points to a recent creation for the solar system. - Remarkable dinosaurs from the Polar Regions and the problems this presents for cold-blooded reptiles surviving in an icy environment—or was it? - Some of the most significant books for the creation issue reviewed with clear creation implications, including On the Reliability of the Old Testament, by Kenneth Kitchen, and the latest research report on the RATE project, by Larry Vardiman, et al. - Dinosaur gastroliths, those intriguing gizzard stones, and how they turn out to be not what they are claimed to be, and why. - Why the elements of the universe point to creation, not nucleosynthesis as big bang theory claims. - Real-life examples of rapid sedimentation. If it wasn’t for the eyewitness report documented in photos in this article, the sediment would look like it was deposited slowly and gradually over a long time. Every issue of the Journal of Creation is packed with solid creation research yet you will find that it is easily digestible—and informative. It gives information you can use.
Health effects associated with smokeless tobacco: a systematic review - 1Department of Public Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GB, UK - 2Department of Public Health, Dokuz Eylul University School of	Health effects associated with smokeless tobacco: a systematic review - 1Department of Public Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GB, UK - 2Department of Public Health, Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey - Correspondence to: Dr J Critchley, Department of Public Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GB, UK; - Accepted 18 November 2002 - Revised 9 November 2002 Background: It is believed that health risks associated with smokeless tobacco (ST) use are lower than those with cigarette smoking. A systematic review was therefore carried out to summarise these risks. Methods: Several electronic databases were searched, supplemented by screening reference lists, smoking related websites, and contacting experts. Analytical observational studies of ST use (cohorts, case-control, cross sectional studies) with a sample size of ⩾500 were included if they reported on one or more of the following outcomes (all cause mortality, oral and pharyngeal cancers, other cancers, cardiovascular diseases, dental diseases, pregnancy outcomes, surgical outcomes). Data extraction covered control of confounding, selection of cases and controls, sample size, clear definitions and measurements of the health outcome, and ST use. Selection, extraction and quality assessments were carried out by one or two independent reviewers. Results: A narrative review was carried out. Many of the studies lacked sufficient power to estimate precise risks, mainly due to the small number of ST users. Studies were often not designed to investigate ST use, and many also had major methodological limitations including poor control for cigarette smoking and imprecise measurements of exposure. Studies in India showed a substantial risk of oral or oropharyngeal cancers associated with chewing betel quid and tobacco. Studies from other regions and of other cancer types were not consistent. Few studies have adequately considered the non-cancer health effects of ST use. Conclusions: Chewing betel quid and tobacco is associated with a substantial risk of oral cancers in India. Most recent studies from the US and Scandinavia are not statistically significant, but moderate positive associations cannot be ruled out due to lack of power. Further rigorous studies with adequate sample sizes are required, especially for cardiovascular disease. Smokeless tobacco (ST) is tobacco consumed orally, not smoked. It has been in use for as long as other forms of tobacco consumption and its use has increased.1 The main types of ST in Western countries are chewing tobacco and oral snuff. Chewing tobacco is predominantly used in the USA and snuff (snus) in Sweden. In developing countries, tobacco is mostly chewed with other ingredients. Chewing is practised in different ways: the main ingredients are usually areca nut (betel), betel leaf, lime and tobacco. Other types exist worldwide.2,3 Major reviews in the mid 1980s concluded that ST use has substantial negative health implications. A US Surgeon General report in 1986 concluded that “the use of snuff can cause cancer in humans” and “the excess risk of cancer of the cheek and gum may reach nearly 50-fold among long term snuff users”.4 ST use can be addictive, leading to oral leukoplakias (oral mucosal lesions), gingival recession, and may play a contributory role in the development of cardiovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, peptic ulcers, and fetal morbidity and mortality”.4 An IARC monograph in 1984 similarly concluded that snuff use causes cancer.5 Nevertheless, the negative health effects of ST use have been questioned. ST is not homogeneous1; there are significant differences in composition and production. Levels of the most powerful carcinogens—tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines (TSNAs)—vary widely in different ST products6 and recent production trends may have reduced these levels.7,8 The ecological analyses available to date from Western countries have been inconclus
Technology is an ever-growing resource that has become part of children’s everyday lives. Kids are spending more time with their computers and less time outside playing. From texting while driving to tuning out the world with loud music technology is taking over the future generations	Technology is an ever-growing resource that has become part of children’s everyday lives. Kids are spending more time with their computers and less time outside playing. From texting while driving to tuning out the world with loud music technology is taking over the future generations. Over the past 20 years the obesity rate has rapidly grown. Some say that one major contributing factor is technology and media that promotes inactive behavior. However others say that technology is the future and cannot be directly linked to obesity in the U.S. there are also those who think that technology isn’t necessarily a main factor in obesity but rather the users decision. Technology provides value, convenience, and entertainment. Since the invention of the telephone technology has grown exponentially. With the 1980’s and the birth of the World Wide Web technology took an explosive discovery for the generations to come. Don Tapscott’s article The Net Generation describes the technological generations as a, “88 million kids in Canada and the U.S. are already combining demographic muscle with digital mastery to become a force for social transformation”(Tapscott, 1). This new generation learns, works, plays, communicates, shops, and creates societies very differently than their parents. IPods, IPhones, Wii, and iTunes are all examples of the types of technological devices that consume children’s everyday social interactions with each other. To members of this new technologically savvy generation, a phone is not a phone. It is a portable computer that they use to tweet, surf the web, update Facebook status’ and, of course, texting. The question is, are these new technological breakthroughs helping or hurting the future of the children? Tapscott later goes on to say “Human beings, not technology, are responsible for their behavior. Technology is always meant to be a tool for human productivity, not the replacement for responsible... [continues] Cite This Essay (2013, 02). The Good One. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 02, 2013, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/The-Good-One-1435950.html "The Good One" StudyMode.com. 02 2013. 2013. 02 2013 <http://www.studymode.com/essays/The-Good-One-1435950.html>. - MLA 7 "The Good One." StudyMode.com. StudyMode.com, 02 2013. Web. 02 2013. <http://www.studymode.com/essays/The-Good-One-1435950.html>. "The Good One." StudyMode.com. 02, 2013. Accessed 02, 2013. http://www.studymode.com/essays/The-Good-One-1435950.html.
(Page 2 of 2) In any case, Ausubel doesn't think that carbon dioxide is a long-term problem because the world's energy system has been inexorably decarbonizing for the past two centuries. His research traces humanity	(Page 2 of 2) In any case, Ausubel doesn't think that carbon dioxide is a long-term problem because the world's energy system has been inexorably decarbonizing for the past two centuries. His research traces humanity's steady progress from wood to coal to oil to natural gas and, eventually, to hydrogen. At each stage, consumers, without being commanded to do so by regulators, have chosen fuels containing more hydrogen over fuels containing more carbon. Ausubel sees that trend continuing until carbon-based fuels are eliminated by the end of the century. He expects that carbon dioxide concentrations, now about 360 parts per million (ppm), will peak at 450 ppm. That is 100 ppm less than the U.N.'s sometimes stated goal of "stabilizing" carbon dioxide at 550 ppm, and it would happen without draconian increases in energy prices or the creation of global bureaucracies aimed at regulating the atmosphere. So Wackernagel et al. are wrong on every measure they chose to analyze with regard to the future sustainability of the human enterprise. How could they get it so wrong? "Biologists and ecologists tend to overlook the power of technical progress compounded over the years," says Ausubel. "If you're trained in ecology and botany, you think of technology as a bulldozer, but what it really is, is efficiency, using less to do more." Technological progress has already dramatically expanded the carrying capacity of the earth. In the 21st century it will so outpace the increasing demands of a growing and wealthier population that more and more land will revert to nature. "It looks like over the next 100 years, for most environmental concerns, we will do better," concludes Ausubel. "You get smarter as you get richer." Ausubel's own article in the June 11 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences concludes, "An annual 2-3% progress in consumption and technology over many decades and sectors provides a benchmark for sustainability." In other words, economic growth and technological progress are sustainable in the long run and make it less and less likely that humanity will overshoot any limits the biosphere may have. Let the Great Restoration begin!
work. Resources available include private short- and long-term disability insurance, available to a minority of employees as a benefit of employment, and income support through the Social Security Administration to those who are disabled. Recommendation 8: Employers, legal	work. Resources available include private short- and long-term disability insurance, available to a minority of employees as a benefit of employment, and income support through the Social Security Administration to those who are disabled. Recommendation 8: Employers, legal advocates, health care providers, sponsors of support services, and government agencies should act to eliminate discrimination and minimize adverse effects of cancer on employment, while supporting cancer survivors with short-term and long-term limitations in ability to work. Cancer professionals, advocacy organizations, and the National Cancer Institute and other government agencies should continue to educate employers and the public about the successes achieved in cancer treatment, the improved prospects for survival, and the continuing productivity of most patients who are treated for cancer. Public and private sponsors of services to support cancer survivors and their families should finance programs offering education, counseling, support, legal advice, vocational rehabilitation, and referral for survivors who want to work. Providers who care for cancer survivors should become familiar with the employment rights that apply to survivors who want to work and make available information about employment rights and programs that provide counseling, legal services, and referral. Providers should routinely ask patients who are cancer survivors if they have physical or mental health problems that are affecting their work, with the goal of improving symptoms and referring patients for rehabilitative and other services. Employers should implement programs to assist cancer survivors. Examples include short- and long-term disability insurance, return-to-work programs, wellness programs, accommodation of special needs, and employee assistance programs. Cancer survivors should tell their physicians when health problems are affecting them at work. Survivors should educate themselves about their employment rights and contact support organizations for assistance and referrals when needed. The health insurance issues facing cancer survivors bring into sharp focus the gaps and limitations of health insurance in the United States. All Americans are at risk of becoming a cancer survivor and finding themselves without access to adequate and affordable health insurance. Cancer survivors, like other Americans with serious, chronic health conditions, face significant barriers to coverage because of their health status. In particular, access to individual health insurance may be denied to residents in many
Imagine a scenario in which the United States government is interested in tracking you down and has obtained a DNA sample through some means: a used coffee cup, perhaps, or a clump of hair. Imagine that the U.S. government doesn’t have	Imagine a scenario in which the United States government is interested in tracking you down and has obtained a DNA sample through some means: a used coffee cup, perhaps, or a clump of hair. Imagine that the U.S. government doesn’t have a record of your DNA to match it against, but has DNA samples of some of your relatives. Your sister Betty has been swabbed multiple times after each of her DUI arrests, your uncle Fred got in that bar fight ten years ago, and your mom was caught up in that police cordon for unlawful assembly at the RNC protests in New York City back in 2004. Could the federal government use your relatives’ DNA samples to track you? The answer for some time the near future appears to be both “yes” and “no.” The FBI currently maintains a database called CODIS containing more than 7 million DNA samples, not just for people who have been convicted of a crime but also of people who’ve simply been arrested at some time. That database is currently growing at a rate of 1.7 million new samples per year, but even if the rate accelerates as expected it will be some years before most Americans are directly included in this database. The FBI, however, has plans to push its capabilities beyond direct DNA analysis in the near future: Through the combination of increased federal funding and expanded database laws, such as the DNA Fingerprint Act of 2005, the number of profiles in NDIS has and will continue to dramatically increase resulting in a need to re-architect the CODIS software. A considerable focus during this time will be to enhance kinship analysis software for use in the identification of missing persons. This next generation of CODIS will utilize STR and mtDNA information as well as meta data (such as sex, date of last sighting, age, etc.) to help in the identification of missing persons. The re-architecture will also enable CODIS to include additional DNA technologies such a Y Short Tandem Repeat (Y-STR) and mini-Short Tandem Repeat (miniSTR). The FBI Laboratory is committed to the support of the CODIS program. With the continued cooperation and collaboration of legislative bodies and all components of the criminal justice community—law enforcement, crime laboratories, victims, prosecutors and the judiciary—the future of DNA, CODIS, and NDIS holds even greater promise to solve crime and identify missing persons. Did you catch the reference to “kinship analysis”? That’s the use of relatives’ DNA to figure out if a sample of unknown identity comes from within a family. While the FBI begins its discussion of kinship analysis within the limited context of “the identification of missing persons,” by the end of its visionary paragraph it’s talking about the “even greater promise to solve crime.” In a paper published last year by the Laboratory Division of the FBI, Quantico’s Bruce Budowle and his co-authors recognized movement within the Bureau toward this “kinship analysis” as a tool of investigation: Because CODIS is designed to facilitate obtaining direct matches, partial matches constitute exclusions. However, some may seek to use moderate stringency search algorithms with hopes of finding investigative leads to identify the sources of evidentiary material through kinship or familial inferences. The premise is that close relatives, i.e., parent-offspring and sib-sib, would share more alleles in common than unrelated individuals. Therefore, when there is no high stringency match obtained via a CODIS search, a moderate stringency candidate match may associate an evidence profile to a relative of the true source of the evidence profile. Indeed, a moderate stringency match does meet the general criterion for a potential relative (often favoring a parent-offspring relationship) being the source, because there is one allele in common at all loci. Budowle et al. refer elsewhere to “the attempts to apply current partial matches to familial searches” within the FBI. It’s reasonable to assume from these references that there is some interest on the part of the FBI in tracking people through the use of relatives’ DNA. In the sense of engaging in that practice, the answer to the question, “Could the federal government use your relatives’ DNA samples to track you?” is YES, the FBI could be doing this soon. But Budowle and his co-authors don’t simply refer to the desire of the FBI to conduct kinship analysis. They also consider the advisability of that practice. The experience of frequent false positives from DNA paternity searches, a brief statistical consideration of the likelihood of false relative indications given the current information contained in the CODIS database, and the problem of mutation lead them to conclu
A close-up on one of American history’s most splendid events, JFK’s inaugural week, and the creation of the speech that inspired a generation and brought hope to a nation "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you	A close-up on one of American history’s most splendid events, JFK’s inaugural week, and the creation of the speech that inspired a generation and brought hope to a nation "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." On the January morning when John F. Kennedy assumed the presidency and stood to speak those words, America was divided. Citizens around the world were torn by fears of war. Kennedy’s speech—called the finest since Lincoln at Gettysburg, the most memorable of any 20th-century American politician—did more than reassure: It changed lives, marking the start of a brief, optimistic era of struggle against “tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.” Ask Not is a beautifully detailed account of the week leading up to the inaugural which stands as one of the most moving spectacles in the history of American politics. At the heart of the narrative is Kennedy’s quest to create a speech that would distill American dreams and empower a new generation. Clarke’s portrait of JFK during what intimates called his happiest days is balanced, revealing the president at his most dazzlingly charismatic (and cunningly pragmatic). As the snow gradually covers Washington in a blanket of white, as statesmen and celebrities arrive for candle-lit festivities, Kennedy—an obsessed perfectionist—pushes himself, his family, and advisors to the limit—to create greatness, to find the words which captured what he most truly believed and, as it happened, which far outlasted his own life. For all who seek to understand the fascination with all things Kennedy, the answer is here. Ask Not explains the phenomenon to the heart and mind.
To paraphrase a great movie classic, Wall Street. I want to change focus a bit, from bacteria benefiting mankind by cleaning up our messes and providing electricity, to another great benefit of bacteria; their pliability. It is very easy to	To paraphrase a great movie classic, Wall Street. I want to change focus a bit, from bacteria benefiting mankind by cleaning up our messes and providing electricity, to another great benefit of bacteria; their pliability. It is very easy to manipulate the genetics of bacteria (see Biohacking). This owes to their genome structure and lack of miles of “junk” DNA. This means scientists can insert genes from one bacterium into a more well-known bacterium, like E. coli, to perform a novel function and, in a way, reverse millions of years of evolution. For example, in 2011, Jay Keasling and his team at the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) modified E. coli to degrade switchgrass biomass into sugars. Not only that, the E. coli fermented the sugars into gasoline, diesel, or jet fuel without enzyme additives. Think about it; E. coli, a bacterium that colonizes the digestive tracts of mammals, is able to breakdown plant material and directly convert it into fuel. That is amazing. I’m working on an illustration to depict this, so check back.
Embittered and impoverished, the once mighty Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna dies in Mexico City. Born in 1792 at Jalapa, Vera Cruz, Mexico, Santa Anna was the son of middle-class parents. As a teen, he won	Embittered and impoverished, the once mighty Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna dies in Mexico City. Born in 1792 at Jalapa, Vera Cruz, Mexico, Santa Anna was the son of middle-class parents. As a teen, he won a commission in the Spanish army and might have been expected to live out an unspectacular career as a middle-level army officer. However, the young Santa Anna quickly distinguished himself as a capable fighter and leader, and after 1821, he gained national prominence in the successful Mexican war for independence from Spain. In 1833, he won election to the presidency of the independent republic of Mexico by an overwhelming popular majority. His dedication to the ideal of a democratic role proved weak, though, and he proclaimed himself dictator in 1835. Santa Anna's assumption of dictatorial power over Mexico brought him into direct conflict with a growing movement for independence in the Mexican state of Texas. During the 1820s and 1830s, large numbers of Euro-Americans had settled in the area of Texas, and many of them remained more loyal to the United States than to their distant rulers in Mexico City. Some viewed Santa Anna's overthrow of the Mexican Republic as an opportunity to break away and form an independent Republic of Texas that might one day become an American state. Determined to crush the Texas rebels, Santa Anna took command of the Mexican army that invaded Texas in 1836. His forces successfully defeated the Texas rebels at the Alamo, and he personally ordered the execution of 400 Texan prisoners after the Battle of Goliad. However, these two victories planted the seeds for Santa Anna's defeat. "Remember the Alamo" and "Remember Goliad" became the rallying cries for a reinvigorated Texan army. Lulled into overconfidence by his initial easy victories, Santa Anna was taken by surprise at San Jacinto, and his army was annihilated on April 21, 1836. The captured Santa Anna, fearing execution, willingly signed an order calling for all Mexican troops to withdraw. Texas became an independent republic. Deposed during his captivity with the Texan rebels, Santa Anna returned to Mexico a powerless man. During the next two decades, however, the highly unstable political situation in Mexico provided him with several opportunities to regain-and again lose-his dictatorial power. All told, he became the head of the Mexican government 11 times. Overthrown for the last time in 1855, he spent the remaining two decades of his life scheming with elements in Mexico, the United States, and France to stage a comeback. Although he was clearly a brilliant political opportunist, Santa Anna was ultimately loyal only to himself and he had an insatiable lust for power. While Santa Anna played an important role in achieving Mexican independence, his subsequent gov
It’s a little hard to imagine, but the File Transfer Protocol turns 40 years old today. The spec was originally penned by TCP/IP pioneer Abhay Bushan in April of 1971, and it’s still widely used to this day	It’s a little hard to imagine, but the File Transfer Protocol turns 40 years old today. The spec was originally penned by TCP/IP pioneer Abhay Bushan in April of 1971, and it’s still widely used to this day. Originally, FTP was designed as a simple way to allow files to be transferred and commands to be executed on remote systems which were connected to ARPANet. Security wasn’t really part of the plan early on, with the exception of random port numbers being used for connections in order to thwart sniffers — who would presumably be listening on a specific port. Since FTP was “readily extendible,” it was an easy task to bolt on security features down the road. However, it wasn’t until the mid-2000s that FTPS and SFTP appeared — despite serious flaws being detailed nearly half a decade earlier by the Internet Engineering Task Force. The protocol has remained popular in part because it still boasts some advantages over the much newer HTTP protocol, like the ability to handle temporary interruptions. And while BitTorrent has become wildly popular, Ipswitch Inc.’s Frank Kenney doesn’t see FTP fading away any time soon. In a quote to The Register, Kenney states “Even movie pirates use FTP when they want to transfer files between servers.” Ipswitch, of course, still develops WS_FTP, which has been one of the most popular Windows clients for many, many years. Even at 40, you’ll still find FTP in use across the Internet — by everyone from major OEMs who use it to distribute drivers and patches to enthusiasts privately sharing the latest leaked Windows 8 builds. Heck, if you own a Windows Home Server box there’s a good chance your system recovery tool uses FTP to push files to the server when you reinstall. Good old FTP is even lurking in your Windows 7 command prompt, happy to download and upload files using the GET and PUT commands. It’s every bit as useful today as it ever was. Read more at The Register
After providing an outline of the process of differentiation between Bulgarian and Macedonian, the author presents an historical overview of the standpoints of the most eminent linguists from before World War II (even before the official codification of Macedonian) to the	After providing an outline of the process of differentiation between Bulgarian and Macedonian, the author presents an historical overview of the standpoints of the most eminent linguists from before World War II (even before the official codification of Macedonian) to the present, who hold Macedonian to be an individually formed language in relation to Bulgarian. Such differences of systemic character indicate that Macedonian developed differently and
Environment is Responsible For Influencing Our Intelligence According to Daily Mail, one of the most important factors which can influence alertness in older people, is the lifestyle. They also stated that the main factor which influences our intelligence when we get older is	Environment is Responsible For Influencing Our Intelligence According to Daily Mail, one of the most important factors which can influence alertness in older people, is the lifestyle. They also stated that the main factor which influences our intelligence when we get older is the genes. It seems that the environment is very important when it comes to intelligence. This means that if we choose the right environment, we can increase our intelligence. The news came as a result of a long-term study which analyzed the way in which 2,000 Scottish people varied in intelligence over the course of their lives. What influences intelligence? The researchers wanted to see if their intelligence was controlled by various factors, such as genetics or environmental ones. The researchers started analyzing the participants when they were 11 years old and then once again when they were between 65 and 79. The researchers estimated the fact that 24 percent of the variations in intelligence are influenced by genetics. The study was conducted by researchers from the Universities of Aberdeen and Edinburgh, together with other institutes from UK and Australia. The research wasn’t greeted with too much importance, because it was considered to be unreliable. Many stated that the study did not examine the individual environmental and genetic factors which could cause changes in one’s intelligence. The study was a genome-wide association study, which tried to identify links between changes in intelligence amongst the participants and genetic variations. Such a test was impossible up to this point, because the technology required did not exist. Researchers did not examine the purpose of each environmental and genetic factor that can influence intelligence, as they did not have pre-specified DNA sections or genes. Based on their discoveries, the researchers reached to the conclusion that both genes and environment can influence one’s intelligence. The researchers discovered that was a correlation between one’s intelligence at the age of 11, and the intelligence at an older age. The researchers discovered that when it comes to the intelligence at the age of 11, in 24 percent of the cases, it is influenced by genetics. Problems with the research The research wasn’t very accurate, and because of this, the ones who conducted the study weren’t able to tell exactly which factors influence intelligence more: genetics or environment. The results were unable to be significant, and as a result the research was unable to prove which of the two factors are more important and more influential. The researchers stated that they will need to continue with the study in order to be more accurate about the results. The study was very important given the fact that it changed the perception about the loss of intelligence. Prior to this point it was believed that it is common and natural to lose intelligence with age. Even if, intelligence is lost over the course of time, certain factors influence the degree in which it is lost. It will be interesting to see the way in which the researchers will be able to find out more about the study, and about the way in which intelligence is influenced by various factors. Incoming search terms: - what influences intelligence - two factors that influence intelligence - factors that influence intelligence - what are the two factors that influence intelligence - 2 factors that influence intelligence - enviromental influencing intelligence - factors influencing intelligence - what is intelligence influenced by - What influences intelligence among elderly
Teaching with Historic Places Discover the Power of Place. From ancient pueblos to the homes of Presidents to the streets of marches for equal rights, places listed in the National Register have powerful stories to tell. Authentic witnesses to the past	Teaching with Historic Places Discover the Power of Place. From ancient pueblos to the homes of Presidents to the streets of marches for equal rights, places listed in the National Register have powerful stories to tell. Authentic witnesses to the past, real historic places link us to and inform us about the people and events that shaped our world. The Teaching with Historic Places (TwHP) engages students, educators, and historians in the process of investigating these places to better understand our history. This video explains concepts and benefits of using historic places to improve both teaching and learning, describes lesson plans developed by TwHP, and shares experiences of educators who use the program.
First revealed to the world by 19th-century naturalist Charles Darwin, the Galapagos Islands' unusual wildlife mixture has visitors spellbound. ‘Shark!" yells out one of our group of snorkellers excitedly. "Over here	First revealed to the world by 19th-century naturalist Charles Darwin, the Galapagos Islands' unusual wildlife mixture has visitors spellbound. ‘Shark!" yells out one of our group of snorkellers excitedly. "Over here!" I can't believe that I'm swimming over for a closer look. The same alert given in Australian or New Zealand waters would result in a mass exodus from the water in sheer panic - but not so here in the clear pristine waters of the Galapagos Islands. In fact, as we tick our wildlife checklist upon seeing several white-tipped sharks seemingly asleep on the sand some metres below in the rocky shallows off Bartolome Island, we are now on the lookout for hammerhead sharks. Our guide, Tatiana Bucheli, knows exactly where each of the remote islands' animals and sealife are likely to be. Hammerheads are known to swim within the extinct volcanic caldera of Genovesa Island in the group's far north and the only island of the group in the northern hemisphere. And sure enough, as if on cue, we follow our knowledgeable leader and within minutes are privy to a school of perhaps 10 huge hammerheads swimming by just metres below us. "Sharks come out to eat only in the early morning and late afternoon," says Tatiana, who has worked as a naturalist guide in the Galapagos for 10 years. "There are 33 species of shark here out of almost 500 in the world," she adds. But sharks are only one species of myriad land and aquatic animals that appear not to notice us. Having lived with no known predators - particularly humans, for nearly all their lives, giant tortoises, metre-long land iguanas, spiny unattractive marine iguanas and all manner of exotic birdlife such as frigate birds, red-footed and blue-footed boobies have no fear and go about their business in these blissful isles totally ignoring the daily visitors. It's a 90-minute flight from Guayaquil on mainland Ecuador 1000 kilometres away to the simple airstrip on Baltra Island. On arrival, most visitors are surprised, as Charles Darwin was 180 years ago, to find that even though straddling the equator, it is not hot at all. We are welcomed on board the newest vessel to cruise the islands, the catamaran Athala II. Following a major fit-out last year, it was relaunched in October to cater for just 16 guests in eight cabins. There are two passenger decks, four cabins on each - those on the main level having small furnished private balconies - ideal for quiet moments and to enjoy spectacular sunsets and dramatic skies. The main level also houses a spacious dining room at the rear where buffet meals are presented with a comfortable forward lounge-cum-library with pull-down cinema screen where briefings are held each evening before dinner. The upper level has a covered bar with extensive cushioned seating and tables and chairs for alfresco dining, reading or just chilling out over a refreshing drink. The rooftop solarium sports recliner deck chairs, a few fitness machines and a relaxing Jacuzzi - perfect for stargazing at night. There are usually a couple of excursions each day with snorkelling, kayaking, swimming or sunbathing constant activities. Smart passengers bring underwater cameras to capture coloured fish, sharks and spiny marine iguanas that seem to float spookily on the water's surface as they swim. Waters here are aquamarine and as clear as the local Pisco brandy. Often described as a natural laboratory of evolution, these far-flung Ecuadorian islands became known after the English naturalist Charles Darwin spent five weeks here in 1835, his findings being the basis of his controversial book On the Origin of Species relating to evolution and natural selection. By discovering how various wildlife and birds - finches and mockingbirds in particular - had evolved to their particular environments, Darwin alerted the rest of the world to the fact that these volcanic islands are unique. Being strong swimmers and good fliers, the unusual animal and bird mix is believed to have arrived here with the help of currents and prevailing winds from all corners of the world. Today, rare and endemic wildlife include the lovable Galapagos tortoise, the waved albatross, the ubiquitous marine iguana, the brown pelican, the Galapagos penguin, Galapagos hawk, and Darwin's finches and while the flightless cormorant has "lost the ability to fly, they can dive very deep, using their webbed feet like a propeller", says Tatiana. "They can go down to 60 metres looking for octopus and eels." There are 19 islands in the archipelago spread out over 45,000 square kilometres. Five are inhabited, the largest community being in Pu
Interesting article over at AAAS’s ScienceNOW about MagneLink, a short-range wireless communications system being developed by Lockheed-Martin that uses magnetic fields, rather than radio waves, to transmit information. Supposedly Tesla first experimented with such a	Interesting article over at AAAS’s ScienceNOW about MagneLink, a short-range wireless communications system being developed by Lockheed-Martin that uses magnetic fields, rather than radio waves, to transmit information. Supposedly Tesla first experimented with such a system, hoping to compete with radio, in the 1890s. For most wireless applications, radio is clearly a superior system; magnetic wave communicators suffer from limited range and poor signal-to-noise ratios. There’s one thing they can do, however, that radio can’t: easily transmit through hundreds of meters of rock or clay. They can, therefore, be depended on in the event of a mining accident to allow trapped workers to communicate with rescue personnel in situations where radio is imposs
Dogs and humans both suffer from the pain of arthritis, so it’s natural to think it’s ok to give your dog the same arthritis medicine as humans use. Although many of these drugs share the same properties, it’s important that you do	Dogs and humans both suffer from the pain of arthritis, so it’s natural to think it’s ok to give your dog the same arthritis medicine as humans use. Although many of these drugs share the same properties, it’s important that you do not give your dog human arthritis medicine that has not been proven safe for animals. Here are the most commonly prescribed human arthritis medications: * Pain killers * DMARDs (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) * Biological DMARDS (fancy and expensive). DMARDs are not given to dogs because they are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other immune mediated types of arthritis that dogs do not usually get. This article details anti-inflammatories and arthritis pain killers that work for both humans and dogs. There are more human anti-inflammatories than can be listed here. I’ll tell you about just those anti-inflammatories which can be used to treat human and dog arthritis. Aspirin is a somewhat effective anti-inflammatory when given in 10 – 25 mg/kg dosages every 12 hours. It must be taken with food. Be aware that aspirin is known to cause stomach ulcers when used too often. Meloxicam, also known as Mobic, is available to dogs under the name Metacam. Meloxicam and Metacam are both good anti-inflammatory medications. They should be given in the following dosages: * 0.2 mg/kg by mouth, with food, once daily on the first day. * 0.1 mg/kg by mouth with food, once daily, from the second day on. Because it is difficult to cut the 7.5mg and 15mg Meloxicam tablets into the correct dog dosage, it is better to use Metacam which comes in a liquid form. Etodalac, a good anti-inflammatory known as Lodine to human doctors, and Eto-Gesic to vets. It is quite effective when administered 10-15 mg/kg PO once daily. Because it is hard to get the right dosage for small dogs, Eto-Gesic is preferred. Etodalac can not be administered with dog aspirin. Acetaminophen + Codeine These drugs are sold under the Tylenol brand and others. They work well with one another and also can be administered along with anti-inflammatories. Give your dog 60 mg codeine with 300 mg acetaminophen (Tylenol) or other brand tablets every 8 hours. Be aware that acetaminophen has many side effects and may not be the best choice for your dog. Check with your vet to be sure. When is it OK to Us Human Arthritis Drugs? Although it is always safer to use dog drugs, you can use human ones in an emergency when your vet is not available. Download our PDF file here. - dogarthritisblog posted this
Psoriasis (sore-EYE-ah-sis) is a medical condition that occurs when skin cells grow too quickly. Faulty signals in the immune system cause new skin cells to form in days rather than weeks. The body does not shed	Psoriasis (sore-EYE-ah-sis) is a medical condition that occurs when skin cells grow too quickly. Faulty signals in the immune system cause new skin cells to form in days rather than weeks. The body does not shed these excess skin cells, so the cells pile up on the surface of the skin and lesions form. The lesions vary in appearance with the type of psoriasis. There are five types of psoriasis: About 80% of people living with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis also called "psoriasis vulgaris.” Plaque psoriasis causes patches of thick, scaly skin that may be white, silvery, or red. Called plaques, these patches can develop anywhere on the skin. The most common areas to find plaques are the elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp. Psoriasis also can affect the nails. About 50% of people who develop psoriasis see changes in their fingernails and/or toenails. If the nails begin to pull away from the nail bed or develop pitting, ridges, or a yellowish-orange color, this could be a sign of psoriatic (sore-EE-at-ic) arthritis. Without treatment, psoriatic arthritis can progress and become debilitating. For some people, psoriasis is a nuisance. Others find that psoriasis affects every aspect of their daily life. The unpredictable nature of psoriasis may be the reason. Psoriasis is a chronic (lifelong) medical condition. Some people have frequent flare-ups that occur weekly or monthly. Others have occasional flare-ups. When psoriasis flares, it can cause severe itching and pain. Sometimes the skin cracks and bleeds. When trying to sleep, cracking and bleeding skin can wake a person frequently and cause sleep deprivation. A lack of sleep can make
October 27, 1863 Estimated casualties: Unknown (Less than 300) The battle of Brown's Ferry had a sole objective: Food. 40,000 Union soldiers were trapped in Chattanooga, a city of 2,000	October 27, 1863 Estimated casualties: Unknown (Less than 300) The battle of Brown's Ferry had a sole objective: Food. 40,000 Union soldiers were trapped in Chattanooga, a city of 2,000, after the disaster on the Federal right at Chickamauga on September 20, 1863. General William S. Rosecrans wired Lincoln, "We have no certainty of holding our position here..." People in the north waited further word from Chattanooga, Tennessee, deep inside enemy territory. Confederates under General Braxton Bragg controlled the high points around the city to the east and south, and Lookout Valley to the west. Union forces were trapped. Only a treacherous supply route over Walden's Ridge kept Rosecrans' men alive. On September 22, Lincoln dispatched General Joseph Hooker with 23,000 men from the Army of the Potomac to the city. Chattanooga lies in the Cumberland Plateau region of southeastern Tennessee, along a major river of the same name. Flowing west as it enters the city, the river makes a 90 degree turn to the south, starting at the eastern city limits. At the base of Lookout Mountain the river turns abruptly north, passing a low ridge in the vicinity of Brown's Ferry, then slowly arcing to the west again. It enters the Tennessee River Gorge between Signal and Raccoon Mountain. Union soldiers improvised a sawmill on the bank of the river, forming the pontoons and stringers necessary to build bridges. By ear
would be needed. Such an effort would easily be on the scale or greater of that which NCI accomplished in support of its 1997 report. This ought to only be considered as a research recommendation if the government or public believes attaining a	would be needed. Such an effort would easily be on the scale or greater of that which NCI accomplished in support of its 1997 report. This ought to only be considered as a research recommendation if the government or public believes attaining a fuller understanding of nuclear testing to be an issue that supercedes other more basic health issues. The report of the National Cancer Institute (NCI 1997a), together with the presentation material provided by Charles Land (Appendix B, this report), gives a theoretical basis for positing that nuclear-weapons testing at the Nevada Test Site led to exposures to the thyroid that resulted in significant excess risk of thyroid disease for some members of the population of the United States, depending on age, geography, and individual consumption and source of milk. As indicated in Land's analyses, and as further discussed in Chapters 2 and 3 of this report, there are still important uncertainties in the assessment of the size of the exposures and their influence on thyroid cancer risk. No epidemiologic evidence was presented either in the NCI (1997a) report or in concomitant releases of information that thyroid cancer risk differs significantly by birth cohort, geography, or behavior as a consequence of the iodine-131 fallout from weapons testing. It would be premature in this committee's view to initiate changes in medical practice based solely on the theoretical calculations unless there is also empirical evidence of an increased risk. Accordingly, a comprehensive study of past incidence of thyroid disease—using the full range of resources from existing tumor registries, including but not restricted to those associated with the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program—is clearly important and essential to more realistic risk estimates. Such studies have the statistical power to detect increases in risk of the size predicted by Land, by birth cohort, and possibly by geography. Studies of current incidence (case-control studies) are feasible and would be useful in evaluating whether behavioral factors such as milk consumption in the 1950s are indeed related to individual risk. For example, a study of 500-1,000 cases matched to an equal number of controls would have good statistical power to detect increases due to behavioral factors (milk consumption), of 50 percent or more. Such a difference in risk would correspond to a difference of 0.08 Gy in dose using the Ron and others (1995) risk estimates for those exposed as very young children. The most heavily exposed birth cohort (persons exposed between the ages of 0 and 4 in 1952) consists of approximately 18 million people. At an average current rate of thyroid cancer of 11 per 100,000 person-years (assuming a 40 percent increased risk due to exposure), this entire cohort would produce about 2,000 cases of thyroid cancer in a year. Case-control studies, however, are likely to be subject to recall biases—especially given the degree of publicity the release of the NCI report received. Nevertheless, case-control studies would appear to be the only reasonable way of empirically relating behavior to risk.
Wikipedia about: Flora enchinton "Flora" comes from the Latin name of Flora, the goddess of,, and fertility in Roman mythology. Plants are grouped into floras based on region, period, special environment,	Wikipedia about: Flora enchinton "Flora" comes from the Latin name of Flora, the goddess of,, and fertility in Roman mythology. Plants are grouped into floras based on region, period, special environment, or climate. Regions can be geographically distinct like mountain vs. flatland. Floras can mean plant life of a historic era as in fossil flora. Lastly, floras may be subdivided by special environments: - Native flora. The native and indigenous flora of an area. - Agricultural and Horticultural flora (garden flora). The plants that are deliberately grown by humans. - Weed flora. Traditionally this classification was applied to plants regarded as undesirable, and studied in efforts to control or eradicate them. Today the designation is less often used as a classification of plant life, since it includes three different types of plants: species, invasive species (that may or may not be weedy), and native and introduced non-weedy species that are agriculturally undesirable. Many native plants previously considered weeds have been shown to be beneficial or even necessary to various. A flora treatise (usually simply known as a Flora), requires specialist botanical knowledge to use with any effectiveness. Traditionally flora treatises are, but some are now published on CD-ROM or. It is said that the Flora Sinensis by the Polish Jesuit Michał Boym was the first book that used the name "Flora" in this meaning, a book covering the plant world of a region.
A while back, an article was published on Discovery’s Robotics and Artificial Intelligence webpage called 10 Human Traits We’d Like To See In Future Robots. I’m happy (I think) to say that a new humanoid robot boy recently born at the	A while back, an article was published on Discovery’s Robotics and Artificial Intelligence webpage called 10 Human Traits We’d Like To See In Future Robots. I’m happy (I think) to say that a new humanoid robot boy recently born at the University of California, San Diego has many of these human traits. This humanoid named Diego can not only express emotions, but he’s learning how to develop relationships with people also. Using the same facial recognition smart technology that is used on Facebook for recognizing people, this humanoid can tell when he sees the faces of people he knows. When he’s smiled at, he can even smile back. And that’s not all. He’s using this smart technology to learn. By watching what people do, he’s learning more every day. Currently, Diego is planning to be used to help special needs children who need help learning how to interact. However, in the future, as Diego and more Diego-like humanoids are created, they will be taking on advanced tasks. According to post-doctoral researcher Deborah Forster, it won’t be long before Diego will be out of the lab and walking down the street amongst other people. Imagine the day when you will walk down the sidewalk without thinking twice about the humanoid walking next to you. It’s coming! We’ve already seen plenty of examples of robots doing advanced tasks, but we’ve never before seen one that can express anger, frustration, happiness, and joy – plus develop relationships with people. When you watch the video below, my guess is that you will either think this is awesome or you’ll be creeped out. I’m somewhere in the middle. The moment we start assigning a moral value to a robot and treating it like a human being is the moment I think of The Terminator. Suddenly those sci-fi movies are closing in on us. My question is, are we ready? The Humanoid Robot Boy Named Diego Via: [Fox 5 San Diego]
NASA images LA wildfires Aqua satellite in smoke detector mode NASA has released an image captured on 16 November by its Aqua satellite, showing the extent of the California wildfires which, the BBC estimates, had by yesterday destroyed a total of	NASA images LA wildfires Aqua satellite in smoke detector mode NASA has released an image captured on 16 November by its Aqua satellite, showing the extent of the California wildfires which, the BBC estimates, had by yesterday destroyed a total of 800 homes and razed roughly 22,000 acres (8,900 hectares): NASA explains: "This image from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)... shows the Los Angeles metropolitan area on November 16, 2008. Places where the sensor detected active fires are outlined in red. The top image shows smoke spreading far to the west over the Pacific Ocean." When Aqua pictured the drama on Sunday, the National Interagency Fire Center daily situation report noted "the Sayre Fire north of San Fernando was 8,000 acres and 20 per cent contained", while "the Freeway Fire was 5,800 acres and 5 per cent contained. NASA has the photo at other resolutions here. ®
Delicate Arch is located in Arches National Park, five miles north of Moab, Utah. Delicate Arch may not be the largest stone span at Arches National Park in Utah, but its sassy stance has made it the most famous	Delicate Arch is located in Arches National Park, five miles north of Moab, Utah. Delicate Arch may not be the largest stone span at Arches National Park in Utah, but its sassy stance has made it the most famous. The 46-foot-high formation has become a state symbol, appearing on the Utah license plate and a U.S. postage stamp. Even so, only about a quarter of the park's 800,000 annual visitors make the three-mile trek to the arch itself. Most savor the sight from Delicate Arch Viewpoint, a half mile away. The sandstone arch's nicknames include Cowboy Chaps, Old Maid's Bloomers, and License Plate Arch. LATE TO THE PARTY Delicate Arch became part of Arches National Monument in 1938, when President Franklin Roosevelt expanded the 9-year-old park's territory. (The area became a national park in 1971.) White-throated swifts sometimes alight on the face of the arch during summer to eat flies and beetles. In the 1950s, park officials considered reinforcing the arch's smaller strut with silicone epoxy but then decided not to. In 2002, the Winter Olympics torch relay began its final leg to Salt Lake City at Delicate Arch. Fans of the arch, concerned about possible damage to their beloved icon, cried foul last year after rock climber Dean Potter scrambled to the top. Photography by George Ward This article was first published in September 2007. Some facts may have aged gracelessly. Please call ahead to verify information. Delicate Arch is located in Arches National Park, five miles north of Moab, Utah. (435) 719-2299, www.nps.gov/arch.
John the Baptist, the Witness, the Prophet by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D. A Jewish man named John, the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth (more commonly known as John the Baptist) is significant not only in relation	John the Baptist, the Witness, the Prophet by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D. A Jewish man named John, the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth (more commonly known as John the Baptist) is significant not only in relation to Jesus of Nazareth in the New Testament writings, but was an important figure in the history of first-century Judaism, as known to us through other sources. For many centuries, some people even considered John the Baptist to be more important than Jesus of Nazareth, according to several commonly recognized ancient criteria. Not only was John slightly older than Jesus (acc. to Luke 1–2), but he was actively preaching and baptizing before Jesus began his own public ministry. Moreover, according to several Gospel accounts, Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan river, thus not only implying that Jesus recognized John's role and importance, but also leading some scholars to suggest that Jesus himself was a disciple of John the Baptist, at least for a time, before embarking on his own ministry of preaching and healing. Although admitting that Jesus was younger than John and was baptized by John, Christians throughout the centuries have maintained that Jesus is nevertheless "greater" or more important than John, whose primary role is seen as the "forerunner" or precursor of Jesus. Thus, John is seen as the last prophet of ancient Israel, while Jesus is the Messiah who ushers in the new age of the Kingdom of God. Each of the four canonical Gospels explains the relationship between John and Jesus in a slightly different way, as detailed below. Vocabulary: John, Baptism, Witness, Prophet, etc. \|Greek Word\|\|Meaning\|\|Mark\|\|Matt\|\|Luke\|\|John\|\|Acts\|\|123Jn\|\|Rev\|\|Other\|\|NT Total\| \|Ἰωάννης\|\|John (the Baptist)\|\|16\|\|23\|\|24\|\|19\|\|9\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|91\| \|.\|\|John (son of Zebedee)\|\|10\|\|3\|\|7\|\|0\|\|9\|\|0\|\|0\|\|1\|\|30\| \|.\|\|John (father of Simon)\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|4\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|4\| \|.\|\|John (a.k.a. Mark)\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|5\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|5\| \|.\|\|John (a high priest)\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|1\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|1\| \|.\|\|John (the seer)\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|4\|\|0\|\|4\| \|βαπτίζω\|\|to baptize, dip\|\|13\|\|7\|\|10\|\|13\|\|21\|\|0\|\|0\|\|13\|\|77\| \|ὁ βαπτισμός\|\|dipping, washing\|\|1\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|3\|\|4\| \|ἐμβάπτω\|\|to dip into\|\|1\|\|1\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|2\| \|μαρτυρέω\|\|to witness, testify\|\|0\|\|1\|\|1\|\|33\|\|11\|\|10\|\|4\|\|16\|\|76\| \|μαρτύρομαι\|\|to testify, assert\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|2\|\|0\|\|0\|\|3\|\|5\| Characters Named John: Six different men are named "John" in the NT, so one must be careful not to confuse them. The situation can be particularly difficult when speaking about the character John (the Baptist) in the Fourth Gospel (FG; the Gospel according to John). Surprisingly, the only person explicitly named "John" in this Gospel is the baptizing precursor of Jesus (although he's never called "the Baptist" in the FG), while the well-known apostle of Jesus, who is called "John, the son of Zebedee" in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) is never named in the FG! Baptizing and Dipping: Several NT Greek words with related meanings are derived from root bapt-: Ritual immersions were common in ancient Judaism, especially at Qumran but also at the Jerusalem Temple and elsewhere, for “purifying” oneself after coming into contact with any “unclean” person or thing. John the Baptist: The immersions performed by John had a slightly different and distinctive focus, expressing a definitive “repentance” of sinners, in contrast to the repeated “purifications” performed regularly by most Jews. The Baptism of Jesus: Jesus' baptism is described very differently in the four Gospels: John the Witness: In the FG, much more important than John’s activity baptizing people is his role in “bearing witness” (marturwn) or providing “testimony” (marturia) about Jesus. His faithful “witnessing” activity is stressed with several other verbs, especially omologew (“to confess”) and arneomai “t(o deny”). Confessing Jesus (i.e., proclaiming one’s allegiance publicly) is an essential requirement of true discipleship in the FG (9:22; 12:42). John “confessed and did not deny” (1:20), in contrast to Simon Peter, who later denies even knowing Jesus (13:38; 18:25-27). Aside from John (the Baptist), several other characters in the FG also “bear w
Opening trade morally benefits all peopleREV. ROBERT SIRICO During the past decade, the Catholic Church has emerged as one of the strongest advocates of free trade. But a system that opens up trade opportunities also needs to be ordered by a	Opening trade morally benefits all peopleREV. ROBERT SIRICO During the past decade, the Catholic Church has emerged as one of the strongest advocates of free trade. But a system that opens up trade opportunities also needs to be ordered by a moral law. “There is no such thing as a genuinely free economy unless it is grounded in the reality of objective morality,” Fr. Sirico says. “The Vatican clearly understands this.” According to Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the Vatican's chief diplomat at the United Nations, issues such as free trade are profoundly moral questions. In a recent address, the archbishop expressed the Vatican's disappointment that the World Trade Organization's conference last September in Cancun did not result in wealthy countries agreeing to "reduce trade-distorting farm subsidies, slash tariffs on farm goods and eliminate agricultural export subsidies." During the past decade, the Catholic Church has emerged as one of the strongest advocates of free trade. This reflects a growing recognition that tariffs, protectionism and subsidies inhibit the ability of producers in poor countries to compete economically with the developed nations. The worst offenders are Western nations. France's record is especially poor. Ironically, the land in which the call for "liberte, egalite, fraternite" originated is perhaps the most notorious for denying economic liberty to some of the world's poorest nations. The U.S. government and European Union spend billions of dollars and euros every year to ensure their farmers enjoy unfair advantages in producing and selling their products. This can become ludicrous, such as when American farmers are paid not to grow particular crops on their land. It needs, however, to be understood that Archbishop Migliore is not advocating free trade simply for economic efficiency. His position is derived from careful reflection upon Catholic moral teaching about the nature and ends of material goods. The Catholic Church teaches that the goods of the earth are to be used by and on behalf of all people. The question of how the earth's resources are to be used for the benefit of all, the church teaches, is left to people to work out. But the church has always taught that this occurs through private property. The church has also taught, especially in recent decades, that the process of free exchange is how the goods of the world are most prudentially circulated to benefit all. Pope Pius XII, for example, spoke of the need for "the free reciprocal commerce of goods by interchange and gift." For the Catholic Church, the right of free trade flows directly, like private property, from man's realization that all people have the right to make use of the earth's material goods. To inhibit free exchange, then, is a morally questionable act. This is not to say it should never be obstructed. But it does mean that serious moral reasons need to exist before free trade may be legitimately restricted. The Vatican, however, is not suggesting that the developing world's economic problems are solely the result of Western protectionism. Archbishop Migliore also has underlined the persistent problem of corruption prevailing in much of the developing world. It is not politically correct to say so, but corruption is a prevailing evil in much of Latin America, Asia and Africa. Sometimes it is a societal-wide problem, such as in Argentina. At other times, corrupt