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Records in the National Archives at San Francisco for the Study of Science, Technology, Natural Resources and the Environment
Reference Information Paper 100
National Archives and Records Administration, 1996
The National Archives at San Francisco is part of the National | Records in the National Archives at San Francisco for the Study of Science, Technology, Natural Resources and the Environment
Reference Information Paper 100
National Archives and Records Administration, 1996
The National Archives at San Francisco is part of the National Archives and Records Administration, a Federal agency. It is the depository for the permanently valuable, noncurrent records of Federal courts and agencies in northern California, Hawaii, Nevada (except Clark County), American Samoa, Guam, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
The struggle for control and use of natural resources is a contemporary issue in American life and was also a central theme in the history of U.S. expansion into the American West. Because the U.S. Government has held title to vast acreage of western land, Federal agencies and courts have played a major role in the development of the West's natural resources and the adjudication of disputes involving these lands. Advances in science and technology during the 19th and 20th centuries enhanced environmental control and natural resource development through such efforts as flood control and irrigation projects, hydroelectric dams, pollution control, and soil conservation practices. Federally-supported scientific research has enabled aeronautic advances and explored the uses of atomic energy beyond the limits of Earth and its environment.
The National Archives at San Francisco, a repository for the historically valuable noncurrent records of the Federal Government, is a major source for research in the study of science, technology, natural resources, and the environment. One of the National Archives and Records Administration's 13 regional archives, it maintains historical records of Federal agencies in northern California, Hawaii, Nevada (except Clark County), American Samoa, Guam, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
The records contain valuable historical information relating to the environment, including land use, natural resources, water, and wildlife, as well as scientific and technological advances in aeronautics, atomic energy, civil and marine engineering, and public health.
Records in the National Archives at San Francisco are not arranged according to subject but are kept in numbered record groups established for the Government agencies that created or received them. Although arrangement by record group (abbreviated RG) makes subject access more difficult at times, it preserves the organizational and contextual integrity of the records, making them more easily understood. A list of record groups cited in this publication is at the end of this publication.
To facilitate use of its holdings by researchers, the Archives attempts wherever possible to describe records by subject. This brochure provides descriptions of records at the National Archives at San Francisco that document developments in environment, science, and technology in northern California, Nevada, and other western States.
This reference information paper was prepared by Larisa K. Miller, Archivist, The National Archives at San Francisco.
The records of the Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, California, 1939-1971, part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA, RG 255), document theoretical and applied research and testing related to aeronautics and space technology. Subjects covered include aerodynamics, ballistics, dive-stress, flight simulation, high-performance aircraft technology, instrument development, metallurgy, satellite reentry, wind-tunnel tests of aircraft, wing deicing, and airframe problems such as duct-rumbling.
Records of the Atomic Energy Commission's Operations Office in San Francisco, 1957-1965 (in RG 326), include documentation of the 28-Pluto program, which involved the development of nuclear-powered aircraft, and planning of the SNAPSHOT program to establish nuclear power sources in orbital space systems.
Information relating to maintenance of aircraft and equipment and training of pilots may be found in Army Air Forces records (RG 18). These include records of air fields and depots in California and Hawaii, 1918-1940, and records of the School of Military Aeronautics at the University of California, Berkeley, 1917-1919. For example, a notebook lists the equipment carried in aerial reconnaissance: maps, 3 pencils (black, blue, and red, with point protection), wristwatch, liquid compass (on wrist), writing pad (on wrist or rolled on roller), telescope, and camera.
Records of Naval Districts and Shore Establishments (RG 181) include those of naval air installations in California and Hawaii, 1939-1960. Among the subjects covered are maintenance and repair of aircraft, inspection of planes, and control and operation of air strips.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA, RG 237) records for the Pacific area, 1946-1960, pertain to the construction of air facilities and installation and repair of electronic equipment in the Hawaiian Islands and other Pacific locations. FAA records also include those of the Civil Aeronautics Authority International District Office in San Francisco, 1947-1956, which document accident investigations, airport approach procedures, and inspections.
A report on aerial bomb dropping experiments performed in San Diego in 1914, with tabular results and photographs of craters, debris, and explosions, is among the records of the Benicia Arsenal, part of the records of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance (RG 156).
The records of the Pacific Southwest Regional Office of the Soil Conservation Service's Pacific Southwest Regional Office (in RG 114) focus on land use in the 1930's, including agronomy, erosion control practices, and soil c |
Palo Verde National Park has a uniquely dichotomous character. It’s simultaneously a spectacular wetlands and one of the best examples of tropical dry forests remaining anywhere in the world. This dual nature is a result of the Río Tempisque | Palo Verde National Park has a uniquely dichotomous character. It’s simultaneously a spectacular wetlands and one of the best examples of tropical dry forests remaining anywhere in the world. This dual nature is a result of the Río Tempisque flooding over land located in a relatively arid climate region.
The park, like many in Costa Rica's system consists largely of reclaimed pastureland. Fortunately, in the case of Palo Verde, the haciendas that preceded the park were somewhat different than the clear-cut ranches of the volcanic highlands. The underlying limestone, and the drier climate of the region gave rise to native forests where trees were sparser and there was more grass and forage in the natural ecosystem. Clear-cutting was not always necessary to ranching, and the park escaped it's tenure as pasture with less damage than most. |
Back to Home Page or Contents or Persian Mythology or Article Index
Gayomart, The myth of
The myth of Gayomart is the myth of the Primal Man. According to Zoroastrian tradition Gayomart was created | Back to Home Page or Contents or Persian Mythology or Article Index
Gayomart, The myth of
The myth of Gayomart is the myth of the Primal Man. According to Zoroastrian tradition Gayomart was created immediately after the Primal Bull that was to supply him with food and help him. These two primal beings stood on the banks of the river which flowed from the center of the world, the good Daiti. Here they are attacked by Ahriman for they have withstood his attempys to spread world-wide destruction. Ohrrmazd foreseeing the Bull's death administers an soporific to ease the pain. First the Bull is killed, then Gayomart, who foretells as he dies, that despite of his death the human race will be born.
Immediately Ahrimad delights at his apparent triumph over Ohrmazd, but the latter has subtler plan's for Ahriman's ultimate demise. The death of both the Bull and Gayomart ensured the fertility of life on earth. Eventually from the Bull's blood springs forth all vegetation; from its seed (carried to the Moon) come all animals. And, where Gayomart was slain, on the spot, his seed fertilized the earth, and forty years later a plant shot up, splitting into gave forth two persons, a male and a female.
It may be mentioned the myth has the mark of antiquity as it contains the role a deceitful demon as do many myths surro |
Posted by ESC on March 14, 2003
In Reply to: Go to the wall... posted by S. Ryan on March 14, 2003
: In a recent conversation, a combat veteran stated that, "He | Posted by ESC on March 14, 2003
In Reply to: Go to the wall... posted by S. Ryan on March 14, 2003
: In a recent conversation, a combat veteran stated that, "He is the kind of guy that I would go to the wall for." Is this a relatively new phrase referring to the Viet Nam Memorial Wall or is it perhaps more deeply rooted in history? Why "wall?" Is it the same as "going the extra mile" for someone or something?
TO GO TO THE WALL - "Though now it is usually a business house that, under insurmountable financial difficulties, 'goes to the wall,' it was - back in the sixteenth century - the adversary in a conflict that, forced to yield ground, went to the wall. The allusion is to the desperate straits of a wayfarer when set upon by ruffians in an unlighted street of former years. By giving ground and getting his back to the wall he was better able to defend himself by poniard or sword. From the same situation, by no means uncommon in the Middle Ages and later, came our expression, to be driven (or pushed to the wall,' which we now use in a similar sense, to be forced to one's last resource." From "Heavens to Betsy" by Charles |
Caring for Pets On A Cold Night
Our community was shocked and saddened by the story of the pit bull puppy found chained outside earlier this week in -20 weather. The dog, now named Apollo by the Humane Society, is recovering and | Caring for Pets On A Cold Night
Our community was shocked and saddened by the story of the pit bull puppy found chained outside earlier this week in -20 weather. The dog, now named Apollo by the Humane Society, is recovering and the Utica police department is closing in on the owner.
PETA was alerted to the story and provided us with a list of cold weather tips for taking care of our animal friends:
Every year, PETA receives complaints about people who leave dogs outside in the cold. Although they are equipped with fur coats, dogs and other animals can still suffer from frostbite and exposure, and they can become dehydrated when water sources freeze. Cold weather spells extra hardship for “backyard dogs,” who often go without adequate food, water, shelter, or veterinary care. The winter months can also pose challenges for wildlife.
- Keep animals inside. This is especially important to remember when it comes to puppies and kittens, elderly animals, small animals, and dogs with short hair, including pointers, beagles, pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Dobermans. Short-haired animals will also benefit from a warm sweater or coat on walks.
- Don’t allow your cat or dog to roam freely outdoors. During winter, cats sometimes climb under the hoods of cars to be near warm engines and are badly injured or killed when the car is started.
- Wipe off your dogs’ or cats’ legs, feet, and stomachs after they come in from the snow. Salt and other chemicals can make your animals sick if they ingest them. You should also increase animals’ food rations during the winter because they are burning more calories to keep warm.
- Keep an eye out for strays. Take unidentified animals inside until you can find their guardians or get them to an animal shelter. If strays are skittish or otherwise unapproachable, provide food and water and call your local humane society for assistance in trapping them and getting them indoors.
- When you see dogs who have been left outdoors, provide them with proper shelter. Details on how to provide housing can be found here.
- When temperatures fall below freezing, birds and other animals may have trouble finding food and water. Hang bird feeders from trees or spread birdseed on the ground. Provide access to liquid water by filling a heavy water bowl and breaking the surface ice twice a day.
For more information, please visit PETA.org. |
This course familiarizes the student with the many aspects of managing a parts store. Areas covered are management responsibilities, individual development, steps in building a successful team and objectives of the management team.
The course is designed to teach students the basic format components | This course familiarizes the student with the many aspects of managing a parts store. Areas covered are management responsibilities, individual development, steps in building a successful team and objectives of the management team.
The course is designed to teach students the basic format components in most manufacturer's catalogs, including the cover, contents, applications, sections, and illustrations. The course will introduce students |
by Jacques du Guerny1
This paper was presented at a seminar on Aging and Rural Development sponsored by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
The demographic impact of HIV/AIDS on the population pyramid has begun to be explored and | by Jacques du Guerny1
This paper was presented at a seminar on Aging and Rural Development sponsored by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
The demographic impact of HIV/AIDS on the population pyramid has begun to be explored and scenarios with and without HIV/AIDS have been prepared. They reveal dramatic drops in life expectancy in the high prevalence countries and increases in mortality. The United Nations Estimates and projections have taken into account the impact of HIV/AIDS in their last few Revisions. The US Bureau of Census has also done work in this area and has illustrated the striking aging that can occur by the example of the age-sex pyramid of Botswana, whose shape rapidly evolves from a pyramid to a "chimney" where the upper part of the sides of the pyramid become vertical! The aging of populations that occurred through declines in fertility, followed by lengthening of life at older ages is now occurring in high HIV-prevalence developing countries as a result of HIV/AIDS through the increased mortality of young adults, the lowering of fertility of young HIV- infected females who die before completing their expected fertility and by the first baby boomers of developing countries reaching older ages. This is a very new scenario in which these developing countries are aging and will have a high relative proportion2 of older adults and of elderly under conditions radically different from those of developed countries. It will be aging without the development base needed to meet the needs of the elderly. Furthermore, this novel form of population aging can happen at a very rapid pace, which creates difficult conditions to organise a response, especially for a developing country with insufficient infrastructure, services and resources.
Against such a background, the objective of this paper is to examine briefly how the international community is perceiving and responding to the HIV/AIDS pandemic from the perspective of the elderly, why the elderly have a role to play and under what circumstances can they play it in rural areas of developing countries. The focus is on rural elderly in developing countries, especially, but not only, in Africa.
The international community is aware and understands that the HIV/AIDS epidemics require multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral approaches and responses. This is has been reflected in the very concept of UNAIDS and its co-sponsors, who range from the World Bank and UNDP for macro development to organisations with special group concerns like children/youth (UNICEF) or substance abusers (UNDCP), labour force (ILO), health (WHO), education (UNESCO). Of course, no organisation specifically represents the elderly except for the United Nations itself (since it has an Aging Unit), but the United Nations unit has not focused on this aspect of the AIDS issue.
The United Nations has taken a very active role in combating the HIV/AIDS epidemics and this effort has been acknowledged in the Nobel Peace Prize it (with the Secretary General) was awarded in 2001. In June 2001 a Special Session of the General Assembly on HIV/AIDS (UNGASS) was held with a number of heads of state and prominent personalities. One of the interesting aspects of these conferences is that they provide a snapshot of where the international community stands on certain issues, how it perceives them and what it is willing to do about them. The outcomes of these conferences are consensus documents, i.e. reflecting that to which all member states can agree. However, one of the aims of negotiations is to introduce the most specific text possible according to the well known precept "what goes without saying, goes even better when stated3".
With this background in mind, it is worthwhile to examine the report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations which sets the stage for UNGASS4. As stated in the summary of the report, it "examines the spread of the epidemic and reviews its impacts ….It approaches the epidemic from all levels, recognizing that…the mobilization of people and communities is also essential." The summary goes on to stress that "meeting the challenge of HIV/AIDS requires a combination of approaches: strengthening leadership, alleviating the social and economic impacts of the epidemic, reducing vulnerability, intensifying prevention, increasing care and support…".
In the report containing 123 paragraphs, only 3 include the word elderly and need to be quoted:
After presenting the elderly as a burden and a problem, the report discusses the responses to AIDS; the elements of a successful response and, finally, the challenges for an expanded response: the way forward. There is no mention of the elderly in these sections.
How then did the issue of elderly fare at the Special Session itself? In the Declaration of Commitment of HIV/AIDS "Global Crisis - Global Action" (103 paragraphs), there is only one specific mention of |
Integrative Approach to Endometriosis
November 15, 2001—Endometriosis is a progressive and chronic disease of the female reproductive tissues that affects as many as 10% of all women in the United States and | Integrative Approach to Endometriosis
November 15, 2001—Endometriosis is a progressive and chronic disease of the female reproductive tissues that affects as many as 10% of all women in the United States and is the third leading cause of gynecologic hospitalization, including hysterectomy.1 The most common symptoms are pain during menses, painful intercourse, pain with urination or bowel movements, general pelvic pain, and infertility. While no cure for endometriosis exists, a review article in Alternative Therapies suggests that using multiple therapies, including diet, exercise, herbal medicine, and acupuncture, may reduce the symptoms associated with endometriosis.2
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, including cold water fish, nuts, and seeds, may help decrease the inflammation caused by endometriosis. Animal research suggests that fish oils may reduce the severity of endometriosis,3 4 and fish oils have been shown to improve symptoms of painful menstruation,5 which may be caused by endometriosis. Although there is no research that investigates omega-3 fatty acids as a treatment for endometriosis in humans, reasonable intake is approximately 2 grams of fish oil per day.
While botanical medicines have not been specifically studied in women with endometriosis, certain herbs may be of benefit. The fruit of the chaste tree (Vitex agnus castus) has been found to increase progesterone levels in women with short menstrual periods.6 The author of the Alternative Therapies article believes that since estrogen is known to exacerbate endometriosis, increasing levels of progesterone (which is an estrogen antagonist) may help reduce symptoms. Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) and black haw (Viburnum prunifolium) have anti-inflammatory activity and may reduce painful spasms of the uterus during menses.7 8 Extract of kava kava (Piper methysticum) induces a tranquilizing effect in the brain and reduces muscle spasms.9 Because of the potential interaction with substances that act on the brain, such as alcohol or psychiatric drugs, it is recommended to avoid taking kava kava simultaneously with these substances. The author discusses using Turska’s Formula, a combination of four potentially toxic herbs (Aconite, Bryonia, Phytolacca and Gelsemium) for endometriosis. Due to the toxic nature of this preparation, this formula should only be taken under the close supervision of a physician specially trained in the use of these herbs. In addition, more research is needed to determine whether these herbs are effective against endometriosis.
Other interventions may provide additional help for women suffering from endometriosis. One preliminary report found that participating in regular meetings with other endometriosis sufferers helped women cope better with the many psychological and emotional issues associated with this condition.10 Acupuncture has been reported anecdotally to help control the pain associated with some cases of endometriosis,11 but no controlled studies have confirmed this claim.
Conventional treatment for endometriosis involves surgery, hormone suppression, or both. Neither option is without risk and side effects. Using an integrative approach may provide for relatively safe, effective relief for women who endure this devastating disease. Nevertheless, some of the treatment approaches discussed in this article remain theoretical, and need to be subjected to formal study.
1. Eskenazi B, Warner ML. Epidemiology of endometriosis. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am 1997;24:235–58 [review].
2. Low Dog T. Conventional and alternative treatments for endometriosis. Alternative Therapies 2001;7:50–6[review].
3. Yano Y. Effect of dietary supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid on surgically induced endometriosis in the rabbit. Nippon Sanka Fujinka Gakkai Zasshi 1992;44:282–8 [in Japanese].
4. Covens AL, Christopher P, Casper RF. The effect of dietary supplementation with fish oil fatty acids on surgically induced endometriosis in the rabbit. Fertil Steril 1988;49:698–703.
5. Harel Z, Biro FM, Kottenhahn RK, Rosenthal SL. Supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the management of dysmenorrhea in adolescents. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1996;174:1335–8.
6. Milewicz A, Gejdel E, Sworen H, et al. Vitex agnus castus extract in the treatment of luteal phase defects due to latent hyperprolactinemia. Results of a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study. Arzneimittelforschung 1993;43:752–6 [in German].
7. Jarboe CH, Zirvi KA, Schmidt CM, et al. 1-methyl 2,3-dibutyl hemimellitate. A novel component of Viburnum prunifolium. J Org Chem 1969;34:4202–3.
8. Ozaki Y. Anti-inflammatory effect of tetramethylpyrazinc and ferulic acid. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 1992;40:954–6.
9. Schulz V, Hansel R, Tyler V. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physicians Guide to Herbal Medicine. New York |
The month of September has been declared Pain Awareness Month. Pain Awareness Month is a time when various organizations work to raise public awareness of issues in the area of pain and pain management.
The first Pain Awareness Month was in 2001, when the | The month of September has been declared Pain Awareness Month. Pain Awareness Month is a time when various organizations work to raise public awareness of issues in the area of pain and pain management.
The first Pain Awareness Month was in 2001, when the ACPA led a coalition of groups to establish September as Pain Awareness Month. ACPA established Partners for Understanding Pain and 80 organizations, both health care professionals and consumer groups, including the NAACP supported the effort.
Click here to read more about the history of Pain Awareness Month
The key to raising awareness is to get involved. There are many things that you can do to help promote Pain Awareness Month.
- Talk with Friends & Family: Let them know that September is Pain Awareness Month. “Like” the ACPA on Facebook. Encourage your friends to do the same
- Talk with your Healthcare Provider: Let them know that September is Pain Awareness Month. You also can share the tools to better communicate with your healthcare team found at the links below:
- Call your local government and community leaders to let them know about Pain Awareness Month and issues of pain and pain management. Tools to communicate with governmental and community leaders are available Click Here
- Call your local media and ask them if they are doing a story on Pain Awareness Month. Tools to communicate with media can be found here
- Donate to the ACPA: Your contributions allow us to help fulfill our mission and work year-round to raise awareness and support for those with chronic pain. Click here to donate
- Take care of yourself! Take time out for yourself this month. Tools to help take care of yourself are below: |
News & Events
Food Safety Legislation Key Facts
Available in PDF (46KB).
The food safety law passed by Congress on December 21, 2010 aims to ensure the U.S. food supply is safe by shifting the focus of federal | News & Events
Food Safety Legislation Key Facts
Available in PDF (46KB).
The food safety law passed by Congress on December 21, 2010 aims to ensure the U.S. food supply is safe by shifting the focus of federal regulators from responding to contamination to preventing it. FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. issued a written statement shortly after passage. Key facts about this legislation are presented below.
The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA): Key Facts
The burden of foodborne illness is considerable. Every year, 1 out of 6 people in the United States—48 million people--suffers from foodborne illness, more than a hundred thousand are hospitalized, and thousands die.
Below are some of the important food safety enhancements included in the legislation.
For the first time, FDA has a legislative mandate to require comprehensive, prevention-based controls across the food supply.
- The legislation transforms FDA’s approach to food safety from a system that far too often responds to outbreaks rather than prevents them. It does so by requiring food facilities to evaluate the hazards in their operations, implement and monitor effective measures to prevent contamination, and have a plan in place to take any corrective actions that are necessary.
- It also requires FDA to establish science-based standards for the safe production and harvesting of fruits and vegetables to minimize the risk of serious illnesses or death.
- This new ability to hold food companies accountable for preventing contamination is a significant milestone in the efforts to modernize the food safety system.
Inspection and Compliance
The legislation recognizes that inspection is an important means of holding industry accountable for their responsibility to produce safe product. FDA will meet this expectation by:
- Applying its inspection resources in a risk-based manner
- Innovating in its inspection approaches to be the most efficient and effective with existing resources
Imported Food Safety
The legislation provides significant enhancements to FDA’s ability to achieve greater oversight of the millions of food products coming into the United States from other countries each year. An estimated 15 percent of the U.S. food supply is imported, including 60 percent of fresh fruits and vegetables and 80 percent of seafood.
More specifically, relative to import food safety, the legislation:
- requires importers to perform supplier verification activities to ensure imported food is safe
- authorizes FDA to refuse admission to imported food if the foreign facility or country refuses to allow an FDA inspection
- authorizes FDA to require certification, based on risk criteria, that the imported food is in compliance with food safety requirements
- provides an incentive for importers to take additional food safety measures by directing FDA to establish a voluntary program through which imports may receive expedited review of their shipments if the importer has taken certain measures to assure the safety of the food
For the first time, FDA will have mandatory recall authority for all food products. While FDA expects that it will only need to invoke this authority infrequently since the food industry is largely compliant with FDA’s requests for voluntary recalls, this new authority is a critical improvement in FDA’s ability to protect the public health.
The legislation recognizes the importance of strengthening existing collaboration among all food safety agencies – Federal, state, local, territorial, tribal, and foreign – to achieve our public health goals.
It also recognizes the importance of building the capacity of state, local, territorial and tribal food safety programs. Among other provisions, it directs the Secretary to improve training of state, local, territorial a |
>Health and Nutrition>slope correlated with injury
I've been searching for a running study that correlates risk of injury with various downhill slopes. No luck finding anything yet. Has anyone seen something like this?
(Specifically, the threshold downhill slope | >Health and Nutrition>slope correlated with injury
I've been searching for a running study that correlates risk of injury with various downhill slopes. No luck finding anything yet. Has anyone seen something like this?
(Specifically, the threshold downhill slope for minimum injury)
Are you talking about slope alone or tripping and hitting head on rock or slipping on a muddy downhill?
It will hurt more on steeper slopes because the downhill rock is further from you.
I guess I'm asking what do you mean by "threshold downhill slope for minimum injury"? Trained or untrained runner / hiker? One time event or repeatedly running it every day for 30 min or more or...?
Did more searching and found something that might fit the bill: ground forces reaction during downhill and uphill running, Gottschall and Kram
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Some interestig tidbits about domains today.
So what's the diff between Domain name registry and Domain name registrar? Here are quotes:
A domain name registry, is a database of all domain names registered in a top-level domain. A registry operator | Some interestig tidbits about domains today.
So what's the diff between Domain name registry and Domain name registrar? Here are quotes:
A domain name registry, is a database of all domain names registered in a top-level domain. A registry operator, also called a Network Information Center (NIC), is the part of the Domain Name System (DNS) of the Internet that keeps the database of domain names, and generates the zone files which convert domain names to IP addresses. Each NIC is an organisation that manages the registration of Domain names within the top-level domains for which it is responsible, controls the policies of domain name allocation, and technically operates its top-level domain. It is potentially distinct from a domain name registrar.
A domain name registrar is an organization or commercial entity, accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) or by a national country code top-level domain (ccTLD) authority, to manage the reservation of Internet domain names in accordance with the guidelines of the designated domain name registries and offer such services to the public.
So, basically, the “registery” is a database (technical), and its operator is called Network Information Center (NIC). A “registrar” works with NIC, and basically are commercial busnesses. So, when you want to buy a domain, you go to a registrar, and they do the registry work for you. (actually, when you buy a domain name from web hosting companies, usually they are just resellers, they buy the domain name from a registrar for you.)
Also of interest: Independent Domain Registrars. They are basically independent entities that |
2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene is a yellow, odorless solid that does not occur naturally in the environment. It is commonly known as TNT and is an explosive used in military shells, bombs, and grenades, in industrial uses | 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene is a yellow, odorless solid that does not occur naturally in the environment. It is commonly known as TNT and is an explosive used in military shells, bombs, and grenades, in industrial uses, and in underwater blasting. TNT production in the United State occurs solely at military arsenals. Accidental release of TNT has contaminated groundwater and soil at numerous munition manufacturing sites. The U.S. EPA has listed TNT as a priority pollutant and has recommended its removal from contaminated sites. TNT is toxic to algae and invertebrates and chronic exposure to TNT by humans causes harmful health effects, including anemia and abnormal liver function, cataract development, and skin irritation. The EPA has determined that TNT is a possible human carcinogen, based on animal studies.
This page shows only aerobic TNT degradation pathway. Its anaerobic degradation is documented elsewhere in the UM-BBD. Microbial transformation of TNT usually begins with reduction of one of the nitro groups. The enzymes which catalyze these reductions are "non-specific" NAD(P)H dependent nitroreductases and are largely uncharacterized. One exception is a nitrobenzene nitroreducatase, purified from P. pseudoalcaligenes JS52, which can transform TNT to the mono- and dihydroxylamino intermediates. As its name suggests, this enzyme was originally found to reduce nitrobenzene. Aerobic bacteria are able to reduce 2 of the 3 nitro groups of TNT; the reduction of the third nitro group requires anaerobic conditions.
While denitration is often a major reaction in the biodegradation of nitrosubstituted compounds, bacterial denitration of TNT or its reduction products has been demonstrated in only a few cases. One example is shown below in which 2-amino-4-nitro-toluene is produced from 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene. In addition, Martin et al. (1997) showed that P. savastanoi can generate 2,4-dinitrotoluene from TNT. The formation of Meisenheimer complexes from TNT has been described in at least 3 bacterial strains, including Rhodococcus erythropolis and Mycobacterium sp. (Vorbeck et al., 1998). These complexes result from the nucleophilic attack by a hydride ion on the aromatic ring. Formation of the hydride complexes could not be identified with the recently isolated TNT-enriched strains TNT-8 and TNT-32, nor with Pseudomonas sp. strain A (2NT-). However, these strains are able to carry out nitro-group reduction, as shown below. French et al. (1998) demonstrated that the enzyme pentaerythritol tetranitrate reductase from Enterobacter cloacae catalyzes the formation of both the hydride- and dihydride-Meisenheimer complexes.
Generally, complete mineralization of TNT is only detected with bacterial consortia. Many of the products of TNT biodegradation are highly reactive and covalently bind to cellular components and any solid supports (such as soil) present in the medium. The latter prevents or prolongs the mineralization process, but also hinders a further spread of TNT contaminants. Several authors have noted the formation of, as yet, unidentified compounds during TNT biodegradation. These have not been included in the pathway map.
The following is a text-format trinitrotoluene degradation pathway. Organisms which can initiate each pathway are given, however they do not all carry out every pathway reaction. When this is the case, organisms known to carry out a particular reaction are noted. Follow the links for more information on compounds or reactions.
|--------------Graphical Map 1 (21K)-------------| |------------Graphical Map 2 (19K)------------| Trinitrotoluene Trinitrotoluene Trinitrotoluene Trinitrotoluene P. aeruginosa P. pseudoalcaligenes Pseudomonas sp. P. aeruginosa MAO1 JS52 strain A 2NT- MAO1 P. savastanoi Pseudomonas sp. strains TNT-8 & TNT-32 | Actinomycetes spp. strain A 2NT- Bacillus sp. | | strains TNT-8 & TNT-32 Staphylococcus sp. | | Bacillus sp. | | | Staphylococcus sp. | | | | | | | | | | | non-specific | nitrobenzene | non-specific | non-specific | NAD(P)H | nitroreductase | NAD(P)H | NAD(P)H | nitroreductase | | nitroreductase | nitroreductase | | | | | v v | | H 4-Hydroxylamino- 2-Hydroxylamino- M | | 2,2',6,6'- <---- 2,6-dinitrotoluene -------+------- 4,6-dinitrotoluene ----> 4,4',6,6'- | | Tetranitro- / | K | \ Tetranitro- | | 4,4'-azoxy- / nitroben- | v \ 2,2'-azoxy- | | toluene / zene nitro- | 2,4',6,6'- \ toluene | | / reductase | Tetranitro- \ | | / | 4,2'-azoxytoluene \ | | non-specific / P. pseudo- | non-specific \ | | NAD(P)H NO2 / alcaligenes | NAD(P)H \ | | reductase / | nitroreductase \ | v / v \ v 4-Amino-2,6-di- 2,4-Dihydroxyl- 2-Amino-4,6-di- nitrotoluene amino-6- <------------ nitrotoluene \ \ nitrotoluene Bacillus sp./ / / to the \ | Staphylococcus sp./ / to the Anaerobic TNT \ non-specific | non-specific / P. aerugi- / Anaerobic TNT Pathway \ NAD(P)H | NAD(P)H P / nosa MAO1 / Pat |
Environmental changes have always had a profound impact on the evolution of species. The advent of cities like NYC, have especially brought along swift environmental changes, steering evolution in a completely new direction. White footed mice for example, originally brought along by European | Environmental changes have always had a profound impact on the evolution of species. The advent of cities like NYC, have especially brought along swift environmental changes, steering evolution in a completely new direction. White footed mice for example, originally brought along by European settlers, have now become accustomed to urban stress, and have adopted from living in forests to modern day buildings. Scientists have also identified mutations in more than 1,000 genes in NYC mice, as compared to mice from other parks upstate.
Fish swimming along the Hudson River have experienced a very interesting change due in large part to environmental pollution. Once susceptible to deformities due to PCBs in the water, fish larvae were plagued with deformities. The fish, however,have now evolved to the point where they are resistant to PCBs and other poisons in the river.
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The CLASSIFICATIONS: section specifies the hierarchical classifications to be used by the | |Skip Navigation Links|
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The CLASSIFICATIONS: section specifies the hierarchical classifications to be used by the system. Each classification is defined in terms of its full name, a short name, an internal integer value, and the initial compartments and markings to be associated with a classification, to be described below. This section is used by the system to convert a human-readable representation of a classification into the internal integer form, and to translate the internal form to a human-readable representation.
The CLASSIFICATIONS: section must contain one or more classification specifications. The specification of a classification starts with a name= keyword, and ends with the next name= keyword or the start of the INFORMATION LABELS: section. Therefore, a name= keyword must be the first keyword to follow the CLASSIFICATIONS: keyword. Other keywords used to define a classification are the sname=, aname=, value=, initial compartments=, and initial markings= keywords. These keywords can appear in any order following a name= keyword. A classification cannot contain the slash (/) or comma (,) or whitespace (space, tab, carriage return, linefeed, formfeed) characters. |
[Jordan] likes the flexibility that conductive inks offer when putting together electronic circuits, but says that they are often too expensive to purchase in decent quantities, and that they usually require substrate-damaging temperatures to cure. After reading a UI | [Jordan] likes the flexibility that conductive inks offer when putting together electronic circuits, but says that they are often too expensive to purchase in decent quantities, and that they usually require substrate-damaging temperatures to cure. After reading a UIUC Materials Research Lab article about making conductive ink that anneals at relatively low temperatures, he decided to give it a shot.
[Jordan] started out by picking up various chemicals and lab supplies online, setting up shop at Pumping Station: One. The process is pretty straightforward, and seems like something just about anyone who took high school chemistry can manage. That said, he does note that some of the chemicals, such as Formic Acid, can be quite painful if mishandled.
After just a few minutes of work and about 12 hours waiting time, [Jordan] had himself a decently-sized vial of conductive ink. He tried it out on a few different substrates with varying results, and in the end found that etched glass made the best circuits. He says that there are plenty of experiments to try, so expect even more helpful info from him in the near future.
[via Pumping Station: One] |
New SOFC Seal Could Help Bring Efficient Energy Technology to Market
Source Newsroom: Virginia Tech (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)
Newswise — Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have great potential for stationary and mobile | New SOFC Seal Could Help Bring Efficient Energy Technology to Market
Source Newsroom: Virginia Tech (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)
Newswise — Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have great potential for stationary and mobile applications. Stationary use ranges from residential applications to power plants. Mobile applications include power for ships at sea and in space, as well as for autos. In addition to electricity, when SOFCs are operated in reverse mode as solid oxide electrolyzer cells, pure hydrogen can be generated by splitting water.
But SOFCs have had a flaw " the integrity of the seals within and between power-producing units. "The seal problem is the biggest problem for commercialization of solid oxide fuel cells," said Peizhen (Kathy) Lu (http://www2.mse.vt.edu/People/Faculty/KLu/tabid/533/Default.aspx), assistant professor of materials science and engineering at Virginia Tech.
So she has invented a solution.
Composed of ceramic materials that can operate at temperatures as high as 1,800 degrees F (1,000 C), SOFCs use high temperature to separate oxygen ions from air. The ions pass through a crystal lattice and oxidize a fuel" usually a hydrocarbon. The chemical reaction produces electrons, which flow through an external circuit, creating electricity.
To produce enough energy for a particular application, SOFC modules are stacked together. Each module has air on one side and a fuel on the other side and produces electrons. Many modules are stacked together to produce enough power for specific applications. Each module's compartments must be sealed, and there must be seals between the modules in a stack so that air and fuel do not leak or mix, resulting in a loss of efficiency or internal combustion.
Lu has invented a new glass that can be used to seal the modules and the stack. The self-healing seal glass will provide strength and long-term stability to the stack, she said.
The U.S. Department of Energy has funded Lu's SOFC and solid oxide elecrolyzer cell research to the tune of $365,000 so far. "For solid oxide fuel cells to run, we need to have a fuel. Hydrogen is the cleanest fuel you can ever have since the by-product is water. However, there is no abundant source of hydrogen and it has to be made. The solid oxide elecrolyzer cell process for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen is one very desirable way of doing it," Lu said.
"Our interest is to work on the critical material problems to enable power generation and hydrogen production in large quantity and low cost," said Lu, whose expertise includes material desi |
Principal Investigator: Jon Star
Co-Principal Investigator: Bethany Rittle-Johnson, Vanderbilt University
Title: Using Contrasting Examples to Support Procedural Flexibility and Conceptual Understanding in Mathematics
Purpose: Both international and | Principal Investigator: Jon Star
Co-Principal Investigator: Bethany Rittle-Johnson, Vanderbilt University
Title: Using Contrasting Examples to Support Procedural Flexibility and Conceptual Understanding in Mathematics
Purpose: Both international and national mathematics assessments indicate that while U.S. students may learn to execute mathematical procedures, they often fail to gain the kind of flexible knowledge that would allow them to apply what they have learned to new situations and novel problems. Flexible problem solving requires that students combine their knowledge of how to perform specific problem-solving tasks (procedural knowledge) with their understanding of general mathematical principles (conceptual knowledge).
The purpose of this research project is to develop and evaluate an instructional approach that uses contrasting examples in order to foster flexible mathematical problem solving. Contrasting examples of solution procedures are presented during discussions in mathematics classrooms, and students are asked to compare them. This instructional approach should foster students’ awareness of critical features of the procedures and help them abstract their underlying structure.
In this project, the use of contrasting examples is examined both in the context of algebra problem solving and computational estimation. At the conclusion of this project, the research team will have tested whether the use of contrasting examples improves students' ability to apply what they have learned and adapt existing procedures to solve novel math problems.
Setting: The research studies take place in a private school in an urban center in the southern United States, and in public suburban and rural middle schools in both the southern United States, and in the Midwest.
Population: A total of approximately 825 fifth- and seventh-grade students are participating in this research. The majority of the children participating are white; approximately 10 percent are African American. Approximately one-quarter of the participating students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Intervention: Materials are being developed to support both students and teachers in the use of contrasting examples. In each experiment, students are presented with worked-out examples of mathematics problems and are asked to answer questions about the examples. Students using contrasting examples are shown a pair of worked examples illustrating different solutions to the same problem and are asked to compare and contrast the solution procedures.
Research Design and Methods: The researchers are comparing learning from contrasting examples to learning from sequentially presented examples (a more common educational approach) in five studies. In Studies 1 and 2, pairs of students are randomly assigned to condition, and the manipulation occurs while each pair studies worked examples and solves practice problems in their mathematics classrooms.
In Studies 3 and 4, classrooms are randomly assigned to condition, and the manipulation occurs both in partner activities and in whole-class discussions. In Study 5, the classroom intervention will be scaled up to more diverse classrooms in public schools as first steps toward assessing the generalizability of this teaching approach. Studies 1, 3, and 5 will be on linear equation solving with seventh-grade students, and Studies 2 and 4 will be on mental math and computational estimation with fifth-grade students.
Control Condition: Students in the control condition are presented the same worked examples as the treatment students, but are shown each worked example separately and are asked to think about the solutions.
Key Measures: Students are completing experimenter-developed tests that measure their ability to perform the linear equation solving or computational estimation that they are currently being taught.
Data Analytic Strategy: For the studies where pairs of students are assigned to condition, MANOVA techniques are used to compare performance of students in the two conditions. For studies where classrooms are assigned to condition, hierarchical linear modeling techniques are used. |
The Cold Hard Facts: Chargers Waste Energy
Did you ever notice that the plug for your cell-phone charger is warm? That is because it is drawing electricity, even when it’s not charging your phone. This is known as “Phantom Energy | The Cold Hard Facts: Chargers Waste Energy
Did you ever notice that the plug for your cell-phone charger is warm? That is because it is drawing electricity, even when it’s not charging your phone. This is known as “Phantom Energy” and by unplugging unused electronics and charging devices, you can save a lot of energy. The same holds true for your laptop, cordless phones, digital cameras, mp3 players, and even power tools.
Don’t be fooled into thinking you don’t have a choice. If constantly reaching under the desk to disconnect your chargers is an unappealing option, plug your electronics into a power strip and place it on TOP of your desk. That way, it takes only one easy push of a button and everything turns off. Many surge protectors come with a few “always-on” outlets for electronics such as clocks or fax machines, as well as “auto-off” options for devices that can be turned off outside of office hours.
Don’t want all those wires getting tangled, cluttering you space, and looking messy? Consider purchasing a charging station with a power strip or a cord organizer like the flame resistant Kangaroom Black Box.
For laptop charging stations, or other electronics that charge overnight, consider a surge protector with a timer. If plugged into a traditional wall outlet, these electronics will continue to draw phantom energy even after they are fully charged. Surge protectors with timers turn off the power supply after a specified time. They can be purchased for as little as $18 and predict an estimated savings of $30 per year.
Phantom energy (also known as phantom load, idle current and vampire power) can account for about 10 percent of your home's electricity use and can be a considerable draw at work too. Take the power into your own hands and flip the switch.
Energy Vampires silently suck away more than $5.8 billion of extra energy annually.
This wasted energy sends more than 87 billion pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere each year. |
Conservation in Context
Home | Newell mural | student mural | history projects | archive | credits | links
About Conservation in Context
This project began with the recognition that the meaning of artworks changes over time, that what an artist intends and | Conservation in Context
Home | Newell mural | student mural | history projects | archive | credits | links
About Conservation in Context
This project began with the recognition that the meaning of artworks changes over time, that what an artist intends and an audience perceives can be very different things. Although celebrated when it was commissioned by the WPA/FAP in 1935, during the 1960s the Evolution of Western Civilization became a target of student unrest. In fact, it remained misunderstood by the majority of students in the year 2000.
In order to successfully conserve this mural, it had to be recontextualized within the school community. Therefore, the project funded by the Open Society Institute encompassed three components: conservation of the 1930s fresco, an investigation of the mural and the New Deal, resulting in this web site, and the creation of a new mural with students in response to the 1930s image.
About the Mural
The Evolution of Western Civilization is located in the library of Evander Childs High School at 800 East Gun Hill Road. The WPA/FAP commissioned the mural cycle in 1935 and it was completed in 1938. It is a true fresco covering 1,400 square feet.
About the Artist
James Michael Newell (1900-1985) was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After serving in the first World War, he studied in New York at the National Academy of Design and the Art Student's League, followed by a trip to Paris, where he attended the Julian Academy and Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. In 1928, Newell won the Fontainbleau Prize, enabling him to travel to Italy where he studied frescoes in Rome, Naples and Florence. Shortly before his commission at Evander Childs High School, Newell completed a mural cycle for the Potomac Electric Power Company in Washington, D.C. During the period of Roosevelt's administration he was a favorite artist and several of his paintings decorated the White House. |
Something peculiar is happening to rivers and streams in large parts of the United States — the water's chemistry is changing. Scientists have found dozens of waterways that are becoming more alkaline.
Michael Meaden is a hands-on, outdoor teen. As | Something peculiar is happening to rivers and streams in large parts of the United States — the water's chemistry is changing. Scientists have found dozens of waterways that are becoming more alkaline.
Michael Meaden is a hands-on, outdoor teen. As a youngster, he enjoyed outdoor youth camps at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook. But then the 14-year-old outgrew the camps. Fortunately, last year a new teen program was added to the youth camps: Eco-Investigator, for rising eighth- through 10th-graders.
Cary scientists David Strayer and Emma Rosi-Marshall delivered expert testimony at a May 5, 2013 congressional briefing that highlighted problems with aquatic invasive species and “natural infrastructure” solutions. The briefing took place on Capitol Hill as the U.S. Senate debated the Water Resources Development Act.
Initially, Rick Ostfeld’s work at the Cary Institute focused on how small mammals shape forests. Early on, he noticed a unique relationship among mice, black-legged ticks, and the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. |
Davidson Institute for Talent Development
This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Nadia Webb, who sums up a number of key points about teens and hygiene, hormones and happiness.
Parenting is always 20/20 in hindsight | Davidson Institute for Talent Development
This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Nadia Webb, who sums up a number of key points about teens and hygiene, hormones and happiness.
Parenting is always 20/20 in hindsight. I think that is the why the idea of the "good enough" parent is important. Kids are ruined by bad parenting, not human parenting. We always wing it. You will make mistakes, but the integrity and humanity with which you handle them will be more important. You teach your child how to apologize, how to own up to mistakes, and how to live with them and move on gracefully, how to change and grow, and how to be kind to him or herself and others when they err. It is often the more important lesson.
Sleep: Sleep is one of the big issues that no one has raised specifically, but it is important because it is such a conflict zone in adolescence. A small cohort of gifted teens seem to need very little sleep, thriving on 3-4 hours. They have often been this way since early childhood and will remain this way into their adult lives. They are the small minority. The most common challenges for adolescents involve sleep deprivation.
Teens often quite honestly complain that do not feel sleepy at 1 AM, chaffing at 10 PM bedtimes during school nights. However most parents have the unfortunate task of attempting to rouse these irritable |
On This Day - 12 July 1918
Theatre definitions: Western Front comprises the Franco-German-Belgian front and any military action in Great Britain, Switzerland, Scandinavia and Holland. Eastern Front comprises the German-Russian, | On This Day - 12 July 1918
Theatre definitions: Western Front comprises the Franco-German-Belgian front and any military action in Great Britain, Switzerland, Scandinavia and Holland. Eastern Front comprises the German-Russian, Austro-Russian and Austro-Romanian fronts. Southern Front comprises the Austro-Italian and Balkan (including Bulgaro-Romanian) fronts, and Dardanelles. Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres comprises Egypt, Tripoli, the Sudan, Asia Minor (including Transcaucasia), Arabia, Mesopotamia, Syria, Persia, Afghanistan, Turkestan, China, India, etc. Naval and Overseas Operations comprises operations on the seas (except where carried out in combination with troops on land) and in Colonial and Overseas theatres, America, etc. Political, etc. comprises political and internal events in all countries, including Notes, speeches, diplomatic, financial, economic and domestic matters. Source: Chronology of the War (1914-18, London; copyright expired)
Announcement of Allied force on Murman coast.
Czecho-Slovaks capture Kazan (on River Volga); Czecho-Slovaks control Siberian Railway east of Penza.
French advance on both sides of River Devoli (southern Albania); Austrians retreat.
Naval and Overseas Operations
Japanese battleship "Kawachi" blown up and sunk in Tokuyama Bay, 500 casualties.
Count Hertling in Reichstag on Belgium as a pawn.
Prussian Upper House expels Prince Lichnowsky.
Mr. Huges (Australian Premier) re: Pacific islands.
Denaturalisation Bill passes first and second reading in House of Commons. |
|Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute||Home|
When our son John was 3, he incessantly asked, "How do you know?" At the time this seemed tiresome, at best, but in time my wife and I came to | |Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute||Home|
When our son John was 3, he incessantly asked, "How do you know?" At the time this seemed tiresome, at best, but in time my wife and I came to appreciate that this is THE key question in much of life, and certainly in science, and that encouraging students to ask it of authorities could be a teacher's most enduring accomplishment. The goal of this seminar was to develop materials that would encourage students to ask "How do you know?" and to provide some answers. It was hoped that these materials would foster delight in mastering the logic of inference from experimental evidence, rather than grudging submission to the authority of a text or teacher.
Discussions during the seminar meetings focused on molecular structure, bonding, and reactivity. First we discussed how the most powerful present methods for observing atoms and molecules work. These included scanning probe microscopy, which allows feeling individual particles, and x-ray diffraction and how it revealed the double-helix structure of DNA. After a discussion of how quantum mechanics provides a theory for atomic and molecular structure, we addressed the amazing fact that, in the absence of sophisticated experimental instruments and theories, 19th Century chemists were able to develop a detailed understanding of molecular architecture - an understanding so accurate that no one was surprised when, in the 20th century, molecular structure was revealed in atomic detail by x-ray diffraction. Most attention was focussed on experiments from 1780 through the first half of the 19th Century, which through analytical chemistry and quantitative observation of gases established the atomic nature of matter. In all cases we stayed as close as possible to experimental observation by working with the original reports of 18th and 19th Century chemists and physicists.
Fellows came to the seminar from varied backgrounds and with needs for curricular materials ranging from college-level second year chemistry to kindergarten-level special education. They surveyed, and incorporated in their units, experimental resources from text books, the primary chemical literature, and the world wide web. In a number of cases they developed valuable original experiments. They developed activities that would engage the students' enthusiasm and their minds - including Socratic seminars on the atomic philosophy of the ancient Greek |
Beowulf:Composed toward the end of the first millennium, Beowulf is the elegiac narrative of the Scandinavian hero who saves the Danes from the seemingly invincible monster Grendel and, later, from Grendel's | Beowulf:Composed toward the end of the first millennium, Beowulf is the elegiac narrative of the Scandinavian hero who saves the Danes from the seemingly invincible monster Grendel and, later, from Grendel's mother. Drawn to its immense emotional credibility, Seamus Heaney gives the great epic convincing reality for the reader.But how to visualize the poet's story has always been a challenge for modern-day readers. In Beowulf: An Illustrated Edition, John D. Niles, a scholar of old English, brings Heaney's remarkable, best-selling translation to life. More than one hundred full-page illustrations—Viking warships, chain mail, lyres, spearheads, even a reconstruction of the Great Hall—make visible Beowulf's world and the elemental themes of his story: death, divine power, horror, heroism, disgrace, devotion, and fame. Now this mysterious world is transformed into one that only becomes more amazing after viewing its elegant goblets, dragon images, finely crafted gold jewelry, and the Danish landscape of its origins.
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In Britain, we continue to honour Remembrance Day every eleventh of November and we think that we remember all those who gave their lives in two world wars for our peace and freedom. It is a sentimental occasion when we eagerly remember our own and | In Britain, we continue to honour Remembrance Day every eleventh of November and we think that we remember all those who gave their lives in two world wars for our peace and freedom. It is a sentimental occasion when we eagerly remember our own and rarely stop to think who "all those" actually were. For we did not win alone. We were fortunate to have many allies, some of whom were called on to make sacrifices considerably greater than our own.
November 11 also marks the day in 1918 when Poland regained its independence after 127 years of foreign rule, that independence which, in 1939, Britain formally agreed to uphold and which provided the occasion for our declaration of war on Nazi Gemany. For six years, Poland was Britain's "first ally". Polish squadrons tipped the balance in the Battle of Britain. Polish cryptographers were first to break the Enigma code. Polish divisions fought alongside us at Narvik, Tobruk, Monte Cassino, Arnhem and in Normandy. Poland's underground resistance movement, the Home Army (AK), was the first and largest client of our Special Operations Executive.
By 1945, our Polish allies had lost at least six million of their people - half Jewish and half Catholic. But their sacrificies were largely ignored. No place was found for them in our grand post-war victory parade. And the Imperial War Museum has ignored requests to organise a display to mark a key event in Poland's contribution to the allied effort, although commemorative exhibitions are planned in Paris, Berlin and Warsaw.
The critical moment in this tragic story was August 1, 1944 - the outbreak of the Warsaw rising. The Varsovians, who had already endured five years of Nazi savagery, including the brutal suppression of the Ghetto uprising of 1943, decided to co-ordinate their insurgency with the advance of an allied army: 40,000-50,000 half-armed men and woman answered the call to attack the Wehrmac |
For years Kenzie Tustin and Summer Perritt have been taking tests. And for years teachers have been giving them peppermints before the tests, saying it would help their focus.
So when the two 15-year-old Pedro Menendez High | For years Kenzie Tustin and Summer Perritt have been taking tests. And for years teachers have been giving them peppermints before the tests, saying it would help their focus.
So when the two 15-year-old Pedro Menendez High School sophomores were looking for a science project, they turned to the red-and-white striped candy.
“We wanted to know if that was accurate or if they were just giving us candy,” Perritt said as the two waited to be judged at the annual River Region East Science Fair, which was held at Sebastian Middle School on Wednesday.
Based on their testing, which included a control group, peppermint does help. Score one for teachers. And score another for student curiosity.
Curiosity, research and application of scientific principles all go into the projects that are a part of each school year. That curiosity factor was especially evident at the Region East level this year.
Ponte Vedra High School’s Lilia Tabassian read articles about seafood being mislabeled and wondered if that happened in St. Johns County. She put her curiosity to work and came up with a project that included gene splicing and extracting DNA in order to identify fish sold at stores and a local fish market.
Overall, it turned out that 38.4 percent of the fish were mislabeled, 19.3 percent contained bacterial contamination and 42.3 percent were correctly labeled. In some cases the mislabeling means people get fish much higher in mercury than they expect.
Tabassian, a junior, used equipment in the school’s Academy of Biotechnology and Medical Research and sent off her samples to have them analyzed.
“Without the academy I wouldn’t have been able to do the project,” |
This section is dedicated to the past Bridgeview historians, Richard J. Pleksa, Anthony J. Ulrich and Edward Blaha, who collaborated in producing the detailed history of Bridgeview’s early years.
How We Became Bridgeview – Setting | This section is dedicated to the past Bridgeview historians, Richard J. Pleksa, Anthony J. Ulrich and Edward Blaha, who collaborated in producing the detailed history of Bridgeview’s early years.
How We Became Bridgeview – Setting the Stage
Between 1850 and 1870 Chicago’s population jumped from 30,000 to nearly 300,000. Speculation in land and railroad stock was high. Political subdivision of all Illinois was a result of a compromise between the township system of Northern Illinois and the county system of Southern Illinois. Our state is divided into 102 counties, with each county divided into townships. The present municipal boundaries of Bridgeview include four different townships, with a corner of each meeting at the intersection of 87th Street and Harlem Avenue.
Had it not been for Nathaniel Pope, Representative in Congress for the Territory of Illinois, Bridgeview as well as the entire Chicago area might today belong to Wisconsin. In 1818, Pope persuaded President James Monroe and the U.S. Congress to include Chicago in the new State of Illinois by allowing a wide parcel to be de-annexed from Wisconsin’s southern section.
Subdividing Our Land
The accompanying 1886 real estate map shows the distinctly rectangular pattern of land subdivision and roads. This system of development and settlement was due to the Federal land survey adopted by the government in 1785. It set the pattern for roads and streets, traffic flow, and the arrangement of parcels of land upon which farms and buildings had been developed. Land ownership within the boundaries of what is now Bridgeview followed this rectangular pattern.
Today, two residential areas in Bridgeview, called the Gardens and Southfield, do not follow the straight north-south and east-west patterns. Streets in these areas are curved with offsets and cul-de-sacs, a pleasant change from the usual rectangular pattern. The village boundaries form a jagged-edged rectangular four and one half (4�) miles long by an average of about one mile wide.
The railroad tracks that bisect Bridgeview north and south were laid in about 1884. These tracks were part of a Belt-line system for interchanging cars among the two dozen trunk-line routes that by that time had reached Chicago. The tracks are connected to the Bedford Park Clearing Industrial District, adjacent to Bridgeview. This was an outgrowth of a plan in the 1890’s to develop a large railroad freight classification yard southwest of Chicago. The yard was to extend from 65th to 79th Streets and from Harlem Avenue to two or more miles east. However, construction of the proposed yard was delayed. When the Clearing Yard was finally built utilizing newer methods of railroad operation it was considerably smaller than the original plans. Some of the property along Harlem Avenue, as well as other parcels in Bridgeview, were owned by Long John Wentworth, an early mayor of Chicago. His large estate was at Harlem Avenue and 55th/Archer.
Today, the Belt-line track passing through Bridgeview has been instrumental in bringing industry into our village. Through the efforts of the Village of Bridgeview and railroad company representatives the industrial area along the Belt-line has been developed.
It was due to the proximity of the railroad that sod was removed in the area from 75th to 79th Streets. The sod was loaded on railroad cars from the adjacent land and used at the Columbian Exposition of 1893 in Chicago. Farm horses refused to eat the hay that was grown afterwards in this area because it was too wiry. A further attempt at soil stripping in Bridgeview occurred in 1950, but was defeated by a court action.
Another railroad track ran from 65th Street south along the east side of Harlem Avenue to about 78th Street where it formed a "Y" junction. One leg cut across Harlem Avenue running west on the north side of 79th Street to the Belt-line tracks. The other leg ran east along 79th Street to a brickyard a couple of miles east to Cicero. Thes |
From Ohio History Central
“Dawn of a New Light” shows inventor Thomas Edison at different life stages. The painting, created by Howard Chandler Christy in 1950, hangs in the rotunda of the Ohio Statehouse.
Ohio Historical | From Ohio History Central
“Dawn of a New Light” shows inventor Thomas Edison at different life stages. The painting, created by Howard Chandler Christy in 1950, hangs in the rotunda of the Ohio Statehouse.
Ohio Historical Society AL03333, SC 2621 from the Thomas Alva Edison Collection.
Howard Chandler Christy
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Findings from Two Studies on Diabetic Eye Disease Treatment Released
ACCORD Eye Study Finds Two Therapies May Slow Progression of Diabetic Eye Disease
A photo of an eye with diabetic macular edema.
Photo courtesy of the National | Findings from Two Studies on Diabetic Eye Disease Treatment Released
ACCORD Eye Study Finds Two Therapies May Slow Progression of Diabetic Eye Disease
A photo of an eye with diabetic macular edema.
Photo courtesy of the National Eye Institute,
National Institutes of Health.A clinical trial of people with type 2 diabetes showed that intensively controlling blood glucose to near-normal levels reduced progression of diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of vision loss in working-age Americans. Adding a fibrate drug to statin therapy for control of blood lipids also reduced disease progression. These results come from the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) Eye Study, a subgroup study of the ACCORD clinical trial supported by the National Eye Institute (NEI). The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute is the primary sponsor of ACCORD.
ACCORD compared the effect of intensive control of blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood lipids with standard, less-intensive treatments on the risk of major cardiovascular disease events in more than 10,000 adults with established type 2 diabetes. While the earlier ACCORD finding of increased mortality risk outweighed the benefits of near-normal control in the group studied, the ACCORD Eye Study and other recent ACCORD findings suggest there may be benefits to controlling blood glucose to targets lower than currently recommended in patients in whom such control can be achieved safely—for example, in people recently diagnosed with diabetes.
“The ACCORD Eye Study clearly indicates that intensive glycemic control and fibrate treatment added to statin therapy separately reduce the progression of diabetic retinopathy,” said Emily Chew, M.D., chair of the Eye Study and chief of the Clinical Trials Branch of the Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications at the NEI.
The study findings were published in the July 15, 2010, issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. More information about the ACCORD Eye Study can be found at www.nei.nih.gov/news/pressreleases/062910.asp.
Combination of Ranibizumab and Laser Therapy Proves Effective in Treating Diabetic Macular Edema
Researchers have found that the drug ranibizumab (Lucentis), combined with the current standard treatment of laser therapy, is more effective than laser therapy alone in treating diabetic macular edema (DME), a major complication of diabetes that can result in vision loss. DME occurs when fluid from damaged blood vessels in the eye cause swelling of the macula, part of the retina. Ranibizumab blocks the leakage of fluid from the blood vessels. Results of this study were published in the June 2010 issue of Ophthalmology.
This study provides the first definitive proof that a combined treatment and follow-up strategy could halt and reverse diabetic eye disease. “This comparative-effectiveness study demonstrated that a new treatment can protect and, in many cases, improve the vision of people with diabetic macular edema,” said Paul A. Sieving, M.D., Ph.D., director of the NEI.
The 2-year study focused on the effectiveness of three DME treatments: laser treatment alone; ranibizumab plus laser treatment; and the steroid drug triamcinolone (Trivaris) plus laser treatment. Specifically, the researchers found that ranibizumab combined with laser treatment improved vision significantly, compared with laser treatment alone.
The multicenter clinical trial was conducted by the NEI and the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network (DRCR.net). DRCR.net researchers will continue to monitor the study participants for at least 3 years to gather more data about the safety and effectiveness of the treatments.
For more information about this study, see www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2010/ 05102010eye.htm or visit www.drcr.net.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases has easy-to-read booklets and fact sheets about diabetes and its complications, including diabetic eye disease. For more information or to obtain copies, visit www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov.
NIH Publication No. 11–4562
Page last updated: December 5, 2011 |
Grey literature is informally published written material (such as reports) that may be difficult to trace via conventional channels such as published journals and monographs because it is not published commercially or is not widely accessible. It may nonetheless be an important source of | Grey literature is informally published written material (such as reports) that may be difficult to trace via conventional channels such as published journals and monographs because it is not published commercially or is not widely accessible. It may nonetheless be an important source of information for researchers, because it tends to be original and recent. Examples of grey literature include patents, technical reports from government agencies or scientific research groups, working papers from research groups or committees, white papers, and preprints. The term "grey literature" is used in library and information science.
The identification and acquisition of grey literature poses difficulties for librarians and other information professionals for several reasons. Generally, grey literature lacks strict bibliographic control, meaning that basic information such as author, publication date or publishing body may not be easily discerned. Similarly, the nonprofessional layouts and formats, low print runs, and non-conventional channels of distribution of grey literature make the organized collection of such publications challenging compared to journals and books. In 1995, D.B. Simpson observed that "peripheral materials, including grey literature, expand unabated. Libraries having difficulty collecting traditional materials have little hope of acquiring the periphery".
Information and research professionals generally draw a distinction between ephemera and grey literature. However, there are certain overlaps between the two media and they undoubtedly share common frustrations such as bibliographic control issues. Unique written |
- About Us
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- The COPD Crisis
O²4u Expands Curriculum
New Programs Help Environmental Education
O²4u, BREATHE LA’s environmental education program, was hard | - About Us
- Ways To Give
- Our Programs
- The COPD Crisis
O²4u Expands Curriculum
New Programs Help Environmental Education
O²4u, BREATHE LA’s environmental education program, was hard at work this summer expanding the curriculum to more than 50 activities, including several water conservation activities, reducing carbon footprints, and more enriched health impact elements including a comprehensive asthma education module.
Through the new lessons, participants can learn to understand their own carbon footprints through the Calculate My Footprint activity and learn ways to reduce their foot print through activities such as Growing Organic Food. The new curriculum also demonstrates the scarcity of usable water through actives such as Make a Rain Gauge as well as Create a Mini-Water Cycle. It also reinforces the importance of water conservation by delivering several water saving tips and enabling students to demonstrate their water usage story with a Water Collage activity. The enhanced curriculum also offers demonstrations for alternative and renewable fuels through activities such as Creating Solar Power (using a pizza box) and Making a Mini-Windmill (from a milk-carton).
The newly added asthma module offers general education for this chronic disease that affects as many as 1 in 6 children in many areas throughout Los Angeles County. This module serves to raise awareness and promote behavior changes for those directly and indirectly affected by asthma. |
Jul 30, 2007 (CIDRAP News) – Acambis, a British biotechnology company, recently announced the launch of a phase 1 clinical trial of an influenza vaccine designed to provide a stable shield against seasonal and pandemic flu | Jul 30, 2007 (CIDRAP News) – Acambis, a British biotechnology company, recently announced the launch of a phase 1 clinical trial of an influenza vaccine designed to provide a stable shield against seasonal and pandemic flu strains and eliminate the need to overhaul the flu vaccine each year.
Known as ACAM-FLU-A, the vaccine is designed to target all influenza A virus strains, Acambis said in a Jul 17 press release. If successful, the product will mark a major step toward a universal flu vaccine—one that would protect against all strains of both influenza A and B. The majority of laboratory-confirmed flu cases each year in the United States are type A.
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial will be conducted in the United States. Investigators will assess the vaccine's safety, tolerability, and ability to generate an immune response in up to 80 healthy volunteers between ages 18 and 40, the company said.
The trial will also assess the effectiveness of two adjuvants (immune-boosting chemicals): aluminum hydroxide, widely used in licensed vaccines, and QS-21 Stimulon, an investigational adjuvant licensed from Antigenics, Inc., according to Acambis.
Michael Watson, Acambis' executive vice-president for research and development, said in the press release that an effective universal vaccine will not require reengineering each time the virus mutates. Such a vaccine could be manufactured continuously, and people could be immunized any time of year.
"It could be stockpiled in advance of a pandemic or potentially used routinely to ensure population protection against future pandemics," Watson said, adding that Acambis hopes to see results of the study by the end of the year.
Frequent minor changes in flu viruses involve two surface proteins, hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, represented by the H and N in virus names, such as H3N2. The two proteins allow flu viruses to enter host cells and then exit them after replicating. Because the H and N components are highly mutable, vaccine makers must adjust the flu shot components every year to match circulating strains.
However, Acambis's vaccine involves a more stable viral protein called M2, the ion channel protein. The company said the key component in its flu vaccine is M2e, the extracellular domain of M2, which is specific to influenza A. The hope is that M2e will produce an immune response against all influenza A stains, according to Acambis.
ACAM-FLU-A is a recombinant vaccine that uses a hepatitis B virus core protein to deliver M2e, the company said.
Acambis also said it is searching for a similarly conserved region on influenza B virus strains so that it can offer a vaccine that protects against all human seasonal flu strains.
Universal influenza vaccines are under investigation by several other groups, including the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia and Dynavax Technologies in the San Francisco area, among others.
Walter Gerhard, professor of immunology at the Wistar Institute, and colleagues wrote in an April 2006 Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) article that the hope is that universal vaccines can rep |
Power-aware design-for-test (DFT) can save a significant amount of power during logic test by reducing scan shift switching. Test engineers use automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) to achieve maximum coverage with the fewest test patterns. This can | Power-aware design-for-test (DFT) can save a significant amount of power during logic test by reducing scan shift switching. Test engineers use automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) to achieve maximum coverage with the fewest test patterns. This can conflict with power management because the IC is often operated beyond its normal functional modes during test to get the highest quality test results.
When switching activity exceeds a device’s power capability during test, it can have detrimental effects on the IC, such as collapse of the power supply, introduction of switching noise, and excessive current that could lead to joule heating and connection failure. These effects lead to false failures, and can damage IC in ways that decrease its lifetime.
Wh |
CONNECTING with a large number of social groups online can increase stress levels, according to a new report.
As an individual increases the number of social circles they are linked to online, they become more likely to find social media a source of anxiety, | CONNECTING with a large number of social groups online can increase stress levels, according to a new report.
As an individual increases the number of social circles they are linked to online, they become more likely to find social media a source of anxiety, experts found.
The study pointed to "social landmines" which can arise when people become online friends with conflicting social spheres, such as their boss and parents as well as their usual friendship group.
Those taking part in the study were mostly students with an average age of 21.
Researchers concluded that stress arises when a user presents a version of themselves on social media which would be deemed unacceptable by some of their online "friends", such as posts about swearing, drinking or smoking.
The more groups of people there are in an individual's collection of online friends, the greater the potential for causing offence.
In particular, adding employers or parents to the friendship list resulted in the greatest increase in anxiety levels.
The report said that 55pc of parents follow their children on Facebook and more than half of employers claim to have not hired someone on the basis of their social networking page.
Researchers also noted that, on average, people are online friends with seven different social circles.
The most common group was friends known offline, followed by extended family and siblings. Friends of friends and colleagues were other groups people were likely to connect with online.
The report also found that more people are online friends with their former partners than with their current partners. Only 56pc of users were pals with their boyfriend, girlfriend or spouse online, compared with 64pc of exes.
A third of people used |
About The Pigeon
The Pigeon or Rock Dove, first brought into Northern America in the 1600s, can be quite common in urban locations all around the world. Rocky mountain cliffs are the wild Pigeonsí natural | About The Pigeon
The Pigeon or Rock Dove, first brought into Northern America in the 1600s, can be quite common in urban locations all around the world. Rocky mountain cliffs are the wild Pigeonsí natural habitat, while tall buildings and windowsills in the city may suffice for the urban dwelling Pigeon. The Pigeon is a large bird measuring at 11 to 14 inches in length. Wild birds are an overall gray color, while domesticated types vary in color due to breeding experimentation by urbanites. The Pigeonís tail has a dark tip, while the wings are light gray with two thick black stripes.
The Pigeon Nesting Preferences
Building a Birdhouse For The Pigeon
In the city, most Pigeons nestle on just about any flat surface that even just a window ledge can attract them to a certain area. A platform can still be useful for attracting the species. The base of the platform is about 8 inches x 8 inches, the ceiling height at 8 inches. The front should be open, and the sides partly open. The platform should be placed near or adjacent to a wall at a height between 7 to 14 feet.
The Pigeon Mating Habits
Pigeons are monogamous, as mated pairs typically breed in successive seasons throughout their lives. A majority of the pairs will try to bring up about four to five broods every year.
The Pigeon Feeding Preferences
Pigeons are ground foragers that also occasionally look for food in trees. Those that inhabit farm areas feed mainly on grain and seeds while the city-dwellers pigeons often have food humans eat, like bread, crackers, and popcorn, along with whatever seed or grain they manage to find. Invertebrates may also be part of their die |
Lü Ji (ca. 1429-ca. 1505), Snowy Landscape and Birds. Ming dynasty. Hanging scroll, ink and colors on silk, 169.6 x 90.5 cm.
In this desolate scene | Lü Ji (ca. 1429-ca. 1505), Snowy Landscape and Birds. Ming dynasty. Hanging scroll, ink and colors on silk, 169.6 x 90.5 cm.
In this desolate scene after a snowfall, both river and sky appear as dark as ink. Several wild ducks are huddled against the cold, with a few already asleep. Freezing sparrows and cold spotted doves perch on the branches of the drooping willow tree above. Lü Ji has here fully grasped the reality of atmosphere in this scenery, allowing the viewer to feel the cold of a winter's day. The use of brush and ink reveals Lü Ji's uncontrived and natural style. With even greater abbreviation and succinctness, it differs from his other works by adding another layer of archaic simplicity.
Lü Ji (style name Tingzhen, sobriquet Leyu), a native of Ningbo in Zhejiang, was a famous court painter of the middle Ming dynasty. Many details of his life are still unknown, so only through records of related individuals and his promotion at court can we infer that he was probably born in 1429 under the Xuande Emperor and died around 1505 under the Hongzhi Emperor. Lü Ji entered the court late under the Chenghua Emperor (r. 1465-1487) and became highly regarded by the Hongzhi Emperor (r. 1488-1505), serving in the Renzhi Palace and rising to the sinecure post for painters of Commander of the Imperial Bodyguard. At one time when he fell ill, the emperor even continued sending his regards, about which Lü Ji said of himself, "Such great benefaction is difficult to bear." The poet Hang Huai (1462-1538) in a verse entitled "Inscribed on a Painting of 'Apricot Blossoms'" from his Shuangxi Anthology included the line, "In recent times the paintings of Lü Ji are the best."
According to historical records, Lü Ji first studied the painting style of Bian Wenjin (ca. |
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Hubble hints at billions of planets in Milky Way
Space telescope finds up to 16 of them circling suns at vast distances
MARK CARREAU, Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle | October 5 | |« Back to Article|
Hubble hints at billions of planets in Milky Way
Space telescope finds up to 16 of them circling suns at vast distances
MARK CARREAU, Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle | October 5, 2006
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, peering into the heart of the Milky Way galaxy, has found evidence for a rich bounty of planets circling stars a record distance from the Earth, astronomers announced Wednesday.
The finding could add as many as 16 new planets, each approximately the size of giant Jupiter, to the 197 worlds discovered beyond the solar system since 1995.
The discovery suggests the Milky Way may host billions of planets, though the telescopes powerful enough to find worlds as small as the Earth are at least two years away from being launched.
26,000 light-years awayThe Hubble findings were produced in a weeklong survey of 180,000 stars at a distance of 26,000 light-years away, 10 times further than previous discoveries.
The survey produced numbers of prospective planets that matched the results of star surveys much closer to the sun, lending support to the prospect that planet formation is prevalent throughout the galaxy, astronomer Kailash Sahu, who directed the study from the Space Telescope Science Institute of Baltimore, Md., told a Washington news briefing.
"This allows us to say now with a very high degree of confidence that there are literally billions of planets in our galaxy," added Mario Livio, another Space Telescope Science Institute astronomer who partici |
Communications and Training
As has been discussed in
other posts [to the Scouts-L Youth Groups Discussion List], preparation
for and ANTICIPATION of potential problems is absolutely imperative. It
is my experience and observation that many of the | Communications and Training
As has been discussed in
other posts [to the Scouts-L Youth Groups Discussion List], preparation
for and ANTICIPATION of potential problems is absolutely imperative. It
is my experience and observation that many of the tragedies that are experienced
are often a result of insufficient preparation or education about risk
factors on the part of leaders and youth. So many things can go wrong
as a result of natural hazards (such as lightning, rock fall, whitewater,
floods, etc.). Add to that the physiological impacts of sudden illness,
injury, etc., that create an adverse "domino effect" resulting
in tragic consequences we often read and hear about. Naturally, when it
is a Scouting event, it gets far more press than non-Scouting events which
suffer a tragedy, might receive. Statistically, Scouting trips still have
one of the best safety records of any youth organization in the world,
but risks are always present.
Any one countermeasure which
might be invoked in this "chain of events" can be enough to
mitigate or reverse the progression of events. However, lacking those
resources, the end result can be catastrophic.
Obviously we are dealing
with statistical probabilities, and in some situations, no matter how
well prepared you are, "mother nature" has the advantage, and
we "mere mortals" are going to suffer the consequences.
In Scouting, preparedness
is our "watchword." But we don't always do all we can to fulfill
those obligations. Yes, you can "nit-pick" an outing to the
point of saying, "well it's just too risky, so we aren't going to
even attempt it. But maybe that's not all bad. So here are a few ideas
about invoking effective countermeasures to mitigate risks:
1. Strategic planning:
Reach out for experts with
the resources and extensive experience and expertise, preferably who have
been where you are going. If they cannot go on the trip with you, get them
to share as much of their experience as they can well in advance of your
trip. If you don't have access to experienced persons, call Forest Rangers,
National Park Service Rangers, et al, and get in-depth information on the
area you plan to travel. Ask in-depth questions about "what-ifs"
to try to anticipate weather, natural hazards, physiological/environmental
2. Failsafe plans:
As with any trip, map out where
you plan to go, camp, and return for each day, and make sure every leader
and member knows the plan. Be sure that someone at home has all this information,
and can serve as a "callback" point in case of emergency, to contact
other parents, request search and rescue if the group doesn't return on
time, as scheduled, etc. Be sure they have copies of vehicle descriptions,
license plate numbers and names of everyone in the party. This information
can be invaluable to public safety agencies seeking a "lost" group
or individual. Give your plans to the park/forest rangers/ local mountain
rescue or law enforcement agency so they already know where/what you are
doing and what to expect if you have a problem.
Do small "conditioning
trips" to be sure everyone can physically keep up with the rigors and
demands of the trip, and to better assess their equipment and skills; This
gives an opportunity to "fix" things before the "big trip."
It also greatly helps group dynamics to see who the real leaders are, and
who might be "problems" under some circumstances. Reflecting with
the Scouts and Leaders after each shakedown allows everyone to benefit from
the experience of each member and to better understand what problems may
arise and how best to deal with them.
4. Tabletop Exercise:
With as much information as
you can gather, sit down with the Scouts and the adult leaders, and carefully
go over the routes, discussing hazards, risks, and asking for "what
if" scenarios for each eventuality that might be anticipated.
1. Crew Leader John Smith
gets giardia, too sick to hike out, what do we do?
2. Scout Leader Joe Jones
has chest pain and breathing difficulty, ten trail miles from nearest
phone or ranger station.
3. Scout Timmy Tenderfoot
is stung by a bee and has an allergic reaction on the trail, with 5 trail
miles to the nearest road or phone.
4. The "desert rat"
patrol's canoe hits a rock and rips a hole in the side so big it can't
be repaired on the river. We don't have enough canoes to carry their gear
and them too, and the closest landing is ten miles down river.
Research has shown that
such "preparedness exercises" often give the participants some
good "mental preparedness" to react to real situations calmly
and effectively which can save lives and avoid panic.
Then we need to consider fallback.
Previously, it h |
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
FREEPORT - A non-stinging wasp that likes to build its nests in baseball diamond dirt is helping Maine entomologists detect an insect that has decimated millions of ash trees in the Midwest | Wednesday, December 4, 2013
FREEPORT - A non-stinging wasp that likes to build its nests in baseball diamond dirt is helping Maine entomologists detect an insect that has decimated millions of ash trees in the Midwest.
The Cerceris fumipennis wasp, which is native to Maine, was found nesting Wednesday at a Freeport baseball field.
Photos by John Ewing/Staff Photographer
The wasp is the best weapon that researchers have for determining whether the tree-killing emerald ash borer has made it to Maine.
ABOUT CERCERIS FUMIPENNIS
Is native to Maine and many other states.
Is about one-half-inch long.
Has dark, smoky-brown wings, a cream or yellowish band on its second abdominal segment and three large cream or yellowish spots on its face.
Lives in colonies of three to 300.
Does not sting humans.
Digs a nest in the ground.
Stocks the nest with metallic-colored buprestid beetles, including the emerald ash borer.
Builds nests in hard-packed, sandy soil with sparse vegetation and full sunshine within 200 yards of a wooded area.
Prefers baseball diamonds, school playing fields, campsites and trail and road edges.
ABOUT AGRILUS PLANIPENNIS
THE EMERALD ASH BORER:
Is a small, metallic-green beetle about one-half-inch long.
Was first detected in the United States in Michigan in 2002.
Has spread to 20 states and Canada.
Hatches larvae that tunnel under ash tree bark, disrupting the trees’ ability to transport water and nutrients.
Eats foliage in its adult form but does little damage.
Attacks and kills all ash species.
• More information on the Project Canopy wasp-watcher network is available at
www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/fhm/pages/CercerisVolunteers.htm or by contacting Colleen Teerling at the Maine Forest Service Insect and Disease Lab, 168 State House Station, Augusta ME 04333.
The Cerceris fumipennis wasp is the best weapon that researchers have for determining whether the emerald ash borer has made its way to Maine.
Colleen Teerling, an entomologist with the Maine Forest Service, taught volunteers Wednesday how to recognize the wasp, which lives in several colonies in the baseball diamonds at Freeport Middle School. If the emerald ash borer's presence in Maine is detected early, it is much easier to control.
"It has the potential of wiping out every species of ash on the continent," Teerling said.
Since the emerald ash borer was first discovered in Michigan in 2002, it has spread to 20 states and Canada. The beetle is believed to have entered the United States in cargo ships and airplanes from its native Asia.
It has not yet spread to Maine, but is getting close. It has been detected south of Montreal, about 20 miles from the Vermont border and in the Catskill Mountains in New York.
Ash trees make up only 4 percent of Maine's trees. But they are important street species, filling in the niche created when American elm trees were wiped out by a fungus believed to have been imported from Asia.
Maine was one of the first states to set up a bio-surveillance program with Cerceris fu |
It is an evergreen tree with a conic to ovoid-conic crown, very variable in size, with mature trees of under 1 m on some sites, to 50 m tall in ideal conditions. The foliage grows in dense spr | It is an evergreen tree with a conic to ovoid-conic crown, very variable in size, with mature trees of under 1 m on some sites, to 50 m tall in ideal conditions. The foliage grows in dense sprays, dark green to somewhat yellow-green in color. The leaves are scale-like, 2-5 mm long, and produced on rounded (not flattened) shoots. The seed cones are globose to oblong, 12-22 mm long, with 6 to 10 scales, green at first, maturing brown or gray-brown about 20-24 months after pollination. The cones remain closed for many years, only opening after the parent tree is killed in a wildfire, thereby allowing the seeds to colonise the bare ground exposed by the fire. The male cones are 3-5 mm long, and release pollen in February/March; typically, cones of C. goveniana are smaller than those of C. macrocarpa.
There are two or three varieties, treated as distinct species by some botanists:
- Cupressus goveniana var. goveniana - Gowen Cypress (Vulnerable)
- Monterey County, strictly coastal, within 3 |
Cassini arrives at Saturn
News story originally written on June 30, 2004
The Cassini spacecraft will arrive at Saturn on June 30, 2004. Cassini's engine will make a critical 96-minute burn | Cassini arrives at Saturn
News story originally written on June 30, 2004
The Cassini spacecraft will arrive at Saturn on June 30, 2004. Cassini's engine will make a critical 96-minute burn starting at 7:36 p.m. Pacific Time (10:36 p.m. EDT) on June 30. The burn will slow Cassini enough to be captured into orbit around Saturn.
During this Saturn Orbit Insertion (SOI) maneuver, Cassini will pass closer to Saturn than at any other time during its mission. At closest approach Cassini will zip by 19,980 km (12,427 miles) above Saturn's cloud tops. It will also pass through Saturn's rings twice, once before and once after the engine's burn. Cassini will dodge through a gap in the rings (between the F and G rings) in hopes of avoiding collisions with ring particles. It will also turn its main antenna dish forward to act as a shield for the rest of the spacecraft against hypervelocity impacts with dust particles in the rings during its ring passages. Cassini should get great images of the rings during these passes.
Cassini will use its 12 instruments to study Saturn, its rings, and its moons during the spacecraft's scheduled four-year mission in orbit around Saturn. Cassini also carries a smaller probe, named Huygens, which will land on the surface of Saturn's largest moon, Titan, in January 2005. Cassini was launched towards Saturn back in 1997.
We won't know whether Cassini's orbital insertion maneuvers went well until 84 minutes after they happen. That's because Saturn is currently 1.5 billion km (934 million miles), or 84 light minutes, from Earth, and radio signals from the spacecraft travel at the speed of light. The long communication lag means flight controllers cannot make any adjustments to Cassini during the SOI, so any improvisations Cassini must perform (in response to being jostled by a dust particle collision, for instance) during the SOI must be preprogrammed into its computer. |
- File Under diabetes
UNNOTICEABLE SWEAT: "Even simple mental arithmetic can have a big impact on the sweat meter," says scientist Christian Tronstad (right). Photo: Yngve Vogt
A new sweat meter | - File Under diabetes
UNNOTICEABLE SWEAT: "Even simple mental arithmetic can have a big impact on the sweat meter," says scientist Christian Tronstad (right). Photo: Yngve Vogt
A new sweat meter developed at University of Oslo and the National Hospital of Norway may provide diabetics a non-invasive way to detect low blood sugar levels. There’s a noticeable change in sweat patterns when blood glucose approaches dangerously low levels, hence there is hope that the new technology will be sensitive enough to become a preemptive tool to avoid clinically significant hypoglycemia.
The researchers are now preparing for clinical testing of the new devices on diabetic patients, and other groups are finding use for the sweat sensors for studying kids with chronic fatigue syndrome and night sweats. |
A new report released today by the Student PIRGs demonstrates that Americans have been driving less since the middle of last decade. The report, Transportation and the New Generation: Why Young People are Driving Less and What it Means for Transportation Policy, shows | A new report released today by the Student PIRGs demonstrates that Americans have been driving less since the middle of last decade. The report, Transportation and the New Generation: Why Young People are Driving Less and What it Means for Transportation Policy, shows that young people in particular are decreasing the amount they drive and increasing their use of transportation alternatives.
“For the first time in two generations, there has been a significant shift in how many miles Americans are driving each year,” said Phineas Baxandall, Senior Transportation Analyst for the Student PIRGs and a co-author of the report. “America needs to understand these trends when deciding how to focus our future transportation investments, especially when transportation dollars are so scarce.”
Transportation and the New Generation reveals that for the first time since World War II, Americans are driving less. The report shows that by 2011, the average American was driving 6 percent fewer miles per year than in 2004.
This trend away from driving is even more pronounced among young people. The average young person (age 16-34) drove 23 percent fewer miles in 2009 than the average young person in 2001. The report also notes that a growing number of young Americans do not have driver’s licenses; from 2000 to 2010, the share of 14 to 34-year-olds without a license increased from 21 percent to 26 percent.
According to the report, between 2001 and 2009, the annual number of miles traveled by 16 to 34 year olds on public transit such as trains and buses increased by 40 percent.
“America's transportation preferences appear to be changing. Our elected officials need to make transportation decisions based on the real needs of Americans in the 21st century,” concluded Baxandall.
The report can be downloaded here.
- Get Involved |
Ruthenian Catholic Church, also called Carpatho-Rusyn Catholic Church or Ruthenian Church, an Eastern Catholic Christian church of the Byzantine rite, in communion with the Roman Catholic Church since the Union of Uzhhor | Ruthenian Catholic Church, also called Carpatho-Rusyn Catholic Church or Ruthenian Church, an Eastern Catholic Christian church of the Byzantine rite, in communion with the Roman Catholic Church since the Union of Uzhhorod (or Uzhgorod) in 1646.
Eastern Catholic churches generally have been associated with a national or ethnic group, preserving patterns of church organization, liturgy, and language as their traditions developed separately from those of Western Christian churches. In the early 14th century the Ruthenians, or Rusyns, an Eastern Slavic people, settled on the southern side of the Carpathian Mountains in territory that extended from present-day Ukraine to present-day Slovakia. Although they belonged to Eastern Orthodox churches, most of them were under Catholic-Hungarian rule. Under the Union of Uzhhorod, 63 Orthodox Ruthenian priests representing many Ruthenians under Catholic rule accepted the authority of Rome and became Catholic, though they were allowed to maintain their liturgical language (Old Church Slavonic) and traditions. A diocese was established in Mukacheve (residence in Uzhhorod) in 1651 and another in Prešov in 1818.
A considerable number of Ruthenians immigrated in the 19th and early 20th centuries to the United States, especially to Pennsylvania, where the church still has a small presence, including its American headquarters and seminary. After World War I many European Ruthenians who had been absorbed by the new state of Czechoslovakia adopted Russian Eastern Orthodoxy, with which they felt a greater ethnic affinity. The Ruthenian parishes that remained in Hungarian territory after Hungary and Austria were separated were brought under an apostolic exarchate (self-governing ecclesiastical jurisdiction) of the Hungarian Catholic Church; in the 1940s the parishes were put under the authority of the bishop of Hajdúdorog, and parishioners began using Hungarian instead of Slavonic.
In 1949 the Soviet Union seized the territory of Subcarpathian Ruthenia from Hungary and suppressed the diocese of Mukacheve. The diocese of Prešov, which shared territory with the Slovak Catholic Church, was integrated into the Russian Orthodox Church in the same year. Soviet authorities also forcibly assimilated many Ruthenian Catholics outside Prešov into the Russian Orthodox Church or the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, depending upon where in the territory they lived. After the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia in 1989 and that country’s division into two independent states—the Czech Republic and Slovakia—in 1993, Ruthenian Catholics in the Czech Republic began pushing for separate recognition of their church, and in 1996 Pope John Paul II formed an apostolic exarchate in the Czech Republic.
In the first decade of the 21st century, the Ruthenian Catholic Church comprised three separate ecclesiastical jurisdictions—the Czech Republic, the United States, and Ukraine—with varying degrees of autonomy. In the United States the Ruthenian Catholic Church is represented by the Metropolia of Pittsburgh, a self-governing church since 1969 under the metropolitan archbishop of Pittsburgh. The eparchy of Mukacheve oversees Ruthenian Catholics in Ukraine and is under the direct authority of Rome. In the first decade of the 21st century, there were more than 500,000 members in those three countries. |
43nd Annual Convention, Northeast Modern Language Association (NeMLA)
March 15 - 18, 2012
Rochester, New York – Hyatt Rochester
Host Institution: St. John Fisher College
Sacralizing Markets | 43nd Annual Convention, Northeast Modern Language Association (NeMLA)
March 15 - 18, 2012
Rochester, New York – Hyatt Rochester
Host Institution: St. John Fisher College
Sacralizing Markets and Marketing the Sacral: Religion in Antebellum America
A nation’s religious concepts, practices, and institutions are not autonomous from its prevailing social system, therefore changes in that system will necessarily affect the religious sphere. The Market Revolution and the general advancement of capitalism initiated a paradigm shift in antebellum culture that fundamentally changed Americans’ way of life. This panel seeks to reexamine how the development of capitalism in America, the widespread adoption of free-market political economy, and the employment of new modes of production, reshaped Christian doctrine, religious practices, and forms of church polity. Additionally, we are requesting submissions devoted to examining the ways in which the literature and print culture of the period engages with the relation of economy and religion in antebellum America.
Some questions that presenters may consider include, but are not limited to:
How did the advancement of market capitalism influence prevailing religious doctrines and practices in America?
How did early class formation and / or class antagonism reshape religious doctrine and practice in America? What impact did this have on Protestant denominationalism? How is this reflected, encouraged, and / or problematized in antebellum literature and print culture?
How did American clerics promote or critique changing socioeconomic conditions and developing modes and relations of production? In what ways were ministers involved in the conflict between capital and labor, in antebellum labor or anti-union activism? How is this expressed in the literature and print culture of the period?
How was church government influenced by changing material conditions and the reorganization of American institutions? How did the professionalization and bureaucratization of the church alter theological doctrine and religious practice?
In what sense were the manifold utopian experiments prevalent in antebellum America, such as Bronson Alcott’s Fruitlands and George Ripley’s Brook Farm, religious responses to the development of capitalist society? How were these responses operative in the American Renaissance?
Many of the principal Transcendentalists were ministers. Was Transcendentalism a literary form of religious anti-capitalism, or did it promote a form of individualism that was consistent with new economic mores |
Czech names are composed of a given name and a surname. Czechs typically get one given name – additional names may be chosen by themselves upon baptism but they generally use one. With marriage, the bride typically adopts the bridegroom's surname | Czech names are composed of a given name and a surname. Czechs typically get one given name – additional names may be chosen by themselves upon baptism but they generally use one. With marriage, the bride typically adopts the bridegroom's surname.
In the Czech Republic, names are simply known as jména ("names") or, if the context requires it, křestní jména ("Baptism names"). The singular form is jméno. Generally, a given name may have Christian roots or traditional Slavic pre-Christian origin (e.g. Milena, Dobromira, Jaroslav, Václav, Vojtěch).
During the Communist era, parents needed a special permission form to give a child a name that did not have a name day on the Czech calendar. After the Velvet revolution in 1989, parents have had the right to give their child any name they wish, provided it is used somewhere in the world and is not insulting or demeaning. However, the common practice of last years is that most birth-record offices look for the name in the book "Jak se bude vaše dítě jmenovat?" (What is your child going to be called?), which is a semi-official list of "allowed" names. If the name is not found there, authorities are extremely unwilling to register the child's name.
Czech parents remain somewhat conservative in their choices of baby names. In January 2004, the most popular boy's names were Jan (John), Jakub (Jacob or James) and Tomáš (Thomas). The most popular girl's names were Tereza (Theresa), Kateřina (Katherine) and Eliška (Liz or Elise). Throughout all the nine years, the name Tereza is ruling among girls born in January every year. There are much more girls of that name than those of the name on the second position. For six years, the second position belonged to little girls named Kateřina, who have lost recently to Eliška, later to Adéla and most recently to Karolína. Promotion of Eliška upwards to the most popular names was patient and slow, while Adéla kept near the top more steadily (during the last five years she kept the second to fourth position and only in 2007 she fell to the sixth). Quick jump in popularity belongs to Natálie, who remains for six years between the third and seventh position. Anna is celebrating her comeback to the fourth position (her fame was overshadowed only in 2002). Top positions were gradually cleaned out by Nikola (from the previous fourth position she left the first fifteen completely and later came back to around the tenth position). Kristýna holds tight among the top ten for eight years (the trend is, however, decreasing in the long term). Jumper of the last three years is probably Karolína (on the turn of the decades she kept right below the top ten, later her fame was waning, however, during recent years she jumped gradually to the sixth, seventh and even to the second position). Throughout the surveyed period, during the first four years popularity of Barbora was growing dynamically, but from 2003 she is on the tenth to fourteenth position. In the beginning of the period, Veronika was very popular; during five years she fell from the sixth position to the twelfth and later came back to the top ten for a while in 2006. Lucie was in the bottom among the most popular names during the last nine years, however, recently she can be found in the end of the top ten list and her popularity seems to gradually increase.
Names, like all nouns in the language, have grammatical cases; that is, they change depending on their role in the sentence. For example, one would say Pavel kouše sendvič ("Paul bites a sandwich"), but Pes kouše Pavla ("A dog bites Paul") and Pes ukousl Pavlovi prst ("The dog bit Paul's finger off"). Unlike the very closely related Slovak language, Czech has a vocative case, a form of a word used only when calling or addressing someone. For instance, one would say, Pavle, pozor pes! (Paul, watch out for the dog!).
While Czechs share relatively few given names (roughly 260 names with frequency above 500 in the Czech republic), there are tens of thousands of Czech surnames.
Czech surnames (singular and plural: příjmení) are similar in origin to English ones. They may reflect many aspects, for example:
- a personal characteristic of someone's ancestor (such as Malý – "small", Veselý – "cheerful", Železný – "iron")
- occupation (Kovář – "blacksmith", Kolář – "wheeler", Sedlák – "landowning farmer", Kočí – "coachman")
- the first name of a relative (Marek – "Mark", David, Eliáš – "Elias")
- animals (Liška – "fox", Zajíc – "hare", Jelínek – "little deer", Ježek – "hedgehog", Kocourek – "tomcat")
- especially birds (Sokol – "falcon", Čermák – "black Redstart", Kalous – "asio", Sýkora – "titmouse", Holub – "dove", Čáp – "Stork")
- plants (Konval |
Introduces non-economics majors to environmental and natural resource economics. Discussion of fundamental economic concepts, including markets and private property. Students learn basic tools used in the economic assessment of environmental problems and apply these methods to key environmental issues. Offered | Introduces non-economics majors to environmental and natural resource economics. Discussion of fundamental economic concepts, including markets and private property. Students learn basic tools used in the economic assessment of environmental problems and apply these methods to key environmental issues. Offered: jointl |
A Scientific Revolution that Made Life Longer. Schooling and the Decline of Infant Mortality in Europe
AbstractThis paper addresses the decline in infant mortality that occurred with a remarkable synchronization across Europe around the turn of the century 1900. It | A Scientific Revolution that Made Life Longer. Schooling and the Decline of Infant Mortality in Europe
AbstractThis paper addresses the decline in infant mortality that occurred with a remarkable synchronization across Europe around the turn of the century 1900. It is the argument of this paper that this development is not just, as in the conventional view, the side effect of economic growth but could be derived through a cumulative chain of events, starting with the discovery of the germ theory. Mokyr has argued, that notwithstanding the ubiquitous impact of the germ theory in several fields, its first big effect, as a decline in mortality, came through changed behaviour in the household. What makes this plausible is that the turn-down occurred at the about the same time irrespective of the wide variations in levels of infant mortality, and irrespective of levels of aggregate income and economic growth. Growth was certainly crucial for sustaining the decline in mortality but the synchronized change of the trend draws attention to a shift in behaviour. A critical question for this argument is if the germ theory and its implications were so quickly and widely diffused. Schooling was an instrument for this diffusion and could be so since there existed an international movement around school hygiene which made the impact of the germ theory more pervasive than if it had only influenced via the curriculum. This hypothesis is supported by a cross-country model which singles out the enrolment in primary schools as an explanatory factor for the decline in infant mortality 1890-1910, and the more so when female enrolment is considered.
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Bibliographic InfoPaper provided by Department of Economic History, Lund University in its series Lund Papers in Economic History with number 127.
Length: 26 pages
Date of creation: 20 Feb 2013
Date of revision:
Contact details of provider:
Postal: Department of Economic History, Lund University, Box 7083, S-220 07 Lund, Sweden
Phone: +46 46-222 00 00
Fax: +46 46-13 15 85
Web page: http://www.ekh.lu.se/
More information through EDIRC
infant mortality; longevity; germ theory; school hygiene; schooling;
Find related papers by JEL classification:
- I00 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - General - - - General
- N33 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: Pre-1913
- O33 - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth - - Technological Change; Research and Development; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
Please report citation or reference errors to, or, if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
- Galor, Oded & Moav, Omer, 2001.
"Natural Selection and the Origin of Economic Growth,"
CEPR Discussion Papers
2727, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
- Oded Galor & Omer Moav, 2002. "Natural Selection And The Origin Of Economic Growth," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, MIT Press, vol. 117(4), pages 1133-1191, November.
- Oded Galor & Omer Moav, 2000. "Natural Selection and the Origin of economic Growth," Working Papers 2000-18, Brown University, Department of Economics.
- Galor, Oded & Moav, Omer, 2000. "Natural Selection and the Origin of Economic Growth," Arbetsrapport 2000:5, Institute for Futures Studies.
- Jonas Ljungberg & Anders Nilsson, 2009. "Human capital and economic growth: Sweden 1870–2000," Cliometrica, Journal of Historical Economics and Econometric History, Association Française de Cliométrie (AFC), vol. 3(1), pages 71-95, January.
- Eliot A. Jamison & Dean T. Jamison & Eric A. Hanushek, 2006.
"The Effects of Education Quality on Income Growth and Mortality Decline,"
NBER Working Papers
12652, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
- Jamison, Eliot A. & Jamison, Dean T. & Hanushek, Eric A., 2007. "The effects of education quality on income growth and mortality decline," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(6), pages 771-788, December.
- Mokyr, Joel, 1993. "Te |
Incredible new image of the sun's atmosphere caught on camera by amateur astronomer
Displaying the intense ferocity of the solar atmosphere this phenomenal big picture shows the sun in a rather unusual way
Aptly entitled, 'Not The Great | Incredible new image of the sun's atmosphere caught on camera by amateur astronomer
Displaying the intense ferocity of the solar atmosphere this phenomenal big picture shows the sun in a rather unusual way
Aptly entitled, 'Not The Great Pumpkin', it was taken by American amateur astrophotographer Alan Friedman on a small 14 inch telescope.
The image brilliantly displays the atmosphere of the sun, called the chromosphere and it was taken using a special 'hydrogen' filter that only captures a tiny part of the visible light spectrum.
Sun spots many times the size of the Earth can be clearly seen within the churning plasma that swirls across the superheated surface of our nearest star.
This phenomenal picture of the solar chromosphere shows the 'atmosphere' of the sun, just above the surface
Vaporised plamsa temporarily defies the crushing gravitational pull of the sun only to cascade back to the surface in brilliant arcs of superheated gas.
The pictures were taken by part-time astrophotographer, Alan Friedman, using his small but powerful home telescope, which he affectionately calls, 'Little Big Man.'
'This image is seen only with a special filter that isolates a very narrow band of the visible spectrum the hydrogen alpha bandwidth,' said the 56-year-old New Yorker.
'The hydrogen alpha filter sits in front of my small telescope - the webcam goes in the back and is attached to my laptop computer, which runs the camera and downloads the data stream.
Alan's day job is designing cards for the UK's multimillion pound greetings cards industry.
He spends his nights glued to the telescope and exhibits his most dramatic space photography.
'I try to record images of scientific interest through high resolution astrophotography, but maintaining a respect for the aesthetic beauty and intrigue of the universe around us,' said Alan.
'I think that paying attention to art and science both has helped me to create images that share both knowledge and inspiration.' |
- Gruppen gehalten (1) (remove)
- Studies on the influence of different diets and rearing conditions on the development and growth of the two-spotted cricket Gryllus bimaculatus de Geer (2011)
| - Gruppen gehalten (1) (remove)
- Studies on the influence of different diets and rearing conditions on the development and growth of the two-spotted cricket Gryllus bimaculatus de Geer (2011)
- •The effect of rearing conditions and different diets on larvae and adults of the two-spotted cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus de Geer (Orthoptera: Gryllidae), was studied. •The percent increase in body and ovary mass of adult females reared under crowded conditions was higher than that of those reared under isolated conditions. •Higher population density increased reproductive investment in adult females, regardless of the presence or absence of adult males. •The presence or absence of adult males appeared to have no significant effect on the pronotum width, increase in body mass, DLM mass and ovary mass of adult females. •Not only the population density plays an important role in morphological, physiological and behavioural changes, but also the absolute number of animals in a population may influence the above-mentioned parameters. •A strong positive correlation was found between increase in body and ovary mass and decrease in flight muscle and fat body mass; the loss of flight muscle and fat body mass is due to a high egg production. •Five different diets were used: standard diet (ca. 20 % protein, 4.5 % lipid, 45.5 % carbohydrate), modified standard diet (ca. 22 % protein, 6 % lipid, 42 % carbohydrate), and three semi-artificial diets, all containing 30 % protein but differing amounts of lipid (A: normal, B: low, C: high). •The amount of diet consumed highly depends on the type of diet given. •Weak relationships were obtained between increase in body mass and different amounts of diets consumed. •The amount of the different storage prod |
The salt of the Earth. That means good people.
The salt in your food can mean bad problems. Too much can increase your blood pressure --a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
Chemically, salt is sodium chloride, 40 | The salt of the Earth. That means good people.
The salt in your food can mean bad problems. Too much can increase your blood pressure --a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
Chemically, salt is sodium chloride, 40% sodium by weight. We need sodium in our diet. But how much? It depends on whom you ask.
The American Heart Association recommends less than 1500 milligrams -- that’s a little more than half a teaspoon of salt -- per day.
The US Dietary Guidelines say the limit should be 2300 milligrams -- just under a teaspoon of salt-- daily, for everyone except:
The Institute of Medicine, says nobody should get fewer than 2300 milligrams a day.
Still: All these numbers are appreciably less than the average American’s daily salt intake, with its 3400 milligrams of sodium. There is unanimous agreement that is too much.
Most of it isn’t from your dinner table salt shaker. 75 per cent of our daily salt intake comes from processed and restaurant food.
Pay attention to food labels. Those Sodium percentages are based on a daily intake of less than 2400 milligrams.
Sodium adds up. And too much totals trouble. |
Table of Contents
AMD presented its Athlon64 processor to the public in September 2003. This new processor is a 64-bit processor and is therefore able to execute new 64-bit AMD64 programs. It also supports the execution of | Table of Contents
AMD presented its Athlon64 processor to the public in September 2003. This new processor is a 64-bit processor and is therefore able to execute new 64-bit AMD64 programs. It also supports the execution of existing 32-bit x86 programs at the same level of performance.
64-bit programs have a larger address space and offer better performance by providing modern calling conventions and additional registers that are only supported in 64-bit mode.
SUSE LINUX supports the new processor with this product in two ways.
32-bit SUSE LINUX for x86 supports this processor as 32-bit processor just like it supports the AMD Athlon and the Intel Pentium processors.
The new 64-bit SUSE LINUX for AMD64 supports the processor in 64-bit mode. The execution as well as the development of 32-bit x86 programs is still supported.
The output of uname -m is x86_64 for historical reasons. This was the name of the first AMD specification.
From the perspective of the user, hardware relates to the AMD64 just like it does with AMD Athlon systems. The common interfaces and buses are the same on both platforms and are equally supported.
Because the hardware drivers for Linux on AMD64 must be 64-bit drivers, some of them still need to be adapted. While some older cards are currently not functional, the support of current hardware should be the same in 32-bit and 64-bit. |
So, what is the first thing that springs to mind when you think of bats? Ugly? Scary? Spread diseases? Get tangled in your hair? Think again!
The world’s 1100 bat species are some of our most misunderstood | So, what is the first thing that springs to mind when you think of bats? Ugly? Scary? Spread diseases? Get tangled in your hair? Think again!
The world’s 1100 bat species are some of our most misunderstood species, surrounded by myths and superstitions. Contrary to their rough reputation, bats help maintain and enhance biodiversity and their economic value to the agricultural industry is worth billions each year.
The Year of the Bat 2011-2012 is a two-year campaign, launched by The UNEP Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and The Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats (EUROBATS), to celebrate the importance of bats in healthy ecosystems and human economies, and promote a greater awareness of bat conservation.
As the spotlight shines on the masters of the night, ARKive has teamed up with Planet Science and the Year of the Bat team to make our very own quiz! Check out why ARKive thinks bats are simply brilliant and then head to the “Big Bat Quiz” on the Planet Science website.
Our only true flying mammals, bats have membranous wings, each supported by an arm and four elongated fingers. The large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) fruit bat has the largest wingspan measuring a whopping 1.8 metres. Some bats, such as Daubenton’s bat (Myotis daubentonii), have been observed using their wings or tail membrane ‘scoop up’ prey.
Most bats are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. The smallest is Kitti’s hog-nosed bat (Craseonycteris thonglongyai), also known as the bumblebee bat, weighing less than 2 grams.
Echo... echo... echo
Many nocturnal microbats use echolocation. They emit high frequency outbursts and interpret the echoes, building an accurate ‘visual map’ to locate prey. Bat calls range in frequency from 14,000 to well over 100,000 Hz and some bats can use habitat-specific calls. The large-eared horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus philippinensis) hunts moths and other insects and has a nose-leaf and large ears which help with echolocation.
The little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus) can consume 600-1000 insects in a single hour! Microbats are the major predators of night-flying insects, many of which are agricultural pests. As bat numbers decline, pests increase and more pesticides are used, increasing the cost of crop production.
Passionate about plants
Fruit bats have excellent eyesight and a keen sense of smell to locate over-ripe fruits like mangoes, figs and guavas. More than 300 tropical plant species depend upon bats for either seed dispersal or pollination and many of these are economically important to humans for products including timber, fruits and spices.
Nectarivorous bats are well adapted to feed on nectar as they have a long snout and tongue. The Mexican long-tongued bat (Choeronycteris Mexicana) is the main pollinator of several agave species.
A socialite with family values
Some bats like the hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) live a solitary life, but others such as the Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) live in colonies. Brazilian free-tailed bats form the largest warm-blooded colony in the world; one cave in Texas contains 20 – 40 million individuals! Pups are placed in maternity colonies from which a mother is able to pick out her young.
Sadly an estimated 25% of all bat species are threatened with extinction, mainly due to habitat loss and degradation.
You can help bats by spreading the word about the Year of the Bat campaign. Why not join your local bat conservation group or build a bat house for your garden?
Remember to have a go at the “Big Bat Quiz” to find out if you are a bat boffin or a dingbat. Let us know your score! |
|Snailfish (probably Elassodiscus tremebundus) caught in the eastern Bering Sea|
T. N. Gill, 1861
Liparidae, commonly known as snailfish or seasnails, | |Snailfish (probably Elassodiscus tremebundus) caught in the eastern Bering Sea|
T. N. Gill, 1861
Liparidae, commonly known as snailfish or seasnails, is a family of scorpaeniform marine fish. Widely distributed from the Arctic to Antarctic Oceans including the northern Pacific, the snailfish family contains 30 genera and 361 species. They are closely related to the sculpins of the family Cottidae and the lumpfish of the family Cyclopteridae. Snailfish are sometimes included within the latter family.
The snailfish family is poorly studied and few specifics are known. Their elongate, tadpole-like bodies are similar in profile to the rattails. Their heads are large with small eyes; their bodies are slender to deep, tapering to a very small tail. The extensive dorsal and anal fins may merge or nearly merge with the tail fin. Snailfish are scaleless with a thin, loose gelatinous skin; some species, such as the spiny snailfish (Acantholiparis opercularis) have prickly spines as well. Their teeth are small and simple with blunt cusps. The deep-sea species have prominent, well-developed sensory pores of the head, part of the animals' lateral line system.
The pectoral fins are large and provide the snailfish with its primary means of locomotion. They are benthic fish with pelvic fins modified to form an adhesive disc; this nearly circular disc is absent in Paraliparis and Nectoliparis species. Snailfish range in size from Paraliparis australis at 5 centimetres (2.0 in) to Polypera simushirae at some 77 centimetres (30 in) in length. The latter species may reach a weight of 11 kilograms (24 lb), but most species are toward the smaller end of this range. Snailfish are of no interest to commercial fisheries.
Occurrence and habitat
The habitats chosen by snai |
Upson County, Georgia
|Upson County, Georgia|
Upson County Courthouse (Built 1908), Thomaston, Georgia
Location in the state of Georgia
Georgia's location in the U.S.
|Founded||December | Upson County, Georgia
|Upson County, Georgia|
Upson County Courthouse (Built 1908), Thomaston, Georgia
Location in the state of Georgia
Georgia's location in the U.S.
|Founded||December 15, 1824|
|Named for||Stephen Upson|
|• Total||327.64 sq mi (849 km2)|
|• Land||325.48 sq mi (843 km2)|
|• Water||2.15 sq mi (6 km2)|
|Time zone||Eastern: UTC-5/-4|
Upson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is a part of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area (CSA). It was created on December 15, 1824. As of the 2010 census, the population was 27,153. The county seat is Thomaston.
It is included in the Thomaston, Georgia, Micropolitan Statistical Area.
|This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2011)|
Upson County, in west central Georgia, was established by an act of the state legislature on December 15, 1824. The Treaty of Indian Springs (1821) between the United States and the Creek Indians gave the government the land that extended from the Ocmulgee River to the Flint River through middle Georgia. Upson County was created from Pike and Crawford counties. Many settlers were drawn to the area by the lottery system used to settle the acquired lands. The state's fifty-ninth county was named in honor of the noted Georgia lawyer Stephen Upson (1784/5-1824) just four months after his death. It is also the birthplace of the Gordon brothers John Brown Gordon, a major general in the Confederate army and a governor of Georgia and Eugene C. Gordon a Confederate major in the Alabama Cavalry who developed Decatur, Alabama.
In March 1825 the justices of the inferior court bought land lot 217 in the Tenth District to build the courthouse and the jail. Around this lot grew Thomaston, the county seat. Incorporated June 11, 1825, the town was named for General Jett Thomas, a hero of the War of 1812 (1812–15).
The majority of the settlers to Upson County came from the eastern counties of Georgia, between the Oconee River and Augusta. Some were wealthy plantation owners who also owned many slaves. Farming the rich soil of the eastern section of Upson County, around the town of The Rock, Georgia and along the Flint River, they primarily grew cotton. Other settlers came from North Carolina and South Carolina. The first cotton mill in Upson County, the Waymanville or Franklin Factory, was built on Tobler Creek in 1833, and in 1835 a group of New Englanders arrived to manufacture textiles.
The Old Alabama Stagecoach Road, a well-traveled stagecoach and wagon-freight line between Augusta and Columbus, ran from the northeastern section of Upson County, crossing the Flint River at Double Bridges over Auchumpkee Covered Bridge in the southwest. Double Bridges being the site where two bridges spanned either side of Owen's Island in the middle of the Flint River; a brief Civil War (1861–65) cavalry skirmish took place there. On April 18, 1865, Union raiders began three days of devastation in Upson County. Major General James Harrison Wilson's cavalry was headed toward Macon; its task was to destroy the agricultural and industrial facilities in the South. Fifty men of the First Battalion Georgia Cavalry Reserves stood to defend the bridges. The defenders fired a few scattered shots at the larger Union forces before fleeing. Homes were pillaged and burned, and several factories were destroyed, including the Waymanville cotton mill.
After the war mills continued to be an important part of the county's economy. Thomaston Mills was a major employer in the county from its beginning in 1899 until 2001, before the company moved to Mexico. Martha Mills, a manufacturer of tire cord fabric, began operation in 1927 and ceased operations in 2006 (Martha Mills was bought by B. F. Goodrich in 1929, and later WesTek in 2008). In the 1920s the peach industry thrived in Upson |
July 11, 2012
During the past two centuries, paleontologists have discovered and named over 600 different non-avian dinosaur genera. At first glance, that might seem like a lot of dinosaur diversity (especially since only a | July 11, 2012
During the past two centuries, paleontologists have discovered and named over 600 different non-avian dinosaur genera. At first glance, that might seem like a lot of dinosaur diversity (especially since only a handful of dinosaurs are well-known to the public). But it’s really just the tip of the Mesozoic iceberg. New dinosaurs are being described on a near-weekly basis, and, as estimated by paleontologists Steve Wang and Peter Dodson in 2006, there may have been over 1,800 different genera of dinosaur present on earth during their 160 million year reign between the Triassic and the end of the Cretaceous. Most dinosaurs remain undiscovered.
But will we ever find all the dinosaurs? I don’t think so.
The fossil record is a history biased by the circumstances required for preservation and discovery. Paleontologists and geologists have recognized this for over a century and a half. As Charles Darwin, following the argument of his geologist friend and colleague Charles Lyell, pointed out in On the Origin of Species, the geological record is “a history of the world imperfectly kept and written in a changing dialect.” Consider the world’s strata to be like pages of a book that record the comings and goings of species over time, Darwin wrote. “Of this history we possess the last volume alone, relating only to two or three countries,” Darwin lamented, and “Of this volume, only here and there a short chapter has been preserved, and of each page, only here and there a few lines.”
Let’s apply this to dinosaurs. Of all the non-avian dinosaurs that ever existed, only a few died in circumstances amenable to fossil preservation. Dinosaurs bodies had to settle in a place where sediment was being laid down – a river, lake, dune-covered desert, floodplain, lagoon, or similar environment – to be preserved for the rock record. This means that we know a lot about lowland dinosaurs who lived near bodies of water, but dinosaurs that lived in upland habitats are not so well represented. These dinosaurs, who inhabited ancient mountains and similar habitats, were living in places where rock was being stripped away rather than new sediment laid down. In other words, upland dinosaurs didn’t live in the kind of habitats where they were likely to become preserved. There were undoubtedly entire populations, species, and even genera of dinosaurs that may have never entered the fossil record.
And preservation in the fossil record alone isn’t a guarantee that a particular dinosaur genus will be discovered. Of all the dinosaurs preserved in the rock, only a few are accessible in exposed portions of rock around the world. Fewer still are intact enough to identify and collect. The contingencies of fossilization, history, and our ability to search for fossils conspire to blur our picture of dinosaur diversity.
The picture isn’t entirely negative, though. There are swaths of dinosaur-bearing rock that are, as yet, little explored, and even extensively-searched areas can still yield surprises. I have no doubt whatsoever that paleontologists will continue to discover and describe previously-unknown dinosaurs for many decades to come. And, more than that, each new dinosaur tweaks our picture of dinosaur relationships and the details of when and where particular groups evolved. Using this knowledge, paleontologists can go back to the rock and target specific areas where new dinosaurs might be found. We probably won’t find every single dinosaur genus that ever existed, and we may not have an intricately-detailed record of every genus that we’re lucky enough to discover, but there is still an overwhelming array of dinosaurs out there waiting to be found.
July 3, 2012
Last week, paleontologists at the Argentine Museum of Natural Science in Buenos Aires literally unveiled a new dinosaur. Named Bicentenaria argentina to celebrate the museum’s 200th anniversary and just over two centuries of Argentine independence, the dinosaur was presented in a dramatic mount in which two of the predatory dinosaurs face off against each other.
As yet, there’s not very much to say about the dinosaur. The paper officially describing Bicentenaria has yet to be published. Based on various news reports, though, Bicentenaria appears to be a 90 million year old coelurosaur. This is the major group of theropod dinosaurs that contains tyrannosaurs, deinonychosaurs, therizinosaurs, and birds, among others, and Bicentenaria is reportedly an archaic member of this group that represents what the earliest coelurosaurs might have looked like. It wouldn’t be an ancestor of birds or other coelurosaur groups – by 90 million years ago, birds and other coelurosaurs had already been around for tens of millions of years – but Bicentenaria may have had a conservative body plan that preserved the form of the dinosaurs that set the stage for other coelurosaurs. For now, though, we’re left to admire the impressive skeletal mount until th |
Growth form irregular, massive; usually less than 10 cm in diameter, sometimes up to 15–20 cm in diameter and 2–3 cm in height. Colour in vivo (generally also preserved specimens) light grey to white | Growth form irregular, massive; usually less than 10 cm in diameter, sometimes up to 15–20 cm in diameter and 2–3 cm in height. Colour in vivo (generally also preserved specimens) light grey to white; several, slightly perceptible, tone dominances are possible (light green to light brown). Consistency soft and fragile. Surface, shared by all species of the genus, as an irregular network of dense collagen fibres, sometimes with mineral debris. Inhalant apertures 80–120 µm in diameter. Oscules scattered (2–4 mm in diameter). Light collagen amount (fibrous reticulate) in the mesohyl. Flagellate chambers large. Skeleton reticulate, with irregular meshes (300–600 µm), and extremely fragile because of scanty spongin and extreme abundance of mineral granulation. Primary and secondary fibres (40–200 µm) not distinguishable or hierarchically organized.
No one has provided updates yet. |
From Wildlife Extra:
Leucistic robin has ‘Santa beard’
‘Santa Robin’ is timely leucistic bird
December 2012. This remarkable bird has been reported to the British Trust for Ornithology‘s (BTO) Ab | From Wildlife Extra:
Leucistic robin has ‘Santa beard’
‘Santa Robin’ is timely leucistic bird
December 2012. This remarkable bird has been reported to the British Trust for Ornithology‘s (BTO) Abnormal Plumage Survey.
The timely ‘Santa Robin‘, which was seen by Ian Wilson in Derbyshire, is a leucistic bird. This inherited disorder causes parts of a bird’s plumage not to have their normal colour and to appear white, often affecting areas around the face and on the wings.
Most common in blackbirds
It’s not just Robins that are being spotted through the BTO Abnormal Plumage Survey. In total, over 1,500 birds across more than 35 species – ranging from Blue Tit and Chaffinch to Buzzard and Coot – have already been recorded in the UK’s gardens. Blackbirds with unusual white feathers have been logged most often, with members of the crow family, including Jackdaw, Carrion Crow and Rook, also featuring highly.
Leucism (or Leukism)
Leucism is a very unusual condition whereby the pigmentation cells in an animal or bird fail to develop properly. This can result in unusual white patches appearing on the animal, or, more rarely, completely white creatures.
Click here to see our gallery of albino and leucistic animals and birds.
Some of the more extraordinary sights have been black-headed Blue Tits, red-tinted House Sparrows and a Goldfinch with an orange instead of a red face. On some occasions, people have been so puzzled that they have had to write ‘species unknown’. There is much more to find out about birds with abnormal-coloured plumage and the BTO wants householders to share what they see.
Tim Harrison, BTO Abnormal Plumage Survey coordinator, commented: “The red breast of a Robin doesn’t just make it look pretty – it plays an important role in its life. Unlike most other garden birds, Robins defend their territories throughout the year and display using their breast to warn rivals to ‘keep out’. It is possible that a white ‘beard’ could affect this communication.”
Hein van Grouw, Curator at the Natural History Museum, added: “The most common form of leucism in birds onl |
Regularity in SalatThe Holy Quran states: "Recite that which has been revealed to thee of the Book, and observe Prayer. Surely, Prayer restrains one from indecency and manifest evil, and remembrance of Allah is the | Regularity in SalatThe Holy Quran states: "Recite that which has been revealed to thee of the Book, and observe Prayer. Surely, Prayer restrains one from indecency and manifest evil, and remembrance of Allah is the greatest virtue. And Allah knows what you do." (29:46)
In his sermon of February 15, 2008, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih (aba) said that Salat is the primary source of purifying the self, as the verse above signifies. The verse speaks of reciting the word of Allah, to spread it to others and to observe Salat, for Salat, when it is observed with its due requisites is a source of purifying the self. Huzur said it is the responsibility of each Ahmadi to focus on observing Salat, to observe each Salat at its prescribed time. The five daily prayers are the milestone from where the spiritual journey begins; it is the seed that has the potential of spiritual growth. If one is negligent with Salat, virtues are suppressed in the manner that weeds suppress the growth of a field. It is our task to make the roots of this worship so strong that it safeguards us from all evil. (Read the entire summary and listen to the sermon here)
Important of Friday Prayers in Islam
The Holy Quran states: "O ye who believe! when the call is made for Prayer on Friday, hasten to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off all business. That is better for you, if you only knew." (62:10)
In his sermon of Friday September 18, 2009, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) said that when the call for Jummah is made, all else is of secondary significance. He further said that each Muslim should pray for and make effort to safeguard it and pay its dues. Huzur said one pays its dues by ceasing all work and heading for the mosque. In this day and age where the Adhan may not be heard everywhere there are alternative ways and means to remind oneself of the time for Jummah. For example, the Adhan is sounded through [mobile] telephones. (Read the entire summary and listen to the sermon here)
What Shold Local Nazim Tarbiyyat Do? 10 Conditions of Initiation (Bai'at) Official MKA letter for taking time off from work/school for Jumma Prayers
• Regularly remind khuddam about coming to the Mosque for Juma prayers, congregational prayers and meetings.
• Work with other departments to hold weekly activities around Salat time to encourage khuddam to come to Mosque for activities other than Juma and meetings (for example sports, waqar e amal, or other fun/get-together activities)
• Keep attendance count of khuddam coming to the mosque for reporting purposes
• Conduct Juma drives as instructed by National Tarbiyyat department
• Help Khuddam and Atfal get time off from school or work by providing them with a letter from Sadr sahib (can be requested through Tarbiyyat department web page)
• Discuss monthly tarbiyyat topic at the local meetings (interactive sessions using material developed by the department)
• Assist National Tarbiyyat department with Tarbiyyat surveys 2-3 times in the year.
The initiate shall solemnly promise:
I That he/she shall abstain from Shirk (association of any partner with God) right up to the day of his/her death. II That he/she shall keep away from falsehood, fornication, adultery, trespasses of the eye, debauchery, dissipation, cruelty, dishonesty, mischief and rebellion; and will not permit himself/herself to be carried away by passions, however strong they might be.
To request a letter from Sadr MKA for your employer/school send an email to [email protected]
Please include ALL of the following information. It will be included in the letter. All information is mandatory. The Department will not send a letter without complete information.
1. Name and address of addressee. If none is provided, letter will say "To whom it may concern". If no address is provided, only electronic (PDF) letter will be provided.
2. Name of Khadim/Tifl requesting time off
3. Time slot for which time-off is being requested (for example, 1PM to 3PM)
4. Address of Local Mosque where Tifl/Khadim would go to Juma
5. Name of Local Qaid.
6. Phone number of Local Qaid
7. Do you need a physical letter mailed to the address provided or an electronic letter (PDF) mailed back to you is sufficient?
8. Your Majlis name (for record keeping only, will not be in the content of the letter).
How to request time off from Juma? (click to watch scenario video)
From the Archives Jumma Older Departmental Plans
Departmental Plan 2002-2003Tarbiyyat Topics from 2009-2010
Departmental Plan 2003-2004
Departmental Plan 2005-2006
Dep |
A large-scale, long-term study of vitamin B6 showed that it may be effective in reducing the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD). Researchers in Amsterdam followed 5289 men and women aged 55 and older for nearly 10 years in | A large-scale, long-term study of vitamin B6 showed that it may be effective in reducing the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD). Researchers in Amsterdam followed 5289 men and women aged 55 and older for nearly 10 years in an effort to determine whether a higher intake of folate and vitamins B6 and B12 would reduce the risk of PD, as all 3 are known to reduce homocysteine levels. At the beginning of the study, none of the patients had PD. In the 10 years of followup study, however, 72 people developed the disease. While no link could be made between levels of B12 or folate and PD risk, researchers were able to determine that the more B6 people consumed, the lower their PD risk. People in the top third of B6 intake were 54% less likely to develop PD than those people in the lowest third. According to researchers, this result is significant only among smokers, suggesting that the vitamin does not lower PD risk by any effect on homocysteine levels but rather by protecting brain cells from free radicals. They point to other studies that suggest smoking reduces PD risk because of nicotine's ability to protect brain cells. Researchers do not want to suggest that B12 and folate are not protective, but rather further studies are needed to examine the blood's nutrient levels. The study can be found in the July 2006 issue of Neurology.
Ms. Farley is a freelance medical writer based in Wakefield, RI. |
It has been suggested that being born in a certain month influences an athlete's prospects for professional success. The theory is that older youth players in a given calendar year are bigger, stronger and more coordinated and thus play in better leagues with superior coaching. | It has been suggested that being born in a certain month influences an athlete's prospects for professional success. The theory is that older youth players in a given calendar year are bigger, stronger and more coordinated and thus play in better leagues with superior coaching. Except, as you age and move up the food chain, the effects balance out. Take hockey: On the 1998, 2006 and '10 Canadian Olympic hockey teams, 19 of the 23 players on the first and second rosters and 20 of the 23 on the third were born after the first quarter of the year. Among the 499 Canadians on NHL rosters in February 2010, 25.7% were born in the first quarter, 28.5% in the second, 25.5% in the third and 20.4% in the last. A 2007 study by Joseph Baker and Jane Logan at York University in Toronto found that among Canada-born NHL draftees from 2000 to '05, the younger players were chosen earlier in the draft. According to nhlnumbers.com, for the 2009--10 season, 72 of the top 150 salaries in the NHL belonged to Canadian players, roughly half of whom (35) were born in the second half of the year. Only 11 (15%) of the top Canadian earners were born in the first quarter. The numbers were similar among non-Canadians: More had birthdays in November and December (15) than January and February (12). Some research suggests that relatively young players are actually at an advantage. In a 2009 study of team handball players, scientists noticed a spike in older players in the early stages of competition, but the trend dissipated at higher levels. "It might be beneficial for relatively younger players to have the opportunity... to develop the specific technical or tactical skills needed to... compete successfully against their older, more mature opponents," the researchers wrote. Call it the Big Brother effect. |
First of all, Earthquakes are not necessarily transverse waves. Both transverse and longitudinal waves are there in Seismic waves. These waves depend upon both Modulus of elasticity and Density of medium. Longitudinal P-waves (primary | First of all, Earthquakes are not necessarily transverse waves. Both transverse and longitudinal waves are there in Seismic waves. These waves depend upon both Modulus of elasticity and Density of medium. Longitudinal P-waves (primary) have properties similar to that of sound and due to their compressive & rarefactive wave motion, They reach us faster than transverse S-waves (secondary). These are the Before-socks as what we call.
It is the effect of S-waves which cause the shear fracture of the rocks (due to high amplitudes). They result of rapid sideways movement of faults thereby causing rocks to shake randomly around their hypo-center. They typically travel up to 60% of the velocity of P-waves. They necessarily require the Shear-modulus of the medium. But, they're the most destructive type of all.
All the answers for your questions are YES. 'Cause they've already been a done-deal..!
Refer Wiki for a more detailed description regarding the topic... |
If you’re concerned about the quality of the water that comes out of your tap, you may have purchased a water filter. I use the Mavea water pitcher
to filter my family’s drinking water, but I’ve never taken the time | If you’re concerned about the quality of the water that comes out of your tap, you may have purchased a water filter. I use the Mavea water pitcher
to filter my family’s drinking water, but I’ve never taken the time to investigate which contaminates are actually in my family’s water.
sent me these useful tips that help decipher the Consumer Confidence Reports that give information about drinking water, and I thought they were worth sharing. According to NSF, 54 percent of Americans who have or use a home water filter are not buying water filters that remove the specific contaminants in their water.
If you want to make sure that your filter is the right one for your drinking water, keep reading.
Drinking water safety tips
Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) are annual reports mailed out by July 1st each year that summarize information regarding drinking water sources used (i.e., rivers, lakes, reservoirs, or aquifers). The reports identify detected contaminants found in the water, your municipality’s compliance to EPA drinking water regulations and educational information. They are a great tool to help identify what contaminants are present in your tap water supply and how these contaminants may affect health or the aesthetic (taste or odor) quality of water. A recent survey conducted by NSF International revealed that while most Americans (64 percent) know what a water quality report is, less than one-third (30 percent) read and understand what the report is telling them.
Below are some tips about how to read the report and can use this information to improve the quality of your drinking water.
Tip #1: Understand your water quality
If you have public water, your local CCR will provide a snapshot of your water quality. Most communities list the contaminants that were detected in the local water supply in table format, beginning with the name of the contaminant in the left hand column. The next column will list the amount of that contaminant that was detected, followed by a column labeled “MCL.” The number shown in this column is the maximum amount of this contaminant permitted to be in drinking water under law. On the far right the report will indicate if the community was in violation for that contaminant as well as indicate the likely source of that contaminant.
If you use private well water, you will not receive a CCR, as only homes that are connected to a public water supply receive this report. Private well owners are encouraged to have a sample of their well water tested annually by their county health department or a state accredited drinking water laboratory for bacteria and nitrates, as well as any other contaminant known to be of local concern.
Look at the contaminant guide
Both public water and well water sources of drinking water contain some naturally occurring contaminants. At low levels, most of these contaminants are not considered by the EPA to be harmful. Naturally occurring contaminants include radon, radium, and arsenic. In addition, people, animals, and industry can also add contaminants to our water supplies. Some of the more common contaminants that can be introduced into our water supplies include microorganisms, pesticides, and nitrates.
Review NSF International’s contaminant guide
to read a list of many of the common contaminants that can be found in public and private drinking water supplies. In addition, we have also included several chemicals commonly used to treat drinking water supplies.
Tip #2: Determine which products can treat your concerns.
Whether you already have a filter or are looking to buy one, keep in mind that not all filters are equal. Filters use different technologies to treat unique water quality issues, so it is important to choose a filter with the technology that will treat your water’s needs. According to NSF’s 2013 Water Quality survey, 44 percent of Americans say that they do have and/or use a water filter or drinking water treatment system, although the majority (35 percent) simply use the filter that came with their home or refrigerator.
Below are five of the most common technologies used by home treatment systems and their potential uses:
- Filter medias - may reduce chemicals, some metals, parasites and sediment. Many filters can also reduce aesthetic contaminants that affect the taste and odor of water, which NSF’s survey revealed is a top concern for many individuals, especially those over 65.
- Cation exchange softener - help reduce hard water; some also reduce barium and radium.
- Distillers - help reduce heavy metals, minerals, non-volatile chemicals.
- Reverse osmosis - may reduce some metals, minerals, and parasites; post-filter may also reduce some chemicals.
- Ultraviolet disinfection - help protect against bacteria and viruses.
Tip #3: Select the product style that best suits your needs.
Water treatment systems come in several product styles, ranging from whole house units to those that install at a single faucet location.
- Pour Through - Water drips via gravity through a filter. Pros: no installation required, easy to u |
By: Alvaro Fernandez
Just a couple weeks ago I had a discussion with several psychologists and neurologists who seemed to share the opinion that “brain fitness” is a meaningless concept and pursuit. On the one hand, they thought, | By: Alvaro Fernandez
Just a couple weeks ago I had a discussion with several psychologists and neurologists who seemed to share the opinion that “brain fitness” is a meaningless concept and pursuit. On the one hand, they thought, intelligence is a fixed trait and no intervention has shown so far to reliably increase it. On the other hand, nothing has been shown to prevent the pathology of Alzheimer’s Disease. According to this mindset…why bother?
Well, what if such mental framework was wrong or, worse, misleading? Read the rest of this entry »
By: Scott Barry Kaufman
When it comes to our understanding of human intelligence, for too long, there has been a mismatch between theory and practice. Theoretically, the two main threads running through definitions of intelligence have been (a) adaptation to the environment, and (b) the cognitive, affective, and volitional characteristics that enable that adaptation. Practically, IQ tests measure an important but limited slice of intellectual functioning in a very limited testing environment. Why such a disconnect?
Intelligence tests were born out of necessity. Read the rest of this entry »
Intelligence tests offer insight into ageing brain (BBC News):
“Sixty-six years ago today, more than 70,000 10 and 11-year-old children across Scotland took an intelligence test…now they have formed the foundation of a remarkable research project which is producing valuable insights into what lies behind cognitive decline — or ageing of the brain… Read the rest of this entry »
Teamwork Builds Big Brains (Science Now):
– “The average adult human’s brain weighs about 1.3 kilograms, has 100 billion or so neurons, and sucks up 20% of the oxygen we breathe. It’s much bigger than an animal our size needs. According to a new computer model, the brains of humans and related primates are so large because we evolved to be social creatures.“
– “The idea behind the so-called social intelligence hypothesis is that we need Read the rest of this entry »
By: Alvaro Fernandez
Time for the November edition of the monthly SharpBrains eNewsletter, featuring a wealth of resources and insights on how to invest in our brains, including topics such as brain health, meditation, neuropsychology, brain training games, chemo brain, dyslexia, neuroplasticity, cognitive biases, stress, and more. Not to forget a couple of fun teasers. Enjoy!
Brain Fitness Q&A Sessions:
The Big Picture:
Thank you for your interest and attention and have a great December.
Below you can find the full transcript of our engaging Q&A session yesterday on lifelong cognitive fitness, “mental capitalism”, and more, with Alvaro Fernandez, co-author of The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness, moderated by Harry Moody, Director of Academic Affairs at AARP.
Read the rest of this entry »
NIH-funded study finds dyslexia not tied to IQ (NIH press release):
At left, brain areas active in typically developing readers engaged in a rhyming task. Shown at right is the brain area activated in poor readers involved in the same task.
- “Regardless of high or low overall scores on an IQ test, children with dyslexia show similar patterns of brain activity, according to researchers supported by the National Institutes of Health. The re |
What is the purpose of the Red Arrows?
The official name of the Team is the ‘Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team’, commonly known as the ‘Red Arrows’. The Red Arrows are a small part of a large organisation; | What is the purpose of the Red Arrows?
The official name of the Team is the ‘Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team’, commonly known as the ‘Red Arrows’. The Red Arrows are a small part of a large organisation; the Royal Air Force, much of which is engaged in operations overseas defending UK interests and making the world a safer place.
The Red Arrows are the public face of the Royal Air Force and are acknowledged as one of the world’s premier aerobatic teams. Within the UK, the Red Arrows exist to demonstrate the professional excellence of the Royal Air Force and promote recruitment to the Royal Air Force. The Red Arrows have inspired a significant number of people to join the Royal Air Force, both as officers and airmen in all trades, not just pilots!
The Team supports wider British interests overseas by contributing to Defence Diplomacy efforts and promoting British industry. The Hawk aircraft flown by the Team and most of its components are all British made. During international tours the Red Arrows demonstrate both British skill and British technology to millions of people.
The Red Arrows also help more than 500 UK charities every year - contributing many thousands of pounds to a wide variety of important causes.
When were the Red Arrows formed?
The Red Arrows began training in late 1964 to prepare for the 1965 Air Display Season. The squadron was officially constituted on 1 March 1965. The first official display was on 6 May 1965 at Royal Air Force Little Rissington in Gloucestershire. This was a special display to introduce the Team to the media. The first public display was on 9 May 1965 at Clermont Ferrand in France.
Where are the Red Arrows based?
The Team have been based at Royal Air Force Scampton in Lincolnshire since 2001. In the past they have also been based at Royal Air Force Fairford, Royal Air Force Kemble in Gloucestershire, and Royal Air Force College Cranwell in Lincolnshire.
What aircraft do the Red Arrows fly?
The Red Arrows have always flown whichever aircraft is in service as the Royal Air Force’s advanced fast jet trainer; currently the BAE SYSTEMS Hawk T1. From 1965 until 1979 the Red Arrows flew the Folland Gnat, the Hawk’s predecessor.
Why is the Team called the Red Arrows?
By 1965, Royal Air Force training aircraft were predominantly red in colour. The ‘arrows’ part of the title was in recognition of the Black Arrows, a very popular squadron aerobatic team in the late 50s and early 60s.
Is the Red Arrows' flying dangerous?
Red Arrows pilots are amongst the most highly qualified and experienced within the Royal Air Force, and safety is of paramount importance in all their activities. They have all been selected for their above average flying skills and are all proficient at formation flying before they are considered for selection to the Team. All pilots are subject to rigorous annual examination by the Royal Air Force Central Flying School, a standards organisation, and all pilots fly regular sorties in Hawk flight simulators to test emergency handling and procedures. The Red Arrows adhere strictly to military flying and engineering regulations, and every sortie flown by the Red Arrows is recorded by the Team’s safety cameraman for flight safety/debriefing purposes.
All pilots undergo a rigorous winter training programme. In the early part of the training season the pilots fly in small groups of four, five or six aircraft. As the months pass and they gain experience, the number of aircraft in the formation is gradually increased and the base height lowered. Usually by mid-January, British weather permitting, the Team will be practising with nine aircraft at display heights.
The maintenance of the Hawk aircraft is subject to extremely strict controls and set procedures, and all wor |
How many caves are there in Arizona? By one count, more than 1,600. Most of us have been to Colossal Cave in Tucson, or Kartchner Cave near Benson. Both of these are limestone caves. In northern Arizona, | How many caves are there in Arizona? By one count, more than 1,600. Most of us have been to Colossal Cave in Tucson, or Kartchner Cave near Benson. Both of these are limestone caves. In northern Arizona, some caves are formed by lava tubes.
Limestone caves have a geologically short lifetime, usually less than a few million years, and more often, just a few thousand years.
Most limestone in Arizona was deposited when the area was beneath the sea during the Paleozoic era 500 million to 250 million years ago. Both Colossal Cave and Kartchner Caverns occur within the approximately 330-million-year-old Escabrosa Limestone.
Limestone caves are solution caves that form just below the water table. Groundwater, made slightly acidic by dissolved carbon dioxide, passes through cracks and pores, and dissolves some of the limestone. In some areas, such as at Colossal Cave, weak sulfuric acid from volcanic exhalations, also helped dissolve the limestone. Over time, the cavities become larger, and, if the water table is lowered due to erosion outside the cave, multilevel passages are formed.
Cave decorations such as stalagmites stalactites don’t form until the cave is exposed to the air, perhaps by a stream intersecting one of the passages. Once that happens, cave formation ceases. It’s just like opening a can of soda pop; the carbon dioxide dissipates leaving the water less acidic. The calcium carbonate in the water is deposited as the water evaporates.
The final stage in the life of a limestone cave is collapse. As the water table lowers and surface erosion continues, the caves dry out and the ceiling of caves collapse, producing sink holes. The end stage is a land-form called Karst topography characterized by subterranean drainage which leaves a barren surface, and after more erosion, can leave limestone spires.
Lava tube caves occur in the San Francisco volcanic field near Flagstaff. These were formed about 700,000 years ago within lava flows when a crust is formed around a flow channel and the still hot fluid lava flowed out of the cylindrical crust. Lava tube caves can contain formations similar to limestone caves if conditions are right. The longest known lava tube cave is Kazumura Cave in the eastern slope of Kilauea on Hawaii. It is 3,614 feet long.
Caves can form in other kinds of rock. The voids are usually produced by faulting or erosion, especially along a seashore. Caves also form in ice.
The cave system with the greatest total length of surveyed passage is Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, with 367 miles of passages.
The longest surveyed underwater cave is the Ox Bel Ha Cave System in Yucatán, Mexico with 110 miles of passages.
The deepest known cave (measured from its highest entrance to its lowest point) is Voronya Cave (Abkhazia, Georgia), which is 7,190 feet deep.
The deepest vertical shaft in a cave is 1,980 feet in the Vrtoglavica Cave in Slovenia.
The largest room ever discovered is the Sarawak chamber, in the Gunung Mulu National Park (Miri, Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia), a sloping, boulder strewn chamber with an area of approximately 2,300 feet by 1,300 feet and 260 feet high.
For a story on how caves contribute to our knowledge of sea level fluctuations, see:
For more on the geology of Arizona, see my seven part series beginning here. |
Legal Constraint of Genetic Use Restriction Technologies
Dan L. Burk
University of California, Irvine School of Law
Minnesota Legal Studies Research Paper No. 05-09
Recent advances in genetic technology now allow seeds to be designed so that ger | Legal Constraint of Genetic Use Restriction Technologies
Dan L. Burk
University of California, Irvine School of Law
Minnesota Legal Studies Research Paper No. 05-09
Recent advances in genetic technology now allow seeds to be designed so that germination will occur only under the influence of proprietary chemical activation. These genetic technical protections, known as genetic use restriction technologies, or GURTs, hold the potential to suppress unauthorized uses of proprietary plant varieties. These systems may be used either in conjunction with or in replacement of so-called "seed-wrap" licenses, which purport to restrict the uses of proprietary seed after sale. Intellectual property rights including Plant Variety Protection and utility patents may form the basis for such licenses. However, license-based restriction of seed usage may be difficult or costly to police and to enforce. Technical restrictions are largely self-enforcing, but when used in to restrict seed usage may effectively confer greater rights than would be afforded by the relevant intellectual property statute. Such application of GURTS raises a series of troubling policy problems. Employment of GURTs and related licenses in such strategies also implicate competition doctrines including tying, exhaustion, and misuse. While the United States Supreme Court and the Federal Circuit have addressed some of these issues in the seed licensing context, the reasoning of the relevant opinions lacks coherence, and substantial questions remain regarding the application of these decisions to technological controls.
Number of Pages in PDF File: 23
Keywords: GURTs, seeds, intellectual property, PVPA, patents, trade secrets, licensing, Terminator, bag-tag, seed-wrap
JEL Classification: H41, K12, O31, O34, O18Accepted Paper Series
Date posted: February 4, 2005
© 2013 Social Science Electronic Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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According to the Chinese calendar, the year 2008 is known as the Year of the Rat. To those concerned with the recent population declines of frogs, 2008 has been dubbed the Year of the Frog. The Association of Zoos and | According to the Chinese calendar, the year 2008 is known as the Year of the Rat. To those concerned with the recent population declines of frogs, 2008 has been dubbed the Year of the Frog. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in North America, in partnership with several other environmental organizations (such as Amphibian Ark and Conservation International), has designated 2008 the Year of the Frog to highlight these interesting animals and the threats they face. Like many other animal species, frogs are often menaced by human activities (habitat fragmentation, overharvesting, and pollution) at local and regional levels. Unlike other animals, however, frogs and amphibians worldwide face a more serious threat; several species are rapidly declining and dying out as a result of a fungus.
Since the late 1980s and early 1990s, wildlife experts have noticed a decline in frog |
During Black History Month, the history and culture of the Caribbean Islands and South America are usually left forgotten.
Englewood on the Palisades Charter School, however, celebrated these regions by hosting a presentation called "History of Migration Part 2 | During Black History Month, the history and culture of the Caribbean Islands and South America are usually left forgotten.
Englewood on the Palisades Charter School, however, celebrated these regions by hosting a presentation called "History of Migration Part 2: Journey to the Caribbean and South America" on Feb. 28. "Looking back throughout history, we know that Central America, South America, and the Caribbean have been heavily populated by Africans," said Janine Ellis, a teacher at the school and one of the organizers of the assembly. "We see that African or black influence in culture is transcendent throughout the world."
Students wore colorful masks, danced, and sang along to traditional Caribbean songs during the assembly, with each grade presenting information they learned about their chosen country.
The charter school wanted to highlight these various island nations to allow students to connect with their own background, as there is much diversity found between students in the school, said Ellis.
"We kind of surveyed what our population is and tried to choose some countries that they would be able to identify with as well," said Ellis.
First-graders clad in straw hats snapped their fingers during a rendition of "Don’t Worry, Be Happy," to celebrate Jamaican culture, while third-, fourth-, and fifth-graders sang a set of different Caribbean songs, including an a capella version of the traditional West Indies song "A Few White Horses."
Students from Ms. Clark’s class paraded around the auditorium in purple masks and noise makers to bring a festive atmosphere to their Barbados presentation, while Mrs. Monsanto’s kindergarten class wore red, black, and white to match the Trinidad flag as they told the audience what made the country a multicultural melting pot.
The students were coached through the traditional songs by the school’s new music teacher, Lauren DeLago.
She was proud of how articulate and fearless the students were as they took the stage to sing. The children who sang in the third through fifth grade group were volunteers from a newly formed choir in the school, with the assembly marking their first public performance.
"I think they did a great job," said DeLago.
The auditorium was packed with parents and guardians, who frequently called out words of support to their children.
Anthony Barckett, the director of the charter school, was grateful of the large parent turnout for the event. "One of the biggest complaints that most administrators and teachers have is lack of parental participation," said Barckett. "Here, we have a full house every time we have a program."
Email: [email protected] or call 201-894-6703 |
LAS VEGAS (December 16, 2012)--Researchers say a pair of fossils unearthed in the hills north of Las Vegas belonged to a saber-toothed cat.
A team from California's San Bernardino County Museum identified the fossils | LAS VEGAS (December 16, 2012)--Researchers say a pair of fossils unearthed in the hills north of Las Vegas belonged to a saber-toothed cat.
A team from California's San Bernardino County Museum identified the fossils dug up in June as being front leg bones from the extinct predator.
Kathleen Springer, the museum's senior curator, said the saber-tooth fossils are thought to be approximately 15,590 years old.
The discovery marks the first of its kind in the fossil-rich Upper Las Vegas Wash.
Springer heads a team that's been studying the wash for a decade and been collecting fossils there under a contract with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management since 2008.
She said the bo |
Norfolk Botanical Garden has approximately accessioned 3,826 plants in the genus Rhododendron representing 558 different species and cultivars. This is the largest collection the Garden holds. Rhododendrons can be found throughout | Norfolk Botanical Garden has approximately accessioned 3,826 plants in the genus Rhododendron representing 558 different species and cultivars. This is the largest collection the Garden holds. Rhododendrons can be found throughout the Garden. Large concentrations of these plants can be found in the Rhododendron Glade, Mirror Lake and the Enchanted Forest. Many of these are commonly called azaleas. Some older plantings of rhododendrons/azaleas around Mirror Lake and Enchanted forest are not accessioned into the collection, so more than 50,000 plants of this genus may be in the Garden.
What is the difference between a Rhododendron and an Azalea?
The Rhododendron genus is large and complex with over 900 species. Azaleas are part of the genus Rhododendron but they are different enough from other species within the genus to divided into a sub-grouping. So how do you tell an azalea apart from other rhododendrons?
- Azaleas have 5 stamens while other rhododendrons have 10 (mostly).
- Azaleas can be deciduous or evergreen while other rhododendrons are evergreen.
- Azalea flowers are usually funnel shaped while rhododendron flowers have a more bell-shaped appearance. |
Rubric for biweekly Discussion Board participation self-assessment
Teachers, trainers, and professors with years of experience in classrooms report that?computer networking encourages the high-quality interaction and sharing that is at the heart of education....(The) characteristics of | Rubric for biweekly Discussion Board participation self-assessment
Teachers, trainers, and professors with years of experience in classrooms report that?computer networking encourages the high-quality interaction and sharing that is at the heart of education....(The) characteristics of online classes... generally result in students' contributing material that is much better than something they would say off the top of their heads in a face-to-face class. Shy students who have trouble participating in a classroom discussion are said to feel more comfortable in an online setting. The ability to sit and think as one composes a question or comment also can raise the quality of the discussion. On the other hand, unless the teacher facilitates the networking activities skillfully, serious problems may develop. A conference may turn into a monologue of lecture-type material to which very few responses are made.? The Pedagogy of Online report at http://www.vpaa.uillinois.edu/reports_retreats/tid_report.asp#Online%20Pedagogy highlights the following questions to ask about the quality of Online learning:
Is learning competence equal or superior to that of a traditional classroom?
Are students engaged in the material? Does each student participate in the communication? Is there real depth to the students' responses?
Is there interaction between professors and their students, and between the students themselves? Has a "community of learners" been established from which students derive motivation?
We find that the attached Discussion Board Rubric works to turn?no? answers into?yes? answers. Items where it becomes difficult to answer either yes or no locate a developmental area that can be made a pedagogical focus.
the instructor has an important role in moderating interactions, students can also self-assess by using the attached rubric questions in two ways: to help focus on essential learning of how to handle discussions and to help focus on the evidence that reflects development of scientific discussion skills.
Type of Task:
Biweekly self-assessment of weekly discussion baord participation
Present your own ideas and allow them to be considered in light of the evidence.
Compare your ideas to textbooks and other printed resources using evidence and references to support your statements.
Consider alternatives and justify the ideas you support.
Recognize naive ideas and relinquish or refine them after considering evidence.
The form was created using MS Frontpage and responses feed into a spreadsheet that only the instructor can view. Responses can also be sent via email directly to the instructor. This form requires Frontpage extensions on the server, but could also be created on paper or using CGI scripts.
Text of Learning Exercise:
Weekly review questions for the course are addressed through participation in an online collaborative Blackboard Discussion Board. The goal is for students to participate in educated discussions with other students. Weekly participation is required and is scored bi-weekly using the rubric that appears under the Assessment URL. It was developed and changed based on students and instructor comments posted in the CourseFAQs discussion board during the first few weeks of class. The review questions are to help students discuss what is learned from the assignments and to clarify thoughts about the content presented. Contributions are to be substantive and supported by reference to the textbooks,
online resources, or empirical evidence.
The purpose of the form is two-fold: (1) to check the reliability of the biweekly scores for participation in the discussion forum and (2) to identify problems with the discussion board rubric so that the scoring items can be revised to make the rubric score more accurate. Discussion board score changes are considered only for those students who self assess using this form. Students are expected to justify responses to these questions.
The questions are used in two ways: to help focus on essential learning of how to handle discussions about evolution and to help focus on the evidence that reflects your development of scientific discussion skills. Within a week of the bi-weekly deadline for the discussion board, students review the list to identify questions that can be answered?yes.? They work to turn?no? answers into?yes? answers. Items where it becomes difficult to answer either yes or no locate the developmental area of focus. A score is calculated by counting?yes? responses as 1 point,?no? answers as 0 points, and difficult to answer?yes? or?no? as 1/2 point. |
Signs of infection to watch for in your pet include diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, and abdominal pain. Pets can be carriers and transmit the infection to other animals, including humans, | Signs of infection to watch for in your pet include diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, and abdominal pain. Pets can be carriers and transmit the infection to other animals, including humans, so be careful when cleaning up that diarrhea if your pet gets sick.
The effects of infection can be worse for humans, who don’t have to munch on kibble to get sick. Just handling food without washing one’s hands afterward is enough to get Salmonella nasties in your system. Symptoms to watch for include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever. Call your health care provider. |
(Health.com) -- If you've been saying for years that long hours at work are killing you, forward this article to your boss--it might literally be true. According to a new study, people who work more than 10 hours a | (Health.com) -- If you've been saying for years that long hours at work are killing you, forward this article to your boss--it might literally be true. According to a new study, people who work more than 10 hours a day are about 60 percent more likely to develop heart disease or have a heart attack than people who clock just seven hours a day.
It's not clear why this is, but the researchers suggest that all that time on the job means less free time to unwind and take care of yourself. Stress may also play a role--but not as much as you might think. Working long hours appears to hurt your heart even if you don't feel particularly stressed out, the study found.
"Balance between work and leisure time is important," says the lead author of the study, Dr. Marianna Virtanen, M.D., an epidemiologist at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and University College London. "If you work long hours, the fact is that you may be exposed to higher stress levels and you do not have enough time to take care of your health."
Doctors "should include long working hours on their list of potential risk factors" for heart disease, she adds.
Dr. Virtanen and her colleagues followed more than 6,000 British civil servants with no history of heart disease for an average of 11 years. The participants were all drawn from a larger, ongoing study known as Whitehall II that began in 1985.
During the study, a total of 369 people had heart attacks (some of them fatal) or were diagnosed with heart disease after seeking medical attention for chest pain.
Compared to people who worked seven hours a day, those who worked 10 to 12 hours a day had a 56 percent increased risk of heart disease, heart attack, or death. Those who worked for 8 to 10 hours a day were not at increased risk.
The findings are "sort of a wakeup call," says Dr. Gordon McInnes, M.D., a professor of clinical pharmacology at the University of Glasgow, in the U.K., who wrote an editorial accompanying the study. Doctors should be extra vigilant about the heart health of patients who work long hours, he says.
The study doesn't say how, exactly, long hours at work might affect heart health. To try to pinpoint the effect of work time, Dr. Virtanen and her colleagues took a range of health factors into account in their analysis, including blood pressure, cholesterol levels, diet and exercise, and whether or not the participants smoked. They also factored in the workers' rank and salary, since socioeconomic status has been linked to heart health.
In some ways, the people who worked overtime were healthier than those who worked just seven hours a day. They were less likely to drink heavily and smoke, for instance, and they got more exercise. On the other hand, they tended to sleep less and reported experiencing more stress, having more demanding jobs, and having less control over their work.
They were also more likely to exhibit "Type A" personality traits. Type A behavior includes aggressiveness, irritability, and a "chronic, incessant struggle to achieve more and more in less and less time," according to the study.
But the workers who burned the candle at both ends were still at greater risk of heart disease even when all of these factors were accounted for, which suggests that something besides stress, personality, and behaviors such as smoking may be responsible.
Still, workplace stress may have affected the study's findings in spite of the researchers' attempts to control for it, says Dr. McInnes. "I personally think stress was involved," he says. "These people did a lot of extra work, which I would think is stressful. But it's very difficult to be sure."
Peter Kaufmann, Ph.D., a researcher at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in Washington, D.C., says that this type of study (known as an observational study) can't prove whether long hours directly increase heart risk. For instance, Kauffman says, it's possible that the workers' overall lifestyle--including type A behavior--contributed to the long hours and the heart risk observed in the study.
"You would expect people who are more driven and more impatient to work longer hours to get things done," Kaufmann says. "But they may be equally driven an |
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2013
The rate of diagnosis for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is the same among all racial groups — one in 110, according to current estimates. However, a study by | TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2013
The rate of diagnosis for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is the same among all racial groups — one in 110, according to current estimates. However, a study by a Florida State University researcher has found that African-American children tend to be diagnosed later than white children, which results in a longer and more intensive intervention.
The reasons for later diagnoses include a lack of access to quality, affordable, culturally competent health care, according to Martell Teasley, an associate professor in Florida State’s College of Social Work who has conducted a comprehensive review of research literature on autism and African-American children. In addition, the stigma attached to mental health conditions within the black community contribute to misdiagnoses of autism, and underuse of available treatment services.
“There are no subjective criteria for diagnosing autism. Only brain scans can truly provide appropriate diagnoses, because we are dealing with biological and chemical imbalances in the brain,” Teasley said. “Not every child is going to have access to this kind of medical evaluation, particularly those who are indigent and don’t have health care funding.”
Te |
An Introduction to Functional Encryption and its Applications
Background on Public Key Cryptography
Prior to the invention of public key cryptography, two parties that wished to communicate securely over an unsecured network would a priori establish a mutual secret out of band. | An Introduction to Functional Encryption and its Applications
Background on Public Key Cryptography
Prior to the invention of public key cryptography, two parties that wished to communicate securely over an unsecured network would a priori establish a mutual secret out of band. While this might be acceptable for some small or tightly knit organizations, such solutions are clearly infeasible in today's Internet with billions of users.
Over thirty years ago, Diffie and Hellman introduced the concept of public key cryptography --- radically changing the face of secure communication. In public key cryptography, two parties can securely communicate with each other without having an a prior mutual secret. Knowing only a party's globally shared public key, a user can verify that a message was sent by the party (digital signatures) and confidentially encrypt a message to the intended party (public key encryption).
The work of Diffie and Hellman opened a floodgate of applications and the use of public key cryptography has become ubiquitous. Almost all major software vendors distribute software updates and security patches over the Internet. In addition, digital signatures are a critical tool for enforcing that an update is from the legitimate vendor and not malware. Web browsers use public key encryption (via SSL) to send confidential information (e.g., credit card numbers, passwords) over the web to thousands of online services and modern email readers can send and receive encrypted email.
Functional Encryption is a new vision of public key encryption. Traditionally, we view encryption as a mechanism for a user, Alice, to confidentially encode a data to a target recipient Bob. Alice encrypts the data under the recipients public key such that only Bob, with knowledge of his private key, can decrypt it.
However, in some applications, we find we need to share data according to an encryption policy without prior knowledge of who will be receiving the data. Suppose an informant needs to encrypt a message for anyone in a police department's internal affairs office or anyone who is undercover and in the central office -- even though she may not know which officers fit this criteria. The informant will want to
encrypt the review with the access policy:
In this system, only users with attributes (credentials) that match this policy should be able to decrypt the document. The key challenge in building such systems is to realize security against colluding users. For instance, the encrypted records should not be accessible to a pair of unauthorized users, where one has the two credentials of Undercover and North and the other one has the credential of Central. Neither user is actually an undercover agent in the Central office. Enforcing policy by encryption will become imperative with the emergence of cloud computing and data outsourcing.
Recently, the City of Los Angeles joined Washington, D.C. in outsourcing their information services to Google in order to replace their internal system which is described as slow and antiquated. (Read more in the LA Times.) The biggest obstacle is concerns by the LAPD that sensitive arrest information will be leaked.
We start by rethinking the fundamental concept of encryption. Instead of encrypting to a specified recipient, a user in a functional encryption system embeds a "ciphertext descriptor'' CD during data encryption. In addition, each user in the system will also have a private key (issued by an authority), which is associated with a key descriptor KD. A recipient with a private key descriptor, KD, can decrypt a ciphertext, CT, with descriptor CD if and only if a certain relationship R holds between CD and KD (i.e. R(CD,KD)=true). In the example above we can interpret ciphertext descriptor CD as a boolean formula, f, over a set of boolean variables and let the key descriptor KD be a set S of all attribute variables set to true for that particular user. The relationship R will hold if the set S satisfies the formula f.
Re-envisioning data sharing by functional encryption opens up several new doors. A user encrypting data only needs to describe how they want to share data, but not necessarily identify who they share it with. This flexibility is especially important in systems where authorized users with matching credentials will be added long after the data is encrypted. In addition, the set of matching users that are authorized to receive data might be private information hidden from the encrypting user himself. Alternatively, a functional encryption system could be used as a means for the encryptor to label the information and let keys specify access policies over these labels. Consider a data base system where the ciphertext descriptor CD describes a record's meta data and a user's key embeds a policy over such meta data.
As the concept of public key encryption eliminates the need for a user to establish an a prior secret before encrypting, functional encryption liberates an encryption routine from needing to identify the par |
Under New York State law, the Mayor has the power to declare a local state of emergency. This might include issuing evacuation instructions for one or more hurricane evacuation zones if it were determined that clear and present danger to the public exists.
Deciding to | Under New York State law, the Mayor has the power to declare a local state of emergency. This might include issuing evacuation instructions for one or more hurricane evacuation zones if it were determined that clear and present danger to the public exists.
Deciding to issue evacuation instructions requires in-depth analysis of storm forecasts and local conditions, which is coordinated by the Mayor, OEM, State and Federal agencies, the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center, and jurisdictions throughout New Jersey, Long Island and upstate New York.
Find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone
The Mayor can issue two different kinds of evacuation instructions:
How to Evacuate
- EVACUATION RECOMMENDATION: The Mayor may recommend certain residents take steps to evacuate voluntarily. A recommendation might be issued to cover residents of certain zones, communities or building types. An evacuation recommendation could also be issued for the benefit of people with mobility challenges who need extra time to evacuate.
EVACUATION ORDER: The Mayor may order residents of specified zones or communities to leave their homes for the protection of their health and welfare in the event of an approaching storm.
Since flooding and high winds can occur many hours before a hurricane makes landfall, it is critical evacuees leave their homes immediately if instructed to do so by emergency officials. Evacuees are encouraged to seek shelter with friends or family or outside evacuation zones when possible.
To avoid being trapped by flooded roads, washed-out bridges or disruptions to mass transportation, evacuees should plan their mode of transportation with special care.
The City advises against car travel during an evacuation. The City will be working hard to keep roads clear, but traffic is unavoidable in any evacuation. Driving will increase your risk of becoming stranded on a roadway during an evacuation.
- Plan to use mass transit as much as possible, as it offers the fastest way to reach your destination. Using mass transit reduces the volume of evacuees on the roadways, reducing the risk of dangerous and time-consuming traffic delays.
- Listen carefully to your local news media, which will broadcast reports about weather and transportation conditions.
- Evacuations from at-risk zones will be phased to encourage residents in coastal areas to leave their homes before inland residents and to help ensure an orderly evacuation process.
- Leave early. Evacuations will need to be completed before winds and flooding become a threat, because wind and heavy rain could force the early closure of key transportation routes, like bridges and tunnels.
IF YOU MUST TAKE A CAR:
If you must go to an evacuation center, it is important to carefully select what you take with you. Do not bring more than you can carry, but be sure to bring your Go Bag with you.
- Be ready for a long, slow trip. Be aware the City will deploy public safety personnel along major transportation routes to help vehicular traffic flow as smoothly as possible. Have a full gas tank before you go.
- Stay tuned to local media for information about road and bridge closures. New York State's 511 can help you monitor traffic on State roads.
- Evacuation Centers are the ONLY places where people may park vehicles. Many evacuation centers do NOT have parking available. Tune in to local media for instructions.
- Large vehicles may be prohibited in windy conditions. This could apply to trailers, trucks, boats and other vehicles with a higher wind profile than a car or SUV.
- In any significant rainstorm, avoid driving through standing water if you cannot tell how deep it is.
Residents of high-rise apartment buildings may face special risks from hurricanes even if they live safely outside evacuation zone boundaries.
IF YOU LIVE IN A HIGH-RISE BUILDING LOCATED IN AN EVACUATION ZONE, heed all storm warnings and evacuation orders.
IF YOU LIVE IN A HIGH-RISE BUILDING THAT IS OUTSIDE EVACUATION ZONE BOUNDARIES:
On or below the 10th floor:
Above the 10th floor:
- Close and lock all windows and securely cover them to reduce damage and injury caused by flying debris.
Read OSHA's tips for Evacuating High-Rise Buildings (in PDF)
- Be prepared to take shelter on or below the 10th floor.
- If you have a balcony or rooftop, remove all items that cannot be securely tied down.
If the mayor orders an evacuation of coastal areas, the City strongly recommends evacuees stay with friends or family outside evacuation zone boundaries. However, for those who have no alternative shelter, the City has identified hurricane shelters throughout the five boroughs.
All New Yorkers are welcome at NYC Evacuation Centers and Hurricane Shelters regardless of their immigration status.
The shelters are secure facilities with public safety personnel on site. They are designed to accommodate people with disabilities and special needs. Please bring bedding, toiletries, medication, and other personal items for you and your loved ones travelling with you.
The NYC emergency sheltering system is friendly to all pets but you will be responsible for their care so please bring your pet’s food, leashes, cage, and medication.Service animals that assist people with |
Watch Daily Glycemic Load for Diabetes Protection
Carbohydrates and glycemic load
Carbohydrates are classified as either simple or complex based on the length of the carbohydrate chains that compose them, but better measures of carbohydrate quality have been developed | Watch Daily Glycemic Load for Diabetes Protection
Carbohydrates and glycemic load
Carbohydrates are classified as either simple or complex based on the length of the carbohydrate chains that compose them, but better measures of carbohydrate quality have been developed:
- The glycemic index tells us how a food affects blood sugar levels in comparison to a similar amount of a glucose drink, table sugar, or white bread.
- Glycemic load takes into account both the effect of a food on blood sugar levels and the amount of carbohydrate in a typical serving. For example, the carbohydrate in a carrot has a strong effect on blood glucose levels, so it has a high glycemic index; however, a carrot is mostly water, so its carbohydrate content is small and its glycemic load is low.
Estimating daily glycemic load
The meta-analysis looked at data from 24 studies to find a relationship between daily glycemic load and diabetes risk:
- The people in the studies reported their daily food intake on questionnaires.
- Glycemic load values were assigned for each food.
- The glycemic loads of the foods eaten in an average day were added to determine an initial daily glycemic load.
- Because some people eat a lot and others eat very little, each person’s initial daily glycemic load was adjusted to reflect the daily glycemic load for a person with the same diet eating 2,000 calories per day.
Low glycemic load diet prevents diabetes
The researchers found that eating a low glycemic load diet was protective against diabetes. Their analysis showed:
- The range of daily glycemic load across the studies was approximately 60 to 280 grams.
- For every 100-gram decrease in daily glycemic load, diabetes risk dropped by 45%.
- The protective effect of a low daily glycemic load was stronger in women.
- European Americans seemed to benefit more from a low-glycemic-load diet than people of other ethnicities.
“Altogether, our meta-analysis supports that glycemic load is an important and underestimated dietary characteristic that, among others, contributes significantly to the incidence of type 2 diabetes,” the study’s authors said.
Reduce your daily glycemic load
Here are some general ways to decrease your daily glycemic load and reduce type 2 diabetes risk:
- Choose fruits and vegetables with a high water content. Starchy fruits and vegetables like bananas and potatoes have higher glycemic loads. Dried fruits (including raisins) and fruit juices are also very glycemic. Choose melons, citrus, and pit fruits like peaches.
- Use whole grains. Choose brown rice over white rice and whole or steel cut oats over instant rolled oats. Pasta and bagels are best avoided—they have especially high glycemic loads because they are carbohydrate-dense.
- Snack on nuts. Nuts and seeds are low in carbohydrate and therefore have very low glycemic loads. They also have healthy fats that may also help to prevent diabetes and its consequences.
(Am J Clin Nutr 2013;97:584–96) |
I'm from Austria/Europe, and interested in some North American native plants specially. It would be great if you can help me with my two questions:
I read from different sources that it should be hardy to zone 6A. Is | I'm from Austria/Europe, and interested in some North American native plants specially. It would be great if you can help me with my two questions:
I read from different sources that it should be hardy to zone 6A. Is this true? And does it apply in general or just for northern origins? Do you know a seed source for Sapindus drummondii from regions with cold winters?
There are female and male plants, right? Can they be indentified before they reach blooming age?
Sap.drummondii and Rhus aromatica:
At what age do they bloom first?
Thanks for this great service!
As a representative of an organization dedicated to the promotion of native plants, I should first caution you that plants introduced into new regions have the potential to become invasives that over time could crowd out plants native to your region. Soapberry trees, for instance, tend to form groves once they become established, and sumacs have berries that many birds love, potentially causing them to spread far beyond their original planting site.
Western Soapberry, now known as Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii, is hardy to Zone 6A, reaching as far north as the southern half of Kansas and southwestern Missouri. Only those individuals from the northernmost reaches of the plant's range are likely to be able to withstand Zone 6 temperatures. For seed sources, go to our National Suppliers Directory's Seed Companies feature and enter Kansas or Missouri as the state or province. A list of potential seed sources will appear for you to contact.
Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica) does tend to have male and female flowers on separate plants, but the growers I contacted said they know of no way to identify gender on plants too young to flower.
Both plants should bloom in their second or third year, though this varies by region and local environment.
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Summer Milky Way
One of the great joys of a dark summer sky is the Milky Way -- a delicate band of light that looks like a glowing cloud. Its filaments of stars and voids are truly awe-inspiring -- but you have to | Summer Milky Way
One of the great joys of a dark summer sky is the Milky Way -- a delicate band of light that looks like a glowing cloud. Its filaments of stars and voids are truly awe-inspiring -- but you have to get far away from city lights to see them.
As darkness falls, the Milky Way arcs high across the eastern sky, running north to south. The W-shaped constellation Cassiopeia is near its northern end, the bright stars of the Summer Triangle mark its middle, and teapot-shaped Sagittarius anchors the southern end.
That band of light outlines the disk of the Milky Way galaxy. We're inside the disk, so the stars of the Milky Way surround us. But there are more stars when we look in the plane of the disk than when we look above or below it. It's like seeing the trees in a forest when you look to the sides, but open sky when you look up.
The galaxy spans a hundred thousand light-years, and it contains several hundred billion stars. The closest and brightest stars show up as individual pinpoints of light. But the others blend together to form the bright band of the Milky Way.
The Milky Way shines brightest in s |
1920, Duluth is home to a small black community.
It is a period of heightened racial conflict across the country.
Located along the shores of Lake Superior
in northeast Minnesota, Duluth is a harbor city with an industrial
past. | 1920, Duluth is home to a small black community.
It is a period of heightened racial conflict across the country.
Located along the shores of Lake Superior
in northeast Minnesota, Duluth is a harbor city with an industrial
past. In its early stages, it grew rapidly, taking advantage
of the abundance of valuable iron and timber in the region.
These resources, along with its location on one of the Great
Lakes and transcontinental railway connections, quickly made
Duluth a nationally important center for shipping and manufacturing.
Aerial view of
In 1920, Duluth was on the rise. From
1900 to 1920 the population of Duluth nearly doubled, growing
to 100,000 residents.¹ Thirty percent were foreign born; Scandinavians,
Poles, Italians, Finns, Slavs, Germans, Russians and other
Europeans came to Duluth in large numbers, finding work in
factories, shipyards, and railroads. Many of these immigrants
settled in West Duluth, a working class neighborhood.
View of Morgan
Duluth’s black community in 1920
numbered only 495.² While a few blacks held prominent positions
in the city, most found jobs as porters, waiters, janitors,
and factory workers. The United States Steel Corporation actively
recruited black laborers from southern states, and by 1920
a significant portion of the city’s blacks were employed
at the U.S. Steel plant.
Despite living in the far reaches of the
north, blacks in Duluth endured similar treatment as those
in the rest of the country. Certain restaurants did not serve
blacks. A downtown movie theater forced blacks to sit in the
balcony. Blacks working for U.S. Steel were paid less and
excluded from living in Morgan Park, an idyllic “model
city” specially built for U.S. Steel workers. Many settled
in nearby Gary, a poor neighborhood with substandard housing.
In 1920 America was in the midst of
a violent period of racial conflict. Discrimination and violence
greeted southern blacks as they migrated to northern cities
in large numbers, seeking jobs. Paid less and sometimes used
as strikebreakers, blacks were often seen by white and immigrant
communities as threats to their livelihood.
From the Minneapolis
Journal, July 30, 1919.
Just one year before the Duluth incident,
a rash of lynchings and race rioting erupted in twenty-five
cities throughout the country, including the midwestern cities
of Omaha and Chicago. Named the “Red Summer” of
1919, fifteen whites and twenty-three blacks were killed in
the Chicago riots alone.³ From 1889 to 1918 at
least 3,224 people were lynched nationwide, 79 percent of
them were black.4
The events in Duluth shocked many, but lynching was hardly new to the north.
From 1889 to 1918, at least 219 people were lynched in northern states.5 There have been at least
twenty lynching deaths in Minnesota history. Of this number, the only black
victims were the three men killed in Duluth on June 15, 1920.6 |
In this Third Edition of his bestselling book, Bill Rogers looks at the issues facing teachers working in today's classrooms. Describing real situations and dilemmas, he offers advice on dealing with the challenges of the job, and how building up a rapport | In this Third Edition of his bestselling book, Bill Rogers looks at the issues facing teachers working in today's classrooms. Describing real situations and dilemmas, he offers advice on dealing with the challenges of the job, and how building up a rapport with both students and colleagues can support good practice.
New to this edition are sections on:
- dealing with bullying;
- teaching students on the autistic spectrum in a mainstream classroom;
- working with very challenging students.
New features included in the text are:
- a wider range of case studies, covering students aged 4 to 18;
- questions for discussion;
- a Glossary of key terms.
Bill Rogers understands the demanding nature of the job, and offers wise words and inspirational encouragement to all those involved in educating our ch |
2013-06-27 / Local News
Leave Fireworks to the Professionals this Fourth of July
Each Fourth of July, thousands of people are injured from using consumer fireworks. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than | 2013-06-27 / Local News
Leave Fireworks to the Professionals this Fourth of July
Each Fourth of July, thousands of people are injured from using consumer fireworks. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 9,000 fireworks-related injuries happen each year. Of these, nearly half are headrelated injuries, with nearly 30 percent of these injuries to the eyes. One-fourth of fireworks eye injuries result in permanent vision loss or blindness.
An online subscription is required to view this content. |
Can Microsoft Save the World?
Microsoft Research teams with top scientists to tackle the world's most pressing problems -- and it could turn conventional computing on its head in the process.
Three years ago, William Henry Gates III ordered Microsoft Research to launch
a | Can Microsoft Save the World?
Microsoft Research teams with top scientists to tackle the world's most pressing problems -- and it could turn conventional computing on its head in the process.
Three years ago, William Henry Gates III ordered Microsoft Research to launch
a Science division. Money was one motive -- by staking out a position in the
growing field of scientific computing, future profits were insured. Fortunately
Microsoft Research doesn't have to turn every dollar and man-hour into marketable
products. The Science group has the wonderful freedom to work on the big problems:
global warming, disease, the future of medicine, the origin of the universe
and the creation of life -- those sorts of things.
Leading this charge is Stephen Emmott, director of the Microsoft Research European
Science Program, an Englishman with some 20 years of experience in science and
computing, including a stint at Bell Labs.
Emmott's main goal is to blend computer science and traditional science, and
in the process transform both. "We are at a profoundly important point
in time where computer science and computing have the potential to completely
revolutionize the sciences," Emmott says.
Microsoft doesn't plan to do this all alone. Today 14 Microsoft researchers
are working with some 40 scientists around the world. Those numbers are rapidly
expanding. "Within 12 months, there'll be 30 Microsoft Research Cambridge
scientists collaborating with around 80 to 100 scientists worldwide to build
new software tools for addressing important scientific challenges," Emmott
These efforts were given legs during the 2020 Science conference, where some
30 scientists, hailing from nations from Japan to Germany and representing universities
such as Stanford and companies like GlaxoSmithKline Inc., gathered. The group
produced an 82-page oversized glossy book, "Towards 2020 Science,"
outlining their goals, technologies and plans.
The conference also set the stage for research projects, now ongoing, that
match Microsoft researchers with their scientific counterparts.
"The real benefits come from bringing together people from Microsoft Research
-- whether they're computer scientists or computational biologists or computational
climatologists or oceanographers -- with people in the wider science community,
to do the kinds of things that neither of us could do on our own," Emmott
Understanding Life Bit by Bit
One of the more interesting Microsoft projects is "Simulating Biological
Systems in the Stochastic Pi Calculus." The idea is to create a more scaleable
way to track "the behavior of biological systems." One approach |
Sickle Cell Anemia Symptoms: What you should look for?
Sickle cell anemia symptoms usually involve severe pain that is unbearable and has to be countered with analgesics. The disease is called so because the blood cells here turn from round | Sickle Cell Anemia Symptoms: What you should look for?
Sickle cell anemia symptoms usually involve severe pain that is unbearable and has to be countered with analgesics. The disease is called so because the blood cells here turn from round to sickle shaped and this impedes blood flow and can cause the liver to clog up and hinders the body’s ability to fight infections.
Sickle cell anemia symptoms, if they show up, need expert medical attention as this is a form of Thalassemia. The sickle cell anemia usually shows up in people of African origin including African Americans as these people are prone to the condition. It is a very common blood disorder and is hereditary in nature. The disease affects the red blood cells and is called ‘sickle cell’ for a reason. The red blood cells in the human body are usually round, disc shaped, but when this disease affects the body, they become crescent shaped or ‘sickle shaped’, hence the name.
Sickle Cell Anemia Symptoms: Outside The Body
Symptoms of Sickle Cell also manifest themselves outside the body at a macro level. But the effects of the disease are that the blood does not carry oxygen like it is supposed to. It affects the effectiveness of the blood when it comes to carrying oxygen. And overall, blood flow is also affected as these sickle cells don’t flow through the bloodstream as easily as the normal cells do. Also, these cells carry an abnormal form of hemoglobin known as hemoglobin S. And a person who has this disease is also prone to infections because these sickle cells can clog up the spleen. Also, these sickle cells die out after 10-20 days.
Diagnosis of the disease involves a CBC blood test where all the constituents of blood are examined. Symptoms of Sickle cell anemia include pain attacks that can occur sporadically anywhere in the body – hands, back, legs, chest, joints, etc. The spleen gets clogged and the spleen or liver can grow to an abnormally large size and its ability to protect the body from infections is compromised. The pain is severe and often times unbearable. Pain, when it occurs should immediately be countered with an off-the shelf painkiller. Another remedy for quick relief is to ingest a lot of fluids orally or to have fluids injected that will help the blood flow and this will ease the pain to a great extent.
If sickle cell anemia symptoms show up, they require medical attention. There is no proper cure for this disease but there are ways to counter the symptoms. Patients suffering from th |
Environmental Issues: Environmental Justice
All Documents in Environmental Justice Tagged respiratory illness
- Harboring Pollution: The Dirty Truth about U.S. Ports
- Marine ports in the United States are major hubs of economic activity and major sources of pollution | Environmental Issues: Environmental Justice
All Documents in Environmental Justice Tagged respiratory illness
- Harboring Pollution: The Dirty Truth about U.S. Ports
- Marine ports in the United States are major hubs of economic activity and major sources of pollution. This March 2004 report by NRDC and the Coalition for Clean Air assesses efforts at the 10 largest U.S. ports to control pollution, and provides an overview of policy and practical pollution mitigation recommendations.
- Harboring Pollution: Strategies to Clean Up U.S. Ports
- U.S. seaports are the largest and most poorly regulated sources of urban pollution in the country. This August 2004 report by NRDC and the Coalition for Clean Air provides practical strategies and policies for port operators, regulatory agencies, and community-based organizations to reduce health-endangering air and water pollution, noise and light pollution that disrupts communities near ports, and harm to marine habitats.
Documents Tagged respiratory illness in All Sections
- Coal is Dirty and Dangerous
Efficiency and renewables are better options for repowering America with clean energy
- Coal is America’s No. 1 global warming polluter, despite the industry hype. Clean energy alternatives are better choices for our health, welfare and the U.S. economy.
- Boosting the Benefits
Improving Air Quality and Health by Reducing Global Warming Pollution in California
- California has the opportunity to combat global warming while simultaneously improving air quality and public health throughout the state. Measures being considered under the California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32) could save hundred |
Proponents of legalizing cannabis for medicinal use suggest the drug could help many who currently suffer from illness and disease. Opponents of the idea assert that the legal drugs currently available provide appropriate relief from relevant symptoms. These different viewpoints have inspired spirited debates | Proponents of legalizing cannabis for medicinal use suggest the drug could help many who currently suffer from illness and disease. Opponents of the idea assert that the legal drugs currently available provide appropriate relief from relevant symptoms. These different viewpoints have inspired spirited debates. An unbiased assessment of the drug's costs and benefits requires extensive research. Investigations must reveal the drug's ability to alleviate symptoms without creating unsatisfactory side effects. This chapter outlines a brief history of marijuana's medical uses and discusses important considerations in evaluating relevant research. An overview of marijuana's applications follows, examining the available data on its utility as a treatment for many physical ailments.
Oxford Scholarship Online requires a subscription or purchase to access the full text of books within the service. Public users can however freely search the site and view the abstracts and keywords for each book and chapter.
If you think you should have access to this title, please contact your librarian. |
2005 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor - Zimbabwe
|Publisher||United States Department of Labor|
|Author||Bureau of International Labor Affairs|
|Publication Date||29 August 2006|
|Cite as||United | 2005 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor - Zimbabwe
|Publisher||United States Department of Labor|
|Author||Bureau of International Labor Affairs|
|Publication Date||29 August 2006|
|Cite as||United States Department of Labor, 2005 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor - Zimbabwe, 29 August 2006, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/48d749151c.html [accessed 13 December 2013]|
|Disclaimer||This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.|
|Selected Child Labor Measures Adopted by Governments|
|Ratified Convention 138 6/6/2000||✓|
|Ratified Convention 182 12/11/2000||✓|
|ILO-IPEC Associated Member||✓|
|National Plan for Children|
|National Child Labor Action Plan|
|Sector Action Plan|
Incidence and Nature of Child Labor
Statistics on the number of working children under age 15 in Zimbabwe are unavailable.5080 Over 90 percent of economically active children age 5 to 17 reside in rural areas.5081 These children often work in traditional and commercial farming, forestry, and fishing.5082 Many of these children work for long hours in the fields, in some cases in order to pay for schooling.5083 The incidence of child labor on commercial farms has decreased, however, as a result of the government's land redistribution program.5084 Children also work in domestic service, small-scale mining, gold panning, quarrying, construction, microindustries, manufacturing, trade, restaurants, and as beggars.5085 The high unemployment rate has contributed to an increased incidence of children working in the informal sector as more children have been forced to fill the income gap left by ill and unemployed relatives.5086 Child labor is one of many problems associated with poverty. In 1995, the most recent year for which data are available, 56.1 percent of the population in Zimbabwe were living on less than USD 1 a day.5087
In July 2002, the government announced that as of January 2003, national youth training camps, also known as youth militia training, would be compulsory for all children completing school.5088 While the purpose of the camps is to build self-esteem, equip children with job skills, and reinforce their understanding of Zimbabwe's struggle for independence, reports indicate that no real vocational instruction takes place and that trainees are subjected to poor conditions and political indoctrination.5089 In addition, girls as young as 11 or 12 were said to have been repeatedly raped at the camps, including by officials.5090
The HIV/AIDS epidemic has also increased children's vulnerability to exploitative work.5091 The epidemic has left close to 1 million children orphaned and has forced children or adolescents who head their families to work in order to survive.5092 Government-funded and private orphanages are filled to capacity, and the number of street children continued to rise dramatically, severely straining formal and traditional social safety systems.5093 The situation facing many children has led them to rely increasingly on dangerous survival strategies such as poaching, theft, and prostitution.5094
Zimbabwe is a source and transit country for the trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and children, according to the U.S. Department of State.5095 There were reports that women and children were internally trafficked to southern border towns as well |
In IPCC 1995 [SAR] – An Extended Excerpt, I quoted the following key statements from IPCC 1995:
Alpine glacier advance and retreat chronologies (Wigley and Kelly, 1990) suggest that in | In IPCC 1995 [SAR] – An Extended Excerpt, I quoted the following key statements from IPCC 1995:
Alpine glacier advance and retreat chronologies (Wigley and Kelly, 1990) suggest that in at least alpine areas, global 20th century temperatures may be warmer than any century since 1000 AD and perhaps as warm as any extended period (of several centuries) in the past 10,000 years. Crowley and Kim (1995) estimate the variability of global mean temperature on century time scales over the past millennium as less than +- 0.5 deg C. [my italic]
Then I wondered:
These last two lines are the ones that jettison the issue of attribution of past climate change. I’ll try to get to comments on the two sources quoted here. It would be nice if they were relying on sources that were not so closely associated with the campaign. I wonder how strong Wigley and Kelly, 1990 and Crowley and Kim, 1995 really are, especially relative to some of the recent work from Joerin and Nicolussi noted up recently on this site.
Wigley and Kelly, 1990 did not support the claims attributed to them at all, as discussed here. Here’s the rest of the story on Crowley and Kim, 1995, which proves to be no better than a secondary and perhaps tertiary source. I have now consulted Crowley and Kim 1995 and will post up a pdf if there is any demand. This is a model study based on an Energy Balance Model and does not contain any discussion of proxies. It compares projected temperature increases under this model to past temperatures. The main lifting is done in their Figure 3, shown below with the original caption. The historical part of this graph is interesting since it shows the striking and long-term decline in global temperature over the past 50 million years with temperatures in the most "recent" period (on say a 100,000 year step) being the lowest in the entire period (perhaps also in the 500 million year period), Figure 3. Comparison of future greenhouse projections against the geologic record. Curves on the right represent estimates of global temperature change in the past from the oxygen isotope record (see Fig. 4); green represents differences from the Holocene core tops and magenta represents differences from the observed global average temperature. Crossbars indicate fitting points for calibration of oxygen isotope curve in terms of global temperature (See text). Labeled scale on right-hand side represents calculated values for peak warming on left-hand side of figure. Curves on the left represent estimates from restricted and unrestricted CO2 scenarios, utilizing the standard IPCC range and best guess for sensitivities equivalent to CO2 doubling. "Error bars" represents a generous estimate of the range of natural variability based on records of the last 1000 years [Crowley and North, 1991]. [my bold - see the scale denoted +- 0.5 degree C in the bottom left hand corner of the figure.] The comment in the caption to Figure 3 is made in passing once more in the running text as follows:
The projected increase in global average temperatures for all scenarios also greatly exceeds the past record of climate variations over the last millennium [Crowley and North 1991] (Paleoclimatology, Oxford University Press, 339 pp). A generous estimate of that natural variability for that time is +- 0.5 degree C.
So Crowley and Kim is not a primary source for the estimate of "variability of global mean temperature on century time scales over the past millennium"; it is a secondary source relying on a textbook, which is probably not a primary source either. One would have hoped for a little more from the numerous review iterations and thousands of scientists involved in an IPCC assessment report. Anyway on to Crowley and North, 1991 to see what it says. |
learn more about names for this taxon
Crocus sativus Trusted
© Ivo Antušek
Liriodendron tulipifera Trusted
© Macomb Paynes
EOL Rapid Response Team
Malv | learn more about names for this taxon
Crocus sativus Trusted
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Liriodendron tulipifera Trusted
© Macomb Paynes
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Malvaviscus arboreus Trusted
© Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten and Petra Ballings
Flora of Zimbabwe
Toxophora leucopyga Trusted • Pluchea Trusted
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Oliver Hruby added the Slovak common name "Javor" to "Acer".
about 1 hour ago
Oliver Hruby added the Slovak common name "Baza čierna" to "Sambucus nigra L.".
Oliver Hruby removed a co |
|Issue 14.04 - April 2006
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Rants + Raves
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As NASA's Stardust probe parachuted toward Utah in January, scientists weren't the | |Issue 14.04 - April 2006
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Rants + Raves
- More »
As NASA's Stardust probe parachuted toward Utah in January, scientists weren't the only ones holding their breath. Some 65,000 members of Stardust@Home were also standing by, waiting for a chance to lay eyes on interstellar particles caught by the probe on the way to comet Wild 2. Using special software, @homers will pore over magnified pieces of aerogel (the transparent silicon-based foam used to capture samples) scanning for bits of dust.
Unlike the similarly named SETI@home, which analyzes radio signals from space on PCs, the new project relies on human eyes and brains. Computers can't handle this job, says Andrew Westphal, the UC Berkeley astrophysicist who started Stardust@home. "We don't even know what a typical grain looks like." Figuring it out could make interstellar history.
- Michael Reilly |
A Road to Freedom 07 August 2013
Talcott Hall Sculpture and Healing Garden commemorates Oberlin as a major stop on the Underground Railroad, the secret route by which abolitionists and other activists helped slaves escape to freedom in | A Road to Freedom 07 August 2013
Talcott Hall Sculpture and Healing Garden commemorates Oberlin as a major stop on the Underground Railroad, the secret route by which abolitionists and other activists helped slaves escape to freedom in communities in the North and in Canada during the Civil War era.
As a senior at Oberlin College in 1977, Cameron Armstrong constructed the railroad piece as part of a class art project. The Class of 1977 donated funds that enabled the college to preserve his work as a permanent structure, located near Talcott Hall. A healing garden of flowering and leafed plants used by slaves on their road to freedom surrounds the sculpture.
Photograph by Yvonne Gay Fowler |
(Latin: optimus, best)
May be understood as a metaphysical theory, or as an emotional disposition. In philosophy, the theory proposed by Leibnitz, that the world, as the product of a Perfect, All-Good | (Latin: optimus, best)
May be understood as a metaphysical theory, or as an emotional disposition. In philosophy, the theory proposed by Leibnitz, that the world, as the product of a Perfect, All-Good Creator, is the best conceivable world and essentially good.
God foresaw all possible worlds, and was bound to choose the best.
The fact of evil is explained as a necessary product of metaphysical finiteness and moral freedom.
Physical evil is a punishment for abuse of the latter.
In a more moderate sense, optimism holds that the world is good, and the best possible fulfillment of the purpose of the Creator.
It is also an evolutionary theory that the world is constantly tending to a h |
Scientists Watch for a "Hartley-id" Meteor Shower
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Oct. 27, 2010: This month, Comet Hartley 2 has put on a good show for | Scientists Watch for a "Hartley-id" Meteor Shower
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Oct. 27, 2010: This month, Comet Hartley 2 has put on a good show for backyard astronomers. The comet's vivid green atmosphere and auburn tail of dust look great through small telescopes, and NASA's Deep Impact/EPOXI probe is about to return even more dramatic pictures when it flies past the comet's nucleus on Nov. 4th.
Another kind of show might be in the offing as well. Could this comet produce a meteor shower?
"Probably not," says Bill Cooke of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office, "but the other night we saw something that makes me wonder."
On Oct 16th, a pair of NASA all-sky cameras caught an unusual fireball streaking across the night sky over Alabama and Georgia. It was bright, slow, and--here's what made it unusual--strangely similar to a fireball that passed over eastern Canada less than five hours earlier. The Canadian fireball was recorded by another set of all-sky cameras operated by the University of Western Ontario (UWO). Because the fireballs were recorded by multiple cameras, it was possible to triangulate their positions and backtrack their orbits before they hit Earth. This led to a remarkable conclusion:
"The orbits of the two fireballs were very similar," Cooke says. "It's as if they came from a common parent."
There's a candidate only 11 million miles away: Small but active Comet Hartley 2 is making one of the closest approaches to Earth of any comet in centuries. It turns out that the orbits of the two fireballs were not only similar to one another, but also roughly similar to the orbit of the comet. Moreover, meteoroids from Comet Hartley would be expected to hit Earth's atmosphere at a relatively slow speed--just like the two fireballs did.
Cooke stresses that this could be a coincidence. "Thousands of meteoroids hit Earth's atmosphere every night. Some of them are bound to look like 'Hartley-ids' just by pure chance."
Even so, he plans to keep an eye out for more in the nights ahead, especially on Nov. 2nd and 3rd. That's when a potential Hartley-id meteor shower would be most intense, according to calculations by meteor expert Peter Brown of UWO.
The comet was closest to Earth on Oct. 20th, but that's not necessarily the shower's peak-time. Cooke explains: "The comet has been sputtering space dust for thousands of years, making a cloud that is much bigger than the comet itself. Solar radiation pressure and planetary encounters cause the comet and the dust cloud to diverge—not a lot, but enough to make the date of the shower different from the date of the comet's closest approach."
If there is a Hartley-id shower—"that's a big IF," notes Cooke--it would emanate from the constellation Cygnus the Swan, visible to observers in the northern hemisphere almost directly overhead after sunset in early November. Lunar interference should not be a problem. On Nov. 2nd and 3rd, the Moon will be a slender crescent, providing dark skies for a meteor watch.
"I'll definitely have our cameras turned on," says Cooke. "It's probably going to be a non-event. On the other hand," he points out, "we might discover a whole new meteor shower."
Author: Dr. Tony Phillips | Credit: Science@NASA
NASA |
Hafiz might not have been able to cross the road because he may have been drunk much of the time. Writing about a hundred years after the better known Persian poet, Rumi, Hafiz ( 1320-1389), | Hafiz might not have been able to cross the road because he may have been drunk much of the time. Writing about a hundred years after the better known Persian poet, Rumi, Hafiz ( 1320-1389), also known as Shams, born in the Persian city of Shiraz, is said to have produced over 5000 poems in his lifetime of which only about 500 survive. Many of his poems, appear to be about wine, though historically, these references are taken to be metaphors for God and god's love. In the introduction to his book, "Drunk On The Wine of The Beloved," Thomas Rain Crowe describes allusions to the Winebringer, Winemaker, and Wineseller as metaphors for God. So did all you distributors, grapegrowers, winemakers, and retailers know that you have been compared to God by a great poet? In this metaphorical view, wine is love, the wineglass, the heart, and the Beloved, God. The Beloved can be represented by the rose, the sun, the falcon, the friend, the painter, the architect, the gardener. Much of the action in these poems takes place in the Winehouse or Wine Seller's Street. Raines says this is not a simple |
Monopsony in Law and Economics:Most readers are familiar with the concept of a monopoly. A monopolist is the only seller of a good or service for which there are not good substitutes. Economists and policy makers are concerned about monopol | Monopsony in Law and Economics:Most readers are familiar with the concept of a monopoly. A monopolist is the only seller of a good or service for which there are not good substitutes. Economists and policy makers are concerned about monopolies because they lead to higher prices and lower output. The topic of this book is monopsony, the economic condition in which there is one buyer of a good or service. It is a common misunderstanding that if monopolists raise prices, then monopsonists must lower them. It is true that a monopsonist may force sellers to sell to them at lower prices, but this does not mean consumers are better off as a result. This book explains why monopsonists can be harmful and the way law has developed to respond to these harms.
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Rent Monopsony in Law and Economics 2nd edition today, or search our site for Roger D. textbooks. Every textbook comes with a 21-day "Any Reason" guarantee. Published by Cambridge University Press. |
How does paternity testing work?
You get half your genetic information from your mother and half from your father. To carry out a paternity test, scientists take a pinprick of blood from the child, the mother and the supposed father. | How does paternity testing work?
You get half your genetic information from your mother and half from your father. To carry out a paternity test, scientists take a pinprick of blood from the child, the mother and the supposed father. Half the DNA fragments that make up a child's STR profiles come from the mother and half from the natural father. If the child's STR profile contains fragments that can't be matched to the supposed father, he can be ruled out as the child's natural father. |
NELLES, ABRAM (Abraham), Church of England clergyman, missionary, and translator; b. 25 Dec. 1805 at Forty-Mile Creek (Grimsby), Upper Canada, third son of Robert Nelles | NELLES, ABRAM (Abraham), Church of England clergyman, missionary, and translator; b. 25 Dec. 1805 at Forty-Mile Creek (Grimsby), Upper Canada, third son of Robert Nelles* and Elizabeth Moore; m. first 3 May 1831 Hannah Macklem (d. 6 July 1863) of Chippawa (now part of Niagara Falls, Ont.), and they had two sons; m. secondly in 1866 Sarah Macklem, a cousin of his first wife, and they had a son and a daughter; d. 20 Dec. 1884 in Brantford, Ont.
Abram Nelles was descended from a Mohawk River valley family of German origin. The loyalist migrations of the late 18th century brought this family of prosperous farmers from New York into the Niagara peninsula where they were the pioneers of the village of Forty-Mile Creek, Grimsby Township, Upper Canada. The Nelles family appears to have been an early benefactor of the Church of England and Abram pursued studies towards a career in the ministry at York (Toronto) under the direction of John Strachan* and Alexander Neil Bethune*. Nelles’ father and grandfather had both been involved in the conduct of Indian diplomacy and it may have been this influence that led him at the age of 21 to offer his services as a student missionary to the Six Nations at Grand River.
Few clergymen in the western part of the diocese of Quebec were attracted to the isolation, the linguistic and cultural differences, and the uncertain living conditions of the Indian missions. Financial constraints made it impossible for the church in Upper Canada to underwrite costs, and agencies such as the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel and the interdenominational New England Company financed the missions. Bishop Charles James Stewart* of Quebec was pleased by Nelles’ sense of commitment and entertained great hopes for his future. He petitioned the SPG to provide funds for an extra studentship at the Grand River Reserve so that Nelles might attach himself to the mission that the Reverend Robert Lugger* maintained there. The society obliged by providing an extra £50 per year, enabling Nelles to study Iroquoian dialects during a two-year apprenticeship from 1827 to 1829.
Ordained deacon at York by Bishop Stewart on 14 June 1829 and priested the following year, Nelles soon transferred his services from the SPG, which was experiencing financial difficulty, to the New England Company, which supported Lugger. Nelles was stationed at Tuscarora for the next several years and on 30 Sept. 1837 became the senior missionary to the Grand River community, Lugger having died the previous March. He was succeeded at Tuscarora by Adam Elliot*.
Nelles’ new post carried with it the rectorship of the Mohawk Church and the principalship of the Mohawk Institute, a day-school operated by the New England Company for Indian students. Under his administration for 35 years, the institute, teaching both academic and practical subjects, became a model for Indian schools which had assimilation of the Indians as their object. As early as 1844 Nelles transformed the institute into a boarding-school for 50 children. Many students’ families were scattered about the reserve and “living in” was necessary for the school’s success. His students included several who became prominent Indian leaders, for example, George Henry Martin Johnson.
The missionary’s concern for the welfare of his parishioners earned him the respect of both Indians and whites in the surrounding community. He was given a Mohawk name, Shadekareenhes, meaning “two trees of equal height.” Nelles used his knowledge of the Mohawk language to publish in 1839 a hymnal entitled A collection of psalms and hymns, in the Mohawk language, for the use of the Six Nations Indians, translated by catechist Henry Aaron Hill*, and in 1842 an edition in Mohawk of the Book of Common Prayer; both were published in Hamilton, Upper Canada. Active in the affairs of the Anglican diocese of Huron after its formation in 1857, he received several ecclesiastical distinctions including, in 1868, those of canon of St Paul’s Cathedral in London and rural dean of Brant. In 1872 he retired from the Mohawk Institute although he retained the rectorship of the Mohawk Church. Six years later he was appointed archdeacon of Brant by Bishop Isaac Hellmuth* and held that position together with the rectorship until his death in 1884. He was buried in the churchyard of the Mohawk Church.
The Archives of the Diocese of Huron of the Anglican Church of Canada, located at Huron College, London, Ont., provides important information on the career of Abram Nelles in its holdin |
The James Webb Space Telescope (sometimes called JWST) is an orbiting infrared observatory that will
complement and extend the discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope, with longer wavelength coverage and greatly improved sensitivity.
The longer wavelengths enable the Webb | The James Webb Space Telescope (sometimes called JWST) is an orbiting infrared observatory that will
complement and extend the discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope, with longer wavelength coverage and greatly improved sensitivity.
The longer wavelengths enable the Webb telescope to look much closer to the beginning of time and to hunt for the unobserved formation of the first galaxies,
as well as to look inside dust clouds where stars and planetary systems are forming today.
|Proposed Launch Date:
||The project is working to a 2018 launch date.
||Ariane 5 ECA
| Mission Duration
||5 - 10 years
|Total payload mass:
||Approx 6200 kg, including observatory, on-orbit consumables and launch
|Diameter of primary Mirror:
|| ~6.5 m (21.3 ft)
|Clear aperture of primary Mirror:
|| 25 m2
|Primary mirror material:
|Mass of primary mirror:
|| 705 kg
|Mass of a single primary mirror segment:
|| 20.1 kg for a single beryllium mirror, 39.48 kg for one entire primary mirror segment assembly (PMSA).
|Number of primary mirror segments:
|| ~0.1 arc-seconds
||0.6 - 28 microns
|Size of sun shield:
||21.197 m x 14.162 m (69.5 ft x 46.5 ft)
||1.5 million km from Earth at L2 Point
||under 50 K (-370 °F)
||Thickness of gold coating = 100 x 10-9 meters (1000 angstroms). Surface area = 25 m2. Using these numbers plus the density of gold at room temperature (19.3 x 10-6 g/m3), the coating is calculated to use 48.25g of gold, about equal to a golf ball. (A golf ball weighs 45.9 grams.) |
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