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We love nurses. Their dedication to and compassion for their patients are unmatched. These heroes of the healthcare field put their lives on the line to keep us healthy, and they deserve the very best personal protective equipment (PPE) available. Unfortunately, many nurses aren’t wearing protective eyewear, which is a really big deal. Consider these eye-opening facts from the International Safety Center’s Exposure Prevention Information Network: - Blood and body fluid exposures (BBFE) can happen to anyone in a medical setting, but nurses in acute-care settings (where patients remain under constant care) are the most vulnerable. - Over half of the BBFE that nurses encounter are from body fluids visibly contaminated with blood. That means if you are getting splashed, it’s probably going to be with someone else’s blood. - Over 80% of the BBFE occurs on the face. Over 60% occurs in the eyes. The most alarming fact? Only about 8% of the nurses that reported BBFE’s were wearing protective eye goggles or glasses. With so many options for safety goggles available, why would nurses elect not to wear them? Why Aren’t Nurses Wearing Safety Goggles? There may be many reasons why a nurse isn’t wearing protective glasses or goggles. Some cite the failure of management to enforce their use. Others may find themselves in a situation where safety goggles aren’t available. Here are some of the top reasons a nurse isn’t protecting their eyes: They Aren’t Comfortable Discomfort is one of the top complaints about safety goggles. Goggles may feel tight on the head, may apply too much pressure to the face, and may not adjust for a proper fit. If the goggles must be used over corrective lenses and frames, the discomfort is even worse. Many safety goggles are classically bulky and oversized, which may slip and slide on the face. In these cases, wearing the goggles isn’t safe because it causes a distraction. They Can’t See Fogging, dirt, grime, and lack of available prescription goggles may also cause a nurse to neglect eye protection. If safety goggles need to be removed to be cleaned repeatedly, they’re more of a nuisance. It’s also dangerous to have to remove glasses with contaminated fingers to clean them. If a nurse needs corrective lenses and doesn’t want to wear goggles over them (because it’s uncomfortable), they won’t be able to see clearly unless the goggles have prescription frames. Most of the time, the goggles they may be issued at work don’t have prescription lenses. Let’s be honest. Most safety goggles aren’t trending on social media. They’re necessary and effective, but most manufacturers completely disregard the fact that you’ll be wearing these on your face for hours at a time. It’s not wrong to want something that makes you comfortable and lets you retain some manner of awesomeness at the same time. 5 Best Safety Goggles for Nurses You need safety goggles that protect but are also comfortable enough you’ll be encouraged to wear them. Additionally, the safety goggles you pick should meet OSHA requirements for safety. Here are the top five best safety goggles features for nurses: 1. Anti-Fog Coating There’s nothing worse than donning a pair of safety goggles to have them immediately fog. Not only does this mean you can’t focus on your task, but you’ll also be tempted to take them off to clean them. Removing your safety goggles to clean them has two dangers: - You’ll expose your eyes to pathogens, spills, and splatters. - Cleaning your glasses with contaminated fingers or wipes could spread bacteria that could get into your eyes. Safety goggles with anti-fog coating are protected against fogging, especially with a little help from additional anti-fog drops. No matter what the climate or humidity level, your goggles won’t fog and block your vision. Bonus, they even hold up against stress sweat. 2. Blue Light Blocking You know your job involves patient care...and a lot of data entry. When you’re entering those reports, you’re exposed to blue light. Blue light is emitted by the sun and from devices like computers, tablets, and smartphones. Blue light can be damaging to your eyes, but it can also cause headaches and eye strain. Blue light-blocking lenses can help protect your eyes from blue light. 3. Full, All-Around Protection Won’t my regular glasses protect me? Sure, they’ll offer some protection, but your regular eyeglasses don’t offer the same type of protection that safety goggles do. Safety goggles offer protection on the sides of your eyes. Side shields protect your eyes where normal glasses have a large gap. Safety goggles also have top shields that protect your eyes where your eyeglasses gap near your eyebrows. 4. Prescription Availability No one likes to wear safety goggles over their corrective frames. Instead, opt for safety goggles that can be ordered with your corrective lens prescription. You’ll be able to see clearly and won’t be forced to stuff your fancy frames under your protective goggles. 5. Stylish Options Yes, style is important. The truth is, you’re just not going to wear something that makes you feel awkward. It’s distracting, and you’ll spend more time focusing on that awkwardness instead of your task. Plus, when we look better, we do better, according to studies. Good for you; you no longer have to pick between protection and style. Stoggles for Nurses Stoggles are the only protective eyewear that fit like glasses, protect like goggles, and look like your favorite frames. With Stoggles, you get incredibly comfortable protection and glasses so attractive you’ll find yourself wearing them off-duty. Stoggles are available with prescription lenses. We handle all our prescription requests in-house, saving you time and money while you shop the best selection of safety glasses/goggles available. All Stoggles safety glasses come standard with blue-light and anti-fog coating, so you never have to worry about eye strain, computer glare, or steamy conditions. You can rest easy knowing that all Stoggles safety glasses are ANSI Z87.1 certified to be impact resistant. Get Your Goggles On As a nurse, it’s hard to think about yourself, but you need safety goggles all the time, not just when the risk of exposure is higher than normal. Keeping your safety goggles on while you work will create a routine that will keep you safe. Need more convincing? - The CDC says so. The CDC recommends that nurses wear protective safety goggles to protect against blood droplets, liquid splashes, and respiratory droplets. They also identify it as a way to keep eyes protected from contaminated fingers. - Safety glasses protect you against flying objects. Whether you’re dodging flying surgical instruments or dealing with a combative patient, safety glasses with impact-resistant lenses and frames keep you safe. - Lab settings. Think you don’t need safety glasses because you’re behind a microscope all day? Even the most seasoned nurses and doctors need safety goggles to protect against accidents. Safety goggles are the right choice for keeping your eyes protected and giving you peace of mind so that you never have to wonder if a splash or splatter made it to your eyes or not. Safety Goggles the Stoggles Way You’ve got options for safety goggles; why not choose the only protective specs that offer protection, comfort, and style? Stoggles keep your eyes safe during your night shift and looking cool, calm, and collected during the day.
Scots dialect idiom for good luck "Lang may yir lum reek wi ither fowk's coal" - Traditional saying It's one of those odd things about language - very often we use it without understanding the background. Wishing people good luck or best wishes is one of those things - superstition and mystery wrapped up in odd linguistic fashion. Just consider the phrase "break a leg" as an example. Ordinarily most people would never wish anyone that kind of injury, but to an actor, that's an expression of hope that they'll have a good performance. There's also a British drinks toast, "here's mud in your eye", which has often baffled me. Why wish someone impaired vision, and possibly pain? Unless one is in the habit of drinking with one's enemies, it makes little sense. Silly Brits. Thankfully, this little expression is quite clear, provided one can plough through the Scots English. Literally, it means "Long may your chimney smoke with other people's coal". So you sit in your inglenook, warm and safe - as our favourite Vulcan might say, "Live long and prosper". The "other fowk's coal" is possibly a reference to first-footing, a Scottish New Year's Eve ("Hogmanay") tradition in which visitors bring a piece of coal to a house when they visit. On the other hand, it could indicate generosity, or prosperity! So, have many friends, live a long time, be warm, good luck. I typoed "Vulvan" for "Vulcan". Can you say "Freudian slip"? I knew you could. Thanks Jangie for helping me avoid embarrassment.
It is the posterior part of the central nervous system that runs mid-dorsally within the vertebral column. It is an elongated, almost cylindrical part. It extends from the medulla oblongata through the protective bony arch of each vertebrae to the level of the second lumbar vertebra. It measures 42 to 45 cm long and 2cm thick. It is surrounded by three protective meninges:- dura mater, arachnoid and pia mater. It arises from the base of the brain and remains almost the length of the vertebral column. Below the second number vertebra, spinal nerves arise from the spinal cord. Internally, the spinal cord is divided into left and right symmetrical halves by a posterior median sulcus and anterior median fissure. In the centre there is a central canal surrounded by a butterfly shaped area of grey mater. Around the grey matter, there is white matter. The grey matter is H shaped projecting dorsally into two dorsal and two ventral horns. The grey matter contains the bodies of neurons with tree-like branching of dendrons and neuroglial cells. The central canal contains cerebrospinal fluid. In each segment of the spinal cord, a spinal nerve arises from each side of the cord. There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves that arise from different segments of the spinal cord. Each spinal cord nerve carries both sensory and motor impulses. Functions of the spinal cord i) It is the center of spinal reflex action. ii)Stimuli are passed from and to the brain through the spinal cord.
They were carnivorous plants that possessed between one and four stalks, each with a mouth on the end, that protruded from a leafy central bush. Though these plants could survive solely on water and sunlight like a normal plant, Tooke-traps also preyed on small rodents and insects. Their main prey was the Tooke, from which the species derived its name. Because the fragrance it emitted was identical to that of Tooke mating pheromones, Tookes found it irresistible. Gungans found the plants to be excellent house plants. Tooke-trap plants would sometimes form a symbiotic relationship with a Shiro. In return for the Tooke-trap's protection, the Shiro provided locomotion. These symbioses were referred to as shiro-traps.
The news: Infant mortality is an important indicator of development and quality of life associated with important factors such as medical care, public health and socioeconomic conditions. But while infant mortality might be on the decline throughout the world, the situation in U.S. is far from good. In a disconcerting new report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that among the 28 wealthiest nations in the world, the U.S. ranks worst when it comes to infant mortality rates. Globally, the U.S. ranks in 51st place, comparable to Croatia, and has triple the rate found in developmentally similar countries such as Finland and Japan. And some states are worse off than others: "If Alabama were a country, its rate of 8.7 infant deaths per 1,000 would place it slightly beyond Lebanon in the world rankings. Mississippi, with its 9.6 deaths, would be somewhere between Botswana and Bahrain," the Washington Post reported. "I think we've known for a long time that the U.S. has a higher preterm birth rate, but this higher infant mortality rate for full-term, big babies who should have really good survival prospects is not what we expected," study lead author and CDC statistician Marian MacDorman told HealthDay. It's no coincidence Finland is doing so well. As previously reported by Mic, Finland has been lauded for its maternity and prenatal care programs. And all you have to do is take a look at its famous "baby boxes" to see why. In 1938, the Finnish government started giving out a starter kit of sorts to low-income expectant mothers, filled with baby clothes, sheets and more. Eleven years later, the gift was extended to all pregnant Finnish women. These supplies, along with mandated, free visits to prenatal clinics before entering the fourth month of pregnancy, drastically improved infant health. While Finland's maternity-box program might not be the sole contributing factor to this decline, it does symbolize the country's investment in maternal health. In the 1960s, Finland created a national health insurance system and central hospital network, which likely also help decrease infant mortality. There are also socioeconomic issues at play. Recent research from University of South California, University of Chicago and MIT has attempted to uncover why the U.S infant mortality rate is so high. While improvements in preterm birth care is one factor — more preterm babies are being saved, but they might not survive due to complications — the researchers noted socioeconomic disadvantage plays a huge role in infants' chance for survival. "We document that the US postneonatal disadvantage is driven almost entirely by excess mortality among individuals of lower socioeconomic status. We show that infants born to white, college-educated, married women in the U.S. have mortality rates that are essentially indistinguishable from a similar advantaged demographic in Austria and Finland," the researchers wrote. At every level of education, infant mortality for black mothers is twice that of white mothers. The same goes for maternal mortality: Death from pregnancy or birth is three times as likely for black women than white women, making U.S. one of the only countries where maternal mortality is actually increasing. And on top of the racial disparities, income inequality plays a major factor in the varying infant mortality rates, especially in the U.S. Despite efforts like Obamacare to improve prenatal and maternal care, infant and maternal mortality are likely to remain high until socioeconomic factors that disadvantage certain groups of women are actually addressed. While improvements in the U.S. healthcare system under the Affordable Care Act have certainly made strides in providing more low-income people with better health care and coverage, the U.S. continues to have the worst healthcare system among comparable, wealthy countries. All these problems hit poor people much harder, and infant mortality is no exception. "The U.S. lags behind other developed countries because there remain significant gaps in access to and utilization of prenatal and preconception care," Dr. Deborah Campbell, a professor of clinical pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, told HealthDay. "There is a well-delineated history of racial and ethnic disparities in maternal and infant outcomes in the U.S., with black women and their infants being at greatest risk and having the highest rates of poor outcomes." If infant mortality is a true indicator of development and quality of life, it shows the U.S. has a long way to go.
1916: No Water Supplied By City Up till about the year of 1918 folks living here at the time didn’t have water supplied by the city and depended on a hand pump which had to be moved up and down to bring water up from the ground. This was a hard job and first you had to use your right hand and then switch over to your left to fill up pails of it for cooking or drinking. The hardest job was late Sunday afternoon when mom had to have big tin tubs of it with all the week’s dirty linen with a tin boiler full on top of the coal stove in the kitchen and then into the washtub where each piece was scrubbed on a washboard by rubbing up and down with a large cake of Kirk-man soap to get them good and clean (no machines or soap powder in those days). Then came the job of hanging all the wash out on the lines to dry. When it was brought in, the next job was to iron the fancy pieces with flat irons that were placed on top of the stove to heat up. But despite all this, people enjoyed life during that time. Those who didn’t have a pump to get water had a well all bricked up from about eighty feet down in the ground with two large wooden buckets on a large pulley with a long rope so when you let one down to fill up with ice cold water the one on the top had to be let down to bring the other one up. For safety sake a large shed that was boxed all around for about five feet so children playing in the yard could not fall into the open well. Many folks that had no icebox would let one of the buckets down in cold water during the summer months to keep butter and meats from spoiling. When they wanted these items they would just pull up the bucket that stood in the cold water and take them out to cook the meat and use the butter for the family dinner. Most of our families those days ate plenty of seafood from our clean Jamaica Bay Waters before the sewers came in to ruin it. We had delicious clam chowder or fried clams or oysters in season and baked blue or weakfish, also fried soft-shell crabs, and those who like them would have smoked eels or a nice eel stew or eat them fired. Some folks ate what comes out of a large shell we called, “conks” but now the call it “scungilli.” These shells are used by some people when they are empty on their knick-knack shelves. When you hold these empty shells up to your ear, they always said you can hear the ocean roar come from inside of it. The people of this generation can’t get all the delicious seafood that came from the great body of water of good old Jamaica Bay, from any other bays of L.I., New Jersey or Connecticut and Massachusetts. So another tale of Little Old Canarsie comes to an end.
- Buy 6 for $23.00 each and save 8% Originally developed for Paul Hewitt's Conceptual Physics, the Bouncing Dart demonstrates the energy transfer that occurs in elastic and inelastic collisions. The dart has an elastic end and an inelastic end. Swing the dart so that it collides with a massive (1kg or more) dynamics cart, and compare the distances the cart moves when hit by the different ends. Investigate auto body features such as crumple zones. Add an accelerometer to see changes in the cart's acceleration. This product requires 2 ring stands or other supports which are not included. Products being sold are not toys. They are for Educational / Laboratory use only. They are not for use by children 12 and under.
Hepatitis A second dose recommended in coming months for those vaccinated during 2016 outbreak In August 2016, the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) identified raw scallops imported from the Philippines as the source of an outbreak of hepatitis A that sickened hundreds of Hawaii residents. At the time of the outbreak, over 90,000 Hawaii residents sought to protect themselves by getting vaccinated for hepatitis A between July and November 2016. Although one dose of the hepatitis A vaccine provides good protection, a second dose is necessary to provide full protection. The second dose must be received at least six months after the first dose. DOH is recommending those who are due for their second dose of the hepatitis A vaccine contact their healthcare provider or pharmacy to schedule a vaccination appointment.
James Scott BowerbankArticle Free Pass James Scott Bowerbank, (born July 14, 1797, London—died March 8, 1877, London), British naturalist and paleontologist best known for his studies of British sponges. Bowerbank devoted much time to the study of natural history while running a family business, Bowerbank and Company, distillers, in which he was an active partner until 1847. He lectured on botany (1822–24) and human osteology (1831) and founded, with six others, the London Clay Club (1836). In 1847 he founded the Paleontographical Society as an instrument for publication of undescribed British fossils. His most important publications are A History of the Fossil Fruits and Seeds of the London Clay (1840), a standard work, and Monograph of the British Spongiadae (4 vol., 1864–82). What made you want to look up "James Scott Bowerbank"? Please share what surprised you most...
Rupelmonde Castle was built by the Counts of Flanders in the 12th century directly opposite the mouth of the river Rupel into the Scheldt river to defend these rivers. It was a large fortress with 17 towers circled by a moat. From this castle toll was levied from passing ships. Later on the castle was also used as a state prison. This caused the castle to play a important role in the history of the region. In 1678, when Spanish and Dutch troops were fighting against French troops, the castle was destroyed. The castle was never rebuilt and turned into a quarry for cheap building materials for the locals. In 1817 the castle ruins were demolished with exception of a base of a tower with some connecting wall fragments. On these remains then a tower out of red Tournai limestone was built by Baron De Feltz. This tower was used as a hunting pavilion.References: The Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg is situated in a strategic area on a rocky spur overlooking the Upper Rhine Plain, it was used by successive powers from the Middle Ages until the Thirty Years' War when it was abandoned. From 1900 to 1908 it was rebuilt at the behest of the German kaiser Wilhelm II. Today it is a major tourist site, attracting more than 500,000 visitors a year. The first records of a castle built by the Hohenstaufens date back to 1147. The fortress changed its name to Koenigsburg (royal castle) around 1157. The castle was handed over to the Tiersteins by the Habsburgs following its destruction in 1462. They rebuilt and enlarged it, installing a defensive system designed to withstand artillery fire. The fortification work accomplished over the 15th century did not suffice to keep the Swedish artillery at bay during the Thirty Years War, and the defences were overrun.
More news on new chemistry resources for teachers has come our way from European Schoolnet. The "Chemistry: all about you" project was developed by European Schoolnet on behalf of the European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) and is aimed at secondary schools teachers. "Chemistry: all about you" is a project to teach chemistry in a fun and innovative way. It includes an amazing video about chemistry in our life and a teachers' guidelines to plan and support lessons using the video developed by the EPCA. The Teachers' guidelines and the video are available in French, Dutch, German, Italian, Spanish, Norwegian, Croatian and Hungarian in addition to English. The “Chemistry: all about you” team are keen to receive any feedback on the project that you may have on the content and in particular the teachers' guidelines. The RSC Bill Bryson Prize is designed to encourage and recognise clear science ommunication in schools and colleges. The prize is supported by well-known writer and commentator Bill Bryson (right) who is also involved with the judging process. For 2012 the Bill Bryson Prize offers the chance to welcome the Olympics to the UK. To support this major event the 2012 competition theme will be "Science and Sport”, to celebrate the major role that science plays in supporting sport around the world. The Prize is open to students aged 5-18 and entries can be submitted in all formats, from posters to power points to puzzles! The competition will be judged in three categories, primary school, secondary school and International (non-UK) school, with both individual and group entries accepted. The best entries from each category will receive a cash prize of £500 for their institution, and £100 for the winning students – so well worth it! The closing date for entries is 31 March 2012 and more information including downloadable application forms can be found on the RSC website .
A deep-drilling project into one of the world's most dangerous earthquake faults is now underway on New Zealand's South Island. Scientists from around the world have gathered at the drill site near Whataroa, north of Franz Josef glacier, for the rare opportunity to glimpse the inner workings of the Alpine Fault. The island-spanning fault unleashes a great earthquake every two to four centuries, with the average time between temblors about 330 years. The most recent earthquake, in 1717, was an estimated magnitude 8.1. Through the drilling project, researchers hope to catch warning signs before the Alpine Fault unleashes its next earthquake. The odds of another magnitude-8 earthquake in the next 50 years are a relatively high 28%, say the project's scientists. "We're a little overdue for a big earthquake there," said Ben van der Pluijm, a geologist at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, who is participating in the project. This is the first time scientists have drilled deep into a ripening fault, before it unleashes a major earthquake. Previous projects have examined the aftermath of earthquakes, such as a rapid-fire drilling expedition following the 2011 Japan earthquake and related tsunami. And the only other deep earthquake borehole, a 2.1-mile-deep (3.4 kilometers) puncture into California's San Andreas Fault, was set in a creeping section that has never unleashed large quakes in historic times. But even if the next earthquake never strikes while the Alpine Fault sensors monitor the borehole, researchers will still consider the project a success. Rock samples collected during drilling, to be dispersed to 12 countries, will come from the depths at which earthquakes strike. The information will improve models of how earthquakes and faults work, researchers said. "The drilling aims to go to where the earthquakes are," Van der Pluijm told Live Science. "This will tell us a lot about earthquakes and fault zones." The Alpine Fault marks the boundary between the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates, where these two massive slabs of Earth's crust slide past each other. On New Zealand's South Island, during the next earthquake, land on either side of the Alpine Fault will probably jump about 26 feet horizontally and 13 feet vertically, if the fault behaves as in past earthquakes. Over millions of years, these upward shoves have lifted the spectacular Southern Alps mountain range. The $2.5 million Deep Fault Drilling Project plans to sink a 4-inch-wide borehole 4,265 feet deep across the Alpine Fault. Researchers will measure temperature, pressure and geological properties below the surface. Sensors will also track the buildup of pressure between the two plates. The team plans to punch through the fault itself, located about 3,280 feet below the surface, and into the underlying Australian plate. Remote imaging of the fault suggests the fault angles downward at 45 degrees below the surface near Whataroa. Two test boreholes were completed in 2011, reaching a shallow 495 feet. The earlier drilling revealed that smashed rock in the shallow fault zone, as finely ground as clay, prevents groundwater from flowing across the fault. Researchers plan to test whether slippery clay also lines the fault's deeper reaches. Clay acts like grease on a fault, making it slip more easily. "Similar projects overseas have shown that a huge amount of information can be extracted from samples retrieved from the heart of the fault zone," project co-leader Rupert Sutherland of GNS Science said in a statement. - New Hampshire: Latest updates on coronavirus - California: Latest updates on coronavirus - New Jersey: Latest updates on coronavirus - Montana: Latest updates on coronavirus This article originally published at LiveScience here
Small Differences That Matter:This volume, the first in a new series by the National Bureau of Economic Research that compares labor markets in different countries, examines social and labor market policies in Canada and the United States during the 1980s. It shows that subtle differences in unemployment compensation, unionization, immigration policies, and income maintenance programs have significantly affected economic outcomes in the two countries. -Canada's social safety net, more generous than the American one, produced markedly lower poverty rates in the 1980s. -Canada saw a smaller increase in earnings inequality than the United States did, in part because of the strength of Canadian unions, which have twice the participation that U.S. unions do. -Canada's unemployment figures were much higher than those in the United States, not because the Canadian economy failed to create jobs but because a higher percentage of nonworking time was reported as unemployment. These disparities have become noteworthy as policy makers cite the experiences of the other country to support or oppose particular initiatives. Back to top Rent Small Differences That Matter 1st edition today, or search our site for David textbooks. Every textbook comes with a 21-day "Any Reason" guarantee. Published by University of Chicago Press.
What is mental health and wellness? Mental wellness is a state of optimum mental, psychological, and social functioning. It can be short-term or irreversible, as well as may include more than one mental health disorder. However, the condition of your psychological health and wellness can influence your every day life as well as the method you manage everyday stress. This short article discovers what is psychological health, and also how to enhance your mental health and wellness. Whether you have a short-term or lasting mental wellness disorder, it is essential to resolve the origin for the condition. If you beloved this article and you would like to receive additional facts pertaining to visit this website kindly visit the web page. Psychological wellness is a state of being cognitively, psychologically as well as socially healthy and balanced Mental health and wellness is a vibrant problem of internal equilibrium in which an individual can utilize his or her capabilities attuned to culture. It is a dynamic state of wellness, and an essential component is the harmonious partnership between the mind as well as body. A person’s mindset depends upon many elements, consisting of the capability to make use of standard cognitive and social skills, as well as the relationship in between the individual and the setting. It can be temporary or durable Treatment for mental health problem is readily available today, unlike decades earlier. The methods of treatment variety from outpatient therapy, for those who have actually grasped coping systems, to inpatient hospitalization for individuals who are in situation. No matter the extent of the mental disorder, treatment can be individualized, relying on the reason and also signs and symptoms. Some mental wellness conditions are short-term while others can continue for several years. In many instances, both treatments are required. It can be greater than one psychological wellness condition at the very same time Many individuals endure from greater than one psychological health condition at the exact same point. There are a number of elements that can contribute to the disturbance of a person’s mental health. Socioeconomic factors, consisting of low earnings, marginalized ethnicity, and also living in a backwoods, are all recognized to boost the likelihood of having greater than one mental health and wellness condition at a time. Luckily, treatment is available for both kinds of conditions and also the best combination of therapies is crucial completely mental wellness. There are numerous therapy choices readily available for mental health problems. Traditional strategies often do not function well for every person, and also lots of people look to more experimental techniques for alleviation. Outpatient care is among these choices, as it offers raised flexibility and also adaptability while keeping an extensive training course of treatment. Outpatient treatment can supply the same kind of support as inpatient treatment, yet without the requirement for a household setting. Participants in outpatient programs might participate in shows or treatment sessions from house or outpatient real estate. If you loved this article therefore you would like to receive more info relating to therapist in Cypress https://mydistrictcounseling.com i implore you to visit our site. Linked content articles mentioned by audience of the web page:
William Calcraft, (1800–1879) was the most famous English hangman of the 19th century. One of the most prolific British executioners of all time, it is estimated that he carried out 450 executions during his 45-year career. A cobbler by trade, Calcraft was initially recruited to flog juvenile offenders after meeting the City of London’s hangman, John Foxton, while selling meat pies near Newgate Prison. He succeeded Foxton, but his controversial use of the short-drop method of hanging, in which the victims were strangled rather than had their vertebrae broken by the fall when the trapdoor on the gallows was released, caused some to consider him incompetent. Many took several minutes to die, and to hasten their deaths Calcraft sometimes pulled on their legs, or even climbed on their shoulders in an attempt to break their necks. Calcraft’s antics may have been intended to entertain the crowds of more than 30,000 that sometimes attended his executions before a change in the law in 1868 meant that executions could only take place in prisons. Among his victims were Marie and Frederick Manning, the first husband and wife to be hanged together since 1700.
Intestinal health is a prime focus for all species. Interventions usually start at an individual level via feed just prior to challenging periods, like weaning in piglets for example. A more cost-effective way to maintain gut health could be via the mother. The intestinal tract is without a doubt fundamental for both feed efficiency but also health in all species. There is a variety of options to improve gut integrity from the illegal, over the socially less accepted like antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs), to current alternatives such as pro- and prebiotics, butyrates and others. Gut health is always at risk in very young animals whether they are birds or calves or at weaning in piglets. Most approaches to maintain gut health start during those periods. But maybe this is starting too late? Maternal effects can be just as relevant to gut health and are often overlooked. This is most pronounced in production animals where the offspring is reared by a different unit or owner, from the owner of the parent stock in birds or sows. Piglets are born almost with a sterile gut which is then quickly colonised. The organisms that colonise the piglets gut can come from the environment, the feed and the sow. It has been shown by a variety of authors that the dry matter intake until weaning is more from sow faeces than from feed or litter material. If the aim for gut health is to colonise the gut early with a positive, diverse microbiome feeding the probiotic to the sow makes more sense than just adding it to a pre-starter. This is reflected in EFSA’s option to register probiotics in sows ‘for the benefit of the piglet’. Of course, the sow can benefit from a probiotic as well, but the main aim is clearly to enable the piglets to develop a healthy microbiome from the sow’s microbiome. The structure of the gut A modern piglet is born early with a minimally developed intestinal integrity. In nature or more traditional systems the microbiome would gradually start producing butyrates which assure gut integrity and this way prevent any pathogens from translocating from the intestine into the animal, such as E. coli. The improved integrity through butyrate production goes hand in hand with improved nutrient absorption. With early weaning and low birth weights in large litters this process is not working optimally, so additional slow release butyrates such as Butipearl can be used to bridge the gap. Immunity in piglets A young piglet has naturally no specific immunity of its own, but it is not completely defenceless when it comes to gut health. Via the colostrum, maternal antibodies protect it against the pathogens the sow has encountered. This effect can be reinforced with feed components that trick the sow’s immune system into perceiving a higher disease challenge then there is. This effect has been clearly shown by increased colostral antibody titres in response to an in-feed supplementation of the sow with algal derived beta-glucans (e.g. Aleta). This also induced a rapid maturation of the non-specific immunity of the piglet by supplementation of the sow. Maternal effects are not often considered for birds, due to the physical separation of hen and chick. Typically, different farms are involved as well. However, the effects are as crucial for intestinal health in birds as they are in mammals. If anything, the microbiome development in poultry is more challenging in early life than in a mammal. Without the presence of the parent bird there is less exposure to beneficial flora, as the desirable lactobacilli, in particular, do not survive egg incubation well. Nonetheless the egg shell can influence the developing microbiome of young birds. Clean eggs will always result in better chick quality, as there is less risk of an early introduction of potential pathogens such as Clostridium spp. for example. In addition to managing parent stock for dry faeces and good egg shell quality a probiotic in the starter feed can be very beneficial to establish a health microbiome. The structure of the bird’s intestinal tract Healthy birds produce sufficient butyrate in their caeca to maintain gut integrity. This is not influenced by the parent stock. In an immature microbiome, or simply when feed intake is very high (broilers), the supply along the intestinal tract might not be sufficient. Those birds will benefit from additional butyrate; the benefit can be seen both in improved gut integrity and nutrient absorption. One measure of gut health, villus height, already showed improvements when only 100g Calciumbutyrate per ton of feed were added in a specific slow release encapsulation (Butipearl), see Table 1. Eggs are hatched artificially in commercial production. Nonetheless the health status of the parent stock can have an influence on the quality of the chicks. While age and incubation are standard parameters to assess potential chick quality, immune parameters are neglected. Antibodies are transported from the blood of the hen into the egg yolk to provide immunity to the chick. Today we use this process to produce antigen-specific yolk antibodies for vaccinations, however the primary reason for the antibodies is to provide immunity to the chick. Stimulating IG-Y in parent stock is an exciting and new option to assure gut health in newly hatched birds. Secondly, an in-feed supplementation of newly hatched chicks with algal derived beta-glucans can concentrate and activate immune cells in the intestinal wall, preparing the chick for an intestinal pathogen before the first challenge even arrives. Gut health is often portrayed as a challenge, but it should not be. Healthy animals are self-regulating towards a highly functional gut for nutrient absorption and pathogen control. In modern production animals and systems these controls do not always work optimally. To compensate for this, feeding a probiotic and immune modulator to the parent stock or sow is very helpful. On gut integrity the influence of the parent stock or sow is less. This depends on sufficient internal butyrate production and distribution. Until this is established, additional slow release butyrate can be a very cost-effective way to ensure gut health. The most overlooked way to wean healthy piglets and have productive young poultry is through the mothers. Speaking to the sow or parent unit can have remarkable effects on gut health in the offspring. References available on request Author: Susanne Kirwan, Kemin
Authors can self-publish a book in many ways, from print publishing to digital publishing. No matter the format you choose, providing an ISBN is an important component to publishing your book. What is an ISBN? ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number, meaning it’s an internationally recognized identification number, similar to any product number you would find on other products you buy, like a box of cereal or a pair of shoes. The ISBN is the familiar number in the barcode on the back cover of every book, assigned to books on an individual basis. This number registers and identifies a book worldwide and associates the publisher, and other essential information, to one book alone, because every single ISBN is unique. Do I Need More Than One ISBN? Each format of a book needs its own ISBN, meaning if you have an ebook version and a paperback version of the same title, each will need its own unique ISBN. ISBNs cannot be reused once they are assigned, which protects each version of a book from copyright violations. ISBNs are how libraries, bookstores, and distributors, like IngramSpark, identify, keep track of, and properly catalog important information about your book. This ensures that every version of a work is registered properly to facilitate sales. You cannot sell your book through traditional retailers without an ISBN. So no ISBN equals fewer opportunities for your book to be discovered and purchased. Every author wants readers to know different things about his or her work, but the information may overlap. For example, let’s say you've written a children’s book about a pigeon who wants to go to school. You might use keywords in your book description such as “pigeon,” “school,” “learn,” and “bus.” The problem is, the author of a similar well-known book such as Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, may have similar information on file in retailers’ catalogs. Your ISBN number separates your particular information from that of other authors and makes it easier to quickly locate in what are often vast catalogs. Keep in mind that the ISBN does NOT mean your book is copyrighted. Copyrights are issued through the Library of Congress. Bowker and Nielsen are private companies that only issue ISBNs, not copyrights. Do I Need a Barcode with My ISBN? ISBNs can come either with or without the barcode. The ISBN acts like a product number, while the barcode is how the actual number is translated and readable by a scanner. If you do not plan to sell your book in brick-and-mortar bookstores, you do not need a barcode. If you want stores to be able to scan your ISBN, you will need one. The barcode holds additional information besides the ISBN, like the price of the book. Some ISBN services sell barcodes, as well as ISBNs, but here’s a trick to get a free barcode: use IngramSpark’s book cover template generator. You’ll get a cover template via email with a barcode on it that you can use anywhere. Free ISBNs vs Buying an ISBN An ISBN is an expense many self-publishing authors are confused about. Why would you pay for an ISBN when you can get one free? What many authors don’t realize is that if you do not purchase the ISBN yourself, your publisher imprint will not be associated with your book. If you use a free ISBN through a service, it will hold the service’s imprint, not your own. Not purchasing your ISBN yourself may also limit where you can print and distribute your own title. Buying your own ISBNs will eliminate any questions on what you can and cannot do with your book. At IngramSpark, we believe it's in your best interest to be recognized as the owner of your work and a publisher in your own right, which is why we encourage publishers to purchase their own ISBNs. Traditional publishers also recognize the importance of owning the ISBN associated with a work. If they pick up your self-published book after you've published it, they will assign it a new ISBN and sell it under their imprint. Conversely, if the rights of your traditionally published book revert to you, you'll want to assign that book a new ISBN identifying yourself as the owner/publisher. ISBN Title Record Once you’ve bought your ISBNs and your book is ready to publish, simply log in to your account with whichever service provider from which you purchased your ISBN, click the ISBN number, and fill out the data in the full title detail form. Filling out this information can help improve your book’s discoverability. The full title detail form associated with your ISBN includes information such as title, author, description, number of pages, size, language, copyright year, date of publication, contributors, category, title status (out-of-print, active, etc.), price, currency, book cover, and interior (to index keywords). This metadata is one of the keys to book discoverability. Once you enter the information into one, you can clone it and modify it for the other formats. (So make sure you get it right on that first one, to prevent having to edit each individual ISBN record for different formats of the same title.) Whether a book is in electronic or print format really makes no difference. If you want to self-publish and maximize your opportunities, assign your own ISBNs and provide good metadata to make your book more discoverable to its potential readers. How Many ISBNs Should I Buy? You will need an ISBN for each rendition of your book. If you plan to publish a hardcover, paperback, and ebook of the same title, you will need a separate ISBN for each format. It is less expensive to buy a 10-pack of ISBNs from Bowker (for US publishers) for the bulk rate. One ISBN from Bowker costs $125, and a 10-pack costs $295 (or $29.50 per ISBN). Many authors create books in three formats: print (PDF), MOBI, and EPUB, which is why it makes financial sense to buy the 10-pack of ISBN numbers. Ten numbers only cost twice as much as one, and you’ll need at least two: one for your print book (possibly two if you decide to publish a hardcover and a paperback version) and one for the ebook as well, maybe two depending on if you decide to have an EPUB and a MOBI version of your ebook. You may also use one for an audiobook. Where Can I Get an ISBN? You get ISBNs by purchasing them outright from official ISBN agencies. The "I" in ISBN stands for "International" and ISBNs are sold by country. You can purchase from Bowker in the United States, Thorpe-Bowker in Australia, Nielsen Book ISBN Agency in the United Kingdom, and Raja Rammohan Roy in India. In some countries, the government gives ISBNs to self-publishers free of charge. Just because ISBNs are sold by country, doesn’t mean you have to get separate ISBNs for your self-published paperback in every country. You purchase an ISBN for your book in the country in which you live, but you can sell your self-published paperback anywhere in the world using that same ISBN. Keep in mind, if purchased through a company other than an official ISBN agency, such as the ones listed above, your publisher identification may be inaccurate (for example, if you accept an ISBN from someone else for free). IngramSpark distributes both print and ebooks internationally, and have teamed up with Bowker to offer a special rate on single ISBNs to IngramSpark United States publishers. Once you have an IngramSpark account, you can purchase single ISBNs directly from Bowker through your IngramSpark dashboard for just $85. Purchasing an ISBN through your IngramSpark dashboard offers you a discounted rate on that individual ISBN and the benefit of having your publishing imprint attached. However, if you’re likely to publish more than one book or more than one format of the same book, we encourage you to consider purchasing a 10-pack of ISBNs directly from Bowker.com (US publishers only). It’s recommended that you make your book available in more than one format, and you can save money by buying a block of 10 through Bowker. Remember, you're likely to sell more books if your title is available in a variety of formats. When Do I Need an ISBN? You must have your ISBN purchased, assigned, and ready to go before you design your book cover. The design of your book cover includes the placement of the barcode, which contains your ISBN. IngramSpark will insert your ISBN into your barcode for you with our cover template generator, but you must have it ready by the time your book hits the design phase. Your book does not have to already be published to purchase an ISBN. In fact, you can even buy them before you’re done writing, so don’t worry if you don’t have a specific book lined up right away for any additional ISBNs in the block of 10 if you buy the extra. You can assign them to future books once they’re finished.
Jaina Group of Caves The followers of the Jainism were the last to arrive at Ellora. The Cave nos. 30 – 34 belongs to the Jaina tradition. They are generally dated between 9th and 11th – 12th centuries A.D. Out of the five caves, Caves 32 and 33 are most important. They are known as Indra Sabha and Jagannath Sabha respectively. Cave 30 is an unfinished excavation resembling the Great Kailasa; hence it is known as Chhota Kailasa (Small Kailasa). The technique of rock excavation and converting it into structures can be well understood from the unfinished excavation. CAVE 32 (INDRA SABHA) The Cave 32 known as Indra Sabha is actually a series of shrines dedicated to Mahavira and other Jaina divinities aesthetically arranged in double storeys. The main entrance of Cave 32 is on the south, the gate in the form of a Dravidian gopura. The entrance leads into a small court at the center of which is a monolithic shrine on a high pedestal. A huge monolithic pillar known as manastambha is to its right and a colossal monolithic elephant to its left. The manastambha measures 28 feet in height and is crowned by four seated images facing the cardinal directions. The monolithic elephant reminds one of the elephants sculpted in the court of Kailasa, but, here it is more elegant and well preserved. The monolithic shrine at the center is reached by a flight of steps on the south and north, and with provisions of entrance on east and west but without steps. At the center of the shrine is the Sarvatobhadra, a concept in Jainism of worshipping the four important tirthankaras, viz., Adinatha or Rshibhanatha (1st), Parsvanatha (22nd), Neminatha (23rd) and Mahavira (24th). The images of these tirthankaras are depicted on the cardinal directions. The superstructure of the shrine is in Dravidian order with local variations. The court leads to multiple shrines, two on the west, one on the north and one on the east. All these shrines are primarily dedicated to Mahavira, flanked by his attendant deities, Indra on elephant and Ambika on lion. The side walls of the shrines usually depict the images of Gomateshwara (the son of Rishabhanatha, in penance), Parsvanatha with the snake hood and subsidiary deities. A flight of steps leads us to the first storey through the bigger shrine at the north of the court. The steps lead into a large shrine on the first floor, with side entrances on the east and west leading to smaller shrines. Invariably these shrines are also dedicated to Mahavira. Here one can see the remains of murals executed on the ceilings and the wall portion of the caves. The exit on the west leads to two smaller shrines dedicated to Mahavira. A small exit on the southwest corner of this shrine takes us to a huge shrine of Mahavira. The pillars, wall portions are exquisitely decorated with sculptures. The pillars are elaborate and depart well with the earlier period traditions. The doorway of the shrine is also elaborately carved with multiple bands of sculptures.
Flow cytometry is an incredibly useful analytical tool that has revolutionized the way in which single-cell and particle characterization is performed. Despite its effectiveness, flow cytometry requires users to treat their samples with fluorescent labels that can occasionally destroy cells and/or particles of interest. Image Credits: Chansom Pantip / Shutterstock.com An overview of flow cytometry Flow cytometry is a widely used analytical method that detects and measures both the physical and chemical characteristics of a cell or other micro-scale biological population. In order to do this, either the forward/side scattering properties or the fluorescence emission intensity of the analytes are measured by a cytometer that is often coupled with several other devices, such as a photomultiplier (PMT), multiple-wavelength light source and spectroscopy. These system requirements often lead flow cytometry systems to be bulky and complex to operate. In addition to the inherent challenges associated with the flow cytometry system, researchers must typically perform lengthy pretreatment steps that involve the use of expensive fluorescence labels, which can sometimes cause cell samples to be destroyed in the process. Label-free flow cytometry systems In an effort to overcome the limitations associated with flow cytometry systems, several label-free microfluidic flow cytometry systems have been investigated, of which include optical flow cytometry, impedance-based cytometry, photoacoustic cytometry, as well as a novel self-mixing interferometry technique. Optical flow cytometry Optical flow cytometry is one of the most commonly used non-intrusive cell interrogation methods. The widespread use of optical flow cytometry has inspired many researchers to integrate various techniques into this method, some of which include light-scattering imaging, reflectance confocal microscopy and diffraction phase microscopy, to name a few. As cells pass through the measurement volume of an impedance-based cytometry system, the impedance change that arises between the two microelectrodes embedded within the channel is measured. This impendence value can be used to reflect both the dielectric properties and internal components present within the analytes. As compared to other flow cytometry techniques, impedance-based cytometry systems are often considered to be advantageous as a result of their ease of operation, self-contained layout and high level of integration that exists within their microelectrode channel. As the analyte of interest absorbs a short laser pulse sequence, photon energy within the photoacoustic cytometry is transformed into heat. This heat generation subsequently creates ultrasonic acoustic waves as a result of the thermo-elastic effect, which will then pass through and ultrasound transducer that analyzes the properties of the analytes. Recent studies on melanoma detection in the skin, red blood cell aggregates in vessels and cancer cells in bones have demonstrated the unique advantages associated with photoacoustic cytometry for in vivo analysis of tissues. Self-mixing interferometry for label-free cell classification Despite the availability of alternative label-free flow cytometry approaches, these systems remain limited due to expensive associated costs and complex operation. Self-mixing interferometry has therefore emerged as an ideal alternative as a result of its compact size, low-consumption and self-alignment properties. Furthermore, self-mixing interferometry can be easily adapted to analyze both micro- and nanosized particles present within a wide range of microfluidic systems. The working principle behind self-mixing interferometry is based on the interaction between scattered light that re-enters the laser cavity after analyte particles flow through the laser beam volume and the original light present within the cavity. At the same time that this interaction is being measured, the velocity of the analyte particles will determine the spectral shift within the frequency domain by the output power signal. While traditional applications of self-mixing interferometry have been found in metrology, recent work has found the usefulness of this technique as a fluorescent label-free method for cell classification. In this study, a novel optofluidic cytometry system comprised of a commercial 1310 nanometer (nm) distributed feedback (DFB) laser diode functioned as both the laser source and the sensor, as well as a homemade hydrodynamic channel. All microfluidic samples, of which included polystyrene sphere suspensions of human breast cancer and embryonic kidney cells, were directly injected into the homemade channel for analysis. This novel system was found to provide a highly sensitive characterization of the purity, concentration and size of both tested biological cell populations. While more work must still be performed to improve the self-mixing interferometry system’s resolution capabilities, this study demonstrated a new and exciting approach for cell characterization that eliminates the need for fluorescent labeling. Zhao, Y., Shen, X., Zhang, M., Yu, J., Li, J., Wang, X., et al. Self-Mixing Interferometry-Based Micro Flow Cytometry System for Label-Free Cells Classification. Applied Sciences 10(478). DOI:10.3390/app10020478. Last Updated: Jun 17, 2020 After completing her Bachelor of Science in Toxicology with two minors in Spanish and Chemistry in 2016, Benedette continued her studies to complete her Master of Science in Toxicology in May of 2018.During graduate school, Benedette investigated the dermatotoxicity of mechlorethamine and bendamustine, which are two nitrogen mustard alkylating agents that are currently used in anticancer therapy. Source: Read Full Article
Understanding Solar Inverters Yes, solar inverters can be installed outside. They are generally weatherproof and built to withstand outdoor conditions. However, it is crucial to protect them from extreme weather and potential physical damage. Defining Solar Inverter Before we dive into the practicalities of installing a solar inverter outdoors, let’s take a moment to understand this vital piece of hardware. A solar inverter is one of the most critical components of a solar power system. After harnessing sunlight and converting it into DC power by the solar panels, we still need one crucial step before we can use this power: conversion to AC. That’s where the solar inverter comes into play. Role and Function of a Solar Inverter in a Solar Power System These incredible machines not only convert DC (Direct current) to AC (Alternative current) but also control the power flow, interact with the grid, monitor system performance, and more. As such, their correct placement impacts system efficiency and operational ease hugely. Installing Solar Inverters Outside: Pros and Cons While it seems logical to install the converter outdoors, close to the solar panels, the decision warrants some careful consideration. Here’s why. Advantages of Installing Solar Inverter Outside Having the solar inverter as close as possible to the solar panels could potentially increase the power output, establish a more straightforward, less expensive installation, and simplify future maintenance operations. Disadvantages of Installing Solar Inverter Outside Conversely, installing solar inverters outside exposes them to the harsh elements, which may shorten their lifespan and reduce long-term reliability. The challenge becomes more significant if the region experiences harsh weather conditions, such as extreme heat, snow, or heavy rain. Can Solar Inverters Be Installed Outside? Yes, definitely, but heed the considerations below. Factors to Consider When Installing Solar Inverters Outside Proximity to the Solar Modules/ Panels As stated earlier, proximity to the solar modules can increase efficiency by reducing power loss. Envision your property and consider how you can position the solar inverter to be the most productive. (Learn more about how to connect a solar panel to an inverter [/connect-solar-panel-to-inverter].) Dependence on Wireless Connectivity If your solar inverter includes monitoring features requiring a Wi-Fi connection, ensure that the device is within the Wi-Fi range. Proximity to Switchboards for Efficiency and Cost Management Optimize cable lengths by positioning the inverter near the switchboard when feasible. Remember, every foot of cable costs money and potentially loses energy. The Impact of Weather and Outdoor Conditions on Solar Inverters Let’s discuss how specific weather conditions might influence your solar inverters. Dealing with High Temperatures and Solar Inverters High temperatures could cause your inverter to derate, reducing its efficiency. Install it in a shaded area to avoid direct prolonged sun exposure, and remember that ventilation is essential to prevent overheating. How Rain and Moisture Can Affect Solar Inverters Water and electricity don’t mix well – an obvious but often overlooked fact. Hence, it’s vital to ensure an outdoor inverter is waterproof, or at least highly resistant to water and moisture. The Effect of Frost and Snow on Solar Inverters Solar inverters can endure cold, but not the problems often accompanying frost and snow, such as water ingress and damage from falling icicles. Position the inverter accordingly and provide winter protection if necessary. Are Solar Inverters Waterproof? An all-important question for any potential outdoor installation is: Are solar inverters waterproof? To help determine this, we turn to the Ingress Protection (IP) ratings. Understanding IP Ratings for Solar Inverters What is IP Rating? Simply put, an IP rating denotes how resilient a product is to foreign object intrusion. The first digit refers to solid objects and dust, while the second digit indicates resistance to liquids. IP Ratings Applicable to Solar Inverters Here’s where the stakes rise. Most solar inverters carry IP65 rating, making them dust-tight and capable of withstanding jets of water. Some even boast an IP67 rating, meaning immersion in water up to 1 meter won’t harm them. Precautions When Installing Solar Inverters Outside While that rating might sound assuring, it doesn’t give you free rein to plunge your inverter into a pool. Consider professional installation advice, ensure secure and sealed connections, and position it or provide protection to avoid water accumulation. Solar Inverter Aesthetics and Placement Options What Does a Solar Inverter Look Like? Typically, a solar inverter resembles a non-descript metal box, not a likely contender for a design award. It’s functional, and most people prefer not to showcase it. Finding the Best Location for Your Solar Inverter In light of the aesthetic slant, some homeowners opt to install their solar inverters where they’re readily accessible but not readily visible. An out-of-the-way spot on a wall, a utility area, beneath solar arrays, or on sturdy poles are all popular solutions. Importance of Surge/Lightning Protection for Solar Inverters What is a Surge Protection Device? A surge protection device is a vital piece of the solar installation puzzle. Its primary function is to protect the inverter and the entire solar power system from power surges and lightning strikes. Role of a Surge Protection Device in Protecting Solar Inverters Have you ever seen a home appliance fried after a thunderstorm? Lightning can strike miles away and send a power surge into your solar system, damaging components. Solar inverters, due to their outdoor location, are particularly susceptible to such surges. Protecting it with a surge/lightning protection device helps safeguard your investment. Installing a Surge Protection Device with Your Solar Inverter The device installation depends heavily on your site-specific attributes. However, it typically resides in the DC combiner box, the main distribution panel, or right beside the inverter for greatest effectiveness. There’s no simple answer to “Can solar inverters be installed outside?” as it depends on numerous factors, including local weather, connectivity, aesthetics, and system requirements. However, with ample knowledge, thoughtful consideration, and careful planning, outdoor installation can be an excellent choice for certain homeowners. Recall that you have a say in protecting your investment, and each choice, such as adding a surge protector or considering the inverter’s proximity to the solar panels, can enhance system longevity and efficiency. Here’s to making an informed decision!
Today we are going to learn what makes thunder and lightning. To begin the session you will need to begin writing a science report by writing in the purpose of the session… I wonder how thunderstorms form? Next you will fill in your hypothesis by writing a prediction about what makes thunder… I think… You will then write in the materials we need: - A clear container - Warm water - A blue ice-block - Red food dye The procedure for the session is: - Fill the plastic container with 2/3 full with warm water. - Let the water sit for one minute. - Place a blue ice cube at one end of the container. - Add three drops of red food colouring to the water at the other end of the plastic container. - Watch what happens. We will then complete our results and conclusion.
The thyroid is the butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck. As part of the endocrine system, the thyroid gland helps regulate the body's metabolism in blood pressure, blood temperature, and heart rate. When your thyroid hormone production drops, your body processes slow down and change, affecting virtually every system in the body and causing frustrating and sometimes debilitating symptoms. If a loved one has hypothyroidism, it can be challenging to understand their needs, especially since they often don't "look sick." Please know that the symptoms that they experience are genuine and can make fulfilling responsibilities and enjoying time with family and friends a challenge. Ahead, three of the most common symptoms to help you understand what your loved one is going through with hypothyroidism. Fatigue is whole-body tiredness not relieved by sleep Fatigue is one of the symptoms that most impact someone with hypothyroidism. Fatigue is different than tiredness, which happens to everyone. Typically, we expect tiredness after rigorous activities or at the end of the day. Fatigue, on the other hand, is a lack of energy or whole-body tiredness that is not relieved by sleep. It may affect your loved one from normal daily function or quality of life. They may not be able to keep up with your pace or need to bow out of social engagements. Know that your loved one most certainly wants to keep up with you or be there for more moments together. Their need to not feel exhausted overrides other desires. Trying to power through will likely leave them in worse shape, leaving them unable to be there to an even higher degree. The good news? Hypothyroidism is easily treatable in almost everyone. Optimizing thyroid levels with thyroid hormone replacement medication is usually the first step in minimizing symptoms like fatigue. Remember, though, it may take some time to find the right medication and dosage for their body. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment. Low thyroid hormone levels can affect mental health There is a strong correlation between depression, anxiety, and thyroid disease, particularly thyroid disease caused by autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto's or Graves' disease. Since hypothyroidism usually develops slowly, and early symptoms may be nonspecific or minor, it's not surprising that doctors often overlook the diagnosis. Many signs of hypothyroidism like fatigue, brain fog, and joint or muscle pain, mimic the symptoms of depression, which sometimes leads to a misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis. Depression, like fatigue, isn't all in a person's head — it's real. If you think your partner may be experiencing depression and hypothyroidism, encourage them to talk with their medical team. A qualified physician can use screening questionnaires, clinical observations, and conversations with a patient to determine whether medication could help treat depression. Brain fog makes you feel hazy and disorganized One of the most troubling and common symptoms of mild hypothyroidism (characterized by the American Thyroid Association by an increased TSH only) is brain fog. Your loved one with mild (or subclinical) hypothyroidism may experience "brain fog," which manifests as a feeling of haziness, inability to connect or concentrate, and difficulty remembering important information. Brain fog isn't a medical condition, but it does affect your loved one's ability to think clearly. Alternatively, overt hypothyroidism (characterized by the American Thyroid Association by an increased TSH and decreased T4 level) may negatively affect several cognitive functions. These may include but are not limited to attention and concentration, memory, perceptual function, language, psychomotor function, and executive function. This troubling symptom is mostly reversible with levothyroxine treatment. How to support your loved one Understandably, you may feel overwhelmed by your loved one's hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's diagnosis. You may have a new normal, but it doesn't mean hypothyroidism has to dictate your lives. Suggestions to support: - Educate yourself on hypothyroidism. We recommend the Paloma Health blog, American Thyroid Association, or Thyroid Refresh. - Gently ask your loved one what they need from you. Getting clarity about how you can best help them improves the experience for both of you. - If your loved one is having a symptom flare-up, offer to pick up dinner or take over one of their chores! - Schedule time to be active together. Try a walk or a yoga class. And remember the phrase, "Don't worry if plans need to change." While there's no cure for hypothyroidism, your loved one can still live well with a thyroid condition by taking medication, eating well, sleeping well, and managing stress.
In today’s society, and particularly in William and Mary’s campus, the majority of people are stressed out, whether it is about school or their personal life. Like people, our cells can get “stressed out”. Exposing cells to ultraviolet light, heat, or harsh chemicals can initiation the cell’s stress response. A major way that cells respond to stressors is by forming membraneless droplets called stress granules. Stress granules are aggregations of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein. Stress granules “stay together” because of protein to protein interactions and mRNA cross-linkages. Stress granules are dynamic structures. The mRNA and protein within them are moved around and modified and these contents can even be exchanged between granules . Stress granules serve as sites for mRNA storage and translation of proteins that are necessary for the stress response. They keep cells functioning under stressful conditions. Most importantly, stress granules are meant to be temporary structures in the cell. Once the stressor has ceased, the stress granules are then disassembled and cleared. If not cleared once the stress ceases, stress granules can become toxic to the cell and can affect major cellular processes. Research has shown that this particular protein mitogen activated protein kinase phosphoserine/threonine/tyrosine-binding protein (MK-STYX), reduces stress granules in cells. MK-STYX is a pseudophosphatase , meaning it is unable to remove phosphate groups from substrates. It was thought that MK-STYX was reducing stress granules because of its interaction with Ras-GTPase activation protein SH3 domain binding protein-1 (G3BP1), a nucleator and major protein found in stress granules cores (Hinton 2010). However, later research confirmed that MK-STYX is reducing stress granules independent of G3BP1 activation (Barr 2013). Research has also found that stress granules are reduced via autophagy. Autophagy (i.e self-eating) is a degradation pathway that encases damaged and defective macromolecules in vesicles to be broken down by enzymes in the lysosome. Since MK-STYX and autophagy both are involved in the reduction of stress granules in cells, I am trying to determine if MK-STYX is reducing stress granules via the autophagy pathway.
\|BIOL4851\|\|Ecology of Marine Birds (A)\|\|5 ch (C/L/S) (LE)\| This course treats seabirds as important components of marine food-webs. Fundamental adaptations (structure, function, physiology, life-history) of seabirds will be linked to the ecological processes driving them. The influence of major oceanographic patterns (bathymetry, currents, upwellings) on seabird distribution and numbers will be explored. Through exploration of the role of seabirds as predators of other marine biota, and in nutrient transfer between marine and terrestrial systems, students will gain a thorough understanding of the roles played by seabirds in marine and coastal systems. Course includes an overnight field trip to Grand Manan Island, for which there may be an extra cost. Examples will be drawn from current seabird research especially in Atlantic Canada. Limited enrollment. Prerequisites: BIOL 2063, BIOL 2068, or permission of the instructor. Recommended: BIOL 3633. Offered in alternate years; normally taken in the same term as BIOL 4211, BIOL 4221, BIOL 4641, BIOL 4991 as part of the Marine Biology Concentration.
Planting trees in the fall Planting trees and shrubs in the fall can be as successful or more successful than planting in the spring, if it's done properly. Fall planting has its advantages. In the fall, the cells of most woody plants are lignified and suffer less stress due to water loss. Transplanting dormant trees thus reduces the plant's demand for water. For many species, research shows fall-planted trees may develop new roots to a greater extent than trees planted in the spring. The stem diameter and plant height, when compared with spring-planted trees, is often larger as well. However, the roots of fall-planted trees and shrubs need a chance to grow and establish before the ground freezes. Planting should be completed early enough in the fall for roots to regenerate and support the plant during the winter. There should be at least four weeks between planting and when soil temperature drops to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius). Soil temperature in the Pecos Valley typically drops to 40 degrees Fahrenheit around November 2. Conifers are most successfully transplanted in the fall during September and October, when soil temperatures at 6-12 inches (15-30 centimeters) of depth are in the range of 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit (15-21 degrees Celsius). Several weeks at this temperature is especially important. New root growth must be sufficiently developed to allow water uptake to cover the loss of water from the needles during the winter. Added protection of conifers by shielding these plants from prevailing winds with burlap or other suitable wind barriers may also be necessary if we have a windy fall. Another advantage to fall planting; is that normally there is not a lot of wind in the fall. So, new trees don’t need to be staked until the spring. When staking a tree, don’t do so until high winds are predicted and stake loosely to give them enough room to bend a little with the wind. Research shows this actually helps stimulate root growth. When buying trees in the fall, they've often been at the nursery all summer and are sold at a reduced price. Some of our local nurseries order fresh trees for the fall, which are the best ones to purchase. If the tree is in a bucket when planting, remove the bucket, take a knife and cut the roots in four to five areas from the top of the root mass to the bottom. For more information on how to properly plant a tree, contact your local extension office and ask for information or see publication "Establishing Fruit and Shade Trees" or visit http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_h/H420.pdf, Guide H-420. You may also subscribe to Eddy County Ag news at: http://nmsueddyag.blogspot.com/.
Scripture in Paul’s Day We have used “Scripture” and “Old Testament” interchangeably. That is because the books Paul called “Scripture” are roughly equivalent to what we call today the “Old Testament.” The phrase “Old Testament” is, of course, a Christian expression inspired by Paul’s discourse (2 Cor 3:14). Many scholars refer to this collection today as the Hebrew Bible because of the pejorative connotation of “old” in OT. But Paul didn’t use either expression; he used the word graphē (translated “writings” or “Scripture”) to refer to the collected, sacred writings of Israel. Paul encountered the Scripture primarily in the synagogue. The synagogue served not only as a center for worship; it also provided the meeting place for boys and men to study Torah. Literary references in the period to Scripture refer to the law, prophets and the rest of the books (see the prologue to Sirach). This indicates that the threefold division of the present Hebrew Bible has ancient roots. Since the Scripture was written in Hebrew, Aramaic-speaking Jews needed it translated into their language. These translations took place at first informally after the Hebrew text was read in the synagogue. Later generations of Jews formalized these translations and codified them in the Aramaic targums. A similar procedure likely produces the Greek versions that distill eventually in the Septuagint (LXX), the standardized Greek Old Testament version used by early Christians. Close analysis of Paul’s quotations and allusions to Scripture demonstrate that the apostle depends more heavily on Greek versions than Hebrew. Although he referred to himself as a “Hebrew of the Hebrews” (Phil 3:5), the fact that he writes his letters in Greek may account for some of his dependence on the Greek versions. An earlier generation of scholars addressed the issue of whether Paul’s OT citations were closer to the Hebrew masoretic text or the Greek Septuagint. They assumed that Paul drew from standardized Greek and Hebrew texts. The variations in the quotations from those standardized texts were interpreted as memory lapses or Paul’s interpretive comments. Recent work has set aside this working assumption and shown that the Hebrew and Greek biblical texts were not standardized at this time. In particular, the biblical manuscripts founds among the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit the fluidity of the textual tradition within a single community’s library. When quoting Scripture explicitly, Paul often uses a variety of introductory formulae. Here are several examples: “it is written” (gegraptai) 29 times “the Scripture says” 6 times “for it is written in the law of Moses” (1 Cor 9:9) “as it is written . . . and again it says . . . and again . . . and again Isaiah says” (Rom 15:9-12) “and David says” (Rom 11:9) “first Moses says . . . then Isaiah also says boldly” (Rom 10:19-21) “now the righteousness from faith speaks in this way” (Rom 10:6) Obviously there is no one way Paul introduces a scriptural citation. In some cases there is no introductory formula even when quoting a passage explicitly (e.g., 2 Cor 10:17; Gal 3:11-12). Parallels to Paul’s introductory formulae in later rabbinic texts suggest that the apostle’s practice of quoting Scripture is not unique. He stands within the stream of Jewish exegesis. The Letter of Aristeas is a legendary account of the origins of the Septuagint. It tells the tale of seventy scholars summoned to Alexandria by the king to produce a systematic translation of the Pentateuch in the 3rd century BC. It is more likely that the Greek Old Testament developed in three phases: (1) extemporaneous oral renderings of the Hebrew into Greek are (2) later standardized before they are (3) written down. Even after being written down, however, the textual tradition remains fluid. Perhaps a fourth phase is the standardization of the written text. For example, E. C. Ulrich,”The Qumran Biblical Scrolls—The Scriptures of Late Second Temple Judaism,” in T. H. Lim (ed.), The Dead Sea Scrolls in their Historical Context (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 2000), pp. 67-87. Ellis, 48.
The Igarashi Lab. at the University of Tokyo is developing a new type of physics engine which can faithfully recreate in 3D the stylizations common to 2D anime. “Physics engines are used in 3D animation, to generate the motions of hair and clothes. They can do physically correct computing, but the problem is, that’s all they can do. The engine we’ve created makes it possible for artists to adjust such physics computations, in other words, to deform things.” “For example, suppose you wanted to make a rabbit’s ears sway through physics computation. If you were asked to make them look like this when seen from the right, with an ordinary physics engine, you couldn’t do it. But using our technology, you can do physics computation while meeting specific conditions, such as wanting this shape when the object is seen from that angle.” “This example involves what’s called ‘ahoge’ (foolish hair), which is often seen in Japanese animations. For example, if you want the ‘ahoge’ to keep pointing in the same direction, that’s hard to do with an ordinary physics engine. But our engine can compute how to move the hair while keeping it pointing in the same direction.” via Directable Physics Engine recreates 2D anime stylizations in 3D – DigInfo TV.
Cloud-to-ground lightning bolts are a common phenomenon—about 100 strike Earth’s surface every single second—yet their power is extraordinary. Each bolt can contain up to one billion volts of electricity. This enormous electrical discharge is caused by an imbalance between positive and negative charges. During a storm, colliding particles of rain, ice, or snow increase this imbalance and often negatively charge the lower reaches of storm clouds. Objects on the ground, like steeples, trees, and the Earth itself, become positively charged—creating an imbalance that nature seeks to remedy by passing current between the two charges. A step-like series of negative charges, called a stepped leader, works its way incrementally downward from the bottom of a storm cloud toward the Earth. Each of these segments is about 150 feet (46 meters) long. When the lowermost step comes within 150 feet (46 meters) of a positively charged object it is met by a climbing surge of positive electricity, called a streamer, which can rise up through a building, a tree, or even a person. The process forms a channel through which electricity is transferred as lightning. Some types of lightning, including the most common types, never leave the clouds but travel between differently charged areas within or between clouds. Other rare forms can be sparked by extreme forest fires, volcanic eruptions, and snowstorms. Ball lightning, a small, charged sphere that floats, glows, and bounces along oblivious to the laws of gravity or physics, still puzzles scientists. Lightning is extremely hot—a flash can heat the air around it to temperatures five times hotter than the sun’s surface. This heat causes surrounding air to rapidly expand and vibrate, which creates the pealing thunder we hear a short time after seeing a lightning flash. Lightning is not only spectacular, it’s dangerous. About 2,000 people are killed worldwide by lightning each year. Hundreds more survive strikes but suffer from a variety of lasting symptoms, including memory loss, dizziness, weakness, numbness, and other life-altering ailments. Courtesy of National Geographic
Our eco-design approach Right from the design phase, our engineers seek to minimise vehicle impact on the environment at each stage in the life cycle. Cutting CO2 emissions is a key requirement. To achieve this aim, we are taking action in several areas including weight control, powertrain technology and aerodynamics. By placing the emphasis on efficient and reliable solutions tailored to each market, we aim to implement a global response to the greenhouse effect. Technologies of the future Our engineers are actively working on technological solutions that will bring breakthrough progress in the environmental impact of cars. The deployment of the new-generation Stop & Start system from 2010, hybrid solutions from 2011, and the launch of zero-emission vehicles will enable DS Brand to consolidate its position in the segment of vehicles with low CO2 emissions. Resources and recyclability As well as limiting fuel consumption and emissions of CO2 and other pollutants, our eco-design policy aims to optimise the use of natural resources by carefully selecting the materials used to manufacture our vehicles. We also aim to reduce the potential impact of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) on the environment by promoting recyclability. Example: New DS 4 Right from the design phase, a special effort was made to limit the environmental impact of New DS 4 as much as possible, by using recycled and natural materials that reduce the ecological footprint of the materials used in the vehicle. Your New DS 4 contains an average of 29% of recycled and natural materials. 15% of the 200 kg of polymers are recycled and natural and are broken down as follows: – 40% of natural materials – 60% recycled materials Your New DS 4 respects your ecological conscience. New DS 4 is designed to significantly reduce its environmental impact in the realms of recycling and the materials used in the vehicle, and by taking actions to: – encourage the recycling of the vehicle when its reached its end of life, – control and monitor the composition of the substances used, – achieve good results in terms of reuse and recyclability of the lining or door panels.. ISO 14001 plants All our production sites have an environmental management system based on ISO 14001. This international standard sets a globally recognised norm for management and organisation. The certification process was started more than ten years ago and has now reached the maturity stage in all our plants, all of which have been ISO 14001 certified since 2007. This standard, created in 1996, requires manufacturers to put in place measures to track, control and measure the impact of processes on the environment. It therefore involves providing appropriate training for all personnel. The automotive industry spans a range of activities, such as casting, machining, metal pressing, body assembly, surface treatment, painting and final assembly. Although these facilities do not represent a “”high risk for the environment”” (as set out in the 1996 European so-called Soveso directive), they nevertheless cause a series of environmental impacts that we strive to control. 1) Paint Shops: since 1995, we have more than halved the emissions per vehicle of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by paint solvents. 2) Foundries: by using advanced technology equipment (plasma torch) and developing control systems, we have significantly reduced foundry dust emissions. 3) Water consumption: saving water is a key objective for all our industrial sites. This policy has made it possible to cut water consumption per vehicle produced by a factor of 2.5 since 1995. 4) 94% of production waste recovered: our plants produce around 700,000 tonnes of metal waste per year, recovered for use in steel plants and foundries. Of the other waste, 82% is processed through other recovery channels. The overall recovery rate is 94%. Sustainable development at the heart of the network The DS network such as its Citroën partner are committed to making an active contribution to the brand’s environmental policy, from the start of every vehicles life to the very end. We are committed to three key environmental management criteria – Sorting, in order to recover and collect automotive waste in the network through approved organisations; – Regulatory compliance, to ensure that the network complies with national and European regulations; – Traceability, in order to track waste and ensure that it is correctly recycled. Awareness and responsibility At the 2008 Paris Motor Show, the ‘GreenPact’ has been launched. This new environmental approach was set up to help the sales network in France to comply with changing legislation and to better manage its environmental impact (waste management, chemical storage, traceability of end-of-life parts, etc.). To achieve this, GreenPact uses a wide range of educational tools and promotes contacts between the network and other specialised players, such as organisations that collect and treat coolants. Collection and management We put in place a structure to collect and process end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) using environmentally responsible methods more than fifteen years ago. The collection and sorting of maintenance and repair waste is organised in line with the management methods put in place for end-of-life products (ELPs) and deployed in France as part of GreenPact. The design of each vehicle takes account of the end-of-life decontamination stage and seeks to make this process easier. To take just one example, a mark is placed on the lowest point of the fuel tank to make it easier to empty. At the same time, a dismantling process is developed at an early stage by our engineers for each part that has to be removed as part of the decontamination process.
Leah Beveridge, Mélanie Fournier & Ronald Pelot The Canadian-German project PASSAGES (Protection and Advanced Surveillance System for the Arctic: Green, Efficient, Secure)1aims to: (1) determine the needs of Canadian stakeholders for better maritime situational awareness; and (2) design a maritime monitoring system adapted to Arctic conditions. Although the system could be deployed in the circumpolar region as a whole, the geographical zone of interest is the Northwest Passage within the Canadian Arctic archipelago. In its first phase, PASSAGES has created a database by collecting and cross-referencing contextual information and interacting with potential users of such a system (government agencies, shipping companies, communities etc.). Exploring the Canadian stakeholder network is a necessary part of understanding how operations are planned for and conducted. The sources of this information, however, remain fragmented and difficult to locate. The objective here is to take a new approach to sharing stakeholder information through a visualization tool. The goal is to go beyond traditional bibliographies and indexes to provide a comprehensive account of the major stakeholders in the Canadian Arctic, including an evaluation of their scale(s) of operation, their interests, and interactions.
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If you are the sort of person who is deeply worried about the shifting racial demographics of the United States (i.e., a racist), a bit of a reality check: It is partly your fault. Last year, for apparently the first time, more non-Hispanic white people died than were born. Other trends confirmed by the Census compilation of population estimates for the year 2012 were expected: the U.S. population is shifting to the Southwest, getting older, with more people moving to cities. But the point about white population decline was probably the most surprising. The Washington Post reports on what that shift looks like. Population estimates for 2012 released Thursday show what’s known as a natural decrease — a straightforward calculation of births minus deaths — of about 12,400 people among the nation’s 198 million non-Hispanic whites. Although the percentage is small, several demographers said they are not aware of another time in U.S. history — not even during the Depression or wars — when there was such shrinkage among the dominant racial group. No other group showed a similar falloff. Here's how it goes by racial group: The population of non-Hispanic whites nonetheless grew, thanks to 188,000 immigrants from Europe and Canada. Whites remains the country's largest ethnic group. But the fastest-growing ethnic group was Asians, which rose by 2.9 percent. Most states saw a net increase in the number of births over deaths — more in larger states. The two states that saw net declines in natural population rates were Maine and West Virginia, states not known for their ethnic diversity. Which, in turn, led to a slight increase in the national population. And as it grew, it also continued to get older. Note the yellow line in the graph below — it's population by age group for 2012. That it shifted slightly to the right of 2011 (which shifted slightly to the right of 2010) indicates that America is getting older. The average age of Americans is now 37.4 — up from 37.3. Between 2010 and 2012, nearly every state saw a net population increase, except Rhode Island. The largest growth rate was in North Dakota — thanks almost solely to the state's fracking boom. That's interesting, in part, because, again for the first time ever, rural areas are losing population. The Associated Press reports: Rural America is losing population for the first time ever, largely because of waning interest among baby boomers in moving to far-flung locations for retirement and recreation, according to new census estimates. … The new estimates, as of July 2012, show that would-be retirees are opting to stay put in urban areas near jobs. Recent weakness in the economy means some boomers have less savings than a decade ago to buy a vacation home in the countryside, which often becomes a full-time residence after retirement. Cities are also boosting urban living, a potential draw for boomers who may prefer to age closer to accessible health care. Looking at the 100 fastest-growing counties, you can see how that plays out. In eastern Montana and western North Dakota, counties sitting on the oil-rich Bakken shale formation have seen big growth. Otherwise, the counties are heavily in urban regions. While some data points are new, the overall trend remains the same. America is getting more urban, getting older, and getting less white. We now return you to our regular coverage of the push for new immigration reform policy in the United States Congress.
PNAS this week celebrates 100 years of rabies vaccination by Louis Pasteur and Coworkers which took place already in 1885? We do not understand the counting as such but take the opportunity of the celebration anyhow. (From the editorial, and the featured articles it is not emerging why 100 years.) However, it was an tremendous achievement at that time and should be compared to the situation with the actual Ebola crisis: It took away the fear of fatal danger from the persons dealing with the disease and gave hope to those who were biten by mad animals. The history of vaccination is dealt with by an nice article of Stanley Plotkin. There are additional papers on social matters of vaccination and one paper on NOD- and Toll-like agonists as adjuvants. These papers are free. To come back to Ebola and the experimental treatment we mentioned before today 6 patients have been treated 4 improved but 2 have died from Ebola. The fatal rate would thus be 33 % versus 60 to 80 % if untreated. This is from nothing to something. However, this is no vaccination.
icePod: Development of an Ice Imaging System for Monitoring Changing Ice Sheets Mounted on the NYANG LC-130 The polar ice sheets are changing at a rate faster than previously predicted. While satellites have measured how the ice sheets are thinning, accelerating and losing mass, spaceborne instruments are unable to provide the coincident observations on the ice surface and ice bed necessary to understand why the ice sheets are changing. This project will develop an integrated ice imaging system capable of measuring in detail both the ice surface and the ice bed. The icePod system will be installed and operated on New York Air National Guard LC-130 aircraft during routine and targeted missions across Antarctica and Greenland as a shared community research facility providing data to scientists and educators globally. The fundamental data sets produced by the icePod system are necessary to support the development of accurate ice sheet models to predict sea level rise. The icePod system will consist of a suite of imaging sensors mounted in an external pod carried on New York Air National Guard LC-130’s to map the surface and subsurface ice topography of ice sheets, ice streams and outlet glaciers. The icePod imaging system will leverage a newly available instrumented door plug that can be installed in any LC-130 rear troop door. The instrumentation system will include a scanning laser for precise measurements of the ice surface, visible and infrared imaging cameras to document the ice surface structure and temperature and an ice-penetrating radar to recover the ice thickness and constrain the distribution of water at the ice sheet bed. Geo-referencing of the measurements will be provided by precision GPS satellite data integrated with inertial technology. This project will design, build, calibrate, test and commission the instrument over a five-year period. The goal of the icePod instrumentation is that the sensor system will become a facility operated for the science community and the data will be served to the science community through a supported polar data center.
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: \|Title:\|\|On-Road Emissions of Conventional and Hybrid Vehicles Running on Neat or Fossil Fuel Blended Alternative Fuels\| \|Authors:\|\|MARTINI Giorgio; BONNEL Pierre; MANFREDI Urbano; KRASENBRINK Alois; CARRIERO Massimo; RUBINO Lauretta; FRANKEN Oliver; BONIFACIO Mario; BEGHELLA BARTOLI Giorgio\| \|Citation:\|\|Emissions Measurement and Testing, 2010 - ISBN 978-0-7680-3424-0\| \|Type:\|\|Articles in periodicals and books\| \|Abstract:\|\|Fuel consumption is already one of the parameters taken into account for the final ranking of some competitions organized by the Federation International de l¿Automobile (FIA). Pollutant emissions, such as CO, HC and NOx, could also be taken into consideration in the next future. In occasion of a competition organized by the FIA in the framework of the ¿Alternative Energies Cup¿ championship several vehicles were equipped for demonstration purpose with portable emission measurement systems (PEMS) in order to measure the gaseous emission during the competition. The competition took place at the Autodromo Nazionale of Monza on the same track used for the Formula 1 Grand Prix as well. For this competition the track was divided into three sections simulating respectively the driving conditions on urban roads, on extra-urban roads and on motorways. To be admitted to the competition the vehicles had to use either neat alternative fuels or fossil fuels containing at least 50% of alternative fuels like biofuels. Of the nine vehicles monitored during the competition, four were hybrid vehicles using different fuels (gasoline/ethanol, LPG, biodiesel), three vehicles were running on natural gas, one running on LPG and one on biodiesel. The results of the emission measurements are presented and discussed in this paper.\| \|JRC Institute:\|\|Sustainable Resources\| Files in This Item: There are no files associated with this item. Items in repository are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.
- Japanese destroyer Shimakaze nihongo\|"Shimakaze"\|島風 was a one-off super-destroyer built for the Imperial Japanese Navyduring World War II. A virtual cruiser, she was armed with six 127 mm dual purpose guns and conventional anti-aircraft and anti-submarine weaponry. More importantly, she was also armed with 15 torpedo tubes each capable of firing the deadly 24-inch "Long Lance" torpedo. The ship was a testbed for an enormously powerful high-temperature, high-pressure steam engine that was able to develop nearly 80,000 shaft horsepower. This made her one of the fastest destroyers in the world: her designed speed was 39 knots, but on trials she made 40.9 knots. Ordered in 1939 under the Fourth Naval Replacement Programme (the Maru Yonprogramme), "Shimakaze" was laid down in Maizuru Naval Arsenalin August 1941 and completed on 10 May 1943. She saw action in the evacuation of Kiskain July 1943 and was present in 1944 at the Battle of the Philippine Sea. While flagshipof Destroyer Squadron 2, she was sunk by American aircraft on 8 November 1944 during the Battle of Ormoc Bay. Japan had intended to lay down sixteen similar destroyers, with long term plans (the Maru Goprogramme) for a total of 32 to equip 4 destroyer squadrons, but a lack of industrial capacity prevented them from being realized. This ship was powered with experimental steam turbine (This made construction of sister ship very difficult) and has speed test on 7 April 1943 marked 40.90 knots with 79,240 horsepower. hips in class * Chief Equipping Officer - Cmdr. Hiromu Hirose - 20 March 1943 - 10 May 1943 * Cmdr. Hiromu Hirose - 10 May 1943 - 5 October 1943 * Cmdr. Hiroshi Uwai - 5 October 1943 - 11 November 1944 * M.J Whitley, Destroyers of World War 2, 1988 Cassell Publishing ISBN 1-85409-521-8 "Collection of writings by Sizuo Fukui Vol.5, Stories of Japanese Destroyers", Kōjinsha (Japan) 1993, ISBN 4-7698-0611-6 "The Maru Special, Japanese Naval Vessels No.41 Japanese Destroyers I", Ushio Shobō (Japan), July 1980, Book code 68343-42 * [http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/japan/destroyers/pages/shimakaze.htm MaritimeQuest Shimakaze Page] * [http://www.combinedfleet.com/shimak_n.htm Shimakaze Class Notes by Allyn Nevitt] Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Look at other dictionaries: Japanese destroyer Okikaze — at Yokosuka, 1932 Career … Wikipedia Japanese destroyer Nokaze — Career … Wikipedia Japanese destroyer Numakaze — Career Name: Numakaze Ordered: 1 … Wikipedia Japanese destroyer Naganami — Naganami in June 1942 at time of completion. Career … Wikipedia Japanese World War II destroyers — In World War II, the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) had at its disposal a range of destroyers that included some of the most formidable warships of their type. This, with the power of the Long Lance torpedoes, came as a nasty surprise to the allies … Wikipedia List of ships of the Japanese Navy — The following is the list of ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy and the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force.Medieval warships* Atakebune, 16th century coastal battleships. * Red seal ships Around 350 armed sailships, commissioned by the Bakufu in… … Wikipedia Minekaze class destroyer — Minekaze at Yokosuka, 1918 Class overview Builders: Maizuru Naval Arsenal Mitsubishi Nagasaki … Wikipedia List of destroyer classes — This is a list of destroyer classes. = Argentina (Armada de la República Argentina) = * Catamarca class mdash; 4 ships (1912) * Cervantes class mdash; 2 ships (1927, spanish Churruca class) * Mendoza class mdash; 3 ships (1929) * Buenos Aires… … Wikipedia Super Shimakaze class destroyer — Books* Rekishi Gunzō, History of Pacific War Vol.23 Akizuki class destroyer , Gakken (Japan), 1999, ISBN 4 05 602063 9 * Collection of writings by Sizuo Fukui Vol.4, Stories of Japanese Cruisers , Kōjinsha (Japan) 1992, ISBN 4 7698 0610 8 *… … Wikipedia Hatakaze class destroyer — The Hatakaze class of guided missile destroyer is a third generation vessel in service with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF). It marked the first of the JMSDF s ships that had gas turbine propulsion.The core weapon suite is similar… … Wikipedia
Colleagues remember Andrew Lange as a brilliant scientist with a large streak of generosity. A Caltech cosmologist known for his work on the general geometry of the early universe, Lange took his own life on 22 January. He was 53. Lawrence Wade, who had worked with Lange since 1993, recalls how Lange would arrange for a postdoc to take all the equipment and the funding from a project to help him get established as a new faculty member. “I don’t know anybody else who is willing to give away a couple million dollars worth of hardware and funding to help one of his former students,” says Wade, a physicist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. Lange was co-leader of an experiment that scored one of the bigger scientific coups in recent decades. In 2000, the Balloon Observations of Millimetric Extragalactic Radiation and Geophysics (BOOMERanG) reported the first high-definition measurements of the afterglow of the big bang, the so-called cosmic microwave background (CMB). The temperature of that ancient radiation varies randomly by about one part in 100,000 from point to point across the sky, and BOOMERanG was able to measure the distribution of sizes of the hot and cold spots before NASA launched its Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) to do much the same thing. Reported in 2000, the BOOMERanG measurements nailed the general “geometry” of the universe and its age and, in concert with other measurements, gave the relative proportions of ordinary matter, mysterious dark matter, and space-stretching dark energy in the cosmos. WMAP mapped CMB across the entire sky and measured all of those things to higher precision, but some cosmologists say that BOOMERanG stole WMAP’s thunder. “WMAP only confirmed these discoveries,” Wade says. “Some people thought he would have been a candidate for a Nobel Prize,” says John Mather, a cosmologist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, who himself won a Nobel Prize for measuring the spectrum of the microwaves in CMB. Lange was manifestly gifted, Mather says. Lange worked at Goddard one summer as an undergraduate at Princeton University and “he stayed in my basement,” Mather says. During his free time, Mather recalls, Lange entertained himself reading Gravitation by Misner, Thorne, and Wheeler, a 1000-page tome on general relativity. “He was really an amazing talent already.” John Ruhl, a cosmologist at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, recalls that Lange invited him to work on BOOMERanG. “He kind of gave me my big break,” Ruhl says. "The idea that he’s gone now is a hard hit.” Lange is survived by his ex-wife, Frances Arnold, a Caltech biochemist, along with a stepson and two sons.
Geology and Geography Weather and Climate These sites are not listed in any particular order. - H. Towner's Southern California Natural History: a Multimedia Textbook - San Diego Natural History Museum's Field Guide to Southern California - Jane Strong's The Natural History of the San Gabriel Mountains - The Collected Works of Jane Strong - An Amateur's Field Guide to San Dimas Canyon from the San Dimas Canyon Improvement Association - Natural Science Section of the Sierra Club, Angeles Chapter. - Terry A. Vaughan's Mammals of the San Gabriel Mountains (1954 Master Thesis detailing the species found and their locations) - Southern California Mountains and Foothills Assessment: Habitat and Species Conservation Issues (Chapter 2: Mountain and Foothills Ecosystems; Chapter 3: Factors Influencing Ecosystem Integrity; Chapter 4: Potentially Vulnerable Species: Animals; and Chapter 6: Game and Other High-Interest Species) - The USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory's Wildlife Species Life Form (an excellent reference for a large number of animals. For example, the page on coyote is 47 kB of very interesting information, with references.) - H. Towner's Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals of Southern California. - Robert N. Fisher's and Ted J. Case's A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Coastal Southern California - San Diego Natural History Museum's Field Guide to Southern California has many animal links. - Pasadena Audubon Society's Arroyo Southwestern Toad - Tom Chester and Jane Strong's: - Jane Strong's: - Noticeable Butterflies of the Front Range of the San Gabriel Mountains, including a Current Butterfly Report. - Mammals of the San Gabriel Mountains - Yellow-Legged Frog - Pasadena Audubon Society's Birding in and around Pasadena - Tom Chester's: - Greg E. Van Stralen's Home Range Size and Habitat Use of Urban Black Bears in the San Gabriel Mountains - Ron Lyons' Bug Walk Articles - Kevin Crook's Tabby Go Home "Outdoor cats surrounding the typical, moderately-sized canyon kill nearly 1000 rodents, over 500 birds, and over 600 lizards per year." - Cats, Dogs & Wildlife from Native Species Network - Chapter 1: The River as It Once Was: Plant and Animal Life from THE LOS ANGELES RIVER: Its Life, Death, And Possible Rebirth, by Blake Gumprecht - The California Reader's Chaparral: An Elfin Forest (click on Animals of the Chaparral from the 1906 book Life in the open; sport with rod, gun, horse, and hound in southern California by Charles Frederick Holder) - Mike Jacoubowsky's Killer Squirrels Take on Cyclists! - Field Guide to Traffic Cones (see also their Evolution from ancient squids) Geology and Geography - Tanya Atwater's Plate tectonic animations (click on animations in the left hand frame for Pacific Hemisphere Plate Tectonic History, for the area setting, and Plate Tectonic History of Southern California, which shows very clearly how the SGM were formed) - John McPhee's The Control of Nature: Los Angeles Against The Mountains-1 - H. Towner's Geography - Mike Ballard's Santa Clarita Resources Page (geology, history, road guides, bicycling guides) - Bernard Biological Field Station's Geography and Geology of Claremont Area - Maps explaining geology of San Gabriel Mountains from the Pomona College Geology Department - San Andreas Field Trip and San Gabriel Mountains Field Trip from Dorothy Stout, Cypress College - Virtual Field Geology from CSU Long Beach: St. Francis Dam Disaster, Palmdale Road Cut, and Cajon Pass - Eric Hovanitz's PCC Geology 1 Field Trip: Arroyo Seco (excellent pictures with captions of the Sierra Madre fault near the JPL west bridge abutment) - Oscar Lovera's posting of Timing of Underthrusting of the Pelona Schist, San Gabriel Mountains - So. Cal. Earthquake Center's Map Of Earthquake Faults In and Near the ANF: San Gabriel and Sierra Madre Fault Zones and the Clamshell - Sawpit Canyon Fault. - Southern California Areal Mapping Project Digital Elevation Model Map for California and for Southern California - James P. McCalpin's Ridgetop Splitting, Spreading, and Shattering Related to Earthquakes in Southern California (interesting work on the origins of closed depressions, troughs, and scarps on top of ridges in the SGM) - Actinolite At Wrightwood - Deformation and Geologic History, North of the San Andreas Fault, between Valyermo and Cajon Valley, in the North-Eastern San Gabriel Mountains, California: Quaternary Deformation Produced by a Subsurface Restraining Bend in the San Andreas Fault? by Miles Kenney, Ray Weldon II - Anderson, Jachens and Woolfenden: Structural Model of the San Bernardino Strike-Slip Basin, Southern California, from Regional Gravity Data - Chapter 1: The River as It Once Was from THE LOS ANGELES RIVER: Its Life, Death, And Possible Rebirth, by Blake Gumprecht (talks about recent geologic history of SGM and L.A. Basin) - Geology in the Los Padres National Forest (a comprehensive guide to the geology of this forest that neighbors the ANF) See main index page. Weather and Climate - Climate of Los Angeles (downloadable 300 kB of a very up-to-date, readable summary of L.A.'s climate written by the National Weather Service) - H. Towner's Climate of Southern California. - Plot of Average Annual Precipitation for California - Rainfall of Los Angeles- Since 1877 and Los Angeles County Drainage Area from Los Angeles River Connection - Jane Strong's Weather in the San Gabriel Mountains (current weather, descriptions, extremes, and historical records) - Bernard Biological Field Station's Climate of the Claremont area - William H. DuBay's Review of Historic Rainstorms in California (rainfall records set in San Gabriels) Go to Field Guide to the San Gabriel Mountains Copyright © 1996-2003 by Tom Chester and Jane Strong. Permission is freely granted to reproduce any or all of this page as long as credit is given to us at this source: Comments and feedback: Tom Chester \| Jane Strong Updated 15 April 2003
Hundreds of cities are now committing themselves to be 100 per cent on renewables at specified times in the future. Kirby Calvert argues on the Policy Options website that the target is a simple and positive message, but it can unnecessarily confuse the public, fostering a false sense that this market transformation can be driven politically. Instead he thinks cities should take a broader perspective, focusing on the energy transition as a whole. Why cities should abandon the “100 percent renewable” target Can we power our buildings, vehicles and industry entirely on renewable resources like the sun, wind and water? Should we? Hundreds of communities across the globe and five municipalities in Canada say yes and have established a formal target through their local governments to leave fossil fuels and nuclear generation behind in favour of a 100 percent renewable energy supply (100% RE). My hometown of Guelph, Ontario, recently agreed to add our city to this growing network and is now exploring how they will reach the goal by 2050. Setting the 100% RE target is the easy part, but how do we actually get there? This question drives my career as a researcher and as an active participant in community energy planning. While the movement is laudable — there is no pathway other than 100% RE that leads to a clean, equitable and prosperous energy system — these targets have serious flaws and should be reconsidered. Municipalities across Canada face two significant obstacles to achieving what they promise. First, cities currently have very little regulatory authority over the sources of energy that give us electricity, heat and motorized transportation. Most of the cities that claim to have achieved 100% RE are referring to their electricity use only and are not including the energy they use for heat or transport. Electricity is lower-hanging fruit, and it is actually a relatively small portion of total energy use in a city. When we start to think about heating (which relies mostly on natural gas delivered through our furnaces) and transport (which relies mostly on gasoline and diesel), the challenge grows exponentially. Technologies and business models are evolving to bring renewable options to users of heating and transport fuels, but the kind of structural change that is required to see that through is well beyond the control of municipal government. Provincial governments make decisions about energy supply and regulate energy system operators and distribution companies to operate pipelines and electricity grids. Even when a municipality is a sole shareholder of its local utility, the utility is tightly regulated and responds to provincial government directives, not to local government directives. In some cases, municipal governments have invested directly in local heating systems (for instance, as owners or equity investors in a district energy system), but even in those cases they are investing in the distribution of energy and have little control over the source of that energy. Second, cities just don’t have the physical space to support their target. Studies have shown that the average city consumes at least twice as much energy as can be produced within city limits — in other words, the spatial concentration of energy use vastly exceeds the spatial concentration of renewable energy supply. For an entire city to be 100% RE, especially when we add heating and transport, will require the recovery of renewable energy in farmland, forests, lakes, oceans and other spaces far away from our borders. The 100% RE target is a simple and positive message, but it can unnecessarily confuse the public, fostering a false sense that this market transformation can be driven politically. While having a network of municipalities step forward to declare their intent to achieve 100% RE might send some market signals, those signals are dependent on politically tenuous promises. What’s more, history has proven that declarations are not necessary. All energy transitions — including the shift from horse and carriage to motor vehicles, and from steam power to the internal combustion engine — required smart, targeted public policy to facilitate them, but none of them happened just because someone stood up and declared the transition. Certainly, municipal governments still have a role to play in facilitating a 100% RE future. A more effective and less politicized use of municipal staff time and council meetings is to leverage their real power and mandate to develop projects and programs that will generate the kinds of change required to meet a 100% RE future. There are many options: - helping utilities to deliver energy conservation and energy efficiency programs either through awareness-raising initiatives or, more directly, through by-law changes that enable unique financing options for homeowners, such as local improvement charges; - raising community bonds or reallocating capital expenses to invest directly into solar energy systems on their buildings, or to build electric vehicle charging facilities; - converting waste management and public transit fleets to run on electricity; - brokering relationships with utilities, landowners and the community at large to identify opportunities for generating local renewable energy beyond municipally owned land and infrastructure. All of these actions fall directly in line with 100% RE, and in my experience, they are defensible even among individuals and groups that might object to their local council declaring the municipality a 100% RE city. The 100% RE target is laudable but misses the point. The transition is picking up steam in the global marketplace, and changes in technologies and business models are making it more likely every day. So, the message to municipalities is simple: stop setting the 100% RE target. It is politically divisive and almost entirely outside of your sphere of influence. Instead, get to work facilitating the transition and ensuring that it benefits your community through targeted and politically defensible actions.
There’s a lot of hype about the ketogenic diet, and you’ve probably heard it in passing as well, either from friends or family. While to most it’s simply a weight loss marvel, to others, it’s a medical diet that allows them to live a healthier and productive life. Unlike most eating plans, the ketogenic diet is more complex. It takes real work, real planning, and more than just commitment. Additionally, there are a couple of risks you take when you don’t do it the right way. Here’s all you need to know about ketosis and the keto diet. What Is Ketosis? Interestingly, you may have gone into a state of mild ketosis today without even knowing it. It’s a metabolic process that occurs when your body turns to burning stored fat to produce ketones and use it as an energy source. That only happens when your body is low on carbohydrates and your glucose stores are depleted. You can achieve a state of ketosis by forcing your body to rely on fat as an energy source. That makes it easier to maintain this state. Additionally, ketosis can occur if you are diabetic and your body either lacks enough insulin or is improperly using the one it has. How Ketosis Works in the Human Body Let’s start with how your body utilises sugar and carbs. When you eat any food high in carbs, your body breaks them down into much simple sugars or glucose. It uses these as fuel and the extra is stored as glycogen in the liver. When you withdraw from carbs, your body adapts a new strategy of using stored fats as fuel. Your body breaks these fats down and releases different types of ketones in the process. The state your body is in at this point is a ketosis state. Effects of Ketosis Moreover, ketosis can help you feel full for a longer period and as such suppress your appetite. This is what makes it a great choice for people looking forward to cutting some weight. Others use ketosis to build muscle mass while burning the extra fats in their bodies, especially in the arms. While ketosis mostly comes up when people are discussing weight loss diets or diabetes, it can be helpful for more than just that. For instance, it can be used to prevent epileptic seizures, especially in children. In that case, children can achieve ketosis by going into a short fast of at least 12 hours. For most, it can take days of having this short fast, while others achieve it much easier. However, there are other ways of inducing this state. What Is a Ketogenic Diet? This is basically a diet that is high in protein and fat. A ketogenic diet is also low on carbs. For instance, a good keto diet gets at least 70 percent of its calories from fat, 20 percent from proteins, and the remaining 10 percent from carbs. Even so, a ketogenic diet is highly individualised, and your diet version may differ from this example. It’s best to start with what works for you. You can start with reducing your carb intake to not more than 50 grams a day. This amount is equivalent to eating two bananas or three slices of bread. Even so, don’t expect your ketone levels to increase in one day. That will only happen if you do this consistently for a couple of days. Why Start a Ketogenic Diet As mentioned earlier, starting a ketogenic diet can be extremely beneficial—as a weight loss diet or a medical diet for epilepsy and diabetes. But there are numerous other benefits you can enjoy. Although research is still ongoing, the health benefits of ketosis on health conditions are simply mind-boggling. Here are other benefits of the keto diet; It Can Help Improve Your Athletic Performance A Keto diet affords you an easier way of controlling your energy levels. One thing that using carbs or glucose for energy fails in is how fast you run out of it. Once you get hungry, your energy levels go low to let you know it’s time for a refill. That can be very inconvenient, especially for an athlete. On the other hand, no matter how skinny you are, your body has quite a significant level of fats to burn. These steady energy levels are something that every athlete wants. When you train your body to maintain ketosis using a keto diet, you can always be sure of having sufficient energy for training or a marathon. Helps Lower Cholesterol Levels and Blood Pressure High cholesterol and blood pressure are often high risk conditions. From stroke to cardiovascular issues and obesity, everyone does their best to avoid these conditions. Well, keto can help you with that. That’s because ketogenic diets help improve LDL cholesterol levels that cause an arterial build-up. Additionally, that affords a better blood flow through your arteries. Plus, this diet ensures there’s a steady increase in HDL cholesterol, which is a good type of cholesterol. That can also help with weight loss. Improves Mental Focus Another downside to relying on sugar and glucose as a source of fuel is the highs and lows that make it impossible to focus. Ketones can be used as a steadier source of energy for your brain. As such, you can expect to have better and more consistent mental focus and clarity. Who wouldn’t want that? Are There Side Effects of Starting a Ketogenic Diet? For some beginners, you may experience an unpleasant side effect called keto flu. However, it’s not really a ‘flu’ but your body’s reaction to the switch of energy source from carbs to fats. Adapting a low-carb diet comes with withdrawal symptoms that are very similar to flu or withdrawing from an addictive substance. You may experience this for a week or longer. However, not everyone gets the keto flu. Plus, others have very mild symptoms while others get more severe symptoms. These include but are not limited to; - Carb cravings The good news is you can prevent it. You can do so by staying hydrated, replacing dietary electrolytes, and getting enough sleep. Ketosis and a ketogenic diet is a great way for you to stay healthy and lead a balanced life. Although starting the keto diet is quite challenging, it’s worth it in the end. It can help you in losing weight, building muscle mass, and more importantly, maintaining stable energy levels.
36. CONVERSION BY THE BUDDHA OF ANGULIMALA, A ROBBER OF THE FOREST Angulimala was the son of the King's Chaplain of the Savatthi City, and a student of the Taxila University. The teacher and his wife were very fond of him, as he was a brilliant, clever and faithful pupil. Unfortunately his associates grew jealous of him, made up a false story and succeeded in setting the teacher against him. The enraged teacher, suspecting him to have had an affair with his wife contrived to put an end to his life by ordering him to fetch a thousand fingers as a present in return for the education he received. In obedience to the teacher, he took to the forest of Savatthi and started killing people to collect fingers for the necessary offering. Later he wore a garland of these fingers to ascertain the number -- hence the name Angulimala. When he had collected 999 fingers, and was ready to complete the number he chased his own mother who came out to ask him to desist from killing. The Buddha saw this in advance and appeared on the scene to prevent him from killing his mother. He chased the Buddha to kill Him, but could not overtake Him on account of His supernatural power. He was eventually converted to the noble Doctrine of the Buddha and was admitted into the Order.
I recently was asked the question about supplementation for specific conditions and the topic of Flavonoids surfaced. I began to research what sources are healthy and what sources might be toxic for the body. From the medical side, I found an interesting article I’d like to share. News-Medical.net reports that some flavonoids may promote the growth of cancer and affect the endocrine system. News-Medical.net reports that rather than being thought of as healthy, flavonoids should be thought of as being very potent and active chemicals. They state that eating plants rich in flavonoids is probably safe, but caution should be used when taking concentrated extracts of flavonoids. So, what is the answer about safety and benefits of adding Flavonoids to your daily regime? You get to decide for yourself. Please read on. Flavonoids are attributed to the bluish-purple colors of many fruits, vegetables. These compounds were first discovered by Nobel Prize-winning biochemist Alber Szent-Gyorgi, who linked them to protecting blood vessels and capillaries. He discovered that flavonoids greatly enhance the absorption and effectiveness of Vitamin C in preventing leaky capillaries. Flavonoids are known to possess potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-enhancing properties. They have a beneficial action on the heart, blood vessels, liver, immune system, connective tissue, adrenal glands, kidneys, musculature and nervous systems. The flavonoid compound, 2″-O-GIV was first isolated by Osawa et. al. in 1992 from young barley grass juice and found to possess potent antioxidant activity. This information paramount in your decision making process. When flavonoids are present in natural concentrations like those found in barley grass, they are extremely beneficial to longevity and lasting health. Here at Morter HealthSystem, we’ve been touting the importance of Alka•Green®(Barley Grass), alkalinity, natural supplementation and trace minerals for nearly 50 years.
NASA's Kepler space telescope is in trouble. The telescope, launched in 2009 in search of Earth-like planets, has lost the use of one of the four wheels that control its orientation in space. Kepler, for the second time this month, has gone into safe mode, according to NAS. With NASA no longer able to manipulate the telescope's positioning, ground engineers also are having a hard time communicating with it since the communications link comes and goes as the spacecraft spins uncontrollably. This is the second wheel failure Kepler has suffered. "This is a clear indication that there has been an internal failure within the reaction wheel, likely a structural failure of the wheel bearing," NASA reported. "With the failure of a second reaction wheel, it's unlikely that the spacecraft will be able to return to the high pointing accuracy that enables its high-precision photometry. However, no decision has been made to end data collection." The telescope is stable and safe at this point. Engineers, though, are working to minimize the amount of fuel that the spacecraft is using while they try to control its orientation with its thrusters. Kepler has been considered a success, wrapping up its primary three-and-a-half-year mission and entering a second phase of research last November. NASA scientists had been hoping that Kepler would continue working for another four years. Since it began its work on May 12, 2009, the telescope has searched more than 100,000 stars for signs of Earth-like planets in the habitable zone, an area that may have water. The telescope has so far confirmed more than 100 such planets. The telescope is onboard a spacecraft that is carrying several computers. Kepler is designed to measure the brightness of stars every half hour, allowing scientists to detect any dimming that would be caused by orbiting planets passing in front of them. Scientists receive enough data from Kepler to determine not only the size of a planet but whether it has a solid surface and its potential to hold water, something considered crucial to the formation of life. Last month, the space agency announced that Kepler had discovered two planets that are perfectly sized and positioned to potentially hold life. Scientists are not saying hey actually have discovered life on the newfound planets, which are about 1,200 light years away. However, they did say they're one step closer to finding a world similar to Earth that orbits a star like our sun. NASA announced on Wednesday that even if Kepler's mission is over, it has gathered enough information to keep scientists busy analyzing it for years. This article, NASAs planet-hunting telescope is spinning out of control, was originally published at Computerworld.com. Sharon Gaudin covers the Internet and Web 2.0, emerging technologies, and desktop and laptop chips for Computerworld. Follow Sharon on Twitter at @sgaudin, on Google+ or subscribe to Sharon's RSS feed. Her email address is email@example.com. Read more about emerging technologies in Computerworld's Emerging Technologies Topic Center.
If you want to find the bird, you should rely on your ears as well as your eyes. According to master birder Roger Tory Peterson, the scarlet tanager's singing is like that of a robin "with a sore throat." May is the best month to spot the scarlet tanager — as spring gives way to summer, the males' bright red plumage turns to a yellowish-green. Scarlet tanagers are most common in the eastern half of the U.S. from southeastern Oklahoma to northern Alabama and from northern Georgia to just above the U.S.-Canadian border. Related species are not quite as bright but are beautiful in their own right. The male Western tanager, common to the western states, has a red face and a yellow body with black back, wings and tail. The male summer tanager of the southeastern U.S. is red all over.
Uncommon Attraction: Isla de Cubagua, Venezuela You won’t find much on Cubagua, the smallest and least populated of the islands that comprise the state of Nueva Esparta, Venezuela. Cubagua is flat (highest elevation: 105 feet), small (total area: under 10 square miles), and exceedingly dry. It rains so infrequently here that water has to be shipped in from mainland Venezuela. There are no roads here, no real structures (much less hotels), and very little, if any, infrastructure whatsoever. It’s little wonder then that less than 100 people live here. What’s more wondrous, though, is that this forgotten island was once home to one of the most thriving cities in all of the West Indies. Nueva Cádiz was founded here in 1528, just 30 years after Columbus first sighted Cubagua. From the harsh desert conditions, Nueva Cádiz quickly grew in size and population, becoming the first settlement in Venezuela to officially attain the title of “city.” The Spanish established Nueva Cádiz as its primary base of operations to launch invasions aimed at expanding their conquered lands in South America. They built a slaving center here to supply labor to their plantations on the Venezuelan mainland and beyond, while also bringing in enslaved Lucayan Indians from The Bahamas to dive for pearls, further buttressing Cubagua’s wealth and prosperity. The high times in Nueva Cádiz didn’t last for long, though. By 1541, depleted oyster beds already were already having an adverse affect on the island’s future. An earthquake and subsequent tsunami on Christmas Day of the same year wiped out the city, leaving haunting ruins like the ones pictured above. At its height, Nueva Cádiz had a population estimated at up to 1,500. Today, less than 100 people are said to call Cubagua home, nearly all of them subsistence fisherman. No doubt, there are few places in the Caribbean that offer beaches as empty, history as significant, and sunny skies as guaranteed. *Lead photo credit: Flickr user Wilfredorrh.
Demand is the lifeblood of entrepreneurs, determining what products and services sell. (article continues below) Naturally, demand is top of mind for most hard-working entrepreneurs like you. Lucky for you, economists are also concerned with the nature of demand; perhaps you can learn something from them. What exactly is this demand thing? In economics, demand is defined as the quantities of a good that consumers are willing and able to purchase at various prices during a given period of time. First, to qualify as a unit of demand, consumers must be able to purchase good—that is, consumers must be able to afford the good. Almost everybody wants a private jet, but, sadly, those who cannot afford it simply do not contribute to the demand for private jets. Second, those who have the resources to make a purchase must be willing to make the purchase. If you start a cookie business making some of the worst cookies in the world, it doesn't matter how cheap you are selling them for as long as those who are able to make a purchase are not willing to make a purchase. Third, demand must refer to a given period of time. If I told you that demand for your product at county X is $100,000 dollars without specifying the time period, how useful would the information be to you? Is it $100,000 a year or a week? Fourth, demand represents the quantities consumers would purchase at various prices. Intuitively, for most goods, as you lower price, more will be sold and as you increase price, less will be sold. A demand schedule is simply a list of the quantities that would be purchased at various prices. You may use a demand schedule to help you with pricing. Here is a fictional example of a demand schedule: With the help of a demand schedule, you may construct a demand curve. A demand curve graphically illustrates the relationship between price and the quantity demanded at each price. For example, with the previous demand schedule, you only know the quantities purchased per day at $200, $150, $50, $25, and 0, but not at any price between these numbers. A demand curve will help you infer the quantities demanded at each price. Here is an example of a demand curve:
Many people who work in non-profit organizations, education or other helping professions, tend to be “problem solvers”. We like to be able to help everyone around us solve their problems and concerns quickly and efficiently. But when we do this, are we really helping? One of the main things I hear from participants in Camp Fire’s Coaching Mentoring Certificate Course is that their tendency is to “tell people in their lives what to do” or try to “fix problems for them by offering solutions immediately”. I know this has been my tendency and is something I am actively working on changing. Even though we have this tendency, research shows that children and adults learn best when they are active participants in the process of thinking through a challenge or question. One of the most useful skills Coaching Course participants say they gain is the practice of asking good questions and leaving space and silence for the other person to give a thoughtful answer. Here are a couple of quick tips to move you in the direction of helping others learn and grow by coming to their own conclusions: Challenge yourself to only ask open-ended questions. Furthermore, see if you can ask questions that only start with the words “What” or “How”. - Instead of asking “Do you think it would work if you rearranged your classroom?”, ask “What have you already tried to solve this problem?” - Instead of immediately offering solutions, ask “What ideas do you have?” “What is your first thought on this?” “What does your experience/intuition tell you?” - Instead of “Do you feel happy/sad/angry about that?”, ask “How do you feel about that?” Challenge yourself to silently count to 10 after asking a question. When we ask thoughtful, open ended questions like the ones listed above, people need time to gather their thoughts. Waiting for an answer from the other person also reinforces your confidence in their ability to solve the problem, address the challenge, or come up with an idea to propose. Another effective way to force yourself to pause after asking a question is to take a couple sips of your bottled water or coffee drink that we all seem to carry with us these days. Have a few “go to” questions that you can fall back on in most conversations. A few examples that could be relevant to many different kinds of conversations include: - What’s your take on it? - How do you think that will work? - What have you already tried? - What potential pitfalls could occur? - What possible outcomes could we see from that course of action? If you start to ask a question and it doesn’t begin with the words “what” or “how”, stop mid-sentence and say, “let me back up and rephrase that”. Then start again with a more open-ended question. These tips for coaching others are effective in both professional and personal relationships. The likelihood of deepening your conversation with your own child, your spouse and your co-workers is all greater when you ask open ended questions rather than making statements, giving advice, and telling others what to do and think. Angela Dikes is the vice president of professional growth at Camp Fire First Texas. Angela brings more than 25 years of social work and youth development experience to her position. Before coming to Camp Fire, she worked with various child placing agencies including Harmony Family Services, Specialized Alternatives for Youth (SAFY) of Texas, and Safe Havens of Kornerstone. She also worked with Big Brothers Big Sisters for more than 10 years. Angela holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Social Work from Hardin-Simmons University, and the University of Texas at Arlington, respectively. She is also a Licensed Master Social Worker.
The biggest challenge for endurance athletes isn’t the competition—it’s sun exposure, according to the latest Sun & Skin News, a publication of The Skin Cancer Foundation. Triathletes, for example, compete outdoors in three endurance sports back-to-back—swimming, bicycling, and running. If racers don’t carefully protect themselves, notes Scott B. Phillips, MD, the result could be premature skin aging and skin cancers, including melanomas. About half of the triathletes recently surveyed by Dr. Phillips had skin problems, and 55 percent of those with problems reported sunburns – almost the same results obtained from 259 marathoners. “One problem for endurance athletes is that they wear less clothing in races than they do in workouts, exposing more sin to the sun,” says Dr. Phillips, in the Department of Dermatology at the St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Chicago, IL. “But the greatest about of exposure occurs during training, since athletes may work out several hours daily.” Experienced competitors, however, learn many methods to avoid such threats. These strategies are advised for anyone exercising in the sun: - Train early and/or late in the day, even if it means breaking workouts into two sessions. From 10 to 4, stay out of the sun. “People with jobs typically train before and after work, or during lunch hour,” says Dr. Phillips. “I’m less likely to train at lunch because of the high sun.” - During training, cover as much skin as possible, wearing sweatpants or long shorts, and a long-sleeved shirt or sweatshirt. Wear socks to soak up sweat and absorb impact as well as block the sun. And shield your eyes with UV-blocking sunglasses. - Wide-brimmed hats are too unwieldy for endurance sports, but wear a baseball-type cap to protect the forehead and front of the face. - Use an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen on all exposed skin, up to 6:30pm or later on a summer’s day, even when it’s cloudy. Dr. Phillips also recommends lip balm, and stick sunscreens around the eyes, because these sunscreens are more resistant to sweating. Badwater recommends the prducts by Kiehl’s Since 1851. - Even if a sunscreen is labeled “waterproof” or “water-resistant,” replenish it every two hours after. “These few moments make a big difference in sun safety, and little difference in your competitiveness,” says Dr. Phillips. The Skin Cancer Foundation, the only national and international organization concerned solely with cancers of the skin, conducts public and medical education programs and provides support for research and professional training to reduce the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of skin cancers. Sun & Skin News, a quarterly publication of the Foundation, provides information on a broad range of topics related to skin health, including prevention and treatment of skin cancers, the effectiveness of new sunscreen formulas and sunglasses, prevention and treatment of photoaging, and the danger of tanning parlors. For additional information, contact: The Skin Cancer Foundation 245 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1403 New York, NY 10016
Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia. The dextrorotatory form of glucose, C6H12O6·H2O, the naturally occurring form of glucose found in all organisms. Also called dextroglucose. American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved. (Elements & Compounds) a white soluble sweet-tasting crystalline solid that is the dextrorotatory isomer of glucose, occurring widely in fruit, honey, and in the blood and tissue of animals. Formula: C6H12O6. Also called: grape sugar or dextroglucose Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014 the dextrorotatory form of glucose, occurring in fruits and in animal tissues and commercially obtainable from starch by acid hydrolysis. Also called corn sugar, grape sugar. Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. A sugar that is the most common form of glucose, found in plant and animal tissues and also derived from starch. The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Switch to new thesaurus \|Noun\|\|1.\|\|dextrose - an isomer of glucose that is found in honey and sweet fruits\| glucose - a monosaccharide sugar that has several forms; an important source of physiological energy Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc. dextrose[ˈdekstrəʊs] N → dextrosa f Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005 dextrose[ˈdɛkstrəʊz ˈdɛkstrəʊs] n (= sugar) → dextrose m Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005 Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007 n. dextrosa, glucosa, forma de azúcar simple, pop. azúcar de uva. English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012 English-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Multiplication is like repeated addition. Multiplying 4 adding four three times: . The multiplication of a vector times a scalar works in the same way. Multiplying the vector A the positive scalar c to adding together c copies of the . Thus 3A = A + A + A Multiplying a vector by a scalar will get you a vector with the same direction, but different magnitude, as the original. The result of multiplying A a vector in the same direction as A with a magnitude of . If c negative, then the direction of A reversed by scalar multiplication.
Tell me at the first instance how can you comprehend the Work NETWORK EXTERNALITY ? By Network, we mean Individuals. And Externality is a cost or benefit that is incurred not on your choice. In Economics, Network Externality is a case when people’s demand is dependent upon the purchases of other people. Many times there are cases when you are influenced at buying something just because Others are buying it. In other words, your demand for some product is dependent upon the demand of others for that particular product. You would probably have come across such questions like - I have seen that a lot of people are buying stuff from the new fashion brand. So I also thought to give it a try. - I like the new Corolla design because so many people are already buying it. - Let have a dinner at the Mexican restaurant. I usually see a lot of Crowd there. So you get to be influenced by so many thing just because others are trying it. Positive and Negative Network Externalities Network Externalities can both be Positive and Negative. Positive Network Externality A Network Externality is Positive when your quantity Demand increase is dependent upon the purchases of other people. Negative Network Externality It is negative when your Quantity Demanded Decreases because of growth in other consumers purchases. The Band Wagon Effect A Band wagon Effect is a positive Externality in which consumers desires to buy something is because others are buying it. This usually happens to adults and kids who desires to buy what others of the same age group are buying. games, Sports material, clothes and trendy dresses etc. This effect can be used very well regarding Marketing and Advertising which are considered very successful. Snob Effect is considered to be a Negative externality in which Quantity Demanded Falls because of others buying the same product. Additionally, in such case consumers are willing to buy a luxurious and unique product. And the Snob Good is higher the less people own that good. You can also take example of Mercedes Benz, Rare art works, paintings, crafts, hand-made unique products etc, It is the Prestige and Status that one receives from having such Goods. If you require to have a graphical explanation, feel free to ask .
6 Things You Should Know About Alzheimer's Disease 1 Alzheimer’s disease is not a part of normal aging. Everyone’s memory tends to slip occasionally as they age because everyone’s brains atrophy as we age. Alzheimer’s disease is typically diagnosed in people over the age of 65 but it can be diagnosed at any age. If someone is diagnosed before the age of 65, it is considered, “early onset”. Almost half of the people over the age of 85 have an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. 2. Alzheimer’s disease is not an old person’s disease If someone develops symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease before the age of 65, it is likely that they carry a gene associated with early onset Familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD). A person with FAD may begin to experience symptoms as early as their 20s or 30s. 3. Alzheimer’s disease is more than memory loss Alzheimer’s disease does cause a problem with memory but it also affects many other functions such as perception, speech, communication, behavior, judgement, movement 4. No 100 Percent Certain Diagnosis There is not a test, or even a combination of diagnostic tools that can give a person a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease with 100% certainty. The only way to identify the disease is upon autopsy. Most doctors can diagnose Alzheimer’s disease with about 90% certainty. It is important to have your doctor rule out other health concerns, so do not delay in seeing the doctor because early intervention, education and the right preparation can help someone with Alzheimer’s disease live a better quality of life. 5. While there are medications to treat symptoms, they won’t work for everyone and will not slow down the disease process. A few years ago, some of the pharmaceutical companies were ordered by the FDA to change their marketing practices because their practices lead many patients to believe that their medications could slow the Alzheimer’s disease process if they took their medication. Knowing that the medications on the market now may only help to temporarily alleviate certain symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease, you must weigh the benefits and risks. Some of the medications used to treat Alzheimer’s symptoms cause unpleasant side effects. 6. Get Tested and Diagnosed As Soon Possible It is important to get an early and accurate diagnosis to rule out other health conditions or illness that may mimic or contribute to symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. There are many conditions and illness that cause similar symptoms to Alzheimer’s disease that are treatable and reversible. If someone has unmanaged blood sugar and blood pressure for example, they may have increased confusion and other cognitive difficulties. 7. Alzheimer’s disease is fatal As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, it may cause problems with appetite and swallowing, an increase in falls, immobility, and a decrease in safety awareness which can contribute to risk of death. No one survives Alzheimer’s disease.
An insight from our foray into living math: Traditional Math –A complicated math concept learned or practiced with a workbook may likely result in tears of frustration. Living Math –But that identical math concept learned or practiced with a game is likely to be embraced with genuine eagerness. I’m again amazed at the simple reality of the power of motivation and packaging. We played another game from Family Math (a book) that included playing cards. Sprite was working math problems with an excitement, speed, and accuracy that was not there a week earlier when doing those same kinds of exercises printed in her workbook. For more card game ideas, visit the wonderful Let’s Play Math blog. I’m not ready to discard the textbook quite yet, but I am certainly committed to continuing this type of math education. I’ve purchased the intermediate (cycle 1) lesson plans from Julie at Living Math, and I’m pouring over them, trying to decide which of the multitude of recommended books to purchase. Her approach is literature based, and it seems that I’ll still need to add in living math games and exercises as well. It’s not as “open and go” as I had hoped, but it does offer a nice booklist and a basic outline of math history. If any of you have experience with the Living Math materials, I’d love to hear how you used it.
When Does the Millennium Officially Begin? \|by Borgna Brunner\| Although January 1, 2000, was celebrated throughout the world as the start of the new millennium, that honor should have technically been reserved for January 1, 2001. Common sense might suggest that the year 2000 was the dawning of the third millennium, but it was in fact the waning of the second.The first millennium began in A.D. 1. There is no year zero in our calendar: the sequence of years passes directly from 1 B.C. to A.D. 1. Adding a thousand years to the year 1 equals the year 1001, marking the start of the second millennium. Add another thousand to reach the beginning of the third millennium: January 1, 2001. Opinion seems to be divided about whether the insistence on 2001 is overbearingly pedantic or simply sticking to the facts.A Fundamental Calendrical Flaw Bear in mind, however, that both 2000 and 2001 are years based on a fundamental calendrical flaw. The 6th-century monk Dionysius Exiguus (also called Dennis the Short) recast the calendar so that years would be counted from the birth of Christ (anno Domini [A.D.]; in the year of the Lord) instead of the beginning of the reign of the Roman emperor Diocletian (anno Diocletiani). A.D. 532–formerly anno Diocletiani 248–became the first year counted according to the Christian era. Dionysius, however, miscalculated the birth of Christ, which is believed by many scholars to have been 4 B.C. Had the years been recalibrated accordingly, the millennium would have occurred on Jan. 1, 1997. In other words, why squabble about the millennium—we've already missed it!
NASA Moves Forward in Commercial Rocket Engine Testing Test firing of the AJ26 engine for Orbital Sciences Corp.'s Taurus II launch vehicle at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi on Dec. 17, 2010. Image Credit: NASA › Full Size Image How long is a minute? It is longer than you think when it is filled with fire, steam and noise – lots of noise. On Dec. 17, at NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center, a team of operators from Stennis, Orbital Sciences Corporation and Aerojet filled 55 seconds with all three during the second verification test fire of an Aerojet AJ26 rocket engine. Once verified, the engine will be placed on a Taurus II space vehicle and used to launch a cargo supply mission to the International Space Station. It is all part of NASA’s effort to partner with commercial companies to provide space flights through the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services joint research and development project. Through that program, Orbital has agreed to provide eight cargo supply missions to the space station by 2015. Stennis has partnered with Orbital to test the engines that will power the missions. So, when Orbital’s Taurus II space vehicle lifts off, it will do so on engines proven flight worthy at Stennis. That is a big responsibility, but it is one which engine test personnel at Stennis are used to filling. They tested engines for every manned Apollo space flight and all of the engines used on more than 130 space shuttle missions.
Contributed by: NAPSA (NAPSA) - Your parents were on the right track if they encouraged you to eat those last few bites of broccoli and Brussels sprouts-they just didn't take it far enough. While those greens are important to include in your diet, a variety of color is necessary for you to get all the nutrients shown to benefit your health. The Colors and What They're Good For RED - in tomatoes, watermelon and strawberries is associated with the nutrient lycopene. Lycopene is a carotenoid best known for its link with reduced risk of prostate cancer and heart disease. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is now considering a health claim for products that contain lycopene, stating its potential to reduce the risk of cancer. ORANGE/YELLOW - in peaches, corn and carrots is associated with the nutrients lutein, zeaxanthin and alpha- and beta-carotene. These nutrients function as protective antioxidants and, among other things, have been repeatedly linked through research with eye health. GREEN - in spinach, collards and broccoli also provides lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene. These natural colors have been shown to reduce signs of aging such as the development of cataracts. BLUE/PURPLE - in blueberries, raisins and dried plums comes from the color compounds anthocyanins and beta-carotene, which also function as antioxidants. The Color Code Quiz Now it is easier than ever to assess the color-and therefore the nutrition-in your diet. With only five questions, The Color Code Quiz takes less than 60 seconds and can help you identify the colors and nutrients that your diet may be lacking and help you learn how to get more. The quiz is based on the book "The Color Code" by James A. Joseph, PhD and Daniel A. Nadeau, MD. This information has been provided by the Vitamin & Nutraceutical Information Service and DSM Nutritional Products, Inc. \|Home What's Cool Random My Recipe Box Add Modify\| \|FAQs NewsLetter WebMaster$ Plugs Join! LogIn/LogOut\|
One unit of alcohol is defined as equivalent to 8 grams of pure ethanol. Measurements of the alcohol content in drinks are commonly given as percentage alcohol by volume (AbV), also known as the Gay-Lussac system (in the USA, the proof system is commonly used for spirits, where the proof of a spirit is twice the AbV). The AbV expresses the volume of alcohol as a percentage of the total volume of the liquid. The density of ethanol at 20 degrees Celsius is 0.7893 g/ml. This means that one unit of alcohol is approximately 10 millilitres at room temperature, which makes calculations quite simple (at least in the metric system). To calculate the number of units in a drink, use the formula P * V / 1000 where P is the strength of the drink as a percentage alcohol by volume, and V is the volume in millilitres. Americans can use P * Voz / 33.8 is the volume in fluid ounce Examples of this are: Spirits, British measure (25ml) 40% AbV: 1 unit Lager (1 UK pint/20 oz/568ml) 4.2% AbV: 2.4 units Bottled beer (330ml/12 oz) 5.4% AbV: 1.8 units Wine, large glass (175ml) 12% AbV: 2 units Bottle of spirits (700ml/25oz) 40% AbV: 28 units Approximately one unit of alcohol is metabolised by the body per hour. One gram of alcohol has 7 calories energy, so one unit will equal 56 calories. This does not take into account the sugar content of many alcoholic drinks. The recommended intakes according to the British government are 3-4 units per day for men, and 2-3 units for women (except during pregnancy); these figures vary slightly according to different estimates. In most Western countries, including the USA and the United Kingdom, all alcoholic drinks must be labelled with the percentage alcohol by volume. However, in most places there is no legal requirement to display the number of units in an alcoholic drink, which is in practice the more useful figure. lj informs me that the proof system for measuring the alcoholic content of drinks is different in the UK from the US system; in Britain 100 proof is 57% ABV, which allegedly is the lowest concentration of alcohol that can be poured on gunpowder so that the powder can still explode. (Source: Plymouth Gin website at http://www.plymouthgin.com/index.cfm?articleid=98)
The wife loses a stone; the husband blames the wife; the wife blames the jeweler; the jeweler blames the manufacturer; the manufacturer looks for an answer. Hoover & Strong answers the question. What causes most prong breakage? Chlorine and bromine. Where does it come from? Hot tubs, swimming pools and laundry products. Hoover & Strong has conducted a controlled experiment to determine the effect of common chlorine and bromine products on jewelry settings. We tested household bleach, (heated and unheated), hot tub chlorine and bromine solutions, and a chlorine free dishwashing detergent. We tested 14K and 18K nickel white settings; set and unset, rhodium plated and not plated; palladium white gold and platinum settings. Hoover & Strong's testing rates their products from the most durable to the least durable as follows: Platinum; rhodium plated 14K palladium white gold, 14K palladium white gold; rhodium plated nickel white gold, 18K nickel white gold; and 14K nickel white gold. Chlorine and bromine are commonly used chemical products to prevent bacteria from growing in our drinking water, in swimming pools and hot tubs. Too much of these compounds added may cause a human health threat and a durability problem for settings. The higher the concentration, the longer the exposure and the higher the temperature, the faster the deterioration of the settings. Stress occurs in metals when they are worked. Stress can be relieved in metals by proper heat treating. A simple experiment to demonstrate this can be performed by bending a paper clip until It breaks off, count the number of times you bend the paper clip. Next bend the same paper clip just short of its breaking point. Heat the paper clip to a cherry red and let it cool. This IS called annealing. Now bend the paper clip and count the number of times you have to bend it before it breaks. The annealing relieved the paper The test solutions are listed in order from the product causing the most damage to the least harmful. The rings soaked in heated bleach suffered the most catastrophic failure. The 14K nickel white gold was the first to fail in all solutions except the household detergent. The household detergent had little or no effect on the rings or settings. The test was stopped when the first setting failed and all items were compared. Based on our testing, a consumer wearing a 14K nickel white gold setting would lose a stone or expect prong breakage as follows: Results Of Each Solution 1. 5% chlorine bleach heated to 110°F, prong failure would occur after 21 hours of exposure. Only the platinum and palladium white gold settings held their stones in the worst test solution. 2. 5% chlorine bleach room temperature -prong failure would occur after 120 hours of exposure. 3. 5 ppm (parts per million) chlorine using hot tub chemicals-prong failure would occur after 312 hours or 156 days.4', 5 ppm (parts per million) bromine using hot tub chemicals-prong failure would occur after 384 hours or 192 days. 5. Household detergent -no visible effects on the setting. * based on 2 hours a day, 7 days a week Hoover & Strong's recommendations: Use platinum settings, 14K palladium white settings. Rhodium plate 18K or 14K white settings, the rhodium plating will provide a protective coating to protect the setting; similar to paint stopping rust. Last but not least, do not to wear your jewelry in hot tubs and swimming pools. Take jewelry off when using laundry or cleaning products. NEVER, NEVER clean rings with bleach. Take your jewelry to Denney Jewelers for regular cleaning and
If the parents are afraid of going to the dentist, it is also likely for their kids to have the same fear. But sometimes, even if other family members have no problem seeing the dentist, younger children can be hard to convince. While most kids grow out of this fear, it is still important to teach them how to cope or ease dental anxiety while they’re young. Kids’ dentists in Utah County and other parts of the state share some of the things that can help: Before the Visit Tell your kids about the upcoming dental appointment. Don’t wait until the last moment, as this can only aggravate their fear. Keep in mind that kids need as much time to prepare for the visit. This can be a great time to help them cope with anxiety by letting them express their fears. You can also encourage them to ask questions, but keep the answers straight to the point and avoid giving too many details. You should also: - Let the dentist know that your kid has dental anxiety. - Remind kids that they can ask the dentist too. - Talk to them about the importance taking care of teeth. - Explain the dentist’s role in keeping their mouth healthy. During the Visit Bring your kid’s favorite toy on the day of the appointment. This can help calm their fear and offer distraction. If your child displays fear at the visit, stay calm and speak gently. You can ask the dental professional to make them feel at ease and safe. Don’t forget to ask your dentist for advice and other tips on taking care of your child’s teeth and gums. When nothing seems to work, conscious sedation like laughing gas can help. This can keep your child calm during the dental procedure. There are different types of sedation and anesthesia, so it is best to learn more about your options. You may also consider therapy to help your little one their overcome fear and receive the right dental care. Apart from these tips, it is also beneficial to find a child-friendly dental office or a dentist who has experience in working with kids with dental anxiety. The right dentist is willing to take some steps in easing your child’s fear, as well as in offering other alternatives.
It’s impossible to live in our society today without seeing messages about “healthy diets.” While the “no fat” diet has (finally) gone out of fashion due to scientific research exposing the fact that dietary fats are not responsible for adipose tissue (body fat), many other restrictive diets have jumped in to take its place. While no diet is “bad” in and of itself, a diet that eliminates entire food groups based on questionable scientific research should be avoided for anyone susceptible to an eating disorder. While many people “try on” restrictive diets but “cheat” and go off-plan regularly without major impact, someone who has an eating disorder takes restrictive diets to an extreme. Those of us who are vulnerable to eating disorders often use “healthy diets” as a way to engage in our eating disorder behaviors in plain sight. As parents, we must encourage our children to be their own people – independence is a critical goal for all of us. However, if that independence includes eliminating entire food groups (without a medical reason), we need to protect our children from eating disorder development. The newest form of eating disorder is called “orthorexia,” in which someone becomes obsessed with a “healthy eating” plan. This may involve becoming vegetarian or vegan, or swearing off carbs or anything that comes in a package. We want to honor our children’s independent viewpoints, and their sensitive reaction to animal cruelty and the environment should not be dismissed. However, we must also look closer, and identify whether we can support our children in finding ways in which to express their political viewpoints in ways that do not put their psychological and physical health in danger. We must walk the fine line between supporting our children’s burgeoning opinions and protecting them from obsessions and disorders. If your child is capable of cutting out an entire food group with absolutely zero “cheating” or flexibility around it, it may not be a positive sign of incredible willpower and strength, but a dangerous sign of obsessive tendencies, and a desire to control the world using his or her own body. 7 steps for parents who have children who are pursuing a elimination-based “healthy eating” plan. - Talk to your child about the reason behind the decision to adopt the plan. Listen to his or her underlying reasons. Acknowledge the dual goal of supporting his or her independence while also setting boundaries based on what works for your family and what types of food decisions you are willing to allow a child living in your home to make. - Conduct research together and independently to determine the medical and scientific facts behind any restriction-based diet. You are looking for large, peer-reviewed studies. Books written by experts – even people who have a Ph.D. or an M.D. – is not enough. The no-fat diet remained popular for so long because it was promoted by a medical doctor. But while there appeared to be lots of research, it fell apart when put under the peer-review process. - Discuss the ethical and political elements of your child’s desire to adopt the diet. - Conduct research together and independently to better understand the ethical and political elements of your child’s restriction-based diet. Work together to identify methods of promoting the ethical or environmental issues that do not impact his or her physical body. - Discuss opportunities to pursue a blended diet, in which your child can maintain some level of his or her plan, but with flexibility. For example, you may agree that while your child can eat a vegan diet all day, she or he must participate in the family dinner, which will include non-vegan foods. Your child might be resistant to this idea, but it is important that you maintain health boundaries within your home. - If your child is adamant and appears fearful about adjusting his or her diet, that is a sign of a possible obsession. Agree that you understand his or her position, and then say that you will set a few appointments with a registered dietician to discuss the diet in more depth. - Seek a registered dietician who has experience diagnosing and treating eating disorders. Who you choose to advise you and your child about dietary restriction is critical if your goal is to prevent the development of a full-blown eating disorder, so take your time researching and interviewing a dietician More on this topic: Dietary changes that involve eliminating and drastically restricting food groups, including “clean eating,” vegetarianism and veganism, should be carefully assessed in your teenager
For a species to maintain its population, its individuals must survive and reproduce. Certain combinations of environmental conditions are necessary for individuals of each species to tolerate the physical environment, obtain energy and nutrients, and avoid predators. The total requirements of a species for all resources and physical conditions determine where it can live and how abundant it can be at any one place within its range. These requirements are termed abstractly the ecological niche. G.E. Hutchinson (1958) suggested that the niche could be modeled as an imaginary space with many dimensions, in which each dimension or axis represents the range of some environmental condition or resource that is required by the species. Thus, the niche of a plant might include the range of temperatures that it can tolerate, the intensity of light required for photosynthesis, specific humidity regimes, and minimum quantities of essential soil nutrients for uptake. A useful extension of the niche concept is the distinction between fundamental and realized niches (Figure 9g-1). The fundamental niche of a species includes the total range of environmental conditions that are suitable for existence without the influence of interspecific competition or predation from other species. The realized niche describes that part of the fundamental niche actually occupied by the species. \|Figure 9g-1: The following diagram shows a hypothetical situation where a species distribution is controlled by just two environmental variables: temperature and moisture. The green and yellow areas describe the combinations of temperature and moisture that the species requires for survival and reproduction in its habitat. This resource space is known as the fundamental niche. The green area describes the actual combinations of these two variables that the species utilizes in its habitat. This subset of the fundamental niche is known as the realized niche.\|
At the end of this post you will be able to: - Describe what image hosting and sharing applications are. - Say why they are necessary. - Explain how they work. - Search for and use images from an image-hosting site. - Upload images to an image hosting site WHAT THEY ARE Image sharing site is a generic term for websites that provide storage and publishing facilities for your photographs, presentations and videos. We have already looked at specialist video sharing sites (such as YouTube) and presentation sharing sites (such as SlideShare). This section is specifically about sharing still photographs. However, because the first of the image sharing sites were actually sites for sharing photographs, the terms ‘photo sharing’ and ‘image sharing’ are often used interchangeably. The term can also be loosely applied to the online photo galleries that are setup and managed by individual users, including photo blogs. Photo sharing sites The first photo sharing sites originated primarily from the services that provided online ordering and finishing of prints (photo-finishing) in the late 90s. Some companies started to offer permanent storage and centralized access to users’ photographs as well as returning paper copies or CDs. Dedicated photo sharing sites followed soon after. They have increased in popularity as the uptake of digital cameras has increased because users do not have unlimited space on their computers or web spaces to store all their photographs. Also sharing digital photographs with family and friends by email chews up a lot of bandwidth, is slow and often exceeds the file size limit imposed by internet service providers (ISP’s). More and more users allowed their photographs to be made public, rather than restricted to their own use. Many of these were happy to allow other people to use the images. This turned the sites into huge picture libraries. HOW THEY WORK AND GETTING STARTED There are many different photo-share applications and they are all slightly different. However, they have the same basis features. If you just want to search for a picture, for example, of a friend’s holiday, as long as they have sent you the exact url of the picture you can access it by typing the url in to your browser or use their name or other identifier to find it through the site search engine. Similarly, if you are looking for a photograph to illustrate a PowerPoint that you are preparing, then you can go to the site and browse the images under categories or search by keywords. The owner of the picture will indicate what restrictions there are, if any, on copying and reusing the photograph. However, if you want to upload photographs yourself, you will need to register and create an account. The sites all give clear instructions on how to upload. Photo submitters are asked to tag their images (see section on metadata), which allow searchers to find images related to particular topics, such as place names or subject matter. Flickr was also an early website to implement tag clouds, which provide access to images tagged with the most popular keywords. Because of its support for tags, flickr has been cited as a prime example of effective use of folksonomy There are several great photo sharing sites of which the biggest, and the one we would suggest using, is flickr. Picasa, Photobucket and BubbleShare are also excellent for storage and management but flickr is the largest and claims to have over 3 billion pictures in its repository. However, you need to know that there are also desktop applications whose sole function is sharing photos, generally using peer-to-peer networking. There are applications that allow you to email photos, for example, by dragging and dropping them into pre-designed templates. These may include their own photo-sharing features or integration with other sites for uploading images to them. Some also provide a “contact list” which can be used to control image access for a specific set of users. Photo sharing is not confined to the web and personal computers but is also possible from portable devices such as camera phones, using applications that can automatically transfer photos, as you take them, to photo sharing sites and photo blogs, either directly or via MMS. Some cameras now come equipped with wireless networking and similar sharing functionality Normally, sites provide both public and private image storage. When you upload a picture you will be able to set privacy controls that determine who can view the image. A photo can be flagged as either public or private. Private images are visible, by default, only to the up-loader, but they can also be marked as viewable by friends and/or family. Privacy can also be affected if you add photographs to a “group pool”. If a group is private all the members of that group can see the photo. If a group is public then the photo becomes public as well. Flickr also has a “guest pass” system that allows private photos to be shared with non flickr members. For instance, a person could email this pass to pupil’s parents (who may not have an account) to allow them to see the photos otherwise restricted from public view. This setting allows sets to be shared, or all photos under a certain privacy category (friends or family) to be shared. Most photo sharing sites provide multiple views (such as thumbnails, and slideshows), the ability to classify photos into albums as well as add annotations (such as captions or tags) and comments. Some photo sharing sites provide complete online organization tools equivalent to desktop photo-management applications. Flickr also allows users to organize their photos into ‘sets’, or groups of photos that fall under the same heading. However, sets are more flexible than the traditional folder-based method of organizing files, as one photo can belong to one set, many sets, or none at all. Flickr’s ‘sets’ represent a form of categorical metadata rather than a physical hierarchy. Sets may be grouped into ‘collections’, and collections grouped into higher-order collections. Finally, flickr offers a fairly comprehensive web-service API that allows programmers to create applications that can perform almost any function a user on the flickr site can do. PHOTO SHARING IN THE CLASSROOM Sites such as flickr have revolutionized preparing presentations, worksheets, classroom displays and other teaching materials. Images are available on every subject under the sun and beyond. If you intend to publish or share any of your materials that contain downloaded images, you MUST check that you are allowed to do so and under what conditions. Rather than searching directly on flickr for pictures then finding that you are not allowed to reproduce them, try the following: Go to http://search.creativecommons.org/. Play the short video there which will tell you all about Creative Commons Licences (or read Chapter 26 in this handbook). Then click on the flickr logo in the top tool bar. This will take you into flickr but will filter out all the images that are not freely available for you to use. At the top of the page there is a green box where you have the option of refining your search further. The only one you are possibly going to need is the one that filters in only those images you are allowed to modify and adapt, as we explained above. Make sure that students understand these rules too. Set pupils assignments that involve using a picture-sharing repository. For example, ask them to find pictures in advance of a lesson around the topics you intend to cover. Print them off and make a wall display or put them all into a PowerPoint presentation and work your lesson around it. Pupils love seeing the pictures they have chosen in a presentation. Alternatively, ask pupils to find pictures to illustrate what you have told them in a lesson as a homework project. If they are submitting essentially text-based homework, encourage them to include pictures as well. Keep a digital camera in the class all the time and encourage the pupils to use it for recording activities, work in progress, finished work, wall displays and so on. Publish these using flickr. Remember, you should NOT put photographs of children in the public domain unless you seek parental permission so you need to set up a private group. However, sharing photographs they have taken of their work and their achievements on a public site makes a good resource for other teachers. Remember, what seems really boring for you might be exactly what a teacher in another country might want to show their pupils about schools in your country. Experiment with a bit of synesthesia (linking sensory input into one sense with another sense), for example, finding pictures to illustrate music or vice versa. You could use Voicethread for this. Or ask pupils to find pictures that illustrate abstract concepts such as ‘trust’ or ‘prejudice’ and use them to start a discussion. Or keep a class photo blog and publish it. - Set yourself up a flickr account or an account on another photo sharing site. - Watch the creative commons video at http://search.creativecommons.org/ - Take one of your old boring PowerPoint presentations and give it a new lease of life with pictures downloaded from a repository. - Publish at least 3 digital photographs you have taken that you like. Resources and reference material Commoncraft (2008),’Online Photo Sharing in Plain English’ (WWW). Commoncraft, LLC: www.commoncraft.com/photosharing (19.05.09) Creative commons (s.d.),‘Wanna Work Together?‘ (WWW). Creative Commons: http://search.creativecommons.org/ (19.05.09) Wikipedia (2009),‘Photosharing‘ (WWW). Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photo_sharing (19.05.09)
This White-fronted Goose is part of our Science Department Collection. Scientific name: Anser albifrons The white-fronted goose is a grey goose, bigger than a mallard and smaller than a mute swan. Adults have a large white patch at the front of the head around the beak and bold black bars on the belly. The legs are orange and Siberian birds have pink bills, while Greenland birds have orange bills. This species does not breed in the UK. Two races visit the UK in winter - birds which breed in Greenland and birds which breed in Siberia. The current wintering areas need protection, including avoiding drainage of traditional wintering areas in southern England.
By: Sydney Albert Produced & edited by: Madeline Keener Thousands of ghost towns dot the Italian landscape - some have been abandoned for decades, while others are still visited by a handful of locals whose families once lived in them. Some were devastated by natural disasters and others by war. Some were depopulated as the residents moved away in search for a better life – a trend that is continuing today as Italy struggles with a stalling economy. Young Italians from the poorer central and southern regions of the country are flooding out of small towns, searching for better opportunities and education elsewhere. There have been several attempts by private investors and volunteers to renovate and revive these villages, largely focused on saving the historic art and architecture that can still be found in these locations – several of the towns date back to medieval times or later. Other towns that have found themselves on the brink have received a breath of life from refugees. The town of Riace suffered from emigration for decades. Decades ago residents started moving north to the bigger cities or overseas looking for work, and the more people left, the worse the little town’s state of affairs became. “In 2000 our school was shut because we had so few pupils. Now it's flourishing." The success of Riace has gained the attention of other towns in need, as well as international recognition. Migrants in Riace, Italy are helping the formerly depopulated village to flourish once more. Photo Courtesy of Piervincenzo Canale via Flickr The population had dropped by more than 80% when Domenico Lucano, a schoolteacher at the time, started welcoming refugees in 1998. Lucano proposed that Kurdish refugees who had arrived by boat stay and take over the homes and apartments left by former residents, and helped them integrate by implementing a “refugees welcome” project. Later elected mayor, Lucano has since been credited with saving his small town. “In 2000 our school was shut because we had so few pupils,” Lucano once told BBC News. “Now it's flourishing." The success of Riace has gained the attention of other towns in need, as well as international recognition. Camini, a neighboring village that suffered from a similar case of depopulation, has also seen benefits from welcoming refugees that include filled classrooms and jobs created. German director Wim Wenders made a movie called “The Flight” based on how Riace and Badolato, another southern Italian town, opened their abandoned houses to refugees. The Migration Trend is Causing a Strain on the Peace Controversy and tension remain. Riace, Camini, and Badolato are all in the Calabria region in southern Italy, an area that in 2010 was host to violent race riots in the town of Rosarno. After the riots ended, local authorities in the town were criticized for ignoring the use of illegal immigrant labor and the poor conditions that the immigrants were allowed to live in. The Guardian reported that all remaining immigrants in the town were removed for their own safety in a type of “ethnic cleansing.” Local crime syndicates were pointed to as the ones responsible for exploiting the workers. Established mafia gangs in southern Italy have long relied on cheap foreign labor for economic gain, and successful integration of immigrants threatens their access to such a workforce. Mayor Lucano has reported that he has faced intimidation for welcoming refugees, pointing out bullet holes by his front door. He told BBC News that the mob dislikes his integration model because they can see that it works and it challenges their grip on the region. In addition to losing cheap labor, immigrants can also bring competition with them. Cosa Nostra, a Sicilian mafia group, has declared war on migrants in Sicily as African gangs have apparently started to operate on turf they formerly dominated. \|69% of Italians surveyed by the Pew Research Center \| had an unfavorable view of Muslims. Photo Courtesy of Piervincenzo Canale via Flickr Xenophobia is not limited to criminal organizations – several right-wing parties have led protests against what some in Italy are referring to as an “invasion.” The Northern League party, which has even been noted to stand against southern Italians for not living up to their standards of “whiteness,” is staunchly anti-immigration. Many Italians resent the migrants for taking up resources and feel that the migrants don’t give enough back. A recent survey by the PewResearch Center showed that 65% of Italians felt refugees were a burden on the country because they took jobs and social benefits. When migrants are unwilling to follow certain procedures, such as having their fingerprints taken, the police do nothing, which is perceived as a result of “over-tolerance.” And then there are the stories of immigrants who threaten native Italians that are spread over Facebook and Twitter. The same survey by the Pew Research Center showed that 47% of Italians believed refugees were more to blame for crime than other groups, despite limited reliable data that would prove such feelings worthy of merit. Despite the Negativity, Migrants Have a Friend in High Places Refugees have found a powerful ally in Pope Francis. The head of the Roman Catholic Church has preached that accepting migrants and refugees is a moral issue, and after a trip earlier this year, he took 12 Syrian refugees back to the Vatican as an example. Religious groups have followed his lead – the Community of Sant’egidio has offered resources and taught language skills to refugees in Italy as well as the rest of Europe. According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 131,974 migrants and refugees have arrived in Italy since the start of 2016 alone, and more are coming every day. The Italian newspaper La Stampa has reported that 2,026 of the country’s 8,000 municipalities have hosted migrants as of June this year. Italy is still trying to figure out how to handle the influx of migrants and refugees. With many young Italians seeking opportunities abroad, Italian journalist Maurizio Ricci believes that foreign labor and the integration of foreign families is crucial to maintaining the economy of a country with an aging population. Sylvia Marchetti, a freelance journalist based in Rome, has pointed out the abandoned towns that dot Italy’s landscape as a possible solution. Though many of the ghost towns need a lot of work, it might be beneficial to renew old accommodations rather than to build completely new ones.
Coloring pages for Dora are available below. You can easily print or download them at your convenience. We are always adding new ones, so make sure to come back and check us out or make a suggestion. Dora is the lead character in the children’s adventure animated television series, Dora The Explorer. The show was aired on Nick Jr. in 2000 and was created by Chris Gifford. The show follows the life and adventures of Dora, a seven-year-old girl who goes on solving various puzzles and discover places, accompanied by her anthropomorphous monkey Boots and her talking purple backpack. The show also seeks to be educational, due to which Dora is depicted to solve riddles, math problems and others. There are also several encounters with Swiper, a fox who steals other people’s things. Dora stops the fox from stealing with the help of the viewers.
It’s often said that when traveling, how you get where you’re going is more important more than where you end up. For the space shuttle Enterprise, its journey to the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum in New York City is one no one will soon forget as much as they might want to. During its maritime transit, NASA’s first shuttle had its wing clipped. Enterprise, perhaps to the chagrin of some New Yorkers, is the prototype shuttle that never flew in space. But that doesn’t make it less of a historic vehicle; Enterprise was the first spacecraft that taught astronauts the dynamics of landing on a runway from space. Even its name has a rich history. Originally called Constitution – the shuttle was completed and rolled out in 1976, the year of the United States’ bicentennial – a fierce letter writing campaign from Star Trek fans to President Gerald Ford spurred on the name change. Ford directed NASA to rename the shuttle Enterprise. For those not steeped in Star Trek culture, the Enterprise is the fictitious spaceship that Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock flew during an intergalactic battle with the Klingons Enterprise’s new home also boasts historical importance. Before it was a museum, the USS Intrepid served in World War II, Vietnam, and provided submarine surveillance in the North Atlantic during the Cold War. She was also the ship that pulled Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter out of the water after his flight aboard Aurora 7 in May 1962. Like Carpenter, Enterprise was hoisted from the water onto Intrepid’s deck, but manoeuvering the 150,000 pound shuttle – even getting it to Intrepid – was a little more complicated than a Mercury recovery. To get to its new home, Enterprise took a scenic route. On April 27, hundreds of tourists and New Yorkers watched as Enterprise flew over the city piggy-backed on a Boeing 747. The shuttle landed at John F. Kennedy Airport before it was loaded onto the barge that took it through New York Harbor en route to Bayonne, New Jersey where it was transferred to a different barge for the final leg of its trip. After a few days’ rest, the latter barge, which was equipped with a crane, delivered Enterprise to the museum on Wednesday afternoon. But it didn’t arrive unscathed. During the first leg of its maritime journey, moving from JFK to New Jersey, the shuttle faced more obstacles than weather and rough seas. It had to pass under a number of waterway crossings. The railway bridge was a particular challenge, offering just feet of clearance on either side of the shuttle’s wingspan. When it came time to pass under that narrow bridge, Mother Nature made things worse. A sudden microburst of wind, measured at 35 knots, knocked the shuttle and pushed the protective layer of foam over the wingtip into the bridge abutment, the wood siding that offers a bumper for sea vessels. Official statements say there was no damage to the bridge and light cosmetic damage to the protective layer of foam on the craft’s wingtip. The minor crash may have been a setback, but it didn’t delay the museum mounting the shuttle on its steel-enforced deck. In July, the Intrepid will open its Space Shuttle Pavilion on its flight deck where Enterprise will be housed. “Enterprise brings our space story and our role in exploration and new inventions and innovation just full circle,” said Sherry Levinsky-Raskin, Assistant Vice President of Education at Intrepid, in a video on the museum’s website. Adding NASA’s first shuttle to the museum’s collection certainly adds a new wealth of information and stories to the history Intrepid already displays. Clipped wing or not.
\|Product #: CSD104027EB_TQ\| Time and Money (Resource Book Only) eBookKindergarten\|Grade 1 Please Note: This ebook is a digital download, NOT a physical product. After purchase, you will be provided a one time link to download ebooks to your computer. Orders paid by PayPal require up to 8 business hours to verify payment and release electronic media. For immediate downloads, payment with credit card is required. Practice with basic time and money concepts, as well as the more complex concepts such as comparing values. The variety of formats presented encourages students to think about time and money in real-life situations including reading a schedule, counting change, and solving coin riddles. Supports NCTM standards. Submit a review
Applied Biophysics: A Molecular Approach for Physical Scientists Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub This book presents the fundamentals of molecular biophysics, and highlights the connection between molecules and biological phenomena, making it an important text across a variety of science disciplines. The topics covered in the book include: - Phase transitions that occur in biosystems (protein crystallisation, globule-coil transition etc) - Liquid crystallinity as an example of the delicate range of partially ordered phases found with biological molecules - How molecules move and propel themselves at the cellular level - The general features of self-assembly with examples from proteins - The phase behaviour of DNA The physical toolbox presented within this text will form a basis for students to enter into a wide range of pure and applied bioengineering fields in medical, food and pharmaceutical areas.
Born in Brookfield, New York, Usher trekked west in 1839 to locate in Terre Haute in western Indiana where he became a law partner with William D. Griswold in the firm of Griswold & Usher. An outstanding trial lawyer, Usher traveled the circuit in Indiana and Illinois during the 1840s and 1850s, becoming acquainted with Abraham Lincoln of Springfield, Illinois. He also became a mentor to young Joseph Gurney Cannon. While Usher was serving as the elected Indiana Attorney General in March 1862, Lincoln asked him to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Interior. Then-secretary Caleb Blood Smith had little interest in the job, and, with declining health, soon delegated most of his responsibilities to Usher. When Smith resigned in December 1862, Usher became Secretary effective January 1, 1863. Usher served as the Secretary of the Interior between 1863 and 1865. He was known as genial, courteous, and unobtrusive secretary. He accompanied Lincoln to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in November 1863 for the dedication of the Gettysburg National Cemetery and sat on the platform with other dignitaries when Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address. When William P. Fessenden resigned as Secretary of the Treasury in March of 1865, Lincoln nominated Hugh McCulloch from Indiana to replace Fessenden at Treasury. Lincoln did not want two men from Indiana in his cabinet. Usher dated his resignation March 8, 1865 with an effective date of May 15th. His resignation was accepted by Lincoln on March 9th and Usher continued to serve until May 15th, a month after Lincoln's assassination. Lincoln had nominated his close friend James Harlan to replace Usher. Harlan had been confirmed by the Senate and took over as Secretary of Interior under now President Andrew Johnson. Usher became general solicitor for the Union Pacific Railway, Eastern Division, and was active in promoting the building of the railroad west from Kansas City. Later called the Kansas Pacific, the road was eventually consolidated with the Union Pacific in 1880. Usher built a house in Lawrence, Kansas, completing it in 1873. Usher served one term as mayor of Lawrence. His house still stands at 1425 Tennessee Street and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It has been the home of the Alpha Nu chapter of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity at the University of Kansas since 1912. Usher died of cancer at the age of 73. He is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence.
Entrepreneurship is worth caring about because it produces innovations that can make goods and services cheaper and less resource-intensive for everyone. Entrepreneurs also provide employment for others in the process. According to the World Bank: “Entrepreneurial activity is a pillar of economic growth. For evidence of the economic power of entrepreneurship, we need look no further than the United States, where young firms have been shown to be a more important source of net job creation than incumbent firms.” According to the OECD: “Entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs have long been recognised as important sources of innovation, and thereby also of growth and employment.” By measuring entrepreneurship activity, we can understand where entrepreneurs are operating, where they are not operating, and why. We can then use this information to reduce the cultural, economic, and institutional barriers that stand in their way. In the 2014 Global Entrepreneurship and Development Index (GEDI), we measure entrepreneurship by evaluating 15 different variables from the entrepreneurship ecosystem. We look at things like how much money is available to finance new businesses, to how risk-averse individuals are in that country, and what percentage of new businesses are started by women. By comparing countries using this entrepreneurship-related data, we paint a global picture of the state of the entrepreneurship ecosystem. From this picture we can learn which countries are providing better conditions for entrepreneurs and which countries could be doing more. After identifying the countries that are leading and lagging, we can use the individual indicators or pillars in the GEDI Index to delve deeper into the data. This deeper dive can reveal what particular conditions are driving high or low scores for a given country, and expose areas where policy improvements would improve the entrepreneurship ecosystem the most. What good does all this attention do? Our Institute has held several workshops with country governments to bring entrepreneurs and policy makers together to examine our entrepreneurship data, and to discuss the context for that data. Working with individuals on the ground is critical for understanding local patterns and trends. After a thorough, collaborative phase where we diagnose the problems, we work with theses two groups to develop solutions that will address their country’s most difficult entrepreneurship challenges.
If you don’t know anything about bipolar disorder, you’re not alone. Here are some FAQs for starters. What is bipolar disorder? People with bipolar disorder experience powerful mood states called mania and depression. These occur in a successive fashion, or they can be mixed together. “Depression” is a lot like it is in other contexts — sadness, tiredness, irritability, and in severe cases suicidality. “Mania” is an elevated mood, but it’s not necessarily happy or euphoric; for many people mania is intense anger or confusion. Also, sometimes people with bipolar disorder experience hallucinations or delusions. Isn’t bipolar disorder when your mood changes really fast? Sort of. Usually moods in bipolar disorder last 1-2 weeks or more. If moods cycle more quickly than this, it’s considered “rapid cycling” bipolar disorder. A mood episode lasting less than a few days is very rare — but a single “mood episode” can encompass more than one emotion. For example, in mania, moods may quickly change between elation, anger, confusion, or even paranoia/fear. Mood episodes can also be mixed, encompassing both manic and depressive symptoms at the same time, or quickly alternating between them. What does a mixed episode feel like? For me, mixed episodes combine the low physical energy of depression with the high mental energy of mania. The conflict between them is excruciating, leading to intense restlessness and agitation. I often feel suicidal, and mixed episodes are the most dangerous time for me. How do you treat bipolar disorder? Usually bipolar disorder is treated with medication. If someone has severe bipolar disorder, their doctor will always recommend medication, because research has not shown therapy to be effective in stopping the cycle of severe bipolar disorder. Some medications commonly used are lithium, anticonvulsant mood stabilizers (drugs used for epilepsy), and antipsychotics (usually second-generation or atypicals). Other medical treatments may be used if medication isn’t enough; an example of this is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). FAQs about me What is your research about? My research looks at quantitative models to explain patterns of affect (emotions/mood) and cognition in the contexts of conditions I’ve experienced (so far, autism and bipolar disorder are my main focuses). In my first study, I found that higher levels of repetitive cognition (“sticky thinking”) seen in autism were associated with more depression symptoms, just as one would expect to find with rumination (which is a specific type of negative repetitive thinking) — even though the sticky thinking we saw in people with more autistic traits was not necessarily negative. In my sample, the higher levels of sticky thinking explained higher levels of depression seen in people with more autistic traits. I concluded that future studies should examine the role of sticky thinking in depression when it affects autistic people — high levels of sticky thinking may predispose autistic people to develop depression, and/or an increase in sticky thinking may be a sign of depression in autistic people. My current research attempts to predict mood in bipolar disorder using an app called Shiny Mood App.
Advanced Placement courses (AP) can save you both time and money. They can also give you a lead in the application pool in some of today’s highly selective colleges and universities. The national AP program is administered by The College Board. AP classes are taught at more advanced levels than normal high school classes. When taught well, they are as challenging as many freshmen-level college classes. At the end of an AP class you can choose to take the AP Exam which is administered across the country in May. The exam is difficult, but if your AP class has been taught well and you have earned an A or B in the class, you should be fairly well prepared to take the exam. The AP exam also gives you a chance to earn college credit. The AP Exams are scored on a scale from one to five, with a score of five being the highest. Each college or university determines if they will accept AP credit and, if so, what score you will need. Once you’ve decided to take an AP class, it’s easy to enroll. You can schedule a meeting with an AP teacher or the AP coordinator at your school about the course you are interested in taking. At this meeting be sure to discuss the workload and any preparation you might need to take before the course begins. If you are a home-schooled student or attend a school that doesn’t offer AP courses, you can still participate in the program. Each year, hundreds of students participate through independent study. Some states also sponsor online courses. AP courses allow you to explore the world from a variety of perspectives and to study subjects in greater depth and detail. Not only will you improve upon your academic skills, but you will develop the study habits necessary for tackling demanding coursework.
To understand the Royal Flying Doctor Service, you need to first understand Australia. Seventy percent of the country’s 24 million residents occupy only 0.25 percent of the country’s landmass, mostly along Australia’s coastline. The remainder lives in the remaining 99.75 percent of the country, ranging from inner regional to very remote. With a population density of only 3 people per kilometer, Australia ranks as one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. “That explains why our service is so important,” said Lana Mitchell, the organization’s communications manager, during a phone interview from her office in Canberra. “When you live on a remote station, when you live on a homestead with a five- to eight-hour car ride to the closest town, let alone the closest hospital, it means that when you run into trouble, you need to have a way to get help. So what the Flying Doctor does is make sure that emergency help, as well as primary health care services, are available to those people,” she said. The Royal Flying Doctor Service “exists basically to provide service to rural and remote areas where they don’t have access,” Mitchell explained. “Our metro areas have no lack of health services but as you leave those cities and move inland, you find those services are more and more sparse or more difficult to reach,” she said. Rev. John Flynn, a Presbyterian minister who had previously worked in rural and remote Australia establishing medical facilities, established the Flying Doctor Service in 1928. The first flight of what was then known as the Australian Inland Mission Aerial Medical Service took off from Cloncurry, Queensland in May 1928. The non-profit organization has been expanding ever since, and by the late 1930s was providing medical services in all six of Australia’s federated states. The organization was renamed Flying Doctor in 1942. Currently, there are seven different companies that make up the Flying Doctor service. “Each of those different companies operates within a specific state or territory and each is fully autonomous in terms of their own financials, their own boards, their own governance,” Mitchell said. “We’re a family of companies that work together to provide service across the country” with a total staff of about 1,400 people across the country,” according to Mitchell. Today, its mission remains unchanged. “Our entire business model since the very beginning has been to try and bring health services to all those that need them across 7.69 million square kilometers,” said Mitchell. But over time, the way Flying Doctor delivers its medical services has changed. After initially relying on contractors to provide its aircraft, the service in the 1960s began buying its own planes and employing its own pilots and mechanics. “Our pilots are some of the most highly trained pilots we have in this country,” Mitchell said. “We’ve got very high qualifications for our pilots: They need to be able to land on dirt runways, in all manner of weather and they need to be able to land routinely in areas where we have no lighting on the runways. So we have emergency lighting of various kinds — including burning toilet-paper rolls and having flares or even truck headlights” to mark out what are often makeshift landing strips, she said. Mitchell said the service employs between 150 and 200 pilots full time. The organization currently operates 69 aircrafts. “In addition to our pilots, we employ flight nurses and flight doctors,” Mitchell said. “Many of our flights only required a flight nurse who is trained in emergency procedures, birthing and all manner of medical treatment.” “But,” she added, “if a doctor is required, we’ll make sure a physician is on board as well.” Flying Doctor reported providing 4,604 emergency evacuations in 2016-2017 alone. It also operates and facilitates clinics in many remote locations, caring for 142,775 patients in 2016-2017. In recent years, what the service describes as “tele-health consultations have played an increasingly important role in the service’s mission. The service provided nearly 89,000 consultations in 2016-2017. Mitchell provided an example of how such consultations have become an important part of Flying Doctor service. “You might be living in remote South Australia,” she said. “You have a daughter who is 4 years old and she had a fever and she’s had a fever for a day and a half and you’re worried. “You’re a long way away from a town or hospital or a doctor, so you might call us and describe your concerns, and the doctor over the phone or over the Internet will assess that patient and will get as much information as necessary,” she said. Mitchell said the appropriate response might be to direct the caller to one of the more than 2,300 medical chests the service has positioned around the country in such locations as parks, police stations, remote homesteads and pastoral stations. “The medical chest might be half an hours drive away. It’s where they could get some antibiotics or access to other types of prescription drugs,” she said. Should the call be deemed urgent, the service will send a plan to evacuate that person and take them to receive medical care. Such tele-health calls today “are the most common service that we provide, giving those in remote locations access to a doctor 24/7 who can give assistance, advice, and direction,” she said. Should emergency evacuation be necessary, Flying Doctor says it can reach any part of the country in two hours with one of its aircrafts based in numerous locations around the country. Mitchell noted that time will soon be shortened with the arrival of new Pilatus PC-24 jets. Financing for Flying Doctor Service comes from several sources, including the federal government’s Medicare program, which provides free medical care for all Australians. The service also receives funding from state governments, donations, and corporate partnerships. Mitchell points to a “legacy of innovation” that continues to drive how the organization provides medical services. She notes that emerging technologies, such as wearable devices that allow the service to monitor a patient’s health remotely are playing an even larger role in providing medical services to remote locations. But, as it approaches its 90th anniversary, Mitchell says there will always be a need for the Flying Doctor due to the size and population of the country. It’s those aspects of the country that people seem to love the most. As Mitchell notes, “We choose to live here and we love living here” it what she described as “a harsh and beautiful landscape.” And it doesn’t hurt that Flying Doctor appears to occupy a special place in the heart of Australians, having ranked as the most reputable charity in the country six years in a row.
(San Francisco / USA) Neuralink a company from Elon Musk, which is working on a connection between the human brain and computers, has replenished its coffers with fresh money from investors. The $205 million cash flow comes from Google and several other start-up financiers. The money will now be used for the market launch of the first product and further research, as Neuralink recently announced. The company that the famous billionaire Musk started in 2016 wants to wirelessly connect neurons in the brain to computers. To do this, a chip is implanted directly in the skull, which will not be visible from the outside. The first Neuralink product named N1 is designed to enable paraplegics who cannot move their legs nor arms to control their computers, tablets or phones. Musk, who is famous for running the electric car manufacturer Tesla and one of the first private space companies SpaceX, demonstrated a prototype last August that Neuralink was initially testing on pigs. Amazingly the company also developed a robot for implantation in the brain. The machine is trained to connect the very fine lines of the mini-computer with the human tissue. Except for a tiny scar under the hair, there were no other visible traces, Musk said. Several other companies are also working on similar concepts. There are more similar projects planned in the future.
What is it about? Saving water is a crucial contribution to reducing our resource footprint and to balance planetary boundaries. We all know the basic steps to do so in our daily and school lifes. But whilst we might think of them as one-off opportunities or actions, making them sustainable in the long run is an ongoing quest. And what better than to think of them as routines or habits that feel natural to us so that any good practice of saving water becomes a normal daily reflex. So with this participatory challenge we want to ask ourselves how we can make saving water a lifelong habit. Why to join this event? This event will outline how we would like to share, select, co-create, test and implement and co-validate community-sourced concrete examples, illustrations and ideas of what the community is doing or have been doing regarding saving water activities, classes, actions, etc. to foster good habits. Join to get to know how you can participate in any or every of the phases. - General introduction 5 mins (Education for Climate Secretariat) - Challenge introduction 5-10mins (Challenge Facilitators, Justyna Plota) - Challenge flow and participation opportunities 10 mins (Challenge Facilitators, Roberta Bellini) - open Q&A 20 mins (all)
India was the first nation to launched a family planning programme in 1952. Though the birth rate started decreasing, it was accompanied by a sharp decrease in death rate, leading to an overall increase in population.The early concept of population policy covered both mortality and fertility and did not exclusively focus on fertility. There was also a recognition of the need to improve the quality of life of the people by lowering the burden of disease or morbidity, promoting universal primary education and eradicating illiteracy, exploitation and poverty. In 1976, the first National Population Policy was formulated and tabled in Parliament. The intent of National Population Policy-NPP-2000 is to eliminate unmet contraceptive needs by providing high quality reproductive healthcare. In particular, the NPP-2000 aims to address flaws in healthcare infrastructure and to achieve a total fertility rate of 2.1 births per woman by 2010. Main objectives of NPP-2000 are:- - Converge service delivery at village level - Empowering women for improved health and nutrition needs for family welfare services - Child health and survival - Meeting the unmet needs of the under-served population groups - Use of diverse health care providers - Collaboration with and commitments from the non-government sector - Mainstreaming Indian systems of medicine and homeopathy - Contraceptive technology and research on reproductive and child health (RCH) - Providing for the older population x. Information education and communication Population Growth Rate in India has reduced substantially which is evident from the following:- - The percentage decadal growth rate of the country has declined significantly from 21.5% for the period 1991-2001 to 17.7% during 2001-2011. - Total Fertility Rate (TFR) was 3.2 at the time when National Population Policy, 2000 was adopted and the same has declined to 2.3 as per Sample registration Survey (SRS) 2013 conducted by the Registrar General of India. - JPSC Mains Tests and Notes Program - JPSC Prelims Exam 2020- Test Series and Notes Program - JPSC Prelims and Mains Tests Series and Notes Program - JPSC Detailed Complete Prelims Notes
The Hawaiian monk seal is a loveable creature. The 600-pound warm-water mammal spends most of its time flopping in the shore break, roughhousing with mates, and lazing about in the sun. Blogs like MonkSealMania are repositories of photos of the endangered animals sleeping in improbable positions. The creature’s native Hawaiian name translates, endearingly, to “dog that runs in rough water.” All this makes the math even harder to swallow: we should let the Hawaiian monk seal go extinct. “There’s just no way to save them,” says Leah Gerber, a professor at Arizona State University. Gerber’s neither heartless nor immune to the seal’s charms; she’s an ecologist and marine biologist who’s dedicated her career to protecting wildlife. She writes impassioned op-eds begging officials not to weaken the Endangered Species Act and calling for more funding. But her work's much broader than just the monk seal. Gerber is one of the country’s leading proponents of what’s called species triage, a practice where conservationists use data and models to figure out how to spend our limited endangered species dollars as efficiently and effectively as possible. The practice has been used by governments in Australia and New Zealand, but it’s never made it to the United States. The goal is to save as many species as possible—even if it means calling it quits for creatures like the monk seal. “There’s a level of discomfort with this, but we have to face hard choices,” she says. Gerber would never publicly prescribe extinction for any animal, but the Hawaiian monk seal is a prime example of how poorly we manage our endangered species spending, she says. Each year, the federal government spends about $5 million to protect the 1,400 seals left on earth. As significant as that sum sounds, it’s nowhere near enough to give them a real shot at survival. The seal’s habitat is spread across the 1,000-mile arc of the outer Hawaiian Islands; it is laborious and expensive to track them all, relocate juveniles to safe areas, and ensure dangerous garbage and debris stays out. To remove the seal from federally-funded life support would cost roughly $380 million and take over 50 years, researchers estimated in 2007. Will the monk seal ever get that kind of funding? Not likely, if recent cuts to the seal program are any indication. And the monk seal is just one of thousands of endangered species whose rehabilitation we underfund. Protecting the 16,000 or so critically endangered species on Earth today would cost $76 billion, annually—about 52 times what the U.S. spends each year. "There’s a level of discomfort with this, but we have to face hard choices." The Sisyphean job that conservationists are tasked with—to try to save every endangered species on Earth, without anything near adequate resources—has led Gerber and other proponents of species triage to raise questions that would have been heretical in the field a generation ago. Like: Could the money we spend on the monk seal be better spent on other endangered species? And, if so, should we let the monk seal—or the giant panda or the snow leopard or the California condor—go extinct? “We’re in the Anthropocene—the sixth mass extinction,” Gerber says. “The approach we’re taking right now is burying or heads in the sand and saying we're not going to choose, we’re going to muddle through and see what things look like when we come up for air. And I’m saying ‘No, no, let’s shine a light on this because extinction is forever.’” Controversial as species triage might be, Gerber may just get her wish. For the last two years, she’s has been working closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help develop a “prioritization” plan that would create “transparent approaches to decision-making about the best allocation of funds” for the recovery of endangered species. The plan, which will be reviewed by the service this fall, aims to help FWS spend its dollars more efficiently. The decision will likely be divisive. A large portion of conservationists—up to 40 percent, according to a 2011 Conservation Biology survey—remain uncomfortable with establishing triage guidelines. And for some, the concept is anathema. “Either fund it all properly or accept that you’re the one who is playing God and driving something extinct by not helping,” says David Lindenmayer, a professor of ecology at Australian National University, where triage has been implemented by state governments. “You’re going to watch entire communities go extinct. Of the triaging bureaucrats in charge of selecting winners and losers, Lindenmayer says, “You can tell your God that’s what you did.” Hugh Possingham is used to responses like that. “People’s first reaction is they’re appalled. Some people say, ‘How can you “prioritize” any species?’” says Possingham, the Nature Conservancy’s chief scientist. Possingham is one of the fathers of species triage (or, less controversially, “prioritizing”) and worked closely with researchers to help the governments of New Zealand and Australia implement the practice. In conservation circles, Possingham says it’s easy to accuse pro-triage folks of condemning species to extinction—“I’m not going to go and shoot them,” he says—but the trained mathematician says we’re already picking favorites by underfunding the majority of endangered species programs. It turns out our endangered species dollars aren’t divvied up evenly or even rationally—plenty of species don’t get anywhere near what they need to recover. Gerber’s research has shown that we spend endangered species dollars erratically: some species are dramatically overfunded—the wood stork and the bull trout, for example, each get more than ten times what they need—while the vast majority (like the ocelot, the monk seal, and the desert bighorn sheep) get far less. If we just redistributed the surplus spending on 50 "costly yet futile" species recovery efforts, from the Florida scrub jay to the razorback sucker, she found, we could adequately fund recovery efforts for 182 more plants and animals. This kind of work has borne fruit in the wild, too. In New Zealand, which took up triage with gusto a few years ago, the Department of Conservation realized it could save 50 percent more species just by reallocating the current budget on species more likely to make a comeback. This was good news for many native plants, bad luck for the rockhopper penguin. This hard-nosed, economically minded approach, Possingham says, appeals especially to conservative governments focused on keeping spending in check. “It’s cost effectiveness. I’ve sold this as ‘bang for your buck’ to very right wing politicians,” Possingham says. “For the first time, we have people able to say ‘Here’s what we did with the money you gave us, and here’s what you can buy with more money.’” But that’s just what some prominent anti-triage conservationists are worried about. “Fish and Wildlife under the current administration is going to love triage,” says Stuart Pimm, an eminent ecologist at Duke University. “It means you don’t have to do things.” Protecting the 16,000 or so critically endangered species on earth today would cost $76 billion, annually—about 52 times what the U.S. spends each year. Pimm is a leading voice pushing back against triage. If we accepted triage years ago, conservationists would never have learned valuable lessons about endangered species management, Pimm says, citing the field's Herculean (and successful) effort to bring the California condor back from the brink. “Triage doesn’t advance the field. It basically says we don’t have to try any difficult tasks,” he says. “It says, Let’s write off the things that are inconvenient or difficult by saying we just don’t have the capacity to do it.” Fish and Wildlife officials won’t comment on the state of the prioritization plan, but acknowledged in a statement that the agency is working with Gerber on a framework. “With limited Endangered Species Act funds available, it is incumbent on us to make smart choices for the benefit of our nation’s most imperiled species. To that end, we value all information that can help us in developing a more strategic approach to allocating these limited resources to the best effect.” In the meantime, out in the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Charles Littnan doesn’t feel like his work is in vain. Littnan is the head scientist on NOAA’s Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program. Fish and Wildlife’s decision on species triage won’t financially impact his work—FWS is part of the Department of Interior; NOAA falls under Commerce—but he’s familiar with the argument. He’s not the budget guy or a politician, he says, he’s the guy on the beach trying to figure out how to best help seals. And from where he’s standing, things aren't looking too bad for the monk seal. NOAA has inked meaningful deals with private environmental groups to help cover budgetary shortfalls and, excitingly, seal numbers are actually increasing. “Contrary to what Dr. Gerber has said, we just announced that, for the first time in five decades, the population is relatively stable. It’s been showing signs of growth for the last three years,” Littnan says. Littnan may be biased, but he thinks we humans have an obligation to the monk seal. They’ve been on this earth for 13 million years, he says, and their population didn’t start nose-diving till we messed up their habitat. If the monk seal disappears, we have no idea what it could do the ecosystem at large. “Nature, in many ways, is a symphony. Every creature plays a role in making that music. If you start to eliminate things, things fall apart. What is a beautiful symphony turns to clanging noise and dysfunction.”
Here’s why going green just might help you save some green. When we talk about green buildings — and the environmental initiatives that inspire them — we often run up against a common misconception: that these projects are overly idealistic and cost-inefficient. In reality, nothing could be farther from the truth. As a number of studies have shown, going green doesn’t just save the planet: it can save companies a significant amount of money, too. But don’t just take my word for it — here’s some hard evidence that sustainable building practices are as cost-efficient as they are environmentally beneficial. Building Green Won’t Break the Bank While it is often assumed that opting for green construction techniques requires increased financial output from the developer, there’s actually no need for environmentally-friendly construction to cost more — particularly when businesses employ cost-effective strategies and program management from the get-go. As compared to traditional construction costs, the overwhelming majority of green-certified buildings show a 0% to 4% increase in upfront capital expenditures. Remember, building green doesn’t necessitate grand, sometimes expensive gestures, such as the installation of costly solar panels: it can be as simple as using recycled materials in construction, or repurposing the framework of an old building rather than constructing a new one. In fact, considering the lower initial construction cost, adaptive reuse is often the most financially viable option. Plus, there are plenty of tax benefits available to those who build green — and let’s not forget the increased value for rental and resale. As construction pro Mike Schoenecker points out, the increased efficiency of eco-friendly buildings is also a fantastic financial incentive, since businesses that do not pursue sustainable options can end up spending more money over time on frequent building maintenance and a traditional, non-renewable energy supply. In fact, a recent Green Design infographic notes that for each $4 investment per square-foot of green building, property owners can save an average of $58 per square foot over 20 years; and businesses that invest in green materials should on average expect to recoup their expenditure by as much as seven times in future savings. Combine that with a reduction in energy and water costs, and your business is saving some serious money. How to Adopt a Green Model So, how can you transform your office into a money-saving green machine? There are plenty of routes businesses can take to improve their environmental impact. Adaptive reuse has recently surfaced as a socially conscious method by which businesses can simultaneously preserve historic buildings and cut down on construction costs. Research shows that urban districts with fewer brand new constructions (i.e. a higher number of historic buildings) support diversity, provide opportunity, and are generally more affordable. It’s also likely to be a selling point for younger companies looking to become intimate fixtures of their communities. Another excellent way to ensure the long-term environmental-friendliness of newly constructed buildings is by attaining LEED certification. LEED aims to establish an official standard for efficient use of resources across design, construction, operation, and maintenance of green buildings, and for that reason many developers view LEED as a construction priority. Perhaps more immediately, LEED certification has been shown to boost rental premiums by as much as 17.3%. Though the highest level of LEED certification (Platinum) can increase construction costs by as much as 4.5 to 8.5%, LEED Silver tends to only precipitate an increase of 0 to 3.3% — meaning that in most cases, the long-term benefits of LEED will vastly outweigh the costs. With careful thought and planning, you can not only reduce your carbon footprint, but also decrease the financial strains on your company for years to come.
Flexi Says: Human activities impact the water cycle in a number of ways. Large areas of paved surfaces prevent percolation of water into the ground. This increases runoff across surfaces, which can lead to urban flooding. Large paved areas also reduce the amount of water reaching aquifers, leading to slower groundwater recharge. Human water consumption further depletes groundwater and surface water reservoirs as well. Dams alter the flow of rivers. Global warming changes large-scale patterns of flow among reservoirs by increasing evaporation and transpiration, and by altering precipitation patterns in ways that can produce drought in some areas and flooding in others.
Sukkot is almost here! It’s a time when we shake the etrog and lulav and invite guests over to spend time with us in our sukkahs. This Sukkot, enjoy togetherness inside the sukkah by reading aloud a few of your favorite PJ Library books (along with a few tasty snacks!) EASY SNACKS FOR THE SUKKAH Since Sukkot takes place during the time of the harvest, it’s appropriate to enjoy such foods as fruits and vegetables. As your family enjoys time together in sukkah (hopefully doing some reading aloud), you will need some tasty things to nosh. Here are a few healthy and easy-to-make snacks for you and your guests to enjoy: Make a seasonal trail mix out of roasted pumpkin seeds, almonds, craisins, chocolate chips, and peanuts. If you have nut allergies in the family, swap the nuts for dry, roasted seeds, or mix cereal and dried fruit for an alternative trail mix. "Ants on a Log" Since stuffed foods are typical on Sukkot, go ahead and “stuff” cream cheese, nut butter, or school-safe sun butter into celery for a healthy snack. Top with raisins or dried cranberries for a sweet addition. If "Ants on a Log" aren't your thing, cut the tops off of tomatoes or hollow at cucumbers and stuff with tuna, avocado, rice, or chicken salad for a picnic favorite that fits Sukkot's "stuffed foods" theme. Vegetables and Hummus Cut up cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes, or any other veggie favorites for dipping into hummus. THE SUKKAH IS THE SNACK image via Tori Avey More adventurous families may want to make miniature edible sukkahs. Find a bunch of ideas for variations from savory to sweet on our Pinterest board. August 21, 2017
Today is the birthday (1869) of Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin (Григо́рий Ефи́мович Распу́тин), now usually simply referred to as Rasputin, a Russian mystic and self-proclaimed holy man who befriended the family of Tsar Nicholas II, the last monarch of Russia, and gained considerable influence in late imperial Russia before being murdered by Russian nobles. Rasputin was born a peasant in the small village of Pokrovskoye, along the Tura River in the Tobolsk Governorate (now Tyumen Oblast) in Siberia. There are few records of Rasputin’s parents. His father, Efim (sometimes spelled Yefim), was a peasant farmer and church elder who had been born in Pokrovskoye in 1842, and married Rasputin’s mother, Anna Parshukova, in 1863. Efim also worked as a government courier, ferrying people and goods between Tobolsk and Tyumen. The couple had seven other children, all of whom died in infancy and early childhood; there may have been a ninth child, Feodosiya. Almost nothing is known about Rasputin’s childhood. Historians agree, however, that like most Siberian peasants, including his mother and father, Rasputin was never formally educated, and he remained illiterate well into his early adulthood. Local archival records suggest that he had a somewhat unruly youth – possibly involving drinking, small thefts, and disrespect for local authorities – but contain no evidence of his being charged with stealing horses, blasphemy, or bearing false witness, all major crimes that he was later rumored to have committed as a young man. In 1886, Rasputin traveled to Abalak, where he met a peasant girl named Praskovya Dubrovina. After a courtship of several months, they married in February 1887. Praskovya remained in Pokrovskoye throughout Rasputin’s later travels and rise to prominence, and remained devoted to him until his death. The couple had seven children, though only three survived to adulthood: Dmitry (b. 1895), Maria (b. 1898) and Varvara (b. 1900). In 1897, Rasputin developed a passion for religion and left Pokrovskoye to go on a pilgrimage. His reasons for doing so are unclear, but whatever his reasons, Rasputin’s departure was a radical life change: he was 28, had been married ten years, and had an infant son with another child on the way. Rasputin had undertaken earlier, shorter pilgrimages to the Holy Znamensky Monastery at Abalak and to Tobolsk’s cathedral, but his visit to the St. Nicholas Monastery at Verkhoturye in 1897 was transformative. There, he met and was “profoundly humbled” by a starets (elder) known as Makary. Rasputin may have spent several months at Verkhoturye, and it was perhaps here that he learned to read and write, but he later complained about the monastery itself, claiming that some of the monks engaged in homosexuality and criticizing monastic life as too coercive. He returned to Pokrovskoye a changed man, looking disheveled and behaving differently from previously. He became a vegetarian, swore off alcohol, and prayed and sang much more fervently than he had in the past. Rasputin spent the years that followed living as a Strannik, (a holy wanderer, or pilgrim), leaving Pokrovskoye for months or even years at a time to wander the country and visit a variety of different holy sites. It is possible that Rasputin wandered as far as Athos in Greece – the center of Orthodox monastic life – in 1900. By the early 1900s, Rasputin had developed a small circle of acolytes, primarily family members and other local peasants, who prayed with him on Sundays and other holy days when he was in Pokrovskoye. Building a makeshift chapel in Efim’s root cellar – Rasputin was still living within his father’s household at the time – the group held secret prayer meetings there. These meetings were the subject of some suspicion and hostility from the village priest and other villagers. It was rumored that female followers were ceremonially washing him before each meeting, that the group sang strange songs that the villagers had not heard before, and even that Rasputin had joined the Khlysty, a religious sect whose ecstatic rituals were rumored to included self-flagellation and sexual orgies. Word of Rasputin’s activity and charisma began to spread in Siberia during the early 1900s. Some time between 1902 and 1904, he traveled to the city of Kazan on the Volga river, where he acquired a reputation as a wise and perceptive starets, who could help people resolve their spiritual crises and anxieties. Despite rumors that Rasputin was having sex with some of his female followers, he won over the father superior of the Seven Lakes monastery outside Kazan, as well as a local church officials archimandrite Andrei and bishop Chrysthanos, who gave him a letter of recommendation to bishop Sergei, the rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Seminary at the Alexander Nevsky monastery, and arranged for him to travel to St. Petersburg, either in 1903 or in the winter of 1904–1905. Upon meeting Sergei at the Nevsky Monastery, Rasputin was introduced to a number of different church leaders, including archimandrite Feofan, who was the inspector of the theological seminary, was well-connected in St. Petersburg society, and later served as confessor to the Tsar and his wife. Feofan was so impressed with Rasputin that he invited him to stay in his home, and became one of Rasputin’s most important and influential friends in St. Petersburg. By 1905 Rasputin had formed friendships with several members of the aristocracy, including the “Black Princesses,” Militsa and Anatasia of Montenegro, who had married the Tsar’s cousins (Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich and Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich), and were instrumental in introducing Rasputin to the tsar and his family. Rasputin first met the Tsar on November 1st, 1905, at the Peterhof Palace. The tsar recorded the event in his diary, writing that he and Alexandra had “made the acquaintance of a man of God – Grigory, from Tobolsk province.” Rasputin did not meet the Tsar and his wife again for some months: he returned to Prokovskoye shortly after their first meeting and did not return to St. Petersburg until July 1906. On his return, Rasputin sent Nicholas a telegram asking to present the tsar with an icon of Simeon of Verkhoturye. He met with Nicholas and Alexandra on July 18th and again in October, when he first met their children. At some point, the royal family became convinced that Rasputin possessed the power to heal Alexei of his hemophilia, but historians disagree over when. Much of Rasputin’s influence with the royal family stemmed from the belief by Alexandra and others that he had eased the pain and stopped the bleeding of the tsarevich on several occasions. During the summer of 1912, Alexei developed a hemorrhage in his thigh and groin after a jolting carriage ride near the royal hunting grounds at Spala, which caused a large hematoma. In severe pain and delirious with fever, the tsarevich appeared to be close to death. In desperation, the Tsarina asked Vyrubova to send Rasputin (who was in Siberia) a telegram, asking him to pray for Alexei. Rasputin wrote back quickly, telling the Tsarina that “God has seen your tears and heard your prayers. Do not grieve. The Little One will not die. Do not allow the doctors to bother him too much.” The next morning, Alexei’s condition was unchanged, but Alexandra was encouraged by the message and regained some hope that Alexei would survive. Alexei’s bleeding stopped the following day. Alexandra believed that Rasputin had performed a miracle, and concluded that he was essential to Alexei’s survival. The royal family’s – and especially Alexandra’s – belief that Rasputin possessed the power to heal Alexei brought him considerable status and power at court. The tsar appointed Rasputin his lampadnik, or lamplighter, who was charged with keeping the lamps that burned in front of religious icons in the palace lit and thus had regular access to the palace and royal family. By December 1906, Rasputin had become close enough to the royal family to ask a special favor of the Tsar – that he be permitted to change his surname to Rasputin-Novyi (Rasputin-New). Nicholas granted the request and the name change was speedily processed, suggesting that the Tsar viewed – and treated – Rasputin favorably at that time. Rasputin used his status and power to full effect, accepting bribes and sexual favors from admirers and working diligently to expand his influence. He soon became a controversial figure; he was accused by his enemies of religious heresy and rape, was suspected of exerting undue political influence over the tsar, and was even rumored to be having an affair with the tsarina. Even before Rasputin’s arrival in St. Petersburg in 1903, alternative religious movements such as spiritualism and theosophy had become increasingly popular among the city’s aristocracy, and many of them were intensely curious about the occult and the supernatural more generally. While fascinated by him, the Saint Petersburg elite did not widely accept Rasputin. He did not fit in with the royal family, and he and the Russian Orthodox Church had a very strained relationship. The Holy Synod frequently attacked Rasputin, accusing him of a variety of immoral or evil practices. Because Rasputin was a court official, though, he and his apartment were under 24-hour surveillance, and, accordingly, there exists some credible evidence about his lifestyle in the form of the famous “staircase notes” – reports from police spies, which were not given only to the tsar but also published in newspapers. Like many spiritually minded Russians, Rasputin spoke of salvation as depending less on the clergy and the church than on seeking the spirit of God within. He also maintained that sin and repentance were interdependent and necessary to salvation. Thus, he claimed that yielding to temptation (and, for him personally, this meant sex and alcohol), even for the purposes of humiliation (so as to dispel the sin of vanity), was needed to proceed to repentance and salvation. Rasputin was deeply opposed to war, both from a moral point of view and as something which was likely to lead to political catastrophe. During the years of World War I, Rasputin’s increasing drunkenness, sexual promiscuity and willingness to accept bribes (in return for helping petitioners who flocked to his apartment), as well as his efforts to have his critics dismissed from their posts, made him appear increasingly cynical. Attaining divine grace through sin seems to have been one of the central secret doctrines which Rasputin preached to (and practiced with) his inner circle of society ladies. During World War I, Rasputin became the focus of accusations of unpatriotic influence at court. The unpopular tsarina, meanwhile, who was of Anglo-German descent, was accused of acting as a spy in German employ. When Rasputin expressed an interest in going to the front to bless the troops early in the war, the commander-in-chief, grand duke Nicholas, promised to hang him if he dared to show up there. Rasputin then claimed that he had a revelation that the Russian armies would not be successful until the tsar personally took command. With this, the ill-prepared tsar proceeded to take personal command of the Russian army, with dire consequences for himself as well as for Russia. While Nicholas was away at war, Rasputin’s influence over Alexandra increased. He soon became her confidant and personal adviser, and he convinced her to fill some governmental offices with his own handpicked candidates. To advance his power further in the highest circles of Russian society, Rasputin cohabited with upper-class women in exchange for granting political favors. World War I, the ossifying effects of feudalism, and a meddling government bureaucracy all contributed to Russia’s declining economy at a very rapid rate. Many at the time laid the blame with Alexandra and with Rasputin, because of his influence over her. Rasputin’s influence over the royal family was used against him and the Romanovs by politicians and journalists who wanted to weaken the integrity of the dynasty, force the tsar to give up his absolute political power and separate the Russian Orthodox Church from the state. Rasputin unintentionally contributed to their propaganda by having public disputes with clergy members, bragging about his ability to influence both the tsar and tsarina, and also by his dissolute and very public lifestyle. Nobles in influential positions around the Tsar, as well as some parties of the Duma, clamored for Rasputin’s removal from the court. On 12th July [O.S. 29th June] 1914 a 33-year-old peasant woman named Chionya Guseva attempted to assassinate Rasputin by stabbing him in the stomach outside his home in Pokrovskoye. Rasputin was seriously wounded, and for a time it was not clear that he would survive. After surgery and some time in a hospital in Tyumen, however, he did recover. Having decided that Rasputin’s influence over the Tsarina had made him a threat to the empire, a group of nobles led by prince Felix Yusupov, the grand duke Dmitri Pavlovich, and the right-wing politician Vladimir Purishkevich concocted a plan to kill Rasputin in December 1916, apparently by luring Rasputin to the Yusupovs’ Moika Palace. Rasputin was murdered during the early morning on 30th December [O.S. 17th December] 1916, at the home of Felix Yusupov. The circumstances of Rasputin’s death have been the subject of considerable speculation and have led to wild stories concerning his invulnerability. According to Yusupov written account, he invited Rasputin to his home shortly after midnight and ushered him into the basement. Yusupov offered Rasputin tea and cakes which had been laced with cyanide. At first, Rasputin refused the cakes, but then began to eat them. To Yusupov’s surprise, Rasputin did not appear to be affected by the poison. Rasputin then asked for some Madeira wine (which had also been poisoned) and drank three glasses, but still showed no sign of distress. At around 2:30 am, Yusupov excused himself to go upstairs, where his fellow conspirators were waiting. Taking a revolver from Dmitry Pavlovich, Yusupov returned to the basement and, referring to a crucifix that was in the room, told Rasputin that he’d “better look at the crucifix and say a prayer,” then shot him once in the chest. Believing him to be dead, they then drove to Rasputin’s apartment, with Sukhotin wearing Rasputin’s coat and hat, in an attempt to make it look as though Rasputin had returned home that night. Upon returning to the Moika Palace, Yusupov went back to the basement to ensure that Rasputin was dead. Suddenly, Rasputin leapt up and attacked Yusupov, who – with some effort – freed himself and fled upstairs. Rasputin followed and made it into the palace’s courtyard before being shot by Purishkevich and collapsing into a snowbank. The conspirators then beat Rasputin with a club, wrapped his body in cloth, drove it to the Petrovsky Bridge and dropped it into the Malaya Nevka River. They claim that Rasputin was seen to be struggling as he floated down the river but that the cold water finally killed him. The coroner’s report of the autopsy does not confirm this story. It says that there was undigested alcohol, but no cyanide in his stomach. So, either the doctor’s technique was flawed or Yusupov did not have genuine cyanide (which I suspect is the case). The report does not indicate any signs of the body having been beaten, nor was there any water in the lungs, meaning Rasputin was already dead when his body was thrown in the river. The body had three bullet wounds, two in the back that were not fatal, and one in the forehead delivered at point-blank range when Rasputin was supine. All of this suggests that Yusupov was weaving a detailed fantasy in his written testimony and that he shot Rasputin in the back and then, when he still showed signs of life while on the ground, shot him in the head, and then dumped the body in the river: less dramatic, but more believable. It might be morbid to give a recipe for a favorite 19th century Russian cake to celebrate Rasputin, but I would not be the first. Here is a detailed video recipe for medovik – Russian honey cake. Note that there is no cyanide in the recipe.
Evidence left behind at a crime scene can identify a potential culprit. Even in this age of DNA, fingerprints and blood stains are still important in helping to identify a criminal. In this experiment, students solve a crime by dusting for fingerprints and use fluorescent dust to search for and identify trace amounts of blood. - For 10 lab groups - Complete in 50 minutes Also required: Alcohol and longwave UV light. Delivery information: Kit includes instructions, brushes, magnifying lens, fingerprint cards, black dusting powder, fluorescent green and grey dye dusting powder, and fingerprint lifters.
CITES(Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between countries, in which agreements have been made about the international trade in endangered animal and plant species. More than 35,000 species have been designated as protected animal or plant species by CITES, of which approximately 5,800 are protected species. Not all of these species are equally strictly protected. That is why subdivisions have been made in levels of protection. Internationally, the level of protection has been subdivided into three appendices: Appendix I, II and III. The appendix listing a species determines whether international trade is permitted and, if so, under what conditions this is permitted. CITES appendices I, II en III CITES Appendix I lists species that are threatened with extinction and that are or may be harmed by international trade. This means that all commercial trade in specimens of these species taken from the wild is in principle prohibited. Commercial trade in first-generation captive bred (captive-born animals; the so-called F1 generation) is also prohibited. Most species are listed in Appendix II. This concerns species that could be threatened with extinction, for example through international trade, without the measures resulting from inclusion in this Appendix. Some species are listed in Appendix II because they resemble those previously listed. The inclusion of these so-called “look-alikes” makes it easier for inspectors to monitor international trade. International trade in Appendix II species is permitted, but only when each consignment has the required export permits. These are only issued under certain circumstances. For example, trade should not threaten the wild population. Appendix III contains species in which a country where such a species occurs, asks other countries to support protection in that country through import controls. International trade of species listed in Appendix I or II is only possible when permission has been granted in the form of a CITES import permit, export permit or re-export certificate. For species in Appendix III, a CITES permit is not always required, in a number of cases only a certificate of origin is requested. How exactly does this work in the Netherlands? The Nature Conservation Act is in force in the Netherlands, linked to it by the Nature Conservation Decree and the Nature Conservation Regulation. The Nature Conservation Act regulates, among other things, that many native animal species in the Netherlands may not be caught from the wild and may not simply be kept. In addition, the CITES agreement and the EU regulations are also regulated within the Nature Conservation Act. The Netherlands also has a Positive List, which indicates which animals may be kept and traded in the Netherlands. Import, export and re-export of animals You need an import permit for an animal of a species listed in Annex A or B of the European Regulation. Animals of a species listed in Appendix A may only be imported for non-commercial purposes. You can think of input for scientific research, breeding in a recognized breeding program aimed at the conservation of the species, or educational purposes. An exception to this are animals that are demonstrably from a second or later generation of captive bred and whose origin is established. When you import a species that is included in EU Annex C or D, you do not need an import license. You must, however, submit an import notification to customs. You can request this from RVO. You may not import a number of animals at all. These types are listed in the Suspension Regulation. Export is when you bring animals from the European Union outside the territory of the EU. Re-export is when you first import animals into the European Union and then export them again. You need a (re) export permit for animal species listed in Appendix A, B or C. Animals of a species listed in Appendix A may only be (re) exported for non-commercial purposes. An exception to this are animals that are demonstrably from a second or later generation offspring. No import or (re) export license is required for internal trade within the European Union. Any transfer of ownership of CITES registered animals is seen as a commercial act. It does not matter whether you receive money or a favor in return, or whether you want to give the animal away for free. That is why an EU certificate is sometimes required for transfer. The current owner, ie the person who wants to transfer or sell the animal, must request the certificate. In other countries the EU certificate is also called an ‘Article 10 certificate’. If you are planning to buy an animal covered by CITES, make sure to check whether an EU certificate is required and whether the seller has a valid EU certificate in that case. An EU certificate may be required in the following cases: When transferring CITES species Appendix A: EU certificate. Annex B: EU certificate if legal origin cannot be proven. If this is possible, no certificate is required. Attachments C and D: no certificate required. An EU lawful acquisition certificate Since 2012 it has been possible to obtain an EU certificate for lawful acquisition. This can be used, for example, if it is not (yet) possible or necessary to issue a certificate for transfer, or to give a specific animal a clear legal basis again. You do not need an EU certificate when it comes to captive born and bred species listed on Annex X of the Implementing Regulation. Exemption for transport to the vet from Appendix A animals with origin code W (wild), F (F1 generation offspring) or U (unknown) Are you transporting a live animal for urgent veterinary treatment and returning it immediately after treatment to where it is allowed to be? Then you do not have to ask for permission. Various EU certificates The EU certificate can also be valid for one transfer. This certificate is then referred to as “transaction-specific”. These EU certificates are issued for an animal with origin code W (wild), F (F1 generation captive bred) or U (unknown). Transaction-specific certificates are also issued for animals without a seamlessly closed leg ring or microchip. You may only take over such animals from the person listed as “keeper” on the certificate. You must also be listed as a destination on the EU certificate and meet the conditions and you need a possession exemption. In practice, the transaction-specific certificate is often used with reptiles. Some countries, such as Germany, Austria and Denmark, issue EU certificates with photo identification attached. They use these EU certificates in these countries as specimen-specific EU certificates. In the Netherlands they are only valid for the first transfer from the country of issue. Transfers within the Netherlands with an EU certificate with photo identification are therefore not allowed. Have you taken over a specimen with an EU certificate with photo-identification attachment and do you want to transfer this animal? Request a replacement EU certificate from RVO. Examples of an EU certificate can be found in Implementing Regulation EG865 / 2006 . Are you unsure about the validity of an EU certificate? Please contact RVO.nl . To check the database for species listed in the Attachments subject to import restrictions, please check the database of Species + . The official CITES website: http://www.cites.org . The website of the wildlife trade monitoring network (Traffic): http://www.traffic.org . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: http://www.redlist.org . Netherlands Enterprise Agency / CITES office: On the website of the RVO you will find more information about CITES, you can also request an EU certificate here.
Submitted to: Peanut Research at Oklahoma State University Publication Type: Experiment Station Publication Acceptance Date: 9/30/2011 Publication Date: 12/10/2011 Citation: Godsey, C.B., Damicone, J.P., Taylor, R., Melouk, H.A. 2011. Evaluating variable rate fungicide applications for control of Sclerotinia. In: Partners and Progress - Peanut Research at OSU, 2011. Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, P-1035. p. 11-13. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Oklahoma peanut growers continue to try to increase yields and reduce input costs. Perhaps the largest input in a peanut crop is fungicide applications. This is especially true for areas in the state that have high disease pressure from Sclerotinia. On average, a single fungicide application costs $50-$60/acre to help control the disease. A large portion of the Oklahoma peanut crop is still grown in areas where Sclerotinia is present, so a solution to reduce fungicide input costs would greatly benefit producers struggling to control the disease. Precision agricultural technologies (GPS, variable rate applicators, optical sensors, etc.) are currently available that provide producers with application options. Currently, very few precision agricultural technologies are used in peanut production. A potential technology that could be used to target applications of fungicide to high disease pressure areas is remote sensing (aerial photos). Aerial photos can be used to determine Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), which is a simple numerical indicator that can be used to analyze remote sensing measurements and to assess whether the target being observed contains live green vegetation. In 2009, one peanut field in Caddo County was identified that had visual evidence of Sclerotinia. Early observations indicate that it looks promising that we can identify areas of higher Sclerotinia pressure from near-infrared reflectance (NIR) or other aerial photographs. This should enable us to target applications of fungicide to control the highest disease areas. In addition, some areas of the field may not need to be treated or could be treated with a reduced rate of fungicide. Depending on pressure level of disease in a field, it is believed that we may be able to reduce Sclerotinia fungicide application costs by 15% – 35%. This is a very early estimate but savings should be realized. Implementation of this on a producer level should be relatively inexpensive since most agricultural retailers have the capability to make variable rate prescription maps and apply products variably. If producers do their own spraying, costs to get set-up to make variable rate applications should be relatively inexpensive and costs could easily be recouped from fungicide savings. The objective of this project is to evaluate the potential for variable rate application of fungicide to control Sclerotinia.
Learn something new every day More Info... by email A millwright is a person who constructs machinery for a variety of purposes, and a millwright apprentice is someone who studies the trade under an experienced millwright. This trade is a difficult one, as the ideal candidate will need to be able to work with a variety of materials including wood, metal, and even plastics in some cases. He or she must also be able to read blueprints, do basic math, and troubleshoot the machines once they are built. The millwright apprentice will work on machines under the tutelage of an experienced millwright for a set period of time. The length of the apprenticeship can vary, and in many cases, the local millwright union will dictate the duration and activities. The millwright apprentice will very often need to apply for the apprenticeship with the union office, and competition for the position is often fierce. Once accepted, the millwright apprentice will be assigned to an experienced millwright who can teach him or her the basics right away. In most cases, the millwright apprentice will start by observing, as well as by studying texts or other classroom materials. There may even be an actual classroom component to the training. Once the millwright apprentice has been trained on the basic techniques and skills, as well as the safety concerns of the job, he or she will often go out on the job with an experienced millwright and begin learning the trade in a hands-on capacity. When machinery arrives at a job site, the millwright must be able to move the equipment into place, calculate what machinery is necessary to lift and move the items, and determine what tools are necessary for construction. It is likely that the millwright will need to have skills as an electrician, welder, driver, assembler, and repairman throughout the course of the machine's assembly and use at a job site. Much of the machinery being used will be exceptionally heavy, so the millwright will need to use heavy machinery to transport the components. This means the millwright and his apprentice must not only learn how to drive the vehicles used to transport machinery, but also have a strong understanding of fluid mechanics and hydraulics, as hydraulic arms and cylinders are very commonly used on transport vehicles. The apprentice will learn, for example, how to calculate whether a particular transport vehicle, such as a forklift or telehandler, will be able to lift and move the machinery safely without becoming unstable.
posted by Amber . An airplane pilot tries to fly directly east with a velocity of 800.0 km/h. If wind comes from the southwest at 80.0 km/h, what is the relative velocity of the airplane to the surface of Earth? Break up the SW wind into N and E, the wind is blowing towards 80Cos45E+80Sin45N
White text on a blue background The March of Dimes Foundation is a United States nonprofit organization that works to improve the health of mothers and babies. It was founded by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938 to combat polio. The organization was called the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. But in 1976, the foundation became the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation and changed to promoting general health for pregnant women and babies. In 2007, the foundation became what it is known as today, the March of Dimes Foundation.
The negative effects of media on sports i media and sports introduction a john wooden quote b the tendencies of the media thesis: the media must take significant strides towards reforming the way they portray sports to change the current system of altering the ideals of athletes and diminishing the prestige of modern sports. Media has also caused the youth of today to become more anti-social and hostile the negative influences of media that are a result of an overexposure to it are most often talked about it is true to a certain extent that media has affected the society in a negative manner. Read more: positive effects on social media studies have also shown that, certain groups of teenagers are prone to violence because of media influence watching too much television takes teenagers further away from school work and homework crippling them academically. The effect of media on people is further supported in an essay by debbie ging ging's research uses a group of boys in ireland the study is similar to dentith's study, but focuses on the masculinity of boys. The impact of the media on young people has long been an issue, with concern that younger audiences are negatively influenced by media effects research has been used to determine whether media causes harm on young people however, media effects research has its difficulties in generating viable results. Impact of media on youth essays here we've compiled a list matching the top essays in our database against impact of media on youth essays whether your project or assignment is for school, personal use or business purposes our team works hard in providing 100% royalty free essay samples across many different topics. Impact of social media on youth essay sample introduction nowadays the growth of social media is immense it has become a part of everyone’s life special the youth the youth is impacted greatly by the social media. The effects of mass media on modern youth essay sample introduction the 21th century has witnessed unprecedented advancement in virtually all fields of daily life, and the mass media is no expectation (brown, 2007. 100% free papers on impact of media on youth essays sample topics, paragraph introduction help, research & more class 1-12, high school & college. Various forms of media, such as the television, radio, newspapers, movies, magazines and most notably, the internet, have impacted heavily on the youth. Effects of social media on the youth 1556 words \| 7 pages various forms of media, such as the television, radio, newspapers, movies, magazines and most notably, the internet, have impacted heavily on the youth. The effects of advertising on youth: the well-being of children is an important task the topic of how young people are influenced is one that undergoes massive examination the influence of media on children and teens is something that is studied often kraak focuses primarily on this influence and the impact that is had on food purchasing decisions. In response to traditional media effects studies, gauntlett (1998) discusses the flaws of media effects studies, outlining why it cannot be used to prove that media causes direct harm to young people firstly, he discredits effects research for coming to social problems backwards. Social media websites such as facebook, twitter, my space, instagram has positive effect on youth but equally it has negative effects as well positive effects the social media websites has effected youth in a way that it is considered to be a great source for professionals. When using these sites such as twitter, facebook or myspace, there are both positive and negative effects on the youth positive impacts it is inevitable to ignore the fact that nowadays social network plays an essential role in teenagers’ lives most youths are spending at least an hour in these popular social media sites. Impact of social media on youth essay sample introduction nowadays the growth of social media is immense it has become a part of everyone’s life special the youth. Check out our top free essays on effects of media on youth to help you write your own essay. While the media has the capacity to teach behaviours that reflect positive social values, the majority of the research on the influence of media on teens has focused on the cause and effect relationship between the portrayal of immoral or dangerous conduct on the media and the resulting negative teen behaviour. Social network impact on youth introduction online social media have gained astounding worldwide growth and popularity which has led to attracting attention from variety of researchers globally. The negative effects of mass media and exposure to america’s youth essay - media provides advertisements that are viewed throughout the world on television programs commercials, magazine, and internet.
At the beginning of the week I set up a little "learning center" with the materials we were going to use. I used a project board to make a little display. I put pictures of penguins, the Spanish word for penguins, and little library pockets to hold some math manipulatives. I figured we'd add to it as the week progressed, mounting L's work as he completed it. (Sort of like a huge lapbook.) Here are some of the activities we did this week: Penguin math game, from Lapbook Lessons. (We got several other activities from there also.) L and I drew some penguins. L decorated a bird feeder, (barely visible in this lousy picture,) and we hung it in the front yard. (Clearly we don't have penguins in our yard, but I though we could observe our native birds.) We used a yard stick to measure the relative heights of various types of penguins on the wall, and then compared them to the kids' heights. (Didn't get a picture of this activity.) L practiced spelling and handwriting on a chalkboard. L and I also spent several hours putting together a 300 piece puzzle together. Although it wasn't bird related, I thought I'd mention it, because he was so proud when we got finished.He's able to do 100 piece ones by himself, but this was pretty challenging for both of us. When we finished, he asked what the puzzle had to do with school. I told him he had learned a little about not giving up, and he agreed. Below you'll find some of the resources we used this week:
A blockchain is a ledger system that stores data. Basically, a blockchain is a network of decentralized computers that are referred to as nodes. These nodes have transactions between them that are constantly being reviewed and updated. Hash rate, on the other hand, is the total computational power directed at mining a cryptocurrency and processing its transactions. A 51% attack happens when a hacker or a group of hackers attack a blockchain after gaining control of over 50% of a cryptocurrency’s hash rate. These attacks are rare, mainly due to the logistics involved, but they have reverberating effects on a cryptocurrency once they happen. How a 51% attack works Most cryptocurrencies work on a proof of work (PoW) framework. This framework is basically the system used to validate transactions. All transactions are recorded in a blockchain in blocks arranged in chronological order in order to prevent double-spending of the crypto coin. The way mining works is a group of miners use powerful computers to try to solve an equation generated by the system. The more miners there are, the more difficult the equation tends to be. Therefore, miners aim to increase their computational power since the better a computer you have, the faster you can come up with solutions. The first miner to solve the equation gets to act as a gatekeeper. They validate the transactions and arrange them in a block so that they cannot be reversed. Thus, if hackers take over a majority of a blockchain’s hash rate, they get to solve these equations faster and can reverse past transactions awaiting confirmation. This way, the cryptocurrencies are reversed back to them to use again. This is called double-spending. Since they now control which transactions get confirmed, the hackers can double-spend as many times as they wish. Additionally, there usually are rewards to miners who succeed in solving the equation, mining the coins, and maintaining the blockchain. These are usually in the form of new coins of the cryptocurrency. These hackers also get to enjoy these rewards. Satoshi Nakamoto’s Achilles’ heel Bitcoin, the highest cryptocurrency in market cap at the moment, was the first cryptocurrency to embrace the PoW model. Its founder, Satoshi Nakamoto, wrote in his whitepaper that the majority of its CPU power needs to be controlled by honest nodes to ensure the integrity of a blockchain. Nakamoto’s goal was to create a currency that was not controlled by any individual or government. This is why he came up with the blockchain idea. To prevent double spending, he introduced the PoW model for consensus. His idea of democratic governance of this currency assumed that malicious attackers would never seize control of the majority of a blockchain’s hash rate, which is where he was greatly flawed. He has since been proved wrong by the numerous 51% attacks that have happened over the years. What would it cost to run a 51% attack? So far, we have seen that controlling over half of a blockchain can enable you to double spend crypto coins valued at millions of dollars. However, this control is not cheap to obtain. The bigger a blockchain is, the more you’ll need in the way of resources to carry out this attack. This is why these attacks are far more frequent in smaller blockchains. For instance, to carry out a 51% attack on Bitcoin, whose market cap stands at $1.11 trillion at the time of writing, would cost you $2,160,111 for every hour you have control. Litecoin, capped at $12.3 billion, would cost a mere $161,323 per hour. Notable instances of 51% attacks The most infamous 51% attacks have been on Ethereum Classic, Feathercoin, Bitcoin Gold, Verge, and Vertcoin blockchains. In 2018 alone, such attacks led to a loss of close to $20 million, which was pocketed by hackers. Effects of these attacks First and foremost, they cause untold monetary losses to crypto exchanges and users who fall prey to them. They also cause concerns about the blockchain’s security and reliability. These attacks do not produce new coins or alter past transactions, but they can tamper with unconfirmed transactions of both users and other miners. Miners may confirm blocks that are then invalidated by the hackers, while users could get their transactions reversed by the forks created by these hackers. This makes them lose confidence in the blockchain, which drives the cryptocurrency’s price down. In extreme cases, these attacks have led to the delisting of some crypto coins from exchange platforms. In 2018, Bitcoin Gold was delisted from Bittrex after its team refused to pay the exchange damages caused by the 51% attack in May. Measures are taken to curb 51% attacks Nowadays, it has become relatively inexpensive to attack blockchains, owing to the availability of CPU power for rent. There are now cloud-based hash power brokers like Nice Hash, which is a threat even to big blockchains. In addition, a majority of blockchains are hosted on the Ethereum network, which means they are using a PoW system. To curb these attacks in the future, Ethereum launched Ethereum 2.0 in December of 2020, which uses an alternative proof of stake (PoS) model. This model randomly selects miners to validate transactions depending on their stake in the network. The idea is that a miner who is heavily invested in the network would not be up to any maliciousness, as the devaluation of the cryptocurrency would drive them to serious losses. Though hackers are still seeking backdoors to this PoS model, they have forced crypto exchanges and currencies themselves to look for ways to improve the industry’s integrity and stay ahead of attackers. A 51% attack is when hackers take over a majority of a blockchain’s computational power, which is called hash rate. With this control, they can solve the blockchain’s equation faster, which then enables them to reverse pending transactions at will. This allows them to double-spend crypto coins. In addition, they get mining rewards associated with solving the blockchain equation.
Our Duty to Sri Lanka, And Human Rights ASIA & THE PACIFIC, 27 February 2012 Desmond Tutu and Mary Robinson – The Guardian It is not just Sri Lanka’s people that the UN Human Rights Council must serve this week, but the cause of international law. This week the UN Human Rights Council has an opportunity and a duty to help Sri Lanka advance its own efforts on accountability and reconciliation. Both are essential if a lasting peace is to be achieved. In doing so, the council will not only be serving Sri Lanka, but those worldwide who believe there are universal rights and international legal obligations we all share. Nearly three years since the defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) by the Sri Lankan government there has still been no serious domestic investigation of the many allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by both sides during the civil war’s final stages. These tragic events cannot simply be ignored. A report in April 2011 by a panel of experts appointed by the UN secretary general documented government forces’ large-scale shelling in “no-fire zones” where civilians had been encouraged to gather. Government forces also shelled a UN hub and food distribution lines. The same report says the LTTE used civilians as human shields, refused to allow people to leave conflict areas and forcibly recruited adults and children as young as 14 to fight. Credible sources cited in the UN report have estimated that around 40,000 civilians may have perished in the final months of the conflict.This tremendous civilian toll covers thousands of stories of suffering and strength, the vast majority of which are untold. One verified story chronicles the experiences of a family who were forcibly displaced more than seven times in eight months between September 2008 and May 2009. They repeatedly sought shelter in government-declared “safe zones” (which were then shelled), buried five relatives, including a six-year-old girl, in unmarked graves, and saw many of their fellow civilians killed and injured. While the Sri Lankan government’s own report from its Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission, published last December, includes important findings on reconciliation, and represents a potentially useful opportunity to begin a national dialogue on the conflict, it is disappointing in its failure to address seriously accountability issues. The recent announcement that the army intends to investigate its own actions during the conflict is not the kind of independent inquiry that is required. In the absence of a credible and independent investigation into what happened in Sri Lanka, the Human Rights Council has an obligation to uphold human rights law and international humanitarian law during its upcoming 2012 sessions. As the UN report said: “The conduct of the war by both sides represented a grave assault on the entire regime of international law designed to protect individual dignity during both war and peace. The victory of one side has emboldened some to believe that these rules may now be disregarded in the cause of fighting terrorism.” Against this background, and continuing reports of human rights violations by the authorities, we urge the council to support a resolution that seeks accountability for the terrible violations of international law that have taken place, and establishes mechanisms to monitor progress on the steps the government is taking on accountability. If there is insufficient progress by the government in establishing a credible accountability process in the near future, we urge council members to support the establishment of an independent investigation. At the same time, the council should support efforts to achieve meaningful reconciliation, human rights and democratic freedom for all Sri Lankans. Their country is a beautiful jewel of an island, rich in culture, history, resources and human talent. But we fear that if nothing changes, the crimes that remain unaddressed will continue to haunt Sri Lanka’s people and could ignite violence once again. Finally we want to emphasise that Sri Lanka’s recent history is an issue that concerns all of us. Whether or not the Human Rights Council is able to summon the will to act on one of the most serious cases of human rights violations to have occurred since it was founded in 2006 could have ramifications for the global standing of human rights and international humanitarian law – and for the prestige and authority of the council. Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former Irish President Mary Robinson are members of The Elders, global leaders working for peace and human rights. 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Radiocarbon relationships whenever we discuss about it the aspect Carbon, we most often reference the absolute most Published by: admin 30 Jul, 2022 As soon as we talk about the element carbon dioxide, we normally reference the essential obviously plentiful secure isotope 12 C. Although 12 C is important to lifestyle, their erratic aunt isotope 14 C is becoming of intense relevance into the research community. Radiocarbon relationships is the process of deciding age a sample by examining the total amount of 14 C continuing to be against the identified half-life, 5,730 years. The primary reason this method operates is basically because when organisms is live, these are generally consistently replenishing their own 14 C supplies through respiration, offering them with a continuing amount of the isotope. But when an organism stops to exist, it no more ingests carbon from its environment and also the erratic 14 C isotope starts to decay. Using this research, we can approximate the date where the system existed on the planet. Radiocarbon dating is used a number of industries to educate yourself on details about the past conditions of organisms and environments present in the world. The Carbon-14 Cycle When plant life correct atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) into organic ingredients during photosynthesis, the resulting fraction associated with isotope 14 C during the place cells will fit the tiny fraction associated with isotope within the conditions (and biosphere being that they are coupled). After a plant dies, the incorporation of most carbon dioxide isotopes, including 14 C, prevents as well as the focus of 14 C decreases as a result of radioactive decay of 14 C utilizing. The half-life of a radioactive isotope (usually denoted by $t_<1/2>$) was a familiar principle than $k$ for radioactivity, so although formula $\ref The picture relating rate constant to half-life for first order kinetics is therefore, the rates chronic will be and picture \(\ref The trial are thought having initially encountered the exact same 14 C/ 12 C proportion as the proportion during the atmosphere, and because the size of the trial is known, the entire wide range of atoms inside the trial may be computed, producing \(N_0$, how many 14 C atoms inside initial trial. Dimension of letter, the number of 14 C atoms presently within the trial, permits the calculation of $t$, the age of the sample, utilising the formula . Drawing Equation \(\ref Example 1: Lifeless Water Scrolls In 1947, samples of the deceased water Scrolls had been examined by carbon matchmaking. It actually was unearthed that the carbon-14 gift had an activity (rate of decay) of d/min.g (in which d = disintegration). Compared, living content display a hobby of 14 d/min.g. Therefore, making use of Equation \(\ref \[\ln \dfrac<14> <11>= (1.21 \times 10^<-4>) t Through the measurement carried out in 1947, the inactive water Scrolls happened to be determined become 2000 years old, giving them a date of 53 BC, and verifying her credibility. This development is actually distinction on carbon dioxide online dating results for the Turin Shroud that was designed to bring wrapped Jesus’ human anatomy. Carbon matchmaking has revealed your cloth was created between 1260 and 1390 advertising. Thus, the Turin Shroud was made over a thousand ages following loss of Jesus. Defines radioactive half-life and the ways to do a little straightforward data making use of half-life. The strategy of radiocarbon internet dating originated by Willard Libby and his colleagues during the institution of Chicago in 1949. Emilio Segre asserted in his autobiography that Enrico Fermi advised the style to Libby at a seminar in Chicago that year. Libby believed friendfinder app the steady-state radioactivity attention of exchangeable carbon-14 could well be about 14 disintegrations per minute (dpm) per gram. In 1960, Libby had been awarded the Nobel reward in biochemistry for this services. The guy shown the accuracy of radiocarbon dating by accurately estimating age timber from some trials which is why this had been identified, including an old Egyptian royal barge internet dating from 1850 BCE. Before Radiocarbon relationships had been found, people had to select the life of this 14 C isotope. In 1940, Martin Kamen and Sam Ruben in the institution of Ca, Berkeley Radiation lab performed that. They discover a form, an isotope, of carbon dioxide that included 8 neutrons and 6 protons. By using this getting, Willard Libby and his personnel at college of Chicago proposed that Carbon-14 got unpredictable and underwent a total of 14 disintegrations for each minute per gram. Using this hypothesis, the initial half-life the guy determined got 5568, offer or take thirty years. The accuracy for this proposition had been shown by matchmaking a bit of material from an old Egyptian barge, age that has been currently identified. In the future, boffins have tried these processes to study fossils, rocks, and water currents; as well as to determine get older and celebration timing. Through the entire many years, description apparatus have become more technologically higher level, permitting scientists getting more exact. We currently utilize understanding known as the Cambridge half-life of 5730+/- forty years for Carbon-14. Even though it is considered obsolete, many labs however utilize Libby’s half-life to be able to remain steady in publications and computations within laboratory. From breakthrough of Carbon-14 to radiocarbon relationship of fossils, we are able to see just what an essential character carbon dioxide enjoys played and continues to perform in life now. The whole means of Radiocarbon matchmaking varies according to the decay of carbon-14. This procedure begins whenever an organism has stopped being in a position to exchange Carbon having its surroundings. Carbon-14 is actually first-formed when cosmic radiation during the conditions allow for extra neutrons to-be produced, which in turn respond with Nitrogen to generate a constantly replacing supply of carbon-14 to exchange with bacteria. - Carbon-14 internet dating enables you to calculate age carbon-bearing ingredients to about 58,000 to 62,000 years old. - The carbon-14 isotope would vanish from Earth’s conditions within just so many ages are it perhaps not for the continual increase of cosmic rays getting atmospheric nitrogen. - One of the most repeated makes use of of radiocarbon dating is always to calculate the age of natural keeps from archeological websites.
Desert tortoises, as their name suggests, don't encounter many large bodies of water. But surprisingly, all turtles, even desert tortoises, can hear better underwater, recent research finds. "If a desert tortoise decided to stick its head underwater, it could hear better," said Katie Willis, a University of Maryland doctoral student and co-author of a study published online this week in the journal PLoS ONE. The findings shed light on the evolution of turtles, suggesting they all share an aquatic ancestor, the researchers said. Willis and her co-authors took MRI and CT scans of the inner ears of many different species of turtles. They calculated that in every case these relatively large, air-filled sacks inside the skull resonated, or vibrated, more powerfully underwater, where sound waves travel more quickly than in air. This process of hearing starts when sound waves vibrate the ear drum, which in turtles is flush with the outside of the skull, Willis told OurAmazingPlanet. When the sound waves are at the right frequency, or pitch, they cause the inner ear to resonate and vibrate, aiding hearing, she said. This allows animals to better hear fainter sounds. After taking measurements of the turtles' inner ears, the team found that all of them closely resembled those of aquatic turtles; the ratio between the size of the skull and the size of the inner ear remained about the same, she said. This observation, along with the team's resonance calculations, suggests that all turtles evolved from a common ancestor that lived in the water, she said. "This strongly points to an aquatic origin for all turtles," Willis said. This has been a controversial topic, with some fossil evidence suggesting turtles have terrestrial origins. She said the study should help better understand how hearing works in turtles and other animals, and where to place turtles in the evolutionary tree. It supports the hypothesis that turtles are more closely related to crocodiles and birds than to all other reptiles, contrary to previous theories. Land turtles hear via sound vibrating their ear drums. Apparently it works well enough that evolution hasn't selected for a more specialized inner ear cavity, she said, a case of so-called neutral selection. Willis summed it up: "If it ain't broke, don’t fix it."
When the rain gets harder, it gets dangerous. A very wet skydiving parachute can still fly, but it doesn’t fly efficiently. Its stall speed is lower, it’s not as crisp in its flight dynamics and it doesn’t produce a nice, soft landing flare at the end of the adventure. Can you parachute in the rain? Skydiving in the rain is not allowed. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that skydives only be completed in Visual Flight Rules conditions. Simply put, you need to be able to see as you fly (or skydive). What weather can you not skydive in? This means that yes you can jump if it is cloudy with spaces, very high cloud above exit height or very thin layers that you can see through – but if the cloud is low and thick, without gaps then this would be deemed unsafe. Does rain affect skydiving? Skydiving in the rain violates the FAA rules that seek to protect skydivers, pilots and anyone else in aviation. Visibility is critical for a safe and accident-free sky, but that is taken away by rain clouds. What weather conditions are needed for skydiving? Wind – the ground wind speeds are not allowed to exceed 20 knots. Rain – it’s not raining at the point of exit. Visibility – There’s no solid low cloud: we can only jump through scattered cloud and only if, at the point of exit, the ground between the opening point and the intended landing area is visible. Is landing a parachute hard? My landing will be hard after skydiving Many people think that landing a parachute will be a hard and fast experience but modern parachute designs mean that you can apply ‘brakes’ upon landing and land very, very softly with the minimum of impact on landing. How does wind affect parachutes? A steady wind will simply make a parachute move with the wind; otherwise, the flight of the parachute will remain more or less the same. … But if a parachute is very large, it catches a lot of air and slows you down a lot more. So a bigger parachute definitely falls slower than a smaller one. Who Cannot skydive? By law, people in the U.S. can’t sign up to complete a skydive until they’re 18. But there is no maximum skydiving age limit, meaning anyone in good health can come jump, even into their 80s and 90s. Can you skydive if pregnant? No, you cannot skydive pregnant if you are a first time tandem skydiver, because of the considerable liabilities. That said, many pregnant women have made sport skydives during pregnancy with no ill effects to either themselves or their babies.25 мая 2017 г. Can you parachute through a cloud? Skydiving in clouds is similar, except collisions with other skydivers, parachutes and airplanes/helicopters are a real threat lurking in the clouds. Simply put, if we can’t see where we are going it is not safe to skydive. What is the best time to skydive? Can you skydive at night? Defining a “Night” Skydive. A “night skydive” is a skydive that occurs any time between one hour after official sunset up to one hour before official sunrise. Skydives performed within those hours are different enough from “day jumping” that they count as extraordinary. Why is there a weight limit for skydiving? The skydiving weight limit exists for reasons of safety alone, and it is by no means casual. In fact, it hurts us to be the enforcers, because we want everyone to be able to make a skydive and experience the wonderment of our enormous blue playground. We don’t want any factors to stand in a would-be skydiver’s path. Should I eat before skydiving? ‘ It should be ‘What’s the best way to eat before skydiving. ‘ You should definitely, definitely eat. Eating sensibly for a tandem is a good idea, just as it is a good idea for life in general. … If you don’t eat, your blood sugar will be super-low, so you could end up feeling woozy and uncomfortable during your jump. Do they weigh you before you skydive? Yes. All guests will be asked to step on a scale. This is done with discretion whereby no one but the associate checking you in is able to read your weight. This may seem over the top but is standard in the skydiving industry as weight restrictions are taken seriously. What happens if you get struck by lightning while skydiving? If a person were skydiving and struck by lightning, what would happen? … It would most likely kill the skydiver. The skydiver would not die from electrocution due to a lack of being grounded. Lighting also has a extremely high temperature.
Cement masons, sometimes called concrete finishers, install rebar and steel mesh reinforcements to strengthen concrete; monitor concrete as it is poured, dries, and sets; and apply sealants to protect dried concrete from the elements. Some cement masons learn their trade informally while on the job, while others undertake a formal apprenticeship that lasts for three years. National Income Statistics As of 2011, cement masons had an average annual income of $39,370 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average wage of cement masons was $18.93 per hour. Half of cement masons working in the United States had salaries of between $28,200 and $46,680 per year, and the highest-paid 10 percent of cement masons in the U.S. earned $62,600 or more per year and $30.10 or more an hour. Payment by Industry Nearly half of all cement masons worked for foundation and building exterior contractors in 2011, earning an average of $38,400 a year. Those employed by residential construction companies made an average of $39,070 per year, while cement masons working primarily for nonresidential building companies averaged $42,360 per year. Cement masons in street and bridge construction reported an average annual income of $41,470. Workers employed by the government reported the highest wages for this occupation, with federal workers averaging $48,280 and local government workers averaging $46,190. Pay by Region In general, cement masons working in the Northeast, West, Great Lakes region and noncontiguous states earned the most, while those in the South and South Central states earned the least. Alaska ranked first among the states, with an average salary of $66,420, followed by New York at $59,820, Hawaii at $58,740, Illinois at $54,380 and New Jersey at $49,710. The highest-paying single area in the nation was the Nassau-Suffolk metropolitan area of New York, where cement masons averaged $80,800 per year. Mississippi reported the lowest average salary, $28,060. In general, the BLS expects that employment of cement masons will show growth of 35 percent between 2010 and 2020, significantly faster than the 14 percent average rate of growth projected for the American economy. Cement masons will be in more demand due to the residential and infrastructural needs of a growing population, and cement is likely to be in specific demand in states periodically threatened by hurricanes. According to the BLS, workers who have formal training or who have taken courses related to masonry at technical schools will experience the best employment prospects. - Jupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images
To raise awareness of the dangers of parasite-borne disease in the UK – and to educate pet owners on how to protect against them – MSD Animal Health has carried out two major study projects. Working closely with the nation’s vets, we asked practices to examine pets at random, and to collect and send in any ticks and fleas found. We partnered with the University of Bristol who monitored and analysed the responses. The results have proved extremely valuable, providing a clearer picture of the threat fleas and ticks carry to both pets and humans. The Big Flea Project was launched in spring 2018 and aimed to map the many flea species in the UK and discover the diseases they carry. Practices were asked to examine both dog and cat patients at random and send any samples to the University of Bristol. 1,475 animals were examined from 326 vet practices throughout the UK. The Big Tick Project was launched in April 2015 with the aim to raise awareness about the threat tick borne diseases can be to pets and humans. Practices were asked to examine dogs at random and send any samples to the University of Bristol. 1,461 practices responded and a staggering 6,372 ticks were sent in for examination. In the summer of 2016 the study was replicated with cats – the results can be viewed online here. Map of threats Fleas and ticks are nasty! Do you know the threat level in your area? Fleas and ticks aren’t just an itchy nuisance – they can carry dangerous diseases.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has provided an updated list of those who are at increased risk for severe illness because of COVID-19. It includes older adults, with CDC noting the risk increases with age. The CDC says 8 out of 10 deaths from COVID-19 in the United States, as of June 25, 2020, are in adults age 65 or older. But it also notes that children with medically complex conditions are at higher risk than other children. The CDC says that people of any age with the following conditions are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19: - Chronic kidney disease - COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) - Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant - Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 or higher) - Serious heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies - Sickle cell disease - Type 2 diabetes mellitus The CDC says. based on current information, people with the following conditions might be at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19: - Asthma (moderate-to-severe) - Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain) - Cystic fibrosis - Hypertension or high blood pressure - Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines - Neurologic conditions, such as dementia - Liver disease - Pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues) - Thalassemia (a type of blood disorder) - Type 1 diabetes mellitus The CDC has also provided a link for the medical evidence behind their statements of who is at higher risk. Click here for that site.
Belarus energy profile IEA (2020), Belarus energy profile, IEA, Paris https://www.iea.org/reports/belarus-energy-profile, License: CC BY 4.0 About this report Explore online contents The Republic of Belarus (Belarus) is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered by the Russian Federation (Russia) to the north and east, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Belarus covers an area of 207 595 square kilometres (km2) (40% of which is forested) and has 9.4 million inhabitants. Minsk, the largest city, is the national capital and home to 21.5% of the population; 77.6% of the population is urban and 22.4% is rural. Belarus has a diversified industrial profile. Despite a lack of natural resources and the economic crisis that followed dissolution of the Soviet Union, Belarus has achieved solid economic growth through manufacturing and exports, including machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals, metals and textiles. Real gross domestic product (GDP) in US dollars (USD) at purchasing power parity (PPP) was USD 60.45 billion in 2019, an increase of 3% since 2010. However, little structural reform has occurred in the country since it gained independence, and foreign investment is relatively low. The long-time president opposes privatisation of state enterprises, so the energy sector is owned and operated by the government and the president holds the exclusive right to make all strategic decisions. The electricity sector is operated by a single vertically integrated national energy company, BelEnergo, while gas distribution is handled by BelTopGaz. The government believes that having control over the entire energy sector will guarantee a secure and stable energy supply. Because of its modest natural resources, Belarus relies on imports from Russia to meet most of its energy needs. Belarus is also an important part of Russia’s gas transit corridor to Western Europe, and matters related to natural gas transit, such as infrastructure, system operations, tariff structure and technical services are established in a bilateral agreement with Russia’s Gazprom. The main priorities of Belarusian energy policy and strategy are to provide reliable and sustainable energy for the national economy while reducing energy import dependence and improving the sector’s financial stability. The government is contemplating power generation fuel diversification to include more coal and renewables, and it has introduced a green feed-in tariff (FIT) to attract more investment in renewables. The government is also improving energy efficiency in electricity and heat production and is phasing out subsidies for electricity, heat and gas, which is expected to make the energy sector more market-focused and attractive for private investment. While Belarus’s energy policy do have direction, strong legislation and implementation tools are lacking. Long-term policy planning and/or analysis of different scenarios are needed to develop government programmes. Furthermore, a basic law on electricity and heat does not exist. At the end of 2019, the government was considering new legislation on electricity that includes provisions for unbundling, but this legislation is under consideration only. Belarus participates in the Russia-Belarus-Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan-Armenia Customs Union, which evolved into the Russia-Belarus-Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan-Armenia Common Economic Space (CES) in 2012, directed by the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) (to which Belarus is a party). The CES aims to remove barriers to the free movement of goods, services, capital and labour among its members. Belarus is also a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), operational since January 2015, along with Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. In addition to its bilateral relations and work performed as part of the Baku Initiative, which provides political dialogue between the European Union and the countries of the Caspian and Black Sea littoral states and their neighbouring countries, Belarus participates in the European Commission’s Eastern Partnership programmes. Belarus is involved in implementing numerous interstate and international treaties in energy, including participation in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) agreement on the co‑ordination of interstate relations in the power sector, and the treaty on the parallel operations of power systems of the CIS. Key energy data - In 2018, only 15% of the country’s energy demand (27 million tonnes of oil equivalent [Mtoe]) was met by domestic production, making Belarus one of the least energy self-sufficient countries in the world. - Despite having the world’s third-largest production of peat (544 kilotonnes of oil equivalent [ktoe] or 2354 kt in 2018), and small amounts of crude oil (1 678 ktoe in 2018) and natural gas production (128 ktoe in 2018), Belarus depends heavily on imports to cover its energy demand. - Nearly all electricity generation came from natural gas in 2018 (97%, or 39 terawatt hours [TWh]), but this is projected to change with the commissioning of two nuclear generators (1 200 megawatts [MW] each, to be operational in October 2020 and July 2021). - Belarus is a large oil refiner (36th in the world, at 19 Mt of oil products in 2018). - Belarus depends heavily on imports for all types of fossil fuels, supplied mainly by Russia. - The country is one of the world’s largest importers of natural gas: according to preliminary data for 2018, it imported 17 Mtoe (20 billion cubic metres [bcm]) of natural gas, making it the leading importer among EU4Energy countries. - Belarus imports similar quantities of crude oil (17 Mtoe in 2018), but most oil is re-exported in the form of oil products (11.4 Mtoe). Russia is the main supplier of crude oil refined in Belarus, and in turn Belarus is Ukraine’s primary supplier of oil products. - Total energy consumption (measured by total primary energy supply) in Belarus was 27.0 Mtoe in 2018, comparable with consumption in Norway and Hungary. - The industry sector is the largest final energy consumer with a 36% share (7.3 Mtoe in 2018); it is also the greatest consumer of electricity and heat. The residential sector is Belarus’s second-largest final energy-consuming sector (27% share or 5.2 Mtoe in 2018). - Since 2000, the largest increase in energy demand has been in the transport sector (In 2018, consumption was 80% higher than in 2000). Transport is by far the largest consumer of oil products in the country. - Primary energy intensity of Belarus is 0.15 tons of oil equivalent [toe] / 1000 USD (2015). This is above the world (0.111 toe / 1000 USD) and EU (0.076 toe / 1000 USD) averages. Out of the EU4Energy countries, energy demand is similar in Turkmenistan, whereas energy intensity in Belarus is 40% lower. - Renewables accounted for only 6% of Belarus’s energy mix in 2018, mostly from biofuels and waste. Renewables share in electricity generation was even lower, 2% in 2018 (0.8 TWh). Energy sector governance Belarus’s energy sector is dominated by state-owned companies operating under supervision of the Ministry of Energy in electricity, gas and part of the heat sector, and under BelNefteKhim (Belarus State Concern for Oil and Chemistry) in the oil, refining and petrochemicals sector. The Ministry of Energy is responsible for Belarus’s fuel and energy sector. It manages the vertically integrated state-owned natural gas supplier BelTopGaz and the vertically integrated state-owned electricity producer, supplier and retailer BelEnergo. This ministry also oversees the state-owned Belarusian nuclear power plant (NPP) and other state-owned organisations operating in the energy sector, and it is responsible for implementing the Sectoral Programme of Electricity System Development for 2016-2020. State regulation of the energy sector, including energy efficiency and renewable energy, is carried out through decrees, presidential directives, government decisions and the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade. Other relevant ministries and departments are also active participants. The Energy Efficiency Department of the State Standardisation Committee is responsible for developing and implementing national energy efficiency and renewable energy policies. It also monitors and ensures state control of rational fuel, electricity and heat use. Local councils, executive authorities and administrative bodies implement state energy policy, and there are many public and non-governmental organisations active in the field of energy efficiency, renewable energy and environmental protection in Belarus. The highest legal document in Belarus is its Constitution. Under this are decisions, decrees and orders of the head of state, followed by constitutional laws and other legal acts, decrees of the Council of Ministers and other sectoral ministerial acts. In theory, this means that the head of state can override legislation that has been adopted by the parliament. This rule is a fundamental barrier to long-term investment, so making national legislation more predictable and stable for both domestic and foreign investors should be considered. Under the Constitution, judicial power in Belarus belongs to the courts: - The Constitutional Court adjudicates disputes concerning the compliance of regulatory legal acts with the Constitution. The Constitutional Court consists of 12 highly qualified experts: six judges appointed by the president and six elected by the Council of the Republic. The chairperson of the Constitutional Court is appointed by the president with the consent of the Council of the National Assembly. Judges of the Constitutional Court have 11-year terms. - Courts of general jurisdiction (including special military courts) hear civil, criminal and administrative offence cases, as well as cases involving military personnel. Courts of general jurisdiction are the Supreme Court, regional courts, Minsk municipal court, municipal (district) courts and military courts. - Economic courts adjudicate disputes between legal entities and some economic and business enterprises, including those involving foreign economic entities. The Supreme Economic Court, regional economic courts and the economic court of the city of Minsk make up this category. - The International Arbitration Court of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is an alternative to the general and economic courts. It contributes to the implementation of foreign economic activities and ensures the confidential consideration of cases without excessive formalities. The main pieces of legislation governing Belarus’s energy sector are: - the Law on Gas Supply (2003) - the Law on Nuclear Energy (2008) - the Law on Renewable Energy Sources (2010), which includes electricity and heat regulations - the Law on Energy Savings (2015). The Law on Energy Savings stipulates energy efficiency technology implementation and energy-efficient equipment requirements, but there is no law on electricity in Belarus, although the government is considering drafting a law that addresses electricity sector unbundling. On 29 May 2019, a Protocol was signed amending the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union of 29 May 2014 (regarding the formation of a common EAEU electricity market). In the absence of a legal framework on power sector market relations, Belarus will have to finalise its draft Law on the Electric Power Industry so that Belarusian companies may participate in the EAEU’s common energy market until 2025. Belarus must also ensure the development of rules for its wholesale and retail electricity markets, as well as other by-laws governing the economic, technical, informational and organisational relationships of participants in the wholesale and retail electricity markets. There is also no law on heat, and no proposals are under consideration. In May 2013 a Power Supply Rule was approved by the government, legislating electricity network development and rehabilitation, and in August 2014 a new Decree on Grid Connection was approved, allowing smaller private generators to access the grid. On 11 September 2019, Resolution No. 609 of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus on Issues in the Field of Heat Supply approved the heat supply rules. The heat supply rules regulate consumer relations with energy-supply organisations, the procedure for connecting consumers’ heat consumption systems to heating networks, and the payment procedure for heat energy. Because greater renewable energy use would reinforce energy security by reducing energy imports (at the same time as cutting GHG emissions), the government has made renewables development an energy sector priority. In 2015 the Belarusian government amended the renewable energy regulations of the Law on Renewable Energy Sources adopted in 2010. In May 2015, it approved the Presidential Decree on the Use of Renewable Energy and in August 2015 a resolution on a new methodology for FITs. Approval of the Comprehensive Development Plan for the Electricity Sector to 2025 and Beyond happened in March 2016, and in April 2016 the National Energy Saving Programme 2016-2020 was approved. Under Presidential Decree No. 357 of 24 September 2019, only renewable electricity generating companies that use new equipment are allowed to take part in tenders to allocate quotas for the implementation of renewable energy projects; all contracted renewable electricity is purchased at incentive tariffs for ten years. According to the Law on Renewable Energy Sources, renewable energy source (RES) procurement is carried out at the expense of the energy-supplying utilities (regional units of the vertically integrated operator, State Production Association [SPA] Belenergo). Renewable electricity generators must follow the dispatch control centre’s schedule to maintain system reliability (i.e. halt the supply when there is an excess of electricity at night and restart it during the day). The aim of Belarus’s energy policy is to secure reliable and sustainable energy while reducing energy import dependence and improving the energy sector’s financial stability. Renewable energy and energy efficiency have been recognised as means to achieve these aims, but most of the change in the energy sector will be effectuated by the new nuclear power station, expected to be partially operational by 2020. Belarus’s main energy policy document, the Concept of Energy Security, came into force on 1 January 2016. Policy objectives have remained the same as in the previous policy document: increased use of local fuels and reduced gas import dependency; expanded trade and regional co-operation; stronger state control but legal protection for smaller private companies; new technology development; and reduced energy intensity of GDP. The main strategies to achieve these objectives are to: • Reduce import dependency and develop domestic energy resources. • Diversify import suppliers and increase energy transit. • Reduce natural gas in the energy mix. • Improve reliability through rehabilitation and modernisation, and increased oil reserves. • Enhance demand-side energy efficiency measures and reduce GDP energy intensity. • Enhance production and distribution energy efficiency. • Make energy affordable while phasing out subsidies. • Expand regional and global co-operation and trade/exports. • Improve energy sector management. The Concept for Developing Power Generation Facilities and Power Grids to 2030 is a mechanism to implement the Concept of Energy Security. It prescribes that: • The structure of generating equipment be optimised to maintain statutory power system reserves and comply with the required energy security indicators. • Maintenance approaches for dilapidated and/or unclaimed boiler equipment be revised, especially for peak-load boilers, taking into account the input of electric boilers in large district heating systems. • Power grid infrastructure be supported and developed, with the possibility of increasing electricity exports. • District heating systems and heating networks be developed and modernised to minimise thermal power plant and boiler energy system operating equipment, while maintaining the supply of heat energy to consumers. • Heat supply systems be equipped with complex automation, i.e. unified information systems that use smart grid technologies to automate the organisational and technological processes of district heating in cities. • A legislative and regulatory framework be developed to govern the functioning of Belarus’s energy system, incorporating documents adopted and planned for adoption by the EAEU and other international associations. The Comprehensive Development Plan for the Electricity Sector provides for integration of the planned NPP and necessary changes in the regulatory and technical framework. The plan also includes allowances for network rehabilitation and development, and the phaseout of tariff subsidies. Its main technical goals are to: - Commission the Belarusian NPP (2 400 MW). - Reduce the share of gas in heat and electricity production to 60% by 2025. - Integrate the NPP into the grid by installing 985 MW of electric boilers with Belenergo and 200 MW with other consumers. - Construct 800 MW of peak-reserve power capacity. - Restrict the Belarusian NPP’s basic mode of operation in the non-heating period to 80% of rated power. - Introduce electric heating and hot water systems in new building construction when technically and economically feasible. - Expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure and electric public transport. The National Statistical Committee (Belstat) is responsible for compiling and publishing energy data in Belarus. The main sources of data are annual, quarterly and monthly surveys on energy consumption and industrial production; trade and stock information are collected on a monthly basis. Energy statistics team of Belstat has a very good relationship with data providers and data users, particularly through its large national statistics working group. Belarus’s energy statistics collection methodology is based on: - International Recommendations for Energy Statistics (UNSD, 2011) - Energy Statistics Manual (IEA, 2005) - Energy Efficiency Indicators: Fundamentals on Statistics (IEA, 2014) - Energy Statistics: A Manual for Developing Countries (UN, 1991) - Energy Statistics: Definitions, Units of Measure and Conversion Factors (UN, 1987) - Concepts and Methods in Energy Statistics, With Special Reference to Energy Accounts and Balances (UN, 1982). The Energy Balance of the Republic of Belarus is the main statistics publication and publicly available online in the energy section of the statistics website. A monthly bulletin is also produced and available on request. Belstat has shared the five International Energy Agency (IEA)/Eurostat/United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) annual joint energy questionnaires since the early 1990s, and has aligned its energy balance with the International Recommendations for Energy Statistics. It also shares data with the CIS Statistical Committee and the EEC. In addition, Belarus participates in the Joint Organisations Data Initiative (JODI) for both oil and gas by sending these monthly data to the UN Statistics Division (UNSD). The energy data produced by Belstat are widely used by government institutions. Reducing energy intensity is one of the targets of the country’s key energy strategy document, the Concept of Energy Security, and the evolution of this indicator is monitored in every five-year plan. Energy data are also essential inputs for the short- and medium-term forecasts of the Ministry of Economy, the assessments of energy savings by the Department of Energy Efficiency, the inventories of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions done by the Ministry of Natural Resources, and the research of the National Academy of Sciences. The National Statistical Committee has developed temperature-corrected time series of energy consumption, and it also co‑operates closely with the Department of Energy Efficiency and other stakeholders to develop an expanded set of energy efficiency indicators to aid in energy efficiency planning. Energy end-use questions were included in the 2015 household survey.
Photo source: wikimedia commons A few days ago I wrote an article, The Monarch Butterfly - In Danger of Disappearing, about how the population of the beautiful monarch butterfly is declining. One of the main reasons for this decline is the loss of the milkweed plant. The milkweed plant is the only plant on which the monarch butterfly will deposit her eggs. The reason for this is that the milkweed plant is somewhat toxic. Once the monarch caterpillars emerge, they eat the leaves of this plant which in turn makes them toxic as well. The bright colors of the monarch are a warning to the birds that “you don’t really want to eat me!” It may not kill the bird, but it will make them think twice about ever eating another one. With the planting of so many genetically modified crops, the farmers are using more and stronger herbicides which is not only killing the unwanted “weeds” in their crops, but it also killing everything around the crops including the milkweed plants. Milkweed gets its name from the milky like sap that come from cutting the plant. (Be sure not to get it in your eyes!) There are many varieties of the milkweed plant and it goes by many different common names, such as the “pink butterfly plant”, be sure you chose a plant from the family of Asclepias to get a true milkweed. Varieties of this plant grow wild on most of the US in zones 3-9. The common milkweed, (Asclepias syriaca), is native to the eastern and central US. It will grow to approximately 48” high and blooms late June through July. Photo source: wikimedia commons - Jason Hollinger Common milkweed is a perennial that is drought, deer and rabbit resistant. It grows well in poor soil as long as it has good drainage and plenty of sunlight. It is recommended that you plant seeds in the fall, however, the plants may not flower the first year. If you want flowering milkweed the first year, you might want to purchase a few already started pots from your local nursery. Once your milkweed plants bloom, you can remove the seed pods and keep the seeds for more plants the next year. The plant will spread on its own as it grows from rhizomes underground. The seed pods will also open and release seeds into the wind similar to a dandelion, but this may cause your plants to grow in areas where you don’t want them. The milkweed plant will not only bring the monarch butterfly to your flower garden but it is a source of nectar for hummingbirds and many other species of butterflies as well. Let’s all plant some milkweed this year and help the population of the monarch butterfly flourish once again! You may also enjoy reading:
I don’t usually share my gringo traditions here but I realize that just as I’m fascinated by and curious about Latin American traditions, maybe there are people from other parts of the world reading this who might be just as fascinated by and curious about the traditions we have here in the United States. As I mentioned before, carving a jack-o-lantern and roasting pumpkin seeds were two of the very first traditions I shared with Carlos, so now I’m going to share it with you. (Besides, roasted pumpkin seeds are popular in parts of Latin America too!) Directions and step-by-step photos below! How to Make: Jack-o-Lanterns & Roasted Pumpkin Seeds 1. Choose a side of your pumpkin to work on. I always choose the side that has the least amount of blemishes or scratches, but if you’re going for a different look, maybe that would add some character. Once you’ve decided which side you like best, use a marker to draw a face. Remember that you’ll be carving these shapes out with a knife, so the more complicated the shapes, (especially round shapes or tiny details), the more difficult it will be. (Note: Don’t carve your pumpkin more than a few days before Halloween or it will start to rot.) 2. Draw a circle at least an inch out from the stem around the top of the pumpkin. Cut along the line at the top and then gently pull the stem to open the pumpkin. Use a knife to cut the gunk and strings hanging off the top so it’s clean and flat. 3. Reach inside the pumpkin and pull out the “guts.” (Most little kids find this disgusting but fun.) 4. The gooey, stringy stuff can be discarded, but separate the seeds out into a bowl as you go. At some point you will need to use a spoon to scrape the inside nice and clean. 5. Use a sharp knife to carefully carve out the face you drew on the outside of the pumpkin. Little kids will need lots of help and should be supervised at all times. 6. Admire what a good job you’ve done. Your jack-o-lantern is finished and ready for the final touch, but first, let’s roast pumpkin seeds. 7. Put the pumpkin seeds in a colander and rinse with water for a couple minutes, using your hands to mix them around. Leave in the colander to drip dry about 20 minutes. 8. Cover a baking sheet in aluminum foil. Spread the pumpkin seeds out on the ungreased baking sheet. Put into the oven at no more than 200 F. Right now we’re not roasting the pumpkin seeds, just drying them out. Check the pumpkin seeds every 10 minutes. They should be dry in 20 – 30 minutes or less. Pumpkin seeds should still be white when you remove them from the oven. Allow to cool for a couple minutes until they’re safe to handle with your hands. 9. Use your hands to mix the pumpkin seeds around and get them unstuck from the aluminum foil. Dribble a little oil on the seeds, (some people use butter – I spray them generously with cooking spray), and then sprinkle with salt. Mix around with your hands, making sure all seeds are covered in oil and salt. Bake in oven at 350 F until slightly browned. Allow to cool and then serve or store for eating. 10. Back to your jack-o-lantern! On Halloween night, place a lit candle inside your jack-o-lantern (battery operated “candles” are best so you don’t have to worry about a fire hazard), and then put the top back on. Set on your doorstep out of the way of trick-or-treaters. Happy Halloween!