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In antebellum America, the U.S. underwent what historians call “the market revolution.” This is a movement analogous to the “Great Transformation” Karl Polanyi sketched in England and Europe. (Interestingly, Polanyi himself excepts the American experience from the process he outlines given the availability of land for the taking in the U.S. relative to Europe.) The penetration of the market and market forces into the everyday lives of everyday people separates the period of the market revolution and afterward from the time before it. The rise of wage labor and production for markets, rather than production largely for one’s self and one’s family, created different rhythms and risks in life relative to agrarian life prior to the rise of that system. Consider the two worlds. First, take an agrarian yeoman who owns a small freehold in, say Maryland, circa 1800. He and his wife (and children) produce almost entirely by, and for, themselves. “The market” exists only on the outward most periphery of their day-to-day lives. “The market” exists at a distinct place and at a distinct time. They go into town on market day every now and then, when they have excess produce of one thing, and they desire to trade it for something difficult or impossible for them to produce themselves. If they do not have any surplus to trade, then they simply make do with what they have. Planting time, harvest time, and vagaries like weather and injuries can dramatically affect their day-to-day lives, even life itself. But worries about recessions, inflation (and deflation, the greater fear of the 19th Century), unemployment, and bank runs (remember, we assumed this yeoman owns his freehold) don’t impinge upon them directly. After the market revolution, well, any reader of this column will pretty much know of day-to-day life after the market revolution. While technology has changed our lives relative to the life of a worker in, say, 1880, nonetheless, we share with every worker subsequent to the market revolution that few of us produce much of anything for wages that we use immediately for ourselves. That is the result of, and the power of, the division of labor. Most of us work in highly specialized vocations for which we receive money that we then trade for other goods at the many markets available to us 24 hours a day, every day. These markets exist both physically and virtually. Unless we’re in agriculture, planting and harvest time affect us hardly at all (and then only whether certain heirloom tomatoes are available). What we eat barely changes with drought or rain, and whether we break a leg doesn’t even affect what many of us produce. But recessions, inflation, unemployment, mortgages and more can really affect us, sometimes dramatically. We don’t need to romanticize agrarian life of yesteryear, or minimize the risk and burdens of that life (which Polyani and some historians do) to recognize people of course respond differently to the vagaries of market society relative to the vagaries of agrarian life. To wit, the risks in agrarian life come largely from without the human world, whether from nature or from providence. Politics does not address causes of those risks because it cannot control those causes. (Consequences might be another matter.) Risks in market society, however, manifestly derive from human choices and actions, even if people do not understand how those choices and actions create those risks. People who feel threatened will usually invite the government to intervene when the causes of those threats come from the choices and actions of other people. Widespread beliefs that elites created a system that benefits them at the expense of the common person preceded both the elections of Andrew Jackson and Donald Trump. In both cases development of a market society precipitated those beliefs. (We can discuss whether the respective beliefs are warranted, but that’s distinct from the fact of the beliefs themselves.) In the case of Jackson, a national market had been birthed in the decades prior to his election. This created prosperity in some places, and pain and dislocations in others. In important markets, workers in one state were now in competition with workers they had never seen, and would never see, in other states. Capital was more mobile than ever, and deployed more anonymously than in the past. Buyers saw the relative prices for competing goods, but of course did not interact directly with the worker who produced those goods. Workers felt downward pressure on their wages from the competition of the other workers they did not know and would never see. They felt the burden was not shared equally among Americans. As historian John Lauritz Larson writes, people were encouraged by Jacksonian rhetoric to blame the Second Bank of the United States and “market forces” as “tools used by bankers and moneyed ‘aristocrats’ to defraud hardworking people.” In the case of Trump, a truly international market had been birthed, or at least significantly deepened, in the decades prior to his election. To be sure, there existed a well-developed market system throughout the U.S. and Europe for over a century. And, to be sure, economic pangs developed with the inclusion of Japan in this system as it recovered from World War II. But the (relatively) uniform affluence of these countries prevented too much dislocation. In the 1980s and 1990s, however, “globalization,” the extension of the market system almost throughout the entire world, represented a significant expansion in the market system. Capital and goods could cross national borders more easily than ever before. Many capital owners never would see the workers their capital employed. And in many markets, workers in one nation now competed with workers they had never seen, and would see, in other nations. U.S. workers felt the competitive pressure on their wages, and sometimes at the cost of the own jobs. Yet they could see most American elites doing better than ever. To many, the game felt rigged. Many demanded a political response, even if they did not quite know the cause of what they were experiencing. This is no more than the sketch of an hypothesis. Yet in the case of both Jackson and Trump, it seems a plausible case can be made (or, better, that a plausible hypothesis can be posited) that a significant expansion of the market system precipitated populist political sentiments that sent Jackson, and Trump to the White House. In Jackson’s case, the expansion of the market system to the U.S. nation as a whole precipitated the movement that sent him to the White House. In Trump’s case, the expansion of the market system beyond the U.S. and other developed nations precipitated the movement that sent him to the White House.

American schools and studying environments are becoming increasingly more various. In this manner, multicultural education goals to improve the training and success of all students, particularly students from cultural groups which were traditionally underrepresented or that undergo from decrease academic achievement and attainment. In Arnold, MD. Prior to this govt-degree management function, he served because the inaugural Director for Intercultural Affairs at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC. James is a noted leader, educator, mentor, and scholar-practitioner within the areas of range, equity, and inclusion in greater education. Multicultural education… I don’t think you study it in school, that is where you need the expertise at university. In Achebe’s blacks, the characters dwell in a society where features of a civilised culture are at work: justice, spirituality, beliefs, marriage, family, schooling and defence. Arguable, this consociational sort of presidency advocated for Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, although with limitations too, nonetheless appears to meet the take a look at of inclusivity, which is a concept facilitated by multicultural training. HC: I recognize that you used Cochran-Smith’s framework of multicultural education as an interpretive lens for this issue. One key ingredient in preventing bureaucratic ossification or authorities meddling will probably be to ascertain a pluralistic system, with nationwide networks, native stations, group and public access stations, all managed independently. The aim of multicultural education is to help college students understand and appreciate cultural differences and similarities and to acknowledge the accomplishments of diverse ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic groups. The definition of psychological illness (in keeping with Massachusetts) is a substantial dysfunction of thought, mood, notion, orientation or reminiscence which grossly impairs judgment, habits, capability to acknowledge actuality or skill to meet the strange calls for of life. Children and learners in multicultural school rooms could feel that totally different languages are intriguing, relying on what they might have been uncovered to at home. This progress is dependent upon the concrete potentialities of growth of the society’s productive forces and is governed mainly by the character of the political power ruling the society, that is to say, by the type of state or, if one likes, by the character of the dominant class or classes inside the society. Essentially, inside the OECD a global / multicultural education is central to financial prosperity in a global / multicultural world.

It is difficult to determine the exact number of viruses in the world, as new viruses are constantly being discovered and some viruses may be difficult to detect or study. However, it is estimated that there are millions of different viruses in the world. The number of known viruses varies depending on the classification system used and the level of detail considered. For example, the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) currently recognizes more than 6,000 different viruses species, while other classification systems may have different numbers of recognized viruses. In addition, it is likely that there are many more viruses that have not yet been discovered or studied. Some viruses may be difficult to detect, especially those that infect rare or poorly studied species. In addition, viruses can mutate and evolve rapidly, creating new variants that may be difficult to detect or classify. In summary, it is difficult to determine the exact number of viruses in the world, but it is estimated that there are millions of different viruses. The number of known viruses varies depending on the classification system used, and there may be many more viruses that have not yet been discovered or studied. How many viruses on Earth? It is impossible to accurately determine the number of viruses on Earth because there are so many different types of viruses and they are constantly mutating and changing. Additionally, viruses are often hard to detect because they are so small and can be difficult to identify. Additionally, viruses can also be found in many different environments, including in the ocean, in soil, and in the air, making it even more difficult to accurately estimate their numbers. However, it is estimated that there are more viruses than stars in the universe. An estimated 10 nonillion (10 to the 31st power) individual viruses exist on earth. So, there are 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 viruses on our planet. This number is enough to assign one to every star in the universe 100 million times over.

Among the wildlife to greet the first human inhabitants of the Los Angeles area was the Californian turkey (Meleagris californica). It was a turkey species found only in Southern California, believed to have gone extinct about 12,000 to 10,000 years ago. It was apparently abundant here, judging from the number of fossils found. It ranged from Orange County, through Los Angeles County, to Santa Barbara County. The La Brea Tar Pits alone, at last report, have collected 11,116 fossil specimens of M. californica, representing at least 791 individual birds. It is one of the most common of 140 bird species found at Rancho La Brea, second only to the Golden Eagle (Aquila crysaetos). Scientists speculate that its extinction may have been due to either climate change or human hunting or, likely, both. The Californian turkey was a contemporary of other now extinct prehistoric animals that roamed the Los Angeles area, such as the sabre-toothed cat, the giant ground sloth, the dire wolf, and the mammoth and mastodon. Its fossils were first identified at Rancho La Brea (La Brea Tar Pits) by paleontologist-zoologist Loye H. Miller in 1909. He originally described it, however, as a relative of the peacock and then, later, as a new type of intermediary between peacock and turkey. It was only correctly reclassified as related to modern turkeys in 1924. It was, nevertheless, a unique turkey species, apparently isolated by desert and geography from interbreeding with wild turkeys from elsewhere in the continent. Scientists believe its origination in Southern California may have been as far back as 11 million years ago. See a fully assembled fossil of the skeleton of a Californian turkey (photo above) at the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.

Gregory Scott Jones is a writer specializing in the field of supercomputing. He contributed this article to LiveScience's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights. Next week, a torch will be passed. On June 17, the Top500, a biannual ranking of the world's fastest computers, will be announced in Leipzig, Germany. In all likelihood, the United States will not be No. 1, as it has been for the past year. The Cray XK7, known as Titan, will likely fall victim to a back-and-forth "arms race" that is becoming all too familiar in supercomputing circles. Titan took over from Sequoia, an American system that earlier usurped Fujitsu's "K" computer in Japan. It is widely speculated that this year China will steal Titan's crown. The quest among countries to stand up the world's fastest computing machine can be interpreted in different ways. Among high-performance computing's most common criticisms are the cost to build these huge machines and their rather hefty power requirements (often in the megawatts). But one thing is for sure: The priority investments made in supercomputers among developed nations is a testament to the machines' increasing relevance in research and development, and fundamental scientific discovery. Large-scale simulations are critical to understanding climate change; they bring us closer every day to a better understanding of the beginning and evolution of the universe, and ourselves; they are instrumental in designing novel materials, the key to many technological bottlenecks; and they are shedding much-needed light on the basic building blocks of matter — just to name a few. Science has the most to gain from the race for these magnificent machines, as does the United States. "The nation that leads the world in high-performance computing will have an enormous competitive advantage across a broad range of sectors, including national defense, science and medicine, energy production, transmission and distribution, storm weather and climate prediction, finance, commercial product development, and manufacturing," said former Energy Secretary Steven Chu when announcing Titan's top spot in November last year. And while the U.S. might not be No. 1 as of June 17, its status as the world leader in high-performance computing is still beyond debate, at least for the time being. (In fact, Russia, a recent newcomer to the supercomputing game, recently announced plans to build a 10-petaflop system, making it potentially the most powerful computer in Europe.) Six months ago, the U.S. had three of the top five systems and 251 of the total 500. But things are changing fast. Just five years ago, the petascale, or the point at which a computer sustains a thousand trillion calculations per second, was the next big thing. Today's systems top out at 20 to 50 times that, and scientists and engineers already have their eye on the exascale, a lofty term that represents sustained calculations at an entire order of magnitude beyond the petascale. The reasons for this expansion are plenty. Supercomputing is now recognized as the "third pillar" of scientific inquiry, alongside theory and experiment, literally revolutionizing the way researchers go about asking and answering the great questions. Whereas experiments can be dangerous, expensive or impossible, simulation carries almost zero risks and is relatively cost-effective. And with today's top computers approaching 20 to 50 petaflops, with the right models in place, simulation can be extremely precise — so much so that game-changing discoveries are regularly taking place not in laboratories, but in giant, cooled rooms lined with rows of cabinets cranking out data at lightning speed. In the race for the world's fastest machine, countries are challenging engineers to push the computational envelope with ever more innovation. Today's top machines have advanced computing ecosystems and accelerated architectures that allow for greater peak performance than previous systems with only marginal increases in power production. That innovation, in turn, brings us climate models on local scales, giving policymakers unprecedented tools with which to craft regulation; an ability to build nanodevices atom-by-atom, thus allowing engineers to arrive at optimal design configurations faster than ever; and three-dimensional details of the violent explosions of core-collapse supernovas, the elemental fountains responsible for life as we know it. And again, this is just the tip of the iceberg. While the large-scale computing and simulation "arms race" has been criticized by some in the past, the increased precision and efficiency of today's most powerful computers should be welcomed by all in the scientific community. Just as competition drove European innovation in the Renaissance and colonial age, so does today's computing "arms race" drive the art of simulation and the science of, well, everything. The U.S. would be wise to stay in the hunt. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. This article was originally published on LiveScience.com .

Taxonomists currently recognize nearly 100 distinct lemur species, all of which are endemic to Madagascar and the Comoros Islands. Though these small primates have existed for thousands of years, their life spans are easily disrupted as a result of their confined natural habitat, poor reproductive success and increased human interaction. Compared with other larger primates like gorillas and chimpanzees, lemurs have a relatively short life expectancy. Lemurs in captivity can live for more than 30 years, though the average is about 25. Wild lemurs, however, are only expected to live on average 16 to 20 years, depending on species. Lemur reproduction is extremely seasonal and quick. The mating season occurs from mid-April to June; female lemurs are in estrus, or fertile, for less than one day. This fast-paced biological clock makes lemur reproduction precarious. Lemurs also have a slow reproduction rate -- generally giving birth to one offspring each year, though twins may occur if food is particularly plentiful. With such a slow reproduction rate, it’s imperative that lemurs have the natural resources needed for survival. These resources include trees, large shrubs and an abundance of leaves and fruits to feed on. Habitat destruction is one of the main threats to lemur longevity and population. Deforestation, fires, urban development, overgrazing of livestock and logging have destroyed a majority of lemurs' natural habitat. Hunting also threatens lemur populations. According to the IUCN Red-List of Threatened Species, 23 lemur species qualify as critically endangered, 52 are endangered and nineteen are vulnerable to extinction. Ninety-one percent of all lemur species are assessed as threatened. Lemur populations are dwindling at an alarming rate; the rarest lemur in the world, the northern sportive lemur (Lepilemur septentrionalis), has only 17 remaining individuals. Many lemur species such as the endangered red-ruffed lemur (Varecia ruba) are now officially protected within national parks and wildlife areas. Captive breeding, scientific research, education and reintroduction programs are working to reverse declining lemur populations and increase life expectancy for these primates as a whole before extinction becomes a reality. - Primate Info Net: Ring-tailed lemur - World Animal Foundation: Lemur Fact Sheet - Animal Diversity Web: Lemur Catta - Smithsonian National Zoological Park: Ring-tailed Lemurs - Smithsonian National Zoological Park: Lemurs - National Geographic: Ring-Tailed Lemur - Duke Lemur Center: Lemurs Are The Most Threatened Mammals In The World: IUCN Red-List Workshop 2012 - IUCN Red-List of Threatened Species: Varecia rubra - Anup Shah/Digital Vision/Getty Images

One of my hobbies (I developed during my PhD) is designing boardgames. I designed three boardgames so far, one of which is Tessel, a word-building game based on graph theory. I am glad that Tessel is getting good feedback especially from schools and families. One of the most time-consuming part of Tessel’s design is deciding what values to assign to the letters and deciding which pairs of letters to use in the tiles. The pairs of letters are carefully chosen based on computer simulations of frequency of letters in english words and their “relative” importance. The pairs are chosen so as to give fair share to both vocabulary skills and optimization skills. Today’s post is about a nice theoretical problem arising from this game. Before you read further, please read the rules of Tessel. Henceforth I will assume that you understood the rules and goal of this game. I guess you observed that the tiles are being placed on the edges of a planar graph. Tessel uses a special planar graph that has cycles of length 3,4,5 and 6. In general, this game can be played on any planar graph. I am planning to design another board using Cairo tessellation. Anyways, here is a theoretical problem : Let S be a set of finite alphabets. You are given two different words (using alphabets from S) of length l1 and l2. Construct a planar graph G and label each edge with two alphabets, such that there are two walks in G that correspond to the given two words. (Read the rules of tessel and look at these examples to understand this correspondence). Your goal is to construct G with minimum number of vertices (or minimum number of edges). In general you can ask the above question given k different words. What is the complexity of this problem ? I don’t know. I haven’t given it a deep thought. These days whatever I do for fun (to take my mind off open problems), ends up in another open problem😦 Every once in a while, I can’t help thinking about “the complexity of graph isomorphism for bounded treewidth graphs“. Today has been one of those days again. See my earlier post to get the context. Theorem ([Das, Toran and Wagner’10]) : Graph isomorphism of bounded treewidth graphs is in LogCFL. The proof of the above theorem is as follows - Graph isomorphism of bounded tree-distance width graphs is in L. - Given two graphs and their tree decompositions, computing the isomorphism respecting these tree decompositions is reducible to (1). - Given tree decomposition of only one graph, we can guess the tree decomposition of the other and guess the isomorphism (respecting the tree bags) and verify them using a non-deterministic auxiliary pushdown automata (a.k.a LogCFL). - Since tree decomposition of a graph can be computed in LogCFL, the above theorem follows. One of the bottlenecks, finding a tree decomposition of bounded treewidth graphs in logspace, is resolved by [Elberfeld, Jakoby and Tantau’10]. The following seems to be another major bottleneck. Given a graph and a decomposition , how fast can we verify that is a valid tree decomposition of ? The upper bound of LogDCFL (the deterministic version of LogCFL) is clear from the above mentioned results. Can this verification be done in logspace ? The answer is frustratingly unknown. An even more frustrating realization I had today is that “it is not clear how to beat the LogDCFL upper bound for the more restricted path decomposition“. Even though the underlying tree in a path decomposition is just a path, verifying the connectivity conditions of a path decomposition does seem to require recursion. It is not clear how to avoid recursion. I thought that logspace upper bound is possible. Now I am much less confident about logspace upper bound. I cannot waste more time on this. The truth is “this is a cute problem“. I need to do something to take my mind off this problem and move on. Easy enough, except I need an idea. Update (Oct 12 2011) : Noticed that verification of path decompositions is easy.

Understanding your Internet connection speed Here’s what those numbers mean. This number is a measure of how quickly your device gets data from the Internet. It’s expressed in megabits per second — Mbps. This is a measure of how quickly your device sends data back up to the Internet, also in Mbps. It’s a main computer or device connected to the Internet providing services to other computers or devices. IPv6 vs. IPv4 IPv6 is the Internet address standard used for sending data back and forth over the Internet. This is the time it takes data to travel between your device and the host, expressed in milliseconds.

IOT is Transforming Modern Warfare Turning Data Into Action Today, the military gathers data through sensors on a range of platforms, including aircraft, weapon systems, ground vehicles and even troops in the field. The data gathered is fed through Command, Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems that process and disseminate the most mission-critical information, such as the position of an inbound threat. To interpret the incoming data in real-time, companies, like Lockheed Martin, are using their knowledge in machine learning to increase automation when it comes to decision-making. This in turn leads to faster intelligence collection and swifter identification of threats. Machine Learning Scenario This is where machine learning comes into play. Instead, machine-learning programs can filter through conversations, find suspicious ones, and identify threats in real time for commanders to make strategic decisions on the ground. Creating A Warfighting Network The military is moving toward an integrated warfare approach. Using 48,000 miles of classified communication network lines, the Missile Defense Agency’s Command, Control, Battle Management and Communications System, known as C2BMC, is one example of an IoT-enabled warfighting network. This C4ISR system connects the different elements of the U.S. military’s Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) into a single system-of-systems to counteract threats across the globe. “C2BMC is the translator for the BMDS,” explained JD Hammond, director of Command & Control. “It takes data from hundreds of sensors, radars and satellites and translates that data into a common language for the missile defense systems to interact and engage the threat.” While a commander ultimately decides whether to engage, C2BMC provide the information required to intercept and destroy the threat. Securing The Network IoT-connected sensors and radars collect and transmit data on the position and movements of U.S. troops and adversaries, supplies, and inadequately secured networks can provide the enemy with this intelligence. “The benefits of IoT that make it attractive to the military also make the framework vulnerable to malicious cyber attacks,” said Hammond. “Our challenge is ensuring that the adoption of IoT does not create an opportunity to manipulate a device or network, steal secure information or disrupt the flow of data.” Hammond cited regular “audits” of the system, which includes a team of internal hackers infiltrating the system to assess how the current tools and capabilities would respond to an attack, and adjust as needed to strengthen the defense. To mitigate threats, the defense industry is “cyber hardening” its networks, systems and sensors from attacks. Hardening involves increasing the difficulty of accessing or exploiting a system by layering multiple cyber techniques—such as adding detection systems, training personnel and collecting data on adversaries. Cyber Attack Scenario By fully understanding an intrusion, the military can predict the characteristics of future intrusions with greater confidence and evolve its techniques and cyber infrastructures for future attacks.

Laity, religious education, and catechetical leadership: A documentary analysis Numerically, the laity comprise the largest group (98%) within the Roman Catholic Church. Yet up until the Second Vatican Council, the laity had no official status within the Church proper (ordained, male hierarchy) and remained on the periphery, at best. After some 400 years of exclusion, the Second Vatican Council opened the doors to the laity, welcoming them, including them, and calling for their active participation. This, in turn, inaugurated the laity's participation in Church ministry. The purpose of this work is to trace the development of the laity and their emergence in catechetical leadership through an analysis of selected documents of the Roman Catholic Church. ^ Situated against an historical backdrop, this work examines official Church documents where a theology of the laity is first recognized. Thus, the laity are messianic people and they, too, carry out the threefold mission of Christ, as priest, prophet, and king. One of the most definitive ways in which the laity exercise the messianic mission is found in the realm of education. The framework of parents/family, schools/teachers, and catechists/evangelizers is maintained in the examination of the documents, tracing the development of the laity and their emergence in catechetical leadership. A selection of pertinent Conciliar, postconciliar, and United States documents is employed for this analysis; each chapter concludes with a brief summary. ^ Chapter IV looks at the theory as found in the documents and the lived reality of that theory as experienced by both laity and clergy alike. Translating the rhetoric of the documents and transforming those principles and guidelines into practice has not been without its tensions and is still being realized. The latter part of the chapter looks at clergy/laity tensions; special attention is given to leaders/leadership. Hence, this chapter raises issues and concerns that the documents do not address or do not address fully. ^ Considering the complex, multifaceted nature of the catechetical ministry, this work examines only one facet, and that is the laity, the laity who emerge as catechetical leaders. The fullest expression of the laity exercising the threefold mission of Christ is undeniably found in the catechetical ministry. ^ Religion, General|Education, Administration|Education, Religious Catherine Anne Bilquin, "Laity, religious education, and catechetical leadership: A documentary analysis" (January 1, 2002). ETD Collection for Fordham University.

Without symptoms of disease, infants generally do not need many laboratory screening tests once newborn screening tests have been performed during the first week of life. The menu above links you to articles on the few conditions and diseases for which infants may be screened. The articles summarize recommendations from various authorities on screening tests for infants, and there is consensus in many areas, but not all. Therefore, when discussing screening with your child's health care provider and making decisions about testing, it is important to consider your infant's individual health situation and risk factors. For more information on what happens at your infant's medical exams, see Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, Pocket Guide. You can find out more about preventive medicine and steps you can take to keep you and your family healthy by reading the companion article Wellness and Prevention in an Era of Patient Responsibility. Schedules for children and adolescents—United States, 2008 (policy statement). Jan 2008. Pediatrics 121(1):219-220. Hagan JF, Shaw JS and Duncan PM, eds. Bright Futures Guidelines: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents (3rd ed.). 2008. Elk Grove Village, Ill: American Academy of Pediatrics. Green M and Palfrey JS. Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, Pocket Guide (2nd rev.). 2002. National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health. Available online through http://www.brightfutures.org. Reaccessed 3 Dec 2007. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI). Preventive services for children and adolescents. Bloomington (MN): Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI); 2007 Oct. Biagioli F et al. What are appropriate screening tests for infants and children? Sep 2006. Journal of Family Practice 55;9:803-808.

Are AI Tools Replacing Human Jobs? Are AI Tools Replacing Human Jobs? In today’s fast-paced world, the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fundamentally reshaping various industries and workplaces. The advent of AI tools has sparked discussions and debates about their potential to replace human jobs. In this article, we’ll explore the complex landscape of AI and its impact on employment. We’ll delve into the ways AI tools are transforming industries, the jobs most affected, and the evolving role of humans in an AI-powered world. The AI Revolution: Transforming Industries AI has made significant strides in recent years, offering unprecedented capabilities in data analysis, pattern recognition, and automation. These advancements are revolutionizing industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, finance, and customer service. AI tools are becoming increasingly adept at performing tasks that were once exclusive to humans, raising questions about the future of employment. The Impact on Jobs - Automation in Manufacturing: One of the most prominent examples of AI’s impact on employment is in manufacturing. Robots and AI-powered machines have become integral to modern production lines, performing tasks with precision and efficiency. While this has improved productivity, it has also reduced the need for human labor in repetitive and hazardous roles. - Retail and Customer Service: Chatbots and virtual assistants are becoming ubiquitous in customer service roles. They handle inquiries, troubleshoot issues, and provide information 24/7. While they enhance customer experiences, they also lead to a reduction in the number of human customer service representatives needed. - Data Analysis: AI-driven algorithms excel at analyzing vast datasets, making them valuable in fields like finance and marketing. This efficiency can lead to a decrease in demand for analysts and data entry positions as AI tools can perform these tasks faster and with fewer errors. The Human-AI Collaboration While AI tools are automating routine and repetitive tasks, they are also opening up new opportunities for human workers. Here are some ways in which humans are collaborating with AI: - AI Augmentation: AI tools can assist human workers by automating routine tasks, allowing them to focus on more complex and creative aspects of their roles. For example, in healthcare, AI can help with diagnosing diseases, but human doctors provide personalized patient care. - AI Development and Maintenance: The creation and maintenance of AI systems require skilled human professionals, including data scientists, machine learning engineers, and AI ethicists. The growth of AI has created a demand for these specialized roles. - Human Oversight: In critical domains such as autonomous vehicles and healthcare, humans play a crucial role in overseeing AI systems to ensure safety and ethical compliance. Conclusion: Adapting to the AI Age The integration of AI tools into the workforce is reshaping employment dynamics. While certain jobs may be automated, the human workforce is not becoming obsolete. Instead, AI is enhancing productivity, creating new opportunities, and transforming industries. To thrive in the AI age, individuals and organizations must adapt. This involves upskilling to align with the demands of AI-related roles and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration between humans and AI tools. The future of work will likely see a harmonious coexistence of AI and human intelligence, where each complements the other’s strengths. In conclusion, the question of whether AI tools are replacing human jobs is multifaceted. While certain roles may be automated, AI is also creating new opportunities and augmenting human capabilities. Adaptation and reskilling will be key to navigating this transformative era successfully. The future of work is not a battle between humans and machines but a collaboration that has the potential to drive progress and innovation in ways we’ve never seen before.

Everything that happens to your body when you give up diet drinks | Last updated The World Health Organisation (WHO) have recently warned that aspartame sweetener is a potential carcinogen. The artificial sweetener is a key ingredient in chewing gums and diet sodas, and has become the topic of heated debates in recent times. The WHO's controversial declaration, scheduled for 14 July, will be made by WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) according to sources via Reuters. The soon-approaching IARC assessment will classify aspartame sweetener into one of four possible categories. These include; carcinogenic to humans, probably carcinogenic to humans, possibly carcinogenic to humans or 'not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans'. Regardless of whether or not aspartame is deemed carcinogenic, there are already known health hazards that come with drinking diet sodas. We often think that they're healthier for us and so drink them on a daily basis. Some people often end up getting addicted to them. Here's what happens to your body after you stop drinking diet sodas all together. You'll have a sharper mind The chemicals in artificial sweeteners alter the brain chemicals and nerve signals. According to a review in European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, these chemical alterations lead to headaches, anxiety and insomnia. An animal test on rats found that diet soda damaged nerve endings in the brain that are responsible for motor skills. Food tastes better Each time you drink a diet soda, the artificial sweeteners give your taste buds an overwhelming amount of sweetness. Aspartame is 200 times sweeter than table sugar. Brain scans have shown that sweeteners confuse the sugar receptors in the brain and prolong a person's craving for sugar. You'll be able to lose weight easier Many people drink diet soda in a bid to help them lose weight. However, there is evidence to suggest that diet sodas don't help in the bid to shed extra pounds. A nine-year study found that older adults who drank diet soda kept packing on extra weight around their stomach. In a follow up study, it was found that daily diet soda use increases a person's risk of obesity by 65% within the next ten years. Your bones get stronger One 2014 study found that soda drinking post-menopausal woman had lower bone density in their hips. Giving up diet sodas is a great way to strengthen your bones and decrease the risk of fractures. Your kidneys function better An 11-year study found that women who drank two servings of diet soda a day increased their risk of developing kidney function problems. Kidneys work overtime trying to make sense of the extra chemicals in diet sodas. Once you stop drinking them, your kidneys can focus on clearing toxins, stabilising blood pressure and absorbing minerals. You're at lower risk of diabetes According to a study in Diabetes Care, drinking a diet soda before a meal will prime the pancreas to release a lot of insulin. Insulin is the fat-storing hormone in your blood. When the pancreas is overworked and produces too much insulin, diabetes can develop.

Advanced analytics focus on the forecasting, simulation and optimization of future events to produce insights that traditional business intelligence approaches, such as query and reporting, are unlikely to discover. Using complex and intricate methodologies – such as text analytics, data mining, machine learning, pattern matching, forecasting, visualization, semantic analysis, network and cluster analysis, multivariate statistics, graph analysis, simulation, complex event processing, and neural networks – advanced analytics seek to provide predictions and recommendations to business questions. They can be applied in a variety of settings, including market research, Voice of the Customer (VoC) programs, Voice of the Employee (VoE) programs (VoE), and any other setting that needs deeper insight into big data. There are two types of advanced analytics: predictive and prescriptive. Predictive analytics use data collected in the past, such as user preferences, demographics, purchase history and consumer sentiments, to forecast the future. Amazon is a great example of this. By examining what and when consumers buy on their website, their algorithms can suggest items that the customer may be interested in purchasing. In a customer experience (CX) setting, this technology would allow prediction of what customers want, even if they don’t directly state it. Prescriptive analytics takes predictive analytics one step further by giving recommendations on what should be done, even on questions that were not posed. This is done by running simulations and optimizations to discern possible procedures, their results, and then suggesting the best course of action. An example of this is used in Google’s self-driving cars. By running models about possible routes, and the probability of pedestrians walking out onto cross walks, Google’s car can get to the destination in the fastest way and stay alert for potential pedestrian hazards. In this same way, prescriptive analytics can help a business. By consistently testing scenarios and outcomes, a company can keep apprised of obstacles and can chart a course safely to their desired CX or other business destination. According to Gartner, advanced analytics is a top business priority. Yet, only four percent of companies are able to combine the right people, tools, data and organizational focus to take advantage of advanced analytics. In order to implement advanced analytics, it is essential to create an environment in which it will thrive. This can be done by: - Creating a solid data infrastructure for advanced analytics – With ever-increasing streams of data, it is necessary to have data-processing capacity. - Choosing the right advanced analytics techniques – A proper analytics platform needs to be flexible to keep up with the changing business landscape. - Letting the business process be your guide – There is no one right way to apply advanced analytics; business leaders need to use it in the way that best suits company needs. - Exploring industry-specific lessons – By exploring how different industries utilize advanced analytics, leaders may find new applications for advanced analytics abilities. - Organizing for advanced analytics to accelerate success – Help the company understand and implement advanced analytics through better communication and application. At MaritzCX, we believe in taking action with confidence as customer experiences unfold. Leaders should be able to take the information provided by survey respondents and apply that knowledge to the entire customer base using dormant stockpiles of organic customer data. What was once a limited view of respondents will evolve into a clear picture of which customers to engage and what you can do to win their loyalty—and their business. Some of the key benefits to our approach include: - Increase the value of your customer data - Apply insights to your entire customer base – at the individual level - Supercharge your closed loop program - Boost customer retention - Improve actionable opportunities well beyond the respondent population - Proactively recover at-risk customers - Capitalize on opportunities to sell new products and services

Published On: February 11, 2022 Last Updated: March 31st, 2022 The landscape of internet is growing rapidly. Now computer, laptops, smartphones, and tablets are not the only things of interest. A multitude of devices is being introduced that is internet connected. All devices are now being smart. The crazy future that science fiction stories promised us is quite near. The Internet of things is the umbrella term for many internet connected object. Many online and offline mobile apps are making our work easier. Following are some of the predictions about IoT that you will see come true in the upcoming years. This article focuses on some of the predictions about IoT that will soon come true. Some main points explained in this article are - Connected devices - IoT for hackers - Smart cities - Secured routers - Usage of smart products - App-specific device ecosystems - IoT for businesses - Some awesome inventions: - Decrease in air pollution by technology - Intelligent parking system The infographic below also gives some useful information in this regard 1. Connected Devices It is estimated that by 2020, the number of connected devices will increase at a much rapid rate. 2. IoT For Hackers In October 2016, the very first IoT malware was introduced. - It is a strain of malware that as the ability to infect the connected devices. - This malware can easily access the devices using their default login(username and password) - Then it turns those devices into a botnet which is then used for DDoS(Distributed denial of service) attack. - This attack brought screeching halt for hours to many internet service website. Many big hosting companies were also flooded in this attack. - The code of this malware is available as open source for modification. - As a result of which after some time of this attack, a modified version of this code was introduced that infected the windows, computer, and many other connected devices. Sadly, it is predicted that hacker will keep using IoT for DDoS in the future too. 3. Smart Cities Right now consumers are using IoT but in future IoT will not be limited to only consumers. - Different companies and also cities will try to become efficient by adopting the sort technologies. - This will prove to be much cost and time effective too. - By using such technologies in cities, it would become easier for cities to manage and collect data remotely. - It will also be easier to automate different processes. 4. Secured Routers - Many such devices remain inside our home and thus it is quite difficult to install any security software on them. - As IoT craze is on the top these days, so the marketers are neglecting the security of the products a bit. Here home router can play a significant role. - They are considered as the entry point of the internet in your home. Thus being the entry point, it can protect the entrance of the internet. - But today routers do not have any security software installed on them. This means that the hackers can easily sneak malware through them. - In future, it is predicted that many secure routers would be made available for people to protect the internet from the entry point too. Some of the features that such router will have are: - Data encryption - Secure DNS - Automatic security updates 5. Usage of Smart Products The IoT has now expanded its reach into the home, business and the environment. More and more devices are now being connected to share the data and for real-time communication. From the consumer’s point of view following are some of the using smart products - Increased energy efficiency - Improved safety - Improved security - Higher quality product 6. App-Specific device Ecosystems - A model is put forward to create a semi-closed device vendor ecosystem for applications. - The benefit of such system is that with such services, it would be made possible for a multi-vendor ecosystem to certify for different brands by their IoT gateways. - The real issue is that most of the comprehensive device management is provided by the IoT application vendors these days. - Which means that all the components are bind together by a single vendor to work? - For example, smart briefcase tag device with work only with the vendor’s briefcase tracking application but it is impossible to make it work with any other vendor’s briefcase tracking application. - Thus if your desire to switch to some other vendor, then you will have to buy a new tag to work with that vendor application. - But with this solution consumer can buy devices from different vendors and can quickly make them work with an application. - Thus IoT industry needs open device management standardization. Such efforts are already being made and will show their effect shortly. - In this way, IoT consumer will surely achieve a new maturity level, and they will then not fear of losing their hardware investments. 7. IoT for Businesses The business intelligence sector has been analyzing the IoT growth for some years. It is predicted that almost $t6 trillion would be spent on IoT solutions in the coming five years. Business will adopt IoT solutions at a bit faster rate than other sectors. The benefits they will get by following such strategies are: - Increase in productivity - lowering the costs of operations The government will also take a keen interest in such solution to improve the quality of life of their people. They are believed to be the second largest adopter of such solutions. Consumers will also invest their money in the IoT ecosystems. 8. Some Awesome Inventions Multi-application gas sensors are being developed that will now detect biochemical threats and will also be able to recognize different diseases just by analyzing your breath. Such sensors are driving new trends in technology. Decrease in Air Pollution by Technology Tired of the smog and air pollution these days? Well, it is only a thing of the present. Shortly, the situation will be a bit different. - There will be spotlight with embedded video sensors that will be able to adjust the green and the red lights according to the traffic and the time. - This solution will reduce congestion and smog too. Intelligent Parking System The vehicles which we see idle at the red light on traffic burn up almost 17% fuel consumption. - The parking system will also be a bit different from what it is right now. - Sensors embedded parking systems will give real-time information about the empty spots through an app. - And in this way, the drivers would be informed about those empty spots by the app. Do you know almost 30% of the congestion is due to the drivers who keep carving the streets for hours in search an empty spot to park their vehicles? To know more about the congestion and the selfish driving read here. Thus technology will change the way we live completely. All the work will be machine based. Sensors would be controlling complex tasks and providing real time data for analysis. The use of sensors for data analytics can be quite beneficial in decision making too.

About this website Biocultural Heritage (BCH) refers to the knowledge and practices of indigenous people and their biological resources, from the genetic varieties of crops they develop, to the landscapes they create. As indigenous peoples have adapted to harsh climates over many generations, this heritage is important for food security in the face of climate change. This website shows how the concept of biocultural heritage can be used to protect the bundle of rights that support indigenous peoples and local communities. It provides tools to protect and promote biocultural heritage, such as community protocols and Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) partnerships. It shares research developed through Protecting Community Rights over Traditional Knowledge and Smallholder Innovation for Resilience. It reviews policies to protect BCH at international and national level. Sign up for quarterly updates on new content

What is the origin of the last name Nieto? Countries of origin for the last name Nieto The last name Nieto is of Spanish origin. It is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a personal name, specifically from the given name Nieto. In Spanish, Nieto is an old Spanish name that originated from the Latin word “nepotem,” which means “nephew” or “grandson.” This suggests that the surname Nieto was originally used to denote someone who was a beloved or valued descendant, possibly a grandson or nephew. The surname Nieto is fairly common in Spanish-speaking countries, particularly in Spain and Mexico. It is also found among communities of Spanish descent in the United States. Research indicates that the name is most prevalent in the regions of Andalusia and Castilla-La Mancha in Spain. As with many surnames, variations in spelling are common. Some alternative spellings of Nieto include Neto and Nito. These slight variations may have arisen due to regional or dialectal differences, or simply through individual choice or error in record-keeping. Genealogical records and historical resources provide limited information about notable individuals with the surname Nieto. However, it is known that the name has been carried by individuals in various fields, including politics, literature, and the arts. It is important to note that the study of surname etymology is an ongoing field of research, and our understanding of the origins and meanings of surnames continues to evolve. While the available information provides valuable insights into the surname Nieto, further research and analysis may yield additional discoveries and perspectives. Interesting facts about the last name Nieto - The surname “Nieto” is of Spanish origin. - The name is derived from the Spanish word “nieto,” which means “grandson” or “descendant.” - The surname Nieto is found primarily in Spain, Mexico, and other Spanish-speaking countries. - Nieto is a common surname in the Galicia region of northern Spain. - During the Spanish colonization of the Americas, many individuals with the surname Nieto migrated to Mexico and other parts of Latin America. - Notable individuals with the surname Nieto include artists, writers, musicians, and politicians. - There are variations of the surname Nieto, such as Nietos and Nietas, which indicate different genders or plural forms. - The surname Nieto is often used as a middle name or a second last name in Spanish-speaking countries, following a person’s paternal surname. - Research indicates that the surname Nieto has Jewish roots, with some individuals of Sephardic Jewish ancestry adopting the surname. - In some instances, the surname Nieto can also be found among individuals of Italian or Portuguese descent. There are around 25701 people with the last name Nieto in the US - Antigua And Barbuda - Costa Rica - Dominican Republic - El Salvador - French Guiana - Puerto Rico - Saint Lucia - Saint Martin (french Part) - Saint Vincent And The Grenadines - Trinidad And Tobago - British Virgin Islands

Koalas inhabit temperate regions along Australia’s east and southeast coasts. They feed exclusively on eucalyptus, living only in the scattered, often isolated forests where these trees grow. Koalas' range extends throughout eastern Queensland and New South Wales, most of Victoria and the southeastern tip of South Australia. Seasonal temperatures throughout these areas fluctuate around 20 degrees Fahrenheit, with slight variances from north to south. Through most of the koalas’ range, summer temperatures average around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with Victoria in the south about 3 degrees cooler. South Australia, where koalas occupy a relatively small area, sees higher summer temperatures, about 84 degrees Fahrenheit. In eastern Queensland, koalas live in a subtropical climate, with summer temperatures around 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Sensitive to heat, these animals don’t occupy the northern parts of Queensland, where tropical summers can reach up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. During the winter, low temperatures remain around 60 degrees Fahrenheit throughout koala habitat -- the coastal regions and forests of eastern Australia. Victoria and South Australia average in the high 50s, with Queensland climbing into the low 60s. Koalas are more comfortable in cooler weather than warm, and have a higher tolerance for cold than for heat. Koalas have thick hair and skin that help insulate them against cold. In the south, they tend to be slightly larger and have heavier hair, probably to help them through cooler winters. This fur also can deflect heat -- koalas usually become uncomfortable in temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They don’t create nests, so they lack shelter during excessively hot and cold weather. If their arboreal habitats become too hot or dry, koalas might need to leave their trees to look for water. Australia is prone to severe droughts, bush fires and heat waves -- all conditions that can decimate eucalyptus stands and harm koalas. Excessive heat and aridity kill the trees. Bush fires, spread by wind and promoted by aridity, wipe out entire eucalyptus forests because of the trees’ oil flammability. Koalas don't move quickly and often perish in such fires. Ground travel is also hazardous for the animals; thousands die each year because of collisions with cars and predation by dogs. Scientists are researching strategies to help increase the animals’ chances for survival. - Australian Koala Foundation: Distribution of Koalas in Australia - Australia: Weather in Australia - Australian Government: Australian Weather and the Seasons - National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility: Adaptation Case Study Series: Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for the Koala: Christine Adams-Hosking (PDF) - Australian Koala Foundation: Physical Characteristics of the Koala - IUCN Red List: Koalas and Climate Change - Tom Brakefield/Stockbyte/Getty Images

In the transition zone between weedy, hacked-over scrub down below and open oak forest higher up a conspicuous member of the Bromelia Family appeared. You may remember the abundandant bromeliads gracing tree limbs at Yerba Buena in the Chiapas uplands. The species encountered on Cerro de Cruz Grande differed from those species both by being terrestrial and by growing much larger. You can see ours This is Piñuela (pee-nyoo-EH-la), BROMELIA PINGUIN. In the picture Andrés is holding in his hand the thing that makes the plant famous in these parts: Some tasty fruits. You can see a close-up of the fruits below: Piñuelas were common in the scrub back in the Yucatan and I always wanted to sample a fruit but never got to. I thought my failure to find a fruit was because I always left the Yucatan before the fruits ripened but now I suspect it was because I didn't know you had to dig down into the leafy debris gathered in the plant's center, as shown in the first photo. Andrés knew exactly where to thrust his hand into the clutter, though, and came up with fruits his first try. Before anything is done with the fruits you need to thoroughly brush or wipe off the rusty-brown, very thin, sharp hairs visible in the fruit picture mantling both ends of the fruits. If a hair lodges in your lips or tongue it stings for a long time. The fruits are a little like small bananas, in the sense that you must peel off the tough covering to get at the sweet interior. Piñuelas can be cooked in campfire embers but they're also good raw. Andrés warns to not eat more than one, though, because if you do you'll develop burn-blisters, same as if you eat too much pineapple. In fact, Piñuelas are closely related to Pineapple plants. Both are in the Bromelia Family and both are among the small minority of terrestrial bromeliads. The Piñuela fruit tastes a bit like pineapple, but contains hard seeds. In August, 2008, near the Maya village of Sabacché about 40 minutes southeast of Mérida, Don Vicente shows me how to reach into a Piñuela just like Andrés did for the above photos in Chiapas, to pull out the fuzz shown at the right. "If you're gathering firewood and you cut yourself so that the blood just runs down your arm," he said, "you go collect this fuzz. Spread it over your cut as if it were a bandage, and it'll stop the bleeding." In the scrub around Sabacché Piñuelas are abundant, but in August, the middle of the rainy season, there are no fruits, just the soft fuzz.

Overview: Module 11 |Home > Table of Contents > Module 11> Next| Behind the Scenes: Image 1: Forest Researcher measuring the growth of a pine tree in the lab. State Standard Correlations: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY Download and print Module 11 Teacher Pages & Student Pages PDFs using Adobe Acrobat. Day 2 activity: Make copies of Eloise Gerry, Carlos Bates, Bruce Zobel, Malcolm Furniss, Jerry Franklinand Kent Kirk biography pages for each student in the class. Make 6 copies of Worksheet 3 for each group or individual student (depending on how you would like to do the activity). Assessment Prep : Make copies of the Assessment you have chosen to use. Assign: Gerry, Bates, Zobel, Furniss, Franklin & Kirk Biographies & Worksheet 3. You may consider dividing the students into groups and assigning one or two of the biographies to each group; allowing time in class for students to read the biographies and complete this worksheet. Team Teaching Possibilities Technology: Create graphs from survey data collect in Assessment 3 English: Complete Worksheet 1. Or discuss what a biography is and teach students how to be a biographer. Discuss with the students what kinds of information are needed to have a complete biography: name or names, place and date of birth, family, places lived, hobbies, occupations, significant incidents in his/her life, and what made him/her famous. Use examples from Activity 2 to help in this discussion. Possibly have students use these questions to become a biographer (in groups or individually), by writing a biography on other teachers in the school or on a parent/grandparent at home. Math: Have students go to or call a local Recycling Center and find information to answer the following questions. How many aluminum cans need to be recycled to power a TV for an hour? How many hours are there in a year? With these two figures determine the number of aluminum cans needed to be recycled in order to power a TV for a year. You could contact the local recycling center or electric company to find out enough facts to create a worksheet with numerous questions based on discovered facts. Determining the number of cans needed to run the lights in the school for day, the number of pieces of paper or pounds of paper needed to be recycled to create a new ream of recycled paper, etc. Science: Look into research projects currently underway today at the Forest Products Laboratory - Research in Progress. Aldrich, Mark. "From Forest Conservation to Market Preservation: Invention and Diffusion of Wood-Preserving Technology, 1880-1939." Technology and Culture 47, no. 2 (April 1, 2006): 311-340. Zerbe, John & Green, Phyllis. "Extending the Forest Resource: 90 Years of Progress at the Forest Products Laboratory." Forest History Today, (Fall 1999):9-14. Federal Water Pollution Control Act (1948). http://www.answers.com/topic/federal-water-pollution-control-act-1948 . (viewed 6/28, 2007) (House Report no. 1829, to accompany Senate Bill 418, 80th Congress, 2d session, April 28, 1948) Ice, George G. and Stednick, John D. "Forest Watershed Research in the United States." Forest History Today, Spring/Fall 2004. Forest Products Laboratory, Environmental Technologies website. http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/research-highlights/init_env.html. (viewed 7/2/07). Recycled Paper, Enzyme Treatment info: http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/pdf1996/sykes96b.pdf (viewed 7/6/07) Bormett, David, Carl Houtman, Said Abubakr, and Joseph Peng, "Compatibility of Pressure Sensitive Adhesives With Recycling Unit Operations." AIChE Symposium Series No. 322, Vol. 95, 1999. http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/pdf1999/borme99a.pdf (viewed 7/6/07) Davis , Christopher, "UF - Developed Paper Recycling Method Could Benefit Forests, Industry," University of Florida News, July 28, 2000, http://news.ufl.edu/2000/07/28/ink/ - 7/11/07 West, Terry. "Research in the USDA Forest Service: A Historians' View." Washington, DC: USDA Forest Service, History Unit, 1990. Coleman, Donald G. "Eloise Gerry - Forest Products Laboratory (A Retirement Profile)" Wisconsin Academy Review, Vol. 2 (Spring 1955): 26-28. http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/WI/WI-idx?type=turn&entity=WI.v2i2.p0030&isize=M - viewed 7/17/07 Miller, Regis B. Xylaria at the Forest Products Laboratory Past, Present, and Future, 1999. http://www2.fpl.fs.fed.us/WoodColl/MADw/xylaria%20at%20fpl.pdf – 7/17/07 Havlick, David, "Dr. Eloise Gerry, Scientist-Author-Teacher," Forest History Society, 2004. http://foresthistory.org/Research/usfscoll/people/Gerry/Gerry.html

[Haskell-cafe] Could someone teach me why we use Data.Monoid? stephen.tetley at gmail.com Fri Nov 13 11:48:25 EST 2009 2009/11/13 Rafael Gustavo da Cunha Pereira Pinto <RafaelGCPP.Linux at gmail.com>: > Monoid is the category of all types that have a empty value and an append Or more generally a neutral element and an associative operation: The multiplication monoid (1,*) 9*1*1*1 = 9 1 is neutral but you might be hard pressed to consider it _empty_. More information about the Haskell-Cafe

Re: Alternator spin direction? Does it really matter? Originally posted by exoticcarsgonewild An alternator produces AC voltage. So, AC voltage is produced by spinning in any direction right? Does it matter which direction the alternator spins? I am assuming it doesn't matter. Cars are DC voltage not AC voltage. And yeah you need to spin the alt in the direction of the cooling fins. --1988 Mustang LX 5.0-- --2006 Infiniti G35x-- The twin diode bridge use to make DC will still make a positive DC if the AC source is reversed. This is full wave (180 degree) rectification. A negative voltage could not be produced unless the source winding was center tapped and used as a "zero " reference.

On November 3, Seton Hall University will be hosting Julie Willing, the grassroots organizer of Girl UP, a United Nations Foundation campaign. The event will be focused on the issues facing adolescent girls around the world. The Asia Society recently hosted Malala Yousafzai, the 18-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner, where she spoke about her personal experiences and advocacy for education for young girls. The United Nations (UN) hosts a multitude of events each year promoting various women’s topics using their UN Women and Beijing+20 platforms. Women, gender inequality and female inclusion have become hot button issues and it’s about time. Gender inequality has been on the agenda since it was included in a “comprehensive global blueprint for gender equality and women’s empowerment” 20 years ago in Beijing. But the world still has a long way to go. Achieving the goal of gender equality remains “humanity’s biggest project,” according to senior United Nations official, Lakshmi Puri. As we move forward we must take active steps in making gender inequality nonexistent. Women make up 49.6% of the global population. It is important to no longer disqualify and devalue half of the world. The global community should be looking towards a more inclusive environment. The time to give prominence and importance to issues relating to women continues to be now. It is important to understand that gender inequality is not just a women’s issue. Women need men to stand alongside them, for their mothers, sisters, daughters and friends. UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson, has helped push this issue forward and gained momentum, especially through the HeForShe campaign. Watson has also extended a formal invitation to men to participate in the gender equality movement with women. The HeForShe campaign has been gaining exposure and is popular on many social media platforms such as Facebook and Tumblr and has also targeted prominent heads of state. Women’s rights affect a great deal of the global community, not just because women occupy half the population but also because these issues affect the future of humanity itself. The human right for respect, dignity and freedom from violence is a universal one and one that should begin to be seriously implemented. The culture of the world must continue to be challenged, as women are an obvious key piece to the future. Women are also the key to peacemaking processes. In the ever-turbulent world we live in, a new perspective is key to calming violent conflicts, civil war and post-conflict reconstruction that dominate the global south. Global instability can be seen throughout the Middle East and northern Africa’s refugee crisis’ and the global migration from south to north. Women are at the forefront of these conflicts and it is crucial that they are incorporated in peacekeeping processes, discussions, and campaigns. From 1957 to 1989, only twenty women have served as uniformed United Nations peacekeepers. Women have only represented 8% of participants and fewer than 3% of signatories in recent peace negotiations. When 90% of casualties during conflicts are women and children, it is unjustifiable to have failed to include women in the conversation for so long. Women have to suffer the consequences of these male dominated regimes. War and violence impact women differently than it does men, yet women are not given a single line in a peace agreement. “While women remain a minority of combatants and perpetrators of war, they increasingly suffer the greatest harm.” Female peacekeepers have been recognized as a key to peace by the UN, and have recently been deployed in all areas of peacekeeping operations (including police, military and civilian forces). Female inclusion is critical to building peace and protecting the rights of women and girls in regions of conflict. “When women participate in the peace process, it not only promotes gender equality, but also provides strong female role models in regions torn apart by war — where all too often those two critical elements are missing.” Ultimately, women have been excluded from peacemaking and peacekeeping and continue to be viewed as second-class citizens. Women exhibit great wisdom and perspective that must no longer be ignored. As the United Nations Population Fund states, empowered and confident women are key to advancing development and reducing poverty worldwide. Women who are empowered “contribute to the health and productivity of whole families and communities, and they improve prospects for the next generation.” Dominique Di Marzio is the Executive Editor for the Journal of Diplomacy and International Relations. She is in her final year of pursuing a dual MA in Diplomacy & International Relations and Strategic Communications at Seton Hall University. Her specializations include global negotiation & conflict management and post-conflict reconstruction. Follow Dominique on Twitter:@dimarz32 Follow the Journal of Diplomacy on Twitter: @JournalofDiplo Image Source: Brett Ferin

Herman Georg Simmons (1866-1943) Simmons was born in Skåne, Sweden and participated as botanist on Otto Sverdrup’s 2nd Fram expedition to northwest Greenland and the islands of northeast Canada 1898-1902 Herman Georg Simmons had previously, in 1895, been on an expedition to the Faroe Islands. He published several scientific works from the Fram expedition. The 2nd Fram expedition was different from the two others, with Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen, in the number of qualified scientists that participated – 5 of the 16. The expedition therefore produced an impressive amount of scientific data, in addition to surveying c. 150 000 km2 of the previously uncharted islands of what today is the Canadian province of Nunavut. Despite the amount of botanical material that Simmons managed to gather, he found the expedition at times to be frustrating. This was because the scientists were under the command of the mates of the Fram, Baumann and Raanes, and not directly under Captain Sverdrup. The professional sailors, including Sverdrup, did not quite understand all this botanising. In addition the expedition contract bound the participants to take any work onboard that they were ordered to. The situation gave Simmons a serious depression during the last two winters. He instructed the expedition cook, Adolf Henrik Lindstrøm, in plant collecting, which Lindstrøm did with great eagerness and success. Simmons was able to collect enough data to publish widely on return. He became internationally known as an Arctic botanist and he held many lectures, including one in 1904 on the distribution and migrations of Eskimos. In 1906 he became lecturer at the University of Lund, and then was professor at the Ultuna Agricultural Institute near Uppsala 1918-32. From 1928-32 he was head of the Institute. After his retirement he continued to publish from his house at Lidingø by Stockholm.

How to become a Good Student Become a Good Student The school can be difficult for many students, but even if the goal is not easy for you, you can still succeed with some dedicated effort to become a good student. If you become a good student you should be attention to training to organize their material and tasks, and also help you to get as much information as possible. Bring everything you need in the classroom. There are books, folders, pens, pencils, homework, sheets and review, and all what it takes to be a good idea. By staying organized at school is very important. If you organized, you will be success. Maintaining folder for each substance, science means that you get the math folder, Documents folder in mathematics, literature and documents in a folder in your language, scientific articles, and much more. This easy-to-use color code or label the folder. Make a note in class when the teacher gives a lesson, notes, if you do not understand something, stitch to make your hand and ask. More questions, and you’re smarter, and believe it or not. Given what you think and help you understand what is learned more help. Avoid distractions classroom Not be confused with others. Friend distraction, not to say! Tell us exactly what you’re doing and tell them to really focus on the teacher vacation or would like to speak in the after class. Check the notes if you have free time If you have free time you will check your class work as a rewrite of legal studies, economics, engineering, etc. class is extremely difficult. you begin to work your way up to their level. You may not know, but it is difficult and hard to read a book, you can expand your vocabulary. the key to the study of the causes of education. 2 hours a day in the study increased their skill. The tower will also include the two hours prior to the study. Remove all distractions. chatting, a member of Friends of this mobile, television, music and high family also found in the environment to ensure a quiet team. Do not delays make a schedule for you, and it really works. Such as mobile phone, iPod and laptop computers as a distraction from them, because all of Hafez electronics. When you returned home from school, the teacher taught him to read that day in class, and some of the mathematical problems in practice and in the top. Does your homework Teachers give homework for any reason. In this review, you have learned on the same day. Enjoy your free time. No time extra school at home and do their homework. But most schools have to consider it. Do what you can for schools. If you need help, if you need to be there. studied at least advisable for a few days before the start of the test. Studying in extracurricular activities in the road to certain events that you will not be able to attend the event and the person in charge, or to be released in the near future.

Women of History: Cora Rigby Cora Rigby (1865-1930) made unique contributions to the field of journalism. Her career spanned a period in history when women were beginning to find a place in this profession. Born in Lancaster, Ohio, Rigby began writing for a political column in a Columbus newspaper when still a girl. Her first job was a staff position with The Boston Globe, followed by work as a reporter for other publications in New York and London. She joined The Christian Science Monitor’s Washington, D.C., bureau in 1919. That year she was one of ten women who, along with 100 men, gained access to the United States House and Senate press galleries. Three years later she became the bureau’s manager, working in that role for the rest of her career. She joined the Christian Science church in 1925. At the time of her death, she was the only woman to have headed a news bureau in the nation’s capital. Perhaps one of Rigby’s most notable achievements was her role in founding the National Women’s Press Club (NWPC), in response to what she referred to as “the conspiracy of men to keep women off the newspapers—or at least to reduce their number, wages, and importance to a minimum.” 1 The all-male National Press Club heartily enforced the prevalent biases of the time, barring women from membership as well as attendance at its functions. In the autumn of 1919, soon after the ratification of the 19th Amendment granting universal suffrage, Rigby and five other women in the Washington press met in her Monitor office, to form their own organization designed to further the progress of women in the field of journalism. The NWPC grew in influence and proved itself, operating for decades—even after the National Press Club at last voted to admit women in 1971. Rigby served as its president for three successive terms. Rigby’s correspondence indicates she was frank and to the point, by all accounts an exceptional journalist who also had the confidence and managerial skill needed to supervise and at times mentor an office of aggressive political reporters. “Her male colleagues in Washington bore her in highest esteem,” wrote Monitor editor Erwin Canham. “I know, for I was first introduced by her to the leaders in the press corps there on my first venture in capital [Washington] journalism. I saw the respect and affection with which she was accepted everywhere.” 2 Rigby worked for the Monitor up until her death in 1930. She led her profession forward, through a combination her own skill as a reporter and her courageous commitment to securing a place for women in American journalism. Listen to "The Christian Science Monitor—Genesis and Today," a Seekers and Scholars podcast episode featuring Monitor editor Mark Sappenfield.

North Chicago — Nancy Young came all the way from her home in Silver Springs, Fla., to show a group of 35 teachers from North Chicago and Waukegan how to turn a fizzy bicarbonate tablet into rocket fuel. Placing the tablet into a 35mm film container partially filled with water and capping it, she turned the "engine" upside-down and inserted it into a cardboard tube. A few seconds later, the rocket flew off the table with a loud pop when the carbon dioxide blew out of the container. "It really will blow it all the way to the ceiling," she said. Young is a curriculum consultant specializing in science materials for New York-based Scholastic, the country's largest publisher of educational materials. She travels from town to town demontratating curriculum materials. She recently spent a morning at North Chicago Community High School demonstrating Scholastic's Science Place curriculum, one of several new science programs the District 187 Board of Education is considering. Science Place, like other materials being reviewed, is a hands-on program that, bereft of traditional textbooks, aims to make the sometimes abstract principles of science relevant to students. "Your job is to teach the Big Idea. That's what gets through to students," Young said. "This program seems very dynamic," said Elaine Semrau, a 2nd-grade teacher from Forrestal School in North Chicago. "This was a great update on what we should be looking for when we teach science." According to Joyce Willis, associate superintendent and curriculum chief of District 187, elementary science education is rapidly moving away from traditional textbooks and lectures and going toward more participatory programs kids find more interesting. "With this approach, you reach all of the learning styles: auditory, visual and tactile. You can reach 99 percent of the children. When you're competing with television, skateboarding and other activities, reading from a textbook may not do it," Willis said. The Board of Education will be assessing Science Place and other programs over the summer. In the fall, teachers and students will be able to try out several programs before the board adopts a new curriculum, which will probably be by the middle of the school year, Willis said. Hands-on science programs long on experiments and short on textbooks are less expensive. "This program lists at $360 for individual purchase, and costs less if a district officially adopts it," Young explained. "Compare that to 20 textbooks at about $40 apiece, and it's a significant savings, especially since you can pass the units from class to class, and you don't have to buy a kit for each room." The Science Place curriculum comes in seven self-contained units--nylon bags stuffed with computer disks, video cassettes, ready-to-run experiments and other teaching materials. "This approach is interactive, emergent, dynamic and wonderful," said Dr. Jean Jackson-Swopes, vice president of the school board and a retired Abbott Laboratories biochemist.

Raz-Plus and Reading A-Z offer projectable or printable books—also assignable in Raz-Plus!—such as Placed People Live, an informational (nonfiction) book with 174 words, Level G (Grade 1), and Lexile 230L. Places People Live Written by Ned Jensen People live in many different places. They live where it is cold. They live where it is hot. They live where it is dry. They live where it is wet. Some people like to live high up. A few people live way high up. Some people live down low. Some people even live below the ground. People live in many different kinds of houses. They live in houses made of stone. They live in houses made of grass. They live in houses made of sticks. They live in houses made of glass. People even live in houses made of ice. Some people live high above the ground. Some people live deep below the water. Some people live in the ground. Some people build homes in caves or on cliffs. Some people live in houses that move. Some houses are on wheels. And some float on the water. Houses can be strange. They can have strange shapes. They can be made of strange things. But no matter what it is, a house is a home. In Places People Live, readers learn about some of the different and unusual places people choose to call home. Photos accompany the text, proving that these amazing homes really do exist! Many teachers supplement science, history, and social studies lessons with informational text from Raz-Plus and Reading A-Z.

Repositioning Techniques for Infants The American Academy of Pediatrics' "Back to Sleep" campaign, initiated in 1992, has been successful in reducing the occurrence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) – the unexpected and unexplained death of an infant less than 1 year of age. Although lying on their backs is the safest way for babies to sleep, keeping babies on their backs during most of their awake hours can lead to positional plagiocephaly, also known as "flattened head syndrome." When a baby always lies with his or her head in the same position, or on the same side of the face, the pressure of the head's weight can push the soft bones of the skull against a flat surface – such as the crib or car seat – causing the skull to flatten. Some babies have neck muscles that contract (shorten), causing them to turn their heads to one side when placed on their backs. This condition, called torticollis, also can contribute to the development of flat spots on the head. Fortunately, by using some simple repositioning techniques, you can help prevent "flattened head syndrome"--and help promote your infant's neuromuscular development. What is repositioning? Repositioning involves changing the position of your baby's head while he or she is sleeping and during activities while your baby is awake. Repositioning keeps your baby from always resting on the same area, allowing for a more even distribution of your baby's head weight and helping to prevent flat spots. Changing head positions also helps strengthen the muscles in the neck, which are important as babies begin to hold up their heads and sit up on their own. Here are some simple tips for repositioning your infant: While sleeping in a crib, cradle or playpen - Infants should be placed on their back for every sleep. Side sleeping is not as safe as lying on the back and is not advised. However, you can change your baby’s sleeping position by alternating your child’s direction in the crib. For example, place the baby’s head at the top of the crib one night and toward the bottom the next night. You also may try changing the baby’s head position — placing the infant to sleep with the head to one side for a night and then changing to the other side the next night. - Consider moving your baby's crib to different areas of the room; but be sure not to have your baby's crib always facing a wall. Babies are attracted to light and will try to turn their heads toward a window. - Once your baby is asleep, gently move his or her head to the non-preferred side (away from the flattened area). - Try placing a mobile on the side of the crib or playpen to encourage your baby to look in that direction. - Be sure your baby gets plenty of supervised "tummy time" when he or she is awake. Tummy time gives your baby's head a rest, and encourages the use of arm, leg and neck muscles, which helps to strengthen them. The more time your baby can spend playing on his or her tummy, the better. - Try to reduce the amount of time your baby spends in car seats, carriers, swings, high chairs and other devices that allow your child to rest on the back of his or her head. - If your baby has torticollis, your doctor may teach you some home exercises that can help stretch and massage your baby's contracting neck muscles. - Alternate the arm you use to hold your baby while bottle or breastfeeding. - When feeding, encourage your baby to turn his or her head away from the preferred side. - You can use soft pillows or rolled-up towels to hold your baby's head in position while in a car seat or carrier. Some companies make specially designed pillows to help hold the baby's head in the preferred position. Be sure to first ask for your doctor's advice. - Change your baby’s diapers from the side. This encourages the baby to turn his or her head to look at you. - Try using a front carrier rather than a car seat/carrier when you go out with your baby--and even around the house. Babies enjoy being held. American Academy of Pediatrics. Healthy Children. Ages & Stages. Your Baby’s Head. National Institutes of Health. Eunice Kennedy Shriver. National Institute of Child Health and Development. Questions and Answers for Professionals: Questions and Answers for Professionals on Infant Sleeping Position and SIDS. © Copyright 1995-2010 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All rights reserved. Can't find the health information you’re looking for? This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 10/5/2010...#10691

Some Facts About Paper Wasps? Do you require North Brisbane pest control services? Creepy crawlies come in a multitude of shapes and sizes, but they usually have one thing in common – they’re capable of causing damage, irritation, pain / discomfort, and significant inconvenience to human beings and their property. They also seem to enjoy showing up where they are least wanted! Why Paper Wasps Do What They Do Australia in particular is home to a number of these insect invaders. One such example worthy of warranting North Brisbane pest control is the paper wasp. While most Australians grow up aware of paper wasps and their stings, here are a few useful facts and details you may not be familiar with. - Where they live: Paper wasps will settle in to appropriate sites in urban areas, scrub, forests, and woodlands. - What they eat: Adult wasps consume nectar, whilst catching caterpillars to feed their larvae. They are actually a helpful force when it comes to keeping garden caterpillar pests under control! - Why they will attack: Despite the painfulness of their stings, paper wasps typically only attack humans if / when their nests are disturbed – they are considered less aggressive than European wasps. However, it is best to call on your North Brisbane pest control specialists to remove the nests if they are located in proximity with individuals who are highly allergic to bites and stings. Better to be safe than sorry! - Nests: Paper wasps create their nests by chewing wood fragments with saliva, resulting in a papery, soft material that is formed into cup-like cells. This is the basis of the comb, which attaches to the host surface. Did you know that nest design differs depending on the unique species of paper wasp? - Native vs introduced: Approximately 35 species of native paper wasps inhabit Australia, and are located all throughout the country with the exception of Tasmania and the far south-west area of Western Australia. Tropical Queensland can lay claim to the highest number of paper wasps species, hence the benefits of services such as North Brisbane pest control! Several introduced paper wasp species have made their home here also, including two types of the European paper wasp variety. North Brisbane Pest Control Services for Your Home and Property Sunshine Pest Management are professional pest and termite specialists with more than 2 decades of industry experience under our belts. We are pleased to provide North Brisbane pest control, and also service everywhere through Caboolture, Wamuran, and the Sunshine Coast. Thinking of getting in touch but want to know what exactly we offer? Whether it’s North Brisbane pest control or elsewhere, our services include: - Termite inspection plus additional prevention advice unique to each property - Termite treatment - Inspection and treatment of ants, fleas, bedbugs, cockroaches, silverfish, spiders, rodents, and bees / wasps You can rest assured that when it comes to your North Brisbane pest control needs, Sunshine Pest Management have got you covered! Simply call 1800 626 841 to speak to our team of pest control specialists, or get in touch online. image source: Krzysztof Niewolny

+33 7 82 03 85 60 Home / Mandalas For Tibetans, Mandalas are sacred. Presented in various forms such as paintings, coloured sand patterns or large carved structures. Mandala is a sacred circle of Tibetan Buddhism and has a highly symbolic meaning. It is also used as a meditation support. Mandalas represent the fundamental aspects of Buddhism, the desire to put an end to suffering, the quest for happiness for others and finally, the pursuit for a true vision of reality. Mandalas symbolize the ephemeral side of life and non-attachment. For this reason, it takes several weeks for monks to build this art made with colored sand, once built, they will destroy it completely. They then throw this destroyed sand of mandala into a river. It is believed that the positive energy sacrificed by monks in the realization of this art in form of Mandala, is dispersed and offered to all living beings.

Have you ever had a bad case of tendonitis? Hurts, doesn’t it? It also makes it harder to work out. If tendonitis affects your Achilles tendon, you might find it uncomfortable to run or even walk. If it impacts a tendon in your elbow, you may find it painful to lift or grip an object or even shake someone’s hand. No matter what tendon is affected, tendonitis usually takes a long time to heal. If it becomes chronic, it can hang around for 6 months or longer. That’s inconvenient, especially if you ‘re an active person. Why do tendon injuries take so long to heal? Tendonitis Isn’t Really Tendonitis We have called tendonitis by its name for years, but it’s not an accurate term. The term tendonitis suggests an ongoing inflammatory state and experts don’t believe that inflammation is a component of tendonitis after the early stages. You may experience a period where the tendon is inflamed right after it’s injured. This can last up to 6 weeks. If you’re fortunate, the inflamed tendon will heal, and you won’t progress to a chronic tendon injury called tendonosis. When tendonitis becomes chronic, it’s called tendonosis. The ongoing pain is typically related to tissue breakdown and degeneration rather than an active inflammatory process. That’s why most health care professionals call chronic tendonitis by the more accurate name of tendonosis. Both are under the category of tendinopathies. What is initially tendonitis, assuming it doesn’t heal promptly, turns into tendonosis. Tendonitis and tendonosis are caused by the repetitive use of a tendon. Chronic overuse leads to microscopic tears in the tendon that initially cause inflammation and when it becomes tendonosis, tissue breakdown. When the initial inflammation of tendonitis becomes tendonosis, healing is often slow. If you’re still experiencing discomfort in a tendon after 4-6 weeks, you likely have tendonosis and may have symptoms for weeks to months. Why Tendon Overuse Takes a Long Time to Heal What is this entity called a tendon and why do we need them? A tendon is a thick band of connective tissue that connects muscle to bone. The tendon transmits force from muscle to bone. The fibers of a tendon have to be strong to hold up to force and they are. Tendons have the highest tensile strength of all the soft tissues in the body. They also store energy and release that energy when a muscle contracts. Unfortunately, tendons don’t have a good blood supply. Instead, they get nourishment from the synovial fluid inside the joint. This lack of blood supply makes healing an injured tendon slower. What’s happening at the microscopic level when you sustain a tendon injury? If you change your exercise routine in a way that places more stress on a tendon, the cells within that tendon have to work harder to repair and generate new tendon tissue. For efficient repair, cells need a good blood supply and they don’t have it. That’s why tendon overuse injuries are so common and why they take so long to heal. Healing will often take longer in older people and those with other health conditions like diabetes, as these factors further impact blood flow to the tendon. Some tendons are more susceptible to injury than others. For example, Achilles tendonitis and tendonitis involving the elbows, shoulders, and wrists are the most common. The tendons that are most prone toward tendonitis are ones that have the least blood supply. Tendonitis can also arise from a direct injury to a tendon, like a blunt force, but this is less common than tendonitis due to overuse. Can You Speed the Healing of Tendonitis or Tendonosis? A common practice to ease the pain is to take non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications, like Ibuprofen, for tendonitis. Since the early phase of a tendon injury involves inflammation, NSAID may help initially. But, after the initial inflammation has subsided, tendon tissue breakdown is the main reason tendons still hurt, so an anti-inflammatory doesn’t always help the discomfort. Some studies suggest that taking NSAID during this stage may actually slow healing by interfering with collagen synthesis. One of the components of the connective tissue that makes up a tendon is collagen. Plus, NSAID, even ibuprofen, has a variety of potentially serious side effects if you take them for a long period of time. Should you stop exercising? Exercise increases blood flow to the injured tendon and that can aid in healing. But you shouldn’t continue to apply stress to an injured tendon. Physical therapists often use a type of training called eccentric training for those with tendonosis. Eccentric training is strength training where you emphasize the eccentric, or lengthening portion of the movement. For example, you contract a muscle to lift a weight but lengthen the muscle slowly as you hold the tension to slow the movement. Studies show this type of training may help, especially for Achilles tendonitis. However, it’s a good idea to do this under the guidance of a physical therapist. Before you start strengthening, you should be able to stretch the muscles that connect to the tendon passive and actively without pain. Sometimes, these approaches aren’t enough. Other treatments that help some tendonosis sufferers include massage to increase circulation to the tendon. More advanced treatments include extracorporeal shockwave therapy, a treatment that zaps the tendon with shock waves to activate healing and platelet-rich injections. This is where stem cells are injected around the tendon to jumpstart healing. Sometimes, orthopedists use corticosteroid injections into the area, but this has a significant downside. It increases the risk of a future tendon rupture. Preventing Tendonitis and Tendonosis The best way to avoid the discomfort and inconvenience of tendonitis and tendonosis is to not develop it in the first place. Eccentric training may be effective for preventing tendonitis as well as for treatment. But, it’s also important to avoid repetitive activities that place force on a tendon. Runners are susceptible to Achilles tendonitis because they do the same movements over and over. Cross-training can help since you’re doing a variety of exercises rather than the same repetitive movements. Always wear supportive shoes that fit properly when doing any kind of exercise, especially running. If you experience discomfort, don’t exercise through it. Stop and evaluate. Make sure your training is balanced too. When you train one muscle, work the opposing one too for balance. Hopefully, you’ll never get tendonitis or tendonosis! If you do, you now know why it takes so long to heal. MedLinePlus.gov. “Tendon vs. ligament” Arthritis Res. 2002; 4(4): 252–260. Rheumatology, Volume 47, Issue 10, 1 October 2008, Pages 1444–144. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2008 Jul; 466(7): 1539–1554. Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2012; 5(1): 14–17.

Recycling Expert Zone Learn exciting facts about the three "R's" and ways to can do your part to reduce, reuse, and recycling in your home, community, and school. See how recycling can have a positive impact on your community and the environment. Yard Materials and Food Scraps Explore "nature's recycling program!" Learn about composting yard materials and vermicomposting food scraps. There are three ways waste is handled in Baltimore County. Learn about recycling, waste to energy, and landfilling. Discover the meanings of words you might have heard when learning about recycling, composting, and solid waste management. Learn how you and your classmates, as well as teachers and staff, can help make your school more "green." There are different ideas for elementary, middle, and high school students. Revised August 9, 2010

|Prophets window, Notre Dame, Paris| Numbers are important in Scripture and the tradition, laden with symbolic meaning. And the Christmas season, once upon a time, played on several of them - octaves, the twelve days of Christmas, the forty days of the whole Christmas season (up to the feast of the Purification), and so forth. Over the last couple of centuries, these times have been progressively eroded, with the Christmas season becoming ever shorter. This year however, due to the oddities caused by 'Epiphany Sunday' a strange reverse occurs: in the Ordinary Form the Christmas season actually lasts almost as long as it does in the Extraordinary Form, stretching to some sixteen days. The twelve days of Christmas The twelve days of Christmas, which traditionally stretched between the feast of the Nativity and the Epiphany, for example, are meant to suggest to us governmental perfection and completion - hence the twelve tribes of Israel, twelve apostles, and so forth. My own theory is that our ability to recognise these symbolic meanings was destroyed by the invention of chapter numbers for the Bible in the fourteenth century, and then verse numbers in the sixteenth: convenient those these reference points are, by seeing so many numbers when we read Scripture, we no longer notice the important ones that really matter. Be that as it may, the destruction of tradition has been a progressive affair. The Christmas season was cut back from forty days, making a fitting counterweight of feasting to offset the fasting of Advent, to end after the octave of Epiphany. The various Octaves and Vigils that used to be celebrated at this time were abolished. And then, in most recent times we have come to the curious phenomenon of moving feasts of obligation to the nearest Sunday. The net result of these changes is that in the 1962 calendar, from January 2 to January 5 have become Class IV days, instead of Octave days of St Stephen (Jan 2), St John (Jan 3), Holy Innocents (Jan 4) and the Vigil of the Epiphany (Jan 5). The 1962 reformers actually didn't do too bad a job, in my opinion, in selecting texts from the season to create the 'Ordinary of Nativitytide' in the Divine Office. But the net result is that we do lose some of the reminders that the Incarnation turns the world upside down, and the world does not much like the fact. We lose the bitter-sweet mix of texts that serve as a reminder that Christmas is not just about sentimentality; rather, that to follow Christ is to follow the way of the Cross. Sixteen days of the Incarnation? Is there any symbolism, though, in the number sixteen, the length of this year's Christmas season in the Ordinary Form? Happily there is, according to the sixth century writer Cassiodorus at least. His commentary on Psalm 16, which he sees as dealing with the Incarnation and the two natures of Christ, points out that there are sixteen 'canonical' prophets in Scripture "so that the Lord's incarnation is seen to be worthily proclaimed by this number, in which the chorus of the prophets is seen to be assembled". There is rather a need of prophets in our own time, holy men and women willing to speak truth to power, so perhaps there is indeed something providential in the number given these difficult times for both Church and State....

You are here Ruth A. Myers Center for Indigenous Education Required Profile of Learning To achieve a diploma a student must show an appropriate level of achievement in each of the following elements: Understand what they read, bear and see. Comprehending, interpreting, and evaluating information received through reading, listening, and viewing; Write and speak effectively. Writing and speaking in English clearly for academic, technical, and personal purposes with a variety of audiences; Gather and use information. Applying methods of inquiry needed to conduct research, draw conclusions, and communicate and apply findings; Understand interactions between people, their world and their cultures. Understanding how principles of interaction and interdependence affect physical and social situations; Make informed decisions. Applying informed decisionmaking processes to promote personal growth and the well–being of society; Students will be able to: summarize and explain the significance of American Indian oral tradition in the perpetuation of culture and history. This outcome includes: - defining American Indian oral tradition. - knowing the types of traditional stories. - understanding that values, humor, truth and history are transmitted through oral tradition. - identifying and investigating contemporary American Indian literature. - knowing the role of elders in transmitting the culture. - respecting the proper time for storytelling and the offering of tobacco to the storyteller. - recognizing oral tradition as one classification in the study of language arts. - comprehending, interpreting and evaluating information received through the refinement of listening. American Indian oral tradition and teachings are used to transmit culture and preserve the history of American Indians. The study of American Indian oral tradition will assist students in understanding the culture and recognizing the importance of oral history. Cultural Content/American Indian World View American Indian oral traditions, which include storytelling, teachings, family and tribal history as well as contemporary Indian literature, lie at the heart of tribal culture. It is largely through oral tradition that American Indian cultures have been preserved and transmitted through the generations. American Indian stories, teachings and oral histories are rich in cultural context. They provide great insight into the world view, values and lifestyle which are an integral part of the heritage of American Indians. For American Indians, the oral traditions must be treated with respect. Many of the stories, for example, are seasonal. Most often, the winter months are the season for stories. For the Dakota it is believed that the time to tell sacred stories is when snakes and other animals that hibernate underground are covered with snow. Their spirits, if above round, would use the sacred knowledge against the storyteller. For the Anishinabeg, the belief may differ from area to area, but the practice is similar. Sacred stories, particularly those about Nanabozho are to be told only in the winter. Other stories can be told throughout the year. If possible, elders in the community should be consulted regarding timing and customs for specific stories. It is customary on the part of one who requests a specific story to offer tobacco or some other gift to the storyteller. The storyteller uses tobacco to show respect for the spirits who live in the stories and whose names are mentioned. The stories passed down to American Indians by their ancestors are very important because they express what American Indians value and believe. In addition, the stories help people to understand the meaning of their existence, and the existence of other things in the world. From these stories, young children learn how people came to be; they receive explanations of why things are the way they are and instructions on how to live properly. Teacher Background Information American Indian oral tradition includes stories and teachings, family and tribal history, and some contemporary Indian literature. Oral tradition has been and continues to be a primary means through which American Indian philosophy, values, beliefs and culture are transmitted to future generations. In recent years, some of the stories and teachings have been put in a written form. Many of the stories have been edited and adapted to suit the tastes of an American Indian and a non–Indian audience. Colorful illustrated American Indian stories for children are available at most major bookstores and children´s libraries. Rendered in English, and written down, the stories sometimes lose some of the original humor and meaning. American Indian stories should not be trivialized by referring to them as myths, tall tales or fables. These categories prevent students from fully understanding the vital role played by oral tradition in American Indian cultures. History is not trivialized in this way and American Indian teachings deserve the same respect. American Indian oral tradition expresses the truths, wisdom and humor of human existence. The themes are universal. Oral tradition tells how the Earth was created. It explains that people have a special responsibility to all living things with whom we share the Earth. Many of the stories are about a person with both human and mystical characteristics. The Dakota call the sometimes hero sometimes trickster, Unktomi. To the Anishinabeg he is Waynabozho (Nanabozho, Nanabush, Manabozho). Through his actions American Indian children for generations have learned how to behave and what is expected of them as adults. There is much for all students to learn from the oral tradition of American Indians. Note: Teachers in schools sometimes refer to American Indian stories or teachings as myth and legends. Myth, fable and legend often mean an old story or a story that is not true. To avoid the problems that these words can create and to provide consistency, these lessons use the term story or teaching.

|Home||Admissions 2016-17||Bridal Dresses||Jobs Pakistan||Govt Jobs||Pakistani Clothes||Cars-Bikes Prices||Child Specialist Karachi| |2nd Year Pakistan Studies Notes Pakistan Studies Notes Of CLASS XII HSC-2 2nd Year Notes of Pak study| ||Post New Thread||LinkBack||Share||Thread Tools| |03-18-2010, 08:31 AM||#1 (permalink)| 2nd year Pakistan Study Short Questions and Answers Pakistan Study Short Questions and Answers 1.Who was the first president of Islamic Republic of Pakistan? Ans.The first President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan was Iskandar Mirza. 2.Of which organization is UNICEF the the abbreviated forms? Ans.UNICEF is one of the specialized agencies of united nations and dis the abbreviated form of "United Nations International Children Emergency Fund." 3.Which Institution was inaugurated by Quaid-e-Azam in July 1948? Ans.The State Bank of Pakistan was inaugurated by Quaid-e-Azam in July 1948. 4.Name the rivers on which the Mangla Dam and the Tarbela Dam are built. Ans.Tarbela Dam is built on River Indus and Mangla Dam is built on River Jhelum. 5.Name two famous poets of Pushto language. Ans.The famous and popular poets of Pushto language are: (i) Kazim Khan Shaida (ii) Rehman Baba 6.Who are the famous poets of Sindhi language. Ans.The famous and popular poets of Sindhi language are: (i) Syed Abdul Karim Mohammad Hashim (ii) Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai (iii) Sachal Sarmast (iv) Pir Mohammad (v) Makhdoom Noah (vi) Makhdoom Ahmed Bhitai 7.Who are the famous poets of Punjabi language? Ans.The names of famous poets of punjabi language are given below: (i) Sultan Bahu (ii) Bullah Shah (iii) Shah Hussain (iv) Waris Shah (v) Madho Lal Hussain (vi) Ghulam Farid 8.Was the constitution of 1962 of presidential or parlimentary type? Ans.The constitution of 1962 introduced the presidential form of Government. 9.Name the natural regions of Pakistan. Ans.Pakistan is divided into six natural regions. (i) Northern Mountain Range (ii) Mountains of Western Frontier (iii) Plateau of Potowar and Salt Range (iv) The Plateau of Baluchistan (v) Upper Indus Plain (vi) Lower Indus Plain 10.Write the objectives of U.N.O. Ans. The main aims and objectives of United Nations (UNO) are: (i) The first and foremost aim of U.N.O is to prevent war and mantain peace in the world through collective efforts. (ii) To create good will among the nation of the world through economics,social,political dn humanitarism means. (iii) To eraclicate the evils of caste,colour and creed by means of education. (iv) Cultivation of friendly relations among the people on the basis of equality and the principle of self-determination. (v) Preservation of human rights and fundamental freedom all over the world. 11.Of which organization is R.C.D the abbreviated from?What is it new name? Ans.R.C.D is the abbreviated form of "Regional cooperation Developement".The new name is E.C.O (Economic Cooperation Organization). 12.Describe briefly the causes that led to the creation of All Muslim League? Ans.Following are the causes of the formation of All India Muslim League: (i) Congress-A Hindu Organisation: Hume laid the foundation of Indian National Congress in 1885,But Congress by its policy and propaganda proved itself a Hindu Organisation. (ii) UnHappy Events of partition of Bengal: Hindu's attitude towards Muslim intrest and the partition of bengal had exposed Hindu feelings beyond any doubt. (iii) Safeguard for Urdu: Urdu-Hindi controversy was one of the causes of the creation of Muslim League. (iv) Propaganda against Islam: Some Hindu leaders had raised the slogan "India is for Hindus only".They started propaganda against Islam and Muslims. 13.Whwn,Where and with whom did the members of the Simla Delegation go to meet? Ans.On 1st Oct.1906 ,a Muslim deputation consisting of 35 representative met the Viceroy Lord Minto at simla and presented some demands of Muslims.The viceroy gave a patient hearing to the demands of the Muslims presented by the Simla Delegation and he promised to give athetic consideration to the demands of Muslims and assured them that the intrests of the Muslims would be safeguard. 14.When and why was the Khilafat Movement started?Who were the leaders of the Movement? Ans.After the first world war ,the fate of Ottoman Turkish Empire (Khalifa) was sealed.The Turkish Sultans had claimed to the Caliphs of the Muslim World.The general impression among the Muslims was that the Western Powers were waging a war against Islam to rob it of all its powers.Muslims of South India took up courage and started "Khilafat Movement in 1919,its aim was to: (i) To save Khilafat (ii) To protect Holy Cities from non-Muslim control The leaders of Khilafat Movement were: (i) Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar (ii) Maulana Shaukat Ali (iii) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad 15.What do you know about the regional languages of Pakistan? Ans.The general elections for the central lagisleture Assembly were held in India in December ,1945.The Muslim League won 86.6% of the total Muslim seats.Out of total 102 seats in the central Assaembly ,the Muslim league won 30 seats. 17.Write names of the member countries of the SAARC organization. Ans.The following are the member countries of SAARC: (iv) Sri Lanka 18.When and which treaty was signed between India and Pakistan with respect to canal water dispute? Ans.The water dispute had its origin in the partiton of Punjab.It came to light on April 1,1948,when India cut off the flow of canal water to West Punjab in Pakistan,causing a great threat of famine and loss of corps in West Punjab. With the Intervention of World Bank,On September 19,1960,an agreement was concluded between the countries which is known as "Indus Basin Treaty".The treaty was signed by President Ayub Khan from Pakistan side and by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru from India in 1961.According to this agreement the Chenab,Jhelum and the Indus rivers were allocated to Pakistan and three Eastern rivers Sutluj,Bias and Ravi were given to India. 19.When and where as the first session of the All India Muslim League held? Ans.The first session of the All India Muslim League was held at Karachi on 29th and 30th December,1907. 20.When and Who dissolved the first constituent Assembly of Pakistan? Ans.The first constituent Assembly of Pakistan was dismissed by then the Governor General Ghulam Mohammad on Oct. 24th,1954. 21.When and Where was Allama Iqbal born? Ans.Allam Iqbal was born on 9th November 1877 in Sialkot. 22.Name any two cash crops of Pakistan? Ans.Cash crops supply raw material to industries,Foriegn exchange is also earned through export of these corps.The cash-crops of Pakistan are: 23.How many administrative divisions are there in Sindh? Ans.There are four administrative divisions in Sindh. 24.Name the main Industries of Pakistan? Ans.The main Industries of Pakistan are: (i) Textile Industries (ii) Cement Industries (iii) Paper Industries (iv) Sugar Industries (v) Steel Industries (vi) Fertilizer's Factories 25.On what date was the day of deliverance observed as announced by the Quaid-e-Azam ? Ans.When the Congress ministers,resigned in October,1939,the Quaid-e-Azam appealed to the Muslims of India to observe a "Deliverance Day" On Dec. 22,1939 and expressed their relief at the terminatio of Congress rule which had been too hostile during the last two years.He also appealed that the Day should be observed peacefully.The Deliverance Day was observed peacefully throughout the country. 26.When was the Zakat System introduced in Pakistan? Ans..The Zakat System was introduced in the country through the Zakat and Ushr Ordinance on June 20,1980.According to this ordinance,zakat fund would be established to collect these sorts of gifts and it was compulsory for every sahib-e-nisab Muslim whetehr male or female to pay zakat by deducting it from his or her account in the bank. 27.Name the first casts of Hindu Society? Ans.The Hindu Society was divided into the following four casts: 28.Which caste is respected the most in the Hindu Society? Ans.The Brahman's are considered the most superior in the Hindu society. 29.What are the works given to the Khatris? Ans.The occupation of Khatris was to fight and defend the country. 30.What is the occupation of Vaish? Ans.The people of the Vaish caste are farmerstraders ,industrialist and artisans. 31.What was the occupation of Shooder? Ans.The people of Shooder caste were considered the lowest of other casts.They had to serve the other castes,i.e they were slaved. 32.How did Urdu language came into being? Ans.The Mughal army consisted of people belonging to different communities of India and speaking different languages .By intermingling of these people,a new language by the name of Urdu came into existance. 33.Name the Sufi's who worked for the spread of Islam in South Asia? Ans.The Sufi's and Saints who worked for the spreading of Islam in South Asia are: (i) Hazrat Data Ganj Baksh (ii) Khuwaja Moeenuddin Chishti (iii) Hazrat Mujaddid Alif Sani (iv) Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalander (v) Hazrat BahaUddin Zakaria 34.What do you mean by "Ideology of Pakistan".? Ans.Pakistan came into existence of the basis of one ideology and this ideology refers that Islam is the religion of all the Muslims and this Islamic ideology is the idiology of Pakistan, 35.Which province did not have any constitution during the British rule? Ans.The British had made North West Frontier Province as "Non-Constitutional Land". 36.When did Partition of Bengal take place and benefited from it?When and had did the annulment of partition took place? Ans.The Partition of Bengal took place in 1905 and this was the first right step taken by the British towards the intrests of Muslims,but the narrow-minded Hindus could not bear this and due to thier opposition the annulment of partition took place in 1911. 37.Why did the Muslims not accept the Nehru Report? Ans.In the Nehru Report,the Hindus did no respect the rights and intrests of Muslims and not fulfilled the promises made by them.Therefore,the Muslims did not accept the Nehru Report. 38.Why didQuaid-e-Azam presented his fourteen points? Ans.Quaid-e-Azam presented his fourteen points in reply to the Nehru Report. 39.Why did the round table conference failed? Ans.The Round Table Conference failed due to the narrow-mindedness and negative attitude of the Hindus. 40.Write down the points of the Indian Independence Act of 1947? Ans.The important points of Indian Independence Act are: (i) The legislative supremacy of the two dominions. (ii) The legislatures of the two Dominions were given full powers to make laws having extra-territorial jurisdication. (iii) The British Government was to have no control over the affairs of the Dominions.Provinces or any part of the Dominions after 15th August,1947. 41.What were the important points of third June Plan? Ans.The important points of third June Plan was are as follows: (i) India was to be divided into Hindustan And Pakistan. (ii) Pakistan was to comprise the Muslim majority areas with a right to secede from the rest of India. (iii) The Muslims majority areas would be demarcated by a Joint Boundary Commission. (iv) Bengal would be partitioned into Muslim and Hindu majority areas. 42.Which party formed the Government of Britain when the sub-continent was partitioned? Ans.The Labour Party ruled the Government of Britain when India was partitioned. 43.Write the name of some Muslim Leaders who worked during the Pakistan Movements? Ans.(i) Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (ii) Nawab Salim Ullah (iii) Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk (iv) Nawab Waqar-ul-Mulk (v) Sir Agha Khan (vi) Allama Iqbal 44.During the World War II,what promise did the British Government made towards the people of sub-continent? Ans.The British Government promised the people of sub-continent that India will be partitioned after the end of the Second World War. 45.How many Resolutions did the U.N passed regarding Kashmir problem? Ans.The Security Council of United Nations passed two Resolutins on 17th August,1948 and 5th January,1949. 46.What did Quaid-e-Azam said about Radcliff Commission?' Ans.The Quaid-e-Azam remarked about Radcliff Commission or Radcliff award: "The award was a parting Kick of the British Government." 47.What was the percentage of Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir according to the census of 1941? Ans.According to the census of 1941,the Muslim population in Kashmir was 96% and in Jammu,it was 70%. 48.What do you know about Mohammad Ali Bogra Formula? Ans.In the period of third Prime Minister,Mr.Mohammad Ali Bogra,great efforts were made for the preparation of the constitution in the light of the recommendations of the committee he was able to prepare a draft bill of the constitution which is known as "Mohammad Ali Bogra's Formula".In this formula,it was suggested to give equal representation to East and West Pakistan. 49.When was the objective resolution passed? Ans.The objective resolution was passed on 12th March,1949 in the Constituent Assembly. 50.Which event took place in the history of constitution making of Pakistan 1955? Ans.It was hoped that after Mohammad Ali Bogra Formula,a constitution would be made in the country but in 1954,the Governer General dismissed the Constituent Assembly and in 1955,a new constituent Assembly was elected which started the work of constitution making. 51.How long did the 1956 constitution last? Ans.The constitution of 1956 lasted for only two and a half years.On 7th October,1958,the army took over the Government. 52.According to the constitution of 1962,name the council that was established to point out the non-Islamic things. Ans.The Council which was established to point out the non-Islamic things is known as "Islamic Ideology Council". 53.How long did the constitution of 1962 last? Ans.This constituted lasted for 7 years.On 25th March,1969,Ayub Khan resigned and gave the power to the army.General Yahya Khan dismissed the 1962 constitution and enforceed Martial Law in the country. 54.When was the legal frame work Order issue? Ans.The legal frame work Order was issued on March 30th,1970.The said order contained the fundamental principles of the constitution to be framed by the elected assembly as well as the number of seats in National and Provincial Assembly for the General Elections to be held. 55.When were the Shariat Courts formed and where is its head office? Ans.Shariat Courts were established in 1979 and its head office is at Islamabad. 56.When was the intrest-free banking system introduced in the country? Ans.On 1st January,1981,an intrest-free banking system was introduced in the country.According to this system ,the account holder was made a partner with the bak in its profit or loss by sharing it according to his investments in the bank. 57.Under what circumstances did General Zia-ul-Haq took control of power on 5th July 1977. Ans. The elections held in the country were not fair.The people started the Nizam-e-Mustafa Movement.The Government held discussion but no results were obtained.As a result,the army on 5th July 1977 took control of the power. 58.Give the location of Pakistan. Ans. Pakistan is geographically located between 23.45 to 36.45 North Latitude and about 61 to 75.5 East longitude in South Asia .The country is sorrounded by Bharat in East,Afghanistan in the North West,Iran in the West and the Arabian Sea in the South. 59.How much is the area of Pakistan? Ans. The total area of Pakistan is 796096 square kilometers. 60.What does the word "Doab" mean? Ans.The land or space between two rivers is known as "Doab". 61.Give a brief account of the seasons in Pakistan? Ans.There are four seasons in Pakistan: (i) Summer-From May till September (ii) Winter-From November till February (iii) Spring-The season of March and April (iv) Autumn-September and October 62.Write down the names of some important departments of Government of Pakistan. Ans.The important departments of Government of Pakistan are as follows: (i) Foreign Office (ii) Defence Department (iii) Interior Ministry (iv) Finance Department (v) Education Department (vi) Health Department (vii) Communication Department 63.How does the Government controll the affairs of F.A.T.A (Federally Administered Tribal Areas)? Ans.The Federal Government through its appointed agent keeps in touch with the leaders of Tribal Areas and Controls the system of these areas.The shol are comes under the control of jirgah.This is a council comprising of the religions and experienced people of these tribes. 64.What do you mean by Culture? Ans.Culture is the history of the society and reflects its social past.Culture means behaviour peculiar to its human beings.Culture consists of languages,literature,ideas,beliefs,customs,habits, codes,dress,diet,art,moral,institution,laws,etc. 65.From which areas did civilized life begin? Ans.Human civilization started from those areas where water,air and other geographics conditions were in much condition for life.Therefore,fertile valley of rivers include Dajla Dafrat(iraq) ,valley of Nite (Egypt) and Indus valley (Pakistan).The evolution of population started from these areas and civilised life began. 66.The land of Pakistan is famous of which civilizations? Ans.The lanf of Pakistan is proud to have the birth of the historical civilization of the valley of Indus.This civilization was at its peak about four or five thousand years ago. 67.Which land do you mean by Indus Valley? Ans.Indus Valley means those areas which are situated near the River Indus and its neighbouring Rivers.Its present name is Pakistan. 68.What do you mean by Gandhara Art? Ans.The areas of Punjab and N.W.F.P which at present situated near Rawalpindi and Peshawar were in the old days given the name of Gandhara Civilization.About two and half thousand years ago,this civilization was at its peak whose art and culture especially art of painting and stone carving are famous. 69.Write down the names of certain important buildings of Muslim Era. Ans.(i) The fort of Agra (ii) Taj Mahal,Agra (iii) Shahi Qila,Delhi (iv) The tomb of Jehangir,Lahore (v) Badshahi Masjid ,Lahore (vi) Masjid Wazir Khan ,Lahore (vii) Jamia Masjid,Thatta 70.What do you mean by imperialist system? Ans.The Britishers brought an imperialist system.The Imperialist system means that local cultural and social agencies should be so bound by a political structure that they loose their identification. 71.When did the Muslims invade South Asia? Ans.Muslims invaded South Asia in 712 A.D.When Mohammad bin Qasim defeated the army of Raja Dahir and established an Islamic Welfare State. 72.Which artist did Humayun brought back from Iran? Ans.Humayun brought back to artist Mir Syed Ali Tabrezi and Khawaja Abdul Samad from Iran. 73.Which type of painting flourished during the era of Jehangir? Ans.Jehangir had great intrest in the art of painting.He claimed that he can identify a painter by seeing his paintings in this era,this art was at its peak beautiful pictures of flowers ,paints,animals,birds and natural scenes were made.The pictures of war fighting are magnifitient examples of realistic art. 74.Who was the first musician of the Muslim era? Ans. Amir Khusro was the first musician of the Muslim era.He invented many rags in music. 75.What did the extremist Hundu Movements wanted to do against the Muslims? Ans.Hindu extremist Movement such as Shoodhi,Shungthan and Arya Samaj wanted to convert Muslims to Hindus and wanted diminish the separate identity and culture of the Muslims so that the Muslims could leave India. 76.What message did the Allama Iqbal gave to the Muslims of the sub-continent? Ans.Allama Iqbal gave the message to the Muslims of India that they should develop the feeling of Islamic brotherhood and Jihad so that they could become independent. 77.What did Quiad-e-Azam said about the objective for the creation for Pakistan? Ans.Quaid-e-Azam described the main objective of the creation of Pakistan in the following words: "We have not demanded Pakistan only to get a piece of land,but our aim was to get a laboratory where we could practise the principles of Islam." 78.Pakistani culture is a mixed culture.Comment. Ans.Pakistani culture is a mixed culture .There is still some impact of foreign traditions in our society.We have adopted Western music and their style of living.Although majority of the people are Muslims ther is a mixed culture of Hindus,Britishers and Muslims. 79.The basis of Pakistani culture is on Islam.Comment. Ans.Pakistan was established so that the Muslims could lead their lives according to the teachings and principles of Islam.Pakistani culture is predominantly an Islamic culture.Pakistan inspite of the differences of religion,language and customs commonly follow the religion of Islam. 80.What are the Pakistani arts? Ans.Pakistani arts include the following: (i) Stone Carving (ii) Carpet Making 81.How many languages are spoken in Pakistan? Ans.In Pakistan,about 30 small and big languages are spoken.These include Urdu,Sindhi,Pushto,Punjabi,Baluchi,Kashmiri and Brahvi. 82.What were the different names of Urdu in its different periods? Ans.In the beginning Urdu was given the name Hindavi,Hindi and Hindustani.Later on,it was given the name Urdu-e-Moalla and Rekhta.And now it is given the name Urdu. 83.When did Pushto language begin? Ans.Pushto is a language of N.W.F.P .The people speaking these languages are called Pukhtoon or pushtoon.This language started about 5000 years in Afghanistan.Bakhtar or Bakht.Due to this it was given the name Bakhto which later became Pukhto or Pushto. 84.Whom began Sindhi language in Arabic script? Ans.Abul-Hasan Sindhi began Sindhi language in Arabic script. 85.Which things are distinct in Punjabi literature? Ans.Folk tales are very popular in Punjabi literature.The poets gave these tales into poetic forms.These tales incude romances like Hir Raanjha,Sassi Panhu and Sohni Mahiwal. 86.Write down the names of famous Baluchi tales? Ans.The famous tales of Baluchi language are: (i) Chakar Khan (ii) Hamal Rando -Hanaz (iv) Nazshah Hured Dahanni 87.Name three classical poets of Urdu. Ans.The three classical poets of Urdu are: (i) Mir Taqi Mir (ii) Mirza Ghalib (iii) Mir Dard 88.Who is considered as the first poet of Pushto? Ans.Amir Karore is considered the first poet of Pushto. 89.Which languages influence Sindhi language? Ans.Sindhi language is influenced by Darawdi,Sanskrit,Greek,Turkish,Pushto and other languages. 90.'Shah -jo-Risalo' is the poetic collection of which poet? Ans.Shah -jo-Risalo is poetic collection of famous Sindhi poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. 91.Which Civilization does Punjabi language has a link? Ans.Punjabi has its links with Hadmai or Draudi civilization. 92.Name the different styles of of speech of Punjabi? Ans.The different style of speech of Punjabi language are Mulsani,Saraiki,Shahpure,Potohari etc. 93.Name three classical poets of Punjabi. Ans.Three classical poets of Punjabi are: (i) Shah Hussain (ii) Bulleh Shah (iii) Sultan Bahu 94.Who wrote Heer Ranjha? Ans.Hir Ranjha was written by Waris Shah. 95.Which is the famous book of Hashim Shah? Ans.The famous tale of Hashim Shah is Sassi Panhu. 96.Which language does Baluchi link to? Ans.Baluchi languages has its link with Aryan Languages. 97.Write down the different style of speeches of Baluchi? Ans.The two styles of speeches of Baluchi are: 98.Name the ascents of Kashmiri? Ans.Kashmiri has many ascents.These are Sulemani,Hindki,Gandro and Gami but Gandro leads all the ascents. 99.Write down the salient features of the foreign policy of Pakistan. Ans.The following are the fundamental principles of Pakistan's foreign policy. (i) Protection of freedom and sovereignity. (ii) Close relations with Muslim countries. (iii) Keeping away from big power politics. (iv) Support for self-determination. (v) Implementation of United Nations Charter. (vi) Promotion of Peace and Friendship. 100.Pakistan is the member of how many international organizations? Ans.Pakistan is the active member of the following international organizations: (i) United Nations Organisations. (ii) Non-Aligned Movement(N.A.M) (iii) Organization of Islamic Conference (O.I.C) (iv) Economic Cooperation Organizatio(E.C.O) 101. When was the foundation of United Nations Laid? Ans.The foundation of United Nations(U.N.O) was laid on 24th Oct.1945. 102.Name the organs of U.N.O? Ans.The organs of U.N.O are: (i) General Assembly (ii) Security Council (iii) Economic and Social Council (iv) Trustee-Ship Council (vi) International Court of Justice 103.Name the agencies of U.N. Ans.Ther are several specialized bodies are: (i) UNICEF-United Nations Internation Children Emergency Fund. (ii) UNESCO-United Nations Educational,Scientific and Cultural Organisations (iii) FAO-Food and Agricultural Organisation (iv) WHO-World Health Organisation (v) ILO-International Labour Organisation. (vi) WB-World Bank. 104.What is the objective of Non-Aligned Movement? Ans.The main objective of Non-Aligned Movement was not to join any of the big powers and to keep away from big power politics. 105.When was the foundation of R.C.D laid? Ans.In July 1964,Iran,Pakistan and Turky with mutual understanding laid the foundation of R.C.D (Regional Cooperation of Development).Now,Its new name is Economic Cooperation Organization(E.C.O).

E. Cobham Brewer 18101897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. indicate that the person so represented died in the Christian faith. As crusaders were supposed so to do, they were generally represented on their tombs with crossed legs. Sometimes the figure on the tomb of a knight has his legs crossed at the ankles, this meant that the knight went one crusade. If the legs are crossed at the knees, he went twice; if at the thighs he went three times.Ditchfield: Our Villeges, 1889.

Human Rights Investigations has been following the situation of the Tawergha closely and here we draw the information together and find, based on the reports of witnesses, journalists and human rights workers, the situation of the Tawergha is not just one of ethnic cleansing but, according to the legal definition, genocide. HRI has grave concerns, not only for dark-skinned people in Libya generally, but also for pro-Gaddafi tribes including the Gaddafa and al-Meshashyas. We also have particular concern for the Tuareg of southern Libya who are being accused of being ‘mercenaries’ and under attack from NATO and rebel forces. But the greatest concern is perhaps for the Tawergha. The Genocide Convention Article 2 of the United Nations issued Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide states: “any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group as such: 1. Killing members of the group; 2. Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; 3. Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; 4. Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; 5. Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.” Article 4 states: Persons committing genocide or any of the other acts enumerated in Article 3 shall be punished, whether they are constitutionally responsible rulers, public officials or private individuals. The Tawargha have been ethnically cleansed The main town of the Tawergha region, Tawergha itself (aka Tawargha, Tawurgha. Arabic: تاورغاء), was a town of an estimated 31,250 people (United Nations Environment Program, 2005). It has been emptied of its entire population: its people having either been killed or fled, amidst reports the remaining population in the area are being picked off as they try to find water and food. The town of Tawergha lies about 30-40 miles south of Misrata/Misurata, along the western coast of the Gulf of Sirte. Areas of Misrata occupied by the Tawargha have also been ethnically cleansed, according to the Wall Street Journal. Amnesty has reported on the allegations ‘that members of the Tawargha tribe’ have fled their homes and: Tens of thousands are now living in different parts of Libya – unable to return home as relations between the people of Misratah and Tawargha remain particularly tense. Residents of makeshift camps near Tripoli, where displaced people from Tawargha are sheltering, told Amnesty they would not go outside for fear of arrest. They told how relatives and others from the Tawargha tribe had been arrested from checkpoints and even hospitals in Tripoli. On 29 August, Amnesty delegates saw a Tawargha patient at the Tripoli Central Hospital being taken by three men, one of them armed, for “questioning in Misratah”. The men had no arrest warrant. Amnesty was also told that at least two other Tawargha men had vanished after being taken for questioning from Tripoli hospitals… Even in the camps, the Tawarghas are not safe. Towards the end of last month, a group of armed men drove into the camp and arrested about 14 men. Amnesty spoke to some of their relatives; none knew of their fate or whereabouts. Another woman at the camp said her husband has been missing since he left the camp to run an errand in central Tripoli, about a week ago. She fears he might be have been detained. Tawergha who fled to refugee camps have been chased down by rebel groups, taken away and disappeared. There are credible reports of Tawerghans being raped, disappearing and being killed. Tawerghans have even been witnessed being dragged out of hospitals in Tripoli to unknown fates. The early genocidal threats to Tawergha In a June 21 article in the Wall Street Journal, Sam Dagher described Tawergha as a town inhabited mostly by black Libyans, a legacy of its 19th-century origins as a transit town in the slave trade. He quoted one of the rebel commanders from the rebel Misrata brigade: Ibrahim al-Halbous, a rebel commander leading the fight near Tawergha, says all remaining residents should leave once if his fighters capture the town. “They should pack up,” Mr. Halbous said. “Tawergha no longer exists, only Misrata.” Other rebel leaders are reported as: “calling for drastic measures like banning Tawergha natives from ever working, living or sending their children to schools in Misrata.” In addition, according to the article, as a result of the battle for Misrata: nearly four-fifths of residents of Misrata’s Ghoushi neighborhood were Tawergha natives. Now they are gone or in hiding, fearing revenge attacks by Misratans, amid reports of bounties for their capture. The demonization of the Tawergha An important part of any genocide is the demonisation and dehumanisation of the victims and this continues to be the case for the Tawergha. As part of the information war NATO and the rebels have described all loyalist black fighters, guest workers from sub-Saharan Africa and even black skinned inhabitants of Libya as ‘mercenaries’ [Arabic: مرتزقة Romanisation:mertezqh or ‘murtazaka‘]. The Tawerghans have been accused of mass rape, of being collectively responsible for the battle of Misrata and are invariably described in racist terms. As Sam Dagher reported: Some of the hatred of Tawergha has racist overtones that were mostly latent before the current conflict. On the road between Misrata and Tawergha, rebel slogans like “the brigade for purging slaves, black skin” have supplanted pro-Gadhafi scrawl. It is worth noting that this demonisation of black people has led to widespread atrocities including lynchings and beheadings in which the highest echelons of the National Transitional Council have been complicit. Tawergha is captured by the rebels As we reported at the time, the town of Tawergha was taken by the rebels on 13 August in an assault which was closely coordinated with NATO and featured the use of aerial bombing and of heavy weaponry against the town. Here is video of the battle from the rebel side: A report of the fall by Andrew Simmons for Al Jazeera, unfortunately lacking context, shows at least one of the large residential blocks in Tawergha alight, prisoners packed inside a freight container (who the rebels didn’t want filmed), an injured man in civilian clothes and the rebel fighters evicting an Egyptian woman who has lost her 9 children under 12 who ran away during the attack from her home. At this stage the last remaining civilians and defenders of the town were reportedly surrounded. The attack on Tawergha was also reported by Orla Guerin of the BBC who also, disgracefully, failed to give the ethnic cleansing context despite actually interviewing Ibrahim al-Halbous, the very commander who had earlier threatened to wipe the town off the map. NATO air support for the assault on Tawergha The NATO bombing in support of the attack is recorded in the NATO press releases from the time: 10 August: In the vicinity of Tawurgha: 3 Command and Control Nodes, 2 Military Storage Facilities. 12 August: In the vicinity of Misratha: 1 Military Facility, 1 Ammo Storage Facility. 13 August: In the vicinity of Misratah: 4 Anti-Aircraft Guns. 13 August: In the vicinity of Tawurgah: 2 Military Vehicles, 1 Anti-Aircraft Guns. The actual assault was from 10-13 August so we can see NATO played an important role in the ethnic cleansing of this town, an ethnic cleansing of which they had been forewarned and in which they decided, nonetheless, to participate. Reports indicate the rebels were ordered by NATO to paint their vehicles red and yellow just prior to the assault. The ethnic cleansing of Tawargha It is highly likely many black refugees from Misrata fled to the town of Tawergha. Many of them and the original residents may have moved on prior to the actual assault, especially as the Misrata brigades were firing Grad rockets at the town. It also seems likely some of the fighters may have escaped to Sabha, Sirte or Bani Walid, where they are currently making a last stand, sure in the knowledge that they are unlikely to survive capture. However, a report by David Enders, reporting from an empty Tawergha, indicates ethnic cleansing occurred after the rebels took full control: According to Tawergha residents, rebel soldiers from Misrata forced them from their homes on Aug. 15 when they took control of the town. (Our emphasis) This would have been 2 days after the fall of the town and after Orla Guerin and Andrew Simmons had left. The fate of the prisoners loaded into the shipping containers, as well as the population as a whole remains unknown. Following the trail of the last of the Tawerghans To his great credit David Enders follows up on the story of the Tawerghans, (17th September) trying to trace their current location: The residents were then apparently driven out of a pair of refugee camps in Tripoli over this past weekend. “The Misrata people are still looking for black people,” said Hassan, a Tawergha resident who’s now sheltering in a third camp in Janzour, six miles east of Tripoli. “One of the men who came to this camp told me my brother was killed yesterday by the revolutionaries.” The evidence that the rebels’ pursuit of the Tawerghis did not end with the collapse of the Gadhafi regime is visible, both in the emptiness of this village and that of the camps to which the residents fled. At one, in a Turkish-owned industrial complex in the Salah al Deen neighborhood of southern Tripoli, a man looting metal from the complex simply said that the Tawerghis had “gone to Niger,” the country that borders Libya on the south where some Gadhafi supporters, including the deposed dictator’s son Saadi, have fled. It is worth noting that to get to Niger, any refugees would hav ehad to make an extremely hazardous journey to Sabha first. From there it would have been a further weeks journey by bus into Niger, across the Sahara: another very dangerous journey which it is highly unlikely any of the refugees would have even attempted let alone survived. David Enders report continues: Lafy Mohammed, whose house is across the road from the complex, said that on Saturday a group of revolutionary militiamen from Misrata, 120 miles east of Tripoli, had come to the camp and evicted its tenants. “They arrested about 25 of the men,” Mohammed said. “They were shooting in the air and hitting them with their rifle butts.” “They took the women, old men and children out in trucks,” he said. Mohammed said that it was not the first time the revolutionaries from Misrata had come after the people in the camp. “A week ago they were here, but (the people in the neighborhood) begged them to leave them alone,” Mohammed said. Mohammed said some of the Tawerghis may have been taken to another nearby camp, in a Brazilian-owned industrial complex. On Tuesday, that camp was empty as well, with the gate locked. Reached by phone at the camp in Janzour, Hassan, who did not want his last name used, said he had escaped from the Brazilian company camp on Saturday, when it, too, was raided. He said about 1,000 Tawerghis were now at the Janzour camp. “They arrested 35 men, but they let me go because I was with my family,” Hassan said. He blamed a brigade of fighters from Misrata. In Tawergha, the rebel commander said his men had orders not to allow any of the residents back in. He also said that unexploded ordnance remained in the area, though none was readily apparent. Most homes and buildings in the area appeared to have been damaged in the fighting, and a half-dozen appeared to have been ransacked. The main road into the village was blocked with earthen berms. Signs marking the way to the village appeared to have been destroyed. On the only sign remaining “Tawergha” had been painted over with the words “New Misrata.” On one wall in Tawergha, graffiti referred to the town’s residents as “abeed,” a slur for blacks. Mass graves abound Since the collapse of the Gaddafi government in western Libya in late August 2011, mass graves containing the bodies of people killed during the conflict have been reported on a weekly basis in Tripoli and other areas, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). A communications interceptbetween a rebel commander from Misrata and Colonel Ahmed Bani suggests the mass graves of “pro-Gaddafi soldiers” which ”are not to be talked about.” Relatives have testified to the murder and dissappearances of their menfolk and in one instance the suicide of a young woman who wished to avoid being raped. Human Rights Watch have expressed their concern about the rebels interfering with mass graves which will make forensic work to discover the perpetrators of massacres difficult. According to Amnesty International the Libyan soldiers “executed for refusing to kill protesters” in Al-Baida were in fact murdered and filmed for the world’s media by the rebels, which only came to light because amateur video of the victims whilst in rebel custody surfaced. So we can have no faith in the rebel authorities investigating their own crimes. Mahmoud Jibril’s complicity in the crime of genocide Sam Dagher of the Wall Street Journal reported September 18th that Mahmoud Jibril, the National Transtional Council Prime Minister, rubber-stamped the wiping of the town off the map in a public meeting at the Misrata town hall: “Regarding Tawergha, my own viewpoint is that nobody has the right to interfere in this matter except the people of Misrata.” “This matter can’t be tackled through theories and textbook examples of national reconciliation like those in South Africa, Ireland and Eastern Europe,” he added as the crowd cheered with chants of “Allahu Akbar,” or “God is greatest.” The WSJ goes on to report: Now, rebels have been torching homes in the abandoned city 25 miles to the south. Since Thursday, The Wall Street Journal has witnessed the burning of more than a dozen homes in the city Col. Gadhafi once lavished with money and investment. On the gates of many vandalized homes in the country’s only coastal city dominated by dark-skinned people, light-skinned rebels scrawled the words “slaves” and “negroes.” “We are setting it on fire to prevent anyone from living here again,” said one rebel fighter as flames engulfed several loyalist homes. People to contact This is of course a highly politically inconvenient genocide, and it is therefore of great importance that our readers attempt to bring the attention of the world to this issue. Here are some suggestions and we welcome others: Tweet this article using the button below! UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide The International Criminal Court International Criminal Court Office of the Prosecutor Post Office Box 19519 2500 CM The Hague Email to: email@example.com, Facsimile to: +31 70 515 8555 Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Palais des Nations CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland Telephone: +41 22 917 9220 The US Department of State Other organisations: The ICRC, Amnesty International, members of the UN (see the stop bombing email campaign for emails) We would also ask our readers to keep us informed 1) Of responses to the genocide as we are tracking those who are attempting to deny, justify and minimise these crimes and those in positions of authority who remain silent or give moral and political support to the guilty parties. 2) Further developments in the position of the Tawerghans. 3) The movements of; a) Mahmoud Jibril, b) rebel commanders Ali Ahmed al Sheh, Ibrahim al-Halbous, Abdul Hassan of the Al Horia Brigade and c) NATO commander Lieutenant-General Charles Bouchard. 4) the stipulations of the relevant national laws implementing the Genocide Convention. There should be no impunity for war criminals. (PS – It is worth noting that Ibrahim al-Halbous, one of the rebel commanders involved, was paralyzed after being injured during fighting on Sunday 18 September according to a spokesman for the Misurata media committee.)

Adolescents and college students today are 40% less empathetic than 10 years ago. Why is this a matter for concern? Consider this: When the Boomers retire, there will not be enough workers from Generation X (born 1965-1983) to fill all of the leadership positions. As a result, the Generation Y employees will be pushed into management positions, ready or not. And leadership requires soft skills, like empathy. |Vanderbilt University undergraduate graduation| I recently attended a Growing Leaders conference for Super Intendants across the state of Georgia to learn the ins and ons of this generation of students. Tim Elmore, president of Growing Leaders, calls this generation the iY generation. These students were born after 1990, in the second half of the Y generation. They grew up with iTunes, iPads, iPhones and learned along that way that everything is about “I.” As a result of access to endless information on the web and a growing emphasis on the self, these iY students are becoming less and less compassionate for those in need. This lack of empathy will become a huge problem when these adolescents become leaders of organizations in the future. The best leaders recognize that they are only leaders if they are followed. And so they desire to connect with their followers, understand what drives them and what their passions are, and ultimately to empathize with and meet them where they are. A perfect example of an empathetic leader is Coach John Wooden, who twice refused a post-season invitation to the National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball (NAIB) national play-offs. Why? Because Clarence Walker, an African-American guard on his team, would not be allowed to attend. (It was 1947.) Wooden viewed all of his players as family (even those who sat the bench). In his blog post, Michael Lee Stallard concludes the story beautifully:

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday said that the Holocaust was not caused by anti-Semitism, but by the “social behavior” of the Jews, including money-lending. In a long and rambling at speech in Ramallah at a rare session of the Palestinian National Council, Abbas touched on a number of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories during what he called a “history lesson,” as he sought to prove the 3,000 year-old Jewish connection to the Land of Israel is false. Abbas said his narrative was backed by three points made by Jewish writers and historians, the first being the theory oft-criticized as anti-Semitic that Ashkenazi Jews are not the descendants of the ancient Israelites. Pointing to Arthur Kessler’s book “The Thirteenth Tribe,” which asserts Ashkenazi Jews are descended from Khazars, Abbas said European Jews therefore had “no historical ties” to the Land of Israel. He went on to claim that the Holocaust was not the result of anti-Semitism but rather of the Jews “social behavior, [charging] interest, and financial matters.” Abbas also claimed Israel was a European project from the start, saying that European leaders such as the United Kingdom’s Lord Arthur Balfour restricted the immigration of Jews to their countries while simultaneously promoting the immigration of Jews to the Land of Israel. The 1917 Balfour Declaration endorsed the idea of a Jewish state in the Land of Israel. “Those who sought a Jewish state weren’t Jews,” he said, repeating a claim he made in January when he said that the State of Israel was formed as “a colonial project that has nothing to do with Judaism” to safeguard European interests. In that January speech, he said that European Jews during the Holocaust chose to undergo “murder and slaughter” over emigration to British-held Palestine. However, on Monday, Abbas claimed that Adolf Hitler, whose Nazi regime was response for the murder of 6,000,000 Jews in the Holocaust, facilitated the immigration of Jews to Israel by reaching a deal with the Anglo-Palestine Bank (today Bank Leumi) under which Jews who moved to the British Mandate of Palestine could transfer all their assets there through the bank. The Palestinian leader has a long history of Holocaust denial. His 1982 doctoral dissertation was titled “The Other Side: the Secret Relationship Between Nazism and Zionism,” and he has in the past been accused of denying the scope of the Holocaust. The dissertation reportedly claimed that the six million figure of Holocaust victims was hugely exaggerated and that Zionist leaders cooperated with the Nazis. Abbas, in his Monday address, made no mention of the Jews’ historic presence and periods of sovereignty in the holy land. Israel is the only place where the Jews have ever been sovereign or sought sovereignty. We will not accept the US Abbas also spoke at length about the failed peace process, saying that the corruption investigation that felled former prime minister Ehud Olmert was meant to prevent him from reaching a peace deal. Olmert has made similar accusations. Abbas previously said he rejected Olmert’s peace offer a decade ago. The Olmert proposal provided for a near-total Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and the Arab neighborhoods of East Jerusalem, and would have placed the Old City — home to Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy sites — under international control. Abbas also again preemptively rejected the peace plan that the Trump administration is working on, amid an ongoing and deep rift with the US. Abbas told the PNC that he plans to take unspecified “tough steps” soon against Israel and the United States. Abbas told the hundreds of delegates that he was sticking to his rejection of any US proposals for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal following the Trump administration’s recognition in December of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and a decision to move the US Embassy there in mid-May. “This is completely unacceptable,” he said, during the opening of a four-day meeting in the West Bank. “We will not accept this deal, and we will not accept the US as the sole broker.” Abbas appeared to dismiss media reports quoting Saudi Arabia’s powerful crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, as saying the Palestinians should stop complaining and accept what they are being offered by the Trump administration. Abbas did not refer to those reports specifically, but said he has been assured that Saudi Arabia remains supportive of the Palestinian positions. “We hear lots of rumors,” he told the delegates. “Don’t believe them.” The 82-year-old Abbas warned that he might “take tough steps in the near future in our relationship with our neighbors (Israel) and the Americans.” He did not elaborate, but said they would be important and far-reaching. Hamas and Gaza The meeting of the Palestinian National Council comes at a time of deep divisions between Abbas and his domestic rival, the Hamas terror group that controls the Gaza Strip. Hamas has raised its profile in recent weeks by organizing mass protests on the Gaza border with Israel. In the weekly marches, thousands of Palestinians gather near the border fence, with smaller groups approaching the barrier, throwing stones or firebombs and burning tires. More than 40 protesters have been killed and more than 1,700 wounded by Israeli army fire over the past month, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. Israel, which has come under mounting international criticism for the use of lethal force against the protesters, says it has the right to defend its border. It accuses Hamas of using the protests as cover for attacks and has shown groups trying to breach the fence. Hamas has acknowledged that five of those killed on the first Friday of the riots were its members, and has since been silent on whether fatalities were its members. Israel says the 6,000 residents of nearby Israeli communities would be in mortal peril if the Hamas-led Palestinians breached the fence. Abbas praised the “brothers in Hamas” for belatedly adopting what he called peaceful resistance. “Thank God, they (Hamas) finally agreed and this is effective,” he said, while urging organizers to keep their children from protests along the border between Israel and Gaza, warning of a “handicapped” generation. “Keep the young men from the border, move the children away, we do not want to become handicapped people,” he said. Hamas leaders have declared that the protests aim to erase the border and liberate Palestine, and some have suggested there would be an eventual mass breach of the border. Despite the rare praise for his rivals, Abbas posed tough conditions for ending the internal rift that broke open in 2007, when Hamas drove Abbas-loyal forces from Gaza a year after winning Palestinian parliament elections. Since the Hamas takeover, Israel and Egypt have enforced a border blockade on Gaza, aimed at stopping the inflow of rockets and weapons. Egyptian mediators have proposed that Abbas assume government responsibilities in Gaza as a way of ending the blockade. Abbas said Monday that he will do so only if Hamas hands over all authority — an unlikely prospect since the terror group refuses to give up control over its weapons. “Either they give us everything or they take everything,” Abbas said of Hamas. A new leadership Later this week, the Palestinian National Council is to elect a new PLO Executive Committee, an 18-member leadership group that has served in recent years to rubberstamp any decisions by Abbas. The elections, tightly controlled by Abbas, are expected to install a new group of loyalists in the committee.

Health Basics - Energy Sources - Protein Protein is a critical part of any healthy diet. Your body does not store protein, so it is important that you eat ample protein each and every day. Adult Daily Protein Needs Every human being needs protein every day in order to live. Protein is a basic component of life. Just how much protein do you need? Deli Meats, Nitrites and Low Carb In general, meat is full of protein and has zero carbs. However, deli meats can pose other health problems. It's important to choose wisely when you select your deli meats. Extreme Stomach Bloating - Kwashiorkor When understanding about weight loss, it's good to understand what causes extreme stomach bloating, or Kwashiorkor. Not that it should happen to you, but because others around you might use it as a way to incorrectly explain a weight loss issue. Healthy Egg Sales Soar In the old days, an egg was an egg. With the popularity of low carb and Atkins diets, egg manufacturers are coming out with a wide variety of options. High Tryptophan Foods Serotonin is an incredibly powerful mood booster. It helps fight depression. Your body naturally makes serotonin when you eat foods that are high in tryptophan. What are those foods? Protein Overconsumption and Ammonia Some opponents to meat eating diets say that eating too much protein creates an ammonia overload. You would have to eat over 20 quarter pounders a day to hit this level! Washington Mad Cow Linked to Canada Low Carb Homepage | Editor's Picks Articles | Top Ten Articles | Low Carb Site Map The sole cow infected with mad cow disease in Washington caused Canada to ban all beef from the entire US. However it appears now that the cow in question originated in Canada. Think your link belongs here? Use the contact page to let this editor know.

Cefalexin, also spelled cephalexin, is an antibiotic that can treat a number of bacterial infections. It kills gram-positive and some gram-negative bacteria by disrupting the growth of the bacterial cell wall. The reference site for Cefalexin WHAT IS Cephalexin? Cephalexin (cefalexin) is used to treat infections caused by bacteria that are susceptible to the effects of cephalexin. Common infections that are treated with cephalexin include infections of the middle ear, tonsils, throat, larynx (laryngitis), bronchi (bronchitis) and pneumonia. It also is used for treating urinary tract, skin and bone infections. This medication belongs to a class of antibiotics called cephalosporins. They are similar to penicillin in action and side effects. They work by stoping or slowing the growth of bacterial cells by preventing bacteria from forming in the cell wall that surrounds each cell. The cell wall protects bacteria from the external environment and keeps the contents of the cell together. Without a cell wall bacteria are not able to survive. Bacteria that are susceptible to cephalexin include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, E. coli and several others. It is marketed by generic pharmaceutical manufacturers under a wide range of brand names including Apo-Cephalex®, Biocef®, Cefanox®, Ceporex®, Cilex®, Keflet®, Keflex®, Keforal®, Keftab®, Keftal®, Lopilexin®, and Panixine Disperdose®. Brand Name(s): Biocef; Keflex; Keftab CAS nº: 15686-71-2 (sef a lex’ in) The sections below will provide you with more specific information and guidelines related to cephalexin (cefalexin) and its correct use. Please read them carefully. Cephalexin (or cefalexin) has received approval from the U.S. FDA. Why is this medication prescribed? Cephalexin (cefalexin) is used to treat urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections (including sinusitis, otitis media, pharyngitis, tonsillitis and pneumonia), skin and soft tissue infections. Cephalexin belongs to a class of antibiotics called cephalosporins. They are similar to penicillin in action and side effects. They stop or slow the growth of bacterial cells by preventing bacteria from forming in the cell wall that surrounds each cell. The cell wall protects bacteria from the external environment and keeps the contents of the cell together. Without a cell wall bacteria are not able to survive. Bacteria that are susceptible to cephalexin include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, E. coli and several others Although it is not generally considered first-line therapy for any indication, it is a useful alternative to penicillins in patients with penicillin hypersensitivity. There is, however, cross-reactivity in 10% of patients with hypersensitivity to penicillins and carbapenems. Other uses for this medicine This drug may also be used before dental procedures in patients with artificial heart valves to prevent serious infection of the heart lining. Additionally, this medication is also for veterinary use for the treatment of bacterial infections of the skin, urinary tract, respiratory tract, bones and joints. Cefadroxil® is the most commonly prescribed, FDA approved medication used to treat dogs and cats. (However, it is a commonly accepted practice by veterinarians to use other forms of cephalosporin, such as cephalexin, which is not FDA approved for use in dogs and cats). Despite the above, it is important that you talk to your doctor first about the possible risks of using this drug for your particular condition. Dosage and using this medicine Cefalexin is commonly marketed as capsules (250 mg and 500 mg), tablets, and powder for oral suspension (125 mg/5 ml and 250 mg/5 ml). It is usually taken every 6 hours (four times a day) or every 12 hours (twice a day) for 7-10 days. It is important to take cephalexin at evenly spaced intervals to keep a constant level of drug in the body. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Cephalexin can be taken on an empty stomach or with food or milk if it causes stomach upset. To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid form of cephalexin with a dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one. Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the medication evenly and before measuring a dose. The capsules and tablets should be swallowed whole and taken with a full glass of water. Continue to take cephalexin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking cephalexin without talking to your doctor. What special precautions should I follow? Before taking cephalexin: Do not take cephalexin if you have ever had an allergic reaction to another cephalosporin or to a penicillin unless your doctor is aware of the allergy and monitors your therapy. Inform your doctor if you have kidney disease or a gastrointestinal (digestive) disease such as colitis. You may not be able to take cephalexin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment, if you have either of the conditions listed above. The cephalexin suspensions contain sucrose. Individuals with diabetes may need to be aware of the sucrose contained in these suspensions. Cephalexin is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not, however, take cephalexin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Additionally, cephalexin passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. What should I do if I forget a dose? Please take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. It is strongly advised that you do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. What side effects can this medication cause? Possible side effects from cephalexin use may include: abnormal liver tests and vaginitis Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: mild skin rash a yeast infection of the mouth or vagina If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: allergic reaction(such as difficulty breathing, closing of the throat, swelling of the lips, face, or tongue, hives) rash, redness, or itching severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea mucous or blood in the stool unusual bleeding or bruising Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. What storage conditions are needed for this medicine? Always try to keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store the capsules and tablets at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Keep liquid medicine in the refrigerator, tightly closed, and throw away any unused medication after 14 days. Do not freeze. If you have any further queries, please talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication. In case of an emergency/overdose In the case of an overdose, call your local poison control center on 1-800-222-1222. However, if the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, please call the local emergency services on 911. Symptoms of overdose may include: numbness and tingling in the arms or legs PICTURES OF CEPHALEXIN PILLS

Making Maasai Men: Growing Courage Toward Circumcision One aspect of traditional Maasai culture that remains central to the passage from boyhood to manhood is circumcision. It is a physical and psychological ordeal that Maasai boys look forward to and also dread. This remarkable ethnographic documentary explores the complex meanings of masculinity and Maasai ethnicity, and the place of circumcision and its attendant rituals in their cultural construction. For the Maasai, circumcision is a key public celebration of manhood. The principal events that surround and take place in a Maasai circumcision are shown in detail, including an actual surgery. The surgery itself is remarkably different from that familiar to Western peoples; the cutting is as intricate as the Maasai notion of masculinity. Important commentary is provided by David Kampatae ole Oinyeyie, an unmarried junior elder, who discusses the experiences of Maasai boys that grow their courage until they are ready for the ultimate test of the knife. A Maasai man, he says, must be fearless and always ready to confront danger in whatever form it may present itself. Whether it be the teeth of a leopard or the knife of the circumciser, a Maasai man is ever-ready to face danger without complaint. Proud of his culture and its traditions, David also acknowledges that Maasai life is changing as Western life influences tastes, desires, and practices. The Maasai way of dress, although less desirable in some contexts than Western clothes, is more suited to the environment of the pastoralist way of life, but young Maasai in particular prefer shirts and slacks to shukas. This is the second in a developing series of films (see also Womanhood and Circumcision: Three Maasai Women Have Their Say) on culture change among the Maasai of Kenya at the end of the 20th century. The two films together illustrate the important differences between the contexts of male and female genital-cutting among the Maasai. Boys are altered outside in public, surrounded by dozens of their age mates who taunt and goad them to avoid the disgrace of expressing hesitation or pain. Girls are cut inside their mother's house, in privacy, surrounded by only four women who whisper encouragement. Women initiates stand and walk to the bed where they will rest and heal; men are carried. These differences are iconic of the distinctions that will differentiate Maasai women and men from this point forward in their lives. The films clearly demonstrate how the Maasai divide life into stages that mark the progression from child to elder. While females pass directly from initiate to woman, males must be tested again and again: attaining adult manhood is a complex process that challenges and changes both body and mind. This outstanding documentary will engage students and generate analysis and discussion in a variety of courses in cultural anthropology, African studies, and gender studies. It was produced by Barbara G. Hoffman, Associate Prof. of Anthropology and Director, Visual Anthropology Center, Cleveland State University. The DVD version of the film is fully authored by Prof. Hoffman, and includes menus, chapters, and scene previews. "Where others have focused on the middle stages of the journey from boy to man, this film offers insight into the beginnings of manhood among the Maasai people. It speaks to the cultural expectations of bravery in the face of physical and psychological challenge, and the testing of morality among teenagers which brings about a sense of pride in good morals for both the family and the community at large. This film illustrates accurately and with sensitivity the ordeal of genital cutting that each Maasai boy must undergo. Together with Womanhood and Circumcision, it provides a thought-provoking look at the processes of genderization and development of personhood that are integral to indigenous Maasai culture." -- Francis Nkitoria Ole Sakuda, Anthropologist and Executive Director, Simba Maasai Outreach Organization, Ngong, Kenya

Interesting items from my inbox … Kids like vegetables? This was almost a good news story. Turns out kids will eat vegetables served with a dip: Many parents have a difficult time persuading their preschool-aged children to try vegetables, let alone eat them regularly. Food and nutrition researchers have found that by offering a dip flavored with spices, children were more likely to try vegetables — including those they had previously rejected. You mean a dip made with Kerry Gold butter or sour cream? “Less than 10 percent of 4- to 8-year-olds consume the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) recommended daily servings of vegetables,” said Jennifer S. Savage, associate director of the Center for Childhood Obesity Research at Penn State. “Even more striking is that over one-third of children consume no servings of vegetables on a typical day. We wanted to figure out a way to increase vegetable consumption.” I’ve already figured out how to increase vegetable consumption among kids: serve the vegetables with Kerry Gold butter or sour cream. According to ChooseMyPlate, a USDA initiative, children between the ages of three and five should be eating one and a half to two cups of vegetables every day. Vegetables provide fiber and necessary nutrients. They can also replace less healthy food choices and combat obesity because they are less calorie-dense. It’s not because vegetables are less calorie-dense. It’s because when you give your body what it needs, it stops yelling at you to eat more in hopes that your tongue will stumble across an actual nutrient. Savage and colleagues found that children were three times more likely to refuse eating a vegetable alone than they were to eat the same vegetable when paired with a reduced-fat flavored dip. And the children were twice as likely to reject a vegetable with no dip than they were if given the same vegetable with plain dip. ARRRGHHH!!! Reduced-fat dip?!! For Pete’s sake, a lot of the nutrients in vegetables are fat-soluble. That means you need to eat them with fat or your tissues won’t absorb them. The children tasted and rated six different vegetables: carrots, cucumbers, celery, green beans, red peppers and yellow squash. After tasting each vegetable, the children were shown three cartoon faces and asked to pick which one best showed how they felt. Their choices were “yummy,” “just okay” and “yucky.” The researcher also noted if the child refused to try the sample. In the next session the children were introduced to five different Miracle Whip-based reduced-fat dips, one plain and the other four flavored with different combinations of spices. The most well-liked dips were flavored “pizza” and “ranch;” the least-liked dips were “herb” and “garlic.” Hmmm, let’s visit the Kraft web site and see what’s in reduced-fat Miracle Whip: WATER, VINEGAR, SOYBEAN OIL, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, SUGAR, SALT, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF NATURAL FLAVORS, EGGS, CELLULOSE GEL, MUSTARD FLOUR, POTASSIUM SORBATE AS A PRESERVATIVE, XANTHAN GUM, CELLULOSE GUM, SPICE, PAPRIKA, SUCRALOSE AND ACESULFAME POTASSIUM (SWEETENERS), DRIED GARLIC. Soybean oil, high fructose corn syrup and sugar. What a great way to get kids to eat their vegetables. My daughters happily ate roasted cauliflower with dinner last night. That’s because their mommy drizzled Kerry Gold butter and cumin on the cauliflower before roasting it. Don’t be a dip. Put real fat on your kids’ veggies, then watch those veggies disappear. How to solve the obesity problem Take a look at what’s happening to an obese man in New Zealand: New Zealand’s immigration authorities think they have gotten to the core of solving the obesity epidemic and rising health costs– deport fat people. A 50 year-old, 286-pound South African citizen no longer has an “acceptable standard of health” to remain in the country where nearly a third of adults are overweight, according to reports. Albert Buitenhuis and his wife, Marthie, 47, moved to Christchurch, New Zealand from South Africa six years ago. They are now facing deportation after their work visas were declined because of his weight. New Zealand immigration authorities cited the demands his obesity could place on New Zealand’s health services in terms of cost. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it at least twice: when governments pay for your health care, they feel entitled to dictate to you about your health and lifestyle. Never mind that they pay for your healthcare with money they took from you in the first place. When Albert, 5’ 8”, arrived to take a job as a chef, he topped 350 pounds. Yet he has worked, as has his waitress wife, paid taxes and managed to lose more than 60 pounds, according to The Press of New Zealand. His doctor says Buitenhuis, who has a chronic knee condition, is on his way to getting his blood pressure down and his weight under control. For the first five years, no one seemed to think that Albert could not fit in New Zealand. But, suddenly, the authorities have decided he must leave. His wife, who is not obese, is on his work visa, so she must follow him to the loading dock. Look, you goofy government ministers, if the guy has lost 60 pounds, he’s probably healthier than a lot of people who are slowly getting fatter but aren’t considered obese yet. And as the article points out, the same government ministers haven’t deported smokers. Fat Head is Cracked Several people told me that Fat Head was mentioned on Cracked.com, but the first email I received had this as the subject line: You were mentioned in an article about crap-filled documentaries You can imagine what I was thinking. I don’t waste my valuable time and mental energy reading or responding to articles that slam Fat Head or me personally, but I clicked the link just to check. Turns out Fat Head wasn’t the crap-filled documentary; it cited in a critique of a crap-filled documentary: This is the movie that made you swear you’d never set food in a McDonald’s again (until the next time you drove by one). For 30 days, Morgan Spurlock decided he would only eat food sold by McDonald’s. He had to eat everything on the menu at least once, had to have three meals a day, and would only Supersize when offered. He documented the bizarre and terrifying changes his body went through while eating what according to science is not actual food. Here’s the thing: No one has been able to replicate Spurlock’s results, and even basic math disputes the claim that his McDiet consisted of 5,000 calories a day. As Tom Naughton points out in his documentary Fat Head, there’s simply no way Spurlock could have been eating that much food if he was sticking to his own rules. A large Big Mac meal clocks in at “just” 1,450 calories, and it’s by far one of the fattiest items on the menu. This means that even Supersizing lunch and dinner every day and adding dessert falls well short of the 5,000 calories a day Spurlock’s nutritionist claims he was consuming. For the record, I do believe Spurlock consumed more than 5,000 calories per day – but not by eating just three meals per day at McDonald’s and only super-sizing when they asked him, which was the premise of the film. I think he doubled up on meals (which is super-sizing without being asked) and slammed down a lot of sodas, shakes and desserts to make sure he’d get fat — thus proving that doubling up on meals and slamming down sugary drinks and desserts is a bad idea, no matter where you eat. I’m pretty sure most of us already knew that. In an effort to find out just exactly what the hell, Naughton attempted to contact Spurlock to obtain his food log, but Spurlock (who makes a huge deal in his documentary about McDonald’s never calling him back) never called him back. I never expected Spurlock to call me back, but some Fat Head fans participating in an online Q & A asked him why he won’t show anyone his food log. Spurlock replied he no longer has the food log because all the materials for Super Size Me were destroyed. I think that excuse is as crap-filled as his documentary. Is obesity underrated as a cause of death? In Fat Head, Dr. Eric Oliver described how government officials exaggerated obesity as a cause of death. Now a new study claims obesity as a cause of death is underrated, not overrated. Obesity kills far more Americans than we think it does, according to a controversial new study that suggests obesity accounts of about 18 percent of all deaths in the United States – three times previous estimates. The research, published in the American Journal of Public Health, suggests the latest government estimates soft-pedal the dangers of obesity. And the controversy over the findings show how difficult it is to calculate the costs of being overweight. The findings are controversial for good reason, as we’ll see in a minute. The federal government has been in hot water over the issue before. In 2004 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention slashed its estimates of obesity-related deaths by a third, from 365,000 a year to 112,000 a year, amid a battle over how it made its calculations. And a few recent studies have shown that for people over 65, having a little extra pudge may be protective. Uh … are my math skills slipping? If the CDC was claiming obesity caused 365,000 deaths per year and then slashed that estimate by a third, I get 365,000 – (365,000/3) = 243,333. Seems to me they slashed the estimate by more than two-thirds. Anyway … Other experts immediately questioned the way Masters made his calculations. He used data from several national health surveys that ask people, among other things, how much they weigh and how tall they are – which in turn are used to calculate body mass index (BMI) and show whether someone is overweight or obese. The data covers 20 years, from 1986 to 2006. Then he looked at death records for the same people. “Previous research has likely underestimated obesity’s impact on US mortality,” Masters and colleagues wrote. Sounds to me like a repeat of what Dr. Oliver described in Fat Head: if you were obese and you died from a snakebite, they said your death was caused by obesity, not the snakebite. “They didn’t account for smoking other risk factors like alcohol consumption,” says Kenneth Thorpe, a former Health and Human Services department official who is now an expert on health policy at Emory University in Atlanta. “The study doesn’t account for health insurance status, and we know that contributes to mortality rates.” People who are obese are more likely to smoke than people who are not, Thorpe says, and they eat more unhealthful foods. In other words, it’s not having a BMI of over 30 that kills you. But the lousy habits that make you obese can also ruin your health, which is why there’s an association between obesity and disease. Get rid of the lousy habits, and you can be healthy even if you’re still technically obese. Someone should explain that to the government goofs in New Zealand.

High iodine intake from water may have adverse effects on children by affecting their thyroid levels and can cause goiters to develop. A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggested that with an increased iodine intake, the thyroid volume and total goiter rate also increased. Iodine intake can be detrimental and onsets other health issues when ingested in an excessive amount, especially in children as their bodies and organs are not fully developed and are sensitive. For instance, water that is excessive in iodine content can affect thyroid size in children and form goiters, an enlargement of the thyroid gland. The higher the iodine content, the more it affects the regulation of hormones and chemicals in the body and causes an imbalance. Due to this, a goiter forms when the thyroid gland produces either too much thyroid hormone or not enough. Based on similar studies, the safe upper iodine intake concentration in children is not determined. Therefore, a study recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition investigated the effects of high content of iodine in drinking water and how it related to the thyroid size in children. To assess this, Chen et al. conducted a multistage cross-sectional survey of 2089 children in Shandong, China where none of them had a previous medical history of thyroid problems. The sampling was done in two main cities in Shandong, Dezhou and Liaocheng, because the flow of the Yellow River passing through those two cities had a high iodine content due to the deposit of soil. The children were between the ages of 7-14 years and included 1023 boys and 1066 girls. Chen et al. collected two 24-hour urine samples on two non-consecutive days so that they could determine the 24- hour urinary iodine excretion, then calculated the daily iodine intake. The main measures in this study were the thyroid volume (Tvol), total goiter rate (TGR) and iodine intake. The secondary variables measured were height, weight and body surface area. After collecting the data, SPSS was used to further analyze the data. As a result, it was found that Tvols were higher in boys than girls, however, the TGR, which was 9.7% overall, had no difference between both genders. Additionally, Tvol began to increase in children when iodine intake was greater than 150 µg/d, and the TGR exceeded 5% when daily iodine intake was equal to or greater than 250 µg/d for children aged 7–10 or 300 µg/d for children aged 11–14 years. Another finding was that age, sex and body surface area had no influence on the Tvol. Moreover, both Tvol and TGR increased as iodine intake in children increased and the prevalence of a goiter was also high when excessive amounts of iodine was ingested. In conclusion, it was found that the iodine intake ranges that were safe for children aged 7-10 and 11-14 were 150-249 and 150-299 µg/d, respectively. This study was very carefully analyzed with very few inaccuracies and was supported using quantitative data. However, the only limitation was that the study did not present thyroid hormones or thyroglobulin to see if there was an association between the thyroid function and the high iodine intake. On the contrary, this study was very beneficial to contribute to lacking research in other studies and on a global level for people ingesting a high intake of iodine, whether from water, salt or seaweed, so they are aware of the health issues it could lead to. This is especially important in places such as China or Japan where the dietary consumption is highly excessive in salt, leading to a higher than usual iodine intake. Written By: Seema Goolie, BSc

Show Full Transcript So, often people ask if Jesus had an exceptional relationship with women and perhaps maybe one of the reasons why Jesus was such an attractive and important figure is that he broke away from other ways in which people were treating women at the time. And, I think that that’s an attractive argument in the sense that Christians really want to have a champion of…the sense that women are equal and valued to men and I think that wish and that desire for Jesus is a positive reflection on those Christians who hold that. But, I think as scholars like Ross Kraemer and Amy-Jill Levine and Elizabeth Castelli and others have pointed out, there’s a lot of complexity around what Jesus was actually doing and how Jesus is portrayed by the Gospel writers with women; and we also have to be really careful not to come up with stereotypes that we can use to contrast Jesus against others and to suggest that Jesus somehow stood apart and was wholly unique in the way he was interacting with women. On the other side, one thing that’s clear from the Gospels is that women were actively involved in the Jesus movement. I mean that is obvious from the texts. All of the texts place the women at the cross, all the texts place women as part of the post-resurrection appearances and so it seems to me there’s no doubt that women were important members of the Jesus movement. At the same time memories like Jesus appoints twelve male apostles—not women—also reflect perhaps Jesus’ own attitude but certainly the attitudes of people of the time. We need twelve male disciples because we had twelve tribes of Israel with twelve male patriarchs, right? So we know that during Jesus’ time both men and women were active participants in spreading this message that Jesus is the Messiah, the awaited Messiah, the Son of God, the Son of Man who is the first fruits of the resurrection. I mean, it seems that we have women and men being both very active in spreading that message. That’s clear, for example, in all of the references to women in the letters of Paul, which are the earliest documents we have in the New Testament. It’s clear from the Gospel narratives that place women at the tomb, that place the women at the cross, that mention the importance of certain named women, Mary Magdalene being a prominent example, Mary the mother of Jesus being another; and we have titles given to women by Paul like “Junia the Apostle” (Rom 16:7), one sent to send the message that in Paul “apostle” means someone who’s sent, someone who’s sent to share the message of Jesus. So it would appear that women were active participants in the Jesus movement but women were active participants in general in the ancient world. Sometimes people don’t think that women were involved in priesthoods for example, there were many priestesses in Greek cities and in Roman cities there were, there are female leaders in the synagogue as Bernadette Brooten has pointed out. So, it’s not clear that Jesus was different from other ancient people in this regard.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. Individuals with ASD may have difficulty understanding social cues, and communicating with others, and may engage in repetitive behaviors or have specific interests. It is important to understand that autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that each individual with ASD may present differently and have varying degrees of impairment. Some individuals with ASD may have exceptional abilities in certain areas, such as music, art, or mathematics. There is no known single cause of autism, but research suggests that a combination of genetic and environmental factors may play a role. It is important to note that vaccines do not cause autism, as this has been extensively studied and debunked. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for individuals with ASD to receive the support and services they need to reach their full potential. This may include speech therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral therapy. In schools, it is important for educators to be aware of the characteristics of ASD and to provide accommodations and support for students with ASD. This may include providing visual aids, allowing for breaks during the day, and providing a quiet space for the student to work. It is also important for educators to communicate with parents and other professionals involved in the student’s care to ensure consistency and support across settings. - 1 The Importance of Autism Awareness in Schools - 2 Implementing Autism Awareness Programs - 3 Educational Adjustments for Students with Autism - 4 Inclusive Classroom Strategies - 5 Individual Education Plans - 6 The Role of Teachers and School Staff - 7 Training and Professional Development - 8 Creating a Supportive Environment - 9 The Role of Peers in Autism Awareness - 10 Peer Education Programs - 11 Promoting Acceptance and Empathy - 12 Evaluating the Impact of Autism Awareness Initiatives The Importance of Autism Awareness in Schools Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 54 children in the United States is diagnosed with ASD. With the increasing number of children diagnosed with ASD, schools need to be aware of the disorder and its impact on learning. Autism awareness in schools is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it helps teachers and school staff to understand the unique needs of students with ASD. This understanding can lead to the development of individualized education plans (IEPs) and accommodations that can help students with ASD succeed in the classroom. Secondly, autism awareness can help reduce the stigma and discrimination that individuals with ASD may face. By promoting a culture of acceptance and understanding, schools can create a supportive environment that benefits all students. Autism awareness in schools can help identify students who may have ASD but have not yet been diagnosed. Early identification and intervention are critical for improving outcomes for children with ASD. Teachers and school staff who are trained in autism awareness can recognize the signs and symptoms of ASD and refer students for evaluation and diagnosis. Autism awareness in schools is essential for creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment for students with ASD. By promoting understanding and acceptance, schools can help students with ASD reach their full potential and succeed in school and beyond. Implementing Autism Awareness Programs Implementing autism awareness programs in schools is an essential step toward creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for students with autism. These programs can help teachers and staff better understand the needs of students with autism and provide them with the necessary support to succeed in the classroom. One effective way to implement autism awareness programs is through staff training sessions. These sessions can cover topics such as the characteristics of autism, communication strategies, and behavior management techniques. By providing teachers and staff with the knowledge and tools they need to support students with autism, they can create a more inclusive and supportive classroom environment. Another way to implement autism awareness programs is through classroom accommodations. These accommodations can include visual aids, sensory tools, and modified assignments. By making these accommodations, teachers can help students with autism better understand and engage with the material being taught. It is also important to involve parents and caregivers in autism awareness programs. By working together, teachers, staff, and parents can create a more supportive and collaborative environment for students with autism. This can include regular communication, progress updates, and strategies for supporting students both in and out of the classroom. Implementing autism awareness programs in schools is an important step toward creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for students with autism. By providing teachers and staff with the necessary knowledge and tools, making classroom accommodations, and involving parents and caregivers, schools can better support the needs of students with autism and help them succeed in the classroom. Educational Adjustments for Students with Autism Students with autism often require educational adjustments to help them succeed in school. These adjustments can range from simple classroom strategies to more formalized individual education plans (IEPs). In this section, we will explore some of the most effective educational adjustments for students with autism. Inclusive Classroom Strategies Inclusive classroom strategies are designed to help students with autism feel more comfortable and supported in the classroom. Some effective strategies include: - Providing a quiet space for the student to work - Using visual aids to help the student understand instructions and concepts - Allowing the student to take breaks as needed - Assigning a peer buddy to help the student navigate social situations These strategies can be implemented by the classroom teacher with the support of the school’s special education team. Individual Education Plans Individual education plans (IEPs) are formalized plans that are developed for students with autism. These plans outline the student’s strengths and needs and provide specific goals and strategies for the student’s education. Some common components of an IEP for a student with autism include: - Social skills instruction - Sensory accommodations - Communication supports - Behavioral interventions IEPs are developed by a team that includes the student’s parents, teachers, and other professionals and are reviewed and updated annually. Overall, by implementing inclusive classroom strategies and individual education plans, schools can create a supportive environment that allows students with autism to thrive academically and socially. The Role of Teachers and School Staff Autism awareness in schools is crucial to ensure that students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) receive the support they need to succeed academically and socially. Teachers and school staff play a critical role in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for students with ASD. Training and Professional Development Teachers and school staff must receive training and professional development on autism awareness and best practices for supporting students with ASD. This includes understanding the characteristics of ASD, how it can impact learning and socialization, and strategies for accommodating and modifying instruction to meet the unique needs of each student. Professional development should also cover behavior management techniques and how to create and implement individualized education plans (IEPs) for students with ASD. Ongoing training and support are essential to ensure that teachers and school staff can effectively meet the needs of students with ASD. Creating a Supportive Environment Creating a supportive environment is essential for students with ASD to thrive in school. Teachers and school staff can create a supportive environment by being patient, understanding, and flexible. This includes allowing for sensory breaks, providing visual aids and schedules, and creating a predictable routine. Teachers and school staff should also work to create a culture of acceptance and understanding among students. This can be achieved through classroom discussions about autism and other disabilities, promoting empathy and understanding, and encouraging students to embrace differences. In summary, teachers and school staff play a critical role in creating an inclusive and supportive environment for students with ASD. Training and professional development are essential to ensure that teachers and school staff have the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the unique needs of each student with ASD. Creating a supportive environment involves being patient, understanding, and flexible, and promoting a culture of acceptance and understanding among students. The Role of Peers in Autism Awareness Peers play a crucial role in promoting autism awareness in schools. By understanding and accepting their classmates with autism, peers can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone. Peer Education Programs Peer education programs can be effective in increasing awareness and understanding of autism among students. These programs typically involve training students to become peer mentors or buddies for students with autism. Peer mentors can assist their peers with autism in various ways, such as helping with social skills, communication, and academic tasks. Peer education programs can also help reduce bullying and social isolation of students with autism. When peers are educated about autism and understand the challenges faced by their classmates with autism, they are more likely to accept and include them in social activities. Promoting Acceptance and Empathy Promoting acceptance and empathy among peers is another important aspect of autism awareness in schools. Teachers and school staff can encourage students to be kind and accepting towards their classmates with autism. This can be done through various activities, such as classroom discussions, role-playing, and storytelling. In addition, schools can organize events and activities that promote acceptance and understanding of autism. For example, schools can host autism awareness assemblies, art exhibits, or fundraising events for autism-related organizations. By promoting acceptance and empathy, schools can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students, regardless of their differences. Evaluating the Impact of Autism Awareness Initiatives Evaluating the impact of autism awareness initiatives is essential to determine if they are effective in promoting understanding and acceptance of individuals with autism in schools. Such initiatives can include training programs for teachers and staff, awareness campaigns for students, and events that promote inclusion and understanding. One way to evaluate the impact of these initiatives is to gather feedback from students, teachers, and parents. Surveys can be conducted to assess changes in attitudes and perceptions towards individuals with autism. Feedback can also be gathered through focus groups and interviews to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of these initiatives. Another way to evaluate the impact of autism awareness initiatives is to track changes in the behavior and academic performance of students with autism. This can be done by comparing data before and after the implementation of these initiatives. For instance, improvements in social skills, communication, and academic performance can indicate the effectiveness of these initiatives. It is important to note that evaluating the impact of autism awareness initiatives can be challenging. It is essential to use appropriate evaluation methods and take into account various factors that can affect the outcomes. Factors such as the duration of the initiative, the level of involvement of stakeholders, and the resources available can impact the effectiveness of these initiatives. Overall, evaluating the impact of autism awareness initiatives is crucial to ensure that they are effective in promoting understanding and acceptance of individuals with autism in schools. By using appropriate evaluation methods, schools can determine the effectiveness of these initiatives and make necessary adjustments to improve their impact.

A new study has shown that physical activity and exercise are 'contagious' because of social media. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) discovered that people who post details of their exercise patterns and achievements on social media sites motivate and encourage other people to be more active. Researchers tracked the exercise routines of 1.1 million runners over a period of five years. They looked at the geographic location of the runners, their social network use, distance, time, pace and the calories they burned. The researchers concluded that sharing personal exercise data via social media can inspire others to exercise more, exercise harder and do so more competitively. Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-) The journal 'Nature Communications' has published the research. The study includes detailed accounts of how inspiring it can be to read about a friend's physical activity. Researchers said: "On average, an additional kilometre run by friends can inspire someone to run an additional three-tenths of a kilometre, and an additional ten minutes run by friends can inspire someone to run three minutes longer." The study said social media improved the performance of runners who had been a little slower or less in shape, and of those who were showing signs of overtaking a friend's performance. Researcher Sinan Aral said: "In general, if you run more, it is likely that you can cause your friends to run more."

Pruning, Planting and Beating the Scourge All plants are not trimmed the same way, but it is less a matter of size and more a matter of the type of plant, liverwort (and moss), fern, stem or rosette. Q. I have a well-stocked 55 gallon aquarium with a variety of aquatic plants, many of which are growing quite tall, and I want to know how I go about trimming these and how much I should trim at a time. Are there different guidelines for trimming smaller aquatic plants? Also, can I re-plant the trimmings, or should I discard them? Thanks for any insight. A. All aquatic plants are not trimmed the same way, but it is less a matter of size and more a matter of the type of aquatic plant, liverwort (and moss), fern, stem or rosette. Liverworts, such as Riccia fluitans or Monosolenium tenerum (erroneously called “Pellia”), are trimmed by merely separating a portion of the mass by pulling or snipping. Riccia fluitans needs to be tied down, or held to a rock or piece of driftwood with some hair net, or it will float. Monoselenium tenerum sinks and only needs to be tied down to keep it from wandering around in the water currents. Basically, parts that you remove are capable of generating new plant material, so any trimmings can be reused. Ferns, like Bolbitis heudelotiior and Java fern (Microsorum pteropus), grow attached to rock or a piece of driftwood, and almost any piece can generate new growth. In fact, if you snip a large stand of Java and do not collect all the cuttings (even the small ones), they will probably move around in the water currents until they snag somewhere and start new growth. With ferns, you can find new plants in unexpected places, including between the stems of swords and Cryptocoryne. Somewhat slow growing, the larger the piece you trim, the better suited it will be for reuse. These aquatic plants develop a sturdy rhizome as they mature. You can always divide an aquatic plant by parting the rhizome. Some aquatic plants grow leaves from a central base. Such rosette plants include the genus Cryptocoryne. The strong roots can grow into a dense mass, requiring a sharp knife to divide aquatic plants. Some rosette-type plants, including Cryptocoryne species, spread by sending out runners (like long, thick lateral roots) above or just below the substrate. Baby plants start growing at the end of the runner, and that plant then sends out another runner. Once a new aquatic plant is growing on a runner and has several leaves, you can snip the runner to divide the plants. You can leave these plants in place or replant them. If the aquatic plants are growing too closely together for you to be able to pick out individual rosettes, you might have to cut away at the roots that have meshed with neighbors. A portion of root base with a half dozen or so leaves usually is adequate for growing a “plant.” You can thin out a stand of Cryptocoryne by cutting away some of the stems at or near the substrate. If you can, try pulling away a few plants from the others – this will sometimes result in less damage to the roots. A small amount of such thinning on a robust Cryptocoryne plant will not harm it. Unlike the ferns, these cut leaves will die and cannot be reused. Also, on a smaller aquatic plant, a Cryptocoryne might respond to leaf cutting by letting its remaining leaves rapidly deteriorate (Cryptocoryne meltdown). After storing up nutrients for a while, the plant base will begin growing new stems and leaves. A better method is to cut away a length of a root with a sharp blade. The cutting can be replanted. In my experience, meltdown is much less likely to occur with this method. Actually, I have never had meltdown from a root cutting but others have reported it. The Cryptocoryne that are more commonly available, such as C. wentii, tend to grow a lot of runners and rosettes rather than building a large rosette. So, separating aquatic plants does not usually require dividing a rosette. Another group of rosette plants comprises the many Echinodorus species, many of which form large rosettes (E. bleheri), while others have small rosettes but a lot of runners (E. anugustofolius). The latter can be trimmed like the Cryptocorynes by cutting away runners and removing some of the rosettes. The larger rosettes, such as E. bleheri, can be trimmed in two ways. The first is by trimming away leaves as close to the base as possible. This is best done by grabbing an outer stem as close to the rosette as possible, and gently peeling and pulling the stem from the rosette; the new leaves grow from the center of the rosette, and the older leaves are at the periphery of the rosette. These leaves cannot be reused. If you cannot get your fingers near the base of the aquatic plant, you can cut the stem as close to the base as possible. Cutting a stem will leave a portion of it behind to rot, and it is possible that the rot will work its way down into the rosette, though I have not had a problem with this method on larger, healthy specimens. Some Echinodorus, such as Amazon sword plant (E. bleheri), E. ozelot, and E. “Rose” will form a second rosette next to the first. It is as if the first grew so large that it divided itself, but the second rosette is actually a new one. Once the second rosette has a half dozen or so leaves growing, you can separate the rosettes by gently prying or pulling one from the other, then replant. A variation is to use a very sharp blade and cleanly divide a large rosette, and replant. I think there is more risk of one or both the rosettes developing rot if you try to divide a single rosette – it is best to wait for second a rosette to form. Stems are the easiest aquatic plants to trim and replant. Ludwigia, Rotala, Hygrophila or one of the many other stem plants will grow planted or floating, can send out roots from any node along the stem where leaves form, and can be cut anywhere along the stem and reused. Almost no size is too small, so long as it includes a mature node. However, it is practical to have at least an inch or two if you want to aquatic plant the cutting. Stems are suitable for top cropping. When you crop a stem, many stems will develop two stems at the node below the cut, so judicious cropping is a way to help a stand of long stems develop a bushier appearance. In taller planted aquariums, a stem plant will sometimes look nice closer to the light, but be pale, less leafy or even profuse with bare roots along the stem closer to, but above, the substrate. This is the result of stems shading their lower portions from the light. You can crop the nicer upper portion of a stem plant and use it to replace the older portion of the stem. Or you can place some shorter plants in front of the lower portions. Stem plants can grow roots from the leaf nodes, and you can use this to your advantage when first starting a stand of stems. You can place a stem horizontally along the substrate, anchoring it in a few places or burying it in several places along the horizontal length. Roots will grow down into the substrate, and vertical stems will grow up from the horizontal piece.

This section is from the book "Research In Physiopathology As Basis Of Guided Chemotherapy With Special Application To Cancer", by Emanuel Revici. Also available from amazon: Research In Physiopathology All the factors which were seen to characterize hierarchic organization appear clearly in an analysis of social organization. (Fig. 202) The entity, immediately above that of the individual, is the family. Here, parents and children—as a grouping of entities of the same level form the principal part. The secondary part is made up of elements of the immediate environment, which are kept organized around this principal part, and as such are integrated in the new entity, the family. Housing, goods, even psychological factors, ideas and habits, characterize these added factors. A boundary formation is often much more visible than expected. Living quarters and common possessions are well delineated, and characterize the family. As expected, most of them are not considered to belong to an individual but the family as entity. "This is family property" is a common expression. Almost always, numerous families are grouped in nearby dwellings, although this fact alone does not lead to the immediate superior entity, the community. When the group of families organizes together and limits certain possessions taken from the environment, as common to the group, the entity "community" appears. The principal part is made up of the group of families, the secondary by the material and even moral goods which are attached to the group of families in common. The community has properties which belong only to the community—streets, for example—as it has, by definition, a boundary. The limits of these social entities are well defined and these three factors—principal part, secondary added part from the environment and boundary—characterize these entities as they characterize the entities in the entire biological realm. The same pattern applies for the county where groups of communities form the principal part, and proper parts taken from the environment and common only to this new entity form the secondary part. This entity also is defined through its boundary. It is easy to see how through the same hierarchic pattern we pass from counties to states, nations, hemispheres and world which represent successively higher hierarchic entities. It is interesting to see how, in each one of these social entities, the same manifestations which we have found to characterize the biological entities also exist. The relationship between entities and especially many of their functions shows that the social entities are not artificial mental concepts, but are the result of the intervention of the same forces in which heterotropic organization opposes the lawless homotropy. It has appeared interesting to see how much of the knowledge of the physiological and especially the pathological manifestations of the lower entities, we can apply to understand manifestations occurring at the social hierarchic levels. Fig. 202. The social hierarchic organization follows the same pattern as the organization of matter or of the biological realm. Each entity results from the bond of a group of lower entities with a secondary part taken from the environment and limited by a proper boundary. Under this aspect, sociology finds a new basis not only for the analysis of many of its problems, but can have an insight to how nature, through its own organization, has tried and often succeeded in resolving problems. With the concept of unity in all organization, from subatomic to social entities, we can understand how the evolution of the environment, represented by material and intellectual goods, can produce changes in social entities. The concept of higher social entities, organized so as to conserve the characteristics of the lowest social entities, gives a new aspect to the relationship between individual, family and society. A science of social physiology can be created by systematizing hierarchic social entities much as we did for entities in the biological realm. The same approach can be applied to social pathology and social therapy as well. Such an approach, will be the subject of other presentations.

The giant arboreal types of Leucaena are trees capable of growing to 20 min height. They are normally evergreen, but will shed their leaves during periods of prolonged drought or frost. They will tolerate partial shade, but grow best in full sun. Most cultivars tried grow best below 1000 m; at higher altitudes they may survive, but growth is likely to be poor. Leucaena is sensitive to soil pH and where this is less than five growth is seriously reduced (Ahmad and Ng, 1979). It is also sensitive to relatively small differences in soil fertility, and within the same plantation very vigorous trees may be found growing within a few metres of poor stunted ones. In the constantly humid tropics, such as in the Philippines, it has been used successfully for reafforestation of denuded slopes, but in areas with a pronounced dry season it requires soils of at least moderate fertility. In Nepal it generally grows well on Bhabar Terai soils, but has failed on very gravelly and bouldery soils near rivers, though these soils are capable of growing good crops of Dalbergia sissoo and Acacia catechu. More needs to be learned about the tolerance of different Leucaena cultivars to different soils and altitudes in Nepal. In the constantly humid tropics, such as in the Philippines, Leucaena will competc with and eventually dominate lmperata grass, but this is not the case in drier areas such as Ncpal, where thorough weeding is necessary if successful plantations are to be established. Young seedlings are killed by frost, and the trce should not be planted in frosty areas. They are very palatable to grazing animals including deer, and it is not practicable to plant Leucaena in areas where wild game is abundant, as the cost of erecting deer proof fences is prohibitive. Trees are fairly resistant to fire, but repeated fires will kill them. Flowers and seed are often produced at a very early age, often less than a year. According to Hawkins (1986), at Adabhar in the Bhabar Terai varieties which flowered early also suffered from up to 1m shoot dieback during the dry season, while those which did not flower before 18 months avoided this. The seedlings and older trees have very strong taproots. Rhizobial nodules which fix nitrogen are found on the roots, and if the appropriate strain of the Rhizobium bacterium is absent growth is considerably reduced. In some parts of Nepal inoculation by Rhizobium may occur naturally from bacteria within the soil, but this cannot be relied on and artificial inoculation in the nursery is a neeessary safeguard. Leucaena coppices very readily. Even if stems little over 1 cm in diameter are cut, the roots will frequently send out new shoot.

Haida women support their relatives in raising a carved monumental column by master carver Kilthguulans Christian White at Hl’yaalan ‘Lngee. The pole was raised in 2017 at Hiellen Longhouse Village, a promising venture in cultural revitalization and economic development. Photograph by Brodie Guy. Over the past decade, First Nations have created a robust conservation economy in Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest, one of the largest old-growth temperate rainforests left in the world, through investments in sustainable development and environmental stewardship projects that link the health of nature to the wellbeing of indigenous communities, according to a new report. The report was issued last week by Coast Funds, an Indigenous-led conservation finance organization created in the wake of historic land-use agreements signed by First Nations and the Canadian province of British Columbia in 2006. The Great Bear Rainforest Agreements, as they are called, were the culmination of a struggle that began in the 1990s, pitting First Nations and their environmentalist allies against the forestry industry and the local government. The future of the Great Bear Rainforest was so fiercely contested the conflict became known as “The War in the Woods.” Comments are closed.

With their plump leaves and striking appearance, succulents make interesting and unusual houseplants. Because they need so little attention, they are an especially good choice for people who don't have a lot of time to spend caring for houseplants. Although they are low maintenance plants, they do have a few basic needs to keep them looking their best. Be sure the succulent is getting enough light. If the succulent is producing new growth that is thin or spindly, these are indications that the plant is stretching towards the available light and definitely needs more sunlight. On the other hand, if the leaves look pale and bleached, they may be getting too much light. Be careful not to overwater succulents. Although needs vary between different varieties, the appearance of the leaves will give you a clue. If the leaves have indentations or the plant appears droopy, it's a sign that it's time to water. To water succulents, soak the soil so that water runs out the drainage hole, and then allow it to dry before the next watering. Succulents will require less water during fall and winter. Add a balanced houseplant fertilizer to the water, but use the fertilizer at 1/4 strength. Read the manufacturer's label for specific instructions. Handle succulents with care, because the stems are often brittle and will easily break. Succulents should be repotted every year. Remove the succulent from its pot, and gently loosen the roots with a thin stick to remove the old potting soil. Put the plant in a slightly larger pot, and add fresh potting soil. Use a potting soil that drains well. Although you can mix half sand or perlite with half commercial potting soil, buying potting soil formulated especially for cacti and succulents is the easiest way to provide excellent drainage.

The proposed treatment, which will be validated in a larger study before it is recommended in treating PFAPA syndrome, wards off an inappropriate immune system attack without increasing the frequency of flare-ups, a problem caused by the current standard treatment with corticosteroids. The team of researchers from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) reported their findings in the April 8, 2011, early online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "Until now, the basis of PFAPA has been a mystery," said senior author and NHGRI Scientific Director Daniel Kastner, M.D., Ph.D. "Advances in genomic analysis have allowed us to define a major role for the innate immune system, the body's first line of defense against infection. Targeting a specific product of white blood cells at the first sign of fever appears to abort the attacks." Children with PFAPA syndrome experience attacks of fever, each lasting three to six days, usually three to eight weeks apart. Their predictability is so regular that parents have been known to make pediatric appointments a week ahead of when they expect their child to experience a PFAPA episode. Affected children experience their first attack before the age of 5, with fever episodes usually abating in adolescence or young adulthood. The only remedy for PFAPA, besides corticosteroids, is removal of an affected child's tonsils, which has a good rate of success in eliminating PFAPA syndrome, but is an invasive alternative. The new experimental treatment resulted from the researchers using a systems biology approach, which entailed gene and protein expression and cell biology analysis in carefully selected patient and healthy control subjects, to determine the underlying disturbance of the immune system. They analyzed patient blood samples to detect which gene and protein networks are involved in the cell signaling and metabolic pathways activated in the disease. The research group studied 21 patients with PFAPA syndrome along with an equal number of healthy children and 12 children with a distinctly different set of hereditary fever syndromes. They analyzed gene expression during episodes of fever and intervening periods when the children were well. The analysis revealed gene expression profiles that uniquely identified PFAPA immune response. "Gene profiles during PFAPA flares are remarkably distinct from when children are asymptomatic," said Dr. Kastner, noting that the analysis also distinguished PFAPA syndrome from other periodic fevers. But when PFAPA patients are asymptomatic, their gene expression is similar to healthy children. During PFAPA flare ups, the researchers detected activation of both forms of immune response — the innate, first-line-of-defense immunity, and adaptive immunity, which is the body's ability to detect and remember an infection in order to fight it later. This dual response supports the idea that the fevers of PFAPA are an immunologic response to some external stimulus, possibly related to microbial infection. The researchers looked for biological markers that would indicate the onset of a flare-up of fever in children with PFAPA. During PFAPA flare-ups, the researchers detected decreased numbers of activated T cells, white blood cells that play a role in the cell's innate immune response. They suspect that these activated T cells migrated to the lymph nodes in the neck, where they accumulate. They also detected over-expression of genes activated in innate immune responses, including interleukin-1, a molecule that is important in triggering fever and inflammation. From these data, the researchers hypothesized that anakinra, a drug that prevents interleukin-1 from binding to its receptor, could be therapeutic. They administered anakinra by injection to five children on the second day of their PFAPA fevers and all showed a reduction in fever and inflammatory symptoms within hours. "The anakinra treatment has the potential to restore these children to a mostly symptom-free childhood," said Dr. Kastner. "The comprehensive analysis of gene expression during PFAPA attacks would not have been possible without the tools created by the Human Genome Project, and the possibility of an effective treatment is yet another of the genome project's many dividends." A larger clinical trial for the use of anakinra in treating this periodic fever syndrome is planned, Dr. Kastner said. NHGRI is one of the 27 institutes and centers at the NIH, an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services. The NHGRI Division of Intramural Research develops and implements technology to understand, diagnose and treat genomic and genetic diseases. Additional information about NHGRI can be found at its website, www.genome.gov. The mission of the NIAMS, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Institutes of Health (NIH), is to support research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases; the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this research; and the dissemination of information on research progress in these diseases. For more information about the NIAMS, call the information clearinghouse at (301) 495-4484 or (877) 22-NIAMS (free call) or visit the NIAMS website at www.niams.nih.gov. About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov. Raymond MacDougall, NHGRI Top of page Last Updated: April 11, 2011

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes Copivaleria grotei (Morrison) Valeria grotei Morrison, 1874 Phylogenetic sequence # 931557 Explanation of Names honors US lepidopterist Augustus Radcliffe Grote The only Copivaleria species that occurs in America north of Mexico. (2) Wingspan 35-40 mm. Forewing 16-18 mm (7 measured images). Overall mottled dark gray with contrasting whitish orbicular and reniform spots and a pale "arrowhead" patch at the junction of the (folded) forewings near anal angle. Many specimens show ochre to gold or olive-brown highlights scattered over much of forewings. Distal portion of forewings slightly paler but not obviously whitish as in Figure-eight Sallow (see below). Thorax pale centered with black or black-margined tegulae ("shoulders"). The original description as Valeria grotei Morrison, is available online at the link in print preferences below. Found throughout most of the United States from the Rocky Mountains eastward. (4) Moth Photographers Group - large range map with some collection dates. Primary flight period for adults is March through May, with smaller numbers as early as February, in June, and in September-October. (5) Larval host is ash (Fraxinus sp.) Figure-eight Sallow – Psaphida resumens Walker - has (a) differently shaped pale patch ("arrowhead") near anal angle of FWs, (b) mottled thorax often with tegulae paler than center (opposite of Grote's), and (c) more extensive, uniform pale area in the distal 1/8 of the FWs. See discussion in this ID guide can be confused--has pale-centered thorax with dark tegulae--but has overall darker ground color, inconspicuous reniform spot, and less obvious pale patch in rear portion of FWs. Morrison, H.K. 1874. Description of two new Noctuidae from the Atlantic District. Bulletin of the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences. 26: p. (274) Poole, R.W., 1995. The Moths of America North of Mexico, Fascicle 26.1: p. 176; pl. 5.32.(3)

This is another (and probably the last) in our series of posts by PhD students on the job market – and one that is very close to home for those of us working in DC! Financial incentives are an important policy tool for encouraging prosocial behavior. My job market paper examines a simple element of incentive design – whether an incentive takes the form of a fee for bad behavior or a reward for good behavior – to assess how the framing of an incentive impacts the policy’s effectiveness. I determine whether small incentives and their design matter through the evaluation of two policies in the Washington Metropolitan Area aimed at reducing consumption of disposable grocery bags: a five-cent tax on disposable bag use and a five-cent bonus for reusable bag use. Growing concern over the environmental impact of plastic bags has prompted several governments across the world to regulate the use of disposable bags; many countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa require grocery stores to charge a fee for each bag the store provides. In 2010, Washington, D.C. became the first city in the United States to pass legislation calling for grocery stores to tax customers five cents for the use of disposable bags. Two years later, Montgomery County, an area of Maryland bordering D.C., passed its own bag tax. In addition, individual stores could choose to offer their own incentives to discourage plastic bag use. In the Washington Metropolitan Area, several grocery stores offer a five-cent bonus for each reusable bag a customer uses instead of taking a new disposable bag. My job market paper asks the question: do these two incentives – a five-cent tax and a five-cent bonus –have the same effect on disposable bag use? Standard economic theory suggests that financial incentives will be effective if the cost an individual associates with changing his behavior is smaller than the incentive provided for doing so. This implies that the form an incentive takes, a tax versus a bonus, should not impact the policy's effectiveness as long as the two incentives are the same amount (and that utility is linear in wealth over the relevant range ). If we assume that disposable and reusable bags are substitutes, both policies discussed above provide customers a five-cent incentive for using a reusable bag instead of a disposable bag. In contrast, evidence from the field of behavioral economics (Kahneman and Tversky, 1979) suggests that individuals perceive losses more strongly than gains of the same size. If grocery store customers are “loss-averse,” then a policy that charges customers for disposable bag use may be more effective than a policy that rewards customers for using reusable bags, even if the incentives are financially equivalent. Several recent studies report the results of experiments that test the effectiveness of economic incentives with these behavioral mechanisms in mind (Field, 2009; Fryer et al., 2012). My paper contributes to this growing literature and provides new insights in a variety of dimensions. To my knowledge, this is the first paper to test for loss aversion in the context of environmental policy. Additionally, while the majority of papers that test for loss aversion in the field consider large incentives, this study provides evidence as to whether these behavioral findings hold with low-stakes incentives. Does a very small financial penalty deter undesirable behavior? My empirical analysis begins with a review of previous studies on this question and provides evidence of the effectiveness of the tax policies in the Washington Metropolitan Area at reducing consumption of disposable bags. By observing customers as they exited the grocery store, I collected data on disposable and reusable bag use for over 16,000 customers at sixteen stores in the Washington Metropolitan Area including stores in Montgomery County (where there is a policy change), D.C. (which has a tax in both periods), and Arlington, Virginia (which has no tax) before and after the implementation of the Montgomery County tax. These data allow me to analyze the effect of the tax on demand using a difference-in-differences research design. While only 16 percent of customers in Montgomery County used a reusable bag prior to the tax, the reusable bag usage rate increased by 33 percentage points just two months after the tax was implemented – an overwhelming response. Does a bonus for reusable bag use have the same impact on consumer behavior as a tax on disposable bag use? To address this question, I use cross-sectional variation in policies across stores to compare the effect of the bonus to the effect of the tax. The stores in my sample that offer bonuses are often located within walking distance of stores that do not and, therefore, the demographic characteristics of customers is similar across stores with different incentive policies. In stores that offer no incentive, 13 percent of customers use at least one reusable bag. This fraction is only slightly higher in stores that have a bonus (and not a tax). In contrast, 44 percent of customers in stores that have a tax (and not a bonus) use at least one reusable bag. These results suggest that, while the tax has a substantial impact on disposable bag use, a bonus of the same amount has almost no effect on behavior, evidence consistent with a model of loss aversion. Loss aversion is not the only possible explanation for the observed difference in behavior across stores with different incentive policies. Alternatives include: · Awareness. One reason the tax may have been more effective at changing customer behavior is that consumers may be more aware of the tax than the bonus. While survey data suggests that customers are less aware of the bonus than the tax, my analysis of this issue concludes that the differences in awareness cannot fully account for the difference in effectiveness of the two policies. · Social Norms. I investigate whether the results are driven by customers responding to a shift in social norms associated with the tax. I surveyed customers on their attitudes about the use of disposable bags and pollution regulation before and after the implementation of the Montgomery County tax and found no significant change in response between the two periods. · Tax Aversion. Recent evidence suggests that customers are more likely to avoid any charge that is framed as a tax (as opposed to a fee), i.e., they are “tax averse”. I conducted an online experiment in which participants were asked how they would respond to a hypothetical five-cent penalty for using a disposable bag, randomizing whether the penalty was framed as a government-imposed tax or as a fee instituted by the store. I found no difference between the two scenarios. These results suggest that several current environmental policies could be improved by altering the framing of incentive. For example, Starbucks Coffee rewards customers who bring their own coffee mugs with a ten-cent discount. My results suggest that this policy might be more effective if Starbucks instead reduced the price of coffee by ten cents, but charged ten cents for using a paper cup. Similarly, the federal government awards a tax credit to customers who purchase environmentally-friendly Energy Star products. This policy might increase consumption of these products if they were taxed for purchasing energy-inefficient products. I investigate the impact of a new “eco-sin” tax, a five-cent tax on disposable bags. I find that the tax policy reduced the overall demand for disposable bags by over half and prompted consumers to substitute with reusable alternatives. This is particularly notable given the relatively small size of the tax. The large effect of the tax is also striking in light of my finding that a five-cent bonus for reusable bag use had almost no effect on behavior, a result that is consistent with a model in which customers are loss-averse. My findings underline the importance of accounting for behavioral insights when designing a wide variety of incentives. Tatiana Homonoff is a PhD student in Economics at Princeton University.

Finding might impact EPA's clean air regulations, researchers say TUESDAY, May 13 (HealthDay News) -- Exposure to coarse airborne-pollution particles, such as those found in windblown dust or stirred up by agricultural work and mechanical grinding, does not appear to be linked to hospital admissions, a new study finds. Coarse particulate matter, or PM10-2.5 for short, is between 2.5 and 10 micrometers or microns (thousandths of a millimeter) in size -- much smaller than a pinhead. To date, research into health risks posed by coarse particulate matter pollution has been mixed, according to background information in the article, printed in the May 14 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is smaller than 2.5 micrometers, has been studied far more extensively in the past decade and researchers have linked it to a higher risk of illness and death. Fine particulates, which are more likely to result from engine combustion, can reach the smaller airways and air sacs within the lungs. In the study, researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, in Baltimore, analyzed data that included daily cardiovascular and respiratory disease admission rates at hospitals, temperature and dew-point temperature, and coarse- and fine-particulate concentrations from 108 U.S. counties from January 1999 through December 2005. During that time, 3.7 million cardiovascular disease admissions and 1.4 million respiratory disease admissions occurred; however, this number was barely affected (by less than 1 percent) on days when coarse particulate concentrations were high and the amount of fine particulate was factored out, according to the findings. "We did not find statistically significant associations between same day PM10-2.5 concentration and emergency hospital admissions for cardiovascular or respiratory diseases when we adjusted for PM2.5," the authors wrote. The authors recommended that monitoring of coarse particulate matter for future studies continue and that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency consider the findings the next time it updates its National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about possible health effects of air pollution. -- Kevin McKeever SOURCE: JAMA, news release, May 13, 2008 All rights reserved

You finally decided you need to visit someone who does Boston cosmetic dentistry and now you are going in for a new smile design. You may have heard your dentist using the terms veneers and crowns, but you probably don't know what they mean. This is a handy guide to the difference between the two. So you can understand what your dentist is talking about. How they workA crown is a cap usually made of porcelain or ceramic that is placed over the entire visible portion of the tooth. In order for this to work the dentist trims off a large amount of the enamel. The crown is then cemented directly to the dentin. The process is very involved and can require a number of visits. Typically the first visit consists of tooth reduction and preparation for bonding. On the second visit a crown, that has been manufactured specifically for you, is attached. When they are usedCrowns are used when the patient has had a great deal of tooth damage, when restructuring is necessary, or if a root canal has occurred. Crowns are a good option because they are very strong and can take a lot of wear. They also can be used to make drastic changes in the shape of the tooth which is advantageous if the teeth are impeding the proper function of the mouth. Cosmetically, crowns make the teeth even and change their color, making them look much better. How they workVeneers are thin coverings for the front of the tooth. They are usually made of the same substance as crowns. To attach them, your dentist only needs to remove a small amount of enamel. This is generally better for the tooth, since more of the healthy structure is preserved, and for the patient, because there is less discomfort as well as less time and cost involved in the procedure. When they are usedUnlike a crown, a veneer only covers the front of the tooth so any structural changes will be minimal. Changes to tooth coloration are also less drastic because most of the tooth is still intact behind the veneer. Although they are made of the same substance as crowns, veneers are slightly less durable because they are thinner. But when used correctly they produce the same even white teeth as crowns. Now you know some of the basics of cosmetic dentistry. For more specific information you should consult your Boston dentists and get an expert opinion. Image Credit: Dr. Alper, DMD, Cosmetic Dentist, on Flickr

The Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre and the Norwegian Barcode of Life Network (NorBOL) have the pleasure of inviting you to a symposium on Biodiversity and DNA barcoding in Trondheim November 11-12, 2015. The goal of this conference is to communicate new knowledge on Norwegian species and show how DNA barcoding contributes to our understanding of species diversity, biology and ecology.Norwegian data increase by 25% The Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre (NBIC) added 3.5 million observation records to the Norwegian Species Observation Service dataset in December, bringing the total number of records in the dataset to nearly 11 million.Red listed species on Svalbard Red List assessment has been conducted for five groups of species on Svalbard. Overall, 270 species of vascular plants, springtails, freshwater fish, birds and mammals were evaluated. Of these, 71 species were red listed, of which 47 are considered to be threatened.Flies and mosquitoes dominate the Svalbard archipelago Global climate change is expected to cause major alterations in the years to come to the arctic ecosystems on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. These environmental changes will most likely be detected early through changes in the insect fauna.Ten million species observations in Norway The Species Observation System, a citizen science system, is an online service where anyone can register observations of species in Norway. The system was launched by the Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre in 2008, with remarkable success. The 10 millionth bird observation was recorded on October 5th, and the total number of records of all other species groups are 1,4 million records in November 2014!Positive results from international cooperation on Data sharing Access to knowledge is vital for good decisions. Through cooperation between Norway, India and Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), Norwegian experiences has contributed to better accessibility and better dissemination of data on biodiversity in India.

Kindergarten teachers use thematic units to teach specific objectives in their curriculum. The materials and activities are organized around a theme which is usually a topic of interest to young students. Thematic units are effective for teaching multiple skills and introducing children to concepts in more than one subject. Many schools have reading and language programs with thematic units already created. If you have to design your own, many online resources are available. Choose the theme. You can select themes based on a concept you are teaching, such as transportation, farms, insects or fish. You might want to focus on themes that correspond with holidays in the current month such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and Valentine's Day. Choosing to emphasize special observances such as Black History Month or a season is another option. Develop a lesson plan for the time span of the unit. Kindergarten units usually last two weeks, but can also be one week or a month long. Indicate what goals and objectives are being taught. These can be found in your curriculum guide or your school district and state department of education websites. Write the tasks you will complete each day with specific directions for yourself. Gather resources you will need for each day. Collect worksheets from your files, or use websites such as The Virtual Vine and Kinderkorner that have lists of materials already available at no charge. Choose hands-on projects that reinforce the theme. Kindergarten students enjoy them, and they are effective learning tools. For example, take your students outside to collect leaves in the fall or visit a local farm to study animals and gardens. Address several subjects in one unit. Teaching across the curriculum is a good way to introduce your students to social studies, science and math skills while teaching language and reading at the same time. For example, during a valentine unit, have your kids graph candy hearts according to color, and then count them. A President's Day theme gives you the opportunity to share a brief background of some of our most famous leaders. Develop an assessment that will help you determine the effectiveness of your instruction and the unit materials. This can be an informal observation or a checklist. You should assess the skills that you outlined when designing your unit. Incorporate songs into your units. They are fun and help your students remember what they are learning. - Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

Disposable microfluidic devices created using regular wax paper By Ben Coxworth January 26, 2011 Lab-on-a-chip devices work by directing small samples of liquid through tiny “microchannels” embedded in a small platform, and are used for analyzing liquids in medical and scientific settings. Earlier this week, we reported on a high school teacher who has invented a way of creating such devices using transparency film and a photocopier. Now, scientists from Indiana’s Purdue University have announced a new method of making them using paper. While previous approaches have involved laying down lines of wax or other hydrophobic (water-repelling) material on hydrophilic (water-absorbing) paper, this method uses store-bought hydrophobic paper, and creates the microchannels by burning away the waterproof coating with a laser. Currently, lab-on-a-chip devices are made by using photolithography or etching techniques to create microchannels on small glass or plastic platforms. The liquid being analyzed must then be pumped through those channels using tiny pumps and valves. The Purdue process starts with a strip of ordinary wax or parchment paper, such as that used for cooking. Once the laser burns away the wax in precise lines, dots and patterns, the underlying base hydrophilic paper is exposed. Silica microparticles are also placed in key locations, to help draw the liquid through the channels. As with conventional paper strip tests, the liquid is ultimately drawn to a reagent, which will cause the paper to change color if a specific chemical is present in the liquid. Utilizing the microchannels, different parts of the paper strip could be used to test for different chemicals within the same sample. As a proof-of-concept exercise, the scientists treated some of the paper with luminol, which is used to detect the presence of hemoglobin in blood. When blood was introduced to the paper, the luminol fluoresced blue. The field of paper microfluidics is not brand new, but this particular approach is claimed to be considerably simpler than what has preceded it. “Our process is much easier because we just use a laser to create patterns on paper you can purchase commercially and it is already impregnated with hydrophobic material,” said Babak Ziaie, a Purdue professor of electrical and computer engineering and biomedical engineering. “It's a one-step process that could be used to manufacture an inexpensive diagnostic tool for the developing world where people can't afford more expensive analytical technologies.” Researchers from Pennsylvania State University announced something similar last November – paper test strips that indicate when they’re ready to be read, via a color-changing dot that the liquid reaches through microchannels within a wax coating. The Purdue research was recently published in the journal Lab on a Chip.Share - Around The Home - Digital Cameras - Good Thinking - Health and Wellbeing - Holiday Destinations - Home Entertainment - Inventors and Remarkable People - Mobile Technology - Urban Transport - Wearable Electronics - 2014 Action Camera Comparison Guide - 2014 Smartwatch Comparison Guide - 2014 Windows 2-in-1 Comparison Guide - 2014 Smartphone Comparison Guide - 2014 Full Frame DSLR Comparison Guide - 2014 Tablet Comparison Guide - 2014 Superzoom Camera Comparison Guide - 2014 iPad Comparison Guide - 2014 Entry-Level to Enthusiast DSLR Comparison Guide - 2014 Small Compact Camera Comparison Guide

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Could donkey milk be the way of the future for helping needy children in Namibia? A community center in the country's northern Oshikoto region has started a donkey milking project as a way of providing nutrition to HIV/AIDS orphans and vulnerable children, according to The Namibian newspaper. The Tov Multipurpose Center in Tsumeb, the region's largest town (with a population of just 15,000), is also touting its donkey milking project as a way to provide jobs for the community and raise funding. More from GlobalPost: Kenya's military tweets: don't sell donkeys to militants Reverend Edward Amadhila, the center's founder, was inspired to milk donkeys after reading a newspaper article praising the nutritional benefits of the drink, said to be low in fat and high in vitamins and proteins, The Namibian reported. He still wasn't entirely convinced that the project would work. “We see the donkey as a work animal and not as an animal that can provide nutrition," Amadhila said. But when the first donkey was milked in December, "I was the first one to taste the milk and it is very sweet." Donkeys are commonplace in many African countries, but donkey milk is little known. The Namibian story noted that donkey milk has in the past been used for helping sick people in France and Germany, and in Italy it is still given to young children with allergies to cows' milk. “We need to come with solutions for our community, if not we will have more people eating from the dumpsite,” Amadhila said. More from GlobalPost: The asses of New Delhi

Many children have a great fascination towards small creatures found in gardens, fields or ponds such as earthworms, frogs, tadpoles and newts. As a result of my daughters interest in pond wildlife, I find myself constantly on the look out for ponds noting the various species of aquatic plants, the type of edging added to protect the pond liner and whether there are fish present. This summer, while taking our usual walk into school we noticed that the pond on the school property had been fenced off and that the surrounding garden was starting to look some what over grown. The water level of the pond had also dropped exposing the pond liner. On investigation I was informed that the The Great Crested Newt had been spotted in the pond and because they are a protected species the pond had to be fenced off to all human visitors. I was not aware that this was law in the UK, so went home to research the different species of Newts and why the Greater Crested Newt has become a protected species. Facts about Newts found in our garden ponds: - There are three species of newts native to the UK, namely the Great Crested, the Smooth and the Palmate newt. - All newts are predators and prey on insects, tadpoles, invertebrates and earthworms. - Newts who successfully avoid predators can live for up to 15 years. - Adult newts spend most of their existence on land and only return to water to mate and lay their eggs. They spend about four months between March and July in a pond. - When on land newts shelter from sun and predators under rocks, logs, overgrown boarders, compost heaps and in dry stone walling around the garden. They become active at night or after rain to hunt for insects and earthworms. - The crest of the Great Crested newt is used to attract females and stimulate them into mating. The bigger and more impressive the males breeding crest the more chance he has of attracting a mate. After the breeding season, the crest is absorbed into his body until the following spring or mating season when it is put out on display again. Facts about the protection of Great Crested Newts: - Since the 1940s, populations of Great Crested Newts have declined in numbers due to the loss of their natural habitat. - They are a protected species n England, Wales and Scotland under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and under equivalent legislation in Northern Ireland. - It is an offense to intentionally kill, injure or take a Great Crested Newt - It is an offense to intentionally destroy or damage any breeding site or terrestrial habitat used by the newt for shelter. I read an interesting article about a family extradited from their home as the Great Crested newt had moved in following a flood caused by a burst drainage pipe. I, therefore understand with great respect why the school closed off the property leading to their pond and surrounding garden so designed to provide the best and most suitable types of natural habitats for newts and other wildlife. The pond was fortunately constructed using a UV resistant rubber pond liner, and while no further maintenance, upkeep or topping-up of the ponds water level can be carried out, this type pond line should ‘survive’ many more years without requiring any maintenance. In order to protect the natural habitat of our wildlife we need to teach children to look only with their eyes and to respect nature and their natural habitats. While so much of our habitat is being destroyed by human encroachment, we can help by constructing garden ponds and being less formal with our gardening.

Puppies and kittens are particularly at risk from getting lost just due to their inexperience and inquisitive and mischievous nature. Micro chipping is the most effective way of identifying a lost pet as it allows you to keep your contact details with your pet at all times. Every microchip has a unique number which is stored on a national database. If your dog or cat is found after being lost or stolen, the code will be revealed by passing a scanner over the microchip. A scan of the chip reveals your name and address from the database’s records allowing you and your pet to be quickly reunited. A microchip is slightly smaller than a grain of rice and is inserted under your dog or cat’s skin between the shoulder blades. The procedure is very simple and is no more painful than an injection. Your dog or cat will not be aware of the microchip’s presence once inserted. Remember, once your pet has been micro chipped it is important to keep your personal details up to date. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Do not think expository essay will be that easy to write because you will need to do a lot of research and analyzes. Your personal experience on the topic is important but you can not make it your only source. Before you handle your task, you should do a thorough proof reading and editing to make your paper looks perfect. You should focus on organization of your work process, and clear idea of what you are going to include in your essay, as well as your grounds for doing it. We will guide you how to compose an A-level expository essay. Types of expository essay Look at these 5 most common types of expository essay: - Descriptive. In this time of essay the author presents explanation of a person, object, event or location. This type of essay is good because you have certain freedom to choose the topic you want to work with. When writing, you have to focus on impressing your reader. - Process. If you chose this type of essay you will need to provide an instruction on how to do something, for example write an expository essay. - Comparison. In this essay you will be making analyzes of two different objects on how similar or different they are. - Cause and effect. In this type of expository essay you have to describe one object/event/process and give its consequences on other object/people/life. - Problem and solution. This is a typical academic assignment where you describe the problem and present possible ways of its solution. The structure would contain of a presentation of problematic issue and a list of solutions with explanation. Winning topics for expository essay You may find tons of samples of topics for this type of essay online. If your teacher lets you choose the topic, you should be very serious about it because the topic makes the tone of your paper. The effect on the reader also depends on whether your topic is current and interesting or no. We advice give preference to more specific topics. Below you will find a list of amazing topics for your essay, or some of them may in spire you to creating your own. Topics for 8 grade students - What is our favorite time spending? Why do you enjoy doing it? - Is there anyone you want to look like and why? - Can you teach another person to ride a bicycle? - What are your secrets of memorizing new words in foreign language? - Do low grades at school make you feel bad? Top level topics - Is it possible to keep healthy diet and do sports when your funds are limited? - Do you know how to liquidate bullying at schools? - How do modern technologies influence relationships between people? - What impact video games make on children? - How to focus on non-materialistic things instead of materialistic? Middle level topics - What is your advice on time management? - What are your character’s strong sides? - Pros and cons of internet influence on communication between people - Does the money turn you into a shopaholic? - Why do you think there are so many divorces? Best topics for high school students - Do you have your favorite superhero? Why do you like them? - Is personal independence important for people? - How would you describe love? - What does friendship mean to you? - What do you think helps successful people be successful? Best topics for college students - Is it possible to reduce impact of mass media on our life? - Where and why would you invest a good amount of money if you had one? - Do you have your favorite writer or poet? Why do you enjoy reading their works? - Is it possible to learn how to be a leader? - How important is music for people? Guidelines to write expository essay If you found the right topic for your future essay, proceed to making a structure of it. If you have already accomplished other written tasks you know that their structure is similar, including expository essay. Structure helps you keep your paper organized and logical. Expository essay consist of introductory part, body (3-5 paragraphs) and conclusion. Here are several steps to begin working on your essay:- - Define your target readers - Select an interesting topic - Look for reliable sources of information - Conduct research - Outline the structure of your essay - Write an engaging introductory part - Make your body parts logically linked to each other - Make your conclusion brief and precise - Do not forget about editing and proffreading GET HIGH-QUALITY PAPERS FAST AND EASY Plan of your essay Making a logical plan for your paper makes the process of writing easier since you know which part is which after part, you know how to divide the information you have, and how to link it all together: - Begin your essay with a catching introduction. Keep it short but concise. - Then go to the biggest part – body of your essay. Depending on the amount of material you have it may consist of 3 to 5 paragraphs. - Present a summing up of everything you wrote about in conclusion. How to write introductory part Introduction is the first thing your audience reads. This is why it is very important to make it interesting and memorable. If you fail doing so, the reader may not want to continue. Here are 3 tips how to make your introduction catching: - Present the main idea of the issue you are going to cover in your essay - Provide your arguments to deal with this topic - Compose a good thesis statement. How to write a catching statement Your statement will be great if you: - Give facts - Explain the main idea - Explain the goals of writing the essay How to write the body of your essay As it was mentioned above the body may consist of 3-5 paragraphs. You will make your essay body great if you: - Outline the main idea of each paragraph - Include evidences of your point of you in each paragraph - Explain the correctness of the provided evidences Expert advice on writing expository essay If you use serious approach to wiring your essay it will help you reveal and improve your writing and communication skills. The most important thing when you start making your written assignment is to select the topic of your interest. You probably know that when you like something you can perform better. Another important thing to remember about expository essay is that you are the key figure in your essay. You present your point of view and you offer your audience to look at the problem you describe through the prism of your opinion. Do not forget to provide good support in form of facts to your statements. This is why every word you write is important. You have to locate the information you want to share with your reader in logical order. It is like a puzzle, when put properly it will give the expected result. Do not steal words and thoughts of other people. If your opinions coincide explain why you think this or that way. Your paper must not have mistakes. Remember to edit and proofread it when you finish writing. Also use proper lexical units to maintain a high level of your paper. Custom papers on order If this is your first written assignment of this type and you are a bit scared of the possible negative result if you write it yourself, or if you do not have time to make another written assignment because of a huge academic load, or you just do not have sufficient writing skills to compose a winning expository essay – you need to get help from expert writers. At domywriting.com we fulfill written tasks of all levels of complexity and on numerous subjects. We will help you select a winning expository essay topic and provide you with top quality custom paper. We guarantee uniqueness of our essays. It will have the necessary structure and contents, all the facts will be proved by good arguments. The paper will be based on trustworthy current information sources. If you have any difficulties with writing your expository essay, we know how to help you perform good and impress your target audience.

Digitisation projects by various non-profit, government and commercial organisations have given family historians access to a plethora of records that were previously very difficult to access or obtain. We can now access rich and diverse materials from a range of institutions across the globe without leaving the confines of our homes. The National Library of New Zealand's Introduction to Digitisation tells us: Digitisation is the process of converting a physical object like a book, newspaper, photograph or sound recording into a computer file. Methods of digitising objects include scanning and digital photography. The benefits of digitisation Digitising physical objects has a number of benefits, including: - Improving access. Digitised items which are available on the internet can be accessed anywhere at any time. - Assisting research. For example, by making the text in magazines and newspapers searchable, researchers can quickly identify sections of interest without having to browse through every issue. - Preserving items. Digitisation means that original material may not have to be used as often by researchers. It is also an effective means of preserving sound recordings. Having access to a range of free and subscription digitised collections has greatly enhanced my knowledge of earlier generations, has enabled me to identify new ancestors and verify details for others. Without Trove I would not have known that my great-great-grandfather was the starter at the local race club, a member of the rifle club or the builder of a number of country buildings in New South Wales. From NSW State Records collections I have been able to view digitised passenger lists that include the names and details of my ancestors. Familysearch, a leader in records digitisation, provides access to digital records from many countries; these may just be digital images of card files from resource catalogues to images of original parish records. Commercial entities like Ancestry and FindMyPast often enter into agreements to digitise records from repositories and make them available for a fee from their sites. I have found numerous Census Records, Shipping Reccords and Electoral Roll entries from sites like these. As well as accessing images others have taken of ancestors headstones from sites like Australian Cemeteries Index I pay back by photographing images and posting them to BillionGraves to make them available to others. Many genealogists share digital images of vital records they hold with researchers with shared interests. How many of these, I wonder, have embarked on personal digitisation projects. For the reasons outlined above everyone who holds valuable family documents and artefacts should embark on a program of digitising these assets. I have around 90,000 digitised photographs and documents that are all tagged with keywords so that they are easily accessed. As time permits I continue to add to this collection. Recently I have scanned a collection of letters written by my son and myself when he spent six months in his school's outdoor education campus, I photographed a clay sculpture before it crumbled) done by my daughter at school and several school projects that had seen better days. You may already make use of resources digitised by large bodies but have you considered embarking on a personal digitisation project?

14-18. The mechanical role of pore fluids in seismicity, earthquake source physics, and faulting. Elevated pore fluid pressure is routinely used to explain local and crustal scale faulting on the basis of theoretical expectations, while definitive seismologic evidence of the role of pore pressure (earthquake rates, source properties, and spectra) is limited to induced earthquakes. For example, high pore fluid pressure is often invoked to explain faulting in low shear stress environments; in particular large and plate-boundary-scale faults that are not optimally oriented for frictional sliding in the regional stress field, including most of the earth’s subduction zones, plate boundary strike-slip faults such as the San Andreas and low-angle detachments. Despite a perceived mechanical need for elevated pore pressure, earthquakes in low shear stress environments are generally indistinguishable from those in high shear stress regions. Nor are there established differences in earthquake statistics (e.g., frequency magnitude relations, aftershock productivity, or occurrence of triggered seismicity) between regions of hypothesized elevated pore pressure and elsewhere. A related issue is that regardless of the magnitude of the ambient pore pressure, slip during moderate and larger earthquakes is sufficiently sustained and rapid to produce enough shear heat to overpressurize pore fluid, producing complete earthquake stress drops, provided the fault is sufficiently localized and does not dilate significantly. Nonetheless, large earthquake stress drops and radiated energy efficiencies are small and generally identical to those of microearthquakes. Outside of plate boundaries, the mechanical role of elevated pore fluid pressure in earthquake occurrence is also poorly understood. In intraplate regions the crust is thought to be stressed close to frictional failure and pore pressures are typically near hydrostatic. Under these circumstances raising pore fluid pressure artificially via fluid injection, a practice that is widespread and becoming more common in the United States, should produce widespread local high seismicity rates. However, the few well-documented cases of induced seismicity occur at a tiny fraction of the total number of injection sites, suggesting that either that stress is lower than assumed or additional factors beyond elevated pore fluid pressure are required to induce intraplate seismicity. As in plate boundary regions, the source properties of induced earthquakes are not easily distinguished from background seismicity. Similarly, in volcanic and hydrothermal areas in instances where earthquake swarms are likely driven by increasing pore fluid pressure, earthquake source properties are essentially identical to background events. In addition to the relatively few documented instances of human-induced seismicity, there are regions where pore pressure appears to have a strong influence on earthquake occurrence and source properties. On the deep, predominately ductile extent of many plate boundary faults, seismic tremors can be triggered by remarkably small static (tidal) and elastodynamic stresses. These observations are thought to indicate faulting at very high pore pressures. Furthermore, the resulting seismicity is depleted in high frequency content relative to typical earthquakes. Reasons for this depletion are unknown but may be the result of pore fluid effects in the source region or from nearby attenuation. In some cases these regions also have anomalous elastic properties (Vp/Vs ratios), attributed to the presence of fluids. Similarly, in active volcanic environments, earthquake source properties can deviate from those of typical tectonic earthquakes. Observations include volcanic tremor as well as hybrid earthquakes (combining aspects of tremor and tectonic earthquakes) with significant depletion in high frequency content, both thought to result from pore fluid effects in the source or immediate vicinity. This Opportunity is for new research in seismology, computational geophysics, field/borehole geophysics or rock mechanics involving the occurrence of earthquakes in the presence of pore fluid. The expected potential research products of this Mendenhall opportunity are (1) better physical understanding of the source properties, in-situ conditions and physics of earthquakes, (2) new or refined constitutive models associated with earthquake occurrence and fault slip, and (3) improved understanding of ground motion and hazard. For this Research Opportunity we seek contributions in the following research areas: Proposed Duty Station: Menlo Park, California. Areas of Ph.D.: Geophysics, seismology, geology volcanology, rock mechanics or related fields (candidates holding a Ph.D. in other disciplines, but with extensive knowledge and skills relevant to the Research Opportunity may be considered). Qualifications: Applicants must meet one of the following qualifications - Research Geologist, Research Geophysicist. (This type of research is performed by those who have backgrounds for the occupations stated above. However, other titles may be applicable depending on the applicant's background, education, and research proposal. The final classification of the position will be made by the Human Resources specialist). Research Advisors: Nick Beeler, (360) 993-8987, email@example.com.; Bill Ellsworth, (650) 329-5020, firstname.lastname@example.org.; David Lockner, (650) 329-4826, email@example.com.; David Shelly, (650) 329-4024, firstname.lastname@example.org.; Steve Hickman, (650) 329-4807, email@example.com. Human Resources Office Contact: Lisa James, (916) 278-9405, firstname.lastname@example.org. |Summary of Opportunities|

The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument was established to protect significant prehistoric, historic, geologic, and biologic resources of scientific interest, and includes four areas: the Organ Mountains, Desert Peaks, Potrillo Mountains, and Doña Ana Mountains. The Organ Mountains are a steep, angular mountain range with rocky spires that jut majestically above the Chihuahuan Desert floor to an elevation of 9,000 feet. This picturesque area of rocky peaks, narrow canyons, and open woodlands ranges from Chihuahuan Desert habitat to ponderosa pine in the highest elevations. Located adjacent to and on the east side of Las Cruces, this area provides opportunities for photography, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, camping, and wildlife viewing. The Desert Peaks include the Robledo Mountains, Sierra de las Uvas, and Doña Ana Mountains, characterized by desert mountains rising steeply from flat plains. The Potrillo Mountains are the most remote section of the Monument located a distance to the southwest from Las Cruces, and is comprised of a volcanic landscape of cinder cones, lava flows, and craters. The Doña Ana Mountains have extensive pedestrian trails, equestrian trails, mountain bike trails, rock climbing routes, and some limited routes available for motorized use.

BERING SEA, Alaska — This past summer, the Greenpeace ship M/V Esperanza carried two manned submersibles, a remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) and an international research team to the Bering Sea for a three week survey of Zhemchug and Pribilof Canyons,to map and document deepwater corals living at depths of more than 1,000 feet. The expedition was conceived of and was led by Greenpeace. 1planet1ocean president David E. Guggenheim participated as a sub pilot and scientific consultant. Pribilof and Zhemchug Canyons revealed diverse and complex ecosystems, rich with corals, sponges, fish and other marine life. They also revealed striking human impacts from trawlers, damage that was documented during the expedition. More than a terabyte of video data and numerous biological specimens are now being analyzed and results are being shared with a range of decisionmakers and decisionmaking bodies, including the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council. Archive for month: September, 2007 Proyecto Costa Noroccidental research team aboard Cuban research vessel Boca del Toro, second expedition The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies (HRI) at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and the University of Havana’s Center for Marine Research (CIM) [Centro de Investigaciones Marinas] are leading a collaborative effort, Proyecto Costa Noroccidental [Project of the Northwest Coast], a comprehensive multi-year research and conservation program for Cuba’s Gulf of Mexico coast. Dr. David E. Guggenheim, president of 1planet1ocean, is a member of HRI’s Advisory Council and also serves as HRI’s Cuba Programs Manager and is co-principal investigator of the project with Dr. Gaspar González Sansón of CIM. Read more Fax: +1 (202) 888-3329 P.O. Box 53090 Washington, DC 20009

A UCLA Geologist named An Yin has been studying the surface of Mars for signs of tectonic plates and believes that he has found two tectonic plates. Earth has seven major plates and dozens of minor or micro plates that are in constant motion. This may indicate that Mars is still at a primitive state of plate tectonics or that plate tectonics don’t have enough energy from the interior of Mars to be as active as the Earth. This can be viewed as good news because we can study Mars for clues about the past of Earth’s plate tectonic development and we may be able to apply this new knowledge to form more detailed information about tectonic on other planets. This also shows yet another similarity between the two planets that was previously unknown making yet another way that Mars and the Earth are alike. Yin went on to theorize that features such as cliffs, flat sides of canyon walls, as well as a linear volcanic zone are proof of tectonic plates as these types of features are not found on any other planets in the solar system except Earth and Mars. The Mariner Valleys would be a prime example of this type of geological formation. It is thought that it is at a plate boundary between two tectonic plates and sliding at different rates. An example of this type of fault line can be found in the Dead Sea Transform, which has also caused a large canyon system which forms the Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, and Gulf of Aqaba. While it’s unknown how often Marsquakes may occur and with what intensity, it’s unlikely that any major Marsquakes are going to upset the Curiosity rover. The abundance of tectonic activity of Earth and its study allows us to do detailed comparisons that would not otherwise be possible. THEMIS (Thermal Emission Imaging System), Context Camera (CTX), and HiRISE (High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment) images have been used to made this discovery. While sometimes it seems like discoveries about Mars are limited to soil composition and the search for water, there are many things about Mars that we have learned lately that allow us to understand Earth better. As Mars is the only other rocky planet that we have been able to study in detail, the more things we learn about Mars then the more things we can guess about other rocky planets in the universe. As we find out more about plate tectonics, we may be better to formulate ideas about the relationships between the volume, mass and interior heat of a planet and the likelihood or faults, volcanoes, and quakes. As the search for planets around other stars continues to yield results, we are going to need to be able to make the best guess at habitability and knowing if a planet is undergoing constant volcanic eruptions and quakes will be necessary information before we attempt a visit. (Below: Map of Mars by altitude, Blue = low, Red = high).

Get the Facts on Fat White paper summarising the current nutritional research and recommendations regarding fat. The general consensus for many years has been that dietary intakes of saturated fat should be limited to help prevent conditions such as high blood cholesterol and cardiovascular disease. More recently, the media has profiled research which suggests that some saturated fatty acids may be beneficial to our health, leaving consumers confused as to what to eat and what not to eat. In this white paper, Jenny Arthur, summarises what you need to know about the current research and recommendations.

What is the Difference Between The USDA Food Guide Pyramid & The Hauser Diet Monkey Food Pyramid? The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has created a Food Guide Pyramid that gives dietary guidance for all Americans. While it encourages individualized diets through different amounts of calories and servings, it recommends the same proportions of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, fruit/vegetables, dairy for all Americans. It emphasizes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products. It includes lean protein items and groups them together as lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts. Lastly, it encourages diets that are low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt, and added sugars. These guidelines were created as an answer to the growing problem of overweight and obese Americans. And we know that many Americans do try to eat low fat, they may even be afraid of fat, yet they continue to gain weight. The rate of obesity is still increasing and showing no signs of decreasing. A recent survey showed an upward trend in the number of obese Americans – in fact this number had doubled in the last 30 years! The Hauser Diet team believes that all diets should be individualized, and not just by the number of calories and servings – the actual proportions of macronutrients needs to be individualized for each and every person. As a MONKEY, how does your diet differ? Well, it’s actually quite similar. Let’s take a look at the different categories: People who are placed on the Monkey diet are usually slow or normal oxidizers, meaning they use carbohydrates quite well. Complex carbohydrates are always emphasized and simple carbohydrates need to be kept to a minimum. Monkeys also tend to have alkaline or normal blood pH. The high complex carbohydrate content of the Monkey Diet works to keep the pH in balance. Fruits and Vegetables: One major difference with the Hauser Diet is that it separates fruits and vegetables. While most dietary guidelines combine the two, it makes more sense to separate them since they have different amounts of natural sugar and different effects on the body. Fruit has more natural fructose, a sugar that can break down quickly and exacerbate a fast oxidizer. It will also cause the pH to become more acidic. Vegetables on the other hand have less natural sugar and don’t affect the blood sugars in the same way that fruit does. On the Monkey diet, you will see that vegetables are encourages much more than fruit is. Low-fat and fat-free dairy products are often recommended to be consumed three times per day. Dairy is at the top of the Hauser Diet Pyramid, meaning we don’t think everyone needs to guzzle down milk for healthy bones. Keeping you blood pH balanced, exercising with weights, and eating dark green leafy vegetables will help with your bone health. Monkeys need lean protein to keep their blood pH from rising too high to the alkaline side. Since they are either normal or slow oxidizers, too much protein will cause them to feel sluggish because their body will break down these foods slowly and energy production will be delayed. Monkeys need a small amount of lean protein throughout the day to feel their best. While the Hauser Diet agrees that all trans-fat should be avoided, all other natural-occurring types of fat are ok. Monkeys do need to keep a low fat diet, but buying “fat-free” and “low-fat” products is out of the question – way too many chemicals and added sugar. Monkeys should follow a diet that is naturally low in fat through plenty of complex carbohydrates and vegetables. So the next time you see dietary guidelines that encourage one recommendation for all people, be wary! We have seen numerous success stories from people who have chosen to eat right for their diet type – and oftentimes this means going against what everyone else is doing. But if the number of overweight and obese people continues to rise, don’t you want to be going against the grain? If you haven’t had Diet Typing yet, give us a call or make an appointment online and we will get you started!

What you need to know about organic foods Updated: Jun 26, 2020 Dietitians are often asked if organic foods are a better option than conventional foods. Over the past two decades or so, we have seen a significant increase in the demand for organic foods. Nowadays, we can find organic products not only in specialty stores but also in conventional supermarkets. According to the 2019 U.S. Organic Industry Survey released by the Organic Trade Association, organic food sales in the U.S. reached $47.9 billion in 2018, a 5.9% increase from the previous year and a 125% increase when compared to sales in 2009 ($21.3 billion). It is the fastest-growing food sector in North America and Europe, although it only covers ~ 1% of global agricultural land and only contributes ~ 1 to 8% of total food sales in most North American and European countries. But, are organic foods, in fact, a better choice than their counterparts or is it just hype? Before answering this question, let’s make sure that we are on the same page when it comes to the term “organic”. What is organic? The labeling term “organic” was defined by the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and it is about the way the crops and animals are grown. Federal guidelines address several factors, such as soil quality, animal raising practices, pest and weed control, and use of additives. Approved methods integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Prohibited substances include most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. If you are curious, you can view the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances here. Also, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering (to improve disease or pest resistance or to improve crop yields) may not be used. Are the terms “organic” and “natural” interchangeable? No, they are not the same. A formal definition for the term “natural” has not been established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to the FDA, the term “natural” means that nothing artificial or synthetic (including all color additives regardless of source) is added, other than what is normally expected to be in that food. Note that this policy does not refer to food production methods, such as the use of pesticides. The “organic” seal Only products that contain at least 95% of organic ingredients can display on their labels the USDA organic seal that we are very familiar with. Products with at least 70% organically produced ingredients may state “Made with organic [insert the name of the ingredient]” or, those containing less than 70% organic contents may specify which ingredients are organic in their ingredients list, but these last two categories must not include the USDA organic seal. So, going back to our initial question: are organic foods a better choice than conventional foods? Well, unfortunately, it is very controversial and there is no clear-cut answer here, so let’s explore its several shades of gray. Scientific evidence showing that organic produce is more nutritious than conventional food is not conclusive. Some studies do show some potential health benefits of organic foods, with possibly higher antioxidant and lower cadmium and pesticide levels found in organic crops, and higher omega-3 concentrations found in organic meat and dairy products. However, there is limited information to draw conclusions. And, if food safety is concerning to you, keep in mind that the health benefits of a meal pattern rich in a variety of fruits and vegetables, regardless of the production method used, outweigh possible exposure to pesticides. The discussion around organic foods goes beyond their nutrient content. Organic farming methods show many potential benefits, such as higher biodiversity and improved soil and water quality, which explain why many believe they are less damaging to the environment. On the other hand, critics believe that organic farming requires more land to produce the same amount of food as conventional farms (lower productivity). Also, it has increased labor and animal feed costs, contributing to its higher price to consumers. The take-home message Whether you opt for organic foods or not is a personal decision. If you (and your pocket!) feel more comfortable with this choice, go for it. However, from a nutritional standpoint, note there is limited scientific evidence showing that organic is more nutritious when compared to conventionally grown foods. If you are seeking organic choices, you can get the best bang for your buck if you choose organic produce that is in season. Also, consider buying organic foods from your local farmer’s market. They will be locally grown and with reduced transportation costs, which may lead to lower prices. It is unlikely that produce that contains a thick peel that will be discarded, such as the peel of bananas and oranges, will have pesticide residues in their edible parts. Also, you can discard the outer leaves of leafy vegetables to reduce contaminants. And, as always, wash and scrub fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water. It does not wash away all the contaminants, but it helps remove dirt, bacteria, and possible traces of chemicals from their surface. 1. Barański M, Rempelos L, Iversen PO, Leifert C. Effects of organic food consumption on human health; the jury is still out! Food & Nutrition Research. 2017;61(1). doi:10.1080/16546628.2017.1287333. 2. Organic Trade Association’s 2019 Organic Industry Survey Conducted 1/25/2019–3/26/2019 (Consumer Sales). https://ota.com/sites/default/files/indexed_files/Fig2.2_rev.pdf. Accessed February 29, 2020. 3. Seufert V, Ramankutty N. Many shades of gray—The context-dependent performance of organic agriculture. Science Advances. 2017;3(3). doi:10.1126/sciadv.1602638. 4. USDA. Organic 101: What the USDA Organic Label Means. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2012/03/22/organic-101-what-usda-organic-label-means. Accessed February 29, 2020. 5. USDA. Organic Production & Handling Standards. https://www.ams.usda.gov/publications/content/organic-production-handling-standards. Accessed February 29, 2020. 6. FDA. Use of the Term Natural on Food Labeling. https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/use-term-natural-food-labeling. Accessed February 29, 2020. 7. USDA. Organic Labeling Standards. https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/organic-labeling-standards. Accessed February 29, 2020. 8. Forman J, Silverstein J. Organic Foods: Health and Environmental Advantages and Disadvantages. Pediatrics. 2012;130(5). doi:10.1542/peds.2012-2579.

Most people probably know what the pulse is because you've felt it - even if you don't know it's called the pulse; and happily, even if you don't know what it is, it's very easy to understand. It's basically the bulging of an artery when blood is pushed through. So how does it work? Imagine you have a rubber tube a bit like a hose pipe. If you tried to push a ball through it that was slightly bigger than the tube, you'll cause it to bulge as the ball goes through. Similarly, if you were to use a pump to push a large volume of liquid through the tube, the tube will probably bulge out every time the pump does its thing. Well, this is what's going on with the pulse. The heart is the pump pushing blood forward, and every time the heart beats, a wave of blood flows out and through the arteries. If the artery is big enough, then you can feel the bulge as it goes through - this is particularly clear at the wrist, and in the neck. You can tell how regularly the heart is beating by counting the number of times you feel the pulse in a minute (the pulse rate). It can sometimes also be useful to consider the rhythm of the pulse. If you get a regular beat (like drips from a tap that hasn't been turned off properly), then that's a good sign. Sometimes people have a pulse which is irregular (like someone who's not very good at playing the drums), and this could be a sign of atrial fibrilation. The pulse is clearly a useful sign, as it gives us clues about what's going on in the heart. However, it's not just the rate and rhythm which give us clues about this - you can sometimes get clues that the heart valves aren't working properly by feeling the way that the pulse passes your fingers - feeling the pulse character. There's no particularly easy way to remember these, it's just a case of sitting down and learning them. However, they do make sense - there's a reason that a particular pulse character suggests a particular problem. - A collapsing pulse (or water-hammer pulse) happens when you have aortic regurgitation; if the aortic valve isn't working and blood flows back into the heart every time it's in diastole, then you'll get a powerful forward flow when the heart beats, as with a normal pulse, but there'll be a kind of sucking back when the blood leaks through the aortic valve. You can feel this in a patient with aortic regurgitation - as you feel their radial pulse (at the wrist), lift their arm up and feel with your fingers around the front of the forearm. The pulse can be felt rising and snaking back down again where you're feeling the pulse, and the hand around the forearm should feel the muscles contracting to help the blood along. - A slow rising pulse is seen in aortic stenosis and it works exactly as it sounds. Because the aortic valve is tightly shut, only allowing blood to squeeze through a small hole in the middle, you're not going to get the quick outflow of blood that you'd expect. Instead, as you feel the pulse it is slow to reach its peak (slow-rising) and then drops away again. - A jerky pulse is seen in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Although this can feel normal to start with, you might be able to notice that the pulse feels jerky, and the patient should really be investigated further. - A bounding pulse is classically the sign that you see with carbon dioxide retention. When the blood has too much carbon dioxide in it, you'll find the pulse has a bounding character, but unless you know what you're looking for, you could mistake it for increased blood volume, or exercise. Helpfully, carbon dioxide excess can also show up with other signs - you get warm, sweaty palms, and the hands will give a flapping tremor when held out in front. - Pulses alternans is seen when the left ventricle isn't working properly, so it can't sustain strong impulses. You get alternating strong and weak pulsation and suggests that you've got a big problem with your heart. - Pulsus paradoxus is where the pulse volume (and similarly blood pressure) falls with inspiration. In a normal, healthy person you will often find that breathing in causes a increase in pulse rate. Expanding the rib cage causes a decrease in the pressure in the thorax, leading to air flowing into the lungs and blood vessels around the lungs collect blood more easily. Less blood coming out of the lungs causes a drop in systolic blood pressure, so the pulse rate goes up. Normally. If there is pressure on the heart (e.g. pericardial effusions or constrictive pericarditis), or if the lungs don't inflate so well (e.g. severe bronchoconstriction from asthma) then the opposite might occur, hence pulsus paradoxus. - Finally, pulsus bisferiens is where the pulses has two peaks. This comes when someone is suffering from both aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation. The two waves are sometimes called percussion and tidal waves.

What is a Specific Plan? A specific plan is a regulatory tool that local governments use to guide development in a localized area and to systematically implement the general plan. A specific plan is intended as a more detailed development plan than is a general plan. There are six specific plans in the City of Chino, including: What information is provided in a specific plan? State law (Government Code Section 65450 et seq.) states that a specific plan must include the following information: (1) the distribution, location, and extent of land uses, including open space, within the area covered by the plan; (2) the proposed distribution, location, and extent and intensity of major components of public and private transportation, sewage, water, drainage, solid waste disposal, energy, and other essential facilities proposed to be located within the area covered by the plan and needed to support the land uses described in the plan; (3) standards and criteria by which development will proceed, and standards for the conservation, development, and utilization of natural resources, where applicable; (4) a program of implementation measures including regulation, programs, public works projects, and financing measures necessary to carry out 1, 2, and 3, above; and (5) a statement of the relationship of the specific plan to the adopted general plan. In simple terms, a specific plan will set forth goals, objectives, policies, and programs for development for the area within which they apply.

A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa research team is turning agricultural byproducts into a new generation of biodegradable plastics that could be made in the state. “We hope the plastics we are developing will significantly improve the global environment at costs that are competitive with or less than traditional petrochemical plastics,” says Jian Yu, a Hawaiʻi Natural Energy Institute associate researcher who heads the bioplastics research team. Yu has filed for two patents based on the processes he developed. The technology is being used in a pilot plant in Europe, and the company that operates it plans to invest $2 million to establish a biomaterial testing laboratory in Hawaiʻi. As an island state, Hawaiʻi has a vested interest. The archipelago receives a barrage of plastic waste that escapes the vast ocean gyre known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Debris that doesn’t kill birds, fish, seals and turtles outright breaks down into smaller pieces, introducing toxic petrochemicals into the global food chain. The concept of biodegradable plastics dates to the 1970s. Producers used chemical synthesis to blend conventional plastics with a natural product, like starch. “Unfortunately, the starches only enhanced fragmentation, making it easier for these petro-plastics to enter the food chain,” says Yu. Later attempts used PLA (polylactide) polymers derived from corn and other plant sugars to make rigid transparent containers. The polymers break down at the relatively high temperature in municipal landfills, but not in the natural environment. Yu’s PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) plastics are formed by biological activities in microbial cells without chemical synthesis. Common bacteria easily break down the resulting product into carbon dioxide and methane gas in the presence of water. “You could literally dump this plastic into the ocean and it would break down into benign components over the course of about six months,” Yu says. The process generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions than petrochemical plastic production, and the byproducts recycle into new biomass from which new bioplastics can be made. The HNEI scientists use waste products that have little value yet are rich in sugars—remnant bagasse from sugarcane, low-grade molasses from sugar production or waste water from corn-based ethanol production. They are testing banagrass, a high-yield, fast-growing plant common to Hawaiʻi. The feedstock is scrubbed and treated in a proprietary process to make it suitable to microbial use, and then fed into a bioreactor stocked with specially bred bacteria and operated at an economical 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius). The bacteria produce and store PHA polymers, reaching density levels of nearly 80 percent of their total body mass. A patented process separates and purifies the polymers. Yu has achieved 98 percent purities in laboratory settings and roughly 96 percent purities in larger pilot reactors. The HNEI product can be easily fine-tuned to satisfy client demand for specific properties, such as pliable or rigid plastics, without using chemical additives. Yu says his bioplastics cost 20–30 percent more to produce per kilogram than petroleum-based plastics. But that differential could disappear quickly if oil prices continue to bump above $100 per barrel and co-location of plastic production facilities at feedstock sources reduce transportation costs. “For places like Hawaiʻi, this could be a model for improving the local economy by using local means of production,” he says. This story was adapted from the University of Hawaiʻi research magazine Kaunānā

The word “Gentrification” conjures up all sorts of negative images. Historic houses demolished for Mcmansions. Mom and pop stores replaced by Starbucks. Poor people forced out by rising rents. There’s also the misconception that if neighborhood ‘a’ is gentrified, all the poor people will move to neighborhood ‘b’ – in turn ruining it. The last complaints have been proven wrong by urban planning professor Lance Freeman and economist Jacob Vigdor. Their research shows that few residents are actually forced from neighborhoods as a result of gentrification. People move away, but not in greater numbers than move from non-gentrifying neighborhoods. [i] In fact, their research suggested that gentrification can actually make it more likely that people will stay. That’s because gentrification has benefits. Businesses move in – and with them jobs. The tax base increases. Crime decreases. The schools improve. The same forces that attract the rich to a gentrified neighborhood, also encourage the poor to stay. This should come as no surprise. Look at a neighborhood that has gentrified. You can’t point to another neighborhood and say “that’s where all the poor people went.” But people want to leave bad neighborhoods – and when they can, they do. Cities are dynamic things. Gentrifying one neighborhood doesn’t mean ruining another. Quite the contrary. Gentrification benefits people in their own neighborhoods. We shouldn’t be afraid of it.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be Swiss? Or what does it takes to become a Swiss citizen? In this article, we’ll explore the history and culture of Switzerland, and take a look at what it means to be Swiss today. We’ll also dispel some common myths about Switzerland and its citizens. Therefore, whether you’re planning a trip to Switzerland, or just curious about this small Alpine country, read on to find out more about what it means to be Swiss! Origins and history of Switzerland Switzerland is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by France to the west, Italy to the south, Austria and Liechtenstein to the east, and Germany to the north. Switzerland has a long and rich history, dating back to the Roman Empire. Switzerland’s official name is the Swiss Confederation, which reflects the country’s history as a confederation of independent cantons. The first Swiss canton was Uri, which was founded in 1291. The three other original cantons were Schwyz, Unterwalden, and Lucerne. These four cantons formed the core of the Swiss Confederacy. In 1332, they were joined by the canton of Zurich, and in 1481, by Berne. The French Revolution in 1789 led to the creation of the Helvetic Republic, which lasted until 1803. In 1815, Switzerland was once again a confederation of independent cantons. The Swiss Constitution of 1848 created a federal state, which is the Switzerland we know today. Switzerland has a strong tradition of neutrality and has not been involved in a major war since 1815. This neutrality was formally recognized by the Great Powers in 1815. Switzerland is home to many international organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), World Health Organization (WHO), and World Trade Organization (WTO). Read also: How to get Swiss Citizenship by Investment Myths about Switzerland and the Swiss There are many misconceptions about Switzerland and its citizens. Here are some of the most common myths about Switzerland and the Swiss: - All Swiss people are rich. This is not true! While Switzerland is a wealthy country, there is a lot of variation in wealth among its citizens. - The Swiss are boring. Again, this is not true! The Swiss are quite friendly and welcoming, and there is a lot to do in Switzerland, from hiking in the Alps to exploring its many lakes and cities. - The Swiss are all cowards. This myth probably comes from the fact that Switzerland is neutral in international conflicts. However, the Swiss Army is one of the most well-trained and well-equipped armies in the world, so this myth is not true! - All Swiss cheese has holes in it. This is not the case! There are many types of Swiss cheese, and not all of them have holes. The most famous type of Swiss cheese with holes is Emmental cheese, but there are also many types of Swiss cheese without holes. The Swiss Culture and Way of Life The Swiss have a reputation for being efficient, punctual, and orderly – and for good reason! This small Alpine country has a long history of political neutrality and military non-interference, which has helped to create a stable and prosperous society. The Swiss are also proud of their traditions and culture, which includes some of the world’s most famous cheeses and chocolates! However, Switzerland is much more than just its stereotypes. The country is home to a diverse range of people, languages, and religions. And while the Swiss may be known for their love of order, they also have a strong sense of individualism and creative flair. So what does it mean to be Swiss? Here are some key aspects of the Swiss culture and way of life: - A love of nature: The Swiss love spending time in the great outdoors, and it’s not uncommon to see people hiking or cycling even in the middle of winter! - A focus on quality: The Swiss are known for their attention to detail, whether it’s in the precision of their watchmaking or the quality of their chocolate. - A sense of order: From clean streets to punctual trains, the Swiss often seem to prefer things to be well arranged. But this doesn’t mean that they’re boring – far from it! - A strong sense of individuality: Despite their reputation for being orderly, the Swiss value individual expression and creativity. Read also: Moving to Switzerland: All You Need to Know What it means to be Swiss today What does it mean to be Swiss today? This is a question that is often asked, particularly by foreigners, and it’s not an easy question to answer. Switzerland has a long history of neutrality and independence, and these values are still very important to Swiss citizens today. In a globalized world, Switzerland is seen as a stable and safe country, with a high standard of living. Switzerland is also known for its beautiful scenery, its delicious chocolate, and its watchmaking industry. But there’s much more to Switzerland than just these stereotypes. Therefore, what does it mean to be Swiss today? Here are some thoughts from Swiss citizens themselves: “It means being part of a small country that punches above its weight.” “It means having a strong sense of community and tradition.” “It means enjoying the good things in life, while also being prepared for the worst.” “It means being independent and self-reliant.” “It means being tolerant and open-minded.” What are the Ways of Becoming Swiss Nationality? There are a few different ways that you can become a Swiss citizen. The most common way is by being born in Switzerland or having Swiss parents. If you’re not born into Swiss citizenship, you can still become a citizen through naturalization. This process involves living in Switzerland for a certain period and meeting other requirements such as being fluent in one of the national languages and having a steady job. You may also be eligible for Swiss citizenship if you have married a Swiss citizen, or if you have special ties to Switzerland through your ancestors. Once you have become a Swiss citizen, there are a few rights and responsibilities that come with it. As a Swiss citizen, you have the right to live and work in any part of Switzerland, and you also have the right to vote and stand for election. You also have certain responsibilities, such as paying taxes and serving in the Swiss military (if you are male). What are the required documents to become Switzerland Nationality To become a Swiss citizen, you must first meet a few requirements. You must be 18 years of age or older, have a clean criminal record, and have lived in Switzerland for at least 10 years. If you meet these criteria, you can then begin the application process. The first step is to fill out an application form, which you can get from your local canton’s office. Once you have completed the form, you will need to submit it along with several other documents. These include a copy of your passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), and proof of residency. You will also need to provide a Swiss address and contact information. Once your application is submitted, it will be reviewed by the canton’s office. If everything is in order, you will be invited to an interview. During the interview, you will be asked about your Swiss history and culture. You will also be asked to take a Swiss citizenship test, which covers topics such as Swiss history, geography, and politics. If you pass the test, you will be granted Swiss citizenship! Frequently Asked Questions - What is the history of Switzerland? - The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291, making it one of the oldest countries in the world. The Confederation was originally formed as an alliance between three cantons, or states, in central Switzerland. Over time, other cantons joined the Confederation, and today there are 26 cantons in Switzerland. - What are the Swiss values? - The Swiss value neutrality, democracy, and direct democracy. These values are reflected in Switzerland’s political system, which is one of the most stable and efficient in the world. The Swiss also value environmental protection and sustainable development. - What is the Swiss culture like? - The Swiss culture is diverse, due to the country’s multilingual and multicultural population. However, there are some commonalities among the Swiss. For example, many Swiss enjoy skiing and hiking in the Alps, and eating cheese and chocolate! - What is the Swiss economy like? - The Swiss economy is highly diversified and includes sectors such as banking, pharmaceuticals, watchmaking, and tourism. The country has a very low unemployment rate and a high standard of living. Other Interesting Contents - Here’s a Quick Way to Obtain Switzerland Student Visa - How to Fast Track Switzerland Work Visa - Paths to Switzerland Permanent Residency – How to Apply There is more to being Swiss than just eating cheese and chocolate, living in a clean and orderly society, or having a lot of money in the bank. Being Swiss means having a deep appreciation for nature, a strong sense of community, and a commitment to democracy and peace.

This mystic and Doctor of the Church has endless wisdom. St. Teresa of Jesus was born March 28, 1515, to a noble family of Avila, Spain. She died in October 1582, at the age of 67. She is one of four female Doctors of the Church. Teresa was a Carmelite who set out to reform her order, enacting changes that eventually led to the formation of the Discalced Carmelites. She is best known for her teaching on prayer and mysticism, spelled out in The Interior Castle and The Way of Perfection. She is also known for being a strong character, with a sharp sense of humor. Astronomers in the Middle Ages realized that the calendar was off by 10 days. So by the papal bull Inter gravissimas, Pope Gregory XIII instituted the new calendar and declared that the day after October 4, 1582, would be October 15, 1582. October 5 through October 14 never happened. Teresa passed away some time in the evening of October 4, 1582—however, the exact time is not known. Thus, a difference of a few minutes would have determined whether St. Teresa died on October 4 or October 15. The plant known as a Christmas cactus is called in Teresa’s native Spain “Teresa’s pen,” in honor of her momentous contribution to Spanish literature and culture. Certain strains of the cactus have stems that resemble a quill pen.

A new study published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Journal reports the killifish, a small but abundant species found in Louisiana’s marshes was hurt severely by the spill and now is turning up deformed and may be unable to reproduce properly. The scientists say the damages to the small fish are effecting the gills, intestines and cardiovascular organs, “They are essentially listless, the ones from the oiled sites,” said Fernando Galvez, a fish biologist at LSU. “These animals are hurting pretty badly.” The problem of course being that along with the damage to this species, who knows what else is happening in the marshes and in the Gulf as a whole? Nobody can say for sure, nobody really knows, but one thing we do know is nothing in nature is isolated. Nothing, no matter what Ken Feinberg might suggest, no matter what this could mean to the GCCF timetable. The GCCF compensation amounts were all based on a study (questioned even by the scientist who wrote it) which suggests the Gulf Coast will be fine by 2013, but reports such as this indicate otherwise. British Petroleum would like you to ignore these reports. Ken Feinberg would also like claimants to ignore these reports…oh, and continue signing those required no-sue waiver forms to free British Petroleum from any such yet to be discovered liabilities, you know down the road…by further studies months and years away from completion. Sign on the dotted line and pay no attention to: “We have done all this chemical testing of wildlife, seafood and water and the message has gone out that seafood from Louisiana is safe to eat,” said Andrew Whitehead, an LSU genome researcher who worked on the study. “The message is that the animals are out of the woods because they are not carrying a chemical burden. But when you ask the fish directly, when you look at their biology, they show that they have been exposed and that may be a problem for populations.” Please accept our final offer and pay no attention to: Galvez said their findings are similar to what scientists found after the Exxon-Valdez spill, where subtle but serious problems took several years before they were noticed by scientists. You certainly don’t need to file those pesky interim claims, the Gulf is on the road to a rapid recovery, so rapid Ken Feinberg has hinted he may soon begin to lower compensation amounts, even lower than the already too-low final offers, so really, dear claimant, it’s very important you and your family pay no attention to: Bernard Rees, a fish physiologist at the University of New Orleans, said the researchers had found an important link between oil contamination and possible physiological effects. He said the most troubling possibility for the long-term health of killifish was the chance that oil contamination harmed reproduction. He said that killifish are an important food source for other fish, including speckled trout and redfish, favorite species for sport fishers. Pay no attention to this at all. British Petroleum and their GCCF employee, Ken Feinberg would like all claimants to sign away their rights for future compensation, gamble with their futures, gamble that the incoming science is wrong, gamble they won’t get sick themselves…and why? Why should all the claimants and people of the Gulf Coast have to gamble with their financial futures like this? Simple, so British Petroleum, the oil company that spilled all the oil, that made all those promises… So they won’t have to. Read the article: Have a nice day.

Back to Toolkit Table of Contents Foods containing carbohydrates are part of a healthful diet because they provide dietary fiber, sugars, and starches that help the body function well. The sugars and starches in foods supply energy to the body in the form of glucose, which is used to fuel your brain and nervous system. A fiber-rich diet has many benefits. For example, it helps protect against heart disease and promotes regularity. Constipation that affects many older adults may be caused by certain medications or too low a fluid intake. Your best carbohydrate-containing foods are nutrient-packed foods in several of the basic food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, and milk and milk products. Choosing these foods within your calorie requirements each day may help your heart stay healthy and reduce the risk of chronic disease. It's important to choose carbohydrates wisely. Sugars can be naturally present in foods such as the fructose in fruit or the lactose in milk. Sugars are also added to food during processing or preparation, such as high-fructose corn syrup in sweetened beverages. Foods with added sugar are often high in calories and low in nutrientsand that combination doesn'thelp your body. Added sugars are those added to foods during processing or preparation such as high-fructose corn syrup in sweetened beverages or baked products, honey, sugar, or molasses. HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Choose fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains often. Focus on fruits: Eat a variety of fruits. Make the most of your choicesfresh, frozen, canned, or dried, rather than fruit juice. Vary your vegetables: Make at least half your grains whole: Eat at least 3 ounce equivalents of whole-grain products daily. Examples of whole grains are whole-grain cereals, breads, crackers, and pasta. Other examples are brown and wild rice. One slice (1 ounce) of whole-grain bread, 1/2 cup cooked brown rice, and 1/2 cup of cooked oatmeal together are equivalent to 3 ounces of whole grains. If you eat a 1,600-calorie diet, you will need approximately 1 1/2 to 2 cups of fruit each day, 2 cups of vegetables each day, 1/2 cup of dry beans or peas (legumes) most days (4 to 5 times a week), and 5 ounce equivalents of grains (at least 3 ounces should be whole grains) each day. If you eat a 2,000-calorie diet, you will need approximately 2 to 2 1/2 cups of fruit each day, 2 to 2 1/2 cups of vegetables each day, 1/2 cup of dry beans or peas (legumes) most days (4 to 5 times a week), and 7 ounce equivalents of grains (at least 4 ounces should be whole grains) each day. Many packaged foods have fiber information on the front of the package. For example, the package might say "excellent source of fiber," "rich in fiber," or "high in fiber." The Nutrition Facts label will list the amount of dietary fiber in a serving and the percent Daily Value (% DV). Look at the % DV column5% DV or less is low in dietary fiber, and 20% DV or more is high. Check the product name and ingredient list. For many, but not all "whole-grain" food products, the words "whole" or "whole grain" may appear before the name (e.g., whole-wheat bread). But, because whole-grain foods cannot necessarily be identified by their color or name (brown bread, 9-grain bread, hearty grains bread, mixed grain bread, etc. are not always "whole-grain"), you need to look at the ingredient list. The whole grain should be the first ingredient listed. The following are some examples of how whole grains could be listed: |whole wheat||wild rice| |brown rice||whole oats/oatmeal| |popcorn||whole grain barley| |bulgur (cracked wheat)| How much dietary fiber do I need? The recommended dietary fiber intake is 14 grams per 1,000 calories consumed. For example, if you're a sedentary older woman who needs 1,600 calories a day, you should be aiming for 22 grams of dietary fiber a day. You could meet this goal by eating 1/2 cup stewed prunes (3.8 grams) and a whole-wheat English muffin (4.4 grams) for breakfast, 1/2 cup cooked cowpeas (5.6 grams) with lunch, and 1/2 cup of green peas (4.4 grams) and 1 medium boiled sweet potato without peel (3.9 grams) with dinner. If you're a sedentary older man who needs 2,000 calories a day, you should be aiming for 28 grams of dietary fiber a day. You could meet this goal by eating 1 cup raspberries (8 grams) and a whole-wheat English muffin (4.4 grams) for breakfast, 1/2 cup black beans (7.5 grams) with lunch, and 1 cup of mixed vegetables (8 grams) with dinner. |Food||Grams of fiber||% Daily Value*| |1/2 cup cooked navy beans||9.5 grams of fiber||38% Daily Value| |1/2 cup ready-to-eat 100% bran cereal||8.8 grams of fiber||35% Daily Value| |1/2 cup cooked lentils||7.8 grams of fiber||31% Daily Value| |1 medium baked sweet potato with skin||4.8 grams of fiber||19% Daily Value| |1 small raw pear||4.3 grams of fiber||17% Daily Value| |1/2 cup mixed vegetables||4.0 grams of fiber||16% Daily Value| |1 medium baked potato with skin||3.8 grams of fiber||15% Daily Value| |1/2 cup stewed prunes||3.8 grams of fiber||15% Daily Value| |1 medium raw orange||3.1 grams of fiber||12% Daily Value| |1/2 cup cooked broccoli||2.8 grams of fiber||11% Daily Value| Choose and prepare foods and beverages with little added sugars or caloric sweeteners. The Nutrition Facts label says how many grams of sugar the food contains, but does not list added sugars separately. The amount listed includes sugars that are naturally present in foods (such as fructose in fruit or lactose in milk) and sugars added to the food during processing or preparation. Added sugars, also known as caloric sweeteners, provide calories but few or no essential nutrients. So, the more foods with added sugars you eat, the more difficult it becomes to get the nutrients you need without eating too many calories and gaining weight. How do I know how much sugar is in a food? On packaged foods, look on the ingredient list, where the ingredients are listed in order of amount by weight from most to least. Foods that have added sugars as one of the first few ingredients may be high in total sugars. Check the Nutrition Facts label to determine the amount of sugars per serving. The amount listed includes sugars that are naturally occurring (such as fructose in fruit) and sugars added to the food during processing or preparation. Use these conversion factors to visualize the total amount of sugar (natural and added) in one serving of a food item: 4 grams of sugar = ~1 teaspoon = ~16 calories. Other names for added sugars in an ingredient list include brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, fruit juice concentrates, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, invert corn syrup, invert sugar, lactose, maltose, malt syrup, molasses, maple syrup, raw sugar, sucrose, and syrup. Below is an example of an ingredient list for a fruit yogurt (High Fructose Corn Syrup is highlighted). |INGREDIENTS:CULTURED GRADE A REDUCED FAT MILK, APPLES, HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CINNAMON, NUTMEG, NATURAL FLAVORS, AND PECTIN. CONTAINS ACTIVE YOGURT AND LACIDOPHILUS CULTURES.| Also, check the front of food products' packaging for guidance. Sometimes the label will say "sugar-free" or "no added sugars." Foods from restaurants, convenience stores, or other food stores may also have added sugar. The foods that contribute the most added sugar to diets of Americans are regular soft drinks; sugars and candy; cakes, cookies, and pies; fruit drinks, such as fruit punch; milk products, such as ice cream, sweetened yogurt, and sweetened milk; and sweetened grains, such as cinnamon toast and honey-nut waffles. For more information on sugar, look in the chapters in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005 at www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines. Appendix A has healthy eating plans that provide information about how much added sugar you may be able to include in your diet. Sample Nutrition Facts Label Content Below Serving Size, 1 cup (228 grams) Servings Per Container, 2 Amount Per Serving: Calories from Fat, 110 Total Fat, 12 grams (18% Daily Value*) Saturated Fat, 3 grams(15% Daily Value) Trans Fat, 3 grams Cholesterol, 30 milligrams (10% Daily Value) Sodium 470 milligrams (20% Daily Value) Potassium 700 milligrams (20% Daily Value) Total Carbohydrate, 31 grams (10% Daily Value) Dietary Fiber, 0 grams (0% Daily Value) Sugars, 5 grams Protein, 5 grams Vitamin A (4% Daily Value) Vitamin C (2% Daily Value) Calcium (20% Daily Value) Iron (4% Daily Value) * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Total fat, Less than 65 grams Saturated fat, Less than 20 grams Cholesterol, Less than 300 milligrams Sodium, Less than 2,400 milligrams Total Carbohydrate, 300 grams Dietary Fiber, 25 grams

- Battle of Changde Battle of Changde Part of World War II - the Second Sino-Japanese War A captured Japanese soldier crouches before his Chinese captors at Changde Date November 2, 1943 - December 20, 1943 Location Changde and vicinity Result Belligerents National Revolutionary Army, Republic of China Imperial Japanese Army, Empire of Japan Commanders and leaders Sun Lianzhong Isamu Yokoyama Strength Unknown Unknown Casualties and losses Unknown Chinese claim: 40,000+ killed and wounded The Battle of Changde (simplified Chinese: 常德会战; traditional Chinese: 常德會戰; pinyin: Chángdé Huìzhàn) was a major engagement in the Second Sino-Japanese War in and around the Chinese city of Changde in the province of Hunan. During the battle, Japan used extensive biological and chemical weapons. The purpose of the Japanese offensive was not to hold the city, but to maintain pressure on the Chinese National Revolutionary Army "in order to destroy their main units, to deny them the time needed for recuperation, regrouping, and retraining, and to make sure that no Chinese troops could be spared for the Burma front." Contemporary Western newspapers depicted the battle as a Chinese victory. American government film footage shows victorious Chinese troops with Japanese prisoners and captured Japanese flags and equipment on display after the battle. In addition, an American newsreel titled "Chinese troops drive Japs from Changteh" showed Chinese troops firing, with dead and captured Japanese on display. On the 2nd of November 1943, Isamu Yokoyama, commander of the Imperial Japanese 11th Army, deployed the 39th, 58th, 13th, 3rd, 116th and 68th divisions, a grand total of around 60,000 troops, to attack Changde from the north and the east. The Changde region was protected by the Chinese 6th war area's 10th, 26th, 29th and 33rd army groups, as well as a river defense force, and two other corps, for a grand total of 14 corps. On the 14th, the Japanese 13th division, with aid from collaborators, drove south to break through the defense lines of the Chinese 10th and 29th group armies. On the 16th, Japanese paratroopers landed on Taoyuan, a county in the Chande region. At the same time, the Japanese 3rd and 116th divisions reached Changde. The city was guarded by the Chinese 74th corps' 57th division, whose commander, Yu Chengwan, led his 8000 soldiers to fight against the overwhelming attack of 2 Japanese divisions. 11 days and nights of fierce fighting saw heavy casualties on both sides. When Chinese reinforcements arrived, the remaining 300 soldiers of the 57th division escaped the city. None of them were not wounded. On the 5th of December, Changde was lost. While the 57th division pinned down the Japanese in the city, the rest of the 74th corps, and 18th, 73rd, 79th, and 100th corps, as well as the 9th war area's 10th corps, 99th corps and Jiangxi's 58th corps arrived at the battlefield, forming a counter-encirclement on the Japanese forces. Fang Xianjue's 10th corps was first to strike, successfully retaking Deshan on the 29th of November, before attacking the Japanese positions at Changde from the south. The Japanese could not stop the Chinese attack, so they employed poison gas. The battle lasted for 6 days and nights. The Chinese 10th division's commander Sun Minjin was shot 5 times in the body and killed in action. At this time, the other Chinese units were pressing onto the Japanese positions. On the 11th of December, the Chinese army broke into the city, whereupon intense house to house fighting occurred. The Japanese army's supply lines were cut off by the Chinese. Without food and ammunition, the Japanese army retreated on the 13th. Upon leaving, their Unit 731 spread bubonic plague, while the army burnt buildings and killed people in frustration. The Chinese units pursued the retreating Japanese army for more than 20 days. By the 5th of January 1944, both sides were at their original positions prior to the battle. During this campaign, other than the 10th division's Sun Minjin, two more division commanders of the Chinese army died. One was the 44th corps' 150th division's Lieutenant General Xu Guozhang, while the other one was the 73rd corps' 5th division's Lieutenant General Peng Shiliang. General Xu was killed at Taifushan in Changde's northwest, aged 37. General Peng was killed the Taoyuan-Shimen line, aged 38. Reporter Israel Epstein witnessed and reported on the battle. Witold Urbanowicz, a Polish pilot fighting in China in 1943, saw the city just after the battle. According to Urbanowicz, nearly 300,000 civilians died in Changde. Biological and chemical attacks During the Khabarovsk War Crimes Trials, some witnesses, such as Major General Kiyashi Kawashima, testified that, as early as November 1941, about 40 members of Unit 731 airdropped fleas contaminated with bubonic plague on Changde and that this caused outbreaks of plague epidemics. Overall, 7,643 Chinese died in 1942 following this infestation. Some Japanese soldiers, notably Yoshio Shinozuka, also admitted to have spread bubonic plague within a 36-kilometer (22 mi) radius around the city. However, the Japanese actions did not achieve their objective, as the Chinese defenders continued to resist. In the intense fighting, Japanese forces could not overcome heavy Chinese resistance, so they decided to have Unit 516 fire poison gas artillery shells, possibly contained mustard gas or lewisite, into the city. Unit 516 and other units used assorted chemicals in liquid or gaseous form, including mustard gas, lewisite, cyanic acid gas and phosgene, experimentally and sometimes operationally. This was effective in spreading fear, terror and death with devastating effect against both humans and livestock. - ^ a b c d ed. Hsiung, James C. and Steven I. Levine China's Bitter Victory: The War with Japan 1937-1945, p.161 - ^ a b Newsreel 'Chinese troops drive Japs from Changteh' US Government Archive number for this video is: 208 UN 91 FGMC - ^ Simon Newton Dexter North, Francis Graham Wickware, Albert Bushnell Hart (1944). The American Year Book: Volume 29. T. Nelson & Sons. p. 94. http://www.google.com/search?tbs=bks%3A1&tbo=1&q=+employed+five+divisions+along+the+Hupeh-Hunan+border%2C+aiming+at+Ichang+and+Changteh.+Compelled+to+retreat+from+their+drive+in+the+direction+of+Chungking%2C+they+yielded+the+Chinese+a+major+victory%3B+the+joint+Chinese-American+. Retrieved 2010-06-28. - ^ George Creel (1949). Russia's race for Asia. Bobbs-Merrill Co.. p. 214. http://www.google.com/search?tbs=bks%3A1&tbo=1&q=The+battle+of+Changteh%2C+waged+from+November+2+to+December+25%2C+1943%2C+was+another+Chinese+victory. Retrieved 2010-06-28. - ^ Free world, Volume 8. Free World, Inc.. 1944. p. 309. http://www.google.com/search?tbs=bks%3A1&tbo=1&q=Nurse+Tu+came+from+Changteh%2C+where+the+battle+was+fierce+and+the+Chinese+victory+was+hard+won+last+winter.+Her+family+lost+all+its+household+belongings+while+the+Japs+were+in+the+city.+f%5C+REFUGEE+merchant+recently+arrived+. Retrieved 2010-06-28. - ^ Philip J. Jaffe (1943). Amerasia, Volume 7. Amerasia, inc.. http://www.google.com/search?tbs=bks%3A1&tbo=1&q=Chinese+forces+recapture+Changteh+as+the+climax+of+a+fierce+six-+week+battle%2C+and+follow+up+their+victory+by+taking+a+number+of+towns+northeast+and+northwest%2C+and+pushing+the+Japanese+back+from+the+vital+%22rice+bowl&btnG=Search+Books. Retrieved 2010-06-28. - ^ LIFE Feb 21, 1944 - ^ Chinese troops defeat the Japanese in Changteh China and capture their military equipment during World War II. US Government Archive number for this video is: 208 UN 89 FGMC - ^ Program about the Battle of Changde http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHfhPMTndus&feature=related - ^ Vet refuses to take Unit 731 to his grave, Japan Times, 2004 - Hsu Long-hsuen and Chang Ming-kai, History of The Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945) 2nd Ed., 1971. Translated by Wen Ha-hsiung, Chung Wu Publishing; 33, 140th Lane, Tung-hwa Street, Taipei, Taiwan Republic of China. Pg. 412-416 Map 38 - Daniel Barenblatt, A plague upon Humanity, HarperCollns, 2004, pp. 220–221 - Axis History Forum Index; WW2 in the Pacific & Asia; Battle of Changde Order of Battle and Map, Photos from Changde (常德) War Memorial - RESISTANCE WARS; Campaign of E-Xi, Battle Of Changde Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Look at other dictionaries: Order of Battle: Battle of Changde — The following units and commanders fought in the Battle of Changde (early November – late December 1943), of the Second Sino Japanese War. Japan Japanese order of battle, from end of October 1943. 11th Army Lt. General Isamu Yokoyama 3rd… … Wikipedia Changde — For the Changde meteorite of 1977, see meteorite falls. Changde 常德 Prefecture level city 常德市 … Wikipedia Changde chemical weapon attack — The Changde chemical weapon attack refers to the use of chemical and biological weapons by Japan during the Battle of Changde in the Chinese Province of Hunan in April and May, 1943.In the intense fighting around Changde, Japanese forces could… … Wikipedia Battle of Monte Cassino — Part of World War II, Italian Campaign Ruins of Cassino town after the battle … Wikipedia Battle of the Coral Sea — Part of the Pacific Theater of World War II … Wikipedia Battle of Okinawa — Part of World War II, the Pacific War … Wikipedia Battle of Kursk — Operation Citadel Part of the Eastern Front of World War II … Wikipedia Battle of Crete — Part of the Mediterranean Theatre of World War II … Wikipedia Battle of Nanking — Part of the Second Sino Japanese War … Wikipedia Battle of Greece — Part of the Balkans Campaign during World War II … Wikipedia

Excerpted from "A Year of Health Hints" 365 Practical Ways to Feel Better and Live Longer Studies show that some older adults are deficient in vitamins B6, B12, and folate (a B vitamin). To guard against vitamin deficiencies, plan a diet that includes food sources of these nutrients. Whole-grain breads and cereals, as well as organ meats and fish, are high in B6. Milk, eggs, and meat are excellent sources of B12 Carrots, broccoli, and almost all green, leafy vegetables are high in folate. Citrus fruits, tomatoes, cantaloupe, and strawberries are rich in vitamin C. Studies also suggest that older adults require more protein and calcium in their daily diets than many people consume. Low-fat dairy products are rich sources of calcium. Two servings a day of 2 to 3 ounces of meat, chicken, or fish provide the protein you need. Other, less concentrated sources of protein include cooked dried beans, peanut butter, nuts, and eggs. (For more details on the nutrient content of foods, see chapter 4, Eating for Better Health.)

Chemical kinetics : from molecular structure to chemical reactivity - Luis Arnaut, Sebastiao Formosinho, Hugh Burrows. - 1st ed. - Amsterdam ; Boston : Elsevier, 2007. - Physical description - xii, 549 p. : ill. ; 25 cm. Chemistry & ChemEng Library (Swain) |QD502 .A76 2007||Unknown| - Includes bibliographical references and index. - 1. Introduction 2. Reaction rate laws 3. Experimental methods 4. Rate constants and reaction orders 5. Collisions and molecular dynamics 6. Reactivity in thermalized systems 7. Structure-Reactivity Relationships 8. Unimolecular Reactions 9. Reaction in solution 10. Reactions in surfaces 11. Nucleophilic substitution reactions 12. Chain reactions 13. Acid-base catalysis and proton-transfer reactions 14. Enzyme catalysis 15. Transitions between electronic states 16. Electron transfers 17. Fractals, chaos and oscillatory reactions. - (source: Nielsen Book Data)9780444521866 20160528 - Publisher's Summary - "Chemical Kinetics" bridges the gap between beginner and specialist with a path that leads the reader from the phenomenological approach to the rates of chemical reactions to the state-of-the-art calculation of the rate constants of the most prevalent reactions: atom transfers, catalysis, proton transfers, substitution reactions, energy transfers and electron transfers. For the beginner, it provides the basics: the simplest concepts, the fundamental experiments, and the underlying theories. For the specialist, it shows where sophisticated experimental and theoretical methods combine to offer a panorama of time-dependent molecular phenomena connected by a new rational. "Chemical Kinetics" goes far beyond the qualitative description: with the guidance of theory, the path becomes a reaction path that can actually be inspected and calculated. But "Chemical Kinetics" is more about structure and reactivity than numbers and calculations. A great emphasis in the clarity of the concepts is achieved by illustrating all the theories and mechanisms with recent examples, some of them described with sufficient detail and simplicity to be used in general chemistry and lab courses. It looks at atoms and molecules, and how molecular structures change with time. It provides practical examples and detailed theoretical calculations. It is of special interest to industrial chemistry and biochemistry. (source: Nielsen Book Data)9780444521866 20160528 - Supplemental links - Publisher description - Chemical kinetics. - Publication date Browse related items Start at call number:

Like primary group, secondary group is of special significance in modern society, and of which the large scale organisation is the most outstanding example. A secondary group is one which is large in size, such as, city, nation, political party, labour union etc. In this the relation of the members is limited in scope and exerts only indirect influence over the other. In this group co-operation among the members is indirect and very seldom comes face-to-face with them. Ogbum and Nimkoff say that the “group which provides experience lacking in intimacy” can be called secondary group. Frank D. Watson defines secondary group as “a large and more formal, specialised and direct in its contacts and relies more for unity and continuance upon the stability of its social organization than does the primary group”. H.T. Mazumdar says: “When face-to-face contacts are not present in the relation of members we have secondary group.” Importance of Secondary Group: The primary groups have an important place in a simple and small society but in modern society the trend is towards secondary groups. The small community has given way to large communities. Population has moved from village to city. The cottage industries are replaced by giant corporations. Man now depends more on secondary group for his needs. Most of the needs which were previously satisfied in the village is now satisfied in the cities. Not only the members but the variety of secondary groups are increasing. The importance of the secondary groups are as follows: (1) Channels of opportunity: The secondary groups have opened channels of opportunity. They provide a greater chance to develop individual talents. In earlier times there were only a handful of pursuits like agriculture and small trades. But now-a-days there are thousands of occupations which open the way for specialized careers. A secondary group is marked by clear cut division of labour. There are sets up rules to regulate it. A formal authority is set up with the responsibility of managing the organisation efficiently. The great advances in material comfort would be impossible without the rise of goal-directed secondary organizations. (3) Wider outlook: A secondary group broadens the outlook of its members. In a primary group the outlook of its members gets narrowed because they think of their limited interests. But a secondary group has to accommodate a large number of individuals which widens the outlook of its members. (4) Control over our life: Today, our life to a great extent is controlled by secondary group. It becomes a necessity for the labourer to join the other to protect his rights and fulfill his interests. The secondary groups have entered almost all the parts of our life-political, economic, commercial, educational, religious etc. Through the modem society the secondary group has overshadowed the primary group. Men have started showing their loyalties towards their larger groups. The spirit of sacrifice, love, co-operation etc. which are considered as the best qualities of primary group are now found in the secondary group. Man cannot function well so far as he belongs to a small group of people.

Web-based alcohol intervention has limited effect on consumption New research from the University of Newcastle shows that a web-based self-assessment and feedback program for university students who drink hazardously produced little reduction in consumption. The intervention, a 10-minute interactive web program, was evaluated in a large randomised trial. The research, published today in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association, was described by the journal editors as "the definitive study in the field". The study involved 14,991 students randomly selected from seven New Zealand universities. Over a third of the participants completed an alcohol screening test and 3,422 students who identified with hazardous or harmful drinking were randomised to the web intervention or the control group. The groups were followed up five months later to assess their drinking and related problems. Students who received the intervention drank seven per cent less alcohol per drinking occasion but did not drink less often or less alcohol overall. In addition intervention program participants did not have fewer academic problems than the control group participants. Lead author Professor Kypros Kypri, from HMRI's Public Health Program, says the findings were disappointing but consistent with what often happens when studies in single sites are scaled up to national implementation. "Since the turn of the century, more than 50 trials of web-based interventions for alcohol problems in young people have been conducted. Some smaller studies, including our own, have shown promising results. This study was a large, national trial conducted under pragmatic conditions," said Professor Kypri. Evaluating the intervention at a variety of sites tested its robustness across student cultures, which vary in levels of drinking, exposure to alcohol outlets and promotion. "Universities all over the world are grappling with alcohol-related problems because they have large concentrations of the heaviest drinking age group in the population. "While drinking can be a positive aspect of student life, the negative effects universities need to deal with include assaults, property damage, sexually transmitted infection, and poor academic outcomes. In response, a lot of effort is being spent on developing interventions to reduce student hazardous drinking. "Our results show that web-based programs cannot be relied upon alone to address these problems and should be used in conjunction with effective environmental interventions such as restriction in the physical availability and promotion of alcohol," said Professor Kypri. Source: Kypri K, Vater T, Bowe S, Saunders J, Cunningham JA, Horton N, McCambridge J (2014). Web-based alcohol screening and brief intervention for university students: Randomised trial. JAMA, 26 March. The project was funded by the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand. Professor Kypri is funded with an Australian National Health & Medical Research Council Senior Fellowship. HMRI is a partnership between the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Local Health District and the community. - Carmen Swadling, Media and Public Relations - Phone: +61 2 4985 4276 or 0428 038477.

When I was a child, my “genie” wish was to be able to speak every language in the world. I realized early on that wasn’t likely to happen, so I settled on learning German in seventh grade and French in college. Later, my work as a travel writer took me to Tokyo, where I acquired a reasonable command of Japanese. Today I am fluent in German, speak passable Japanese and remember bits of French, but studying Spanish in a twice-weekly class feels like the hardest language I’ve ever tried to learn. While I have some of the same motivations as I did with other languages — to enrich my life and travels — now, at midlife, I am also conscious that I’m doing something positive for my brain. Memorizing grammar rules and new vocabulary seemed to come effortlessly when I was younger; now I find myself struggling to recall what I learned the previous week. Could age be to blame? After all, we’ve all heard that the earlier we take up a second language the better, which sadly deters some adults from even trying. Despite the fact that my aptitude for rote memorization seems to have dropped over the years, I’ve doggedly stuck with it. And I’ve come to realize that I may have done a bit of “revisionist thinking” on how easy it was to learn German as a kid, sort of like how mothers never remember exactly how painful childbirth was. (MORE: My Quest to Learn French) Good News for Middle-Aged Students This recognition led to a Eureka moment for me: that my reasons for wanting to speak Spanish are different from what they were with German. And because motivation is the force that carries us over the hurdles, having this clear sense of my intentions has helped me deal with the frustration that arises whenever irregular verbs threaten to undo me. Recently I stumbled upon some research that debunks the conventional wisdom that children learn language faster than adults. Educational psychologist Catherine Elizabeth Snow and others have shown that adolescents and adults can actually perform better than younger children under controlled conditions. They believe this is, at least in part, because older students can apply the skills they’ve acquired in mastering their mother tongue to the new one. Lizette Peter, who teaches second-language acquisition at the University of Kansas, points out that there is more variation among learners of the same age than between child and adult learners, although adults who speak at least one foreign language will generally have an easier time picking up another. Finally, science has now established that neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to change, continues well into old age, meaning you really can teach an old dog new tricks. Boomers’ Challenges in Learning a New Language At different stages of life, different tools are employed to learn languages. Young children, for instance, often play games and sing songs. Teenagers muscle through rote memorization and adults often find study easier with books, audio programs, handwritten notes and other methods they’ve grown comfortable with over the years. Typically the biggest obstacle facing older learners is pronunciation. Research shows that children tend to be better at learning unfamiliar sounds and developing a native-like accent, like the guttural roll of the “r” in German. Hearing loss can also make acquiring foreign words and phrases a challenge. It’s also not true that younger students have better memories than older ones. “When my kids go home for the summer, they forget everything,” says my Spanish instructor, Nici Coulson, who also teaches at a middle school. “So when they come back, I review everything in the first quarter that they learned the first year.” That was the case for me, too. While I easily absorbed a lot of vocabulary and grammar, it took six years of public school and a bachelor’s degree in German — plus four years of living in Germany and speaking the language — for me to become proficient. (Having a German boyfriend for seven years didn’t hurt.) So why on earth did I think Spanish would come more quickly? Well Worth the Effort Older students may actually have a few advantages when studying a language. Lizette Peter, who has personally studied 10 languages, says not to discount the value of developing personal learning strategies over time. One of my classmates is Bill Getz, who’s 70 and retired. He says he’s able to devote more time to studying and practicing Spanish at this stage of his life because he doesn’t have “10 other mental projects to do” and isn’t distracted from the pressure of work. For him, a foreign language is also a great way to exercise his brain. “I study to conserve my memory — to keep it as nimble as possible to memorize in the short term and to recall in the long term.” Research backs him up. Learning a language even in middle age can help fend off dementia. And science tells us that anything that stretches cognitive thinking, including memorization, is exercise for the brain. There are plenty of other benefits to learning a foreign language, including the obvious — being able to communicate with people from other countries. But I also love the sense of accomplishment I get from mastering a new tongue and the personal enrichment of learning about new cultures. When I went to Spain last autumn, I was surprised at how well I could actually communicate and how much more I experienced as a result. Then there are the less tangible aspects. A foreign language forces us to think in unfamiliar ways. In German, for example, the verb usually comes at the end of the sentence, which involves a thought pattern that’s different from how we think in English. The Japanese use different words depending on whether the speaker is male or female and whom they are addressing. Many languages make the distinction between the “polite” form of address and the “familiar.” Although I chose Spanish for the simple thrill of being able to converse with people from other cultures at home and abroad, I’m also motivated by brain health. Now, instead of getting frustrated at having to continually relearn grammar and vocabulary, I view this pursuit as a mental version of a crossword puzzle, which I happen to love. And for that reason, I’ll be studying languages for as long as I am able. Next Avenue Editors Also Recommend: - 8 Things That Can Make You Smarter - Playing Bridge Keeps You Young and Sharp - Junior Year Abroad — Now? - Why Single-Tasking Makes You Smarter Next Avenue brings you stories that are inspiring and change lives. We know that because we hear it from our readers every single day. One reader says, "Every time I read a post, I feel like I'm able to take a single, clear lesson away from it, which is why I think it's so great." Your generous donation will help us continue to bring you the information you care about. What story will you help make possible?

Walking Curriculum 30-day Challenge This past month, Mrs. Burgess’ Grade One students at Marysville School took part in the Walking Curriculum 30-Day Challenge. Starting April 3, K-12 educators around the world were dedicated to taking their classes outside, rain or shine (or snow!), for at least 30 minutes. Students helped with planning for our time outdoors, and our support staff got involved with generating ideas too! We did not venture far from the school this year, but students had frequent, regular exposure to nature. Teachers were encouraged to use The Walking Curriculum: Evoking Wonder and Developing A Sense of Place (K-12) as a resource and guide, and there are 5 free sample walks from this document available here: http://www. We had success tying in our lessons about protecting and caring for the Earth. We did a few school yard and community clean ups, and did a lot of digging in the school garden. My students especially enjoyed creating pinecone gnomes with our Aboriginal Support Worker, and then working hard to create intricate homes for them in our incredible Wild Space. We plan to carry on bringing our learning outdoors on a regular basis for the remainder of the year!

- Nathaniel Minor - Listen To The Story Just a few years before Corky Gonzales started his Crusade for Justice for Denver’s Chicanos, Jennie Sanchez was just trying to get her kid brother into a proper first-grade classroom in Center, Colorado. The town of about 2,000 sits deep in the heart of the rural San Luis Valley, about four hours southwest of Denver. Back in the 1950s and 1960s, Mejicanos, as Sanchez and other long-time Hispanic residents refer to themselves, weren’t allowed into the Anglo first-grade classroom. Instead, they were relegated to the “baby class” underneath a staircase where they drew in coloring books most of the day. Sanchez, a high school dropout herself before eventually earning her GED, knew the value of a good education. She was determined to get her brother out of that class, and that meant a trip to the superintendent. “I marched myself into that classroom,” said Sanchez, who at 85 still calls Center home. “And I said, ‘This is my brother and he does not want to be in baby class. And he's not gonna be in baby class.’ ” It was a radical thing for a Mejicano to do at the time. Most worked for Anglo farmers in the fields that surround Center. “We were totally segregated and treated like second-class citizens,” Sanchez said. The next day, the superintendent told Sanchez that her brother would move to the upstairs classroom. It was an early win for Sanchez, and two other Mejicano families who made similar requests. It set the stage for decades of political battles that, for a time, were largely drawn on racial lines. By time it was all said and done, Sanchez, her brigade of Mejicanos, and a few sympathetic Anglos, took control of Center. Their story is documented in a new book co-authored by Sanchez. If you end there, it’s an inspiring story of civil rights and self-determination. But life in Center is more complicated than that. Because while the story of Center is about confronting racism, it’s also about what happens when those without power get it — and don’t let go. For the first few decades of its existence, there was no racial conflict in Center — the town was almost exclusively Anglo. Then, just before World War I, a railroad line was built that helped move crops out to market and brought in many Mejicano families from northern New Mexico to work the fields. Some of the families had been in the region since before the Mexican-American war, when part of Colorado still belonged to Mexico. The town was nearly perfectly segregated — Mejicanos on the east side of Worth Street, Anglos on the west side. Mejicano homes didn’t have indoor plumbing or electricity for years. There was another tiny little enclave of Mejicanos in another corner of Center called Chinatown. — Matt Hobbs “It was the Anglos that named it Chinatown,” Sanchez explained, because one of the families that live there had “slanted” eyes. “That's how deep that racism [was]. Because nothing was better than just white.” Racial discrimination was common across the San Luis Valley and the American Southwest. Dave Pacheco, 80, grew up near Center in neighboring Del Norte. When he was in high school, he went on a date with an Anglo girl — an exceptionally unusual occurrence in the 1950s. She had never been to a swimming pool, so they went to one nearby. “I wasn’t allowed in,” Pacheco said in his small home near La Garita. “That was probably the most embarrassing time of my life. … I don't know if she understood what happened, but I certainly did.” The pool only allowed Hispanics in one day a week — the day before it was cleaned. That date was the last time he saw her; he left for a summer job herding sheep in the high country. When he came back at the end of the season, she had moved away. “Those kind of things happened,” Pacheco said with a shrug. He ended up leaving the area, and went on to a career as a state trooper in the Denver metro area. Even the movie theater in Center was segregated. “If you dare cross that they asked you to leave,” said Adeline Sanchez, no relation to Jennie. Growing up, Adeline and other Mejicanos learned not to push the boundaries. She identified with the stories coming out of the South. “You hear about the blacks, that the blacks had to sit in the back and Anglos sat in the front of the busses,” she said. “That's how you were made to feel.” Where others were initially hesitant to act, Jennie Sanchez was taught from a young age to not let others push her around. That was crystallized in one defining moment. As she tells the story, a Mejicano man was walking down a sidewalk in Center as an Anglo girl was approaching on a bicycle. He didn’t step aside, and she fell off. He was arrested. The incident was the talk of the town, including at Jennie’s grandparent’s home next door to her own. The entire family read Spanish-language newspapers from New Mexico, and The Denver Post and prided themselves on being politically active. Her grandmother looked her in the eye, Jennie remembers, and said, “ ‘Jennie, don't ever let anybody do that to you.’ ” As she grew up, Jennie got involved with local Democratic politics. In the early 1960s, Jennie’s husband Uly ran for town board. He won — by two votes. But, as Jennie recounts decades later, he was the lone Mejicano on the board and little more than a token. When Congress passed the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act, Jennie’s activism shifted into a higher gear. She and other local Mejicanos started an organization, the Saguache County Community Council, that received a federal grant to run the then-new Head Start program. It was the first organization in town with significant resources not under the control of local Anglo leaders. “They didn’t like that,” said Mary McClure, who ran the Head Start program for decades. Jennie Sanchez started organizing meetings and put together a slate of Mejicano candidates for town board in 1970. Her coalition included Mejicanos and a few Anglo allies, including a young academic named Terry Marshall who returned home to Center after earning his master’s in rural sociology in Wisconsin. They went door to door, turning out voters. “We built a machine,” Marshall said. The machine worked. Mejicanos won five of the six seats on the town board. Every Hispanic candidate that ran, won. The election completely changed the power dynamic. “No longer do we have town where everybody knows where their place is and nobody crosses the line,” said Shelley Wittevrongel, then a Catholic nun who worked with Jennie Sanchez for decades and co-authored their new book. “That was a very powerful moment.” The momentum from that electoral win carried into the summer. Every year, locals would go out into the fields and thin lettuce. It was back-breaking work that required bending over all day. “Conditions were really bad,” said Audrey Chavez, who was about 12 years old that summer. “We didn’t have anywhere to drink water. And to use the bathroom, you had to find some place where you could hide from all the crews, so they won’t see you.” The workers didn’t make much money — $1.35 an hour, or about $8 in today’s money. So, they started planning a strike. That turned out to be a difficult task when town leaders wouldn’t let them use public buildings for meetings. Finally, the Catholic priest gave them permission to use the church basement. But on the night of the meeting, the strike organizers discovered that the parish council, made up of local Anglos, had chained the doors shut. They turned to the nuns, including Wittevrongel, who had just moved to town the week before. “They talked to Sister Alice and asked, ‘Sister, what shall we do?’ And Alice said, ‘Are you sure you have Father’s permission?’ And they said, ‘Yes.’ And she said, ‘Do you have bolt cutters?’ ” The strike took off from there; organizers got help from Cesar Chavez in California and managed to get Corky Gonzales to come down from Denver for a march. “We walked through the main street into the east side of town,” Audrey Chavez said. “There was people literally on top of the buildings and schools with rifles.” Law enforcement deputized Anglos to watch over the marchers, Wittevrongel said, and to protect the town “from their own imagination.” The event was peaceful, she said. By the end of the summer, the strikers hooked up with a much bigger group and marched from Pueblo to Denver. That landed them on the front pages of the Rocky Mountain News and Denver Post — and the evening news. The strikers managed to eke out a little bit of a raise. But mostly, the strike helped people realize they didn’t have to work in the fields anymore at all. “I went to school and I’ve been the housing director for 32 years,” Chavez said. “I’ve been able to make a big difference here in the community. And those were the lasting effects from the strike.” Mejicanos were feeling empowered, not least because of Jennie Sanchez. She would find the right person to run for the right town board seat, or to take up a particular fight. “She’s been the monarch,” Chavez said of Sanchez. “She has this great instinct for justice.” Over the years, Sanchez worked for organizations like the Chicano Education Project. But never ran for office herself. “I felt like if I did it, then it would be about me,” she explained. “And it wasn't about me, it was about us.” One morning after the lettuce strike, Bob Felmlee was out irrigating potatoes. He grew up the son of a white San Luis Valley farmer and was a starter on Center High’s Class B state championship basketball team in 1950. Felmlee, now in his late 80s, remembers a group of Hispanic kids walking by on their way to the fields where their parents worked. “They would go by doing this,” Felmlee said, gesturing with his middle finger. “They were taught to hate us … instead of trying to work things together and work it out.” Sitting in his farmhouse just north of town, Felmlee said race relations in Center were just fine — until Jennie Sanchez started organizing. The two would butt heads for years, especially after Felmlee joined the school board in the 1970s. Sanchez turned her attention to the school system after her town board members were booted from their seats soon after they took them. Hispanic children made up more than half of the student population in the mid-1970s. When they started in first grade, they performed nearly as well as the Anglo kids. But their test scores dropped each year they stayed in school. Jennie Sanchez thought one potential answer was bilingual education. Around this time, the state legislature ordered that school districts offer classes in two languages. Sanchez led a push to force the Center School Board, including Felmlee, to implement bilingual lessons. The board fought the mandate every way they could. Felmlee said research at the time suggested bilingual education wasn’t effective. But he also admits that race played into his opposition. “We can’t say we’re all perfect,” Felmlee said. One of Sanchez’ biggest allies at the time was a young Federico Peña, who would go on to become Denver’s first Latino mayor in the 1980s. Peña was just out of law school and working with Latino parents around the state. Quite often, he said, they just didn’t know how to engage with local officials. “Many of them themselves did not have formal education, and so they were sometimes reluctant or even afraid to go and challenge authority,” he said. That meant that in a lot of places, the Latino community wasn’t very organized or vocal. So local officials didn’t take them very seriously. That was not the case in Center, Peña said, where battle lines were very clearly drawn. Peña credits that to Jennie Sanchez. “Where some people have given up and say, ‘My voice doesn't count.’ I say to them, ‘Go meet Jennie Sanchez,’ ” he said. “Her voice reverberated, not just throughout the San Luis Valley, but throughout the state.” Sanchez took the bilingual education fight to the state Capitol. She and others, including Adeline Sanchez, would pile into Head Start vans and drive all night, sometimes through snowstorms, to lobby lawmakers. It was a nerve-wracking experience. “When I got up to speak to them, if there hadn't have been a podium I wouldn't have been able to stand there,” she said. — Audrey Chavez That activism paid off. The school administration relented and implemented a bilingual program in the late 1970s and early 80s. But even then, it only lasted a few years after district leadership changed and the legislature weakened the state law. The fight wasn’t a waste for Jennie Sanchez and her group, though. They learned from the experience. As the 1980s wore on, the power dynamic in Center shifted again. Adeline Sanchez, Audrey Chavez, and other friends of Jennie’s moved from being activists, badgering people in positions of power, to winning those seats and taking control of the town. “We are not going to be treated like second-class citizens,” she said. “We’re going to be served with respect.” Jennie had put the pieces together, one by one, over nearly two decades. They finally had the power to make decisions for themselves. By her own admission, Jennie’s chosen candidates for Center town board and mayor’s office struggled after they won their seats in the 1980s. “We didn't prepare people to go in there and know how to run city government,” Sanchez said. Running any town isn’t an easy task, but the job in Center is particularly complicated. It’s one of only a few dozen small towns in the state that operates its own power company. As members of Jennie’s group, including Adeline Sanchez, Audrey Chavez, and others, moved in and out of town governance from the 80s through the mid-2000s, they trusted the long-time employee that ran the utility. As Adeline Sanchez tells it, that turned out to be a big mistake. “We thought we were in good standing,” said Adeline Sanchez, who served as mayor from 1985-1992 and again from 2004-2012. "The board members and even the mayor didn't have the skills, the accounting skills, to know all of these things. We got reports, yes, and to the best of our knowledge, they looked good." But things weren’t good. Adeline Sanchez said the utility manager, Darrell Davis, and another long-time town employee, had falsified reports to the council. The town was nearly half-million dollars in debt, and behind on infrastructure maintenance. Davis, who is long retired, denies any wrongdoing. The books were so bad that the town didn’t file audits with the state for years. After she was elected mayor again in 2004, Adeline Sanchez and the board needed a fix. They raised utility rates. That was not a popular move, and it created an opening for a new opposition. The woman that stepped up to lead that opposition was Susan Banning, a native of Buena Vista, Colorado, a few hours north of Center. She taught mostly African-American and Hispanic students in inner-city schools in Denver and Texas before returning to Colorado in the early 1990s. “Center was a good fit,” Banning said. “Because it was like ‘These are the type of students that I can dedicate time to and see them grow.’ ” She invested herself in Center by collecting clothes and toiletries for migrant workers. But she stayed out of town politics until a colleague at the school, Julio Paez, approached her to run for town board in 2008. Together, they hatched a plan to fix up the town’s infrastructure. And voters bought it. Paez, Banning and another ally were all elected. By 2012, Banning was mayor and her allies held a majority on the town board. Suddenly, Jennie’s group was no longer in power. Unlike when Adeline Sanchez took over as mayor back in the 1980s, Banning cleaned house. “As soon as they came in they fired the town attorney, and they fired our police chief, and they got rid of the utility board,” Adeline Sanchez said. “We talked about a new water tower, and water meters, and infrastructure and whatnot. And we had already come up with a plan.” But once Banning and her allies got in, that went out the window. They were in charge now. The first thing tackled was building a new power transformer. “That was like heaven,” Banning said. “The ribbon cutting was fabulous. Have not had an outage due to wind since.” — Susan Banning Banning and her board then geared up to replace the town’s aging water tower. Jennie’s group objected, saying the million-dollar-plus plan was too expensive. They sprang into action, circulating a recall petition to boot Banning and her board members out of office. In Jennie’s mind, it was all about race. “Anything you do they would destroy,” Jennie Sanchez said. “Anything you do, we’re gonna start all over. It was very, very, very racist.” Two of Banning’s allies, including Julio Paez, are Hispanic. But in Jennie’s and Adeline’s view, they were controlled by Banning and other powerful Anglos. “Julio went to school here, came here as a young child. Julio was not well accepted in that school. But he was an easy target. And he proved that,” Adeline Sanchez said. Paez said Banning wasn’t pulling his strings at all — they just happened to agree on most things. The racial undertones aren’t just felt on Jennie’s side, though. Banning felt from the beginning like her whiteness made her an outsider, despite her work at school and in the community, and even though she’d partnered with a native son of Center in the campaign. It started when she’d bought a house in town, to move closer to the school where she taught. “ ‘People who, I'd had their children [in class], but it was almost the idea that, ‘You're in the wrong part of town. You should have bought a house over here, where some of the other Anglos live.’ ” That’s why she balked at first when Julio Paez asked her to run. “I pointed to my head, and [said], ‘Anglo, white girl.’ Because the board was Hispanic. There weren't white people on the board, and there hadn't been,” she said. Banning thought the recall was dirty politics. She’d been harassed a few times since she got involved in town government, but said it picked up through the recall. “I've had nails in my driveway,” Banning said. “My car's been egged. It's been keyed. I've been insulted and told that I need to leave town. I've had a machete put into my yard. My house has been broken into.” Police say they was little evidence to go on, so the reports didn’t result in much. Jennie and Adeline Sanchez said they didn’t know anything about these incidents. But it was clear to Banning that Jennie Sanchez was at the heart of the recall movement. “She’s the mastermind,” Banning said of Jennie. “She’s the person who formulates the plan. Then her designated people follow the plan.” Jennie’s plan worked. Banning was kicked out of office, and every one of her allies — except for Julio Paez. Just after the ballots were counted, stories started to bubble up around town. Stories that would lead to yet another battle over who should run the town. This time, though, it would play out in court. Center doesn’t have a great reputation when it comes to elections. Jennie Sanchez’ political opponents, including Banning and Paez, have filed lawsuits alleging voter intimidation. Their theory goes something like this: The same group of people, led by Jennie, have run the Center Head Start, the Center Housing Authority, and the town itself, for years. And in a town like Center, which is poor, remote, and majority Hispanic, those organizations have a lot of power. So, around election time, people who live in public housing or have kids in Head Start are taken aside and told how to fill out their ballots. “All of those things do happen, all of those things have happened, and they will continue to happen,” Banning said. The key to this alleged scheme is the use of absentee ballots, which have a long history in Center. When field workers couldn’t get away to vote, they were given absentee ballots to cast. Banning said these ballots are ripe for trouble. “On more than one occasion, we would go to a person who lived in the housing authority and they would say, ‘I hid my ballot. I want you to mail my ballot for me because they've already come to get my vote and I told them I didn't have my ballot,’ ” Banning said. After the 2013 recall election, one of the recalled trustees filed a lawsuit challenging the results. The case went all the way to the state Supreme Court, and ultimately went in the town’s favor. Banning and the others were officially out of office. Despite the high court’s ruling, rumors of voter intimidation persist. Audrey Chavez, who’s run the Center Housing Authority for years, said they’ve never threatened anyone. Adeline Sanchez, who works at Center Head Start, said the same thing. “That's never the way we've operated,” Adeline Sanchez said. One former resident of the Center Housing Authority supports that assertion. Jennifer Quintana lived public housing for 11 years, and her kids went to Head Start for years. “They've never told me that anyway,” said Quintana, who CPR News reached independently. “I can't say that it did happen or it didn't happen. But they never told me anything like that." The 2013 lawsuit, as well as a similar suit filed after the 2008 election, don’t contain much evidence of voter intimidation either. Matt Hobbs, a local attorney that represented plaintiffs in the 2008 lawsuit, went as far as sending private investigators to knock on doors of people who submitted absentee ballots that year. The investigators found a handful of people who said they were told how to vote. He set about trying to get them to come forward publicly. “We went back to get their story again and potentially have them testify in court, and it changed,” Hobbs said. By its nature, Hobbs said, voter intimidation is difficult to prove. There’s little incentive for vulnerable parties to come forward. — Julio Paez Hobbs traces much of what his case alleged back to Jennie Sanchez herself. After the 2008 case moved to federal court, he even named her as a co-conspirator in his complaint. “It sounds crazy,” Hobbs said. “And you meet her and you think she’s the sweetest lady ever. She just comes off as very affable. But she’s tough.” There’s little oversight of town-level elections in Colorado. The Secretary of State’s office doesn’t have much authority, though they were invited to help with a recount of the Center recall in 2013. Suzanne Staiert, the deputy secretary of state, spent some time in Center that year and heard stories of voter intimidation from the school superintendent and other sources she trusted. “That’s not a free or fair election,” Staiert said. “That’s an election that is what we would think of in some in some third world dictatorship where they claim to have a free and fair election.” Her office took these stories seriously but didn’t have the authority to do much about them. Any allegations of voter intimidation would have to be investigated by law enforcement. Historically, local district attorneys haven’t done that. The current DA, Crista Newmyer-Olson, who was elected in 2016, said she would review any allegations of voter fraud based on its merits. She otherwise declined to comment on Center’s politics. But there are indications that federal investigators have looked into the Center Housing Authority. John Faron, who was on the Center town board with Susan Banning, said he met with an FBI agent in Pueblo while he was in office. Faron said the agent later visited Center. “He came in and was walking around town, seeing what was going on,” Faron said. The FBI declined to comment. But documents obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request show that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development investigated the Center Housing Authority around 2011 after receiving complaints from “concerned citizens.” The documents say the investigation was closed and that the U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to file charges. “The case agent continues to receive telephonic messages from members of the city council and community of Center, Colorado,” an investigation report from December 2011 states. “However, as of to date, very little evidence has been turned over to HUD [Office of the Inspector General] which could substantiate any of the allegations.” After the recall, Jennie’s group again took over. A new water tower went up — smaller, and cheaper than the one Susan Banning had pursued. More electrical work is planned too. Banning is out of local politics these days. She said it’s her students that keep her in town. “I could do this anywhere, but my heart is in Center,” she said through tears. “With the kids and the parents of Center, who work really, really hard to put potatoes on people's plates, and lettuce, and they deserve an advocate. And that's what I do. I advocate for them.” Julio Paez is off the board too. He survived the recall by a few votes and worked with Jennie’s group for a few years. He’s a diplomatic guy, and deferential to what they accomplished. But in some ways, Paez said, they’ve never let go of their fight. “They went through something so awful that maybe they’re afraid it might happen again if they let it,” he said. “They’re afraid that we might go back to the past.” Paez thinks Center is ready to move on. He acknowledges there’s still racism and it should be confronted. But Paez wants to do that by treating everyone the same. “It’s great that you fought for civil rights, but that doesn’t make it your town,” he said. “This town belongs to everybody, whether you’re Chicano, Hispanic, Mexican-American, Anglo, white, whatever – African-American, whatever it might be. This town belongs to everybody.” For now, it’s not clear who the next leaders of Center will be; the town has had trouble just getting people to run for office. Mary McClure, who ran Head Start for decades and is now on town board, admitted some of that may be her group’s fault. “We've had such an active past. There's been a lot of turmoil and stuff. I think that does scare some people from stepping up,” she said. Jennie said they’re a victim of their own successes: Their kids all got good educations and left the valley. “The cream of the crop is gone,” she said. “And I think that’s a drawback in rural communities. I think that’s the case all over.” The last election in early 2018 was canceled because only four people applied for the four open seats. Notice of the open seats was published in the town newsletter, at the post office, and in the Alamosa paper, 30 minutes away. But the notice in the town newsletter didn’t have a deadline for potential candidates. So four were turned away because they missed the deadline, the local paper reported. As a result, four familiar names were appointed to the board: Adeline Sanchez, Mary McClure, and two other members of Jennie’s core group. When Jennie Sanchez talked about her activism over the decades, she usually comes back to one point. It’s all about self-liberation. It’s all about being free to make decisions for yourself. And to do that back in the 1960s and 70s, they needed to elect Mejicanos and their allies to positions of power. Most people who spoke for this story agreed that was the right approach during Center’s blatantly racist past. There was a clear goal, and a clear need to accomplish it. That was a long time ago. If their methods haven’t changed much over the years, their political opponents have. So why would Jennie and her group describe a well-respected Hispanic man like Paez as a pawn? Federico Peña, the former mayor of Denver who worked with Jennie 40 years ago, hasn’t kept up with the goings-on in Center since the late 70s. He certainly didn’t know anything about the allegations of voter intimidation connecting to Jennie’s group — nor did he believe them when they were summarized for him. He chuckled a little bit, though, at the description of the dynamic between Julio Paez and Jennie’s group. “Like any group, whether it's Italian-Americans, or Irish-Americans, or African-Americans, and it's certainly true of Latinos — you know, factions emerge. Particularly when a group begins to make advances, and then others emerge and say, ‘well, maybe I can do this, or I think I would take it in a different direction.’ And mostly, that's healthy because groups are not monolithic.” That shows that the Latino community was maturing, Peña said, in terms of how it wields political power. “There's a level of sophistication that's been reached by many, many groups over many, many decades,” he said. “I'm not surprised that there’s some cliques and factions in the Latino community down in Center, and elsewhere.” So, in a way, today’s fights are a sign that Jennie’s movement to get Hispanics more political power has worked. Even if that means the beneficiaries of her past battles can now fight for things she doesn’t want.

Necrotic Enteritis arises from the excessive proliferation of Clostridium perfringens type A, a foodborne pathogen, and to a lesser extent type C, within the small intestine. The toxins released by these strains of Clostridium perfringens inflict harm upon the intestinal lining. Originally identified in chickens in England in 1961, Necrotic Enteritis can affect around 40% of commercial broiler flocks and can also affect layers and turkeys. Necrotic Enteritis is an Opportunistic infection (infections that occur often or more severe in mammals with a weakened immune system). It can be promoted by anything that slows the passage rate of feed in the small intestine or has excessive bacterial growth and toxin production. Clostridium perfringens is usually present in the faeces of some chickens. The litter pecking behaviour of birds causes the organism to spread throughout the flock. The disease affects broiler chickens aged 2 to 5 weeks old and turkeys at 7 to 12 weeks old raised on litter. The organism can also be transmitted through soil, dust and litter. The noticeable sign of Necrotic Enteritis in a flock is a sudden increase in mortality (death). Birds that have diarrhoea, depression or ruffled feathers may show signs of infection. The small intestine may be ballooned and easily crumbled. This can cause brown fluid which presents a revolting smell. The inner lining of organs is covered with a tan or yellow false membrane which progresses to appear as an infection. The disease can persist in a flock for 5 to 14 days. The mortality rate ranges between 2 to 50%. A presumptuous diagnosis of the infection would be examining signs of diarrhoea and depression in poultry. A confirmed diagnosis would be based on gross lesions in the small intestine. Gram- positive rods (bacteria that give a positive result in a Gram-stain test) would also be observed under a microscope. This is done by taking Gram – stained smear of mucosal scraping. If Clostridium perfringens from intestinal contents that produce the double zone of hemolysis, then it can confirm Necrotic Enteritis. However, this should not be the sole criterion to confirm the infection. Treatment and control There are several methods to prevent and control Necrotic Enteritis. This includes: - Avoidance of animal by-products, rye, fish meal, wheat, barley in the diet. - Administration of probiotics or competitive cultures. - Treatment with antimicrobial-medicated drinking water The response to treatment is considered to be overestimated because the disease is likely to be self-limiting in a flock. Advice from biosecurity experts Livetec are leaders in biosecurity. We construct tailored plans to mitigate the risk of infectious diseases entering, and spreading across your farm business to protect your flock and farm business. Our Biosecurity Advisory Service is unparalleled in providing you with real-time, actionable advice based on years of expertise. Our Biosecurity Advisors conduct a comprehensive, one-day on-site visit to assess your farm and provide a customised list of recommendations aimed at safeguarding your poultry and protecting your livelihood. Our goal is to help you optimise the biosecurity of your farm business to the highest possible standards. To find out how our services can help you, contact us today by clicking here.

'Explosive' Haitian cholera outbreak kills 292, neighboring countries prepare Thursday, October 28, 2010 The Haitian has killed 292 people and infected over 4000, according to the Haitian government, although there are no new cases in the earthquake ravaged capital, . Neighboring countries, Dominican Republic and Jamaica have begun to implement measures to prevent the disease from spreading. |We are seeing a very rapid, very explosive outbreak with a very steep academic curve| The Deputy Director of the(PAHO), Jon Andrus said, "health aides are in Haitian camps, educating people about proper food, water and waste treatment." He also added that "the goal is to provide 24-hours-a-day medical care." The United Nations (UN) is calling the outbreak "extremely serious" and it would be "irresponsible to plan for anything but a considerably wider outbreak." A United Nations spokesperson also expressed concerned that the disease might become more widespread. Members of CARE medical teams have been working non-stop to treat the sick, but the number of people who need treatment still remain high. |We should take special care to ensure that our children do not play in dirty or stagnant water or swim in rivers, since cholera is essentially a water-borne disease| —Jamaican PM, Bruce Golding Although no cases of the disease have been reported in the Dominican Republic or Jamaica, the countries are beefing up their defenses. The Jamaican Prime Minister,, said yesterday that the coast guard have increased their high seas patrols to prevent individuals infected with the disease from fleeing to the country. He also added that "we must all ensure that we practise good hygiene, wash our hands with soap regularly, drink only boiled water or bottled water." Golding informed the cabinet that the Ministry of Health has begun to beef up operations in select towns which are still suffering from high waters due to the passage of Tropical Storm Nicole. In the Dominican Republic health officials are present and are currently putting measures in place to prevent the disease from spreading over to the country. These include tight border control and bans on cooked or raw food from Haiti. - "Cholera spreads to Port-au-Prince, five cases reported" — Wikinews, October 24, 2010 - "Nearly 200 dead in Haitian cholera outbreak" — Wikinews, October 23, 2010 - "Over 250 dead in Haiti cholera outbreak, thousands infected" — Wikinews, October 26, 2010 - CNN wire staff. "Cholera death toll near 300 in Haiti" — , October 27, 2010 - Daraine Luton. "Jamaica Ready For Cholera Fight" — , October 27, 2010 - "Dominican Republic Responds to Neighborhing Haiti’s Cholera Outbreak" — , October 26, 2010

A new study conducted to investigate the relationship between the percentage of population fully vaccinated and new COVID-19 cases found the two are unrelated. Analysis of data was done across 68 countries and 2,947 counties in the United States. The study, conducted by S.V. Subramanian and Akhil Kumar, published in the European Journal of Epidemiology writes: “Vaccines currently are the primary mitigation strategy to combat COVID-19 around the world. For instance, the narrative related to the ongoing surge of new cases in the United States (US) is argued to be driven by areas with low vaccination rates. A similar narrative also has been observed in countries, such as Germany and the United Kingdom. At the same time, Israel that was hailed for its swift and high rates of vaccination has also seen a substantial resurgence of COVID-19 cases” Under “findings” the research states: “At the country-level, there appears to be no discernable relationship between percentage of population fully vaccinated and new COVID-19 cases in the last 7 days. In fact, the trend line suggests a marginally positive association such that countries with higher percentage of population fully vaccinated have higher COVID-19 cases per 1 million people.” Across the US counties too, the median new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in the last 7 days is largely similar across the categories of percent population fully vaccinated (Fig. 2). Notably there is also substantial county variation in new COVID-19 cases within categories of percentage population fully vaccinated. There also appears to be no significant signaling of COVID-19 cases decreasing with higher percentages of population fully vaccinated (Fig. 3). Of the top 5 counties that have the highest percentage of population fully vaccinated (99.9–84.3%), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies 4 of them as “High” Transmission counties: “Chattahoochee (Georgia), McKinley (New Mexico), and Arecibo (Puerto Rico) counties have above 90% of their population fully vaccinated with all three being classified as “High” transmission.” Conversely, of the 57 counties that have been classified as “low” transmission counties by the CDC, 26.3% (15) have percentage of population fully vaccinated below 20%. Israel has over 60% of their population fully vaccinated, but had the highest COVID-19 cases per 1 million people in the last 7 days. “The lack of a meaningful association between percentage population fully vaccinated and new COVID-19 cases is further exemplified, for instance, by comparison of Iceland and Portugal. Both countries have over 75% of their population fully vaccinated and have more COVID-19 cases per 1 million people than countries such as Vietnam and South Africa that have around 10% of their population fully vaccinated.” The research method included data available as of September 3, 2021, from 68 countries that met the following criteria: had second dose vaccine data available; had COVID-19 case data available; had population data available; and the last update of data was within 3 days prior to or on September 3, 2021.” “For the 7 days preceding September 3, 2021 we computed the COVID-19 cases per 1 million people for each country as well as the percentage of population that is fully vaccinated” the method states. For county-level analysis, White House COVID-19 Team data was used that was available as of September 2, 2021. “We excluded counties that did not report fully vaccinated population percentage data yielding 2947 counties for the analysis. We computed the number and percentages of counties that experienced an increase in COVID-19 case by levels of the percentage of people fully vaccinated in each country.” In conclusion, “the sole reliance on vaccination as a primary strategy to mitigate COVID-19 and its adverse consequences needs to be re-examined, especially considering the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant and the likelihood of future variants.”

Today we are going to talk about design. This is an important topic and not one many people in the publishing industry have formal training in. Just like everyone thinks they can write a book, everyone thinks they understand design. Ignorance of the complexities of a profession is not a suitable replacement for mastering those complexities. But, before we can talk about good and bad design, we need to talk about something more fundamental. The Difference Between Art and Design The purpose of art is to: - Make people think. To ask questions. - Elicit an emotion (joy, wonder, curiosity, grief, etc.) - Make the world better in intangible ways. Art is subjective. Even the purpose of art is a matter for debate. Something that is beautiful to one person can be ugly to another person. The purpose of design is to: - Serve a function. - Solve problems - Help people take an action. - Make the world better in tangible ways Design is objective. You can use data and the scientific method to determine which of two designs is more effective. “Good Art Inspires. Good Design Motivates.” The art of a door vs the design of a door. Art is about making the door pretty. Design is about making the door easy to use (handle on a door or push plate). You can always tell a poorly designed door because it requires signs to tell you how to operate it. Why is good design important for authors? - Everyone judges a book by its cover. (Brandon Sanderson story) - Journalists, event coordinators, and other influencers judge an author by their website. Does this person have good taste? - Cover design is the most important aspect of the book to potential readers. - The book cover establishes your in a micro genre (for better or for worse) What is design by committee? - When a group of people weigh in on the design of something. - Typically motivated by fear. Good design requires boldness. - Something that everyone likes is typically something no one loves. - Compromise leads to bad design. A camel is a horse designed by a committee. - Think of a recipe. If you try to accommodate everyone’s preferences you end up with catsup and peanut butter on ice cream. - Design by committee generates monstrosities for which no single person is responsible. Where is design by committee an issue for authors? - Book Covers - Book Titles How do you get feedback while avoiding mediocrity? - Realize that not everyone’s opinion is useful. Some opinions can be harmful! - Only ask design experts and people within your target market. - Explain the target market and the goals of the project before sharing the design with experts. - People don’t know what they really like (iPad, Google’s new logo) when you ask them. You have to watch their behavior not listen to their words. - Ask “why” a several times in a row. - Ask for problems not solutions. “My engine is clicking can you change my oil?” - Don’t incorporate everyone’s advice. - Ask what kind of emotions it causes in them. How does it make you feel? How do you give feedback to your designer? - Consolidate Feedback - Sleep on it. - Ask questions! He or she is the professional. Don’t squander their expertise by taking over design yourself by giving orders. - Pick your battles. Be willing to defer. - Identify problems and suggest (not demand) solutions. - Use data to make decisions. Split test versions to see which one performs better. (NM172) Tips For Good Design - Work with an experienced professional. - Clearly identify a single representative target reader. - Clearly identify goals. What will make the design succeed. What would make it fail. Sponsor: Christian Writers Institute The Course of the Week: When to Break the Rules of Writing When is it okay to break the rules of writing? Author Alton Gansky reveals his answer to that question in this one hour audio presentation. Gansky looks at the “rules” for book proposal formats and grammar, and then discusses when breaking those rules is a viable, even favorable option for the author. Use coupon code “podcast” to save 10% or click the link in the show notes to activate the coupon code automatically. This course is only $6. The post 045 How to Avoid the #1 Cause of Bad Book Covers: Design by Committee appeared first on Christian Publishing Show.

Today is International Women’s Day, a global day to celebrate the achievements of women and promote gender equality. To commemorate this fine occasion and celebrate our commitment to offering you the very best of British – yes, we sell only 100% British-made mattresses – today we’re talking about some of the coolest female Brits ever to have lived. Famed photographer and well-to-do resident of the Isle of Wight, Julia started her career relatively late in life but was one of the first people to treat photography as an art form. Many of her works were derided at the time, but she was, in fact, refining a new style of portraiture that would go on to influence many modern photographers and be exhibited in galleries across the globe. Mary was a British-Jamaican businesswoman and nurse who set up the British Hotel, a place for sick and convalescing servicemen during the Crimean War. She is celebrated for successfully combatting racial prejudice in her own time and was voted the greatest black Briton in 2004. Ada is regarded as the world’s first computer programmer and is believed to have written the first algorithm to be computed by a machine. “That brain of mine is something more than merely mortal; as time will show.” Dorothy was a journalist. At the outbreak of World War I, she volunteered to report on the war, but her attempts to reach the front line were thwarted, so she posed as a man and set out for the Somme by bicycle. Dorothy published a book about her time as an officer in 1919 and is now thought to be one of the only women who fought in the trenches. We hope that learning about these inspirational women will encourage you to learn more about the women who made our world what it is today. You can find out lots more about International Women’s Day and ways to get involved at https://www.internationalwomensday.com.

#1: Dominant Depositional Processes in the Pliocene Taiwan Strait The Western Foreland Basin underlies the Taiwan Strait. In project 1, we used outcrop descriptions and sediment geochemistry (Carbon-13 of organic carbon in mudstone) to determine the dominant controls on sedimentation in the Pliocene. From this work, we developed a theoretical model for the tropical cyclone (typhoon) beds in the strait, and showed that typhoons completely dominate sedimentation in shallow-marine positions in the strait. 2. Dashtgard, S.E., Löwemark, L., Wang, P.-L., Setiaji, R.A., Vaucher, R., 2021. Geochemical evidence of tropical cyclone controls on shallow-marine sedimentation (Pliocene, Taiwan). Geology 49, 566-570. https://doi.org/10.1130/G48586.1 1. Dashtgard, S.E., Löwemark, L., Vaucher, R., Pan, Y.-Y., Pilarczyk, J.E., Castelltort, S., 2020. Tropical cyclone deposits in the Pliocene Taiwan Strait: Processes, examples, and conceptual model. Sedimentary Geology 405, 105687.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2020.105687 #2: Paleoclimate Signals in Early Pleistocene Shallow-Marine Strata, Taiwan In this work, we use cyclostratigraphic analysis of Early Pleistocene shallow-marine records to demonstrate that it is indeed possible to preserve precession signals through the Early Pleistocene. This is possible through the use of detailed outcrop logging, and high-resolution paleomagnetic and biostratigraphic controls on depositional age. 1. Vaucher, R., Dashtgard, S.E., Horng, C.-S., Zeeden, C., Dillinger, A., Pan, Y.-Y., Setiaji, R.A., Chi, W.-R., Löwemark, L., 2021. Insolation-paced sea level and sediment flux during the early Pleistocene in Southeast Asia. Scientific Reports 11, 16707. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-96372-x

Georgia Wildlife Resources Division 2070 U.S. Hwy. 278, SE, Social Circle, GA 30025 Arner, Dale H. and Gary R. Hepp. 1989. Beaver pond wetlands: a southern perspective. Pages 117- 128 in: Smith, L. M., R. L. Pederson, and R. M. Kaminski. Habitat management for migrating and wintering waterfowl in North America. Texas Tech University Press. 560 pp. Bellrose, F. C. 1976. Ducks, geese, and swans of North America. Third Ed. Stackpole Books. Harrisburg, Pa. 540 pp. Georgia Nongame and Natural Heritage Section. 1996. State of Georgia Landcover Statistics by County. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Natural Heritage Program. Project Report 26. 57 pp. Huffstatler, H. and D. Stewart. 1993. Waterfowl habitat management handbook for the lower Mississippi River valley. Coop. Ext. Service, Miss. State Univ. Publication 1864. 19 pp. Jackson, J. L. 1980. Bring ducks to your land: managing wetlands for waterfowl in the southeast. Coop. Ext. Service, Univ. of Georgia. 15pp. Johnson, F. A. and F. Montalbano III. 1989. Southern reservoirs and lakes. Pages 93 - 116 in: Smith, L. M., R. L. Pederson, and R. M. Kaminski. Habitat management for migrating and wintering waterfowl in North America. Texas Tech University Press. 560 pp. Neely, W. W. and V. E. Davison. 1966. Wild ducks on farmland in the south. U.S.D.A. Farmer''s Bulletin 2218. 14 pp. Wharton, Charles H. 1978. The Natural Environments of Georgia. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division, Georgia Geologic Survey. Bulletin 114. 227 pp. Williams, R. K., R. D. Perry, M. D. Prevost, and S. E. Adair, Ph.D. 1998. Management of south Atlantic coastal wetlands for waterfowl and other wildlife. Atlantic Coast Joint Venture of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and Ducks Unlimited. 29 pp.

Lesson 1 (from Part One, Chapters 1-5) Part One, Chapters 1-5 The setting -- the physical setting, the political setting, the historical setting -- is very important for fully understanding the course of events that happens in "Gods and Generals." The objective of this lesson is to analyze the setting of the novel. 1) Focusing Exercise: Have students write for 5 minutes in response to the following prompt: "Write down at least 5 things you know about the Civil War and any questions you have." Collect their responses. 2) Class Lecture: Give the class a 15-20 minute lecture about the American Civil War, making sure to provide good context for the specific time period that "Gods and Generals" takes place in. Also make sure to address the major leaders at the time (including those featured in the novel, like Lee and Jackson) and what issue(s) divided the North and the South. 3) Small Group Discussion: Divide... This section contains 10,376 words (approx. 35 pages at 300 words per page)

The flock of animals aged 7-9 years old, "including four derived from the cell line that gave rise to Dolly", are being studied by the coauthors; largely thanks to financial assistance from the University of Nottingham, England. There were no sheep found in the study that needed treatment for diseases. Two sheep had moderate to severe osteophytosis, "as would be expected in sheep of that age", but showed no sign of pain, and could walk. Title: Healthy ageing of cloned sheep Authors: K. D. Sinclair, S. A. Corr, C. G. Gutierrez, P. A. Fisher, J.-H. Lee, A. J. Rathbone Publication: Nature Communications Publisher: Nature Publishing Group Date: Jul 26, 2016

What are the meanings of RFID ear tag? RFID ear tag is used as the identification of pigs,cattle ,sheep and other livestock which is convenient for follow-up inspection from breeding to slaughtering. A class of electronic tags mainly used in animal husbandry and animal management. It is used on pig ears in domestic pig breeding industry, which is easy to fix and remove, so it is also called RFID ear tag. The RFID ear tag consists of two parts, the female tags and male tags .As usually the female tags is use the chips , and male tags have the brass head . In view of the current state’s efforts to promote information management of pig/cattle /sheep farming and traceability management of pork and other food. RFID ear tag, as the front-end individual in the entire management system, is the best recording and collection method of pig breeding information, and it will definitely be adopted on a large scale. The country can track and monitor the entire process of animals from birth → slaughter → sales → consumer → final consumer end through the identification function of RFID ear tag. 1. Conducive to animal disease control RFID ear tag can manage each animal’s ear number with its breed, source, production performance, immune status, health status, owner and other information. Once an epidemic situation and quality of animal products occur, you can track (trace back) Its source is to distinguish responsibilities and plug loopholes, so as to realize the scientific and institutionalization of animal husbandry and improve the level of animal husbandry management. 2. Conducive to safe production RFID ear tag is an excellent tool for comprehensive identification and detailed management of a large number of livestock. With RFID ear tag, breeding companies can discover hidden dangers in time and quickly take corresponding control measures to ensure safe production. 3. Improve the management level of the farm In livestock management, easy-to-manage ear tags are used to identify individual livestock, and each livestock is assigned an ear tag with a unique code to achieve the unique identification of the individual, which is used in pig/sheep/cattle and etc farms .The ear tag mainly records data such as farm number, pig house number, and pig individual number. After each pig is ear-marked at the pig farm to realize the unique identification of the individual pig, the individual pig’s material management, immune management, disease management, death management, weighing management, medication management are realized by means of reading and writing by a handheld computer. , Daily record management such as the record. 4. Facilitate national safety supervision of livestock products A pig ’s RFID ear tag is carried for life. Through this electronic tag, it can be traced back to the pig ’s production site, acquisition site, slaughter plant, and the supermarket where the pork is sold. If it is sold to a cooked food vendor Finally, there will be records. Such a marking function is beneficial to crack down on a series of participants selling sick and dead pork, supervise the safety of domestic animal products, and ensure that the public can eat healthy pork.

Features[change | change source] The main feature of Hanok is that it has combination of ondol, the Korean under-floor heating system, and wooden floor for heating and cooling. This style is mainly used in Korea because of problems caused by the area having both a continental climate and an oceanic climate. Shape[change | change source] Regional differences[change | change source] Hanoks have different shapes in different parts of Korea. In the northern part of the Korean peninsula, Hanok have the structure of a house with several wings. The wings are often built in either a square or the letter L. This helps keep the wind out of the house in the colder northern places and helps keep the house warm. These kind of house also has low roofs. In the warmer southern Korean peninsula, Hanok have a single wing and a wooden floor. This helps let the air in and out. Class differences[change | change source] The Hanok is also different based on the class of the people who live it. Hanok of Upper class people usually have tiled roofs (called giwa) while lower class houses have roofs made of rice-straw (called choga). Hanok for the upper-class people are built not only to be homes, but also to be very ornamental.