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Kids have great imaginations. If given the chance, they are usually able to envision creating neat things from recyclables. If you are looking for a way to fill a few hours with your kids with fun and creativity, try letting them loose on what they find in your recycling containers. Here are five crafty things you and your kids can make from common household recyclables.
- Milk Cartons for the Birds
With the way most kids go through milk, there are likely many of these floating around in your blue bin. Milk cartons can be given a new lease on life to help our feathered friends. Once you’ve given a carton a thorough cleaning, cut a hole into the middle, and tie a string through the top portion. Let kids draw on them or paint them with bright colours, before helping them tie it to a tree.
- A Coffee Can Drum
There are a lot of ways to decorate a coffee can, and they naturally make a great—not too loud—drum. The plastic lid should be left on to be the drum cover. A great way to start is to have your kids either paint the can or use construction paper to cover it. Once the paint is dry, they can glue all kinds of things to their drum or use stickers to make it fancy. Kids can beat the plastic end with their bare hands or use a rubber mallet on the bottom to make it sound like a steel drum.
- Wind Chimes from Plastic Cutlery
All that’s needed for this project is plastic cutlery, a paper plate, a pencil, scissors and some string or yarn. The string should be cut into lengths about six inches long, then tied to the ends of the cutlery handles. Next, poke a few holes in the paper plate, thread the strings through, and secure each one with a knot. Finally, affix three lengths of string to the top of the plate so you can tie it to a tree branch, or somewhere else where it will hang in the breeze. Kids can decorate the plate with markers, stickers, crayons, paint or anything else that strikes their fancy, to make it their own, unique creation.
- Small Vase from Paper or Plastic Cups
Recycling containers are often home to used plastic or paper cups. For this project you need three cups, along with glue, fabric or tissue paper, and sand or pebbles. First, fill half of the first cup with sand or pebbles. Next, top-to-top, glue the second cup to the first. Finally, glue the third cup, bottom-to-bottom, to the second. Let the kids decorate their new creation with glitter, tissue paper torn into little pieces, markers or anything else they would like to use.
- A New Shine to Shoes
Take old pairs of shoes and let kids use their imaginations by painting them. Acrylic paint is best for this. Remove old laces and have kids sketch out a drawing on the shoes. If the shoes are dark, this craft might work better if the shoes are primed white. | <urn:uuid:36d62ab8-4ef0-4ce3-8ecc-199ed7ff6668> | CC-MAIN-2019-43 | https://www.gorillabins.ca/blog/5-fun-recycling-crafts-for-kids/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-43/segments/1570987834649.58/warc/CC-MAIN-20191023150047-20191023173547-00250.warc.gz | en | 0.935118 | 642 | 2.78125 | 3 | 1.380096 | 1 | Basic reasoning | Home & Hobbies |
Telephones have been the only source of voice communication for over a century now. Telephone is a communication device whose primary objective is to allow two people separated by large distances to talk to each other. The first operational telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in the mid 1870s, later various other features and concepts were added to Graham Bell’s telephone model by various other scientists to enhance the performance. Over the past century, the telephone models and the communication system have undergone dramatic changes for the good, consequently raising the standards of point-to-point communication.
In the late 1890s, the telephones used for point-to-point communication were called as the candlestick telephones, which came with or without a rotary dial, and with a ringer box. Then in the late 1900s came the rotary dial phones, which usurped the candlestick phones; the rotary dial phone was designed to send electrical pulses in accordance to the number dialed. The rotary dial phone was slowly replaced by dual-tone multi-frequency pushbutton dial phones.
Since the late 1990s century, there came the new age of computers and Internet, which revolutionized the field of communication and with it the operating methods of telephones. The communication methods had changed by then, with the traditional wireline communication methods being replaced by the wireless and satellite communication methods. As for telephones, the rotary dial phones were being replaced by hardware based IP phones and mobile phones. The old phones did not offer much in terms of features, but today’s wireless digital phones and hardware based IP phones, come with fully loaded features.
The present day digital and wireless telephones come with an array of features such as:
•Anonymous call rejection.
•Call waiting with caller ID.
•Selective call acceptance.
•Selective call acceptance.
Almost all the present day telephone service providers offer these features along with their telephone service; one such provider is Charter Telephone, which is telephone service provided by Charter Communications. It is certain that there will be a whole lot features added to these features in the future, as the traditional wired communication methods are being supplanted by wireless communication methodologies.
On the other hand, the mobile communication space has been growing rapidly such that traditional telephone systems are being considered outdated. Mobile phone communication has offered an even larger array of features when compared to digital telephones. The mobile communication methodology which is enabled by mobile phones offer entertainment options, photographic options, connectivity options, and communication on the go. The wireless telephone technology which started in the early 1980s has also come a long way right from 1G first generation wireless technologies to today’s 3G… | <urn:uuid:2c463e8f-d9a9-4e44-b1dc-a3e2c11021fb> | CC-MAIN-2017-47 | http://bukusave.com/all-the-advanced-features-of-a-modern-day-telephone/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-47/segments/1510934805023.14/warc/CC-MAIN-20171118190229-20171118210229-00646.warc.gz | en | 0.963092 | 548 | 3.6875 | 4 | 2.325231 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | Hardware |
The genocide in Rwanda in 1994 is often seen as a cautionary tale, an example of how the world failed to react at a time when it could have saved hundreds of thousands of lives. Chastened by that experience, every time a humanitarian crisis erupts in Africa, a kind of collective cry goes up urging action any action to prevent a comparable atrocity from happening again. The current crisis and the fighting around it are apt to push more buttons than most. First, it is evocative. The Congolese town of Goma that is the center of the crisis was also where the world first had its clearest glimpse of the Rwanda atrocities. Secondly, a huge amount of the world’s most important minerals, including one involved in the making of cellphones, emanate from the region and specifically from areas controlled by the combatants.
But what kind of action would really make a difference Western military intervention would indeed have made a crucial difference in Rwanda back in 1994. But it may not be the most important response this time even as the European Union is discussing sending more troops to shore up the United Nations peacekeeping mission there.
Key leaders in the region are the only ones capable of bringing this crisis to an end, notably the Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, and his Congolese counterpart, Joseph Kabila. But the historical entanglements of Kagame and Kabila in Rwanda’s bloodbath and its aftermath raise serious questions about their willingness to do so. Meanwhile, globalization also plays its part. Armed combatants in the area, already accused of rape and genocidal murder, are profiting from Western companies doing business in the region.
Fighting has flared sporadically in eastern Congo since the end of troubles in Rwanda in 1994. Tutsi rebels under the command of the current Rwandan President Paul Kagame drove more than one million Hutus into Congo, mostly congregating there in the town of Goma. Among these fugitives were members of the ousted Rwandan army and the interahamwe death squads who had earlier carried out genocide against some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus. Since then fighting between Hutus and Tutsis in Congo has persisted on and off. The latest uptick pits the forces of Tutsi rebel leader, Laurent Nkunda, against local civilians, United Nations peacekeepers tasked with protecting them, and the Congolese army, which many observers believe is working with reconstituted Hutu militia groups.
The unresolved hostilities between ethnic Hutu and the ethnic Tutsi and their respective allies continue to play an important role in driving this conflict. Laurent Nkunda was a war-time commander in Paul Kagame’s 1994 Rwanda Patriotic Front, the rebel force that routed the then-Rwandan government even as the genocide was taking place. While Kagame categorically denies that he is supporting Nkunda and his militia, the Rwandan president has done so in the past and most observers in the region believe that he still is . Similarly, Congo’s president Joseph Kabila’s army is widely believed to be working closely with Hutu militia, that is when they are not terrorizing their own citizens.
Both leaders can do more to end the war. A peace process already provides the framework; there should be no need for more negotiations. At a summit meeting a year ago in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, Kabila and Kagame agreed to disarm the Hutu militia in Congo and ease their repatriation to Rwanda . But neither leader has upheld his end of the bargain with conviction . Even before the latest upsurge in fighting by Nkunda there were numerous violations of the ceasefire on both sides.
Both Kabila and Kagame are major recipients of Western aid from the European Union and the United States. Even if Kagame is speaking the truth when he says that he is not supporting the Tutsi rebel commander Nkunda today, few observers doubt that as a major military player in the region he has the power to rein him in. Similarly the Congolese President can stop his own army chiefs from working directly the Hutu militias and rebel groups. Both say that they have nothing to do with the current fighting; they need to be forced to account by international political and economic pressure.
See pictures of the global financial crisis.
See TIME’s Pictures of the Week. | <urn:uuid:e5d90810-d0ef-44b9-8fb2-58048bc6a5dc> | CC-MAIN-2021-39 | https://www.4vf.net/how-the-world-must-act-in-congo-%C2%97-now/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-39/segments/1631780055601.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20210917055515-20210917085515-00180.warc.gz | en | 0.959611 | 897 | 2.734375 | 3 | 3.073199 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Politics |
This book is a major study in English of the duchy of Savoy during the period of the Thirty Years War. Rather than examining Savoy purely in terms of its military or geo-strategic role, Dynasty and Diplomacy in the Court of Savoy comprises three interwoven strands: the dynastic ambitions of the ruling House of Savoy, the family interests of an elite clan in ducal service, and the unique role played by one member of that clan, Abate Alessandro Scaglia (1592–1641), who emerged as one of Europe's most widely known diplomats. Scaglia, the focus of the book, affords insights not only into Savoyard court politics and diplomacy, but more generally into a diplomatic culture of seventeenth-century Europe. With his image fixed by a remarkable series of Van Dyck portraits, Scaglia is emblematic of an international network of princes, diplomats, courtiers and artists, at the point of contact between dynasticism, high politics and the arts.
• A major study in English on the role of Savoy during the Thirty Years War • Discusses the interaction between dynasticism and foreign policies, and the way in which this involved both ruling families and court families who served them • Analyses the relationship between the arts and politics during the seventeenth century in a court world that included Charles I, the Duke of Buckingham and Peter Paul Rubens
List of figures; Acknowledgements; List of abbreviations; Names and dates; Introduction; Part I. Dynastic Power: the House of Savoy and the Scaglia di Verrua: 1. Dynastic power: Savoy and Europe; 2. Power and patronage: the Scaglia di Verrua in the service of Savoy; Part II. The Treaty of Monzón, 1624–7: 3. Savoyard diplomacy: Alessandro Scaglia and the mission to Paris, 1624–6; 4. Pragmatic diplomacy: England, France and Spain; Part III. The War for Mantua and Monferrato, 1628–32: 5. The war, 1628–31; 6. After the war, 1631–2; Part IV. Alessandro Scaglia: Exile and Savoy During the 1630s: 7. Power and patronage: Alessandro Scaglia in exile; 8. The House of Savoy and the Scaglia di Verrua: dynastic instability and civil war, 1632–42; Conclusion; Appendix; Bibliography; Index.
'… offers a penetrating and persuasive vision of early modern Europe.' Scotland on Sunday | <urn:uuid:8bbc3c74-17b4-46c8-801a-c5139e15dfb9> | CC-MAIN-2016-18 | http://www.cambridge.org/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=0521652685 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2016-18/segments/1461860121423.81/warc/CC-MAIN-20160428161521-00098-ip-10-239-7-51.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.916477 | 544 | 2.75 | 3 | 3.080024 | 3 | Strong reasoning | History |
The mainstem of the Coosa River is listed as water quality impaired for its entirety from the border between Alabama and Georgia downstream to Jordan Dam. Problems with nutrient pollution and low dissolved oxygen are exacerbated by the presence and operations of hydropower dams. Toxins like PCBs and mercury are also problems. Fish consumption advisories for PCBs have been issued for considerable portions of the Coosa River. (State of Rivers)
Six Coosa River tributaries are listed as failing to meet water quality standards: Black Creek, Buxahatchee Creek, Choccolocco Creek, Little Wills Creek, and unnamed tributary to Dry Branch and unnamed tributary to Hurricane Creek. (this list is only current through 1998).
Rapid growth in the metropolitan Atlanta area and north Georgia since 1950 has caused large increases in water demands. As a result, the state of Georgia has requested the reallocation of water in the Coosa basin to meet these demands. In the interests of maintaining adequate water supplies for the Alabama portions of the Coosa, Alabama filed litigation challenging this reallocation of the Coosa’s shared resources. To resolve this conflict outside of the legal system the two states have entered into negotiations on a water compact for the Alabama, Coosa, and Tallapoosa river basin. An identical process is taking place for the shared resources of the Appalachicola, Chattahoochee, Flint between the states of Georgia, Alabama and Florida. These compacts will determine the fate of these water resources for the next 50 years. (Corps)
The health of aquatic ecosystems is linked to the health of terrestrial ecosystems. (GA DNR)
IMPAIRED STREAMS / SECTIONS
Georgia lists 121 miles of streams in the Coosa basin as partially supporting their designated uses and 371 miles as not supporting their uses. Urban runoff and high PCB concentrations in fish are the most commonly cited problems.
Alabama lists 39 miles of streams in the Coosa basin that either do not support or only partially support their designated uses. Gravel mining, feedlots, cropland erosion, and hydroelectric power production are sources for organic enrichment and low DO concentrations in the basin. The Coosa river is generally more enriched in nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) than the Tallapoosa.
Weiss Lake, Neely Henry, Logan Martin, Lay Lake, and Lake Mitchell either do not support or only partially support their designated uses. Priority organics, nutrients, pH, organic enrichment, DO, and flow alteration are listed as some of the causes for the impairment. Sources of these impairments range from flow regulation to industrial discharges to urban and rural nonpoint source pollution. (EPA)
Lay Lake had an advisory for dioxin being released from a paper mill in 1990. This advisory was lifted in 1991. (EPA website)
Five of the six Coosa reservoirs are considered degrading by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.
Recently state officials have initiated the establishment of nutrient criteria for many of Alabama’s lakes. It is hoped that by monitoring and permitting for excess nutrients, the eutrophication of Alabama’s lakes can be avoided.
FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORIES
The Coosa River Basin has fish consumption advisories for 8 locations, according to the Alabama Department of Health’s 2001 bulletin.
Choccolocco Creek, in Calhoun and Talladega counties, is the only tributary stream with an advisory and includes the entire length of the Creek from south of Oxford, downstream to where Choccolocco Creek flows into Logan Martin Lake. The advisory is for no consumption of all species due to the presence of PCBs.
All of the Coosa lakes, except Lake Mitchell and Jordan Lake have advisories. From north to south (upstream to downstream) they are:
From Weiss Dam upstream to the GA state line (including Weiss Lake), there is a limited consumption of catfish over one pound due to PCBs. Limited consumption is defined as no consumption for women of reproductive age and children under 15, and no more than one meal per month for others.
In the Croft Ferry area of Neely Henry Lake there is a no consumption advisory for channel catfish due to PCBs.
From Neely Henry Dam downstream to Riverside, there is a limited consumption of catfish over one pound due to PCBs.
From Logan Martin Dam upstream to Riverside and downstream to Vincent (including Logan Martin Lake), there is a limited consumption advisory for Largemouth, Spotted and Striped Bass due to PCBs.
Downstream of Logan Martin Dam to Vincent there is also a no consumption advisory for Spotted and Striped Bass, Catfish over one pound and Crappie due to PCBs
Between Logan Martin Dam and Lay Dam (including Lay Lake) there in a no consumption advisory for Striped and Spotted Bass, Crappie, and Blue Catfish due to PCBs.
Two miles downstream of Logan Martin Dam and one half mile downstream of the mouth of Kelly Creek, the Upper Lay Lake has a limited consumption advisory for Spotted Bass due to PCBs. | <urn:uuid:0ea78562-5f66-49f6-baa2-bf33080cda6a> | CC-MAIN-2019-39 | https://aaes.auburn.edu/wrc/resource/rivers-of-alabama/coosa-basin/threats/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-39/segments/1568514572896.15/warc/CC-MAIN-20190924083200-20190924105200-00228.warc.gz | en | 0.946404 | 1,060 | 3.15625 | 3 | 3.010043 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Science & Tech. |
A few days ago we published this post “Why project planning is not a project phase“. That post generated a reader question asking us about the differences between project life cycle and project management life cycle, which led to another post. This later post is generating a great of discussions on online groups so we decided to do this post on life cycles.
These text are also from our upcoming book on Redefining the Basics of Project Management.
How many life cycles
We have no idea:-).
We are familiar with these terms:
- Project Life Cycle
- Project Management Life Cycle
- Product Life Cycle
- Life Cycle Cost
- Team Life Cycle
- and possibly many others …
We discussed the first two points in the recent post. Today we will define the terms “product” and product life cycle and leave other terms for another day.
Defining the term Product
Before explaining the term ‘product life cycle’, we will examine the word ‘product’. Let us start with a question that introduces a scenario, which we will use throughout this chapter.
The scenario is a project to build a water bottling plant. What is the product?
There is a chance that your answer is: “water bottles.”
However, we have presented you a trick question. Your deep knowledge of product and project management will lead you to seek clarification and respond:
“Not sure, are you talking about the product of the project or the product of the plant? If it is product of the plant then it is bottled water but if you mean the product of the project then it is the plant itself – the physical facility.”
That is a great answer!
In this regard, the product of the project is the plant facility. This facility, once operational, will deliver the consumer product, which in the scenario will be the bottled water.
So with this understanding of the word ‘product’, what is the ‘product life cycle’?
Product Life Cycle
There are plenty of publications on this topic and we encourage you to seek them out for more in-depth knowledge. The product life cycle extends across the whole life of the product regardless of what the product is. In this context, the product is the output that the project delivers to the organization. It can be a software application, a book, a new organizational system, or as in the scenario, a water bottling plant.
Throughout the duration of a useful life, there are shorter periods called phases of the product life cycle. These are product life phases and not project or CAM2P
“OK, English now please!”
A return to the water bottling plant scenario will assist in making this clear; follow these steps:
- Say you are an investor and have an idea to build a water bottling plant. Your geographical area does not have one and you believe there is a market for it. This is the idea for the product, and it is, coincidentally, the idea for the project. The starting point of the product life cycle and the project (investment opportunity) is here.
- Your team would study the idea (investment opportunity) through a feasibility study. If the project is feasible, you (the investor) will likely go ahead with the project (pursue the opportunity) and progress through the project development and delivery phases, per a model like CAM2P
. At completion of the project, the plant is built, handed over to operations, and started normal operations.
So far, the product life cycle and project life span are essentially overlapping but they are not the same. With project acceptance (at the CAM2P
In the context of the product life cycle, the ‘project’ is what we call the ‘acquisition phase’ of the product life cycle.
At the end of the product life cycle’s acquisition phase, operations will have to operate and maintain the facility for its useful life.
Based on the above, we can define, simplistically, that the product life cycle has two phases: acquisition and operations. The transition point between them is the product acceptance, although operations involvement starts pre-handover. A project, such as construction of a manufacturing plant, could last two to three years. However, operations can continue for 20 or 30 years.
Product Life Cycle: Text Perspective
In the previous topic, we split the product life cycle into two phases: acquisition phase and operation phase. This was an oversimplification. Most literature on product life cycle defines it as a cycle of five phases with the following common names applied to these phases:
- Development: from idea/concept, acquisition, and even initial operations
- Introduction of the new product to market
- Growth of the product, enhanced operation of a facility
- Maturity: good production system, product well known in the market
- Decline: building/plant too old, costs more to operate maintain than would be justified, product losing its value …
Activities within, and drivers for each of these phases, will differ depending on the nature of the product. In general, an organization could deliver numerous projects during the product life cycle and its phases. For example, during the growth phase there could be projects to expand the facilities and increase production. There could be maintenance projects during any of the phases. At the end of useful life, there could be a project to dismantle the plant or shut it down.
Hope this will give you enough information, let us know what you think! | <urn:uuid:904dc62a-d023-46ec-9c0e-bce630bcb76c> | CC-MAIN-2020-10 | http://blog.sukad.com/how-many-life-cycles-are-there/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-10/segments/1581875148671.99/warc/CC-MAIN-20200229053151-20200229083151-00521.warc.gz | en | 0.938504 | 1,144 | 3.046875 | 3 | 2.70911 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Finance & Business |
Chapter 14: Environmental, Regional, and Global Challenges
The ten-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is nothing more than a social club for its leaders, its lofty goals and aspirations merely substituting for its lack of substantive achievements. Its latest member, Myanmar, is a continuous embarrassment to the organization, demonstrating its collective impotence. Nonetheless the leaders deem the organization important, and world leaders fall for it by regularly sending high-level delegations to its annual meetings.
ASEAN is committed to regional cooperation and ultimately a common market by 2020. Thus far, that is all there is to it, only a commitment. At its Foreign Ministers meeting in Manila in May 2006, they committed to accelerate the date to 2015. I suggest a more modest and doable beginning, with a common market comprising of only Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei (IMB).
It is hard to integrate such disparate states as Laos, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. The only commonality is geography: there is no shared history, experience, language, or culture.
Normally geography can be a powerful binding element. The western Canadian provinces have much more in common with western United States than with their eastern counterparts. This is reflected in the flow of people, goods, and services. There are similar traditional flows between the ASEAN states, but there is no official acknowledgement much less encouragement. Worse, such natural flows remain illegal (as between Sabah and the Philippines) or considered as “tourists.” Malaysia bragged about increases in tourism. Analyzed carefully, and the bulk of such “tourists” are nothing more than friends and relatives going back and forth across hitherto (pre-colonial) non-existing borders. It makes the tourism statistics look impressive. If only the ASEAN states were to legalize and thus encourage such natural flows, then regional trade would blossom.
Those limitations notwithstanding, it is still good for the region’s leaders to meet regularly even if only for social reasons as with its silly end-of-meeting karaoke skits. That would only increase understanding. Malaysia would be wasting its time and effort to go much beyond that.
ASEAN was supposed to represent the region as a unified and thus powerful voice in international affairs. With the member states being at such disparate stages of development (Laos and Singapore being the extremes) and with their accompanying varying interests, it is impossible to achieve this. That objective remains just an aspiration, or more accurately, an illusion.
ASEAN was to negotiate as a group for free trade agreements with its major trading partners (Japan, America, and EU). Certainly a regional grouping of ten nations with a population of nearly half a billion people would carry substantial clout, if only they could first agree among themselves. Singapore was the first to break ranks by securing its own free trade agreements with America. Thailand soon followed. With that, the myth of ASEAN solidarity was effectively punctured. Now Malaysia too is belatedly seeking its own free trade agreements with its major trading partners.
Nor can ASEAN point to any substantive achievement in non-economic matters. They could not even put any semblance of common understanding on major international issues. Singapore, Thailand, and to some extent Vietnam, are more concerned with currying America’s favor. Post-Mahathir Malaysia is gradually recognizing the importance of being on America’s good side, and is thus reducing its anti-American rhetoric.
The ASEAN states will continue to pursue their own separate course and looking after their own national interests. As the American scholar Donald Weatherbee perceptively noted, Southeast Asia is a region because its elite say it is. There is nothing beyond that. Malaysia should assign a junior diplomat to the ASEAN desk.
Globalization: Challenges and Opportunities
Malaysia should take aggressive steps towards integrating itself with the global mainstream. That would be the most effective strategy to achieve economic growth and realize its ambitious Vision 2020 goals.
Malaysia has gone further than many Third World countries in opening itself to global trade. It was an early member of the World Trade Organization. The value of its trade is substantial, twice its GDP. The figure for United States is only 25 percent. Despite this apparent embrace of globalization and capitalism, nonetheless there is a significant segment of the leadership, in particular Malay leaders, which is resisting globalization. The non-Bumiputra community generally welcomes globalization; Malays fear losing their treasured special privileges. It is not so much that Malays would lose those privileges rather that they would become irrelevant.
Economists generally (except those in Malaysia) are the strongest advocates for globalization and free trade. Experience proves that countries embracing free trade and globalization have greater economic development than those that do not. We have as examples the two “experiments in nature:” the recent miraculous achievements of modern China and India. Hundreds of millions of Chinese and Indians—more people than at any time in history—have escaped the dehumanizing clutches of poverty through trade and globalization. If the successes of China and India were to be replicated elsewhere, poverty would no longer be the scourge of humanity. Trade and globalization did more for poverty in these two countries than all the foreign aid, missionary work, or even Mother Teresa (in the case of India).
Even smaller nations have benefited from globalization. As late as the 1950s, Ireland was one of the poorest nations in Europe, and an unending source of poor immigrants to the West. Since joining the EU and embracing globalization, it is growing rapidly, outpacing even Britain. The English now no longer look disdainfully upon the Irish. Similarly, back in the 1950s South Korea was in ruins. Its main source of income was foreign aid and the spending money of foreign soldiers. By joining the global mainstream, South Korea is today an economic powerhouse, its people healthy and thriving.
Malaysian leaders and intellectuals rail against globalization, viewing it as another “subtle” vehicle for Western hegemony and neo-colonization. Their incessant diatribes tire me easily. We should instead be devising strategies on how best to exploit the benefits of globalization and prepare Malaysians for its challenges. Technology, specifically ICT, drives globalization. The earlier Industrial Revolution too was spearheaded by technology, specifically the steam engine and later the petroleum-powered machines. That made production and transportation of goods considerably cheaper, consistent, and predictable. Textiles manufactured in Scotland could now be cheaply transported and made affordable to the Indians; in turn, the English could enjoy Indian tea.
The crux of the ICT Revolution is the digitization of data. Information (or data) in any form (texts, images and spoken words) can now be digitized (reduced into series of bytes or “off” and “on” switches) and then transported anywhere at the speed of light. With the earlier Industrial Revolution, it was goods that could be transported in the matter of days and weeks; with the ICT revolution, it is information that is transported instantaneously.
There may be little value in the instantaneous transmission of information on how to make widgets. In other instances however, the rapid transmission of information is pivotal not only in maximizing returns on investments but also in saving lives and preventing property damages.
With ICT, information on an earthquake in Indonesia could be transmitted quickly worldwide. That would help coastal communities prepare for any subsequent destructive tidal waves. Thanks to ICT, we can track storm centers and predict their path, and help communities be better prepared. In America, property damages and lives lost through hurricanes are minimal because of the rapid spread of vital weather information. In case of the New Orleans Katrina tragedy, the authorities received the information timely but they did not act on it effectively.
Information about distant markets can be liberating to farmers. By using cell phones, jute farmers in rural Bangladesh could determine the price of their commodity at Dacca. Previously they were at the mercy of the middlemen; today those middlemen act merely as transporters and can no longer gouge the farmers through their monopoly of market information. ICT empowers those jute farmers; such is the liberating power of information! Technology effectively breaks the monopoly and monopsony of the parasitic middlemen far more effectively than the strongest socialist mandate.
The post-industrial economy is increasingly concerned with services. Most of the associated jobs (Robert Reich’s “in-person services”11) cannot be outsourced; someone remote from the customer cannot effectively perform those jobs. To be a nurse or waiter, you have to be with the patient or customer, not a thousand miles away in India. Similarly with being a surgeon, robotic and tele-surgery notwithstanding.
In contrast, the “routine production services work,” the kind of repetitive standardized work being done in factories and offices could be readily and are indeed being outsourced thousands of miles away.
Yes, some service jobs could be done remotely. American data entry work and consumers’ enquires are now being done in Bangalore rather than Baltimore. Untwisting the thick rolling Indian accent and making those Indians sound like lithe Midwesterners turned out to be very easy, requiring only a few sessions with “accent reduction” coaches. At the other end of the skills spectrum, the CAT scans and MRIs at my hospital are being read by radiologists thousands of miles away in Honolulu. It could easily be done in Sydney or Seremban if doctors there have American qualifications.
Previously, young Indians would aspire to emigrate to America; today the American way of life comes to them. America gains by having its work done cheaply abroad and by having fewer Indian immigrants. India too gains by not losing its talented young.
With the proper smart strategy, Malaysia could also reap the benefits of globalization. Malaysia does not need to re-invent new ways on how best to prepare for globalization. Simply adopt the successful strategies of such countries as South Korea and Ireland. Ireland is a particularly relevant model.
Next: Lessons From Ireland | <urn:uuid:0f680b3d-8b4e-4e5f-b6e9-0115aa647043> | CC-MAIN-2017-13 | http://www.bakrimusa.com/archives/2009/04 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-13/segments/1490218188962.14/warc/CC-MAIN-20170322212948-00074-ip-10-233-31-227.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.956269 | 2,064 | 2.78125 | 3 | 2.992078 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Politics |
Individuals on the spectrum may often feel overwhelmed. This can lead to an Autism meltdown. Sometimes, this may be because they hold back their natural instincts to display behaviour that is considered appropriate by society. It may also be due to big emotions that they are struggling to cope with.
Parents, caregivers, family members, teachers, and therapists play an important role in supporting individuals through such meltdowns. Understanding what a meltdown is will help in formulating a tailor-made solution for managing the meltdowns.
Causes of Meltdowns
The cause of meltdowns varies from individual to individual. Meltdowns are generally noticed in situations when the individual is being exposed to new or unexpected circumstances. Some of the triggers include
– Sensory overload (Individuals with autism may have hypersensitivities in one or more of their senses. They may also have hyposensitivity in some senses. This can instigate sensory overload with too much stimulation, followed by panic and a meltdown).
– Emotional overload (Individuals with autism may find it difficult to request for help from others when they become anxious. As they may lack the innate mechanisms to calm down, their emotions become too much to handle and a meltdown follows).
– Information overload (Individuals with autism may get confused when too much complexity comes at them at once. It can be in the form of too many instructions or demands, or even language that they struggle to understand. This information overload can lead to stress, anxiety, and even physical pain in some).
In some cases, such meltdown could simply be due to a change in their activity / schedule or day-to-day routine. Physical signs of anxiety or confusion are exhibited in the form of fretting, restlessness, or stimming behaviours.
Supporting an Individual Through a Meltdown
Here’s what you can do to manage the meltdowns –
– Find the cause that triggers the meltdown
– Note down the meltdown pattern exhibited by the individual
– Try and predict the signs of a meltdown well in advance
– Critically analyse situations and plan for new and unexpected situations.
Meltdowns cannot be avoided entirely. To calm the individual going through meltdown, either assist the person to move to a quiet place, away from the stimulation that may have evoked the overload until the meltdown is over. In public gatherings and outdoor places, the person accompanying the individual with autism must:
– Plan beforehand (pre-planning that involves knowing where a quiet place / a closest free open space nearby) and
– Prepare well ahead to manage a meltdown (i.e., make sure to carry a handy ‘comforting-kit’ that contains the individual’s favourite coping mechanisms (like sensory bottles, sensory balls, sensory bands, etc).
– Help the individual find and use different ways to understand and express their emotions appropriately.
During an Autism Meltdown
– Give them some time to recover from the overload (be it emotional, sensory or information).
– Gently ask them if they are OK, but keep in mind that they still might need some time and space.
Keep practicing staying calm and do not expect perfection. When an individual with Autism observes your calm reaction every time to their meltdowns, they will eventually start to imitate and learn from you. Whether they are verbal or non-verbal communicators, learning to communicate their basic needs can reduce their anxieties. Moreover, when they learn to seek help, it results in minimizing the frequency of autism meltdown. | <urn:uuid:b89eacee-0bf8-45dc-b76c-83b1750559fc> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://buzz.avazapp.com/blog/understanding-autism-meltdowns-in-adults-and-children/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233511364.23/warc/CC-MAIN-20231004084230-20231004114230-00730.warc.gz | en | 0.945676 | 712 | 3.46875 | 3 | 2.569456 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Health |
What are Plaque and Tartar?
Dental plaque is a colorless film made up of saliva, food and fluids, which when combined, produce deposits of bacteria that accumulate between the teeth and gums. Plaque contains bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. If the plaque accumulates and is not removed, mineralization can occur, which causes staining and becomes tartar. Plaque is the leading cause of numerous oral health problems. The most effective way to get rid of dental plaque is by brushing it regularly.
Signs and symptoms
Everyone develops plaque because bacteria is constantly growing in the mouth. Plaque that is not completely removed in the gum line can cause inflammation and irritation of the gums around the teeth, leading to gingivitis (red, swollen, bleeding gums).
Unlike plaque, tartar is an accumulation of minerals that is fairly easy to see, if it is above the gum line. The most common sign of tartar is a yellow or brown deposit between the lower front teeth or the gum line. The only way to eliminate tartar altogether is to see your dentist or dental hygienist for a professional cleaning.
Bacteria in the mouth thrive on many of the foods we eat daily – that is, sugars and carbohydrates – and produce acids that attack the surface of the tooth. If proper flossing and tooth brushing are not carried out efficiently every day, this leads to more plaque and tartar development. The tartar gives the plaque more surface area on which to grow and a much stickier surface to adhere to.
If it is not removed through proper daily oral hygiene, plaque accumulation occurs and can lead to bacterial infections, gums, teeth and even the bone that supports them.
It is easy to prevent plaque accumulation with proper care. Be sure that:
- Brush at least twice a day for 2 minutes to completely remove plaque from teeth.
- Floss as a supplement to brushing, to remove plaque deposited where the toothbrush does not reach.
- Eating a balanced diet and brushing after a snack will help reduce plaque buildup.
- Visit your dental professional every six months to receive annual cleanings and checkups.
When it comes to preventing plaque and dental plaque, a healthier mouth starts with good brushing habits. Once the tartar has formed, only your dentist or dental hygienist can remove it professionally.
Your dental professional removes the plaque by means of a deep cleansing method called scaling and smoothing of the roots. Scaling consists of removing tartar that has been deposited above and below the gum line. The root planning eliminates the rough areas that the root of the tooth may have where the germs accumulate. This helps to remove the bacteria that favor the disease. In some cases, a laser can be used to remove plaque and tartar. | <urn:uuid:72814f9e-6251-43d6-8ae9-5fb23835b342> | CC-MAIN-2019-51 | http://www.dentyucral.info/plaque-and-tartar/?lang=en | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-51/segments/1575540564599.32/warc/CC-MAIN-20191213150805-20191213174805-00393.warc.gz | en | 0.94392 | 575 | 3.5625 | 4 | 1.220035 | 1 | Basic reasoning | Health |
Choking is when your airway gets blocked and you can’t breathe
When someone chokes, the airway can either be partly or fully
blocked. If it’s a mild blockage, they should be able to clear it
themselves by coughing. If it’s a severe blockage, they won’t be
able to cough so without anyone’s help they’ll become
But if they do become unresponsive, their throat muscles could
relax and open the airway enough for you to give rescue breaths ‒
be prepared to give rescue breaths and chest compressions.
Poster download: What
to do if an adult is choking
Watch our video - how to help someone who is choking
Choking adult ‒ what to look for
If you think someone is choking, ask them: ‘Are you choking?’ to
check they’re not suffering from something else. Can they speak,
cry, cough or breathe?
If they can, they should be able to clear their throat on their
own by coughing, so encourage them to cough.
If they can’t cough or make any noise, it’s serious.
Choking adult ‒ what you need to do
Help clear their throat with these three steps.
Step 1 of 4: Cough it out
- • Encourage them to cough. If this doesn't clear the
obstruction, support their upper body with one hand and help them
Step 2 of 4: Slap it out
- • If coughing doesn’t work, help the casualty bend
- • Use the heel of your hand to give up to five sharp back blows
between their shoulder blades.
- • Check their mouth to see if there’s anything in there and, if
there is, get them to pick it out.
Step 3 of 4: Squeeze it out
- • If back blows don’t work, give up to five abdominal thrusts.
Stand behind them.
- • Link your hands between their tummy button and the bottom of
their chest, with your lower hand clenched in a fist.
- • Pull sharply inwards and upwards.
Step 4 of 4: Call for help
If they’re still choking, call 999 or 112 for medical help.
Once you’ve called, continue steps 2 and 3 – back blows and
abdominal thrusts – until what’s in there has cleared, help arrives
or they become unresponsive.
If they become unresponsive at any stage, open their airway and
check their breathing.
If they’re not breathing, start chest compressions and rescue
breaths (CPR - cardiopulmonary resuscitation) to try to release
whatever’s stuck in there. Follow the instructions for treating
someone who’s unresponsive and not breathing. | <urn:uuid:74ea609b-e243-44cb-983b-fa2030f13f05> | CC-MAIN-2017-47 | http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/first-aid-advice/breathing/choking-adults.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-47/segments/1510934805894.15/warc/CC-MAIN-20171120013853-20171120033853-00053.warc.gz | en | 0.921854 | 617 | 3.296875 | 3 | 1.488575 | 1 | Basic reasoning | Health |
You can’t blame it on the cow this time round: a Californian methane leak
Friday 8th January 2016
When you hear the term “environmental disaster” what springs to mind? Floods, earthquakes, forest fires? All have been in the news recently, but would you put a methane leak into that category? California has been experiencing just this type of “slow-moving” environmental disaster since the 23rd October. Normally when most of us hear “methane” we think “cow trumps”. Not this time, methane began leaking from a faulty, natural gas well, displacing thousands of families and releasing greenhouse gases equivalent to driving 7 million cars each day.
You’d hope that fixing the leak would be a quick job, but things are a bit more complicated. The gas is escaping from the soil and rocks around the well, as well as from the well itself. The well is one of America’s biggest natural gas reservoirs, is 61 years old and thousands of feet below ground. It’s estimated there’s likely to be a hole in the pipe, about 500 meters below the surface. The pipe carries the natural gas from the reservoir to the top of the well. The pipe itself is encased in cement, so the gas is flowing down until the casing ends where it leaks into the surrounding soil and rock. So, in short, to fix it they need to build a whole new relief well. South California Gas (who own the facility) are estimating it will be February or March before the leak is fixed.
In terms of climate change, the leak is bad news. As one of the largest leaks on record, there are estimates that roughly 10 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent will have been released by the time the leak stops. No-one knows for sure what caused the leak, although there were reports of corrosion and well failures at the site last year. Many of the nation’s 400 natural gas storage facilities were built before modern standards came into play so this one leak represents a much larger problem.
In the meantime, residents have been moved away and South California Gas is working to fix the leak as soon as possible.
Another well known producer of methane gas is landfill sites. At Paper Round, we never send any of your waste to landfill. Instead, non-recyclable materials are incinerated and the energy generated goes into the national grid. You can find out more here. | <urn:uuid:2035f224-c9f4-48b5-b8fb-6379f43c5902> | CC-MAIN-2018-22 | https://www.paper-round.co.uk/blog/view/you-cant-blame-it-on-the-cow-this-time-round-a-californian-methane-leak | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-22/segments/1526794864624.7/warc/CC-MAIN-20180522034402-20180522054402-00222.warc.gz | en | 0.966186 | 511 | 2.796875 | 3 | 2.758641 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Science & Tech. |
The Urban Guru Website
Arab Cities on the way to Better Urban Life?
In April 2010 the first international meeting on the State of Arab Cities took place in Kuwait City, in a place only three hundred kilometres from Uruk, the Mesopotamian city-state.
Located on the Euphrates, Uruk is considered as the first city in the world history. Under King Gilgamesh, five thousand years ago, it counted 40,000 people. If Kenya claims to be the cradle of mankind, southern Iraq could claim, thanks to the Sumerians, to be the cradle of urban-kind. Not very far, the first big village of the world, Jericho on the Dead Sea, already had 5,000 people seven thousand years ago. So the meeting took place in a region where urbanization was born (also in Anatolia). One can safely affirm that urban issues are not foreign to the Middle East.
One must also acknowledge that the Arab world has played a very important role in the history of urbanization. From Damascus, the first capital of Islam under the Umayyad dynasty; Baghdad, the Abbasid capital and Cairo, the Fatimid creation at the end of the 10th century, the region is where urban civilization was born. Both the Sumerian and Arab contributions to world urbanization have indeed been outstanding. With the official creation of Cairo in 969, the modern era of urbanization started in earnest, long before the Italian Renaissance. The Arab world is a region where urban matters have been addressed for centuries.
Initially Arab civilization was nomadic. But very quickly it created a number of cities. One of the greatest geniuses of all times, the Tunisian scholar Ibn Khaldun, wrote in the 14th century about this confrontation between nomadic origins and city life. Ibn Khaldun founded urban sociology six hundred years ago, explaining the relations between rural/nomadic and urban conditions, noting the complementary and confrontations between the two worlds.
The Arab urban civilization, which has evolved over the last millennium, provides the historical background for our coming report entitled, The State of Arab Cities. It is well known that some of the most beautiful cities in the world are in this region, from Marrakesh and Fez in Morocco to Damascus and Aleppo in Syria without forgetting Sana’a in Yemen, Jerusalem, Cairo, etc. Any lover of cities would testify that these cities are the pearls of the Islamic World.
With the contributions of many specialists, UN-HABITAT has started to analyze the current State of Arab Cities, noting that different sub-regions face different problems. The Arab world is unified by cultural and linguistic features, but it is also marked by many diversities.
In terms of urbanization one should distinguish three major sub-regions. The first one covers the Gulf Cooperation Countries with an extremely high rate of urbanization, an average of 86 per cent which is the highest in the world, much higher than in Europe. Kuwait holds a world record with 98 per cent, and is clearly one of the most urbanized States in the world.
The second region (which will be sub-divided in the report) includes the Maghreb and Mashreq which together represent the bulk (close to 70 per cent) of the population of the Arab World. It is two-thirds urbanized today, with an average rate of 67 per cent.
The third “region” is made of the Arab Least Developed Countries. They are very heterogeneous, combining Yemen, Somalia, Djibouti and Sudan in the East, with Mauritania in the West, and the Comoros Islands. There is no homogeneity, but this group is still under-urbanized – only up to 45 per cent on average. So the Arab States include three completely different regions. One cannot compare Doha, Kuwait City, Bahrain or Abu Dhabi with Mogadishu or Nouakchott; these are two different worlds. This will make UN-HABITAT’s survey and analysis a bit difficult because what will be said of one part of the Arab world will not necessarily apply to the other parts. However there are common aspects, common features of these agglomerations, which can be highlighted to show that “Better Arab Cities” – in reference to the theme of the recent Shanghai EXPO – may indeed be around the corner.
The first common feature is the Arab architecture. Arab architecture has evolved down the years, but there are still a number of similarities among all parts of the Arab world. The Arab architecture is well known to urban specialists. It developed as a physical response to social and environmental conditions, social challenges – high family values, defined men-women relations, and harsh climate conditions in predominantly dry countries. Many books have been written on the Arab House and on the Arab pattern of urbanization. The traditional Medina or Old City is the common denominator of this heritage. Policy-makers need to combine the urban heritage with modern development objectives and Kuwait is a good example where one needs to build a city almost from scratch while preserving what is left from history. Moving towards “better cities” requires heritage preservation and integration in urban development strategies.
The second feature is the centralized governance prevalent in the region. All Arab countries in the last fifty years have developed centralized governance systems. These are systems where the governor (Wali) is more important than the mayor, where western-style local democracy remains hard to adopt. So far the centralized Arab pattern of government has demonstrated some effectiveness in term of infrastructure development, but also some obvious limitations in term of environmental management and political participation.
This explains partly why the third common feature is the water challenge faced by Jordan and many other countries where water scarcity is becoming more and more a political concern. The Arab world is water-stressed and has to invest more in adequate infrastructure, including desalination plants, to face this situation. Betterment of cities requires adequate water supply and improved sanitation, together with participatory environmental planning and management.
The fourth feature relates to the need to accommodate a flow of migrants in a number of cities. Traditionally students learnt about rural-urban migration. At present rural-urban migration remains an issue only in Least Developed Countries, it is no longer on the agenda in most Arab countries. Migration has now become an international matter which directly affects city development. Because of its geographical situation, the Arab world is where most migrations are taking place. One could witness migration from Asia to the Gulf countries as well as migration from the Mashreq to the same countries. Migrations occur from sub-Saharan Africa to Maghreb countries, from Maghreb to Europe, from Somalia to Saudi Arabia or Yemen or Kenya. One can see internal migration in countries like Sudan and unfortunately, migration as a result of conflicts affecting Palestinian and Iraqi refugees. The Arab world is a region where migrations have increased in recent decades, having an important impact on the development of cities. Urban refugees and migrant workers must certainly be given more attention in public policies.
On the positive side, the Arab world seems to be the region where cities are the safest. While political violence has increased in some countries, urban delinquency and crime remain low in most of the Arab world. This reveals that the traditional social fabric is still strong. Women and men can walk almost everywhere in Cairo, Casablanca, Algiers, Damascus without fear, even in the evening. This safety is something that sometimes the Arabs themselves do not notice. That is a positive dimension of the Arab city.
Another dimension to highlight is related to the introduction of urban innovation in many areas. Particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Countries where a number of cities have recently introduced urban innovations, most of the time coming from the Western world.
Some are strictly technical innovations which make sense because they save time or money, and improve living conditions. Others are more artificial, even superfluous. They are often a sign of modernity with little impact on the quality of life, which benefit international architects rather than urban populations. Urban malls, cloned from the USA, reflect both sides of this innovation process. On the negative side, they are a mechanism of exclusion and privatisation of public space. On the positive side, they are a modern substitute to the traditional souks (markets) and could allow some degree of conviviality, provided they are well designed and well located. Social and technical progress should go hand in hand in the cities of tomorrow.
On the economic front, the recent Dubai crisis, where a number of real estate companies went bankrupt because of wrong investment strategies, must be critically analyzed. In a way Dubai has been victim of its successful diversification strategy. Since 1980 there have been a lot of investments in Arab cities. Billions have been invested, sometimes in the right direction (trunk infrastructure) and sometimes in the wrong direction (real estate speculative operations). The economy of cities will be discussed squarely in our report on the State of Arab Cities. Compared with other regions, the last 30 years have seen positive developments in many Arab cities. Journalists often highlight the negative aspects, the uncontrolled urban expansion, the increasing urban poverty, the deteriorated environment.
My first visit to Cairo took place 38 years ago. At that time in the local newspapers one could read that Cairo was a complete disaster; that the city will collapse within 10 years or become totally chaotic. Then I went to Cairo approximately every two years in recent decades and each time I read the same articles explaining that Cairo was finished, dead, and without a future. This was simply untrue. In fact Cairo is not becoming a nightmare. Cairo has improved. Cairo is manageable, Cairo is managed. And it is by far the largest Arab city with 12 million permanent residents. How come these cities which journalists regularly brand as potential disasters have emerged, have improved, have become more productive? Not being an NGO, the United Nations has to acknowledge the positive aspects of urbanization. There are difficulties, there are serious employment problems, but there are also successes and we have to objectively recognize progress when and where it occurs.
Since the Istanbul City Summit of 1996, Arab cities have become more and more globalized as part of the globalization of the world economy. More and more links have been established between the Arab world and the rest of the planet, the international world. This is a major phenomenon both in economic, cultural and social terms. Cities are now internationalized, except in Least Developed Countries. This is a general trend and in the Arab world it is accelerating.
During the years 1986-1996, UN-HABITAT provided technical assistance to Dubai Municipality and contributed to create the basis for sound urban management. At that time Dubai was relatively small but its growth has been extremely fast, its population doubling every 10 years (from 350,000 inhabitants in 1986 to 700,000 in 1996 and 1.4 million in 2007). In less than 50 years a big village became a metropolis.
This link with the outside world is important and will be highlighted in the State of Arab Cities report because cities are no longer driven by their own internal conditions but primarily by external factors. Many cities have become international hubs, like Doha and Dubai. Towns which were small have become large agglomerations. Apart from Cairo, the only Arab mega-city, nine cities have passed the 3 million people mark: Baghdad, Khartoum, Riyadh, Alexandria, Algiers, Casablanca, Jeddah, Aleppo and Damascus.
Most of them, not all, are better today than they were twenty years ago, in both social and economic terms. In North Africa for example the proportion of slum-dwellers in the urban population went down from 34 per cent in 1990 to 13 per cent in 2010, according to UN-HABITAT data. However many Arab cities still face very difficult environmental challenges.
The first chapter of the State of Arab Cities will deal with demography. It will be based on the UN Population Division’s World Urbanization Prospects: the 2009 Revision which shows that out of 350 million people in the Arab world, 200 million live in urban areas.
The growth rates are also available, provided by the National Bureaus of Statistics. This is the easiest part even if statistics have their own limitations. But we have to work on the basis of UN data because they are the only official figures, accepted by all governments. In the other chapters the report will discuss the economy of cities and their social dimensions, including the housing conditions, and particularly the conditions of the poorest segments of the population.
It will discuss the current environmental problems of cities including water, sanitation, transport, energy, impact of climate change and finally the political dimension of cities, the way they are managed by central and local governments, what is known as urban governance. Insufficient decentralisation, lack of popular participation and corruption practices will have to be analysed, particularly in light of the recent events in Tunisia and other countries.
We expect that the first State of Arab Cities report will be completed, printed and available for the sixth session of the World Urban Forum, to be held in 2012. During that session the evolution of Arab cities will be assessed by hundreds of experts and policy-makers. The on-going evaluation should provide the facts, figures and analysis required for the promotion of better urban life in the region, while the Forum will also provide ample opportunities for inter-regional exchanges. The spirit of Gilgamesh and Ibn Khaldun will certainly enlighten that forthcoming session.
This article was published in "Urban World' in January 2011. | <urn:uuid:eda61f6d-b7cf-4c77-97e9-3e2ed8fe8b67> | CC-MAIN-2019-22 | https://danielbiau.webnode.com/news/arab-cities-on-the-way-to-better-urban-life/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-22/segments/1558232261326.78/warc/CC-MAIN-20190527045622-20190527071622-00240.warc.gz | en | 0.95005 | 2,788 | 2.734375 | 3 | 3.021458 | 3 | Strong reasoning | History |
The ghazal is an ancient form of poetry that originated from a 6th century Arabic verse. Its usual subject is love, most notably the loss and pain of loving. It is said that to better understand ghazal, one has to be at least familiar with Sufism, and most ghazals are viewed in a spiritual context. It gained prominence during the 13th and 14th centuries due to the Persian poets Rumi and Hafiz and the Indian poet Mirza Ghalib in the 18th century. Today, like other traditional forms of literature, ghazal has also undergone transformations to be able to adapt to the current generation. This incorporation of modernism is highly frowned upon by ghazal purists, but if it helps the art of ghazal to live on and be known to future generations, then it would be quite all right to infuse some changes into it as long as it still brings out the beauty of the ghazal.
Begum Akhtar (+)
She was a multi-award winning Indian ghazal singer born on October 7, 1914. She died on October 30, 1974 right after her concert performance in Ahmedabad. Begum Akhtar was also known as the Mallika-e-Ghazal or The Queen of Ghazals. In 1968, she received the Padma Shri Award and in 1972 the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. She was posthumously awarded in 1975 the Padma Bhushan award by the Indian government. During the span of her career, she did not only sang and wrote ghazals but she also starred in films.
Talat Aziz is a famous Indian ghazal singer from Hyderabad, India to a writer and poet parents. Their family were lovers of fine art that they usually invited poets over to their house, and it was from this that Talat Aziz came to appreciate music. He has been singing ghazals for over three decades and has consistently sold out concerts all over the globe. He celebrated his silver anniversary as a ghazal performer in 2004 with the launch of a special video and audio album.
Mubarak Begum was born in 1940 and is not only a famous ghazal singer but also a playback singer in India. Her career started with light recitals with the All India Radio, an Indian government radio station. Her rendition of the Kabhi Tanhaiyon Mein Yun for the film Hamaari Yuad Aayegi is still considered to this day a classic. Today, however, Mubarak Begum has long been forgotten. She has been living a life of poverty for nearly five decades after she became famous for her rendition of Mujhko Apne Gale Lago Lo. Her destitute state caught the attention of some Bollywood insiders who are now taking care of the septuagenarian artist.
Lily Chakraborty was born on January 15, 1972. She is a highly acclaimed Indian ghazal singer, poet, songwriter, and book author. Her style is said to be unique among other ghazal singers. She is considered to be the most popular and successful ghazal singer to date, and she is well known not only in India but also in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Her album released in 2009 was a global success, and she is also one of India’s most influential artists.
Hariharan was born on April 3, 1955 in Kerala, India. Although born in Kerala, he grew up in Mumbai in a Tamil Iyer family. He has bachelor degrees in science and law. His parents were renowned Carnatic vocalists from whom he got his musical inclination. At a young age, Hariharan has been exposed to different types of music such as Carnatic, Hindustani, and ghazal music. It was said that Hariharan practices singing for 13 hours every day. When he learned to sing ghazal, he made sure that he also learned Urdu and poured out his heart and soul into the ghazal music. He has more than 30 ghazal albums to his credit. In 2004 he was awarded by the Indian government the Padma Shri and is a two-time national award winner.
Talat Mahmood (+)
Talat Mahmood is one of India’s most prominent ghazal singers. He was born on February 24, 1924 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Early in his life, Talat Mahmood already showed an interest in music and would often sit listening to the greatest names in classical Indian music at the time. In 1939, at the age of 16, he embarked on a career singing purely ghazal music, and in 1941 he recorded his first ghazal disc. His ghazal singing brought him from Lucknow to Calcutta where he blossomed as an artist. Apart from singing, Talat Mahmood also acted in films. In 1992, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan. Talat Mahmood died on May 9, 1998.
A Padma Shree awardee, Penaz Masani started her ghazal singing career in 1981 and, since then, has made more than 20 albums to her credit. She was awarded the title Shehzadi Tarunnam by the state government of Uttar Pradesh in 1996. In 2002, she received the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award in the 11th Kalakar Award. She has also worked as a playback singer for Bollywood for more than 50 movies and has sung in 10 different languages. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations supported Penaz Masani, and she was able to perform in countries such as Germany, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal ,and Vietnam.
Jagjit Singh (+)
Jagjit Singh, born on February 8, 1941, was named Jagmohan Singh. His name was changed to Jagjit based on the advice of the Sikh Namdhari sect whom his parents consulted. He has an art degree from DAV College in Jalandhar and a postgraduate degree in history from Kurukshetra University in Haryana. In 1967, he met his wife Chitra Dutta with whom he had a son. Both he and his wife gained stardom in 1976 when they released their album The Unforgettables. He and his wife were both successful ghazal singers. Chitra, however, stopped performing when their son Vivek died in 1990. Jagjit continued on as a solo artist and is called the King of Ghazal. He has received many awards in the span of his career including the Padma Bushan in 2003. Jagjit Singh died on October 10, 2011.
Ahmad Wali is a well-known Afghan ghazal singer who is currently living in Germany. He was born in Kabul, and his father was a police commander. This must have been the influence on Ahmad Wali for enrolling at the Kabul Police Academy. Although enrolled in the Police Academy, he was still performing music until he made the decision to really be committed to it. Music is not something new to Ahmad Wali as at the age of 12 he was already playing the Tabla, and singing came after immediately. While at the Habibia High School, he did a demo tape that was instantly liked by Ustad Zaland, the director of Radio Kabul. The political unrest in Afghanistan forced Ahmad Wali to seek refuge in another country. He fled Afghanistan using a fake passport into India and from there got a visa to Germany by pretending to be sick. Living in Germany, Ahmad Wali restarted his singing career and was successful with tours to the United States of America and Europe.
Sunali Rathod was once married to Anup Jalota and is now happily married to Roop Kumar Rathod. Sunali Rathod is a trained, classical singer, and she started performing at the age of 10 years old. She can sing in different languages such as Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, Telugu, and English. Her first ghazal album was released in 1987, and in the same year she won the Best Ghazal Singer Award of the Emirates International in Dubai. Sunali Rathod was born and raised in Mumbai, India and attended St. Xavier’s College also in Mumbai. | <urn:uuid:4756d114-a010-4146-88e8-0ef99d08d4c2> | CC-MAIN-2016-22 | http://infomory.com/famous/famous-ghazal-singers/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2016-22/segments/1464049278244.7/warc/CC-MAIN-20160524002118-00008-ip-10-185-217-139.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.990678 | 1,706 | 2.8125 | 3 | 2.135403 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | Entertainment |
DEMERS, LOUIS (baptized Jean), Roman Catholic priest, Recollet, superior, and architect; b. 30 Dec. 1732 in Saint-Nicolas (Quebec), son of Louis Demers and Thérèse Gagnon; d. 2 Sept. 1813 in Montreal, Lower Canada.
Jean Demers, who took the name Louis when he made his profession as a Recollet, was ordained priest on 24 Sept. 1757, only a few years before the British government forbad the Recollets in Canada to recruit new members. Following the conquest Father Louis, like others of his order, turned to the parish ministry. He was prompted by his need for a livelihood and also by goodwill towards the secular clergy, whose numbers diminished after 1760. He served at Saint-Michel, near Quebec, from 1760 to 1761, Saint-Charles (at Saint-Charles-des-Grondines) from 1762 to 1764, and La Nativité-de-Notre-Dame (at Bécancour) from 1764 to 1767.
In 1767 Father Louis was appointed parish priest of Saint-Pierre-les-Becquets, where he remained until 1789; at the same time he ministered to the seigneuries of Deschaillons, until 1789, and Gentilly, from 1767 to 1774 and from 1779 to 1789. At Saint-Pierre-les-Becquets, he had a presbytery and a mill built, but on occasion he seems to have overstepped his pastoral mandate. Some people complained to Bishop Briand* that he took the liberty of drawing up contracts. Briand was annoyed and called on him in 1774 to refrain from such activity, stating explicitly, “That is forbidden.” With the help of master mason Antoine Maillou, Father Louis also became a builder of churches. Although he was probably less famous as an architect than his nephew, Abbé Jérôme Demers*, would be, he was responsible for the second church at Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade (La Pérade), which was completed in 1771, and the first church for the parish of Saint Édouard (at Gentilly), which was built in 1781–87. The construction of the latter led to a dispute in 1773 between Briand and the parishioners who disapproved of the site that the bishop had chosen for the future church. Briand suspected Father Louis of being in league with the “rebels” and forbad him to give them the sacraments.
In 1789 Father Louis, who according to Bishop Hubert* was “an excellent religious, full of love and zeal for the faith,” was named superior of his order’s monastery in Montreal. Suggestions that he pursued architectural activities there and that he showed some talent as a painter have not yet been substantiated. In Montreal he shared the preoccupations and labours of the secular clergy. From 1792 he was attached as chaplain to the militia headquarters in the city of Montreal, but he appears to have devoted himself primarily to ministering to the sick. Indeed, 50 years after his death people still spoke of his charity and of the miraculous power of his ointments and plasters.
By 1791 the Recollet order in Canada had only five members left. With the passing of the years its extinction became inevitable. Hubert’s decree of secularization on 14 Sept. 1796, which affected all those who had made their profession since 1784, destroyed the community’s hope of surviving. Father Louis, who was anxious about the fate of the few remaining Recollets, received assurances from the government in August 1798 that they would not be disturbed in their ministry. He had, however, to resign himself to liquidating the community’s chattels. In 1811 he sold the retable (housing the altar) and tabernacle from the Recollet church to the parish of Saint-Grégoire-le-Grand, near Nicolet, which has preserved them. In 1813 he gave the remaining goods to the churchwardens of Notre-Dame in Montreal, the Sulpicians, and the nuns of the Congregation of Notre-Dame.
Father Louis spent his last years with his brother, who had joined the order under the name of Brother Alexis, in the house next to the Recollet church in Montreal, where one of their nieces looked after them. With his death on 2 Sept. 1813 at the Hôpital Général, the last Recollet priest in Canada was gone; he was buried two days later in Notre-Dame church, among the priests from the Séminaire de Saint-Sulpice. Almost immediately the British government seized the Recollets’ property in Montreal.
AP, Notre-Dame de Montréal, Reg. des baptêmes, mariages et sépultures, 4 sept. 1813; Saint-Édouard (Gentilly), Cahier des délibérations de la fabrique, 1784–1930: 7–10, 14; Saint-Nicolas, Reg. des baptêmes, mariages et sépultures, 1er janv. 1733. Arch. de l’évêché de Nicolet (Nicolet, Qué.), Carton Saint-Édouard de Gentilly, 1752–1939, no.2, 13, 21 juill. 1773; no.5, 21 août 1773; Carton Saint-Pierre-les-Becquets, 1766–1886, no.1, 11 juill. 1766; no.3, 10 janv. 1774. Arch. des franciscains (Montréal), Notes de O.-M. Jouve. Le séminaire de Québec (Provost), 459. Allaire, Dictionnaire, 1: 153. Tanguay, Dictionnaire, 3: 527. Jean Belisle, “Le mythe récollet: l’ensemble de Montréal” (thèse de ma, univ. de Montréal, 1974). Marcel Deshaies, Ma paroisse: Bécancour (s. 1., 1977). Lucien Dubois, Histoire de la paroisse de Gentilly (s.l., 1935), 93. Mariette Fréchette-Pineau, “L’église de Saint-Grégoire de Nicolet (1802)” (thèse de ma, univ. de Montréal, 1970), 55–56. O.-M. Jouve, Les franciscains et le Canada: aux Trois-Rivières (Paris, 1934), 302–5. Hormidas Magnan, La paroisse de Saint-Nicolas: la famille Pâquet et les familles alliées (Québec, 1918), 25–26. Morisset, Coup d’œil sur les arts, 52. Luc Noppen, Les églises du Québec (1600–1850) (Québec, 1977), 232. É.-T. Paquet, Fragments de l’histoire religieuse et civile de la paroisse Saint-Nicolas (Lévis, Qué., 1894). Marcelle Rivard, Gentilly, 1676–1976 (s.1., 1976), 41. J.-E. Roy, Hist. de Lauzon, 1: viii. Trudel, L’Église canadienne, 1: 98, 123–25, 219, 351, 353, 360; 2: 184–85, 192, 199, 213–14, 426; Le Régime militaire dans le gouvernement des Trois-Rivières 1760–1764 (Trois-Rivières, Qué., 1952), 153. Charles Trudelle, Le frère Louis (Lévis, 1898), 22. S. Lesage, “Les récollets en Canada,” Rev. canadienne, 4 (1867): 303–18. | <urn:uuid:81556781-4c4a-4faa-b430-f28fe689cbec> | CC-MAIN-2015-27 | http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/demers_louis_5E.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2015-27/segments/1435375096287.97/warc/CC-MAIN-20150627031816-00110-ip-10-179-60-89.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.888758 | 1,775 | 2.671875 | 3 | 2.797611 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Religion |
A recent study suggests that MS disease activity could damage an area of the brain responsible for processing facial emotions and other social cues.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable disease that can damage key parts of the central nervous system and may cause a host of debilitating symptoms. Many people associate MS with the gradual loss of motor function and sensation, but this does not complete the picture of this complex condition.
A recent study asserts that MS can actually alter the way people with the disease perceive and process social situations. And it may even shed some light on why some people with MS may easily misread a situation and react differently than expected.
MS disease activity can trigger changes in the brain’s white matter, which controls many higher brain functions. These changes can lead to deficiencies in both theory of mind (ToM) and facial emotion recognition, which are significant when compared with people who don’t have MS.
ToM is the ability to attribute mental states such as intentions and beliefs to oneself and others, and to understand that these states may be different than one’s own. For example, someone might be talking, explaining a situation with no malicious intent, but a person with MS could misinterpret the facial expressions of the person speaking and perceive them as angry.
This is not the first study to look into ToM and MS. Social cognition and MS have been studied for years, and the research points to significant differences between people with MS and control groups. A recent analysis of the connection between MS and ToM covered
According to the National MS Society, cognitive dysfunction could be present in over 60 percent of people with MS, and has been reported at all stages and in all subtypes of the disease.
While the deficits in ToM and
The results of these studies emphasize the need to increase awareness of social cognitive dysfunction. They also support the monitoring of social cognition to be incorporated into routine neurologic assessments.
One study out of Germany found significant indications of a
Another newly published
Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science, explained to Healthline that “brain training works by targeting different parts of the brain but with one goal: faster and more accurate brain processing, leading to better memory and problem solving.”
Mahncke explained the importance of modern thinking and understanding that “a brain is plastic and has the ability to rewire itself, that the brain is not like a computer chip that wears out.”
Editor’s Note: Caroline Craven is a patient expert living with MS. Her award winning blog is GirlwithMS.com, and she can be found @thegirlwithms. | <urn:uuid:a983f376-29a7-4fe2-b199-f0959b124e05> | CC-MAIN-2021-17 | https://www.healthline.com/health-news/multiple-sclerosis-may-affect-ability-to-read-social-cues | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-17/segments/1618038064520.8/warc/CC-MAIN-20210411144457-20210411174457-00171.warc.gz | en | 0.957802 | 538 | 3.421875 | 3 | 2.968369 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Health |
Bio-diesel production First efforts to cultivate hydrocarbon producing plants for fuel production were made by Italians in Ethiopia and French in Morocco. Later on Calvin and his collaborators have revived the idea again and have advocated the study of petro-crops as a possible feedstock for petroleum like materials. Presently the largest fuel programme is in Brazil where government currently spends a considerable amount on subsidizing the production of alcohol, mostly from biomass of sugarcane. Production was estimated to increase so muich that around 11 to 14 million cars will use alcohol (with gasoline) by the year 2000 (Korbitz, 1996). Recently about 30 thousand tones of rape biofuel yearly is produced at the industrial chemical factories in Poland (Grazybek et al., 1996). The important source investigated during last years from 1993 to 1996 included. of water, produce sufficient biomass and are unpalatable to the cattlefolk due to their sticky latex. Degraded and denuded soils are no hindrance to their growth. Jatropha curcas Linn is potential diesel fuel oil yielding plant and details about this are given in Roy and Kumar (1988) and Roy (2000 this volume)4.3 REFERENCES 1. Bhatia, V.K., Shrivastava, G.S., Garg V.K., Gupta, Y.K. and Singh, J. (1983). Study on laticeferoous (latex bearing) plants as potential petro-crops. Fuel. 62:953-955. 2. Garg, J. and Kumar, A. (1987a). Effect of growth regulators on the growth, chlorophyll development and productivity of Euphorbia lathyris L.A. hydrocarbon yielding plant. Progress in Photosynthesis Research. J. Biggins (ed.) IV (7) : 403-406. 3. Garg, J. and Kumar, A. (1987b). Improving growth and hydrocarbon yield of Euphorbia lathyris L. In : R.N. Sharma, O.P. Vimal and A.N. Mathur (Eds.). Bioenergy Society Fourth Convention and Symposium 87, New Delhi, pp. 93-97. 4. Garg J., and Kumar, A. (1987c). Some studies on charcoal rot of Euphorbia lathyris caused by Macrophomina phaseolina. Indian Phytopathology 41 : 257-260. 5. Garg, J. and Kumar, A. (1989a). Influence of salinity on growth and hydrocarbon yield of Euphorbia lathyris. J. Insian Bot. Soc. 68 : 201-204. 6. Garg, J. and Kumar, A (1989b). Potential petro crops for Rajasthan. J. Indian Bot. Soc., 68 : 199-200. 7. Garg, J. and Kumar, A. (1990). Improving the growth and hydrocarbon yield of Euphorbia lathyris L. in semi-arid regions of Rajasthan. In : G. Grassi, G. Gosse and G. dos Santos (Eds.). Biomass for Energy and Industry Vol. I., pp. 1.527-1.531. Elsevier Applied Science, London. 8. Grazybek, A., Rogulska, M., Roszkovski, A. (1996). Rape biofuel production in Poland-overview of actual situation and perspectives. In : Chartier et al. (Eds.). Biomass for Energy and Environment. Permagon Elsevier Science, Oxford, pp. 343-348. 9. Hall, D.O. and Rosillo-Calle, F. (1998). The role of bioenergy in developing countries. In : Kopetz et al (Eds.). Biomass for energy and Industry. C.A.R.M.E.N. Germany, pp. 52-55. 10. Johari, S. and Kumar, A. (1992). Effect on N.P. and K. on growth and biocrude yield of Euphorbia antisyphilitica. Annals of Arid Zones 31 (4) : 313-314. 11. Johari, S. and Kumar, A. (1993). Charcoal rot of Candelilla (Euphorbia antisyphilitica zucc.) caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. Indian J. Mycol, PI. Pathol. 23 (3) : 317. 12. Johari, S., Roy, S. and Kumar, A. (1990). Influence of edaphic and nutritional factors on growth and hydrocarbon yield of Euphorbia antisyphilitica Zucc. In : G. Grassi, G. Gosse and G. das Santos (Eds.). Proc. Biomass for Energy and Industry. Vol. I. Elesevier Applied Science, London, pp. 1.522-1.526. 13. Johari, S., Roy, S. and Kumar, A. (1991). Influence of growth regulators on biomass and hydrocarbon yield from Euphor bia antisyphilitica Zucc. In : H.L. Sharma and R.HN. Sharma (Eds.). Bioenergy for Humid and Semi-humid Regions. Bio-Energy Society of India, New Delhi, pp. 462-464.68. 14. Korbitz, W. (1996). New profitable development in biodiesel. IN : Chartier et al. (Eds.). Biomass for Energy and Environment. Permagon, Elseveir Science, Oxford, pp. 339-342. 15. Kumar, A. (1984a). Economics of bioenergy in developing countries. In : H. Egneus et al (Eds.). Bioenergy 84 Vol. 4, Bioenergy in developing countries. Elsevier Applied Science Publishers, London, pp. 172. 16. Kumar, A. (1984b). Unconventional Energy Sources. Proc. VIIth Botanical Conference, Jaipur, pp. 24-26 (Review). 17. Kumar, A. (1984c). Hydrocarbons from pants in arid and semi-arid regions. In : Applications on Science and Technology for Afforesation, Act, Jaipur, 81-86. 18. Kumar, A. (1987). Petrocrop resources of Rajasthan In : R.N. Sharma, O.P. Vimal and A.N. Mathur (Eds.). Bio-energy Society Fourth Convention and Symposium 87. New Delhi, pp. 98-102. 19. Kumar, A. (1990). Prospects of raising latex bearing plants in semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan. In : G. Grassi, G. Gosse an G. dos Santos (Eds.) Biomass for Energy and Industry. Vol. I. Pp. 1.100-1.107. Elsevier Applied Science, London. 20. Kumar, A. (1994a). Bioenergy Sources in India : Present status. Symposia focal them, Science in India Excellence & Accountability, pp. 38-39, ISCA, Jaipur. 21. Kumar A. (1994b). Laticifers as potential bioremedients for wasteland restoration. J. Environment and Pollution 1:101-104. 22. Kumar, A. (1995). Cultivation of hydrocarbon yielding plants in Rajasthan as an alternative energy source. J. Env. And Pollution 2:67-70. 23. Kumar, A. (1996a). Growth, physiology and improvement of bioenergy resources in semi-arid regions. Focal theme Symp. Science & Technology for achieving food economic & health security, ISCA, Patiala, pp. 87. 24. Kumar, A. (1996b). Bioenergy plantations : A model system for restoration of semi arid regions. In P. Chartier et al. (Eds.). Biomass for Energy and Environment. Elsevier Science, Oxford, pp. 819-824. 25. Kumar A, and Joshi, B. (1982). In virto growth and differentiation of Euphorbia lathyris, a hydrocarbon yielding plant. In : A. Scrub, P. Chartier and G. Schlesser (Eds.). Energy from biomass. Applied Science Publishers. London, p. 261-264., 1982. 26. Kumar, A. and Kumar, R. (1885). Improving the productivity of petrocrops in Rajasthan. In : Sharma, R.N., O.P. Vimal and V. Bhakthavatsalam (Eds.). Proc. Bioenergy Society Convention and Symposium, New Delhi, pp. 125-129. 27. Kumar, P. and Kumar, A. (1986). Effect of water and salinity stress on Euphorbia tirucalli L.A. hydrocarbon yielding plant. In : S. Terol (Ed.). Proc. Of the 1986. International Congress on Renewable Energy Sources. Consejo Superior de investigaciones Cientificas, Madrid. 240-252. 28. Nielson, P.E., Nishimura, H., Liang, Y. and Calvin, M. (1979). Steroids from Euphorbia and other latex bearing plants. Phytochemistry, 18 : 103-104. 29. Peopler, T.R., Alcorn, S.M., Bloss, M.E., Clay, W.F., Flug, M., Hoffman, C.W., Lee, Luna S., Mchanghlin, S.P. Steinberg, M. and Young, M. (1981). Euphorbia lathyris. A. future source of extractable liquid fuel. Biosources Dig.3. 30. Rani, A. and Kumar, A. (1992). Comparative study on biomass production and hydrocarbon yield or three different varieties of Pedilanthus tithymaloides. Act Eco 14 : 77-79. 31. Rani, A. and Kumar, A. (1994a). Effect of edaphic factors on the growth and physiology of Pedilanthus tithymaloides Var. Green. Journal of Environment and Pollution 2 (1) : 5-8. 32. Rani, A., and Kumar, A. (1994b). Micropropagation of Pedilanthus tithymaloides var. Green, a hdrocarbon yielding plant. J. of Phytol. Res. 7 (1&2) : 107-110. 33. Rani, A., Roy, S. and Kumar, A. (1990). Influence of morphological and environmental factors on growth and hydrocarbon yield in Calotropis procera. In : G. Grassi, G. Gosse, and G. das Santos (Eds.). Biomass for Energy and Industry. Vol. 1. Elsevier Applied Science London, pp. 1.480-1.483. 34. Rani, A., Roy, S. and Kumar, A. (1991). Effect of salinity stress or growth and hydrocarbon yield of Pedilanthus tithymaloides variety Green (Linn). Point. In : H.L. Sharma and R.N. Sharma (Eds.). Proc. Bio-energy for Humid and semi-humid Regions. Bio-energy Soc. Of India, New Delhi, pp. 456-461. 35. Roy, S. and Kumar, A. (1990). Prospects of wood energy production in semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan. In : G. Grassi, G. Gosse and G. das Santos (Eds.). Proc. Biomass for Energy and Industry, pp. 2.1153-2.1156. 36. Staff, F. (1998) Development of Biodiesel activity in France. In : Kopetz H. et al. (Eds.). Biomass for energy and industry. CARMEN. Germany, pp. 112-115. 37. World Bank (1996). Rural energy and development : improving energy supplies for 2 billion people. World Bank Industry and Energy Department. Yermanos, D.M., Francois, L.E. and Tammadoni, T.T. (1967). Effect of oil salinity on the development of jojoba. Econ. Bot. 21 : 69-80. NEW YORK - DuPont Biofuels Vice President and General Manager John Ranieri today outlined the company's growth plans in the rapidly growing biofuels industry. Speaking to investors at an ethanol conference here, Ranieri said, "DuPont is delivering advantaged products and technologies throughout the biofuels value chain. To address the energy issue, we must develop sustainable business and technical solutions that can be adapted across different geographies to successfully grow this industry." DuPont's current biofuels focus includes: rapidly developing differentiated seeds and crop protection products that will enable greater biofuel production per acre; developing and supplying new technologies to enable conversion of cellulose to biofuels; and commercializing biobutanol as a next-generation biofuel that is significantly improved and complements incumbents. Seed & Crop Protection Solutions: With more than $300 million in revenues expected this year from seed and crop protection solutions serving biofuels markets, DuPont subsidiary Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. has selected more than 135 seed hybrids marketed through its IndustrySelect(R) program. The program includes specialized grain properties that improve the efficiency of ethanol production. The seed and crop protection research pipeline includes yield traits in seeds and other products that will further improve ethanol production efficiency. Integrated Corn-Based BioRefinery (Biofuels from Cellulose): DuPont and the U.S. Department of Energy are jointly funding a four-year research program to develop technology to convert corn stover into ethanol. This is aligned with the company's strategy to develop technologies that can convert cellulosic crops into biofuels and biochemicals. The BioRefinery program will significantly increase the amount of ethanol per acre achievable by using corn grain and stover from the same amount of land. Partnership with BP for Advanced Biofuels Development: DuPont's partnership with BP to develop biobutanol is based on its strategy to bring to market advanced biofuels that can expand the transportation biofuels offering. Biobutanol's performance enhancements include: Lowers the vapor pressure of fuel blends when co-blended with ethanol; Can be more easily distributed via the existing fuel supply infrastructure; Enhances fuel stability of biobutanol-gasoline blends; Improves blend flexibility, allowing higher biofuels blends with gasoline; and, * Improves fuel efficiency (better miles per gallon) compared to incumbent biofuels. top 3 2 Biological Processes 3.2.1 Fermentation Ethanol, an anaerobic product of microbial etabolism can be recovered relatively easily through conventional distillation recovery methods. The production of industrial ethanol from integrated grain milling plants and sugar crops is a mature technology and has been successfully implemented in Brazil and the US. On the other hand, the absence of appropriate legislation has limited significantly the production of ethanol in the EU. The last decade, ethanol production from lignocellulosic materials has received increased attention by the research community and technical breakthroughs have been reported in the US and Canada. 3.2.2 Anaerobic Digestion Liquid phase anaerobic digestion (dry solid matter in the digester in the range of 5 - 10 wt%) can be considered a commercial technology and several companies offer various technical solutions to a variety of effluents and substrates. Recent work has focused on multi-substrate operation with attention on the biodegradable traction of MSW especially in Denmark. Both for biogas and landfill gas, purification technologies have been developed to remove carbon dioxide and other corrosive gases (such as hydrogen sulphide) for utilisation of the rich methane gas as transport fuel. If the biogas or landfill gas can be purified extensively, then they can be used as a renewable substitute for natural gas in several applications. Solid state anaerobic digestion (dry solid matter in the digester in the range of 30 - 35 wt%) is a technology approaching commercial status with Organic Waste Systems of Belgium and Valorga of France as the leaders and main competitors. Solid state operation results in significantly higher biogas productivity rates than liquid phase and a better quality of compost due to the mesophilic operation I (about 50 - 55 °C). 3.2.3 Composting Aerobic composting is a commercial technology with demonstrated reliable performance is several projects. However, the economics of composting are strongly related to the quality of the compost and to a strong market for the compost that is not always evident. Composting source separated or "green" waste results in compost of higher quality due to the absence of plastics or other contamination. Except for the need of standards on the quality of the compost, there is no strong justification for extensive R&D work. The R&D needs for the biological processes are related to pilot plant/industrial scale demonstration of ethanol form lignocellulosic feedstocks with increased yields, to the fine tuning of solid state digestion technologies and to the improved purification of biogas and landfill gas for various applications such as transport fuel or supply of methane in natural gas networks. 3. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Bioenergy is considered as the resource with the highest environmental impact amongst the renewable energy sources and this does not refer to incineration or waste treatment only, but it even applies to wood combustion. This is due to the fact that there are always residues (such as ash and liquid effluents) to be disposed off and practically in all applications there is a stack or a chimney. This may induce the general public to relate bioenergy plants to coal fired plants, incinerators and in general emission of gaseous pollutants. It is therefore mandatory that all Bioenergy technologies must carefully and convincingly address the problem of emissions if they are ever going to be accepted by the general public, the political establishment and subsequently the industry. Practically in all Bioenergy applications at the end the energy carrier (biogas, fuel gas, bio-oil, ethanol, solid fuel or hydrogen) will be used in a combustionprocess to release the chemical energy of the carrier. It is therefore of critical importance that emissions from the combustion of all energy carriers are minimised to whatever possible extend. It is preferable whenever possible to try to reduce the concentration of the pollutants in the energy carrier before it's combustion so as to minimise or eliminate emissions of sulphur oxides, heavy metals, halogenated compounds and other pollutants. This can (be achieved in gasification or pyrolysis processes, however, it is not possible for combustion unless extensive feedstock pretreatment takes place which is always relative expensive. In the medium term future this can prove an advantage for gasification and pyrolysis processes for contaminated biomass or waste recovered fuels in relation to combustion. Although there has been significant progress in the reduction of emissions for all the above pollutants, this is a field where the R&D work should be intensified. This is becoming even more critical as waste recovered fuels and contaminated biomass such as demolition wood are becoming an important cheap resource in countries where there is scarcity of other biomass feedstocks. ETHANOL FUEL PROGRAM EVOLUTION The fuel ethanol program in Brazil was formally established in 1975, aiming at reducing oil imports. Other important considerations were: the existing know-how in fuel ethanol production/utilization; land and labor availability; and low sugar prices in the world market. After 1980, with the ethanol-dedicate engines, local environmental benefits became evident (elimination of Pb in gasoline blends; lower CO emissions; less aggressive HC and NOx). The global environmental benefits, with a substantial reduction in CO2 net emissions, was well quantified in 1990. The program was established within the context of a strong government intervention in the sugar cane sector; before 1975 sugar was produced and commercialized within "production quotas", and all exports were made by the government. In the 90's all the production/commercialization of sugar and ethanol were totally de-regulated as follows: From 1975 - 80's Ethanol: - Level of guaranteed purchase, at controlled prices - "Fixed" ratio of ethanol/gasoline selling prices: 0.59 (1975) 0.75 (1989) - Low interest rate in loans for investment (1980-1985) Sugar: Government issued "production quotas" Exports: by the Government * 1990 Sugar Exports Privatized * 1994 Ethanol: 22% ethanol in gasoline blends * 1995 Sugar: de-regulation (end of quotas) * 1997 Anhydrous ethanol (blends) de-regulation (end of quotas and controlled prices) * Ethanol: 24% ethanol in gasoline blends * Hydrated ethanol (E 1 00): de-regulation Those policies and the world market positions for sugar and oil resulted in productions as are summarized in Figure 1. It is important to see the sugar cane availability, its causes and consequences, to understand the possibilities today. Figure 1: Production - Brazil Internal sugar consumption in Brazil grew in the expected way, somewhat above population growth in some periods. Sugar cane growth from 120 M ton to 240 Mt (from 1979 to 85) was almost entirely driven by the E-l00 (dedicated ethanol car) in the period. In the following years production stabilized; the government policy of paying the producer according to officially audited production costs was gradually abandoned (if not officially), and the "fixed" ratio of pump price ethanol/gasoline increased from 0.59 to 0.75. Sugar exports were privatized in 1990, and a shortage of ethanol (1989-90) led to consumer mistrust and very rapid decline in sales of ethanol dedicated vehicles. In the 90's, the export privatization and the very competitive production costs led to an extraordinary increase in sugar exports (from 1.5 to 11 M ton sugar) pushing sugar cane production to the 300 MT level; this was stabilized again by the drop in sugar prices and the over supply of ethanol in the 97-2000 period. In the same period, the relative utilization of sugar cane for ethanol or sugar is show in Figure 2, as well as the ethanol penetration in the Otto-cycle engine cars, in Brazil.
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Books By Writers Here | <urn:uuid:99ecd006-db2d-414a-a7ef-e0f086a24d3f> | CC-MAIN-2014-10 | http://www.science20.com/humboldt_fellow_and_science/blog/biodiesel_production | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2014-10/segments/1393999653202/warc/CC-MAIN-20140305060733-00098-ip-10-183-142-35.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.861535 | 5,036 | 2.890625 | 3 | 3.025802 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Science & Tech. |
I think Linux users can basically be divided into average users and users who will put time into learning, who are passionate about Linux and eventually are amateur or professional programmers. The average users only want their software to work, and will use the system to accomplish various tasks and not bother with the way things work since they will not need this information. Over the years the ease of use of Linux has advanced considerably, to the point where everything works neatly out of the box, and for the users who only need to use it for basic stuff like web surfing, listening to movies or graphics, there are distributions like Ubuntu or Mint to satisfy their needs. Which is great, since a computer is first a tool, intended to help you do something with it, from a spreadsheet to an advanced graphics or CAD project, for example. The other category includes all the knowledge-hungry guys who usually want to learn more as they advance, who will dig into tutorials, read books, test and experiment.
Of course, most of the time, especially when you need to solve the task at hand in a timely fashion, you will usually just find the quickest way that works, and probably not bother on how exactly does it work. These tips are for beginners, but mostly for those who like Linux as a whole and like to sacrifice some of their own time to go on a path of constant learning how it works.
First, read the introductory tutorials: Read the documentation of your distribution, articles over the Internet about the basics on how it works, what programs does it offer, learn how to install software using the package manager, and start learning how to use the most basic terminal commands, how to make directories, edit files, navigate through the directory structure. Learn what are the standard folders on Linux, what is their purpose. Later you will need to become proficient in shell scripting, since most tasks make your work easier if implemented as automated scripts.
Get real time help on IRC: I find Internet Relay Chat (IRC) to be an invaluable resource when having difficulties in understanding something or when you are in a rush and need a quick answer to accomplish some task. Usually the Linux projects have channels on Freenode and OFTC, and channels like #ubuntu, #debian or #bash can be very helpful. You can as well find help for programming languages, distro-specific questions or just discuss everything Linux on channels such as #ubuntuforums.
Post questions on the forums: The online forums are also very helpful. Each distribution out there has a very large community, part of which is active on the distribution’s forums. For example, Ubuntu Forums is a great place to ask questions, and usually no such question remains unanswered, and moreover, in a timely fashion.
Read the manpages: Although at first a bit hard on the new Linux user, manpages have all the information regarding the usage of a certain tool. They usually contain a description of what the software does, examples on how to use it, as well as all the command-line arguments that can be used. For standard C functions for example, the manpage will show the definition of a function, a description on what it does, possible return values and eventually, some usage examples.
Read the community news websites: Specialized websites in the Linux news domain are a great way to keep yourself up to date, and also to learn new (even if random) stuff. Among the news there are also tutorials featured on these websites, ranging from how to use the command-line and up to how to conquer your desktop using some new, bleeding edge feature. Websites like LXer, Linux Today or OMG! Ubuntu! are among my top recommendations here. But you can also have a look at TuxRadar for example, or the reddit channels for various Linux topics.
Listen to podcasts: Podcasts are live radio streams which you can listen to. MintCast comes to mind first here.
Read technical Linux books: These are probably the most powerful and reliable source of information. You can start by reading some introductory book which will only cover the basics of the command-line and Linux, and will explain in detail the desktop interface of a particular Linux distribution. However, once you advance, there are books which cover shell scripting in detail, programming, system administration, or the Linux kernel intrinsics. Although maybe you’ll never have anything to do with the kernel directly for example, even if you make programs for Linux, knowing the basics of how it works can’t hurt.
Read tutorials: There is a great number of tutorials on various websites, written by Linux professionals. For example some documents at TLDP talk about shell scripting in detail, or Perl programming, or the Linux kernel.
Google is your friend: Even if this seems so old, the truth is if you’re looking for an answer on how to do something, there is at least half chance to find your answer by searching for it on Google. Questions have usually been asked before, on forums, mailing lists, specialized websites (if you’re a programmer, you may find StackOverflow very helpful).
Read the application documentation: You need to do something with a certain program or tool? First try to find help in the application’s help system, which may have a section dedicated to exactly what you’re trying to accomplish. For example, do you need to embed your graphical program in the system tray but the configuration has no option, try to see if the command-line arguments provide it, before searching and finding out you can do it with some other program.
As a conclusion though, be careful with commands taken from various websites or IRC. Even if you’re in a hurry, just stand back for a while and have a look at the source of information, the command-liner which you’re pasting in your terminal or the script that you are about to run. See if it looks safe before using it. Usually there is no malicious advice out there, but certain commands may still be harmful in your environment, even though they’re not intended to be so. For example, do you need to batch rename a collection of 1000 files? First, copy 3-4 files in a new directory and test your script there instead of running some command which, although for another user works well, on your system may have a different result depending on your setup.
So, what are your tips on what is the best way on starting and getting better with Linux? Please share your thoughts in the comments below. | <urn:uuid:ea769079-f612-4f4a-912f-201881be4627> | CC-MAIN-2017-30 | http://www.tuxarena.com/2014/04/tips-on-how-to-start-learning-linux/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-30/segments/1500550969387.94/warc/CC-MAIN-20170728143709-20170728163709-00628.warc.gz | en | 0.942237 | 1,338 | 2.65625 | 3 | 1.887472 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | Software |
Sunburn Home Remedies - Get Rid of Sunburn
Sunburn is a superficial reddening of skin that occurs when the skin is exposed to long hours of sunlight. It is usually seen in fair skinned people or those who have a deficiency of melanin pigment. Negroes do not suffer from this problem. Anyone who visits a beach, goes fishing, works in the yard, or simply is out in the sun can get sunburn. It reduces the stretchiness of the skin and can cause premature aging and wrinkling of the skin, as well as the formation of age spots. Deeper in the skin, it causes changes in the structure of cells, and increases the risk of skin cancers. Sunburn can easily be prevented through the use of sunscreen, clothing (and hats), and by limiting solar exposure, especially during the middle of the day. The only cure for skin burn is slow healing, although skin creams can help. At a cellular level, sunburn is associated with microscopic changes in the skin. Improper tanning bed use is also a source of sunburn. Although seldom fatal, sunburn can be disabling and cause quite a bit of discomfort. There is the formation of UV induced sunburn cells and a reduction in Langerhan cells and mast cells, which play an essential part of the body's immune defence system. Sunburn doesn't just happen in hot weather - reflection of light off the snow can also cause sunburn. Although a breeze, cloudy sky or swimming may make you feel cooler, the sunlight can still get through to damage your skin.
Sunburn is simply a burn or erythema (reddening) and oedema (swelling) on your skin from excessive exposure to the sun's rays, more specifically the ultraviolet (UV) radiation that is emitted from the sun. A similar burn can be produced by overexposure to other sources of UV such as from tanning lamps, or occupationally, such as from welding arcs. Almost all of us will get sunburnt at least once in our lives, and about 5.6 million Australians get sunburnt each year. Sunburn can occur in less than 15 minutes and can take a few days or weeks to heal depending on the severity. Exposure to the sun during daily activities and play causes the most sun damage. Overexposure to sunlight before age 18 is most damaging to the skin. Skin that is red and painful and that swells up and blisters may mean deep skin layers and nerve endings have been damaged ( second-degree burn ). This type of sunburn is usually more painful and takes longer to heal. UV rays are strongest during summer months when the sun is directly overhead (normally between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.).
Herbal Medicines and Natural Home Remedies for Sunburn
Drink lots of water to counter the drying effect of sunburn.
Apply soothing compresses dipped in cold water or skimmed milk. An alternative to compresses-is a cold bath. Rub it and don't use excess of soap.
Add enough water to corn starch to make a paste apply directly' to sunburn.
Thin slices of raw cucumber or potato help to reduce inflammation. Apple slices may also work.
Disclaimer : All information on www.healthatoz.info is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, please consult your doctor. | <urn:uuid:e8171f19-9693-4ec3-a82c-5b0dd1bf33a5> | CC-MAIN-2017-39 | http://www.healthatoz.info/home-remedies/sunburn.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-39/segments/1505818688926.38/warc/CC-MAIN-20170922074554-20170922094554-00022.warc.gz | en | 0.947205 | 712 | 2.75 | 3 | 1.232758 | 1 | Basic reasoning | Health |
An idol is an image, a representation of anything, or a symbol that is an object of passionate devotion, whether material or imagined. Generally speaking, idolatry is the veneration, love, worship, or adoration of an idol. It is usually practiced toward a real or supposed higher power, whether such power is believed to have animate existence (as a human, an animal, or an organization) or is inanimate (as a force or lifeless object of nature). Idolatry generally involves some form, ceremony, or ritual.
The Hebrew terms used to refer to idols often highlighted the origin and inherent worthlessness of idols, or they were derogatory terms of contempt. Among these are words rendered “carved or graven image” (literally, something carved out); “molten statue, image, or idol” (literally, something cast or poured out); “horrible idol”; “vain idol” (literally, vanity); and “dungy idol.” “Idol” is the usual rendering of the Greek word eiʹdo·lon.
Not All Images Are Idols. God’s law not to form images (Ex 20:4, 5) did not rule out the making of all representations and statues. This is indicated by Jehovah’s later command to make two golden cherubs on the cover of the Ark and to embroider representations of cherubs on the inner tent covering of ten tent cloths for the tabernacle and the curtain separating the Holy from the Most Holy. (Ex 25:18; 26:1, 31, 33) Likewise, the interior of Solomon’s temple, the architectural plans for which were given to David by divine inspiration (1Ch 28:11, 12), was beautifully embellished with engraved carvings of cherubs, palm-tree figures, and blossoms. Two cherubs of oil-tree wood overlaid with gold stood in the Most Holy of that temple. (1Ki 6:23, 28, 29) The molten sea rested upon 12 copper bulls, and the sidewalls of the copper carriages for temple use were decorated with figures of lions, bulls, and cherubs. (1Ki 7:25, 28, 29) Twelve lions lined the steps leading up to Solomon’s throne.—2Ch 9:17-19.
These representations, however, were not idols for worship. Only the officiating priests saw the representations of the tabernacle interior and, later, of the temple interior. No one but the high priest entered the Most Holy, and that only on the Day of Atonement. (Heb 9:7) Thus there was no danger of the Israelites’ being ensnared into idolizing the golden cherubs in the sanctuary. These representations primarily served as a picture of the heavenly cherubs. (Compare Heb 9:23, 24.) That they were not to be venerated is evident from the fact that the angels themselves were not to be worshiped.—Col 2:18; Re 19:10; 22:8, 9.
Of course, there were times when images became idols, although not originally intended as objects of veneration. The copper serpent that Moses formed in the wilderness came to be worshiped, and therefore faithful King Hezekiah crushed it to pieces. (Nu 21:9; 2Ki 18:1, 4) The ephod made by Judge Gideon became “a snare” to him and to his household.—Jg 8:27.
Images as Aids in Worship. The Scriptures do not sanction the use of images as a means to address God in prayer. Such a practice runs counter to the principle that those seeking to serve Jehovah must worship him with spirit and truth. (Joh 4:24; 2Co 4:18; 5:6, 7) He tolerates no mixing of idolatrous practices with true worship, as is illustrated by his condemnation of calf worship, although the Israelites had attached his name thereto. (Ex 32:3-10) Jehovah does not share his glory with graven images.—Isa 42:8.
There is not a single instance in Scripture where faithful servants of Jehovah resorted to the use of visual aids to pray to God or engaged in a form of relative worship. Of course, some may cite Hebrews 11:21, which, according to the Catholic Douay Version, reads: “By faith Jacob, dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and adored the top of his rod.” Then in a footnote on this scripture it is held that Jacob paid relative honor and veneration to the top of Joseph’s rod, and the comment is made: “Some translators, who are no friends to this relative honour, have corrupted the text, by translating it: he worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.” However, rather than being a corruption of the text, as this footnote maintains, this latter rendering and comparable variants thereof are in agreement with the sense of the Hebrew text at Genesis 47:31 and have been adopted even by a number of Catholic translations, including The Jerusalem Bible.
Forms of Idolatry. Acts of idolatry referred to in the Bible included such revolting practices as ceremonial prostitution, child sacrifice, drunkenness, and self-laceration to the point of causing blood to flow. (1Ki 14:24; 18:28; Jer 19:3-5; Ho 4:13, 14; Am 2:8) Idols were venerated by partaking of food and drink in festivals or ceremonies in their honor (Ex 32:6; 1Co 8:10), by bowing and sacrificing to them, by song and dance before them, and even by a kiss. (Ex 32:8, 18, 19; 1Ki 19:18; Ho 13:2) Idolatry was also committed by arranging a table of food and drink for false gods (Isa 65:11), by making drink offerings, sacrificial cakes, and sacrificial smoke (Jer 7:18; 44:17), and by weeping in religious ceremony (Eze 8:14). Certain actions, such as tattooing the flesh, making cuttings upon the flesh, imposing baldness on the forehead, cutting the sidelocks, and destroying the extremity of the beard, were prohibited by the Law, possibly, at least in part, because of being linked with prevailing idolatrous practices of neighboring peoples.—Le 19:26-28; De 14:1.
Then there are the more subtle forms of idolatry. Covetousness is idolatry (Col 3:5), since the object of an individual’s cravings diverts affection from the Creator and thus, in effect, becomes an idol. Instead of serving Jehovah God in faithfulness, a person can become a slave to his belly, that is, to fleshly desire or appetite, and make this his god. (Ro 16:18; Php 3:18, 19) Since love for the Creator is demonstrated by obedience (1Jo 5:3), rebellion and pushing ahead presumptuously are comparable to acts of idolatry.—1Sa 15:22, 23.
Pre-Flood Idolatry. Idolatry had its beginning, not in the visible realm, but in the invisible. A glorious spirit creature developed the covetous desire to resemble the Most High. So strong was his desire that it alienated him from his God, Jehovah, and his idolatry caused him to rebel.—Job 1:6-11; 1Ti 3:6; compare Isa 14:12-14; Eze 28:13-15, 17.
Similarly, Eve constituted herself the first human idolater by coveting the forbidden fruit, this wrong desire leading her to disobey God’s command. By allowing selfish desire to rival his love for Jehovah and then by disobeying him, Adam likewise became guilty of idolatry.—Ge 3:6, 17.
Since the rebellion in Eden, only a minority of mankind have remained free from idolatry. During the lifetime of Adam’s grandson Enosh, men apparently practiced a form of idolatry. “At that time a start was made of calling on the name of Jehovah.” (Ge 4:26) But evidently this was no calling upon Jehovah in faith, something done by righteous Abel many years earlier and for which he suffered martyrdom at the hands of his brother Cain. (Ge 4:4, 5, 8) Apparently, what was started in the days of Enosh was a false form of worship in which Jehovah’s name was misused or improperly applied. Either men applied Jehovah’s name to themselves or to other men (through whom they pretended to approach God in worship), or else they applied the divine name to idol objects (as a visible, tangible aid in their attempt to worship the invisible God).
To what extent idolatry was practiced from the days of Enosh until the Flood, the Bible record does not reveal. The situation must have progressively deteriorated, because in Noah’s day “Jehovah saw that the badness of man was abundant in the earth and every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only bad all the time.” Besides the inherited sinful inclination of man, the materialized angels, who had relations with the daughters of men, and the hybrid offspring of these unions, the Nephilim, exerted upon the world of that time a strong influence toward bad.—Ge 6:4, 5.
Idolatry in Patriarchal Times. Although the Flood of Noah’s day destroyed all human idolaters, idolatry began anew, spearheaded by Nimrod, “a mighty hunter in opposition to Jehovah.” (Ge 10:9) Doubtless under Nimrod’s direction, the building of Babel and its tower (likely a ziggurat for use in idolatrous worship) began. The plans of those builders were frustrated when Jehovah confused their language. No longer being able to understand one another, they gradually left off building the city and scattered. However, the idolatry that began at Babel did not end there. Wherever those builders went they carried their false religious concepts.—Ge 11:1-9; see GODS AND GODDESSES.
The next city mentioned in the Scriptures, Ur of the Chaldeans, like Babel, was not devoted to the worship of the true God, Jehovah. Archaeological diggings there have revealed that the patron deity of that city was the moon-god Sin. It was in Ur that Terah, the father of Abram (Abraham), resided. (Ge 11:27, 28) Living in the midst of idolatry, Terah may have engaged in it, as is indicated centuries later by Joshua’s words to the Israelites: “It was on the other side of the River [Euphrates] that your forefathers dwelt a long time ago, Terah the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, and they used to serve other gods.” (Jos 24:2) But Abraham displayed faith in the true God, Jehovah.
Wherever Abraham, and later his descendants, went they met up with idolatry, influenced by the original apostasy at Babel. So there was an ever-present danger of being contaminated by such idolatry. Even those related to Abraham had idols. Laban, who was the father-in-law of Abraham’s grandson Jacob, had teraphim, or family gods, in his possession. (Ge 31:19, 31, 32) Jacob himself found it necessary to instruct his household to put away all their foreign gods, and he hid the idols turned over to him. (Ge 35:2-4) Perhaps he disposed of them in this way so that none in his household might reuse the metal as something having special value on account of its previous idolatrous use. Whether Jacob initially melted or smashed the images is not stated.
Idolatry and God’s Covenant People. As Jehovah had indicated to Abraham, his descendants, the Israelites, became alien residents in a land not theirs, namely Egypt, and suffered affliction there. (Ge 15:13) In Egypt they came in contact with rank idolatry, for image making ran riot in that country. Many of the deities worshiped there were represented by animal heads, among them being the cat-headed Bast, the cow-headed Hathor, the falcon-headed Horus, the jackal-headed Anubis (PICTURE, Vol. 1, p. 946), and the ibis-headed Thoth, to name but a few. Creatures of sea, air, and land were venerated, and at death “sacred” animals were mummified.
The Law that Jehovah gave to his people after liberating them from Egypt was explicitly directed against idolatrous practices so prevalent among the ancients. The second of the Ten Commandments expressly prohibited making for worship a carved image or a representation of anything in the heavens, on the earth, or in the waters. (Ex 20:4, 5; De 5:8, 9) In his final exhortations to the Israelites, Moses emphasized the impossibility of making an image of the true God and warned them to beware of the snare of idolatry. (De 4:15-19) To further safeguard the Israelites from becoming idolaters, they were commanded not to conclude any covenant with the pagan inhabitants of the land they were entering or to form marriage alliances with them, but to annihilate them. All existing appendages of idolatry—altars, sacred pillars, sacred poles, and graven images—were to be destroyed.—De 7:2-5.
Moses’ successor Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem and admonished them to remove the false gods and to serve Jehovah faithfully. The people agreed to do so and continued serving Jehovah during his lifetime and that of the older men who extended their days after Joshua. (Jos 24:14-16, 31) But thereafter wholesale apostasy set in. The people began worshiping Canaanite deities—Baal, Ashtoreth, and the sacred pole, or Asherah. Hence, Jehovah abandoned the Israelites into the hands of their enemies. However, when they repented, he mercifully raised up judges to deliver them.—Jg 2:11-19; 3:7; see ASHTORETH; BAAL No. 4; SACRED PILLAR; SACRED POLE.
Under the rule of the kings. During the reigns of Israel’s first king, Saul, of his son Ish-bosheth, and of David, there is no mention of large-scale idolatry being engaged in by the Israelites. Nevertheless, there are indications that idolatry lingered on in the kingdom. Saul’s own daughter, Michal, for instance, had a teraphim image in her possession. (1Sa 19:13; see TERAPHIM.) It was not until the latter part of the reign of David’s son Solomon, however, that outright idolatry came to be practiced, the monarch himself, under the influence of his many foreign wives, giving the impetus to idolatry by sanctioning it. High places were built to Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Milcom, or Molech. The people in general succumbed to false worship and began bowing down to these idol gods.—1Ki 11:3-8, 33; 2Ki 23:13; see CHEMOSH; MOLECH.
On account of this idolatry, Jehovah ripped ten tribes away from Solomon’s son Rehoboam and gave these to Jeroboam. (1Ki 11:31-35; 12:19-24) Although assured that his kingdom would remain firm if he continued serving Jehovah in faithfulness, Jeroboam, on becoming king, instituted calf worship, fearing that the people would revolt against his rule if they continued going to Jerusalem for worship. (1Ki 11:38; 12:26-33) Idolatrous calf worship continued all the days the ten-tribe kingdom existed, with Tyrian Baalism being introduced during Ahab’s reign. (1Ki 16:30-33) Not all apostatized, however. While Ahab reigned, there still was a remnant of 7,000 who had neither bent the knee to nor kissed Baal, and this at a time when Jehovah’s prophets were being killed with the sword, doubtless at the instigation of Ahab’s wife Jezebel.—1Ki 19:1, 2, 14, 18; Ro 11:4; see CALF (Calf Worship).
With the exception of Jehu’s eradication of Baal worship (2Ki 10:20-28), there is no record of any religious reform being undertaken by a monarch of the ten-tribe kingdom. To the prophets repeatedly sent by Jehovah, the people and rulers of the northern kingdom gave no heed, so that finally the Almighty abandoned them into the hands of the Assyrians because of their sordid record of idolatry.—2Ki 17:7-23.
In the kingdom of Judah, the situation was not much different, aside from the reforms carried out by certain kings. Whereas a divided kingdom had come about as a direct result of idolatry, Solomon’s son Rehoboam did not take to heart Jehovah’s discipline and shun idolatry. As soon as his position was secure, he and all Judah with him apostatized. (2Ch 12:1) The people built high places, equipping these with sacred pillars and sacred poles, and engaged in ceremonial prostitution. (1Ki 14:23, 24) Although Abijam (Abijah) expressed faith in Jehovah at the time he warred against Jeroboam and was blessed with victory, to a large extent he imitated the sinful course of his father and predecessor on the throne, Rehoboam.—1Ki 15:1, 3; 2Ch 13:3-18.
The next two Judean kings, Asa and Jehoshaphat, served Jehovah in faithfulness and endeavored to rid the kingdom of idolatry. But Judah was so steeped in worship at high places that, despite the efforts of both of these kings to destroy them, the high places seem to have persisted secretly or they cropped up again.—1Ki 15:11-14; 22:42, 43; 2Ch 14:2-5; 17:5, 6; 20:31-33.
The reign of Judah’s next king, Jehoram, commenced with bloodshed and began a new chapter in Judah’s idolatry. This is attributed to his having idolatrous Ahab’s daughter, Athaliah, as wife. (2Ch 21:1-4, 6, 11) The queen mother Athaliah also proved to be the counselor to Jehoram’s son Ahaziah. Hence, during the rule of Ahaziah and that of the usurper Athaliah, idolatry continued with the approval of the crown.—2Ch 22:1-3, 12.
Early in the reign of Jehoash, following the execution of Athaliah, there was a restoration of true worship. But upon the death of High Priest Jehoiada, there was a return to idol worship at the instigation of Judah’s princes. (2Ki 12:2, 3; 2Ch 24:17, 18) Jehovah therefore abandoned the Judean forces into the hands of the invading Syrians, and Jehoash was murdered by his own servants.—2Ch 24:23-25.
Undoubtedly the execution of God’s judgment upon Judah and the violent death of Amaziah’s father Jehoash made a deep impression upon Amaziah, so that he proceeded at first to do what was right in Jehovah’s eyes. (2Ch 25:1-4) But after defeating the Edomites and taking their images, he began serving the gods of his vanquished foes. (2Ch 25:14) Retribution came when Judah was defeated by the ten-tribe kingdom and later when Amaziah was murdered by conspirators. (2Ch 25:20-24, 27) Although Azariah (Uzziah) and his son Jotham are reported generally to have done what was right in Jehovah’s eyes, their subjects persisted in idolatry at the high places.—2Ki 15:1-4, 32-35; 2Ch 26:3, 4, 16-18; 27:1, 2.
During the kingship of Jotham’s son Ahaz, Judah’s religious state reached a new low. Ahaz began to practice idolatry on a scale never known before in Judah; he was the first-reported Judean king to have sacrificed his offspring in the fire as a false religious act. (2Ki 16:1-4; 2Ch 28:1-4) Jehovah chastised Judah by means of defeats at the hands of their enemies. Ahaz, instead of repenting, concluded that the gods of the kings of Syria were giving them the victory and therefore decided to sacrifice to these deities so that they might also help him. (2Ch 28:5, 23) Furthermore, the doors of Jehovah’s temple were closed, and its utensils were cut to pieces.—2Ch 28:24.
While Ahaz did not benefit from Jehovah’s discipline, his son Hezekiah did. (2Ch 29:1, 5-11) In the very first year of his becoming king, Hezekiah restored the true worship of Jehovah. (2Ch 29:3) His reign saw the destruction of appendages of false worship not only in Judah and Benjamin but also in Ephraim and Manasseh.—2Ch 31:1.
But Hezekiah’s own son Manasseh completely revived idolatry. (2Ki 21:1-7; 2Ch 33:1-7) As to the reasons for this, the Bible record is silent. Manasseh, who began ruling as a 12-year-old, may have been wrongly directed initially by counselors and princes not exclusively devoted to Jehovah’s service. Unlike Ahaz, though, Manasseh, as a captive in Babylon, repented upon receiving this severe discipline from Jehovah and undertook reforms upon returning to Jerusalem. (2Ch 33:10-16) His son Amon, however, reverted to sacrificing to the graven images.—2Ch 33:21-24.
Next came Josiah’s rule and a thorough eradication of idolatry in Judah. The sites of idolatrous worship were desecrated there and even in the cities of Samaria. The foreign-god priests and those making sacrificial smoke to Baal, as well as to the sun, the moon, the constellations of the zodiac, and all the army of the heavens, were put out of business. (2Ki 23:4-27; 2Ch 34:1-5) Still this large-scale campaign against idolatry did not effect permanent reform. The last four Judean kings, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah, persisted in idolatry.—2Ki 23:31, 32, 36, 37; 24:8, 9, 18, 19; see ASTROLOGERS; HIGH PLACES; ZODIAC.
The references to idolatry in the writings of the prophets further cast light on what occurred during the last years of the kingdom of Judah. Sites of idolatry, ceremonial prostitution, and child sacrifice continued to exist. (Jer 3:6; 17:1-3; 19:2-5; 32:29, 35; Eze 6:3, 4) Even Levites were guilty of practicing idolatry. (Eze 44:10, 12, 13) Ezekiel, transported in vision to Jerusalem’s temple, there saw a detestable idol, “the symbol of jealousy,” and the veneration of representations of creeping things and loathsome beasts, as well as the according of reverence to the false god Tammuz and the sun.—Eze 8:3, 7-16.
Despite the fact that the Israelites adored idols to the point of sacrificing their own children, they carried on a semblance of worshiping Jehovah and reasoned that no calamity would befall them. (Jer 7:4, 8-12; Eze 23:36-39) So empty-headed had the people in general become by reason of their pursuit of idolatry that when calamity did come and Jerusalem was desolated by the Babylonians in 607 B.C.E., in fulfillment of Jehovah’s word, they attributed it to their failure to make sacrificial smoke and drink offerings to the “queen of the heavens.”—Jer 44:15-18; see QUEEN OF THE HEAVENS.
Why Israel Turned to Idolatry. There were a number of factors that caused so many Israelites repeatedly to abandon true worship. Being one of the works of the flesh, idolatry appealed to the desires of the flesh. (Ga 5:19-21) Once settled in the Promised Land, the Israelites may have observed their pagan neighbors, whom they had failed to drive out entirely, having good success with their crops by reason of longer experience in working the land. Likely many made inquiry and heeded the advice of their Canaanite neighbors as to what was needed to please the Baal, or “owner,” of each piece of land.—Ps 106:34-39.
Forming marriage alliances with idolaters was another inducement to apostatize. (Jg 3:5, 6) The unrestrained sexual indulgence associated with idolatry proved to be no little temptation. At Shittim on the Plains of Moab, for instance, thousands of Israelites yielded to immorality and engaged in false worship. (Nu 22:1; 25:1-3) To some, being able to give way to unrestrained drinking at the sanctuaries of false gods may have been tempting.—Am 2:8.
Then there was the attraction of supposedly learning what the future had in store, this stemming from a desire to be assured that all would go well. Examples of this are Saul’s consulting a spirit medium and Ahaziah’s sending to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron.—1Sa 28:6-11; 2Ki 1:2, 3.
The Folly of Idol Worship. Time and again the Scriptures call attention to the foolishness of relying on gods of wood, stone, or metal. Isaiah describes the manufacture of idols and shows the stupidity of a person who uses part of the wood of a tree to cook his food and to warm himself and then makes the remainder into a god to whom he looks for aid. (Isa 44:9-20) In the day of Jehovah’s fury, wrote Isaiah, false worshipers would throw their worthless idols to the shrewmice and to the bats. (Isa 2:19-21) “Woe to the one saying to the piece of wood: ‘O do awake!’ to a dumb stone: ‘O wake up!’” (Hab 2:19) Those making dumb idols will become just like them, that is, lifeless.—Ps 115:4-8; 135:15-18; see Re 9:20.
Viewpoint Toward Idolatry. Faithful servants of Jehovah have always regarded idols with abhorrence. In Scripture, false gods and idols are repeatedly referred to in contemptible terms, as being valueless (1Ch 16:26; Ps 96:5; 97:7), horrible (1Ki 15:13; 2Ch 15:16), shameful (Jer 11:13; Ho 9:10), detestable (Eze 16:36, 37), and disgusting (Eze 37:23). Often mention is made of “dungy idols,” this expression being a rendering of the Hebrew word gil·lu·limʹ, which is related to a word meaning “dung.” (1Ki 14:10; Zep 1:17) This term of contempt, first appearing at Leviticus 26:30, is found nearly 40 times in the book of Ezekiel alone, beginning with chapter 6, verse 4.
Faithful Job recognized that even if his heart became enticed in secrecy at beholding heavenly bodies such as the moon and his ‘hand proceeded to kiss his mouth’ (apparently alluding to throwing a kiss with the hand in an idolatrous practice), this would have constituted a denial of God, hence idolatry. (Job 31:26-28; compare De 4:15, 19.) With reference to a practicer of righteousness, Jehovah said through the prophet Ezekiel, “His eyes he did not raise to the dungy idols of the house of Israel,” that is, to offer supplication to them or in expectation of help from them.—Eze 18:5, 6.
Another fine example of shunning idolatry was that of the three Hebrews, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who, although threatened with death in the fiery furnace, refused to bow before the image of gold erected by King Nebuchadnezzar in the Plain of Dura.—Da 3.
The early Christians heeded the inspired counsel: “Flee from idolatry” (1Co 10:14), and image makers viewed Christianity as a threat to their profitable business. (Ac 19:23-27) As testified to by secular historians, remaining free from idolatry often placed Christians living in the Roman Empire in a position similar to that of the three Hebrews. Acknowledging the divine character of the emperor as head of the state by offering a pinch of incense could have spared such Christians from death, but few compromised. Those early Christians fully appreciated that once they turned away from idols to serve the true God (1Th 1:9), a return to idolatry would mean their being debarred from the New Jerusalem and their losing out on the prize of life.—Re 21:8; 22:14, 15.
Servants of Jehovah must guard themselves from idols (1Jo 5:21), even today. It was foretold that great pressures would be brought to bear against all the inhabitants of the earth to worship the symbolic “wild beast” and its “image.” None who persist in such idolatrous worship will receive God’s gift of life everlasting. “Here is where it means endurance for the holy ones.”—Re 13:15-17; 14:9-12; see DISGUSTING THING, LOATHSOME THING. | <urn:uuid:ce9eb26f-e3a1-4741-a973-1fa64d7f7922> | CC-MAIN-2023-14 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200002136#h=40:0-41:0 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-14/segments/1679296943589.10/warc/CC-MAIN-20230321002050-20230321032050-00390.warc.gz | en | 0.962665 | 6,580 | 3.3125 | 3 | 3.023259 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Religion |
Aided by advanced stem cell technology and tissue chips, National Institutes of Health-funded researchers used stem cells originally derived from a person’s skin to recreate interactions between blood vessels and neurons that may occur early in the formation of the fetal human spinal cord. The results published in Stem Cell Reports suggest that the system can mimic critical parts of the human nervous system, raising the possibility that it may one day, be used to test personalized treatments of neurological disorders.
Led by Samuel Sances, Ph.D., and Clive N. Svendsen, Ph.D., Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Los Angeles, CA, the researchers first converted the stem cells into newborn spinal cord neurons or epithelial cells that line walls of brain blood vessels. In most experiments, each cell type was then injected into one of two chambers embedded side-by-side in thumb-sized, plastic tissue chips and allowed to grow. Six days after injections, the researchers found that the growing neurons exclusively filled their chambers while the growing blood vessel cells not only lined their chamber in a cobblestone pattern reminiscent of vessels in the body, but also snuck through the perforations in the chamber walls and contacted the neurons. This appeared to enhance maturation of both cell types, causing the neurons to fire more often and both cell types to be marked by some gene activity found in fetal spinal cord cells.
Tissue chips are relatively new tools for medical research and since 2012 the NIH has funded several tissue-chip projects. Unlike traditional petri dish systems, tissue chips help researchers grow cells in more life-like environments. Using microprocessor manufacturing techniques, the chambers can be built to recreate the three-dimensional shapes of critical organ parts and the tight spaces that mimic the way viscous, bodily fluids normally flow around the cells. Both factors can influence the normal growth of organs and results from this study supported this idea. The tissue chips allowed the researchers to grow neurons and blood vessels together, which was impossible to do in petri dishes. Moreover, neurons grown alone in tissue chips had firing patterns and gene activity that were more mature than cells grown in petri dishes. Although further genetic analysis suggested the tissue-chip cells were in an early stage of fetal spinal cord formation, the researchers concluded that, overall, this is a promising start for the development of chips that mimic a patient’s nervous system.
Danilo Tagle, Ph.D., program director, NIH’s National Center for Advancing Translational Research
Margaret Sutherland, Ph.D., program director, NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Sances et al. Human iPSC-Derived Endothelial Cells and Microengineered Organ-Chip Enhance Neuronal Development, April 10, 2018, Stem Cell Reports; DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.02.012 (link is external)
This study was supported by the NIH (NS105703), the ALS Association (18-SI-389), the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (DISC1-08800). Cedars-Sinai is a minority stock holder in Emulate, Inc., the company that made the study’s organ-chip microfluidic devices, and an officer of Cedars-Sinai serves on Emulate’s Board of Directors. Emulate provided no funding for the study. | <urn:uuid:40cb5c77-1b58-4235-9505-76a68d5c5fed> | CC-MAIN-2020-10 | https://scienceblog.com/500625/als-researchers-begin-recreating-human-spinal-cords-on-a-chip/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-10/segments/1581875142603.80/warc/CC-MAIN-20200217145609-20200217175609-00160.warc.gz | en | 0.930959 | 703 | 4 | 4 | 2.854286 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Science & Tech. |
How Heat Affects the Body Human
Human bodies dissipate heat by varying the rate and depth of blood circulation, by losing water through the skin and sweat glands, and-as the last extremity is reached-by panting, when blood is heated above 98.6 degrees. The heart begins to pump more blood, blood vessels dilate to accommodate the increased flow, and the bundles of tiny capillaries threading through the upper layers of skin are put into operation. The body’s blood is circulated closer to the skin’s surface, and excess heat drains off into the cooler atmosphere. At the same time, water diffuses through the skin as perspiration. The skin handles about 90 percent of the body’s heat dissipating function.
Sweating, by itself, does nothing to cool the body, unless the water is removed by evaporation, and high relative humidity retards evaporation. The evaporation process itself works this way: the heat energy required to evaporate the sweat is extracted from the body, thereby cooling it. Under conditions of high temperature (above 90 degrees) and high relative humidity, the body is doing everything it can to maintain 98.6 degrees inside. The heart is pumping a torrent of blood through dilated circulatory vessels; the sweat glands are pouring liquid-including essential dissolved chemicals, like sodium and chloride onto the surface of the skin.
Too Much Heat
Heat disorders generally have to do with a reduction or collapse of the body’s ability to shed heat by circulatory changes and sweating, or a chemical (salt) imbalance caused by too much sweating. When heat gain exceeds the level the body can remove, or when the body cannot compensate for fluids and salt lost through perspiration, the temperature of the body’s inner core begins to rise and heat-related illness may develop.
Ranging in severity, heat disorders share one common feature: the individual has overexposed or over exercised for his age and physical condition in the existing thermal environment.
Sunburn, with its ultraviolet radiation burns, can significantly retard the skin’s ability to shed excess heat. Studies indicate that, other things being equal, the severity of heat disorders tend to increase with age-heat cramps in a 17-year-old may be heat exhaustion in someone 40, and heat stroke in a person over 60.
Acclimatization has to do with adjusting sweat-salt concentrations, among other things. The idea is to lose enough water to regulate body temperature, with the least possible chemical disturbance.
Cities Pose Special Hazards
The stagnant atmospheric conditions of the heat wave trap pollutants in urban areas and add the stresses of severe pollution to the already dangerous stresses of hot weather, creating a health problem of undiscovered dimensions. A map of heat-related deaths in St. Louis during 1966, for example, shows a heavier concentration in the crowded alleys and towers of the inner city, where air quality would also be poor during a heat wave.
The high inner-city death rates also can be read as poor access to air-conditioned rooms. While air conditioning may be a luxury in normal times, it can be a lifesaver during heat wave conditions.
The cost of cool air moves steadily higher, adding what appears to be a cruel economic side to heat wave fatalities. Indications from the 1978 Texas heat wave suggest that some elderly people on fixed incomes, many of them in buildings that could not be ventilated without air conditioning, found the cost too high, turned off their units, and ultimately succumbed to the stresses of heat | <urn:uuid:593498aa-8dbd-4b8a-b185-e6eb13c2400e> | CC-MAIN-2014-35 | http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mqt/?n=heat_safety_ehwo | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2014-35/segments/1408500829916.85/warc/CC-MAIN-20140820021349-00351-ip-10-180-136-8.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.938472 | 734 | 3.828125 | 4 | 2.714953 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Health |
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Votes for Women: the first mass petition
AGES 11-16, HISTORY, ENGLISH, CITIZENSHIP
This interactive teaching resource provides students with the opportunity to explore the suffrage movement from its beginnings in 1866 up to equal voting rights in 1928.
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Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a narrowing of the small blood vessels that
supply blood and oxygen to the heart.
• Coronary heart disease is usually caused by a
condition called atherosclerosis, which occurs
when fatty material and a substance called
plaque build up on the walls of your arteries.
This causes them to get narrow. As the coronary
arteries narrow, blood flow to the heart can slow
down or stop. This can cause chest pain (stable
angina), shortness of breath, heart attack, and
• Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading
cause of death
• In atherosclerosis, fat and cholesterol
in your blood builds up on an artery
wall, forming a plaque or atheroma.
The plaque can prevent the heart
muscle from getting the blood supply
(and therefore oxygen) that it needs. If
you have atherosclerosis, physical
exertion or emotional stress can bring
on chest pain called angina (see What
can coronary heart disease cause).
• Because of the reduced blood flow and
the rough edges of the plaque, a blood
clot sometimes forms. This can block
the artery. Or the plaque may rupture,
which also causes the blood to clot.
This is called atherothrombosis.
• Atherothrombosis stops an area of the
heart muscle receiving blood and
oxygen, leading to permanent damage.
This is called a myocardial infarction
(MI), or heart attack. If a lot of your
heart muscle is damaged your heart
may stop beating regularly, or stop
beating at all. This is fatal (see What
can coronary heart disease cause).
• Bad genes (heredity) can increase your risk. You are more likely to develop
the condition if someone in your family has had a history of heart disease --
especially if they had it before age 50. Your risk for CHD goes up the older
• Diabetes is a strong risk factor for heart disease.
• High blood pressure increases your risk of coronary artery disease and
• Abnormal cholesterol levels: your LDL ("bad") cholesterol should be as low
as possible, and your HDL ("good") cholesterol should be as high as
• Metabolic syndrome refers to high triglyceride levels, high blood pressure,
excess body fat around the waist, and increased insulin levels. People with
this group of problems have an increased chance of getting heart disease.
• Smokers have a much higher risk of heart disease than nonsmokers.
• Chronic kidney disease can increase your risk.
• Already having atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries in another part
of your body (examples are stroke and abdominal aortic aneurysm)
increases your risk of having coronary heart disease.
• Other risk factors including alcohol abuse, not getting enough exercise, and
excessive amounts of stress.
• Chest pain or discomfort (angina) is the most common
symptom. You feel this pain when the heart is not getting
enough blood or oxygen. How bad the pain is varies
from person to person.
• It may feel heavy or like someone is squeezing your
heart. You feel it under your breast bone (sternum), but
also in your neck, arms, stomach, or upper back.
• The pain usually occurs with activity or emotion, and
goes away with rest or a medicine called nitroglycerin.
• Other symptoms include shortness of breath and fatigue
with activity (exertion).
• Many tests help diagnose CHD. Usually, your doctor will order more
than one test before making a definite diagnosis.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Exercise stress test
• Nuclear scan
• Electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) to look for calcium in
the lining of the arteries -- the more calcium, the higher your chance
• CT angiography -- a noninvasive way to perform coronary
• Magnetic resonance angiography
• Coronary angiography/arteriography -- an invasive procedure
designed to evaluate the heart arteries under x-ray
• Avoid or reduce stress as best as you can.
• Don't smoke.
• Eat well-balanced meals that are low in fat and cholesterol and
include several daily servings of fruits and vegetables.
• Get regular exercise. If your weight is considered normal, get at
least 30 minutes of exercise every day. If you are overweight or
obese, experts say you should get 60 - 90 minutes of exercise every
• Keep your blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg if you have diabetes
or chronic kidney disease, and below 140/90 otherwise
• Keep your cholesterol and blood sugar under control.
• Moderate amounts of alcohol (one glass a day for women, two for
men) may reduce your risk of cardiovascular problems. However,
drinking larger amounts does more harm than good.
• Angina is a type of
caused by poor blood
flow through the blood
vessels) of the heart
• After having a heart attack, or if you develop angina, you will usually
be prescribed heart medicines to help stop your heart disease
getting worse or to prevent further heart attacks. Some examples
are listed below. Always read the patient information that comes with
your medicine, and follow your doctor's advice.
• Aspirin. Taking a small (75 mg) daily dose of aspirin makes your
blood less likely to form clots in your coronary arteries and reduces
your risk of having a heart attack.
• Statins. These drugs help to lower your cholesterol levels and so
slow down the process of atherosclerosis.
• Beta-blockers. These drugs slow your heart rate and reduce the
pumping power of the heart. This reduces your heart's demand for
oxygen. Beta-blockers also widen blood vessels helping to lower
• ACE inhibitors. These drugs are often used in people with heart
failure or after a heart attack. They lower your blood pressure.
• Angioplasty (also known as percutaneous coronary intervention or
PCI). In this operation a collapsed balloon is threaded through the
blood vessels until it reaches the arteries of the heart. The balloon is
inflated to widen the narrowed coronary artery. A stent (flexible
mesh tube) is sometimes inserted to help keep the artery open
afterwards. The stent sometimes releases a drug that helps to keep
the blood vessel open. You should be able to go home the day after
• Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). In this operation, the surgeon
takes a piece of blood vessel from your leg or chest and uses it to
bypass the narrowed coronary arteries. The bypass provides the
heart with more blood. This is open-heart surgery and requires a
longer stay in hospital.
This powerpoint was kindly donated to
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How will countries across Europe continue to make best use of blended learning in their classrooms?
That’s the question addressed by Co-Learn, our latest Erasmus+ project looking at blended learning delivery and pedagogy across Sweden, Denmark, Finland, the UK and the Netherlands. CLC’s Caitlin McMillan considers what that question involves.
Last week saw us get together (fittingly, in a blended fashion) for our first project meeting.
We were hoping to make it to Delft, but Covid-19 had other ideas, so the Dutch and Danish delegations got together in Delft and the rest of us joined in remotely.
1. How can children have ownership of their learning?
In some ways, children have had more ownership over their learning than ever before during the Covid-19 lockdowns. Teachers observed that quieter children were sometimes more participatory and interactive during remote sessions, and that children had more opportunity to follow their interests and passions. This question proposes investigating what ‘ownership’ means in a learning context, and how technology can help everyone to be heard.
2. How can teachers use blended learning to create differentiated learning in the classroom?
Teachers have learned a huge amount about technology-enhanced learning in the past year. This question focuses on what support teachers might need in order to be able to use technology effectively for differentiated learning both at home and in school.
3. Can maintaining the dialogue developed between teacher and pupil during the lockdown continue to benefit learning outcomes?
For pupils, as for us all, the social environment changed enormously during school closures. The digital space offered a forum for pupils to engage with one another and with their teachers, allowing for more personalised dialogue and the expansion of classroom relationships. For some pupils, an online chat function proved a safer space to interact and ask questions than putting a hand up in class. This question suggests exploring the ways in which these relationships have developed, and looking at how technology can help us to maintain the positive elements built during lockdowns.
4. Can a virtual teaching presence be effective even in a physical school environment?
All participating schools agreed that teacher presence was a core component of making remote learning effective, but could a virtual presence also be effective in the classroom? This proposal entailed teachers running individual lessons over video conferencing while a TA was in the classroom with the children. Would it work better for some subjects than others? What kit would pupils need in order to engage effectively? This question hopes to identify opportunities and obstacles in the remote learning environment.
5. How can a blended approach to feedback help both pupils and teachers?
As a group, we settled on this investigation for our first piece of action research.
Alongside our partner schools, we will explore how student-teacher feedback and dialogue can be supported by technology, how technology can enhance peer-to-peer feedback and whether digital communities of practice can enhance student learning.
Watch this space for more information about how we and the other Co-Learn countries investigate feedback in school. We’ll be working on it ahead of (hopefully!) a trip to Denmark in February where we can share findings.
One more thing
One of our challenges over the course of the programme week was to design a ‘school of the future’ in Co-Spaces. We were reminded of how good it is as a tool, and also had a chance to explore updates and new features.
Check it out here: https://cospaces.io/edu/ | <urn:uuid:5cbb5536-1138-4c3d-a923-f795ab1d29f8> | CC-MAIN-2022-40 | https://co-learn.eu/dissemination/five-questions-european-teachers-are-asking-about-blended-learning/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-40/segments/1664030335444.58/warc/CC-MAIN-20220930051717-20220930081717-00562.warc.gz | en | 0.966852 | 728 | 3.046875 | 3 | 3.090266 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Education & Jobs |
Methylation Studies for Angelman Syndrome and Prader-Willi Syndrome
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and Angelman syndrome (AS) are two distinct disorders caused by imprinting defects in the chromosome 15q11.2-q13 region. Unaffected individuals have one methylated allele (maternal) and one unmethylated allele (paternal).
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is caused by absence of the paternal (unmethylated) allele at chromosome locus 15q11.2-q13, which causes a constellation of physical and cognitive findings. The absence of the paternal allele can be caused by a number of genetic mechanisms.
Prader-Willi syndrome occurs with a frequency of 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 30,00 births and is characterized by specific facial features (almond shaped palpebral fissures, narrowed bi-frontal diameter), significant hypotonia during infancy, and hypogonadism. Hypotonia in affected children typically improves by 2 to 3 years of age, however by early childhood most affected individuals exhibit central obesity due to hyperphagia and global developmental delay.
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a genetic neurologic disorder caused by the absence of the maternal (methylated) allele at chromosome locus 15q11.2-q13. The absence of the maternal allele can be caused by a number of genetic mechanisms as well.
Angelman syndrome occurs with a frequency of 1 in 20,000 births and is characterized by happy demeanor, characteristic facial features, seizures, ataxia, episodes of paroxysmal laughter, and lack of speech development. Individuals with Angelman syndrome exhibit cognitive and developmental delay without evidence of regression, minimal language skills, ataxia, tremors and seizures.
Methylation study of the 15q11.2-q13 region is considered a first-tier diagnostic test in the work-up of either of these imprinting conditions. If methylation studies are positive, further evaluation, such as FISH analysis to evaluate for chromosome 15 imprinting center deletion, may be performed to determine the underlying genetic mechanism, which has implications with respect to recurrence risk. FISH analysis for the PWS/AS critical region is available in our laboratory upon request.
Reasons for Referral
- Confirmation of a clinical diagnosis.
- Child with unexplained cognitive impairment or developmental delay.
- Child with ataxia and/or absent speech.
- Child with microcephaly and/or seizures.
- Infant with poor feeding, hypotonia and failure to thrive.
Molecular analysis performed at the Genetics Center analyzes the methylation status of the SNRPN gene within the PWS/AS critical region.
Turn Around Time
6 days or fewer
Specimen Requirements and Shipping/Handling
Blood: A single tube with 1-5 mL whole blood in EDTA (lavender top).
Saliva: To request a DNA Mouthwash Collection Kit please contact Genetics Center at (714)288-3500.
Store blood at 4°C until shipment. Ship at ambient temperature in an insulated container via overnight delivery within 96 hours of collection.
Send Specimen(s) to:
211. S Main Street
Orange, CA 92868
The test interpretation is based on the clinical and family information provided and the current understanding of the molecular genetics of Prader-Willi syndrome and Angelman syndrome. Methylation studies do not indicate the genetic mechanism responsible for the diagnosis (i.e. deletion, uniparental disomy, etc).
CPT’s: 81331, G0452 | <urn:uuid:890d395f-c7c0-45a9-9c51-dd2cd4a7be16> | CC-MAIN-2023-14 | https://www.geneticscenter.com/test-menu/angelman-syndrome-prader-willi-syndrome/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-14/segments/1679296948708.2/warc/CC-MAIN-20230327220742-20230328010742-00048.warc.gz | en | 0.876084 | 789 | 2.796875 | 3 | 2.749214 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Health |
American Heroes, American history, American Interests, American Morality, Conservative opinion, constitution, Filibuster, freedom, Harry Reid, let freedom ring, liberty bell, Mitch McConnell, nuclear option, Philladephia, Senate
Let Freedom Ring!
The shadows are alive with bold voices from years gone by,
Heroes all, in wigs of white, they whisper, “It’s time!”
It’s time to throw off the shackles, time for political release,
Time to make a stand and declare our Independence!
The shadows are alive with fearless voices from years gone by,
Heroes all, with uniforms and muskets, farms left nearby,
Farmers turned soldiers, ready to sacrifice all, to fight for their Rights:
Freedom to be, freedom to live, freedom to choose!
The shadows are alive with brave voices from years gone by,
Heroes all, rich and poor, for love of Liberty,
They labored to build a nation of Laws and not men,
A nation with a heart, strong, pure and free.
The shadows are alive with passionate voices from years gone by,
Heroes all, their words echo down through the ages,
Of Providence’s equal blessing: “Let freedom ring!”
It resounds through the ages still, “Let freedom ring!”
The shadows are alive with dauntless voices from years gone by,
Heroes all, stirring the hearts of men, their voices strain through time,
That same Providential blessing, “Oh alert our hearts to hear!”
Can you hear it? The freedom bell, the freedom bell is ringing!!!
The shadows are alive with heroic voices from years gone by,
Heroes all, so sound the alarm in every city, village and farm,
For the faithful and courageous to be up and to arm,
The echo floats o’re all the land – Let freedom ring! “LET FREEDOM RING!”
Inscribed on the bell:
PROCLAIM LIBERTY THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND UNTO ALL THE INHABITANTS THEREOF
LEV. XXV X." MDCCLIII (1753),
the year the bell was re-cast.”
“Tradition tells of a chime that changed the world on July 8, 1776, with the Liberty Bell ringing out from the tower of Independence Hall summoning the citizens of Philadelphia to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence by Colonel John Nixon.
“The Liberty Bell gained iconic importance when abolitionists in their efforts to put an end to slavery throughout America adopted it as a symbol.
“As the Bell was created to commemorate the golden anniversary of Penn’s Charter, the quotation “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof,” from Leviticus 25:10, was particularly apt. For the line in the Bible immediately preceding “proclaim liberty” is, “And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year.” What better way to pay homage to Penn and hallow the 50th year than with a bell proclaiming liberty?”
“If only. . .
U.S. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) leave the Senate floor before the vote to end the shutdown and raise the debt ceiling. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
U.S. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), right, and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.). (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
The president cared as much about Iran’s nuclear option as he does the Senate’s.
The nuclear option was in place for superbly qualified Republican-nominated judges like Miguel Estrada whom the Democrats filibustered.
The nuclear option had prevented Sen. Barack Obama from blocking the confirmation of John Bolton as United Nations Ambassador in 2005.
The nuclear option had removed fear of a filibuster and allowed Susan Rice to get nominated as secretary of state so then she could have been questioned about Benghazi.
I realize a lot of conservatives and even some conscientious Democrats are very upset that hundreds of years of Senate history has been stripped away by a failing president and a Senate majority leader who has made inaction on legislation (the main work of the Senate) into a fine art. Yes, presidents will now appoint many more ethically challenged, incompetent and extreme nominees. But after each side gets its turn at party-line nominations, the bloom may come off the rose. In the second term of President Scott Walker (or whoever), the Senate may return to the “old” rules.
In any case, it will refocus those on the right who, like Jim DeMint, want 30 “true” conservatives instead of a majority. Maybe electability — always a good criterion for nomination — will rise as a concern. Having that Senate majority just became a whole lot more important.”
Continue reading HERE
We are now officially in a political/moral FREEFALL! The “wussification of America” is confirmed daily by the obscene assaults on our Constitution UNANSWERED!!!!! If WE, the PEOPLE don’t make a FUSS, we will continue to FREEFALL … How much longer will we stand by idly?
Who can blame Harry Reid for pulling the nuclear option, eliminating the filibuster on judicial nominees? He has punched Senate Republicans in the face all year and they have failed to respond. In fact, Senate Republicans have turned around and fought their fellow Republicans in the House, jamming them with bad legislation which they helped Harry Reid pass out of the Senate. Read MORE
We have a CONSTITUTION! It is the SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND! If you don’t like that, there are ways to make changes, but they involve discussion, not DICTATORSHIP or “terrorism!” | <urn:uuid:943b3892-ff9b-4cc4-b243-0d63437ab1df> | CC-MAIN-2017-51 | https://blogsensebybarb.wordpress.com/2011/09/22/let-freedom-ring-sound-the-alarm/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-51/segments/1512948563083.64/warc/CC-MAIN-20171215021156-20171215041156-00033.warc.gz | en | 0.913377 | 1,247 | 2.515625 | 3 | 2.764597 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Politics |
St. Anne's Chapel of Ease National Historic Site of Canada
St. Anne's Chapel of Ease
Chapelle-St. Anne of Ease
Links and documents
1846/01/01 to 1847/01/01
Listed on the Canadian Register:
Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
St. Anne’s Chapel of Ease is a small, elegant, stone church built in 1846-7 in the Ecclesiological Gothic Revival style. It is centrally located within the city of Fredericton, New Brunswick, in a historic residential neighbourhood. The formal recognition is confined to the footprint of the chapel at the time of designation, and does not include the adjoining Christ Church Parish Church built 1962.
St. Anne’s Chapel of Ease was designated a national historic site in 1989 because it is a significant example of Gothic Revival religious architecture based on the principles of the Ecclesiological Society.
St. Anne’s Chapel of Ease reflects the early adoption of the principles of the Ecclesiological Society, an Anglican organization of English origin that promoted the use of medieval Gothic style church architecture as a model for parish churches of the 19th century. The Bishop of New Brunswick, John Medley, actively promoted the style in the design and construction of churches in Atlantic Canada beginning with his appointment as Bishop 1845. St. Anne’s Chapel of Ease, constructed at the same time as Fredericton’s Christ Church Cathedral, served as a model for the principles Medley espoused. The fine stained glass lancet windows were created by two firms: Beers of Exeter and Warrington of London.
Source: Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, Minute, November 1989.
Key elements which relate to the heritage value of St. Anne’s Chapel of Ease include:
-its consistency with Ecclesiological principles for small parish churches, notably its simple rectangular form with a steep gable roof surmounted by an open belfry over the entry, its interior layout with nave and a narrower chancel of lesser height to the east, its almost complete lack of sculpted ornamentation, its enclosed entrance porch, its solid, enclosed massing with buttresses and lancet windows;
-its richly-textured sandstone exterior;
-Its finely wrought interior with carved butternut woodwork including the pulpit, lectern, rood screen, choir stalls, communion rail, altar and sedelia, and the imported multicoloured Minton encaustic tiles ornamenting the floor and the chancel;
- its stained glass windows.
Government of Canada
Historic Sites and Monuments Act
National Historic Site of Canada
Theme - Category and Type
- Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life
- Architecture and Design
Function - Category and Type
- Religion, Ritual and Funeral
- Religious Facility or Place of Worship
Architect / Designer
Location of Supporting Documentation
National Historic Sites Directorate, Documentation Centre, 5th Floor, Room 89, 25 Eddy Street, Gatineau, Quebec
Cross-Reference to Collection | <urn:uuid:3272d4a9-8245-49db-b82c-99a5d712b781> | CC-MAIN-2015-32 | http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=4443 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2015-32/segments/1438042982502.13/warc/CC-MAIN-20150728002302-00284-ip-10-236-191-2.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.905875 | 650 | 2.53125 | 3 | 2.296993 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | History |
To stop an aggressive, lethal killer known as pancreatic cancer, scientists have devised a way to deliver a toxic chemo cocktail straight to the cancer base. This new delivery mechanism obliterates pancreatic cancer cells, but spares other cells in the body.
Pancreatic cancer has one of the worst mortality rates of all cancer types, largely because the cancer spreads rapidly and is seldom detected in its early stages. While surgery to remove the diseased tissue is the most effective treatment against pancreatic cancer, doctors can only operate in about 15% of the time. Consequently, once diagnosed, only one in four patients survive past the one-year mark.
Recent research has shown success with a new combination chemotherapy regimen, known as FOLFIRINOX
. Combining four potent cancer drugs in one (folinic acid, fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin), FOLFIRINOX extends patient survival by an additional four months, the longest improvement in survival in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. But FOLFIRINOX is so toxic when given intravenously that very few patients can tolerate this chemotherapy.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill hoped to extract the full utility of FOLFIRINOX by targeting it only to the diseased pancreas. To do this, they developed an “iontophoretic device” that was implanted directly onto pancreatic tumors in mice. The device uses electric currents to diffuse the drugs directly into the pancreas, sparing other tissues and organs in the body and reducing collateral damages of the drugs.
"It's an exciting approach because there is so little systemic toxicity that it leaves room to administer additional drugs against cancer cells that may have spread in the rest of the body. – Jen Jen Yeh, senior study lead, and associate professor of surgery and pharmacology in the UNC School of Medicine.
Compared to intravenous delivery of FOLFIRINOX, localized iontophoretic delivery was much more effective at reducing tumor growth in a mouse model. Tumor cell proliferation also decreased significantly.
The authors attribute the improvements to the ability of the iontophoretic device to deliver much higher concentrations of drug straight to the tumor base itself. Though the experiments were done in mice, the researchers hope to soon extend the treatments to patients whose tumors are inoperable.
“If this works in humans, we hope the device can be used as a plug-and-play approach to delivering the latest, most promising drug regimens for patients who have a dire need for new and better treatments,” says James D. Byrne, first author of the paper.
The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
on February 8, 2016.
Additional source: MNT | <urn:uuid:40831c25-5391-4794-9a1f-2aac3e78433b> | CC-MAIN-2018-43 | https://www.labroots.com/trending/clinical-and-molecular-dx/2438/implantable-device-shrinks-pancreatic-tumors-spares-body | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-43/segments/1539583513686.3/warc/CC-MAIN-20181021031444-20181021052944-00084.warc.gz | en | 0.937511 | 579 | 3.46875 | 3 | 2.950095 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Health |
We all know we should eat our veggies, but the truth is most of us are not eating enough – not by a long shot.
The latest national health survey reveals only 7% of Australians eat enough veggies. In Victoria, it’s even worse, with the Victorian Population Health survey revealing just 5% of Victorians are eating the recommended intake. At such a small percentage, it is fair to assume that many people might think they are eating enough veggies, without realising they're falling short.
So how much is enough?
The Australian dietary guidelines recommend we eat five serves of veggies a day (see serving size information below).
The real question is why aren’t we? Higher fruit and veggies consumption is associated with a longer, healthier life and reduced risk of death from all causes especially cardiovascular disease.
If you find it tricky to get more veggies into your day, here are some tips to incorporate them into your meals:
- Try a savoury breakfast – avocado on toast with a side of tomato, wilted spinach and mushrooms.
- Add salad to your sandwich– a ham and cheese sandwich is even better with tomato, rocket and cucumber.
- Making pasta? Throw in more some veggies – grilled zucchini, mushrooms, roasted sweet potato or pumpkin all work well.
- Roast veggies mixed with couscous – simple to prepare, delicious flavours, endless variations.
- Barbeque – lots of veggies taste amazing on the barbeque – cook them on a steel rack away from the flame to prevent burning – try eggplant, capsicum, mushroom and zucchini.
- Raw veggies – quick and easy to prepare, serve with dips, cheeses and crackers.
- Get an adjustable steamer for your saucepan – an easy way to steam whatever veggies you have on hand, serve with olive oil, salt and pepper.
- Making a spaghetti bolognaise or chicken stew? Chuck in some grated zucchini or carrot and a can of borlotti beans or lentils - you won’t even notice the extra 1-2 serves of veggies.
Sweet potato wedges
500 g sweet potatoes, washed
10ml extra virgin olive oil
½ - 1 tsp of paprika or smoked paprika
- Preheat oven to 200°C.
- Lightly grease baking tray or line with baking paper.
- Cut any blemishes out of potatoes but leave skin on.
- Slice sweet potatoes lengthways into wedges approximately 2cm thick.
- In a large bowl, mix olive oil and paprika. Add sweet potato wedges and toss to coat.
- Place wedges on prepared baking tray.
- Bake for 40 minutes, turning once, until golden.
Roast pumpkin, chickpea and feta salad
½ butternut pumpkin, cut into 1`cm cubes
1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp cumin
Salt and pepper
1 can chickpeas (no added salt)
¼ Spanish onion, finely diced
3 -4 cups of rocket
100g Marinated feta *
- Preheat oven to 180 degrees
- Toss cubed pumpkin in olive oil, cumin, salt and pepper.
- Line tray with baking paper and roast until soft and golden, approximately 30 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
- Meanwhile, drain chickpeas in sieve and rinse under cold water and drain again.
- Combine chickpeas, onion, cooled pumpkin and rocket in a large salad bowl, mix together until evenly distributed.
- Gently stir through crumbed feta.
Serve with grilled fish or chicken.
* If you can’t find marinated feta in the super market, it’s super easy to make your own.
Cube some Danish feta and add to jar or bowl.
Add a crushed clove of garlic and 1 tsp dried herbs such as thyme, basil or oregano.
Cover with extra virgin olive oil.
Leave to marinate overnight. Will keep for a couple of weeks if refrigerated and stored in an airtight container.
What’s in a serve of veggies?
A standard serve is approximately 75g or:
- ½ cup cooked green, red or orange vegetables (for example, broccoli, spinach, capsicum, carrots or pumpkin)
- 1 medium tomato
- 1 cup green leafy or raw salad vegetables
- ½ medium potato or sweet potato
- ½ cup cooked dried or canned beans, peas or lentils | <urn:uuid:1a74cb44-cb96-4c07-8bb6-a4048ad5c1cc> | CC-MAIN-2018-22 | http://www.kensington.ymca.org.au/news/are-you-getting-enough-veggies.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-22/segments/1526794864466.23/warc/CC-MAIN-20180521181133-20180521201133-00301.warc.gz | en | 0.881087 | 949 | 2.65625 | 3 | 1.524391 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | Food & Dining |
A ground flash is simply a cloud flash in which one end of the bidirectional leader network connects with the ground or an object attached to the ground. As with a cloud flash, the ground flash initiates between two in cloud charge regions. However, one end of the leader propagates beyond the initial attractive charge region and onward toward the inductively charged ground. As the leader approaches the ground, typically within 50-150 m, the electric field between the leader and ground strengthens to the point that an oppositely charged leader initiates from the taller objects and rises upward toward the descending leader. More than one upward leader may initiate, however, the first to connect with the downward leader will initiate a return stroke.
The following video recorded at 7,200 ips shows the development of an upward positive leader from a TV tower as the negative end of bidirectional leader development that originated in the cloud travels downward toward the ground. The upward positive leader connects with one of the downward propagating negative leader branches causing a return stroke.
The return stroke results from the sudden decrease in resistance along the leader channel path and the difference in electrical potential between the two connecting leaders. Upon connection, electrons rapidly accelerate causing intense heating and brightening (thermalization) of the connected channel. The zone of acceleration travels away from the connection point at approximately 1/3rd the speed of light in both directions along the joined leader paths. During the time that the return stroke traverses the previously formed leader network (typically 10s of microseconds), the channel temperature can rise to 30,000ºC and peak current can achieve 10s to even 100s of kiloamps.
The good way to visualize what happens during a return stroke is to think of the ionized plasma in a leader as a bunch of cars waiting at a red light. When the leader connects with the ground, the light turns green and the cars (electrons) begin moving with those closest to the intersection moving first. The subsequent cars begin moving when there is room for them to move created by the preceding cars accelerating forward and this “zone of acceleration” travels from the intersection down the line of waiting cars.
What is interesting is that lightning only lasts for a fraction of a second, and the distance that an individual electrons and ions move is rather short on the order of a few to 10s of meters. In essence, all the electrons, positive ions and negative ions that are liberated at the tip of the leader during the breakdown of the neutral air basically shifts within the conductive lightning leader in the direction driven by the electric field. After the flash terminates these ions and electrons recombine with oppositely charged ions and the channel returns to its neutral, non-conductive state over a matter of seconds to 10s of seconds. The concept of charge traveling all the way from a charge region up in the cloud into the ground (a distance of several kilometers) is not physically possible. Again it is the neutral air that is ionized along a path, and the ionized atoms, molecules and electrons move along the channel once it becomes conductive. The net result is that a surplus of electrons is shifted toward a region that originally had a deficit of electrons and electrons are shifted away from a region that originally had a surplus of electrons. However, the charge residing on the hydrometers did not move at all except for a small fraction that becomes enveloped within the leader volumes as they propagated through the charge regions.
The following video recorded at 54,000 ips shows the development of a return stroke as the positive end of the bidirectional leader connects with the ground. It is important to note that typically only a small portion of the bidirectional leader network is visible during a ground flash. The portion below cloud is only part of one end of the bidirectional leader network.
Once the return stroke reaches the upper end of the leader network that formed prior to the return stroke, the channel, if still connected to ground, will achieve at or near the electrical potential of the inductively charged ground. The upper extent of the leader network may continue to grow if there is a large enough potential difference between the upper channel tip (at ground potential) and the cloud charge region ahead of it (at cloud potential). Frequently, this post return stroke leader growth / extension is quite intense due to the large potential difference between the ground and cloud region and a bright surge of new leader development occurs. The high-speed videos below show this post return stroke growth.
Negative Ground Flash
A negative ground flash, also known as a negative cloud-to-ground flash or -CG, has the negative end of the bidirectional leader connect with ground, and electrons accelerate downward during the resulting return stroke. On average, 90% of all CG flashes are negative. The importance of a smaller lower positive charge region that underlays the main negative charge region is apparent as it serves as a small positive potential well for the negative end of the leader to propagate toward and through before continuing toward the positively charged ground.
The figure below shows bidirectional leader growth prior to a return stroke. The leader initiates between the main negative charge region and a lower small positive charge region near the bottom of the storm. The positive end of the bidirectional leader propagates upward into the main negative charge region while the negative end propagates down into and beyond the smaller positive charge region and then continues toward the positively charged ground.
The negative end of the leader connects to ground or an upward positive leader that rises up from an object on the ground, and the resulting connection causes electrons to rapidly accelerate downward along the channel path. The zone of electron acceleration (i.e., the return stroke) travels up the entire leader network until reaching the upper extent.
Once the return stroke reaches the upper extent of the leader network the channel may fade ending the flash as shown in the video below recorded at 7,200 ips.
However, if the upper end of the connected channel grows following the return stroke, it will grow via positive breakdown. Specifically, it will grow as an upward propagating positive leader that is connected to ground with luminous current flowing through the entire grounded channel. The video below shows continuing current following the return stroke of a negative ground flash. Brightness in the main channel may vary as the upper part of the leader grows and branches while encountering varying potential difference. A higher potential difference will cause the leader to grow more intensely and brighten.
As we have already shown, positive leaders that branch tend to decay, and then recoil leaders initiate which attempt to reionize the decayed branches. If recoil leaders develop on decayed branches while the main channel is still connected to ground, the recoil leader connections can cause a brightness increase along the main channel path. This brightening has been defined as an m-component or m-event.
If a recoil leader forms in a decayed upper positive branch after the main channel also decays, the negative end of the recoil leader can travel down the entire decayed main channel path and initiate another return stroke upon reaching the ground. The descending recoil leader negative end travels at 1,000s of km/s since the decayed channel path is still somewhat conductive, and has been historically referred to as a dart leader. This return stroke / channel decay / recoil leader (dart leader) / return stroke process can be repeated multiple times during -CG flashes, and defines a multistroke CG flash. The flickering one sees when witnessing a -CG flash in real time is due to this repeated process.
The following video recorded at 10,000 ips, shows recoil leader formation in the upper branches of a decayed leader network following the initial return stroke of a negative ground flash. The upward pointing white arrow at the bottom shows the location of the initial return stroke. The repeated recoil leader development results in a subsequent return stroke and m-event brightening.
The following animation depicts the leader development during a mulitstroke negative ground flash with one subsequent return stroke followed by m-event brightening.
Revisiting the Bolt From The Blue
A type of negative ground flash that is frequently misidentified as a positive ground flash initiates between the two main charge regions of a storm. However, if the upper positive charge region is not as big as the lower main negative charge region, the negative end of the leader can “fill” the upper main positive potential well first. The negative end of the leader may then propagate outside the main updraft of the storm and and travel toward and connect with the ground well outside the storm. This type of flash has been referred to as a “Bolt From The Blue.” Due to the initially incorrect concept that a leader emerges from a charge region with the same charge as that region, it was believed that the channels that extend outside the upper portion of a storm must be positive having emerged from the upper positive charge region. Relatively recent research using 3-dimensional lightning mapping has shown this not to be the case. However, as will be shown next, positive ground flashes can initiate in the upper part of a thunderstorm with the positive end of the bidirectional leader traveling down from the upper region, but this usually occurs in the vault region of a thunderstorm where the anvil extends downwind from the main updraft.
Positive Ground Flash
A positive ground flash, also known as a positive cloud-to-ground flash or +CG, has the positive end of the bidirectional leader network descend toward and connect with the ground. Upon connection, electrons accelerate up the channel away from ground as opposed to down the channel toward ground in the -CG return stroke case. Since the typical storm charge tripole has a main positive over main negative over smaller positive region. The two charge regions that form the basis for the bidirectional leader development must be inverted from that required for a -CG flash. In some cases, storms due develop an inverted tripole charge arrangement, and a bidirectional leader develops between a main lower positive charge region overlaying a small negative charge region. In this case the process would be the same as a -CG flash, but with opposite polarities, as shown in the figures below.
Also, positive ground flashes tend to occur more frequently during the decay phase of normal polarity storms. One suggested mechanism for this behavior involves the complete dissipation of the small lower positive charge region and the lowering and dissipation of the lower main negative charge region as the updraft dies and the storm becomes downdraft dominate. As the lower main negative charge region decreases in size, an imbalance with the main upper positive charge region makes it easier for the downward propagating positive end of the bidirectional leader to continue beyond the lower main charge region and connect with the ground.
In the Northern High Plains of the United States, which includes South Dakota where I primarily film lightning, there is a corridor where positive ground flashes occur at a much higher percentage than the global average. Although the reason for this anomaly has yet to be fully explained, analysis of charge distribution observations using 3-dimensional lightning mapping and weather radar data suggest that storms can develop normal polarity charge regions but then become inverted due to ongoing lightning activity and/or develop inverted charge regions in the lower humidity environment found on the High Plains. In an additional note on the increased occurrence of the positive ground flashes, research has shown that particulate matter and aerosols from wildfires tends to affect the microphysical properties of thunderstorms resulting in an increased percentage of +CG flashes.
I personally observe more +CG flashes than -CG flashes when filming in the South Dakota region and below is a unique high-speed video recorded at 10,000 ips of a positive ground flash where both the positive and negative end of the bidirectional leader development are visible during the flash. After the return stroke, the channel network continues to grow as an upward propagating negative leader with luminous current flowing through the entire connected channel.
We showed in the previous section that positive and negative leaders behave differently. The prolific development of recoil leaders on decaying branched positive leaders frequently leads to multiple return strokes during negative ground flashes. However, negative leader branch redevelopment occurs infrequently and therefore multiple return strokes utilizing the same return stroke channel in positive ground flashes are rarely seen. We have only captured a handful of positive multistroke ground flashes and have yet to optically capture the initiation of negative branch redevelopment that leads to a subsequent return stroke. The following animation shows our best understanding of how subsequent same channel return strokes may occur in positive ground flashes.
Addition to redevelopment on previously formed channels as shown above, completely new development may occur along the upper portion of the channel following the return stroke. This new development would result in a new branch and the corresponding downward propagating reionization along the main channel could also result in a subsequent stroke. Below are some high-speed video examples of same channel multistroke positive ground flashes.
Bipolar Ground Flashes
On rare occasions, a positive ground flash can experience negative return strokes that occur along the same channel path as the initial positive return stroke. This happens when downward propagating positive leader branches do not participate in the return stroke; they are cutoff from the main downward leader at the time of the return stroke. If these “orphaned” positive leader branches then develop recoil leaders following the positive return stroke and after the main return stroke channel has decayed, the negative end of the recoil leaders, upon reaching the branch point, may travel down the decayed main channel (instead of up the channel) and initiate a negative return stroke upon connection with ground. The return stroke will travel up the main channel and out the orphaned branch that initiated the recoil leader. Frequently, this branch will decay and initiate additional recoil leaders some of which will travel down the main channel and cause additional negative return strokes. Therefore, some positive ground flashes can actually be bipolar ground flashes with a positive first return stroke and multiple subsequent negative return strokes in the same return stroke channel. So if you see a +CG that flickers repeatedly after the initial return stroke, chances are it is a bipolar ground flash.
Below is an animation of the process as well as a high-speed video showing a bipolar ground flash.
The rarity of decayed negative leader branch reionization suggests that a bipolar negative ground flash (negative return stroke followed by a same channel positive return stroke) would be quite rare, and not surprisingly, we have yet to capture one on high-speed video. However, researchers in Florida recently observed this type of flash and are continuing analysis to determine the process leading to the subsequent same channel positive return stroke.
Positive Bolt From The Blue Flashes
If a storm has a normal polarity charge arrangement, positive ground flashes can still occur, and this is sometimes seen in a storm’s vault region which is the area underlying the storm anvil downwind of the updraft. In this case, the bidirectional leader will develop between the upper positive charge region and a smaller negative screening layer charge region. Due to smaller potential negative well presented by the screening layer, the positive end of the leader will continue past the screening layer and continue to the negatively charged ground. The following figures illustrate this process.
The following video recorded at 7,200 ips shows a positive ground flash from the vault region of a severe thunderstorm.
Horizontally Extensive Ground Flashes
When storms grow upscale they can become Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCSs) and cover large areas, sometimes the size of half a midwest state. They are driven by convective regions, but when aided by favorable low- and upper-level wind patterns, also develop stratiform precipitation areas that can lead, parallel or trail the convective regions. Stratiform precipitation areas may also have weak convective areas, but primarily encompass widespread precipitation with gradual horizontal gradients of intensity. Charge regions form primarily due to electrification in the convective areas with the regions spreading downwind as storm system grows. These horizontally extensive charge regions frequently slope down to lower altitudes as they become part of the stratiform precipitation area. However, electrification can also occur in areas of weak convection that form in the stratiform precipitation area as well. Furthermore, the melting of frozen hydrometeors as they descend through the melting layer (0ºC) can create large raindrops which can then aerodynamically shed smaller drops as they fall. Since this happens in the presence of a strong electric field, the polarized large rain drops shed positive small drops at their top and continue their descent as negatively charged rain. This inductive charge separation process results in a large horizontally extensive positive charge layer that remains near the melting point.
However they originate, these horizontally extensive layered charge regions of MCSs serve as the conduit for lightning flashes that can travel over 100 km. Negative ground flashes tend to occur in the convective region and positive ground flashes tend to dominate the stratiform precipitation areas. Positive ground flashes can also initiate and cause a +CG return stroke in the convective region, but the post return stroke negative leader development then travels in the positive charge region that extends into the stratiform precipitation area. Positive ground flashes can also initiate in the stratiform precipitation area between the positive charge region at the melting layer and the underlying negative charged rain or negative screening layer that may form at cloud base.
It is the positive ground flashes that travel 10s to 100s of kilometers and frequently contain multiple spatially and temporally separate but related return strokes of both polarities. These horizontally extensive flashes transfer large amounts of charge, create large electric field changes and even emit electromagnetic pulses that influence the ionosphere, and in doing so, can act as the parent flashes for Lightning-Triggered Upward Lightning and Transient Luminous Events such as Sprites and ELVES all of which will be explained later. The multiple spatially separated return strokes frequently act to reenergize the flash allowing the leader network to travel farther through the layered charge regions. How does this happen?
Following the return stroke of a positive ground flash, we have shown that the upper portion of the leader network can grow as a negative leader that is connected to ground. Often, this post return stroke negative leader network will propagate long distances through a layered positive charge region. Often, however, the negative leader decays back toward the ground connection and the forward section becomes cutoff. The still conductive forward leader section, in the presence of an electric field, will become polarized with positive charge collecting toward the “back” cutoff end. A new positive leader may develop from the cutoff end and reenergize the bidirectional growth. If this newly developed positive end of the bidirectional leader propagates toward and connects with ground, another return stroke occurs with a different termination point. The subsequent return stroke frequently leads to further post return stroke negative leader growth if there is still positive charge ahead of the negative leader. This process can be repeated multiple times causing the flash to last multiple seconds and travel well over 100 km. The animation below shows this process.
The following high-speed videos shows a horizontally extensive positive ground flash with two spatially and temporally separate positive return strokes. The post return stroke negative leader growth and extension following the first return stroke initiates weak upward positive leaders from some tall towers. This is followed by a second positive return stroke that occurs when the negative leader extension becomes cutoff and then develops highly branched positive leaders on the cutoff ends that propagate toward the ground. Following the second return stroke you can see additional negative leader growth further extending the length of the leader network and duration of the flash.
The following standard-speed video shows this process as well from a much wider perspective.
Negative CG return strokes also occasionally occur during a horizontally extensive groun flashes, and surprisingly, we have observed it is the recoil leaders on the cloud base crawling positive leaders that tend to lead to these much less common -CG return strokes. Sometimes the positive leader channel path becomes so decayed that the negative end of a recoil leader will begin propagating outside and away from the previously formed channel path. If it travels toward and connects with ground, a negative CG return stroke occurs and further extends the positive leader network from which it originated. Below is a high-speed video recorded at 1,000 ips showing this process. Horizontally propagating branched positive leaders travel from right to left while producing numerous recoil leaders. The negative end of a recoil leader deviates from the previously formed leader path and travels toward and connects with ground causing a -CG return stroke. Following the return stroke that traverses the path of the parent recoil leader, the continued branching and decaying of the positive leader results in additional recoil leader negative ends that travel down the latest return stroke channel path causing additional negative return strokes while the positive end continues to propagate forward.
In the next section, we will look at a unique type of ground flash that develops as an upward propagating leader from a tall object.
Next section: Upward Lightning from Tall Objects
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The most common insect that we interact with in our lives are the housefly. Scientifically known as Musca domestica, the common housefly accounts for 91% of all the flies that live within the human habitation. It is for the reason that they are known as house fly. They literally live within our homes and eat our food. They are elusive insects that are difficult to eradicate physically.
The lifespan of a fly is simple and short. The flies that infest our homes have a lifespan of between 15 to 30 days. The lifespan varies depending on the temperatures and living conditions Flies that live within the homes and warm dwelling live longer than those living in the wild live. They also develop faster than those living in harsh conditions do. Like other flies, the housefly passes through four distinct stages. Which are the egg, larva, pupa, and the adult. What you commonly interact with is the adult housefly.
The houseflies have a brief cycle. The brief cycle is the major cause of its uncontrolled population. With such a short life cycle, the flies multiple quickly and should be controlled. You need to know that the flies carry more than 100 diseases including deadly diseases such as tuberculosis and cholera. The insects instantly transmit the diseases by feeding and carrying pathogens within their feet and mouths. To know more about the lifespan of the housefly, let us discuss process in its stages of development and its way of life.
Houseflies and human beings. Relationship, pro and cons.
Probably everyone has a relationship with houseflies. Houseflies are everywhere in our homes and in extension in our lives. The nature of the relationship between humans and the flies is not cordial. They will get a hint whenever there is something for them within our house. Try keeping something rotting within your house and the houseflies will come in within a short period from nowhere.
During cold seasons, the houseflies need humans for them to survive. The conditions within the homes of human beings are right for the survival, gestation, and reproduction of the insects. If they say outside during these periods, the insects will die or will develop inappropriately. Insects like or have to stay within your house during these conditions. Their reproduction process and the fact that they lay thousands of eggs within their lifetime make them able to survive even the toughest conditions.
However, these guests are not the kind of guest that comes with good tidings in your home. Houseflies are known to transmit more than 100 diseases as earlier mentioned. They are not ordinary carriers of pathogens. They are more deadly. The insects feed on liquid or semiliquid substances in large quantities. They always deposit feces constantly spreading pathogens. This makes their rate of disease transmission among the highest there is though insects.
Houseflies can be useful especially in waste management. The ability of their larvae to feed on decaying organic matter can be used to recycle nutrients that are in nature. Studies show that the approach ca be used to control the high amount of waste in the environment. Although the approach has not been fully exploited, the chances of using the insects would be highly beneficial. Humans have also used harvested maggots as feed for animals. The maggots have nutrients that are good for the animals. This advantage has been used by humans to make good of the disgusting insect.
Gestation of houseflies
Typical of insects, the housefly experiences a four-phase life cycle that begins when fertilized females’ lays their eggs. The females have to find a suitable place to lay their eggs to access nutrients. The gestation period of a housefly is only 24 hours. The insect transforms into four stages. The various stages require special conditions for their development to maturity.
The lifespan and the lifecycle of the housefly position it as a unique insect within its habitat. First, it lays many eggs to enhance its chances of survival. Secondly, the larvae feed on disgusting material that would not attract humans to it. Then the next stage requires a dry area. The insect lives longer when the conditions are good and develops faster at such optimized conditions.
The life cycle
A female fly lays approximately 9000 eggs within its lifetime. The eggs are laid in batches of 75 to 150 eggs. The eggs measure about 1.2mm in length. If you see white stuffs, though they are very difficult to see, then you have spotted the eggs. Within a day, they will transform to larvae or maggots. The maggots feed on decaying organic materials. They are the pale whitish organisms that you see with no legs and are approximately 3 to 9 mm long.
Within 14 and 36 hours the maggots look for a dry, cool place where its transforms to the next stage in life which is pupae. Look out for reddish brown creatures that are about 8mm long. From the pupae emerge adult flies. The adults are the disease carrying houseflies that live in our homes.
Once the houseflies have emerged from the pupae, they cease to grow. They will have attained their maximum size. If you see small flies, know that this is their size and they will not grow bigger. Their small size is as a result of poor feeding during the larvae stage. Bigger flies usually in toilets are subject of good living conditions and feeding during the pupae. If you have big flies in your house, that means you are providing conducive environment for the pupae.
Intriguing facts about houseflies
The housefly has intrigued interest in biology mainly because of the sex determination of the flies. The housefly is an interesting creature because it exhibits many different mechanisms for sex determination. Study show that the insect is like other insects and mammals when it comes to male heterogamy. It’s like birds in female heterogamy like birds and maternal control over offspring.
Flies are also interesting because they are only active during the day. You should not see a fly during the night unless it is for some strange reasons. The flies are active only when the sun is up and get inactive when the sun goes down. The flies are thought to have originated from southern Palearctic region, specifically the Middle East. Their relationship with human beings is one of the factors that is posed to have resulted to their dispersal.
The feeding process is a relatively interesting one; with these insects restricted to the consumption of liquids, there feeding habits revolve around the fly’s secretion of saliva onto select food items, which are then sucked up through the proboscis.
Houseflies are usually ready to breed within five days of reaching maturation, with the copulation process lasting anywhere between two and fifteen minutes and initiated once the fly has been properly fed. The life of a housefly will end naturally following ordinary processes of degradation, unless the advent of death is sped up by a lack of food or the presence of cold conditions, though humans can prove just as effective in ensuring their termination. | <urn:uuid:bc0d1411-80c3-42f0-ad63-476f2a8eb6f9> | CC-MAIN-2015-48 | http://lifespanofafly.com/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2015-48/segments/1448398449258.99/warc/CC-MAIN-20151124205409-00033-ip-10-71-132-137.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.970149 | 1,410 | 3.078125 | 3 | 2.433287 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | Science & Tech. |
The following is a summary of the research sources that have been used in the development of the Color My Conversation program.
Please note: Some of the sources have been categorized under general headings for the ease of the reader.
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Engel, S. (2013). Where Have All the Questions Gone? Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh4WAdw-oq8&feature=youtube
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GESTURE & SIGNING
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A., Mainess, K. J., Daher, N. S. (2013) A Pilot Study on the Efficacy of Melodic Based Communication Therapy for Eliciting Speech in Nonverbal Children with Autism. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders. 43 (6) 1298-1307.
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Starr, E., & Zenker, K. (1998). Understanding autism in the context of music therapy: Bridging theory and practice. Canadian Journal of Music Therapy, 6(1), 1-19.
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Axe, J. B., & Evans, C. J. (2012). Using video modeling to teach children with PDD-NOS to respond to facial expressions. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6(3), 1176-1185. doi: 10.1016/j.rasd.2012.03.007
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Murray, S., Noland, B. (2013). Video Modeling for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders – A Practical Guide for Parents and Professionals. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London and Philadelphia.
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GREETING AND SMALL TALK
Carducci, B.J. (1999). Pocket Guide to Making Successful Small Talk: How to Talk to Anyone Anytime Anywhere About Anything. Pocket Guide Publishing.
Endrass, B. et al. (2011). Culture Related Topic Selection in Small Talk Conversations across Germany and Japan. Retrieved from: ecute.eu/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IVA-2011-endrass.pdf Heritage, J. (2013). Garfinkel and Ethnomethodology. Policy Press Cambridge, UK.
Makaryk, I.R., (1993). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Literary Theory: Approaches, Scholars, Terms. University of Toronto Press.
Merchant, K. (2012). How Men and Women Differ: Gender Differences in Communication Styles, Influence Tactics, and Leadership Styles. Claremont McKenna College. Retrieved from: http://scholarship.claremont.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1521&context=cmc_theses
Stillman, J. (2014). A Quick Guide to International Small Talk. Retrieved from: http://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/the-quick-and-dirty-guide-to-small-talk.html
Tannen, D. PhD. (2001). You Just Don’t Understand: Women and Men in Conversation. Harper Paperbacks Tung, J. The 10 Big Rules of Small Talk. Know what to say in a social situation―and when and how to say it. Retrieved from: http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/etiquette/manners/10-big-rules-small-talk-10000000680878/page3.html
TECHNOLOGY AND IT’S EFFECT ON SOCIETY
Ball-Rokeach, S. J., & DeFleur, M.L. (1976). A dependency model of mass media effects. Communication Research, 3(1), 3-21. doi: 10.1177/009365027600300101
Grocer, S. (2011). Twitter & Facebook: A History of Social Media Valuations. Retrieved from: http://blogs.wsj.com/deals/2011/01/03/twitter-facebook-a-history-of-social-media–valuations/
HARMON, P. T+D. Does Texting Affect Emotional Intelligence. Periodical. Jul2013, Vol. 67 Issue 7, p70-71. 2p. 1 Color Photograph. , Database: Business Source Complete Manos, M. Emoticon Intelligence or Emotional Intelligence?. Academic Journal. Phi Kappa Phi Forum. Spring2012, Vol. 92 Issue 1, p26-26. 1p. 2 Color Photographs. , Database: Business Source Complete Meyer, P. (2011). How to spot a liar. Retrieved from:http://www.ted.com/talks/pamela_meyer_how_to_spot_a_liar#t-532043
Martinez, E. (2013). How does texting affect how teens do in school. Global Post. Retrieved from http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/texting-affect-teens-school-16344.html
Ramsey, M. (October, 2014). Why thinking you’re ugly is bad for you. Retrieved from:https://www.ted.com/talks/meaghan_ramsey_why_thinking_you_re_ugly_is_bad_for_you?language=en
Turkle, S. (2012). The Flight from Conversation. The New York Times. Retrieved from www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/../the-flight-from-conversation.html?pagewanted=all
Turkle, S. (2012). Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other. New York Basic Books.
Watters, A. (2014). Texting in the classroom – not just a distraction. Edutopia. Retrieved from: www.edutopia.org/blog/texting-classroom-audrey-watters
ADDITIONAL ARTICLES OF INTEREST
Cuddy, A. (2012). Your body language shapes who you are. Retrieved from:http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are?language=en Dorsey, J. (2013). 3 Millenials Myths Boomers LOVE to Share. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlQNwBDMLqI Dorsey, J. (2009). Oldie but goodie speaking preview video. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erFRZimAJ0Y Golbeck, J. (2013). The curly fry conundrum: Why social media “likes” mean more than you may think. Retrieved from:https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_golbeck_the_curly_fry_conundrum_why_social_media_likes_say_more_than_you_might_think?language=en Kuhl, P. (October 2010). The Linguistic genius of babies. Retrieved from:http://www.ted.com/talks/patricia_kuhl_the_linguistic_genius_of_babies?language=en Murphy Paul, A. (2011). What we learn before we’re born. Retrieved from:http://www.ted.com/talks/annie_murphy_paul_what_we_learn_before_we_re_born?language=en Musallam, Ramsey. (2013). 3 rules to spark learning. Retrieved from: http://www.ted.com/talks/ramsey_musallam_3_rules_to_spark_learning?language=en#t-344758 Roy, D (2011). The birth of a word. Retrieved from:http://www.ted.com/talks/deb_roy_the_birth_of_a_word?language=en Sinek, S. (2009). How great leaders inspire action. Retrieved from: http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action Strack, R. (2014). The surprising workforce crisis of 2030 and how to start solving it now? Retrieved from:http://www.ted.com/talks/rainer_strack_the_surprising_workforce_crisis_of_2030_and_how_to_start_solving_it_now?language=en#t-324278 Twenge, J., Cambell, K. (2010). The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement. Atria Books, New York. Twenge, J. (2014). Generation Me – Revised and Updated: Why Today’s Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled–and More Miserable Than Ever Before. Atria Books, New York. United Joint Staff Pension Fund. Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Generation Y (and Generation Z) Working Together. Retrieved from: http://www.un.org/staffdevelopment/pdf/Designing%20Recruitment,%20Selection%20&%20Talent%20Management%20Model%20tailored%20to%20meet%20UNJSPF’s%20Business%20Development%20Needs.pdf | <urn:uuid:b36ba222-938b-4f2c-a4a5-a450a6cae7ee> | CC-MAIN-2018-09 | http://www.bubbaandmunch.com/research-summary/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-09/segments/1518891815951.96/warc/CC-MAIN-20180224211727-20180224231727-00537.warc.gz | en | 0.659472 | 6,742 | 2.5625 | 3 | 2.905285 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Education & Jobs |
I was reading a book about the geology of the British Isles when I came across the word Iapetus, the name of an ancient ocean that is believed to have once divided Laurentia from Baltica/Avalonia, and hence the future Scotland from the future England.
I read it to myself as aɪˈæpɪtəs, but was then struck by doubts. Ought it rather to be ˌaɪəˈpiːtəs?
This type of uncertainty arises whenever we meet a word from Greek or Latin for the first time, and the penultimate vowel in that word’s spelling is followed by a single consonant letter. The general rule is that if that vowel was long in Greek/Latin we’ll stress it in English, but if it was short we won’t, placing the stress instead on the antepenultimate.
So my hesitation can be reformulated as uncertainty over the ancient quantity of the e in Iapetus.
Iapetus is also the name of one of the moons of Saturn. In Greek mythology he was one of the titans.
I suppose I must have heard this word pronounced once or twice in my life. And I must have looked it up somewhere twenty years ago, because it is there in LPD. It’s also to be found in the Oxford BBC Guide.
In any case, my first surmise was right: it is indeed stressed on the antepenultimate, because the e was historically short. We say aɪˈæpɪtəs.
Greek spelling makes the history clear, because in Ancient Greek long and short e are represented by different letters: η (eta) for ē, ε (epsilon) for ĕ. And the titan was Ἰαπετός Iapĕtŏs.
Ancient Greek also distinguished long and short o: ω (omega) for ō, ο (omicron) for ŏ. The vowel in -log- ‘word, reason’ was the short one, which is why we stress words such as biology, philology on the antepenultimate. So was the vowel in -top- ‘place’, which is why I was taken aback when Sophie Scott (blog, 2 April) pronounced tonotopy as ˈtəʊnətɒpi. I would have expected təʊˈnɒtəpi.
I shall be away for the rest of this week. Next blog: 19 April. | <urn:uuid:16af9c5c-2d83-47c8-9602-beed938a5c86> | CC-MAIN-2020-29 | http://phonetic-blog.blogspot.com/2010/04/iapetus-and-tonotopy.html?showComment=1271258370734 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-29/segments/1593655897168.4/warc/CC-MAIN-20200714145953-20200714175953-00478.warc.gz | en | 0.952753 | 556 | 3.078125 | 3 | 2.690885 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Literature |
Interviewing people about their life gives us insight into the world that we live in.
People's recollection of what they did, how they felt, and why they did the things they did remind us that history is not a thing which happened on its own. It is instead a series of personal experiences created by individuals one decision at a time.
There have been hundreds of thousands of documentaries made to tell the stories of people and events. Many use the technique of interviews to give the audience insight and information about the subject that is being explored.
The people in your family, school, and community are a great resource for discovering information on a variety of subjects ranging from historical events, the arts, geography, sports and much more. To make your interviewing experience the best that it can be, consider the following steps:
Step One: Establish who your subject is. This will depend on what you are researching and the information that you would like to explore.
Step Two: Confirm your subject. Once you have decided who you would like to interview, phone or visit the person. Explain what your project is about and ask whether they would be interested in helping you by being interviewed.
Step Three: Permission. Make sure that your subject gives their permission to be interviewed and recorded on videotape. A simple permission form should be completed and filed before filming begins.
Step Four: Determining a good time and place for an interview. Ask your subject when it would be possible to interview them? Discuss where the interview should take place - this is where you can be creative and explore ideas for an interesting location.
Before the day of the interview arrives prepare yourself by listing on paper a series of questions. You may, and should, ask new questions that you had not previously prepared, but it is essential to have at least some questions ready to ask.
You may want to think of some introductory questions to start with. These basic questions will help your subject become comfortable in front of the camera, e.g. What is their name? Where were they born? etc.
Next consider some questions to ask that relate to what your project is about. Try and think of questions that will encourage your subject to tell stories and details about your project topic, instead of questions that may result in a 'yes' or 'no' answer.
Even though you have prepared questions in advance, one of the exciting things about interviewing someone is that you discover new things - so remember to let your subject expand on things that are relevant, and ask new questions you may not have thought of until the interview.
Decide exactly what equipment you need and check that all of your equipment is in running order before you go to the interview.
Before you begin your interview determine what each person in your crew is responsible for - e.g. who will take care of the lighting?
Make sure that you arrive on time and have all the information, materials, and equipment you need. To set up the interview, determine where the subject is going to be - taking into consideration the technical aspects of sound and lighting.
Record a minute of test footage before you begin to ensure that everything is working and the lighting and sound are acceptable.
Now you are ready to start your interview!
Start your interview with your warm up questions so that the subject can get used to talking and can become less nervous. Make sure you listen to what your subject is saying and that you are not just reading off your list of questions. Take your time and remember to ask any new questions that you might think of at the time.
When the interview is finished be sure to thank your guest before they leave or if you are at their house, before you leave!
Congratulations - you have finished your first great interview!
Follow Up: Write a thank-you letter to your subject and enclose any photos or videos that you wish to give them in appreciation of their time. | <urn:uuid:435053b8-29f6-42f9-baf3-74f88a8f2461> | CC-MAIN-2017-43 | http://schoolvideonews.com/Broadcast-Journalism/Interview-Techniques | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-43/segments/1508187823168.74/warc/CC-MAIN-20171018233539-20171019013539-00035.warc.gz | en | 0.962111 | 798 | 3.015625 | 3 | 2.109972 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | Education & Jobs |
April 15, 2014 > Going green together
Going green together
From San Francisco, Texas, and Ohio to Albania, Kuwait and the Bahamas, millions of people in 190 countries will come together to make our world a better place in celebration of Earth Day. 2014s global theme is Green Cities, focusing on the need to reform our cities with cleaner vehicles, building efficiency, clean energy and other green options to cut down on pollution and waste and create a sustainable future.
Whether in the city or the country, by engaging in a big community effort or a small personal action, Earth Day is an opportunity to help preserve our beautiful land and its resources. Although officially, Earth Day is Tuesday, April 22, community groups and organizations will host a variety of educational events and volunteer options over the next two weekends.
Of course, striving to create a better planet and living environment takes daily contributions, and doing your part might be easier than you think. Change regular light bulbs to new compact fluorescent bulbs; recycle paper goods, food scraps, glass and plastic containers; use environmentally-friendly disposable diapers or cloth; hang your clothes to dry instead of using a dryer; take public transportation; plant a tree; take shorter showers; turn off lights when leaving the room; invest in a reusable cup for your daily hot beverage; use matches instead of lighters (choose cardboard instead of wood, which are made from recycled paper); donate unwanted items to charitable organizations or others in need; pay your bills online; and use rechargeable batteries.
These are just a small portion of the easy changes that can be adopted in every-day life; several other alternatives can be found online or by attending an educational Earth Day event, such as FremontÕs annual Earth Day fair or Oakland ZooÕs ÒParty for the PlanetÓ
Environmental awareness and action is the responsibility of all who call Earth their home. Make sure youÕre doing your part to ensure that the beauty and resources of our planet continue to sustain us and the generations to come.
Local Earth Day events:
Join Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge and Save the Bay for their annual Earth Day Cleanup. Provide much needed water to plants, as well as remove trash and weeds at locations in Oakland and Palo Alto. Reservations are required.
Earth Day Cleanup
Saturday, Apr 19
9 a.m. - noon
(510) 792-0222 ext. 141
Spend Earth Day in the great outdoors. Do you need to fulfill community service requirements? Or would you just like to come lend a hand? Come help in our native plant garden by removing non-native plants, pruning, mulching, or conducting various other jobs that help protect wildlife and clean up our gardens. It's a great service project for groups and individuals. Bring your own gloves or borrow a pair of ours. Tools are provided. Dress in layers and bring water and sunscreen. Be prepared to get dirty! Ages 9 and up. Participants 18 and under must be accompanied by a chaperone. Call Julie for reservations at (408) 262-5513 ext. 104.
Earth Day Community Service
Saturday, Apr 19
10 a.m. Ð noon
Environmental Education Center
1751 Grand Blvd, Alviso
408-262-5513 ext. 104
Make changes to conserve, protect and sustain our planet at ÒReduce, Reuse, RecycleÓ at Coyote Hills. Learn about the care of our precious earth, enjoy family fun while creating your own litter bug craft, view an environmental puppet show (11:40 a.m. and 3:40 p.m.) and play recycling games.
Earth Day: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Saturday, Apr 19
9:30 a.m. Ð noon & 1:30 p.m. Ð 4:00 p.m.
Coyote Hills Regional Park
8000 Patterson Ranch Rd, Fremont
Parking Fee: $5
In celebration of Earth Day, the Oakland Zoo offers the chance to explore more than fifty Earth Stations and demonstrations that offer hands-on fun and educational adventures. Visit with dozens of local environmental non-profit organizations, get your face painted, observe beautiful animals, and marvel at a show by Trapeze Arts of West Oakland. Be inspired by Oakland ZooÕs Quarters for Conservation program. When people and animals learn to live together sustainably, it is a true party for the planet. This Earth Day event is included with regular admission. Plus, recycle an old cell phone and receive a free train ride.
Party for the Planet
Saturday, Apr 19
10 a.m. Ð 3 p.m.
9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland
(510) 632-9525 ext. 122
Admission: $15.75 adults, $11.75 seniors (65-79, 80+ free), $11.75 kids, kids under two are free
Parking fee: $8
Meet with eco-friendly experts and learn new ways to go green when Washington Hospital and the City of Fremont host an Earth Day fair, ÒLetÕs Go Green Together!Ó on Saturday, April 26. Discover more about recycling and waste reduction, saving energy at home, eco-friendly gardening and composting, local sustainability programs and healthy eating. There will be a free residential drop-off for syringes and needles; confidential documents for shredding; unused, unwanted medication; mercury thermometer exchange; and eyeglasses donation.
Kids can participate in eco-tainment, face painting, art, and other games and activities. The East Bay Bike Coalition will also be hosting Bicycle Rodeo, a fun and interactive lesson on road awareness and safety skills for parents and kids of all ages. Learn about proper helmet fitting, signaling and communication, crossing intersections and more. Bikes and helmets will be provided. For more details and optional registration, visit www.EBBC.org/education#Rodeo.
LetÕs Go Green Together!
Saturday, Apr 26
11 a.m. Ð 3 p.m.
Conrad E. Anderson, MD Auditorium (Washington West)
2500 Mowry Ave, Fremont
To learn more about Earth Day programs and how you can take action, visit http://www.earthday.org/. | <urn:uuid:b1a47f4c-d9e0-4b05-bdc8-0a0cbef901c6> | CC-MAIN-2016-18 | http://tricityvoice.com/articlefiledisplay.php?issue=2014-04-15&file=story2.txt | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2016-18/segments/1461860115836.8/warc/CC-MAIN-20160428161515-00179-ip-10-239-7-51.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.895785 | 1,312 | 3.078125 | 3 | 1.674329 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | Science & Tech. |
Last month, 17-year-old Eric Chen from San Diego, California became the third Grand Prize winner in Google Science Fair history. Judges awarded him $50,000, a 10-day trip to the Galapagos Islands, a year of mentoring, and other prizes. At a meeting in Google Headquarters after the awards were announced, Chen spoke about how he created 6 new flu drug candidates, and why more kids should be doing research
What inspired your project?
I live in San Diego, where some of the first cases of 2009 h1n1 swine flu took place in the U.S. It was then that I made the realization that flu isn’t just this benign virus. It can kill a lot of people. I started tracking the flu news, and I watched as the situation got worse and worse. I thought, “Why can’t we use the new computer power at our fingertips to speed up drug discovery and find new flu medicine?”
What was your first step?
I knew I wanted to do some computational research, so I looked for a computational lab to work at. I came across Dr. Rommie Amaro at the University of California, San Diego, and she was willing to let me work in her lab. Because this field was completely new to me, a lot of the initial steps were figuring out what this field was about, what are the possible tools I might use in this field, and how I might implement them.
You decided to look for chemical compounds that would target a particular protein inside the virus and, essentially, disarm it. But you went about it in a novel way: by combining computer research with biological research.
I was sort of bouncing between a computer lab and a biological wet lab. I first used computers to screen through a library of almost half a million compounds and reduce that to a top 237. Then I took those 237 and went to a biological lab and actually tested them for activity against the flu target. So, I used computer models to make predictions, then biological testing to validate things that came out of the computational testing, and then I went back to the computational lab to think about how I might further develop these findings. I ended up with 6 top inhibitors.
One of the strategies you used is called molecular dynamic simulation. What does it do?
It uses supercomputer power to simulate every atom of a [flu] protein moving in solution. Previously, scientists had worked with crystal structures, which are static snapshots of this same protein.
With molecular dynamic simulation, you can see all of the possible pockets within a protein that you could build your inhibitor into, and what fraction of the time these pockets appear. That’s very important, because you want a really comprehensive understanding of what you are going to target before you go ahead and actually find something to plug it with.
What are the next steps for your project?
These are still pretty early in the drug discover pipeline. I haven’t done any animal studies. What I’m now working on is optimizing these inhibitors, giving them good drug-like traits. They have to be very, very potent, first of all, but they also can’t be toxic – you don’t want your drugs killing people rather than the flu.
Do you have any drug company interest?
I do, actually. I have a patent on these compounds through UCSD.
What sorts of careers might you pursue?
I’m looking at two different possibilities right now. One would be becoming a university professor, because I love teaching. That would let me do both research and teaching at the same time.
The other possibility would be going into business and becoming an entrepreneur. I’ve seen the power of doing these interdisciplinary approaches, and I think being able to bring the power of that to business would be great.
You also do a lot of science outreach to younger kids, helping schools set up science fairs and the Science Olympiad competition. Why is that important to you?
Ever since I was 15, I was very, very driven to do research, and because of that I ran right through obstacles, such as e-mailing professors I didn’t know. But a lot of these younger students, they’re afraid to try. They see a lot of obstacles in science, and that really turns them away from the field.
I’m really trying to dig in the idea that, when you do scientific research, you’re doing stuff that nobody has done before -- I felt like that was a very important idea, at least for myself. If I can give them a taste of that discovery feeling, they will hopefully be willing to face obstacles in the future. And doing research is not just something that stays in the field. Even if they decide not to pursue research in the future, they will have gained things like communication skills, and the ability to share their ideas and thought processes, how to tackle a problem, the willingness to face obstacles. That can go into any field they choose in life.
UPDATE: On Dec. 10, 2013, Chen went on to win a grand prize at the annual Siemens Competition for Math, Science & Technology. The prize earned him a $100,000 scholarship and praise from judges for his "outstanding interdisciplinary approach to research." | <urn:uuid:a155d3b9-b2cb-4c25-884a-4bd73703ab94> | CC-MAIN-2018-43 | https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/budding-scientist/teenager-creates-new-flu-drugs/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-43/segments/1539583512501.27/warc/CC-MAIN-20181020013721-20181020035221-00370.warc.gz | en | 0.975937 | 1,102 | 3.40625 | 3 | 2.797537 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Science & Tech. |
A piercing raptor’s cry comes out of the sky and disrupts the peace along Spring Trail in Pogonip. Peter Scott calls out, “Red-shouldered hawk!”
Spring Trail was one of the first roads in Santa Cruz. Built by Henry Cowell — once the largest land owner in California — the wagon trail was used to connect his vast empire of ranching, logging, and quarrying sites in the 1850s and 60s.
Today I am walking the trail with local environmental heroes, physicist Peter Scott and his wife Celia, the former Santa Cruz mayor and environmental attorney, and learning about what was and what might have been on this halcyon hill.
After graduating from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Celia moved to England and studied the green belt that grew all around the city of London.
“I realized it was possible to have open space right into the heart of a city,” she said.
She remembers moving to California at a pivotal time for Pogonip’s future.
“Pogonip was being proposed as a major urban development in 1969. I and a lot of other people realized we didn’t want that. We started a political movement and managed to get a measure on the ballot against the will of the city, not exactly environmentally-oriented in the early 1970s.”
The measure created the Santa Cruz Greenbelt with Pogonip as the crown jewel. The group managed to get the city to acquire it in a bond act in 1989. The couple has been leading hikes in Pogonip ever since.
One of her favorite achievements as mayor was creating a master plan for Pogonip which involved years of meetings and committees, of which Peter was involved, to decide what would be the management framework.
Pogonip means “ice fog” but the word does not come from this area but from the eastern side of the Sierras. For instance, the fog at Mono Lake is called a “Pogonip fog” which occurs when the weather turns “icy.”
“That shows you that the people who inhabited this region must have gone back and forth and that name was carried down through all those years to modern times,” says Celia.
“This limestone rock here is at the edge of the Ben Lomond earthquake fault,” Peter points out. “Look how steeply the hill goes down. It dominates this side of Ben Lomond Mountain and provides the channel for the San Lorenzo River.”
Peter theorizes that “the geology determines the sociology of the place. The people who live in Scotts Valley are different from the people who live in the San Lorenzo Valley who are different than the people who live in Santa Cruz. If there were a level plain, there wouldn’t be such a difference. When you go out in the Central Valley, the land is flat and there isn’t much difference between the communities.”
Through a break in the big leaf maples, Celia points out the Loma Prieta Peak, the highest point in the Santa Cruz Mountains at 3,786 feet. We look at the great meadow below where they used to play golf and polo, and the Pogonip Club House, where they filmed the movie “Lost Boys” with Kiefer Sutherland.
She says that the city has unfortunately abandoned the building.
“They had a grant to restore it but they had to match it and they failed to do it. It’s a gorgeous building but it’s just been mothballed for a long time. When that was private property that was the social hub.”
Beyond the club house a trajectory of trees hide the San Lorenzo River as it flows out of the mountains and to the bay.
We walk by a limestone cliff created by dynamite for the old quarry. The space harbors a small stone labyrinth created by an unknown passer-by. Peter says that individuals change the symbol every week and that people come here to meditate.
Along with helping to save Pogonip, Celia has been active in coastal protection, too, and worked to get the California Coastal Act created in 1972.
“It set up a regulatory system to protect the whole California coast line from San Diego to the Oregon border,” she said.
Recently she spent two days before the Santa Cruz City Council urging them to not weaken the Heritage Tree Ordinance.
“They didn’t agree with me,” she said. “At least so far anyway.”
Celia says of Pogonip, “It’s an opportunity for people who live in an urban area to walk right out into nature. It brings nature almost into the heart of the city. And that was one of the greenbelt principles that I learned about when I was in England. A city doesn’t have to be isolated from nature, and nature can be a refuge for people who want to still connect to nature, if you can bring it close in so you don’t have to drive 20 miles to get to a place to go for a walk.”
Join the Scotts and me for a walk on Spring Trail on Oct. 19. This is part of a series of free nature walks I have created for the last five years with an environmental education grant provided by the San Lorenzo Valley Water District. Contact me for more information at [email protected].
- Carol Carson, M.Ed., is a writer, naturalist, and educator. | <urn:uuid:4d38f478-f48d-416d-b33f-430e84155ca8> | CC-MAIN-2013-48 | http://www.pressbanner.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Nature+friendly-+Pogonip+is+the+crown+jewel+of+the+Santa+Cruz+greenbelt%20&id=23823749&instance=community_columns | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-48/segments/1386163035819/warc/CC-MAIN-20131204131715-00018-ip-10-33-133-15.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.967837 | 1,170 | 2.734375 | 3 | 2.812113 | 3 | Strong reasoning | History |
We started our second day in Charleston with a houses of worship tour. There were many more sites than the ones I had chosen, but time was a constraint, and we planned to return for a longer stay in the future. Our tour had actually begun the previous day on Sullivan’s Island when I spotted the steeple tower of Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church projecting high over Fort Moultrie. See photo of the fort and the church in my post about Fort Moultrie.
The current Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church is the second Catholic church on Sullivan’s Island, and is one of the oldest in the Charleston area. The first church to sit on the site was the Church of St. John the Baptist. Miraculously, it survived the extensive bombing of Fort Moultrie by federal troops and was the only public building left standing after the Civil War. The initial plan called for a restoration of the small wooden building. But Father Bermingham, vicar general of the Diocese of Charleston, decided to build a new church. He bought the present-day lot for $100 and was granted permission by the secretary of the war to use bricks from the ruins of Fort Moultrie to build the new church. Working side by side, Protestants and Catholics, most of them Irish immigrants who had come to the island to work on projects carried out by the Army Corps of Engineers, helped with the construction of the church. Upon completion, an elaborate ceremony was held to celebrate the dedication of Stella Maris. In attendance were both Protestants and Catholics.
First on my list was the Circular Congregational Church on Meeting Street, originally called the White Meeting House. Founded in 1681 by early colonialists, it was the city’s first non-Anglican church. The colonialists were labeled “dissenters,” and therefore forbidden to call the church a house of worship, only a meeting house. In 1804, the wooden meeting house was replaced with a circular brick building, which was destroyed by fire in 1861. In 1890, bricks from the ruins were used to create the present-day church. A stroll through the church’s cemetery is a must. One tombstone dates back to 1695.
Our next stop was St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, home to the oldest religious congregation in South Carolina and the first Anglican church south of Virginia. The first St. Philip’s Church was built between 1680 and 1681, a modest wooden building located at the corner of Board and Meeting streets. It was damaged in a hurricane in 1710, and a new St. Philip’s Church was built a few blocks away on Church Street. After several setbacks, the church was finally completed in 1723, but it burned to the ground in 1835 and was reconstructed.
What lured me to St. Michael’s Episcopal Church was its iconic 186-foot-high massive white spire with eight bells imported from England in 1764. Of note, it was here in the cedar-box pews that George Washington and General Robert E. Lee worshipped. The first church to sit on this site was the first St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, the wooden building damaged by the hurricane of 1710.
A friendly woman welcomed us as we climbed the steps to the French Huguenot Church. I first learned about the denomination while living in South Africa. The church traces its beginnings to 1680 when French Protestants—Huguenots—were sent by King Charles II to the new colony as artisans and tradesmen. In 1685, when the Edict of Nantes (1598) was revoked, Huguenots arrived in numbers in America, where they could freely practice their Calvinistic faith. The Gothic Revival-style structure was built of brick and covered in rose-tinted stucco, complementing the roof’s black iron finials. I was quite captivated by the church’s appearance.
The Edict of Nantes was, in my opinion, Henri IV’s greatest achievement. The terms of the edict ensured the peaceful coexistence of Catholics and Protestants and ended religious hostilities in France after thirty-six years of civil warfare. But in 1685, Louis XIV revoked the edict, and a Protestant exodus began. The French Huguenots who fled France for South Africa arrived in the Cape of Good Hope between 1688 and 1689. These French immigrants and their descendants made important contributions to the Western Cape’s viticulture and oenology industries, and to this day, a number of wine estates still bear their Huguenot surnames.
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist has dominated the Charleston landscape for over a hundred years and is one of the many churches that gives Charleston its nickname “The Holy City.” The Gothic Revival cathedral is home to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston and is considered the “mother church.” It was built in 1854 on a less-than-holy site—Vauxhall Gardens—a post-Revolutionary “pleasure garden.” The cathedral burned down in the Great Fire of 1861 and was rebuilt on the foundation of the previous church. The structure is a Connecticut brownstone with a five-light window copied from Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper and a beautiful rose window.
Founded in 1749, Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (KKBE) Synagogue is the second oldest Jewish house of worship in the US and the oldest one in continuous use. Charleston was known for its religious tolerance, so people of the Jewish faith began emigrating to “The Holy City” as early as 1695. The oldest synagogue in the US is Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island.
Across the street from KKBE is St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, the first Roman Catholic church in the Carolinas and Georgia. By the late eighteenth century, Charleston had a sufficient number of Catholic immigrants to warrant building a church. In 1788, Reverend Ryan, an Irish priest, arrived in Charleston, and in 1801 construction began on the church. In the meantime, the congregation worshipped in the dilapidated Methodist meeting house that was on the site. Most of the church burned during the Charleston fire of 1838. It was rebuilt and completed in 1839 in the Classical Revival style.
The last church, Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, brought tears to my eyes—tears for the nine fatally shot on June 2015 during weekly Bible study. The Gothic Revival building with its signature steeple was built in 1891, replacing a wooden building from 1872 that was damaged during the Charleston earthquake of 1886. The church dates back to 1816, when Morris Brown organized a withdrawal of the Charleston Methodist Episcopal Church’s black members over a burial ground dispute. The newly formed congregation soon established themselves as an AME, a denomination founded in Philadelphia by Reverend Richard Allen, and it is the oldest AME church in the South.
Side note: I had no idea how many fires Charleston had experienced until I dug into the city’s history. Learn more here on the Preservation Society of Charleston website and click on “Fires.” Also of interest is this article on “The Great Charleston Fire of 1861.”
We spent the rest of the day soaking up Charleston’s history, enjoying its charm, and admiring its architecture, ending with dinner at SNOB (Slightly North of Broad)—shrimp with grits and peanut butter pie. On December 3rd, I will begin a series of blog posts on the topic of writing.
Next week: “Let’s Talk Writing.” | <urn:uuid:f9ac297f-5490-4c92-97ab-95a909e26d57> | CC-MAIN-2019-22 | http://patkrapf.com/hardwired/tag/charleston-churches/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-22/segments/1558232255251.1/warc/CC-MAIN-20190520001706-20190520023706-00442.warc.gz | en | 0.969929 | 1,602 | 2.65625 | 3 | 2.344383 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | History |
How to Understand Military Time
You are watching an action thriller movie when suddenly the main character arranges to rendezvous at 1753 hrs. And you left scratching your head wondering what time that would be? Well no need for that anymore, welcome to military time.
Military time also known as the twenty-four-hour system originated from decans, an ancient Egyptian astronomical system. According to this system, each day had twenty-four hours that were measured from sunrise until the next morning to comprise a single day and three hundred days to make a year.
Over time humans have invented devices that keep track of time such as clocks. The oldest clock was based on the military time system by using obelisks to track the movement of the sun. With invention came newer and more accurate machines such as the mechanical clock which had a verge escapement and later on the pendulum clocks. There was a consensus that the day was made of twenty-four hours divided equally between night and day. As a result, the clock had twelve distinct markings on its face, with each day starting off at twelve midnight and the first complete round ending at twelve noon marking the day to be halfway gone, while another full circuit would bring the hour hand back to twelve midnight indicating the end of the day.
While the twelve-hour system is more entrenched in the civilian world, the twenty-four-hour system is mainly used by the military, law enforcement, and medical practitioners. This is because it is dimmed to be more accurate at recording the precise time when needed. This is as a result of confusion between AM or PM and midnight or noon when it comes to the twelve-hour system. Hence the adoption of this other cool system, let’s go ahead and learn how it works and how to tell military time.
Converting Twelve hours’ System to Military Time:
The military time system starts at 0000hrs pronounced as zero hundred hours. It’s important to note that the colon between hours and minutes that is usually found in the twelve-hour system in not used here instead, the minutes are listed directly after hours such as 0057 hours which is 12:57 am in the twelve-hour system.
To convert twelve-hour system time to military time, we only add 12 hours to the time if its PM example 2:00 PM becomes 12+2=14; therefore, 1400hours.we also add a zero at the beginning if it’s below ten AM example: 9:00 AM becomes 0900hours. The hours keep on adding up from the initial 0000 hours up to 2300 hours. This is different from the twelve-hour system that resets at 12noon to switch from AM to PM. This goes on until 2359 hours, and after one minute it resets to 0000hours to indicate the start of another day.
Speaking Military Time
It is important to note how to pronounce military time as it is different with the twelve-hour system. We usually include the suffix “hours” in areas where we would use “AM.” or “PM.” 12:30 PM becomes 1230 hours (twelve thirty hours) while 13:00 PM becomes 1300 hours (thirteen hundred hours) It is critical not to omit any zeroes that come in front of a number such as 0004 hrs., this should be pronounced as “zero zero zero four hours.” While 0400 hrs. Should be “zero four hundred hrs.” Also, if the last digit is zero, then it becomes paired with the number before it example,1230 hrs. Is “twelve thirty hours.”
Use of Zulu
Zulu is used in denoting the common time zone which is the Greenwich meridian time(GMT), this is the standard time zone used to regulate all of the clocks worldwide by determining whether the location is either ahead or behind the GMT.
Converting military time to twelve-hour system
The general principle applied is that, for all military time above 1259 hours you need to subtract twelve from the first two digits then add the colon between the second and third digit, finally add the suffix PM. example: 1405 hours becomes 14-12=2 therefore 12:05PM. For the time between 1200 hours and 1259 hours, only introduce a colon between the second and third digit and add the suffix PM in place of hours’ example,1215 hours becomes 12:15 PM For military time between 0100 hours up to 1159 hours directly introduce a colon between the second digit and the third digit. Where applicable remove the zero if it is the first digit and add a suffix AM in place of hours, example: 0345 hours becomes 3:45 AM. For the military time 0000hrs up to 0059 hours, remove the first two zeroes and replace them with 12, add a colon between the second and third digit and finally add the suffix AM in place of hours, example: 0045 hours becomes 12:45 AM
Military time not only sounds way cooler than twelve-hour system but it is also highly accurate. Go ahead and learn this easy way to tell military time and have fun | <urn:uuid:f8dd6888-da2b-4bbe-b783-1e86c7b87b4a> | CC-MAIN-2018-22 | http://militarytimeconversion.com/how-to-understand-military-time/?print=print | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-22/segments/1526794866870.92/warc/CC-MAIN-20180524205512-20180524225512-00341.warc.gz | en | 0.948313 | 1,064 | 3.421875 | 3 | 1.872211 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | Science & Tech. |
John the Baptist remains a puzzling, inspiring and controversial figure. A forerunner to and relative of Jesus Christ, John was a popular preacher and center of a circle of followers in the Jordan River valley; significantly, he baptized Jesus. He holds a special place among Christian saints, being the only one besides the Virgin Mary whose birthday is celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church. John’s story ends with a salacious tragedy, however, an episode celebrated in art and literature. The Bible’s account of the death of John the Baptist is much more concise.
The ruler of Galilee during most of Jesus’ life was Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great. Herod Antipas was a “tetrarch,” a client king ruling by permission of the Roman Empire. The Biblical Archaeology Society calls him “fairly passive but successful” as a ruler. The synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke, mention Herod, but none names his stepdaughter Salome, referring to her simply as the daughter of Herodias, Herod’s wife.
The Book of Matthew, chapter 14, verses 1-12, recounts John’s death. According to Matthew, Herod imprisoned John because he criticized Herod's marriage to Herodias, who had been his brother’s wife. Herod fears to execute John, however, because the public believes he is a prophet. When Herod’s stepdaughter dances for his guests, she so pleases the king that he promises her any reward she wants, and her mother urges her to demand “the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” Bound by his promise, Herod complies, and the girl delivers John’s head to her mother; Jesus’ disciples bury the body.
The Book of Mark gives a similar but more detailed account, in chapter 6, verses 14-29. Herod has imprisoned John for the same insults about his marriage to Herodias, but Mark elaborates on the queen’s reaction, saying she “had a grudge against” John. Here, Herod refuses to execute his wife’s enemy because he recognizes John as “a righteous and holy man,” adding that he enjoys listening to John’s preaching, although he finds it perplexing. The rest of the episode matches Matthew’s account, with additional detail, such as about the disciples' entombment of the body.
The Book of Luke, chapter 9, gives the briefest account of John’s death in the Bible, in verses 7-9. Neither Herodias nor her daughter appears at all. Hearing that John has returned in the person of Jesus, a rumor that appears early in Matthew’s and Mark’s version as well, Herod wonders about this enigmatic preacher, Jesus, knowing that “John I beheaded.” Luke does not provide any motivation for Herod’s execution of John.
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- The Columbia Encyclopedia: Saint John the Baptist
- Biblical Archeology Society, Bible History Daily: Herod Antipas in the Bible and Beyond
- The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable: Salome; Elizabeth Knowles
- Holy Bible (New Standard Revised Version): Matthew 14
- Holy Bible (New Standard Revised Version): Mark 6
- Holy Bible (New Standard Revised Version): Luke 9
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte, The Jewish Roman World of Jesus: Josephus on John the Baptist; James Tabor
- PBS Frontline, From Jesus to Christ: John the Baptist; L. Michael White, John Dominic Crossan and Harold W. Attridge
- The Original Catholic Encyclopedia: John the Baptist, Saint; Charles L. Souvay
- Saint John the Baptist and his Cults, A Colloquium at St John’s College, Oxford: St. John the Baptist, Theology and History in the NT and Josephus; Rev. Dr. E.D.H. Carmichael
- Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images | <urn:uuid:bb1cf2a7-db2f-4377-822a-a5e1d8fcd934> | CC-MAIN-2015-14 | http://classroom.synonym.com/death-john-baptist-bible-5509.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2015-14/segments/1427131298871.15/warc/CC-MAIN-20150323172138-00169-ip-10-168-14-71.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.927921 | 917 | 2.984375 | 3 | 2.924007 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Religion |
“Homeschooling Your Children: The Basic Facts!”
Wikipedia states that “Home education, also called homeschooling or home school, is an educational alternative in which children are educated at domicile by their parents, in contrast to the compulsory attendance which income job in an institution with a campus such as a public school or private school.”
Around the ore Homeschooling has been increasing quite substantially over the end 4 years. In 2003, in the United States, approximately 1.1 million descendants were Home Schooled, up 29% from 850,000 in 1999. Recent symbols show that Homeschooling in other Western Countries are also continuing to grow. For example, an estimated 50,000 descendants are considered "home-educated" in the United Kingdom; Australia - 26,500; and in Canada (as at 2001) it was estimated that 80,000 children were educated at residence with the numbers continuing to increase.
Most home teaching attorney have individual motivations to home-educate. Academic and social conseguenze of domicile education are varied and are the fountains of vibrant debate. Some emotion that they can more effectively tailor a student’s professor program to suit an individual durability and weaknesses, especially descendants who are gifted or have learning disabilities. Others are religious protector who see non-religious education as contrary to their moral or religious systems. Still others feel that the negative social weight of schools, such as bullying, drugs, school violence, and other school-related problems, are impacting negatively to a child's development. Many parents simply like the goal of teaching their own children rather than letting someone else do so.
A common matter voiced approx home-educated descendants is they avoidance the social communication with students and association that a school environment provides. Many home-education families address these concerns by integration numerous organizations, including home-education cooperatives, independent study programs and specialized refinement groups for physical education, art, music, and debate. Most are also active in community groups. Home-educated descendants generally socialize with other children the same medium that school children do: outside of school, via personal visits and through sports teams, clubs, and religious groups.
The professor effectiveness of homeschooling is largely a settled issue. “Numerous studies have confirmed the academic morality of residence education programs, proving that on average, home-educated students outperform their publicly-run seminary nobleman by 30 to 37 percentile points across all subjects.” The virtue space between minorities and gender that nuisance publicly-run schools are virtually non-existent amongst home-educated students.
Notable home-educated individuals
• Thomas Edison, United States, scientist and inventor
• Alexander Graham Bell, Scotland, Inventor (Telephone, Hydrofoil)
• Dakota Fanning, United States, actress
• Hilary Duff, United States, Actress/Singer
• Charles Evans Hughes, United States, Governor of New York, United States Secretary of State, and Chief Justice of the United States
• Frankie Muniz, United States, Actor
• Rosa Parks, United States, civil correctness activist
• Susan La Flesche Picotte, United States, first American Indian woman physician
• Woodrow Wilson, United States, the only United States President to hold a Ph.D.
• George Washington, United States, First United States President
• Abraham Lincoln, United States, President during American Civil War
“Education is what remains after one has forgotten creation learnt in school” - Albert Einstein (1879-1955) | <urn:uuid:086341ca-0ca9-47d6-9c6c-7b4f61c07383> | CC-MAIN-2021-10 | https://www.wampel.net/2016/02/23/homeschooling-your-children-the-basic-facts/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-10/segments/1614178355944.41/warc/CC-MAIN-20210226001221-20210226031221-00285.warc.gz | en | 0.957574 | 730 | 3.03125 | 3 | 2.6537 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Education & Jobs |
What is Decolonising and What is Learning Technology?
This part is easy. Learning technology, the phrase adopted by the Association for Learning Technology (ALT), embraces digital learning, e-learning and online learning, formal and informal, intended, spontaneous or accidental, but also the pedagogies, philosophies, theories and cultures that surround and inform them. It is also educational technology or ‘edtech’ but this and perhaps the other terms all have assumed connections and associations with formal education systems, and we need to bear.
This part is less easy. Here goes. A manifesto from students at Keele University (2021) provides us with a working definition. “Decolonization involves identifying colonial systems, structures and relationships, and working to challenge those systems. It is not “integration” or simply the token inclusion of the intellectual achievements of non-white cultures. Rather, it involves a paradigm shift from a culture of exclusion and denial to the making of space for other political philosophies and knowledge systems. It’s a culture shift to think more widely about why common knowledge is what it is, and in so doing adjusting cultural perceptions and power relations in real and significant ways.” (Sadly and ironically, this uses the American English spelling.)
This sounds both highly political and fairly abstract however, events at the universities in Cape Town and Oxford, tagged as #RhodesMustFall, make it clear that feelings run high. Recent news about the repatriation of ‘Elgin Marbles’ – to use the colonialists’ terminology – and the Benin Bronzes and the simmering discontent about the appropriation of indigenous knowledge from cultures as diverse as the Sami and the San by pharmaceutical companies round out this picture.
A recent newspaper article entitled ‘Lecturers are key to ending colonial epistemicide’ (University World News 2021) provides an excellent and more accessible overview, saying “The simplest definition of decolonisation of the African university is the process of undoing all legacies of colonialism.” Understandably, given the African university context, the article does not focus on the legacies of colonialism within UK universities or the colonisers more widely. We must recognise that there are multiple experiences that learning technologists can help to decolonise, the Punjabi student in an English university, the Aboriginal student in an Australian university, the Kikuyu student in a Kenyan university, the Kabyle student in an Algerian university, the Basque student in a Spanish university and so on.
The first of three ALT webinars on the topic provided some other contributions saying, ‘Great to see a more detailed definition of decolonisation. Not just making space for minorities/ migrant communities, but highlighting colonial structures, and challenging them. As much as we wish, technology is rarely neutral (or neutrally used). ‘and talking of ‘undoing all legacies of colonialism.’
There are also movements to ‘decolonise the curriculum’ and moves to ‘decolonise research’ but what exactly might it actually mean? And given the moves to decolonise the curriculum, what should technologists do to decolonise learning technology before handing it on to curriculum professionals?
The Implications of Decolonising Learning Technology
The forthcoming #LTHEchat will help develop an improved understanding of the implications of ‘decolonisation’ for us all whether we are learning technologists, academics, allied professionals and/or researchers who use learning technology, and especially ‘edtech’. Decolonising is about combating the ways in which learning technology represents and reproduces the ideas and values of the dominant white anglophone majority. There is clearly a resonance between a mission to decolonise learning technology and a mission to decolonise the curriculum. Educators are not learning technologists and so the role of learning technologists is to decolonise learning technology before handing it onto curriculum specialists.
The topic had been on my mind for quite a few years in different forms. I wrote a paper five years ago (Traxler 2017) that implicitly tackled one aspect of it, namely the technology itself. I asserted that digital technology was instrumental in increasing the disadvantage of peoples, communities and cultures that were different and distant from the norms, values, habits, styles, languages and cultures of the global and national mainstreams. Specifically those distant and different from the dominant global Anglophone digital corporations. These represented the dominant largely white, European, metropolitan and bourgeois ethos of the colonial and post-colonial education systems and subsequently the neo-colonial global digital corporations, agencies and foundations. Digital technology in education was re-arming forms of colonialism or perhaps arming forms of neo-colonialism.
This happened in a multitude of ways. I can think of many but perhaps the emergent ‘decolonising learning technology’ community can add many more. Some include:
- Digital technology as a conduit to access knowledge and information
- Technologies of search (eg Google)
- Digital technology changes many aspects of language and of learning
- ‘Official’ languages used by the education system’s learning technology
- Critique the research that underpins digital learning and learning technology.
What emerges is the possibility of a simplistic but structured approach to decolonising learning technology. Working upwards and outwards from:
- Operating systems and system software
- Applications especially browsers, web2.0, social media and open source, interfaces and interactions
- Dedicated educational technologies especially MOOCs, VLEs and the surrounding and supporting software systems such as plagiarism detection, learning analytics and automated assessment
- Procurement, deployment, training, support, management and maintenance
- Buildings and architecture
- Curriculum design
- Edtech policy and guidance and
- Cultural and societal expectations
We need to be asking at each level, where is the colonialization, how does it happen and what should we do?
There are risks of course. Firstly, that any of these levels, decolonisation will degenerate into targets, objectives, percentages and tick lists. Secondly, that it will be seen as offering something extra or remedial or palliative to minority communities rather than offering something enriching to everyone. Thirdly, efforts at decolonisation will be driven by members of the majority community and inevitably seen through the lens of their (mis)understanding and privileges. Lastly, decolonising learning technology and decolonising the curriculum can somehow happen without decolonising the institutions and organisations.
Pragmatically and operationally, any process of change must appeal to managers, shareholders and the rank-and-file of any organisation as well as its ideologues, liberals and progressives. This division sounds like a categorisation from the Diffusion of Innovations frameworks, a rephrasing of, for example, ‘innovators’ and ‘early adopters’. Certainly any organisational transformation needs a Theory of Change and the Diffusion of Innovations provides at least a practical workable outline. It suggests working with early adopters and innovators supporting and encouraging the development of examples and pilots, working with opinion-formers and gate-keepers before moving onto increased institutional programmes and only lastly resorting to regulation and enforcement, but most of all recognising that at every step these are issues of ‘hearts and minds’.
References and Further Reading
Adams, R. (2021). Can artificial intelligence be decolonized?. Interdisciplinary Science Reviews, 46(1-2), 176-197.
Elers, S. (2014). Maori are scum, stupid, lazy: maori according to Google. Te Kaharoa, 7(1).
Hall, R. (2013) On the Secular Crisis and a Qualitative Idea of the University. Available online: http://www.richard-hall.org/tag/history/page/4/ (accessed on 13 October 2021).
Keele (2021) Keele’s Manifesto For Decolonising The Curriculum? Available online at http://www.keele.ac.uk/equalitydiversity/equalityframeworksandactivities/equalityawardsandreports/equalityawards/raceequalitycharter/keeledecolonisingthecurriculumnetwork/
Mail & Guardian (2012) available at https://mg.co.za/article/2012-12-27-zumas-dog-comments-meant-to-decolonise-the-african-mind/ accessed 13 October 2021
Meier, A., Goto, K., & Wörmann, M. (2014, June). Thumbs Up to Gesture Controls? A Cross-Cultural Study on Spontaneous Gestures. In International Conference on Cross-Cultural Design (pp. 211-217). Springer, Cham
Millwood, R. (no date) available online at https://www.teachthought.com/learning/a-visual-summary-the-most-important-learning-theories/ and elsewhere, accessed 18 October 2021
News24 (2013) Available online https://www.news24.com/news24/Technology/News/Mxlish-the-12th-official-SA-language-20130328, accessed 13 October 2021
Traxler, J. & Lally, V. (2015) The Crisis and the Response: After the Dust Had Settled, Interactive Learning Environments 24(5), pp1016-1024
Traxler, J. (2017) Learning with Mobiles in Developing Countries –Technology, Language and Literacy, International Journal of Mobile & Blended Learning, 9(2): pp1-15
Traxler, J. (2018) Learning with Mobiles: the Global South, Research in Comparative and International Education, Vol. 13, Number 1, pp 152 – 175
Traxler, J. (2018), Digital Literacy: A Palestinian Refugee Perspective, Research in Learning Technology, Vol. 26, pp1 – 21 https://journal.alt.ac.uk/index.php/rlt/article/view/1983
Traxler, J., Khlaif, Z., Nevill, A., Affouneh, S., Salha, S., Zuhd, A., & Trayek, F. (2019). Living under occupation: Palestinian teachers’ experiences and their digital responses. Research in Learning Technology, 27. https://doi.org/10.25304/rlt.v27.22
World University News (2021) Lecturers are key to ending colonial epistemicide, World University News, available online at https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20211006114502190
John Traxler, FRSA, @johntraxler is Professor of Digital Learning in the Institute of Education at the University of Wolverhampton and UNESCO Chair: Innovative Informal Digital Learning in Disadvantaged and Development Contexts. He has extensive experience developing e-learning and mobile learning capacity amongst university teachers. Over the last five years, he has become involved in policy and strategy. He is a frequent international keynote speaker, and has worked with a number of international agencies and international corporates.
Q1. How do the technologies we use in our work represent, reinforce and reproduce the ideas, concepts, images and values of particular countries, communities and cultures?
Q2. Do educational technology systems embody the teaching, learning and assessment ideas of mostly one community and culture?
Q3. Do the theories of e-learning come from one particular cultural and pedagogical tradition?
Q4. Which communities or cultures are different and distant from those represented by our technologies?
Q5. How would you define decolonisation? Who would benefit?
Q6. How is decolonising our work supported and/or constrained by our institutions, our IT and our curriculum colleagues?
https://wke.lt/w/s/ZKV_t3 via Wakelet | <urn:uuid:b0fdaa8c-db8c-4d6f-8d4f-285db9fe89bf> | CC-MAIN-2022-27 | https://lthechat.com/2021/11/28/lthechat-220-decolonising-learning-technology-led-by-professor-john-traxler-johntraxler/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-27/segments/1656103271864.14/warc/CC-MAIN-20220626192142-20220626222142-00612.warc.gz | en | 0.899807 | 2,517 | 2.90625 | 3 | 2.955637 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Education & Jobs |
The Science of Cannabinoid Receptors
What are Cannabinoid Receptors
Cannabinoid receptors are one of the most important parts of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which itself is responsible for regulating an impressive number of important biological functions. Whether you choose to use a Full Spectrum or a THC Free CBD product, its interaction with the ECS is what results in CBD’s therapeutic effects.
Put simply, cannabinoid receptors are the part of the ECS that sense the presence of cannabinoids; once they detect cannabinoids, they send a signal to the cell, which provokes a metabolic response specific to the area in which the receptor is located.
Existing research suggests that cannabinoid receptors play a vital role in maintaining homeostasis, the balance of biological functions that promotes overall health. In this sense, cannabinoid receptors are important for ensuring that our blood pressure, hormone levels, and virtually every other metabolic process remains within a narrow, healthy range.
Types of Cannabinoid Receptors
There are currently two known forms of cannabinoid receptor, though existing research indicates that there are likely other types as well. These receptor types play similar roles, but their primary locations and precise functions are distinct.
CB1 receptors are located principally in the central nervous system (CNS). The vast majority of CB1 receptors are located in the brain, but studies have also found them present in the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which governs a wide variety of other bodily systems including the lungs, liver, kidneys, and reproductive organs. Depending on the species in question, the density of CB1 receptors in each system can vary significantly.
CB1 receptors were originally discovered in 1990, and subsequent research has determined that they play a role in memory formation and retention, motor functions, appetite regulation, perception of pain, sleep, and overall mood.
Activation of CB1 receptors has been shown to trigger a neuroprotective response in the body. This suggests that cannabinoids that interact with CB1 receptors may help to prevent or treat several neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or multiple sclerosis.
CB2 receptors are located principally in the body’s immune and gastrointestinal systems, with the majority located in the immune system. They are also present in the brain, but much less densely than are CB1 receptors.
CB2 receptors were discovered in 1993. Current research into the role and function of CB2 receptors is not as well developed as research focused on CB1 receptors. However, several important CB2 functions have been observed.
Activation of CB2 receptors has been shown to trigger an anti-inflammatory response in the body. Inflammation is an important bodily response, but an over-active inflammatory response can cause profound problems in the body. These findings suggest that cannabinoids that interact with CB2 receptors may be beneficial for treating inflammation-related conditions, including Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel syndrome, and arthritis.
How do Cannabinoid Receptors Function
Cannabinoid receptors sit on the surface of many types of cells in the body, “listening” for the presence of cannabinoids. The body produces its own cannabinoids, known as endocannabinoids, which help cells in the body communicate with each other and trigger important reactions for maintaining overall health. However, cannabinoid receptors also react to the presence of other cannabinoids, including CBD, CBG, CBN, and other phytocannabinoids (cannabinoids produced by plants).
When a receptor reacts to the presence of endocannabinoids or phytocannabinoids, it reacts by spurring the cell into action. Depending on the receptor, its location, and the type of cannabinoid detected, the resulting action can vary significantly.
Broadly speaking, endocannabinoid receptors often have the effect of halting or otherwise reducing the activity of overactive cells that are sending problematic signals to other parts of the body. For example, consider the function of brain cells (neurons):
Typically, neurons communicate with each other and with other parts of the body by releasing chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. The neuron that sends the message (the presynaptic cell) releases a neurotransmitter, and the neurotransmitter then travels across a gap (the synapse) towards its target destination (the postsynaptic cell). The postsynaptic cell then receives the message and provokes an additional response.
In general, this communication between neurons is unidirectional, so the presynaptic cell has no way of knowing whether its message was received, or if the postsynaptic cell will respond in the intended way. Under certain circumstances, this lack of feedback can lead to problems; for instance, the presynaptic cell may become over-excited, repeatedly sending out redundant messages that can clog up the works and cause issues for neuronal communication. Resolving issues of this sort is one of the key functions of cannabinoid receptors, and of the ECS generally.
When a postsynaptic cell needs to communicate a message back to a presynaptic cell, it does so by creating and releasing endocannabinoids from lipid precursors (fat cells). These cannabinoids then travel back to the presynaptic cell and attach to a cannabinoid receptor. Depending on the cannabinoid received, this will slow, accelerate, or otherwise alter new signals sent out by the presynaptic cell. Because such signals reverberate out to other cells and body parts, the resulting effects can be wide-ranging, and account for the various differences caused by cannabinoids like CBD or THC. | <urn:uuid:59d98f03-b24f-4584-9212-50b0b9f9fa4b> | CC-MAIN-2021-39 | https://cbdchoice.com/the-science-of-cannabinoid-receptors/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-39/segments/1631780057083.64/warc/CC-MAIN-20210920161518-20210920191518-00682.warc.gz | en | 0.942674 | 1,138 | 3.609375 | 4 | 2.801971 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Health |
Posted By Claire on April 19, 2010
In the article “Anne Boleyn’s Coronation Procession” Nasim wrote about the display at Leadenhall where “a castle was constructed, with a ‘heavenly rouse’ at the top whilst red and white roses sprung forth. From this heavenly rose descended a falcon which landed on a stump.
An angel in armour then descended and crowned the falcon.” A child then spoke the following words written by Nicholas Udall:-
“Honour and grace be to our Queen Anne,
For whose cause an Angel Celestial
Descendeth, the falcon (as white as [the] swan)
To crown with a diadem imperial!
In her honour rejoice we all,
For it cometh from God, and not of man.
Honour and grace be to our Queen Anne!” 1
This tableau was full of symblism, as it also consisted of St Anne and the “Three Marys”, and was an expression of the hope of the City “that the pregnant Anne Boleyn would go on to rival the maternal success of her patron saint” 2, but it also introduced Anne Boleyn’s badge – the crowned white falcon holding a sceptre, perched on a tree stump and surrounded by roses.
But why did Anne choose this badge? What does it symbolise?
The Origins and Meanings of Anne Boleyn’s Badge
Here are the main parts of Anne Boleyn’s badge:-
The White Falcon
In his book “The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn”, Eric Ives writes of how the white falcon came from the heraldic crest of the Butlers who were Earls of Ormonde. Anne’s father, Thomas Boleyn, was related to the Butlers of Ireland through his mother and was granted the Earldom by Henry VIII after the King forced Piers Butler to relinquish the title in 1528. This falcon also appears on the brass of Thomas Boleyn at Hever Church, his resting place (see our Thomas Boleyn brass rubbing. So, the falcon was derived from the Butler family but let’s look at the meaning of a falcon when used in heraldry:-
” [It] is derived from the Latin “falx”, meaning sickle, a reference to the Falcon’s wing shape in flight. Egyptians associated the Falcon with the ‘Eye of Horus’. The god Horus was believed to appear in the form of Pharaoh’s Falcon or as a Falcon-headed god. The mythology states he could see everything at once because one eye was the sun and the other was the moon. It is written that Falcons were permitted to ride on Pharaoh’s nape as his protector and divine spirit. Falcons were used in a royal sport known as falconry. Is the art of training Falcons (or hawks) to pursue and attack wild fowl or game; falconry started in ancient China and Persia and soon became prevalent with the royals of ancient Egypt; the Falcon was associated with the Egyptian sun god ‘RA’ and later the Christians adopted it as an emblem of the saviour. A venerable symbol of majesty and power, heraldic writers add that the Falcon denotes someone eager, or hot in the pursuit of an object much desired; if seated on its ‘rest’ or perch it may signify a bearer who is ready and serviceable for high affairs.”3
So, not only was Anne referring to noble lineage (through the Butlers) but she may also have been saying that she was majestic, powerful, eager and ready to do her job as Queen.
Ives points out that Anne Boleyn’s use of the falcon as her badge was new at this time. When her father had been made Earl of Ormonde, Anne had used a coat of arms (or shield) which showed “her mother’s descent from Edward I and from the earls of Surrey, her father’s earldom of Ormonde and his earlier barony of Rochford, but she continued with the Rochford badge of the black lion rampant. When she became marquis of Pembroke a coronet was added to this achievement and the monogram “AP” adopted, but again no bird.” 4. It seems, according to Ives, that Anne was either granted the badge on her marriage to Henry VIII or chose to use it at this time.
The Tree Stump and Roses
Ives writes of how the tree stump or “woodstock” was “a centuries-old royal badge”5 and would have referred to Henry VIII’s right to the throne, but that this combined with the falcon landing on it and roses bursting forth spoke clearly of life bursting forth “from the barrenness of the Tudor stock.” 6 Anne saw herself as the one who would give Henry his longed for son and continue the Tudor line.
The roses on Anne Boleyn’s badge are not the Tudor rose but rather the red rose of Lancaster and the white rose of York and Ives writes of how this is also referring to Henry VIII’s right to the throne of England, through his father Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond (a Lancastrian), and his mother Elizabeth of York. Henry VIII brought the claims of the Lancastrian and Yorkists together.
The falcon on Anne’s badge is wearing a crown and although this could be seen to be referring to Anne as Queen, Ives writes of how Nicholas Udall’s verses, which were used during Anne’s coronation procession, point out that it was a “close” or an “imperial” crown, rather than a monarch’s crown. Eric Ives writes that “this was a deliberate allusion to the claims Henry had recently emphasized that he had the power of an emperor in his won kingdom and so was entitled to reject papal authority.” 7
Anne Boleyn’s white falcon is holding a sceptre which, Ives is quick to point out, not only refers to Henry and Anne being king and queen, but is also a symbol of God-given authority.
Anne Boleyn the White Falcon
At Anne Boleyn’s coronation a ballad about the white falcon was performed, here are some verses from it:-
“Of body small,
Of power regal
She is, and sharp of sight;
Of courage hault,
No manner fault
Is in this falcon white”
“And where by wrong
She hath flown long
Uncertain where to [a]light;
Upon the Rose
Now may this falcon white.
Whereon to rest
And build her nest,
God grant her most of might!
That England may
In this same falcon white.” 8
In the second verse above, Ives writes of how Udall is no doubt referring to “papal obstructiveness” and the way that justice had now been done, through Henry’s break with Rome, and Ives also points out that the description of the falcon in verse one could also be used to describe Anne herself.
Anne Boleyn’s Shield
Here I must thank Olivia Peyton from the Anne Boleyn – Heretic Heart Facebook group for pointing out number 14 in the notes corresponding to Chapter 15 “Image” in “The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn” by Eric Ives. On page 398 of my 2004 edition, in note 14 9, Ives writes of how Anne Boleyn’s shield of arms was changed from being quartered into:-
- Quarterly Ormonde and Rochford
Ormonde obviously refers to the Boleyn’s links with the Butlers and Thomas Boleyn being Earl of Ormonde, and Rochford refers to the Rochford title which was given to Anne’s father in 1525 and to her brother in 1529, but what about the others?
Well, from my research, I have found the following
Brotherton – Thomas Brotherton (1300-1338) was the first Duke of Norfolk, and Elizabeth Boleyn (née Howard) was descended from him.
Lancaster – The Lancaster bit could refer to Henry VIII’s Lancastrian roots and Anne’s links to the Plantagenets through her mother, who was descended from Edward I.
Angoulême – This could refer to Anne’s intimacy with Marguerite of Angoulême, a woman who, according to Ives, Anne saw as a royal role model. See also below, in the Warenne section, for the Warenne/Plantagenet/Angoulême links.
Guienne – Guienne or Guyenne is now known as Aquitaine and is a region of France known for Eleanor of Aquitaine (wife of Louis VII of France and then Henry II of England, the Plantagenet king) and being a Protestant Huguenot stronghold. Katherine Swynford, third wife of John of Gaunt, had the maiden name of Katherine de Roet de Guienne and John of Gaunt was the Duke of Aquitaine, as well as being Duke of Lancaster, son of Edward III and member of the House of Plantagenet. Henry VIII’s grandmother, Margaret Beaufort, was descended from John of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford and Anne Boleyn could trace her family (through her mother) back to Edward I, John of Gaunt’s great-grandfather.
Warenne – This must refer to the House of Warenne, an Anglo-Norman house whose name came from the the town and river of Varenne in Normandy, France. The first Earl of Warenne or Warren was William de Warren who was also the first Earl of Surrey during the reign of King William II. In 1163, the widow of William de Blois, who was the 4th Countess of Warren and Surrey, married Hameline Plantagenet, half-brother of Henry II. Hameline became the 5th Earl of Warren and Surrey and it was at this point that the Warren title became part of the inheritance of the House of Plantagenet (or Anjou). The wikipedia page on the House of Warenne is rather complicated but it does mention a John de Warren who, in 1247, married to the daughter of Hugh de Lusignan (Earl of March and Angoulême) and Isabelle d’Angoulême, widow of King John and the mother of Henry III who was father of Edward I. My brain is somewhat exploding at this point but there is obviously a link between the House of Warenne, the Angoulêmes, the title of Earl of Surrey (which was inherited by the Howard family) and the Plantagenets. There does seem to be a link here between Anne Boleyn, who can trace her family, through her mother, back to Edward I, and Henry VIII who also had Plantagenet roots. Is your head exploding yet?
I may have gone off on a complete tangent here and got it all completely wrong so please do correct me if you find anything out about these families and house, but it is rather interesting isn’t it?
1 – Ballads from Manuscript, ed. F. J. Furnivall. Ballad Society (1868-1872) p389 quoted in The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn, Eric Ives 2004.
2 – The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn, Eric Ives (2004), p220.
3 – Armorial Gold Heraldry Symbolism Library, http://www.heraldryclipart.com/symbolism/f.html
4 – The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn, Eric Ives (2004), p221.
5 – The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn, Eric Ives (2004), p221.
6 – The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn, Eric Ives (2004), p221.
7 – The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn, Eric Ives (2004), p222.
8 – Ballads from Manuscript, ed. F. J. Furnivall. Ballad Society (1868-1872) p390-391 quoted in The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn, Eric Ives 2004.
9 – The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn, Eric Ives (2004), p398.
- Wikipedia page on Thomas of Brotherton
- Wikipedia page on Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk
- Wikipedia page on William de Warenne, 1st Earl of Surrey
- Wikipedia page on Guienne
- “The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn” by Eric Ives
Anne Boleyn Badge Products
We have a range of sterling silver products featuring Anne Boleyn’s falcon badge – see our Falcon Badge Products page for more information. | <urn:uuid:a97c5260-8a26-4593-b39d-89d30c54816a> | CC-MAIN-2019-30 | https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/anne-boleyns-badge/5139/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-30/segments/1563195528687.63/warc/CC-MAIN-20190723022935-20190723044935-00097.warc.gz | en | 0.956234 | 2,802 | 3.40625 | 3 | 2.849581 | 3 | Strong reasoning | History |
Within radiographic technology, there is a wide range of systems, some suited for general imaging and others designed for specific settings or applications. One of the more specialized systems you may encounter is the C-arm system.
A C-arm is vital in many practices, from chiropractic and podiatric care to veterinary and orthopedic surgery and even general X-ray and urgent care offices. So what is it?
To help you learn more, we'll guide you through a C-arm system, its workings, and its main components. Providing the best care requires making informed decisions, so let's dive into C-arm systems!
What Is a C-Arm System?
A C-arm is a type of radiographic imaging technology. Named for its distinctive shape, this system features a C-shaped arm connecting the X-ray source and detector. This unique design enables the system to swivel around the patient, capturing high-quality, detailed images from various angles. Not having to reposition the patient during this process improves efficiency and patient comfort.
The versatility of a C-arm system extends its usage beyond conventional radiography. From facilitating intricate orthopedic surgeries to guiding detailed vascular studies, the C-arm system has proven indispensable across various medical disciplines. It provides high-resolution, real-time images, making it a crucial tool for accurate diagnoses and targeted treatments.
How Does a C-Arm Work?
The operation of a C-arm fuses cutting-edge technology and principles of physics. At the core of its operation is the C-shaped arm that houses the X-ray source and the X-ray detector on its two ends. The X-ray source generates a beam of X-ray photons that travel through the patient's body and reach the X-ray detector.
The different tissues in the patient's body absorb varying amounts of these X-ray photons. This differential absorption results in an image. Denser areas like bones absorb more X-rays and appear white, while less dense areas absorb fewer X-rays and appear darker. This contrast creates a detailed image of the internal anatomy of the patient.
What sets a C-arm apart is its mobility. The C-shaped arm can swivel around the patient, capturing images from multiple angles without moving the patient. This feature provides real-time, 2D X-ray images during procedures that require continuous monitoring and precision.
These systems provide a window into the human body, offering detailed and dynamic images that aid medical professionals in diagnosing and treating patients. They significantly contribute to patient care thanks to the versatility and real-time imaging they enable.
Despite these gains, however, it is worth noting the risks. In orthopedic surgeries, for example, where C-arms are a critical tool for reducing morbidity and hospital stays, they have raised concerns about radiation exposure.
For medical providers, C-arms are a reliable companion for procedures that demand high precision and control. Whether they suit your practice depends on your imaging needs.
What Are the Main Components of a C-Arm System?
The X-ray source and detector form the essential components of the imaging system. The interaction of these components allows the system to produce and capture detailed X-ray images in real-time.
This core functionality allows medical professionals to accurately visualize internal structures and make informed decisions about patient care.
The signature C-arm connects the X-ray source and detector. Its unique design and function enable improved mobility and seamless image capture from various angles. Eliminating the need for patient repositioning ensures a more comfortable and efficient experience during medical procedures.
Every C-Arm system features a dedicated control panel. This vital element offers comprehensive control over all operations. From refining imaging parameters to directing the C-arm's movements, it provides the necessary interface for professionals to manage the imaging process efficiently.
Image Intensifier or Flat Panel Detector
C-arm systems employ either an image intensifier or a flat panel detector to enhance image quality. These components are essential in improving the clarity and detail of captured X-ray images. The type of device used varies depending on the specific model of the system.
The workstation is a crucial part of the C-arm system, serving as the hub for image display, analysis, and storage. Professionals review and interpret the X-ray images here, extracting vital information that guides diagnosis and treatment decisions. This integral component greatly aids in ensuring optimal patient care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is It Called C-Arm?
The name "C-arm" comes from the unique shape of the device's arm, which resembles the letter "C." This C-shaped arm connects the X-ray source and detector, allowing excellent maneuverability and imaging from multiple angles.
What Is C-Arm Orbital Rotation?
Orbital rotation refers to the C-arm's ability to swivel or rotate around the patient. This movement and the system's mobility provide multi-angle imaging without requiring patient repositioning, a key advantage during complex medical procedures.
What Is the Difference Between C-Arm and Fluoroscopy?
A C-arm is a type of fluoroscopy system. Fluoroscopy machines provide real-time X-ray imaging. However, C-Arms are distinct because you can maneuver them around the patient, making them useful in surgery. They’re less common for diagnostic and interventional procedures.
Need to Buy C-Arm X-Ray Equipment? Contact Us!
If you're in the market for a C-arm system or have more questions about how this innovative technology could benefit your practice, Maven Imaging is here to help. Contact us by phone, or fill out our contact form for further inquiries. We're committed to assisting you in making the best choice for your medical imaging needs. Your ideal C-arm is just a call or click away! | <urn:uuid:315da300-d9bb-4f29-81e0-99cfe4de8b09> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://www.mavenimaging.com/blog/what-is-c-arm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510810.46/warc/CC-MAIN-20231001073649-20231001103649-00167.warc.gz | en | 0.902995 | 1,227 | 3.1875 | 3 | 2.179936 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | Health |
Today's Highlight in History:
On August 9, 1945, three days after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, a U.S. B-29 Superfortress code-named Bockscar dropped a nuclear device ("Fat Man") over Nagasaki, killing an estimated 74,000 people.
On this date:
In 1854, Henry David Thoreau's "Walden," which described Thoreau's experiences while living near Walden Pond in Massachusetts, was first published.
In 1902, Edward VII was crowned king of Britain following the death of his mother, Queen Victoria.
In 1936, Jesse Owens won his fourth gold medal at the Berlin Olympics as the United States took first place in the 400-meter relay.
In 1942, British authorities in India arrested nationalist Mohandas K. Gandhi; he was released in 1944.
In 1967, Ethel Le Neve, the mistress of notorious convicted wife killer Hawley Harvey Crippen, died in Croydon, England, at age 84.
In 1969, actress Sharon Tate and four other people were found brutally slain at Tate's Los Angeles home; cult leader Charles Manson and a group of his followers were later convicted of the crime.
In 1974, Vice President Gerald R. Ford became the nation's 38th chief executive as President Richard Nixon's resignation took effect.
In 1982, a federal judge in Washington ordered John W. Hinckley Jr., who'd been acquitted of shooting President Ronald Reagan and three others by reason of insanity, committed to a mental hospital.
In 1992, closing ceremonies were held for the Barcelona Summer Olympics, with the Unified Team of former Soviet republics winning 112 medals, the United States 108.
In 1997, Haitian immigrant Abner Louima was brutalized in a Brooklyn, New York, stationhouse by Officer Justin Volpe, who raped him with a broken broomstick. (Volpe was later sentenced to 30 years in prison.) An Amtrak train with more than 300 people aboard derailed on a bridge near Kingman, Arizona; 183 people were injured.
In 2002, Oscar-winning actor and National Rifle Association president Charlton Heston, 78, revealed that doctors had told him he had symptoms consistent with Alzheimer's disease (Heston died in April 2008). Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants hit his 600th homer, becoming the fourth major leaguer to reach the mark (the Pittsburgh Pirates won the game, 4-3.)
In 2014, Michael Brown Jr., an unarmed 18-year-old black man, was shot to death by a police officer following an altercation in Ferguson, Missouri; Brown's death led to sometimes-violent protests in Ferguson and other U.S. cities. | <urn:uuid:4081f5d2-fcd7-45f0-9313-daddacc03533> | CC-MAIN-2017-34 | http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/20170808/today-in-history-us-b-29-superfortress-code-named-bockscar-dropped-nuclear-device-over-nagasaki | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-34/segments/1502886107720.63/warc/CC-MAIN-20170821060924-20170821080924-00716.warc.gz | en | 0.976155 | 555 | 2.578125 | 3 | 2.302327 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | History |
I need an explanation for this question to help me study.
Week 5 - Discussion 2
After reading Chapter 13 of your course text and viewing Brain Injuries and Fix Me: Unlocking the Possibilities of Stem Cell Research, which cover brain injury and repair, analyze the clinical, biological, and psychological factors that are important in successful brain function recovery outcomes. How can the brain repair itself or restore lost function after TBI or other brain damage (focus on the concept of neuroplasticity)? Wilson (2012) lists ways that the brain can repair itself, but reminds us later in the chapter that, in most areas of the brain, replication of neurons by mitosis to replace lost/dead neurons only occurs in immature brains (i.e., essentially those younger than age two). There are some areas (e.g., the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory) that have neurogenesis, but other areas of the brain must utilize neuroplasticity to restore lost function.
In addition, discuss what clinical, biological, and psychological factors are important in successful brain function recovery outcomes. What are some clinical interventions (e.g., medication, surgery, stem cell therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, rehabilitation techniques, and psychotherapy) that help facilitate the restoration of lost brain function? Include information on brain structures, pathways, neurotransmitters/receptors, and psychological factors when discussing the topic areas above. Additional emphasis should be placed on relating the underlying pathology of brain trauma and damage to the actual biologic mechanism of how various treatments support repair or restoration of function.
In keeping with the focus of this class, the emphasis should be placed on the role of neurotransmitter and receptor systems, neuroanatomical structures, and neurological functional pathways. You must use a minimum of one peer-reviewed source that was published within the last five years, documented in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Your post should be a minimum of 250 words. You may cite and reference your textbook, required reading and/or multimedia, but these will not fulfill the source requirement.
Guided Response: Respond substantively to a minimum of two of your classmate’s posts that have identified different neurotransmitters than you. Your responses should address both the neurotransmitter/receptor system and neuroanatomical structures involved in TBI. In addition, please observe the following guidelines for all responses:
- Provide a courteous and interactive learning environment.
- Continue to monitor the discussion board and reply to anyone who has chosen to respond to your original post.
- Your responses should address both the neurotransmitter and receptor system in their discussion, and the biological and/or psychological factors that influence recovery from TBI.
- Your responses should demonstrate that you have read the existing replies on the board (in your response, mention information and viewpoints already expressed by existing responses to the same post). | <urn:uuid:ece59e1e-7396-4d2c-b585-53aa23122884> | CC-MAIN-2021-10 | https://www.studypool.com/questions/10438/psy350wk5dq2 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-10/segments/1614178376006.87/warc/CC-MAIN-20210307013626-20210307043626-00081.warc.gz | en | 0.914273 | 592 | 2.796875 | 3 | 2.885412 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Health |
MONDAY, Jan. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Mothers who breast-feed are less likely to neglect their children, Australian researchers report.
In their study, the scientists followed 7,223 Australian women and their children for 15 years and found that the longer a mother breast-fed her child, the lower the risk of neglect.
Mothers who breast-fed for less than four months were twice as likely to neglect their children as those who breast-fed four months or more. Women who didn't breast-feed were 3.8 times more likely to neglect their children as mothers who breast-fed for at least four months.
Even after they adjusted for other factors, such as socioeconomic status, substance abuse and depression, the researchers found a strong association between breast-feeding and motherly care.
The findings were published in the February issue of Pediatrics.
Previous research has suggested how breast-feeding may help form a strong mother-infant bond, study senior author Dr. Lane Strathearn, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, said in a Baylor news release.
"Oxytocin is a critical hormone produced during breast-feeding that promotes and reinforces maternal behavior. Animal studies have shown that this hormone is critical for the initiation of maternal behaviors in animals," Strathearn said. "It may be that breast-feeding stimulates oxytocin production in the brain, helping to develop the attachment relationship of the mother and her baby. Or the factors that help shape the development of the oxytocin system in the brain may predispose to successful breast-feeding and nurturance of the baby."
"Promoting breast-feeding may be a simple and cost-effective way to strengthen the mother-infant relationship. Providing the economic and social support for new mothers to stay at home with their babies may help accomplish this goal. The simple fact that women have such limited maternity leave inhibits them from strengthening this relationship," Strathearn said.
"Maternal neglect represents a fundamental breakdown in the relationship between a mother and her child, as the mom fails to provide the physical and emotional caregiving that an infant requires for optimal development. Breast-feeding may be a natural way to support the mother-infant relationship, reducing the risk of neglect in the long term."
The U.S. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has more about breast-feeding.
Copyright © 2011 HealthDay. All rights reserved. | <urn:uuid:5f051d64-b4bb-453c-949d-447b75d3261f> | CC-MAIN-2014-23 | http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/womens-health/articles/2009/01/26/moms-who-breast-feed-less-likely-to-neglect-child | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2014-23/segments/1404776416489.79/warc/CC-MAIN-20140707234016-00086-ip-10-180-212-248.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.964344 | 505 | 3.125 | 3 | 2.935711 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Health |
Not all conflicts in Afghanistan’s history have been long, drawn-out or seemingly endless affairs, and not all of them degenerated into civil wars either. Outstanding among them, sadly many, instances of military operations inside or around Afghanistan, was the War of Independence of 1919, one of the few which was started by the Afghan state with the main purpose of reclaiming from Britain the right to conduct their foreign policy independently. It was also one the Afghans largely fought, untypically from at least the end of the 18thcentury, outside their boundaries, and also represents the only time an officially administered portion of British India was invaded by a foreign army, before the Japanese advance on Manipur and Nagaland in 1944. On the occasion of the 100thanniversary of that brief but fateful war, AAN’s Fabrizio Foschini takes a look at the most original aspects of the political atmosphere that led to war and at how the conflict was fought and ended."The Afghan peace delegation while crossing the Torkham border on their way to the Rawalpindi peace conference, 24 July 1919. The tall, bearded man on the left is Ghulam Muhammad Khan Wardak, then Minister of Commerce, while the figure in the centre with a plumed cap is probably Mahmud Tarzi, Minister of Foreign Affairs and head of the delegation.”
Afghanistan celebrated the centenary of its independence on 19 August. The date chosen for the yearly commemoration follows the announcement of Afghanistan’s right to conduct its own independent foreign relations, as established in the Treaty of Rawalpindi on 8 August 1919. In fact, delegates had been meeting at the hill station of Murree, probably to escape the heat of the Punjabi plain, in what was the first of a series of peace negotiations that followed the War of Independence or Third Anglo-Afghan War fought between Afghanistan and the British Empire in May-July that year.
Preserving national – or local – independence by force of arms had been a recurrent issue throughout Afghan history in the 19th century and even before. The content and context attached to the idea of such a struggle, however has most often been that of grassroots communities resisting colonial or government attempts at controlling their territories and lives, and often succeeding thanks to the ineffable characteristics of a tribal or in other ways clustered society (the adjective qawmi, “community-based”, usually does the trick of avoiding lengthy explanations) coupled with a remarkably prohibitive terrain. To generations of historians, colonial officials and even Afghan political leaders, it has meant Afghan villagers fighting on their turf for their traditional material or spiritual values: land, access to local power and resources, religion and social order.
The 1919 war started as something different: here was the Afghan state waging war outside its territory, in fact invading the domains of the foremost colonial power of the era with the stated objectives of: a) reclaiming Afghanistan’s right to carry out foreign diplomatic relations at its will with any country in the world from the British protectorate; and b) helping the oppressed peoples of India, regardless of their creed, to get rid of their colonial overlords in the name of Pan-Asianism. (1) Neither of the issues would have then been characterised as primary concerns for the average Afghan, who, after Kiplingesque literature, was portrayed as a jezail-wielding savage interested chiefly in booty and blood feuds.
The War of Independence has probably been the least explored ‘novelty’ among the many modern enterprises credited to Amanullah (1892-1960), the modernist king par excellence. We will presently try to piece together the motivations of the Afghan king in waging war, including his own and his entourage’s nationalist ideals and the opportunities provided by the period of troubles that the British Empire was experiencing at the end of WWI. Further sections will describe the state of the Afghan army, the role of tribal auxiliaries and the conduct and outcome of the military campaigns of that brief yet fateful conflict.
What led to war?
The Third Anglo-Afghan War started undeclared. There are many speeches by Amanullah preceding or following the beginning of hostilities that may be taken for a declaration of war, but strictly speaking, no declaration was made. (2) On 3 May, Afghan troops crossed the Durand Line and occupied positions beyond it, near the Khyber Pass. Two days later the British gathered and sent in troops to attack them and declared war upon Afghanistan in the process, on 6 May.
Amanullah had ascended to the throne at the end of February 1919, shortly after the assassination of his father Habibullah (who reigned from 1901-1919) on 20 February. His death had seen a contested succession to the throne (a not too rare occurrence in Afghanistan) with both Amanullah and his uncle Nasrullah proclaiming themselves king, respectively in Kabul and Jalalabad. Amanullah only just managed to get the upper hand and arrest other possible claimants before he started a war with his mightiest neighbour, the British Empire, a course of action which had been assiduously avoided by his father and earlier by his grandfather Abdul Rahman. Why act so hastily?
Warmongering is a well-known shortcut for rallying public opinion and political élites behind a leader, at every latitude. Therefore, some observers have bluntly linked Amanullah’s attack on India as a diversion meant to unite the nation and gain legitimacy and to counter suspicions about the possibility of his own role in his father’s murder and be accepted as a monarch.
However, one should not underestimate Amanullah’s ideological background and the political current that he headed at the Afghan court. The young king had been long exposed to the notions of Afghan nationalism and of the modernization of the country as a primary need – particularly thanks to his close connection to Mahmud Tarzi, the foremost Afghan reformer and publisher of the influential periodical Siraj ul-Akhbar in the period 1911-1919, who was also his father-in-law. (3) To modernise Afghanistan, it was necessary to open up the hitherto secluded country to foreign ideas and, to be able to do so, to first remove the protectorate over Afghanistan’s diplomatic relations imposed by the British after the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1881).
As to the war being a real attempt at seizing back territories lost to the British in the past, many Afghans (then as now) no doubt refused to consider permanently ceded the territories inhabited by Pashtuns as far as the Indus or, at least, those separated from Afghanistan only by the Durand Line and that remained outside the administrative framework of British India. The issue definitely formed part of the intense political relations between the court at Kabul and the Pashtun tribesmen on both sides of the Durand Line. Amanullah and his entourage, though, were probably realistic enough not to consider it a goal that would easily be achieved.
However, these were momentous times in the region and, broadly speaking, across the world, so that nothing could be excluded. The end of WWI had left England exhausted in terms of human and material resources and many countries subjected to British rule were shaking its foundations, or at least showing deep discontent with it – and the Wilsonian notion of the right to self-determination of peoples, established at least theoretically at the Versailles conference that was just taking place, had done a lot to enhance this attitude on their part. While the first shots of the 3rd Anglo-Afghan War cracked, England already had an Anglo-Irish War on its hands, and the Egyptian Revolution and the Maltese Sette Giugno protests were about to take place. For Afghanistan, the single most important front where English rule was under pressure was, of course, India.
Here, the independence movement had been repressed under draconian emergency criminal laws during WWI and had now resumed its activism to the point that in early 1919 the government extended the validity of the repressive measures through the Rowlatt Act. On 13 April General Reginald Dyer perpetrated the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in Amritsar, killing around 400 unarmed civilians gathered there in protest. This act had wide resonance in Afghanistan as well, being mentioned in Amanullah’s proclamations as one of the reasons for war to be declared.
It is possible that the Afghans were considering the possibility of major disturbances in India in reaction to the massacre and took the chance to speed up their preparations for war accordingly. (4) However, the Afghan nationalists’ interest in Indian independence was more than occasional and opportunistic. During Amanullah’s reign, efforts at fostering cooperation with Indian activists would include sheltering them in Afghanistan and allowing them to operate trans-border clandestine operations inside British India, while the Afghan government took a number of measures (many of them enshrined in the 1923 Constitution) aimed at putting Afghan Hindus and Sikhs on a par with Muslim citizens and to shed the image of a savage, predatory and backward country that the English and Indian press had popularised with the Indian public. These efforts were to remain a constant in Amanullah’s Afghanistan, lasting well after the end of the Hindu-Muslim Unity period (roughly lasting from the Lucknow Pact of 1916 to the mid-1920s) inside the Indian independence movement and definitely showing degrees of ideological commitment to the issue by parts of the country’s political and cultural élites. (5)
Contrary to the sensationalistic reporting that regularly accompanied military operations on the Frontier, the Third Anglo-Afghan War was conspicuously absent from the main British newspapers, being relegated to a few articles in the back pages and made to pass almost unnoticed in Britain and India (see here). This shows the concerns of the British government at the time that not only a broader section of its Indian subjects could prove rebellious on hearing of the fighting, but also that British society on the whole, not craving for new conflicts after the massive losses inflicted by WWI, could react negatively.
To sum up, Amanullah’s success in assuming power was as closely linked to his well-known nationalist programme as to his strategic location in Kabul when the struggle for the throne happened. For a small but growing section of Afghan society, he embodied the hopes and the objectives of a new era, and the war for independence was the first step as a means of achieving it.
After Habibullah’s death, however, it is quite likely that conflict with the British would have broken out anyway. The small Afghan intelligentsia, some members of the court and the army, were not the only ones whom the dramatic events of the WWI had filled with expectations. As an alternative to Amanullah’s nationalistic programme, had his conservative uncle Nasrullah managed to seize power, he would have increased his support for the Eastern Frontier mullahs – with whom he had been nurturing relations for years – to the point of precipitating a major confrontation with the British.
In the area between Jalalabad and Peshawar in particular, a peculiar type of religious leadership had been developing since British inroads in the areas inhabited by Pashtun tribes in the second half of the 19th century. In order to resist military pressure, local communities had often coalesced in broader militancy movements led by religious leaders. These were at once spiritual leaders (pir) employing the social ties with their disciples/devotees (murid) established by Sufi orders and extremely orthodox preachers able to link up with regional networks of Muslim educational institutions, able to draw economic support from them or from the Afghan kings, who were always interested in establishing systems of patronage over the Frontier tribes. (6) The outcome had been the spread of a “jihadi” culture and economy in the rugged border areas beyond the direct control of the British.
During the WWI years, Habibullah had been careful to maintain Afghanistan’s neutrality despite Turko-German attempts at involving it – and especially the Frontier tribes – in the conflict against the British. However, he did not wish to cut the Afghan kingdom’s age-old ties with the Pashtun tribes on the British side of the border so his brother Nasrullah had been unofficially supporting them during instances of conflict with the British.
By 1919, international tensions surrounding Muslim states such as Turkey and institutions such as the Caliphate had stirred up among the religious leaders and their tribal followers a crescendo of militancy that was waiting for a bigger outlet than the usual small-scale tit-for-tat of Frontier warfare.
Amanullah may well have sought to carry out his unprecedented nationalist programme in accordance with his modernist beliefs but he certainly knew he was going to have strange bed-fellows in doing this. Back then, however, he was still confident of his ability to use them to his advantage.
The state of the Afghan army and tribal auxiliaries
The Afghan army at Amanullah’s accession to the throne was in poor shape, not yet having managed the transition between a traditional make-up of temporary tribal contingents and personally recruited units to a standing conscript army. Afghan rulers had been trying to reform the military since Sher Ali (1863-66; 1868-1878) and possibly even before; Abdul Rahman (1880-1901) is usually credited with having imposed the state’s monopoly of force over the tribes and communities of Afghanistan with the strengthening of centralised armed forces. However, as his need to rely massively on tribal lashkars for the subjugation of the Hazaras in 1891-1893 showed, his army was all but highly effective. Garrisons’ soldiers were basically left to live a civilian life and only rarely required to gather for drills or duty, many of them indeed engaged in other professions while nominally in the army. The situation changed slowly with Habibullah, along with the advent of western ideas in Afghanistan and the arrival of Turkish and Indian military instructors, who started to impart some discipline and standardized drills and service duties.
These changes, however, had a considerable effect on the lives of the servicemen who were now unable to find other means of sustainment and had to rely on their soldier’s pay, which had only slightly increased under Habibullah in the face of a general rise in living costs. Except for the Orderly Regiments garrisoning the Arg in Kabul, who were called the Beheshti Fauj (the “Paradisiac Army”) by other troopers on account of their better wages and privileges, the position of soldiers in society became a rather miserable one. The hasht nafari conscription system, which entailed that for every eight able men in a community one should be enlisted for life service, had already been considered with dismay by rural communities and usually, candidates for recruitment would try and skip service by hiring a less affluent relation to be sent in their place. The phenomenon increased during Habibullah’s reign and the army came to be considered a resort for deprived or wretched people rather than a prospective career.
Despite the achievement of some degree of professionalism, the degree of arbitrary power that higher officers had over their subordinates remained connected to the former’s personal status and relation to the court rather than on procedures, often leading to corruption and abuses.
Moreover, under Habibullah’s reign, the appointment and promotion of officers were the preserve of a few members of the royal house: his son Sardar Inayatullah for the lower ranks and his brother Sardar Nasrullah for the higher ones.
In terms of military units, the only big-sized ones existing in the country were the four mixed brigades stationed in Kabul, each formed by three battalions of infantry, which each had a battery of machine guns, field and pack artillery and a cavalry unit. One of these battalions on paper accounted for around 620 infantrymen, 260 artillerymen and 400 cavalrymen; however, their ranks were usually severely depleted, with cavalry units in particular only accounting for around one-third of the sanctioned strength. Provincial units were usually smaller and even more under-staffed.
Standardised uniforms issued by the government had slowly made their way into the Afghan army during Habibullah’s reign, after having been limited to a leather belt at the time of Abdurrahman. Afghanistan had a good reserve of individual weapons, but most of these were the old Martini-Henry and the almost obsolete Snider rifles. Only a portion of the troops had the modern Lee-Enfields that were the standard among British troops. Moreover, the facilities for producing cartridges in Afghanistan were barely able to cope with the demand.
As if this had not been enough, logistics were a nightmare. The country’s transportation system was deficient not only in terms of the road networks and their conditions: the Afghan state and consequently, its army lacked pack animals to fulfil the needs of a military campaign. Despite Afghanistan has been the main staging point in the great horse trade between Central Asia and India between the 17th and 18th centuries and the Afghans having played a prominent role in it, by the early 20th century the number and quality of horses in the country had gone down. Bullocks and mules, on the other hand, were even scarcer and only camels were available in comparatively great numbers.
Afghanistan was always on the edge of alimentary self-sufficiency and state food reserves were thin. Fodder and grains were typically very scarce in spring before the new harvests were able to replenish stores, and it was in spring that Amanullah launched his military campaign. When soldiers were obliged to obtain their provisions from the locals, this could put additional stress on relations with villagers, as would happen during the 1919 war in Mohmand country.
Relatively more self-sufficient from a logistical point of view were the armed tribal volunteers, on whom, according to the British analysts “the real military strength of the country” depended. (7) They constituted, however, a double-edged sword for the Afghan command. Despite the enthusiastic response to Amanullah’s declaration of war by the Frontier Mullahs, it took some time before all the tribes living along the Durand Line mobilised to fight the British. This ‘attendist’ attitude on their part may have originated in decades of experience of armed politics in the face of the British colonial administration: they entered the fray when they were certain that the Afghan state really meant business.
Once mobilisation had started, tribal contingents were certainly highly motivated, well-armed and extremely mobile locally, however, the caveats of tribal rivalries and susceptibilities strongly limited the possibility of deploying them to distant fronts and sometimes occasioned infighting. Neither was their discipline wholly reliable: in the event of an Afghan military success, they could be expected to collect whatever booty they found and head home, while on the occasion of an Afghan defeat there was the chance that they would engage in looting weapons and equipment from the regular troops.
Altogether, their major asset – especially of those tribes residing on the British side of the Durand Line – resided in the possible threat they posed to British settled territories and lines of communication, more than just by swelling numbers on the Afghan side, by opening up new fronts behind British troops.
The British army, on the other hand, had to face the same type of problems with its own para-military troops. Since the reorganisation of the North-Western Frontier Province in 1899-1901, the military outposts in the trans-border districts (meaning within the areas between the Indian administrative border and the Durand Line) from Chitral down to Baluchistan were, with very few exceptions, manned by auxiliary units recruited among the Pashtun tribes. These militias were mostly made up of locals, except for the two Waziristan militias who, due to the impossibility of recruiting Wazirs or Mehsuds, consisted of Pashtuns from other areas. It was a cheaper form of effecting limited control along with the Frontier areas and it also contributed, by employing locals, to creating a vested economic interest for this administrative system among local communities. However, the British commands were aware of the high risks of connivance with tribal raiders or outright rebellion by these militias in the event of a major confrontation.
Indeed, the major setback of the whole Third Anglo-Afghan War for the British came with the mass desertions that affected the Waziristan militias, who virtually melted away and sided with the Afghans. (8)
The war: inconclusive engagements and the decisive morale factor
With the obsession of a change of heart among their own auxiliaries, the first British focus was to dislodge the Afghan troops from the positions near Landi Kotal across the Durand Line they had occupied on 3 May 1919. They were in a hurry to do so with a view to preventing disaffection from spreading to the Afridi tribesmen living in the area, who constituted the bulk of the recruits for the Khyber Rifles militia. British reports, in fact, mention large numbers of armed tribesmen witnessing the confrontation from the nearby hills, biding their time before taking sides. It took the British over a week and several attacks to be able to storm the Afghan positions. However, it took longer for the Afridis to warm up and start getting involved in a more significant way in the fighting. Contrary to other tribal volunteers, such as the Shinwaris and Mohmands from the Afghan side of the Durand Line, these warlike dwellers of the Khyber Pass did not start to attack the British troops until June. By then, not only had the British repulsed the Afghans beyond the Durand Line, but had occupied the village of Dakka on the Afghan side, spurring more fierce fights when Afghan troops sought to counterattack. The British troops were planning further advances towards Jalalabad when developments elsewhere made them stop in their tracks.
Despite the hostilities having started on the eastern front under the Afghan commander-in-chief, Saleh Mohammad, the greater concentration of Afghan troops was actually in Khost, where the most momentous advance by the Afghan army inside British territory was also to take place. The British were expecting an Afghan attack either in Parachinar or in Miram Shah; instead, on 23 May, commanding officer Nadir Khan (future king in 1929-1933) took a middle route along the Kaitu river. This unexpected move spurred the evacuation of a series of posts manned by the North Waziristan militias. The morale of the Pashtun auxiliaries tilted against their Indian or British officers and they deserted en masse, with many joining the tribesmen and the Afghan troops in looting the abandoned forts. This, in turn, triggered a domino effect by which, even before an Afghan offensive in that sector materialised, the whole of the South Waziristan militia turned its weapons against its officers. A mere choice of the itinerary had led to the almost total collapse of British control in the two Waziristans in a matter of days; it would take three years of fierce fighting before this was firmly re-established.
Meanwhile, the Afghan troops under Nadir Khan proceeded to march on Thal (also spelled Thall), a small town in the settled areas, that is, already inside ‘official’ British India. They occupied it on 27 May, but could not take the nearby fort, garrisoned by British and Indian troops. In fact, Nadir Khan was soon to be repulsed with losses by the arrival of British reinforcements from Peshawar, but his offensive had reversed the gains that the British were making on other fronts with the occupation of the border post in Spin Boldak near Kandahar, besides Dakka in Nangrahar.
On 3 June 1919 a kind of truce between the Afghan government and the British Army was signed, but on the Kurram front operations continued until 7 June. On their part, British troops continued to carry out reprisal operations against the Waziris who had offered assistance to the Afghan troops, burning a total of 54 villages in North Waziristan and Kurram in mid-June.
On the eastern front, Mohmand, Shinwari and Afridi tribesmen made repeated efforts at dislodging the British from Dakka throughout the rest of June, while Afghan regulars kept in the background not to violate the ceasefire. The majority of the Afridis, however, remained passive until mid-July, when for a few days they started attacks on the British posts along the Khyber Pass, with a prominent role played by the Khyber Rifles’ deserters among them. Other tribes as well had a late start: Orakzais and Zaimukhts started harassing British communications near Hangu in July. The presence, in areas previously ungarrisoned, of so many British troops who moreover were mostly inactive, evidently proved too strong an incentive even for less enthusiastic supporters of the jihad.
Even in Kurram, desultory fighting between the British troops and the tribesmen continued throughout June and July: a group of the latter even managed to shoot down an aeroplane of the squadron sent to bomb them on July 30. This could well have been the last episode of the Third Anglo-Afghan War before peace was signed at Murree/Rawalpindi on 8 August.
The operations in Waziristan (and in adjacent parts of Baluchistan) would instead continue for the next three years, with many major battles fought. A small body of regular Afghan soldiers, 12 gunners with their artillery battery under Colonel Shah Dawla, was reported to have been present in Waziristan for several months after the cessation of hostilities, assisting the tribesmen in their resistance against the British.
The section of the front where regular Afghan soldiers continued to take an active part in the fighting for longest was Chitral. Here, an Afghan force equally composed of soldiers and tribal warriors had climbed the Kunar river valley upstream to invade Chitral on the 12th of May. Their first advance had eventually been repulsed by the British and princely Chitrali troops, but the Afghans had again crossed the border at the end of June and re-occupied two villages in Chitral territory which would only be returned to Chitral in 1922. Also, the Afghan soldiers were busy throughout the first half of July in meting out punishment to those Nuristani villages who had assisted the Chitrali-British force.
In secondary or remote fronts like Kurram or Chitral, the conflict was mainly one between local irregular forces often motivated by previous hostilities (Shia Turi and Bangash vs. Sunni Orakzai, Bangash, Mangal and Jaji; Afghans vs. Chitralis, with some of the Nuristanis, still smarting under the relatively recent annexation to Afghanistan, siding with the latter), with regular forces by either side mainly in a supporting and monitoring role.
The aftermath: diplomatic bouts and a missed opportunity to reform the military
The peace agreement signed was the start of several rounds of negotiation between the British Empire and Afghanistan: those at Mussorie the following year (where the Afghan delegation again included Diwan Naranjan Das, a prominent Afghan Hindu civil official whose presence unnerved the British, who considered it a “propaganda tool” aimed at the Indian public) did not lead to any result. In 1921 it took almost the full year for a second agreement to be signed: yet once again there was no official treaty and a number of issues were left pending. But the most important prize, full independence, as confirmed by the number of treaties signed elsewhere and the frenzy of diplomatic activity of Afghanistan worldwide, had been achieved.
For the first few years following the Independence War, Amanullah pushed for a reform of the army, with a particular focus on making the conscription system more effective and improving training and literacy rates (among officers).
This, however, went on a par with a reduction in the overall strength of the army in terms of its numbers, as many units were disbanded or were amalgamated with others and, particularly so since 1923, with cuts in military expenditure. On his accession, Amanullah had raised the soldiers’ pay from 12 to 20 rupees, this being also quite an obvious step for a new and still contested occupant of the throne. However, already in December 1919, he demobilized many old or unfit troopers and the new recruits were enlisted at only 14 rupees. One month of the soldiers pay had also just been cut by the state in order to subsidy the purchase of aeroplanes. (9)
The new recruitment system was also far from ideal. In place of the hasht nafari, military service was made compulsory and universal, and tighter control over lists of eligible conscripts was permitted by the introduction of the tazkera. The new system was resented even more than the previous one, as it entailed no economic support for the families of the conscripts. (10) The possibility of somebody excusing himself from the draft by paying an exemption fee was used extensively by the better-off families and came to be favourably seen as a source of revenue by the government. Again, however, only the most destitute members of society ended up in the army.
The purchase of modern weapons also proceeded slowly, as did attempts to fix Afghanistan’s lack of production of reliable amounts of ammunition. Many tribesmen, some of whom would turn their weapons against the Afghan government during the next decade, were better armed than the soldiers thanks to the ever-bustling arms trade across Baluchistan.
Free diplomatic relations had come at a cost: Amanullah was the first Afghan monarch in a while to have to do without British cash subsidies. The war had put considerable strain on the country’s finances and, moreover, payments of the arrears of the subsidy owed to Habibullah, amounting to 44 lakhs rupees, had been forfeited after the latter’s death.
Army reform costs a lot and Afghanistan, then as now, does not easily generate a surplus of wealth that the government can tap into in order to finance such a project. Amanullah’s early intentions to strengthen and modernise the army slowly waned after successive rounds of diplomatic negotiations with British India failed to produce an agreement that would reinstate the practice of a British subsidy to Afghanistan. This had traditionally constituted a much-welcomed source of cash to be employed for the modernisation and strengthening of Afghanistan’s civilian and military institutions. The subsidy and (a very limited) gift of weapons provided by the friendship agreement with Soviet Russia, which Amanullah signed in mid-1921, did not suffice to bridge the gap.
Abandoning ideas of creating a strong army, Amanullah started to rely mostly on two weapons. The use of airpower by the British during the recent conflict had impressed the Afghans a lot – in fact, the bombardments of Kabul and Jalalabad had bewildered the king. Amanullah sought immediately to purchase planes and pilots and create an airforce, but this also proved a very expensive and lengthy process. By 1928 he had around 20 serviceable aircraft in Kabul, although they were still mostly flown by Russian pilots, while Afghan pilots were undergoing training in Europe. However, Amanullah’s airforce was a rather motley ensemble of different flying machines, some purchased and some gifted by various European countries on the occasion of the establishment of diplomatic ties or a visit by Amanullah.
The other strategic asset of choice was partially an outcome of the Independence War. After the conflict, there had been an increasing assumption, on the part of the king and the now-commander in chief Nadir Khan, that regular troops were less effective and pivotal to the defence of Afghanistan compared to the armed tribesmen settled along the borders. The Mangal Revolt of 1924-25 showed the dire situation of the armed forces to its full extent. The fact that the revolt was finally suppressed thanks to tribal lashkars may have convinced Amanullah that to retain control of the country there were other options available which were less expensive than creating a strong and modern army. His fall in 1928-29 would prove this to be a wrong calculation – indeed, Habibullah Kalakani, who deposed him, was himself a former Afghan soldier-turned-bandit – and the failure to modernize the military would contribute decisively to ending a section of Afghanistan’s tortuous path to modernity.
(1) The text of a royal proclamation by Amanullah issued on 12 May 1919 – and which is the closest to an official declaration of war the author came across – mentions these two objectives. The first is to achieve the full independence of Afghanistan from the English. The second objective is outlined thus:
The second thing which I want is this that they (the British)should discontinue cruelty and improper oppression of our Indian brethren and people of other religions – Musalmans and Hindus – with whom we have relation and union on account of our being neighbours and having the same history and of our all being born in the East … In the same way, we cannot bear to hear of the oppression and aggression of the English on the people of India, who are our neighbours, and not feel aggrieved for them … we should be resolute in our intention of obtaining our freedom and avenging our Indian brethren.
Another message by Amanullah, this time a leaflet in Urdu addressed to the Indians and circulated at the end of April, contained a similar message:
Now I address my declaration to you, the Hindus and Muhammadans of India. Although according to International law we have no right to interfere in the internal affairs of the British Government, yet by virtue of the law of equity and humanity I can say that the people of India are justified in creating the disturbances which are at present happening in India…Therefore by virtue of the law of humanity it is our duty to advise our temporal and spiritual brethren to remain united, because in every religion God has given an injunction about unity. O my temporal and spiritual brethren!… You should discard your personal interests in favour of each other. Hindus, Muhammadans, Guebers and Christians are the creation of one God and are the descendants of one father and mother, Adam and Eve, and all of them are each other’s’ brothers. It is a matter of regret that the English people do not regard the Muhammadans and Hindus as human beings and behave towards them in an arrogant manner. The final result of arrogance is humiliation. It was arrogance which was the cause of the downfall of Satan. It is incumbent on you to unite whole-heartedly with the Afghan nation because I treat my Muhammadan and Hindu subjects with equal kindness and protect the life and property – and the honour and modesty of all of them.
I pray to God to grant me success in my good intentions and give me ability to cherish my subjects with more kindness, and to free you from the clutches of tyranny.
(India Office Record, L/P&S/11/159, file 6901/1919)
(2) Both Louis Dupree and David Edwards seem to consider Amanullah’s speech at the Eidgah Mosque in Kabul on 15 May as the declaration of war; however, the fighting had been ongoing for a fortnight already. Interestingly, Dupree highlights the ‘modernist’ cry of the crowd “Independence or death”, while Edwards considers Amanullah’s language on the occasion, heavily laden with jihadi expressions, to bear-proof of the king’s resorting to traditional values and symbolism in selling his project to the public. (Dupree L., Afghanistan, Princeton University Press 1973, p. 442; Edwards D., Before Taleban, University of California Press 2002, pp. 79-80)
(3) In a January 1916 article in Seraj ul-Akhbar, regarded by some as Afghanistan’s first declaration of independence, Tarzi called for Afghanistan’s full independence and ended on this note: “The noble Afghan nation… is perceptive, informed and aware. It has come to know its good and bad, its benefit and loss, the dignity of its ethnic freedom and the rights of its national independence. Let bygones be bygones! From now on, Afghans are not ones who would overlook their rights.”
(4) The Afghan postmaster in Peshawar, Ghulam Haidar, had dispatched somewhat optimistic reports to Amanullah about the advanced state of civil unrest in the city and the mutinous attitude of Indian troops there. The Afghan commands were probably convinced that an uprising in Peshawar was about to take place and they endeavoured to get in touch with the rebels there. However, hostilities began too early for any such plan to develop and British troops surrounded Peshawar city on 8 May, arresting several suspects among whom the postmaster and other Afghan citizens.
(5) The extent of Amanullah’s government efforts made for eliciting the sympathy of the Hindus went as far as decreeing a ban on the killing of cows in Afghanistan – a mostly symbolic and seldom enforced one in meat-eating Afghanistan. Read here for a historical outline of the Hindu and Sikh communities of Afghanistan and here for the vicissitudes of their current situation in the country.
(6) The life and character of one of the first and foremost of this class of religious leaders, the Mullah of Hadda, has been masterfully treated in David Edwards’ classic Heroes of the Age (University of California Press 1996). Other scholars, such as Sanah Haroon in Frontier of Faith (Oxford University Press 2007), have studied the Frontier Mullahs, their networks and political and social roles. A separate but complementary presence, that of foreign (mostly Hindustani) militants in the same area, dating back from the first Sikh inroads in the region in the 1820s, is explored by Altaf Qadir, Ahmad Barailvi: His Movement and Legacy from the Pukhtun Perspective (Sage Publications 2015).
(7) General Staff Branch, Army Headquarters India, Third Afghan War, Official Account, Calcutta 1926, p. 6.
(8) The Frontier had not been left ungarrisoned because of WWI. The main problem for the British at the start of the 1919 war was not the lack of availability of military manpower, although they had to postpone the furlough or the demobilisation of many units. It was more difficult to supply them adequately due to a shortage of pack animals caused by their relocation to other war theatres and a severe surra epidemic which had killed many camels and mules. (General Staff Branch, Army Headquarters India, Third Afghan War, Official Account, Calcutta 1926, p. 21 – available here)
(9) Summary of events in Afghanistan, 8 August 1919 to 1 June 1920, p. 16, compiled by the General Staff, Simla, Government of India Press, 1920.
(10) Under the hasht nafari system, the family would be supported economically by the seven men of the same community who had escaped state service. See Nawid, Religious Response to Social Change in Afghanistan 1919-1929 (Mazda Publishers 1999), p. 82; 85-86.
This article was last updated on 9 Mar 2020 | <urn:uuid:cfc09481-84c9-4636-9791-1e49ed49853f> | CC-MAIN-2021-43 | https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/context-culture/the-1919-war-of-independence-or-third-anglo-afghan-war-a-conflict-the-afghans-started-and-ended/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-43/segments/1634323585045.2/warc/CC-MAIN-20211016231019-20211017021019-00492.warc.gz | en | 0.975563 | 8,184 | 3.4375 | 3 | 3.026238 | 3 | Strong reasoning | History |
When a baby is born too soon, it's hard to imagine that the infant would do better anywhere else in the world than in America. The most fragile preterm infants are housed in specialized intensive-care units and cared for by world-class experts. Prematurity cost the country some $26 billion in 2005, according to the U.S. Institute of Medicine. And yet for all the technology and expense, roughly 30,000 American babies under age 1 die each year. They die at a rate three times as high as in Singapore, which has the world's best infant survival long considered a key indicator of a nation's overall level of health. In fact, the U.S. ranked No. 30 in 2005 lags behind almost every other industrialized nation, behind Cuba, Hungary and Poland.
What explains such dismal figures? The math is fairly simple. Babies born preterm before 37 weeks of gestation account for two-thirds of all infant deaths, and the number of preemies in the U.S. is growing. Today 1 in 8 American births is preterm a nearly 20% rise since 1990. The babies at highest risk are those born "very preterm" before 32 weeks of gestation who account for just 2% of all births but more than half of all infant deaths (by comparison, 99% of late-preterm babies, born just a week or two early, survive). These very preterm births have driven up the U.S. infant-mortality rate to 6.86 deaths per 1,000 live births. "If we really want to make progress in infant mortality, we have to figure out how to address the problem of preterm birth," says Eve Lackritz, chief of maternal and infant health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
But if the reason for the infant-mortality crisis seems clear, what to do about it is not, because premature births remain a genuine medical mystery: in nearly half the cases, the cause is unknown. It is well established that preterm births are more common among very young and very old mothers and among women carrying multiples twins or triplets. But rates have climbed considerably even among singleton births. Preterm births are also more common in women with upper-genital-tract infections like bacterial vaginosis, in very underweight and very overweight women, in women who undergo cesarean-section births and in women with certain bleeding and clotting disorders. But taken together, these factors still leave doctors stumped in more than 40% of preterm cases.
The enduring dilemma of infant mortality is prompting experts to revisit one of biology's longest-standing questions: Why are babies born when they are? Research teams across the country, including obstetricians, statisticians and molecular biologists, are working in concert and very slowly beginning to piece together the answer.
A Social Laboratory
At Emory University in Atlanta, Dr. Alfred Brann directs a World Health Organization Collaborating Center in Reproductive Health. The center is a joint project of Emory and the CDC, and in its 28 years of operation, the staff has worked on five continents, in countries including Afghanistan, Cuba, Mexico and Russia, on projects ranging from improving patient safety during childbirth to researching the causes of low fertility.
Brann has a more personal perspective on maternal and infant health than other researchers might. "My mother died in my birth in 1934, and my aunt, who raised me, had two very tiny premature babies who died," he says. Brann trained as a pediatric neurologist, but about 10 years ago, the doctor began to wonder how he might reduce the preterm-birth rate in Georgia noting that a very small number of early-preterm infants made up the bulk of that state's infant deaths. He focused on one key fact. To date, the most reliable predictor of preterm birth is simply the mother's having given birth preterm before.
Brann settled on a strategy: focus on the health of mothers instead of that of the babies and most important, get them before they're pregnant. It was a turnaround in a field that had previously "jumped over the problem of why are women having very low-birth-weight babies and started on saving the babies," says Brann. Infant mortality dropped sharply in the U.S. throughout the 20th century, with improvements first in infectious-disease control and later in survival of vulnerable infants. But even as neonatal care improved, scientists were still uncertain why some babies were born so fragile to begin with. Brann felt the single-minded focus on infant health was keeping the problems in women's health hidden in plain view.
In six months during 2003 and '04, Brann and his colleagues ran a small pilot project. They enrolled 29 women in greater Atlanta who had recently given birth to a very low-birth-weight baby and gave each mother two years of free primary health care. Women received regular checkups, nutritional screenings and chronic-disease management when appropriate. Women who said they did not want to get pregnant again got free contraception. Participants also had access to what Brann calls a "resource mother," who helped each woman with day-to-day life improvements, like securing an apartment or enrolling in school.
The trial results were impressive. Compared with a similar group of women who had preterm, very low-birth-weight babies two years earlier, the intervention group had roughly one-quarter as many repeat adverse outcomes like ectopic pregnancies, underweight babies or stillbirths. The decrease was achieved mostly by reducing unwanted pregnancies overall. "Now a woman who is healthy and has some control over her own life and elects to become pregnant will have a healthier outcome. That's not rocket science," Brann says. | <urn:uuid:13b1ae48-bd2d-40b0-9006-3a70b0e5bc29> | CC-MAIN-2016-44 | http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1912201_1912244_1912245,00.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2016-44/segments/1476988722951.82/warc/CC-MAIN-20161020183842-00167-ip-10-171-6-4.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.976054 | 1,183 | 2.84375 | 3 | 2.940841 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Health |
Afireball over Utah overnight Tuesday was the talk of the state. And an asteroidthat could have delivered nearly half the energy of the Hiroshima atom bombwhizzed past Earth earlier this month, NASA reported recently. Meanwhile, ameteor shower dazzled skywatchers around the globe early Tuesday morning.
What'sgoing on? Nothing all that unusual, astronomers say.
Thefireball over Utah ? said to have turnednight briefly into day ? was the sort of event that happens more than mostpeople realize. Space rocks disintegrate as they crash through Earth'satmosphere. Those the size of a softball up to perhaps a small car can createdramatic fireballs. We don't see most of these fireballs because they occurover unpopulated land areas or over the oceans. Earth is two-thirds ocean. Afireball during daytime could also go largely unnoticed.
Thefireball was notable for occurring near the peak of the annual Leonidsmeteor shower, but early reports suggest the events were unrelated. TheLeonid "shooting stars" are created by tiny bits of comet debris,mostly no larger than a pea. This year's shower was better than average,skywatchers reported.
Meanwhile,asteroid 2009 VA flew past Earth Nov. 6 at about 4:30 p.m. EST. It didn'tdisintegrate, but boy was it a close call. The space rock was discovered by theCatalina Sky Survey only some 15 hours before it approached us. It passed just8,700 miles (14,000 km) from our planet's surface ? slightly less than Earth'sdiameter.
Theasteroid was just about 23 feet wide (7 meters). Still, had its path collidedwith Earth, it would have packed the energy of "about six kilotons ofTNT," explained astronomer Donald Yeomans, manager of NASA's Near-EarthObject program office at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.
On average,objects the size of 2009 VA pass this close about twice per year and impactEarth about once every five years, NASA added. However,most asteroids burn up in the atmosphere at about 80 feet (25 meters) in diameter and smaller,probably for an impressive fireball event.
This nearmiss makes is the third-closest known asteroid to squeak past Earth. The otherclose approaches include the yard-wide (1 meter) asteroid 2008 TS26, which camewithin 3,820 miles (6,150 km) of the Earth's surface on October 9, 2008, andthe 23-feet-wide (7 meter) asteroid 2004 FU162 that passed within 4,060 miles(6,535 km) on March 31, 2004.
Sofar 795 near-Earth asteroids more than a half-mile wide (1 km) have been foundto date, Yeomans said, and another 84 near-Earth comets of probably similardiameters. About two near-Earth objects (NEOs) that size are found every month,explained Lindley Johnson, program executive for the NEO Observation Program.
Scientistshave ruled out the chances of an Earth impact for such large objects for thenext couple of centuries, Yeomans added ? on average, a NEO that size hits theEarth roughly every 500,000 years. Still, researchers estimate more than 150NEOs that large remain to be found.
Lesserobjects alsopose a risk. The object scientists currently know of with the largestprobability of impact, 2007 VK184, has about a 1 in 3,000 chance. If thisroughly 425-foot-wide (130 meters) asteroid hit our planet, it would strikewith an energy of roughly 150 million tons of TNT.
"Fouror five objects in the several tens of meters to 100 meters in size have agreater than a 1 in a million chance of hitting us ? the odds are in our favor,but people win the lottery every day, too," Johnson said. "We'recertainly trying to keep an eye on those."
State of our defenses
NASAhas spent about $40 million on the NEO Observation Program since 1998 toidentify 90percent of the total population of roughly 1,050 potential hazards one kilometer or sowide.
"We'reprobably within a year of achieving that goal ? we're at about 85 percent rightnow," Johnson said. The program has a current annual budget of about $4.2 million.
Congresshas asked NASA to extend the search to objects "that are 140 meters in size (460feet) or larger," Yeomans said. Altogether, there are roughly 100,000 ofthese, Johnson explained, of which 20,000 might potentially be hazardous. Sofar scientists have detected about 5 percent of these 100,000 objects, "including about2,250 objects from 300 meters (985 feet) to one kilometer in size and 1,500 to1,600 objects 100 meters (330 feet) to 300 meters in size," Johnson added.
However,the necessary funds to extend the search down to such objects have not yet beenmade available.
"We'retrying to do what we can with the same telescopes used for large NEO search ?we find them all the time, but we don't have the capability need to achievethat 90 percent goal for 140-meter-sized objects by 2020," Johnson said.
Thereis an ongoing National Research Council panel that should report by the end of the yearon options to meet the goal regarding these smaller NEOs, he added.
"It'snot something that we should worry about on a daily basis, but it is a naturalhazard that can cause levels of devastation greater than anything we know aboutor have experienced, more than any earthquake or hurricane," Johnson said."So it's certainly worth the effort to at least find out if there is anynear-term hazard."
"AndNEOs represent more than just a hazard to us," he noted. "They'repotentially a source of resources and destinations as well, as we explore thesolar system."
SPACE.comStaff contributed to this report.
- Video ? Killer Comets and Ominous Asteroids!
- Meteor Explosion Lights Up Utah Sky
- Images: Asteroids | <urn:uuid:424f261c-e63f-4c57-b4a3-27fd32321146> | CC-MAIN-2019-43 | https://www.space.com/7555-cosmic-triple-play-asteroid-flyby-fireball-utah-meteor-shower.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-43/segments/1570986672723.50/warc/CC-MAIN-20191017045957-20191017073457-00493.warc.gz | en | 0.950828 | 1,292 | 3.21875 | 3 | 2.738605 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Science & Tech. |
The Bank of Russia
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The Bank of Russia
The tasks and functions of the Bank of Russia are set by the Constitution of the Russian Federation and Federal Law on the Central Bank of the Russian Federation (Bank of Russia). The Bank of Russia’s main objective is to protect the rouble and ensure its stability. The Bank of Russia is also the sole issuing centre and the body of banking regulation and supervision. Its main functions are formulated in Article 4 of the Federal Law on the Central Bank:
— in collaboration with the government of the Russian Federation, it elaborates and implements a uniform national monetary policy designed to protect the rouble and ensure its stability;
— it is the only issuer of cash and the organiser of its circulation;
— it is the creditor of last resort for credit organisations and organises the refinancing system;
— it sets the settlement rules of the Russian Federation;
— it sets the rules of conducting banking operations and accounting and the reporting rules for the banking system;
— it conducts state registration of credit organisations and issues and revokes the licences of credit organisations and the organisations that audit them;
— it supervises the activities of credit organisations;
— it registers the issue of securities by credit organisations in accordance with federal laws;
— it conducts, on its own behalf or on behalf of the government of the Russian Federation, all kinds of banking operations necessary for the Central Bank’s implementation of its main duties;
— it conducts foreign exchange regulation, including operations to buy and sell foreign exchange, and establishes the procedure for effecting settlements with foreign countries;
— it organises and exercises foreign exchange control on its own and through authorised banks in accordance with the laws of the Russian Federation;
— it participates in making Russian Federation balance of payments forecasts and organises the drafting of the Russian Federation’s balance of payments;
— it analyses and forecasts the state of the Russian Federation’s economy as a whole and by region, concerning specifically monetary, credit, foreign exchange, financial and price relations, publishes the corresponding materials and statistical data and performs other functions in accordance with federal laws.
The Bank of Russia co-ordinates and regulates settlement relations in Russia and establishes the rules, forms, deadlines and standards for non-cash settlements obligatory for all legal entities and natural persons. The forms of non-cash settlements are determined by the Civil Code of the Russian Federation.
The principal forms of non-cash settlements today are payment orders and, to a lesser extent, payment requests (for collection). Letters of credit and cheques are used on a small scale.
A part of settlements is effected by legal entities and private individuals using payment cards, which are gaining ever wider acceptance.
The Bank of Russia is making efforts to ensure the effective and uninterrupted functioning of the settlements system and enhance its reliability.
Non-cash settlements are effectuated through correspondent accounts opened with the Bank of Russia, correspondent accounts opened by credit institutions with one another, correspondent accounts opened with non-bank settlement credit institutions and through the system ofintrabank settlements, using inter-branch settlement accounts.
Russian legislation accords the Bank of Russia a special place in the country «s payments system. The Bank of Russia not only ensures general guidance of the payments system and provides the methodology and organisation of settlements, but also directly participates in this system, effecting interbank settlements through its divisions.
The payments made through the Bank of Russia settlement network account for a large part of the payments turnover.
Every participant in the settlements effected through the Bank of Russia settlement network is awarded an identification code. The Bank of Russia keeps the Russian Federation Bank Identification Code Directory (BIC Directory), which contains the following data: the name of each credit institution participating in settlements and its bank identification code, correspondent account with the Bank of Russia and domicile.
The BIC Directory is regularly reviewed and updated.
The credit institutions located in the Russian Federation (resident credit institutions) and having the banking licence of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation open only one correspondent account with one of the Bank of Russia institutions (a cash settlement centre or operations department), which services them. The branches of credit institutions may have correspondent subaccounts to implement settlements and may not have such accounts. If they don «t, they effect settlements through the correspondent account of their parent organisation or the subaccount of another branch.
Overall, the Russian payments system comprises about 1,400 resident credit institutions, more than 4,000 branches of credit institutions and nearly 1,200 subdivisions of the settlement system and it is the principal means of implementing the official monetary policy by the Bank of Russia.
Non-cash settlements of clients of credit institutions and their branches are effected from the bank accounts opened with these institutions. In special cases, stipulated by the law, legal entities may have accounts opened with Bank of Russia institutions.
Credit institutions and their branches with correspondent accounts and subaccounts with the Bank of Russia effect settlements for their clients for commodities, works and services and make tax and other compulsory payments and their own income payments to the budget and payments to the accounts of state extrabudgetary funds through the various divisions of the Bank of Russia settlement network.
As for the settlements between clients of one credit institution (branch), they are effected by writing off or entering funds to the clients «corresponding accounts, bypassing the correspondent account of the credit institution (or its branch «s subaccount) opened with a Bank of Russia institution.
Settlements between the cash settlement centres of the regional divisions of the Bank of Russia, serviced by a single computer centre, on transactions of credit institutions (or their branches) and on their own transactions are effected through the accounts opened specially for this purpose.
The correctness of settlements effected by the cash settlement centres is confirmed by the concurrence of the initial and reply turnovers in the process of confirmation, that is by comparing each reply entry with the initial one.
Payments are effected if there are funds in the correspondent accounts of credit institutions or subaccounts of their branches and within the amount of these funds. If a credit institution (or its branch) has not enough funds to meet all claims made on it, funds are written down from its correspondent account or from the subaccount of its branch to effect payments for its clients and its own payments in the order established by the Civil Code of the Russian Federation. In this case, documents are put into the file of unpaid settlement documents, attached to the correspondent account of the credit institution or the subaccount of its branch.
Settlements effected through the Bank of Russia settlement network are based not only on paper, but also electronic payment documents. These are the so-called intra- and interregional electronic settlements. The latter are regulated by the Provisions on Inter-Regional Electronic Settlements Effected through the Bank of Russia Settlement Network. The exchange of electronic documents through the Bank of Russia settlement network is regulated by the Provision on the Rules of Exchange of Electronic Documents between the Bank of Russia, Credit Institutions (Branches) and Other Clients of the Bank of Russia in Effecting Settlements through the Bank of Russia Settlement Network, adopted in March 1998.
The divisions of the Bank of Russia settlement network participate in electronic settlements as the bodies registering and supervising payments.
Credit institutions, their branches and other clients of the Bank of Russia that have correspondent or other accounts with the divisions of the Bank of Russia settlement network may use electronic settlements. This helps accelerate money turnover and reduce the amount of funds in settlements.
The term «electronic payment document «(EPD) is used in effecting electronic settlements in the Bank of Russia settlement network. The EPD is a document that serves as a legal basis for conducting operations with the accounts of credit institutions (branches) and other clients of the Bank of Russia, opened with a Bank of Russia institution, bearing an electronic digital signature and having equal legal force, stipulated in an agreement with the Bank of Russia, with paper based payment documents signed by the authorised persons with their own hand and stamped.
At present the electronic payment documents presented for execution to a Bank of Russia institution must contain the requisites in accordance with which operations with accounts are conducted. Two kinds of EPD may be exchanged:
-full-format EPD containing all requisites of a payment document, including textual requisites;
-abndged-format EPD containing the requisites necessary for conducting operations with accounts in a Bank of Russia institution.
The transfer of funds using fall-format EPD does not require accompanying payment documents on paper, while the transfer of funds using abndged-format EPD must be accompanied by an exchange of paper based payment documents, filled out in accordance with the established procedure.
During 1999 the Bank of Russia plans to phase in a paperless technology in its settlement system, using full-format electronic payment documents only in the exchange of electronic documents between Bank of Russia institutions and between the Bank of Russia and credit institutions.
After January 1,1998, the Bank of Russia charges a fee for its settlement services. Some kinds of settlement operations are conducted by the Bank of Russia free of charge.
Interbank settlements effected through correspondent accounts opened by credit institutions with one another play a part in the general payment turnover.
The rules of settlement operations with correspondent accounts of credit institutions opened with other credit institutions are formulated in the Bank of Russia Provisions on Effecting Non-Cash Settlements by Credit Institutions in the Russian Federation, which came into effect in 1998.
The operations conducted with correspondent accounts of correspondent banks are divided into two types: operations to service clients and own interbank operations.
The development of correspondent relations depends on various factors, such as mutual payment flows, price and demand in the credit market, the possibility of participating in trading in the regional government securities markets and on currency exchanges and the risk levels.
Specifically, settlements in correspondent relations are effected with credit institutions in CIS and other countries.
Settlements through clearing institutions are one of the means of interbank settlements.
The development of clearing settlements depends on the financial condition of credit institutions and the state of the money markets. Eight settlement credit institutions have been granted permanent licence as clearing houses.
Clearing operations are based on a clearing model requiring the participating banks to make preliminary deposits in their accounts with the clearing institution.
Nearly 2,000 credit institutions and their branches and other corporate clients effect settlements through non-bank clearing institutions.
The Bank of Russia has a decisive role to play in elaborating the principles of organising clearing operations and monitoring compliance with these principles.
Intrabank settlements are gaining acceptance. They include settlements between a head office of a credit institution and its branches and between branches of a credit institution. The procedure for conducting settlement operations with inter-branch settlement accounts in Russia is established by the Bank of Russia Provisions on Conducting Non-Cash Settlements by Credit Institutions in the Russian Federation.
A mid-term strategy for the development of Russia «s payments system was elaborated in 1996. It sets forth as the main objectives of the reform of the system further modernising settlements, upgrading banking technologies, introducing new instruments of payment, raising the standard of services provided to credit institutions and other organisations and creating conditions for liquidity management.
To raise the banking technology of implementing settlements onto a qualitatively new level, new methods are being developed, new rules and regulations are being enforced, new technologies are being introduced and new organisational principles are being established. Efforts are also being made to accelerate the introduction of electronic documents and build an advanced automated real-time system of settlements.
To this end, steps are being taken to determine the status and functions of individual subsystems for the implementation of settlements, enable credit institutions to manage their liquidity more accurately, develop and introduce formats of electronic documents and settlement documents on paper, stimulate the functioning of clearing institutions, improve conditions for the introduction of bank payment cards in order to reduce the amount of cash in circulation, and elaborate regulatory rules in these areas.
The Bank of Russia division responsible for ensuring methodologically and organisationally the efficient and uninterrupted functioning of the national payments system is the Methodology and Organisation of Settlements Department.
In accordance with its Statute, the Department ensures the implementation of the main tasks involved in developing and upgrading the methods of non-cash payments in the Russian Federation, elaborating a concept of development of the Bank of Russia payments system and organising supervision of the Bank of Russia settlement divisions and other settlement systems.ПоказатьСвернуть | <urn:uuid:171c87d5-d6b3-47e0-9d65-268734554c0a> | CC-MAIN-2016-50 | http://referaty.net.ua/referaty/referat_115945.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2016-50/segments/1480698542246.21/warc/CC-MAIN-20161202170902-00186-ip-10-31-129-80.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.945501 | 2,647 | 2.53125 | 3 | 2.917878 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Finance & Business |
The national poll conducted by the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital found that while there is no standard age for weight-loss surgeries such as gastric bypass, lap-ban, and gastric sleeve, less than one-third of parents surveyed though it should be an option for kids under 18.
Most parents surveyed in the U-M poll said they prefer teens under 18 join a weight loss program for at least a year before considering surgery - six months longer than the minimum time generally required by doctors.
That U-M poll was released the same day another study found gastric bypass surgery was even more effective at reducing heart disease in teens, than adults.
The topic of weight-loss surgery as an option for younger adolescent has come up more frequently as concerns over childhood obesity have grown with some reports showing at least 1 in 5 kids can now be considered obese.
National data shows 64 percent of U.S. adults overweight, one-third being obese, and 15 percent of children ages 6-19 are overweight - triple to proportion in 1980.
Dr. Paul Kemmeter, medical director of Saint Mary's Health Care weight management program, said adolescent bariatric surgery does not exist in Grand Rapids.
In part, Kemmeter said, because most health insurance companies do not cover it so the surgery is typically paid for only as part of a research study. But mainly, he said, because it remains controversial.
Kemmeter said while bariatric surgery is performed on adolescents in some parts of the country, most programs still follow 1991 guidelines from the National Institute of Health.
Those NIH recommendations say weight-loss surgery is suitable for individuals over 18 who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 40 or 35, other conditions such as diabetes, have made previous attempts at weight-loss, and are psychologically able to tolerate the surgery.
"Those (recommendations) pretty much have held true for the past two decades," Kemmeter said.
With teens, there is a real concern about intervening before their bodies have finished growing he said.
That's why weight-loss surgery is usually only considered on an individualized basis in obese teens between the ages of 15- to 17-years-old whose health has been significantly threatened, he said. And, usually only after X-rays have shown they have stopped growing.
"We're talking about kids that have crossed the line into morbidly obese and are literally shortening their life spans with (high blood pressure), sleep apnea, and adult onset diabetes," he said.
For the vast majority of obese kids, surgery is not something to consider, he said.
"The real question is why are our kids now getting obese when 40 years ago it was less common," he said. "It has to be more than just genetics, if it was just genetics it would take a much longer time to see these rates."
Kemmeter said for the most part obesity in young people needs to be tackled with public policy initiatives that emphasize behavioral changes in eating and activity, like First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move!" campaign aimed at eliminating childhood obesity.
The U-M poll comes a little over a month after The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) - an umbrella organization of more than 200 diabetes associations in more than 160 countries – formally advocated bariatric surgery be considered as a treatment option for eligible patients with Type 2 diabetes.
The U-M poll also found black and Hispanic parents were more likely than white parents to consider weight-loss for younger teens. And,13 percent of parents surveyed felt bariatric surgery should not be an option at any age – including 1 in 5 Black parents.
Conducted in January, the U-M survey randomly polled a stratified group of 1,551 U.S. parents weighted to reflect Census Bureau population figures. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 2 to 9 percentage point. | <urn:uuid:6dc4d8d0-9f6b-4ccd-b8e2-a61dbc84d99c> | CC-MAIN-2015-06 | http://www.mlive.com/health/index.ssf/2011/05/should_bariatric_weight-loss_s.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2015-06/segments/1422120842874.46/warc/CC-MAIN-20150124173402-00228-ip-10-180-212-252.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.964208 | 805 | 2.75 | 3 | 2.981637 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Health |
LED lights are easy on the pocket, since they are energy efficient, but there is a down side to using them. Spending long hours under LED lights and bulbs can lead to serious health implications, such as migraines. A March 2019 indicative study by a laboratory based in Delhi, titled Impact of Flicker in LED lights on Human Eye and Health in General, suggests that “exposure to flicker emitted by LED light leads to poor eye health, and its prolonged usage may cause significant problems to human health”. In the study, respondents were exposed to five LED lights from leading manufacturers in the country over a number of days. At the end of nine days, it was found that close to 40 respondents who were exposed to the light complained of headache and eye strain, which was not attributable to any other physical factors. Also, 24% of the total respondents felt stressed, while 22% of respondents felt anxious.
Even low frequency has negative effect on human beings
The key observation made by the study was that respondents who were exposed to the light with the least flicker rate got fewer headaches when compared to those exposed to a high flicker rate. According to US Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the healthiest light is one that does not flicker, like the natural daylight . Even a frequency of 100-400 Hz, at which many LED luminaires operate, has negative effects on people, especially on the human eye. Studies have also reported that children are more vulnerable than adults to flicker-induced ill effects. Flicker in certain industrial settings can cause performance issues, and even accidents. Factors that make flicker worse are the longer duration of exposure. “It is difficult to pinpoint, but, yes, bright flickering lights can trigger migraines, and result in fatigue and stress. I see a lot of cases, in which the migraine is not of the classic case, but one associated with bright lights, either from LED lights at the workplace or that emitted from computer screens,” says Dr Dipali Prabhu, an ophthalmologist. “They increase the risk of cataract and age related macular degeneration which is a vision threatening condition. LED lights emit the short wavelength blue light which damaged the retina . So, it’s important to take care while using TV computer mobile as all these have led back light,” says Dr Shalini M, an Opthalmologist.
Manufactures blind to ill effects due to production costs
Despite being aware of this, why are LED lights being manufactured and used on a large scale? An R&D researcher working at a LED manufacturing company, who does not wish to be named, says, “Manufacturers are aware of the harmful effects of the flicker in LED lights, but not much is being done, because of the cost of manufacturing. Adding an extra circuit to control flicker or remove it from lights and bulbs is costly and requires expertise, which all adds to the cost of production. There is no control on the manufacturing of such lights, so the government needs to set standards and control the sale.”
LED lights to meet the photobiological safety standards
Elaborating on the control required for the manufacture of such lights, Dr Chandrakant S Pandav, a public health expert, says, “Artificial lighting is an integral part of our lives. We spend an average of 10-12 hours under these lights, and with the government promoting LED lights, it is important that they meet the photobiological safety standards prescribed internationally. This is more so because LED lights available in the Indian market have a very high flicker rate that is harmful for eye health.” Talking about control, Dr Harbans Lal, a Senior Ophthalmologist adds, “Unfortunately, there are no standards in India and most LEDs have flicker rate of anything between 40% to 80% much higher than the California benchmarks.” | <urn:uuid:f8e41399-b181-42d5-b991-5e479c841177> | CC-MAIN-2020-29 | http://spikingnet.com/?p=1335&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=is-your-pocket-friendly-and-energy-efficient-led-light-affecting-your-health-yes | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-29/segments/1593655883439.15/warc/CC-MAIN-20200703215640-20200704005640-00357.warc.gz | en | 0.964103 | 808 | 3.40625 | 3 | 3.002661 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Health |
By Lauren Diepenbrock
Managing lebbeck mealybug has become an ongoing challenge in many citrus-growing areas of Florida. This pest expanded into 14 counties from 2019 to fall of 2021 and impacts both commercial and residential citrus.
Damage includes distorted fruit and leaves, stem dieback and fruit drop. Loss of young trees can occur under extreme infestation scenarios. In addition to citrus, lebbeck mealybug has also been documented on 27 other hosts in Florida including other fruit crops, ornamental plantings and weed species in groves. The wide host range makes this pest likely to be a persistent challenge in the region.
Management strategies can be developed to minimize the impact of lebbeck mealybug. The first step is understanding the seasonal biology of the pest. Unlike Asian citrus psyllid and citrus leafminer, lebbeck mealybug does not appear to be intimately linked with flush production.
SEASONALITY AND SPRAYING
In an ongoing seasonality study by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) doctoral student David Olabiyi, mealybug population development is being seen in commercial groves beginning in mid-February, building through bloom and fruit set, and then continuing to increase as fruit develop (Figure 1). While the mealybugs can and do persist through the summer, there is a decrease in population development from mid-July through mid-September, which is suspected to be related to the increased temperatures during this time. While data for this fall has not been completed, there is a notable increase in field populations in late October, which aligns with observations in previous years.
Because much of the concerning damage (fruit drop and malformations) occurs as fruit are developing, it is anticipated that protecting fruit at this key point in the infestation should prevent damaging populations from developing throughout the production season. To this end, management around bloom will be key to keeping the initial population of lebbeck mealybug down to delay population development. Anything used during bloom must have appropriate labeling for use while pollinators are active.
Based on the current understanding of lebbeck mealybug population biology, growers should apply systemic materials early in bloom and again as fruit are setting. This should prevent heavy population buildup on the developing fruit. Several of the systemic materials have minimal impacts on predators while killing the feeding and reproductively active stages of lebbeck mealybug.
Protecting predators will be a critical component of a robust management program for this pest. Predators can access areas of trees that are inaccessible to many sprays. In addition, predators can consume the eggs and crawler life stage, which are often missed by insecticides alone.
Through a combination of field collection, observation and gut content analysis, a wide variety of predators have been identified. This includes several species of flies, one lady beetle species (mealybug destroyer), two species of lacewings (known as trashbugs), earwigs and several species of spiders.
A potential spray program that takes advantage of the pest’s biology would look like what is presented in Table 1. Materials included in the suggested list were tested either in the laboratory or both the laboratory and the field. This table will need to be updated as more is learned about the pest and how chemistries perform in groves.
MINIMIZING PEST MOVEMENT
It is important to think about reducing movement of lebbeck mealybug between fields and managing the pest within a field. It is believed that the crawler stage of this pest can be moved with heavy winds, much like scale crawlers. Lebbeck mealybug has been seen being moved on equipment and people.
To minimize chances of moving lebbeck mealybug between fields, take vehicles through a car wash if possible. The soap helps break down waxy ovisacs and the pressure of the water will physically remove the pest. Pressure-washing farm equipment before taking it to other fields can reduce the likelihood of moving mealybugs on equipment.
For individual protective covers, steam treatment can be used to kill most, if not all, lebbeck mealybug life stages before reusing the bags. Recommendations for time and duration are forthcoming.
To reduce the likelihood of moving mealybugs on clothes, small tools and hands, carry a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol. All concentrations of rubbing alcohol available for purchase at local retailers will kill 60% to 90% of juvenile life stages after two sprays.
Lauren Diepenbrock is an assistant professor at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred.
Share this Post | <urn:uuid:0ab91c27-d236-465c-9413-93384f6e15d0> | CC-MAIN-2023-14 | https://citrusindustry.net/2022/01/10/developing-a-management-plan-for-lebbeck-mealybug/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-14/segments/1679296945473.69/warc/CC-MAIN-20230326142035-20230326172035-00041.warc.gz | en | 0.938319 | 959 | 3.328125 | 3 | 3.10008 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Industrial |
How to Survive a Squirrel Outside Your Window (and Other Middle School Teacher Tricks for the End of the School Year)
This post originally appeared on the blog Read It. Write It. Learn It.
As the weather warms and the sun starts to shine, our students just want to be outside — and God forbid they see a squirrel outside the window. It seems like at the end of the school year, the smallest distraction can send middle school students (and consequently their teachers) into a whirlwind.
So how do we encourage learning as the temperatures rise and our kids get antsy to enjoy the sunshine (and quite frankly, so do we)? The key is to make what’s going on inside your classroom more engaging than anything happening outside the window. Here are three simple ways that you can adapt any lesson to get kids engaged in learning— and they won’t even notice that squirrel.
1. Make it a Game
It is well documented that kids learn through play. At the middle level, play takes the form of hands on learning and games. To make gaming happen in your classroom, start with the standards. What standard or skill are you hoping to teach and how can you get students there in an interactive way?
To turn standards based lessons into a game, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel: think of games you already know and adapt the rules to fit your needs. Heads Up, Apples to Apples, and the TV show Survivor all make perfect learning games with a touch of creativity and planning. When my students were studying descriptive writing, I made a whole twitter/Apples to Apples inspired game to help them fine-tune their figurative language skills. They were hooked!
If you’re short on planning time, task cards and flashcards can easily be turned into quick games to use in the classroom. Kids can sort cards with terms and definitions as a simple warm up or review game.
To make it a game, I put students in groups with one set of words and definitions per group. The first group to match all terms wins. Easy. Kids love this activity. It’s quick, low maintenance, effective in terms of learning, and it gets kids moving, engaged, and talking. (Check out my task cards for literary elements here.)
Of course, games should never be used as a filler or without purpose. Our kids will see right through it and it wastes valuable learning time. Instead, create standards-based games that get kids engaged and learning. It’s a win-win.
2. Get Kids on Their Feet
Sometimes we forget how long secondary students spend sitting. They often sit through class after class and we only see a 40ish minute glimpse of that (This article about a veteran teacher who followed her students around for two days made me rethink my teaching).
With a few simple tweaks to already existing lessons, you can get kids moving and in turn, learning. Engage NY and Expeditionary Learning have some great protocol that I use all the time in my classroom (you can find them here). Two of my favorite protocol are back to back/face to face and GoGoMo. I use these protocol quite often and kids never tire of them. They love the interaction and the chance to walk around and meet with new partners each time.
In the Back to Back/Face to Face protocol, students are told to, text in hand, find a partner and stand back to back. I read a text based question to the students and give them a minute to think through their answer and find text based evidence to support it.
When students are ready (I wait for the uncomfortable silence feeling that forces students to really dive into their books), I shout, “Face to face!” Students face each other and take turns sharing answers and evidence (encourage them to ask for evidence if their partner forgets).
As discussion winds down, I cold call students to share answers with the class. All students will have had the opportunity to work through their answers before sharing with the class. I love this activity because it gets all students involved and gives struggling students a chance to work through their answers before whole class sharing takes place. Back to Back/Face to Face levels the playing field.
GoGoMo stands for Give One, Get One, Move On. In this protocol, students write answers to a question that has multiple answers or they write examples of a term or concept (ex. name traits of the main character and find text evidence to support it). Next, the teacher instructs students to bring a piece of paper and GoGoMo. Students find a partner, give an answer to their partner, get an answer from him/her, then move on to a new partner and repeat.
When I use GoGoMo in my classroom, I start by going over the instructions for the protocol and sharing the task. I give students time to compose their answer, then I set a timer for 3-5 minutes for students to GoGoMo.
After students have shared with several partners, we bring the discussion to the whole class. Once again, students are moving and engaged during the activity. Plus, when students are done, they ALL have several answers to share with the whole class, leveling the playing field for the students.
3. Plan Student Directed Learning
Student directed learning is something I aim for all year, especially at the end of the school year when students know my classroom expectations and their roles in groups. Even if you haven’t used student directed learning, the end of the year is a great time to introduce it. Give students the steering wheel to their learning. Let them do the work.
Student directed learning takes more planning and upfront work, but it pays off during class time when students are plugged into their work and completely engaged in their learning. My two favorite types of student directed learning in the ELA classroom are literature circles and learning stations, which are great for writing.
To set up literature circles, gather enough sets of novels for students to read in groups of three or four. Establish group roles so each student has a specific purpose. For my literature circles, I used the roles of Discussion Director, Literary Luminary, Word Wizard, and Taskmaster.
The Discussion Director leads discussion and reviews the day’s standards based learning target and activity. The Taskmaster reviews roles for the students, keeps the group on task, and is in charge of timing the group’s activities. The Word Wizard reviews powerful vocabulary from the previous night’s reading and is in charge of adding powerful vocabulary (especially domain specific) to the group’s answers. Finally, the Literary Luminary is in charge of referring back to the text often and making sure the group’s answers are text based and backed up with evidence.
Most literature circle activities take about four weeks. My students switch roles weekly, giving each member of a literature circle the chance to try out a different role and take on new responsibilities. I like giving students a comprehensive packet when we start literature circles so all of our activities are outlined and I know when we start that the activities are geared towards mastering specific standards and learning targets.
The rest is up to the students. They lead the way. Each activity is carefully designed so students are using the text as a tool for learning. They dive deeper into the text with each activity, completing analysis of the author’s writing with their literature circle, then applying what they learn in their own writing inspired by the author.
I have to confess: at first it’s scary to step back from the role of leader to the role of facilitator, but when we do that as teachers, we are empowering our students and their learning. Just wait to see how much students grow when we give them the chance.
Similar to literature circles, Learning Stations are also student directed and they can be implemented for almost any study. Learning stations lend perfectly to working through the writing process AND have the added bonus that they cut teacher grading time in half (I’m sold!).
To set up learning stations, decide what standards you want your students to work on mastering, then set up enough activities around the classroom so that students can work through stations in groups of about 4 students (ideally). I like to arrange stations so one of the activities is to conference with me. When students reach this station, I review a specific skill or expectation, then give each student in the group about 2 minutes to share highlights from his/her work.
When my students are in the revision stage of writing, I love using learning stations to help them polish their work. I set up one station for analyzing exemplar writing, one for revising text based evidence, one station for polishing claims, one for word choice, another for sentence structure and paragraphing, one for peer editing, and finally a station where students meet with me.
Since I’ve started using learning stations in my classroom, I’ve noticed that students take more responsibility for the quality of their writing and their writing skills have, overall, improved. Students are learning to use tools available to them, like mentor texts and exemplars, to improve the quality of their own writing, a skill that will carry them well beyond middle school. Learning Stations also give me valuable time to conference with students before they hand in their writing. They can apply my feedback immediately and ask clarifying questions. Implementing learning stations empowers our young writers.
In no other profession does one need a survival guide for a squirrel outside the window, but this is the reality for middle school teachers, especially as the weather warms and everyone wants to run outside to enjoy it. As my ninth grade social studies teacher once said, “You have to adapt to survive!” By making our lessons engaging through game play, interactive learning, and student driven activities, our classrooms will be the place students want to experience.
Enjoy getting your kids on their feet and excited about ELA.
Check out my four week literature circle unit: Narratives as Mentor Texts by clicking here.
Emily love long walks on the beach but instead spends most of her time in a classroom full of 20 seventh-grade tweens. She has taught seventh grade ELA for the past fifteen years, changing and tweaking her curriculum every year to meet the needs of her students and add new ideas that will maximize student learning and engagement. Emily is a strong believer in active learning that is standards-based. The most meaningful learning experiences can also be fun for our middle school students! Even though they are only 12 and 13 years old, Emily has learned some of her most valuable life lessons from her students, whom she believes are pretty amazing (and often underestimated) human beings.
You can find Emily’s engaging, standards-based lessons and activities for middle and high school ELA at her Teachers Pay Teachers store, Read it. Write it. Learn it. Emily loves to share ideas and experiences from her classroom on her blog, Read it. Write it. Learn it. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. | <urn:uuid:e60b25ba-f183-4e9a-8fd9-f74a1b1bf6a9> | CC-MAIN-2020-34 | https://blog.teacherspayteachers.com/survive-squirrel-outside-window-middle-school-teacher-tricks-end-school-year/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-34/segments/1596439738699.68/warc/CC-MAIN-20200810205824-20200810235824-00504.warc.gz | en | 0.964471 | 2,283 | 3.296875 | 3 | 2.406796 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | Education & Jobs |
In the spring of 2016, denizens of the Internet managed to spoof what could've been a solemn scientific endeavor: they voted to christen the United Kingdom's new $287 million polar research vessel Boaty McBoatface. The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), which operates the ship, vetoed the suggestion, opting to name the ship Sir David Attenborough after the famous television naturalist. In the interest of supporting democracy, however, they passed the name on to a small, next-generation remote-controlled submarine, also designed to investigate the deep ocean. Now, Boaty McBoatface has concluded its maiden voyage, proving it’s more than just a funny name, reports Laura Geggel at LiveScience.
According to a press release, McBoatface’s job over the 7-week mission was to gather baseline measurements from the 13,000-foot-deep Orkney Passage. Traveling on the R.R.S. James Clark Ross (the R.R.S. Attenborough is still under construction), McBoatface conducted three missions in the valley, flying through water that was below 32 degrees. It measured water temperature, intensity of the turbulence and other metrics. At one point, Geggel reports, it encountered a cloud of krill so dense its sensors confused the invertebrates for the seafloor. But McBoatface got the job done.
Scientists decided to study the Orkney Passage because they've seen Antarctic Bottom Water warming and contracting over the last three decades, says the project's mission page. The Orkney Passage is an ideal site: it funnels massive amounts of water northward to the Atlantic, and also mixes warmer and colder waters together. Scientists hypothesize changes in wind patterns cause the cold water to mix more with warmer, shallower water, Geggel reports. That in turn means the cold Antarctic water warms more quickly at the equator, which could have consequences for global climate change. The researchers will use the data McBoatface collected to analyze whether their model is correct or if other processes are at play.
“We have been able to collect massive amounts of data that we have never been able to capture before due to the way Boaty is able to move underwater,” lead scientist Alberto Naveira Garabato from the University of Southampton tells The Guardian. “Up until now we have only been able to take measurements from a fixed point, but now we are able to obtain a much more detailed picture of what is happening in this very important underwater landscape.”
Like the Attenborough, McBoatface is no run-of-the-mill research vessel. It’s a new type of autonomous vehicle called the Autosub Long Range. And Jonathan Amos at the BBC reports there are actually three Boaty McBoatface subs that can be sent on missions.
“Having three Boaty vehicles in the fleet means we can cover a much wider range of environments and geographic locations,” Russell Wynn of the National Oceanography Centre tells Amos. “So, one vehicle might be going out to Antarctica and surveying around and under the ice; another might be going to the deepest parts of the ocean, down to 6km; and another might be doing something more applied in, for example, the North Sea.”
How do the researchers feel about the goofy name of their sub? They don’t say, but it’s unlikely you’d be reading this story about Antarctic research if McBoatface was named, for instance, Autosub Long Range. | <urn:uuid:384739ce-621e-412f-8abd-72c88e22110c> | CC-MAIN-2018-05 | https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/boaty-mcboatface-completes-its-first-mission-180963863/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-05/segments/1516084891196.79/warc/CC-MAIN-20180122073932-20180122093932-00724.warc.gz | en | 0.933181 | 750 | 3.625 | 4 | 2.901968 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Science & Tech. |
When you hear something is high in fat you may tend to shy away immediately or assume you’re going to have to move up a pant size. However, not all fats are bad. In fact, you actually need some fats to maintain a healthy diet. Our bodies use fat to fuel your energy levels, to help with keeping skin soft, and to provide fat soluble vitamins. So there is no need to completely eliminate fat from your diet.
The important thing to know is which fats are good and which are bad. The basic types are: trans fats, saturated, and unsaturated (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated). Not all fats are created equal. In fact, some fats can actually provide added health benefits. The best way to learn what’s in your food is to read the nutritional label or do a little extra research. If you have additional questions, check with a nutritionist or a doctor. Know what you are eating.
The Good Fats
Unsaturated fats are better for you overall. In fact, if you replace your saturated fats with unsaturated fats, and eat the good fats in moderation, you may be able to reduce cholesterol levels. It can even lower your risk of heart disease.
Polyunsaturated fats are often found in vegetable oils. These fats have been said to lower cholesterol levels in your blood and lower triglyceride levels. Omega-3 fatty acids are also polyunsaturated fats which offer possible heart health benefits. You can find omega-3s in various kinds of fish, including but not limited to salmon and trout. They are also available in flaxseed and walnuts.
Monounsaturated fats have been said to lower the risk of heart disease and offer as a good source vitamin E. You can find monounsaturated fats in olives (and olive oil), avocados, almonds, pumpkin seeds, peanut oil, cashews, and many other healthy foods.
The Bad Fats
Saturated fats are ones that should be limited. They can cause arteries to clog, raise cholesterol levels, and possibly even heighten your risk of heart disease. These fats are often found in fatty meats, dairy that is high fat such as whole milk, eggs, and even poultry skin. They are also found in some vegetable fats.
Trans fats are the worst for you and should be kept at a minimum. However, keep in mind the naturally occurring trans fats aren’t as much of a concern as the artificial trans fat. Naturally occurring can be found in dairy or meat. It can be found in partially hydrogenated fats. Often these are used in frying, cookies, foods that are pre-packaged, some microwave popcorn, and some margarines. | <urn:uuid:d2509a56-4bfb-4e94-8a5c-693203200512> | CC-MAIN-2017-26 | http://bestrecipesmag.com/focus-fats-good-vs-bad/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-26/segments/1498128323895.99/warc/CC-MAIN-20170629084615-20170629104615-00447.warc.gz | en | 0.968711 | 557 | 3.171875 | 3 | 1.507559 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | Health |
The lottery is a popular form of gambling where people purchase tickets in order to win money. It is considered to be a game of chance because winners are selected by random drawing. Lotteries are operated by governments to raise money and are a popular source of income for state budgets. However, they are controversial because they are often viewed as a major regressive tax on lower-income citizens. They are also accused of encouraging addictive gambling behavior and contributing to other social problems. In addition, they are sometimes viewed as a hidden tax on consumers who don’t want to pay it but must do so in order to benefit from the public services provided by their states.
The state-sponsored lottery is a popular source of revenue in many countries, including the United States. In 2021, Americans spent over $100 billion on lottery tickets, making it the country’s most popular form of gambling. Governments promote the lottery by claiming that it helps to provide public services such as education, roads, and medical care. However, critics argue that the money raised by lottery games isn’t enough to make up for the costs of operating public services and that the state is ignoring its duty to protect the welfare of its citizens in its pursuit of gambling revenue.
Some of the early lotteries in Europe were used as an entertainment during dinner parties, with ticket holders having a chance to win prizes such as fine dinnerware. This type of lottery was called a “selection lot.” Later, in the 18th century, Benjamin Franklin sponsored a lottery to raise funds for cannons that would be used against the British in Philadelphia, and George Washington tried to hold a private lottery to relieve his crushing debts.
Lottery players are disproportionately low-income and less educated, and they are more likely to play frequently than other people. The most popular lottery games are scratch-offs, which typically have higher odds of winning than other types of lottery games. These are the bread and butter for lottery commissions, accounting for up to 65 percent of total sales. The next most popular lottery games are daily numbers, which have much lower odds of winning than the Powerball and Mega Millions jackpot games. These are the regressive lottery games, and are most popular among poorer players.
The messages that lottery commissions promote are aimed at getting people to play more frequently and to spend more on tickets. They do this by promoting the idea that playing the lottery is fun and entertaining, and by framing it as a “good thing” that will lead to good things in society. They also encourage people to support lottery companies by purchasing tickets, and they make it easier for retailers to promote the lottery by offering a variety of different products. The result is that the lottery becomes a very regressive industry with low odds of winning for most people who participate. It’s important for policymakers to understand this and consider the implications of how a lottery is structured. | <urn:uuid:15176890-a1e5-4a6d-8b71-11d019871228> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://mayorssportsandmenswear.com/the-controversy-of-the-lottery/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510368.33/warc/CC-MAIN-20230928063033-20230928093033-00094.warc.gz | en | 0.984264 | 590 | 3.09375 | 3 | 2.729165 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Games |
Published in enviro.philica.com
Here we are proposing an astronomical analysis of the directions of the diagonal avenues of Washington, made by means of satellite images and a modern ephemeris, the Photographer s Ephemeris, a well-known software used for planning outdoor photography. The diagonal streets of Washington seem had been aligned along moonrise and moonset azimuths of 1791, the year the engineer Pierre Charles L Enfant planned the town for George Washington.
Astronomical Alignments of the Diagonal Avenues of Washington
Amelia Carolina Sparavigna
Politecnico di Torino
Abstract: Here we are proposing an astronomical analysis of the directions of the diagonal avenues of Washington, made by means of satellite images and a modern ephemeris, the Photographer s Ephemeris, a well-known software used for planning outdoor photography. The diagonal streets of Washington seem had been aligned along moonrise and moonset azimuths of 1791, the year the engineer Pierre Charles L'Enfant planned the town for George Washington.
Keywords: Astronomy, Satellite Images, Architecture, Modern Ephemerides
In this work we will show that the urban plan of Washington is containing a precise astronomical reference, which is linking the Capital to the year of foundation. This urban plan is known as the L'Enfant Plan. It was developed in 1791 by Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant for George Washington, the first President of the United States.
Major L'Enfant was a French engineer who served in the American Revolutionary War. In Wikipedia , we can find the detailed story of the plan. Shortly: in 1789, L'Enfant wrote to President Washington asking to be commissioned for the planning of the Capital. However, any decision was put on hold until July 1790, when Congress passed the Residence Act. This Act gave authority to Washington to appoint three commissioners to oversee the land surveying. Then in 1791 L'Enfant was appointed to design the new capital city under the supervision of the three commissioners.
L'Enfant arrived in Georgetown on March 1791 and began his work, then Washington arrived to meet with L'Enfant and the Commissioners for several days. Then, President Washington retained one of L'Enfant's plans, showing it to Congress. L'Enfant's "Plan of the city intended for the permanent seat of the government of the United States…" encompassed an area bounded by the Potomac River, the Eastern Branch, the base of the escarpment of the Atlantic Seaboard Fall Line, and Rock Creek" .
A note important for our astronomical analysis is given in the item of Wikipedia. We can read that L'Enfant's plan contained the following explanatory note: "In order to execute the above plan, Mr. Ellicott drew a true meridian line by celestial observation, which passes through the area intended for the Congress-House; this line he crossed by another line due east and west and which passes through the same area. These lines were accurately measured, and made the basis on which the whole plan was executed. He ran all the lines by a transit instrument, and determined the acute angles by actual measurement, and left nothing to the uncertainty of the compass". It is clear then the importance the celestial observations had for L’Enfant.
By means of the satellite images, it is easy to see the streets that are making a chessboard of parallel and perpendicular streets, like the ancient Roman towns that were planned with the Centuriation . We see the North-South streets which are aligned along the “Axis Mundi”, the axis about which the sky seems rotating. We have also the East-West streets aligned along sunrise and sunset azimuths on equinoxes. But there are also the diagonal avenues. These avenues were later named after the states of the union crossed the grid. As explained by Wikipedia, “the diagonal avenues intersected with the north-south and east-west streets at circles and rectangular plazas that would later honor notable Americans and provide open space”.
Let us make an astronomical analysis of the directions of the diagonal avenues by means of satellite images and a modern ephemeris, the Photographer s Ephemeris, a well-known software used for planning outdoor photography. We have used this method for the streets of Turin for instance .
As we can see by the snapshots of the Photographer’s Ephemeris outputs in the Figures 1-3, the diagonal streets of Washington seem had been aligned along moonrise and moonset azimuths of a minor lunar standstill (October 2015).
In 1791, the year the engineer Pierre Charles L'Enfant planned the town for George Washington, we were quite close to a minor lunar standstill, as we can see from the web page astropixels.com/ephemeris/moon/moondecmax1701.html. At this site we can find the list of the Greatest Annual Lunar Standstills: 1701 to 1800. For 1791, the minimum declination was on Jan 03 of -19.161, the maximum on Jan 17 of 19.107. For 1792 (minor lunar standstill), the minimum declination was on Dec 14 of -18.569, the maximum on Dec 27 of 18.587. For 1793, on Dec 05 we had -19.272 and on Dec 18 of 19.306. Algorithms used are based on Astronomical Algorithms by Jean Meeus (Willmann-Bell, 1998; the table of the Greatest Annual Lunar Standstills is a courtesy of Fred Espenak, www.Astropixels.com).
The difference of declination and then of azimuth between 1791 and 1792 is small. The same happens if we consider years 2014, 2015 and 2016; it is difficult to appreciate any difference by the Photographer’s Ephemeris if we consider the moon azimuths on October of these years. In fact, after the astronomical analysis, we can conclude the following. In his planning, it is quite probable that Pierre Charles L'Enfant aligned the diagonal avenues of Washington along moonrise and moonset azimuths of 1791, the year he planned the town for George Washington. Then, in the planning of the Capital of the United States, there is also a reference to the year of the foundation.
Vv. Aa. (2016). L’Enfant Plan, Wikipedia.
Sparavigna, A. C. (2015). Roman Centuriation in Satellite Images. PHILICA Article number 547. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2742223
Sparavigna, A. C. (2016). The Orientation of a Street of Turin along the Major Southern Moonrise Direction. SSRN Journal. DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.2779906
Figure 1: Snapshot of the Photographer’s Ephemeris for Washington on October 3, 2015. The blue lines are the moonrise and moonset azimuths, the yellow and orange lines those of sunrise and sunset. Note the coincidence to the diagonal avenues.
Figure 2: Snapshot of the Photographer’s Ephemeris for Washington on October 3, 2015.
Figure 3: Snapshot of the Photographer’s Ephemeris for Washington on October 18, 2015.
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Sparavigna, A. (2016). Astronomical Alignments of the Diagonal Avenues of Washington. PHILICA.COM Article number 612. | <urn:uuid:18e153b1-d449-4360-88ba-446fd46c27ed> | CC-MAIN-2017-43 | http://philica.com/display_article.php?article_id=612 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-43/segments/1508187824226.31/warc/CC-MAIN-20171020154441-20171020174441-00139.warc.gz | en | 0.93402 | 1,664 | 2.921875 | 3 | 2.888639 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Science & Tech. |
What is a Sewage Pump?
, not to be confused with sump pumps
are specific types of pumps and pumping systems used to pump sewage from a bathroom and/or laundry room in your basement or anywhere else that is below your main sewer/septic lines.
These guidelines cover the steps that need to be taken to accurately select the correct sewage pump and applicable systems to use in sewage ejectors. The system is selected first and in sizing a system you need to work through five steps to determine:
- System Capacity (GPM required)
- Total Head
- Pump Selection
- Basin Size
- Simplex/Duplex System
System Capacity refers to the rate of flow in gallons per minute (GPM) necessary to efficiently maintain the system. The "Fixture Unit" method is suggested for determining this figure. This approach assigns a relative value to each fixture or group of
fixtures normally encountered. Determination of the required SYSTEM CAPACITY is as follows:
- List all fixtures involved in the installation and using Figure 1 assign a Fixture Unit value to each. Add to obtain total.
- Referring to Figure 2 locate the total Fixture Unit amount along the horizontal axis of the graph and follow vertically until intersecting the plotted line. Read the SYSTEM CAPACITY in GPM along the vertical axis.
TOTAL HEAD is a combination of two components—Static Head and Friction Head —and is expressed in feet . (Refer to Typical Installation Illustration, Figure 4).
- Static Head is the actual vertical distance measured from the minimum water level in the BASIN to the highest point in the discharge piping.
- Friction Head is the additional head created in the discharge system due to resistance to flow within its components. All straight pipe, fittings, valves, etc. have a friction factor which must be considered. These friction factors are converted to, and expressed as, equivalent feet of straight pipe, which can then be totaled and translated to Friction Head depending on the flow and pipe size. Basically this is reduced to four steps.
- It will be necessary to determine the discharge pipe size. In order to ensure sufficient fluid velocity to carry solids, (generally accepted to be 2 feet per second), flows should be at least:
9 GPM through 1-1/4" pipe
13 GPM through 1-1/2" pipe
21 GPM through 2" pipe
30 GPM through 2-1/2" pipe
46 GPM through 3" pipe
- The length of the discharge piping is measured from the discharge opening of the pump to the point of final discharge, following all contours and bends.
- To determine the equivalent length of discharge piping represented by the various fittings and valves, refer to Figure 6 and total all values. Add this to the measured length of discharge pipe and divide by 100 to determine the number of 100 ft. increments.
- Refer to Figure 5 and find the required Pump Capacity. (determined from Figure 2). Follow gallon per minute to pipe size being used. Multiply this number by the number of 100 foot increments.
- Add the Static Head and Friction Head to determine Total Head.
Every centrifugal pump has a unique performance curve. This curve illustrates the relationship of flow (GPM) to pressure (Total Head) at any point. The pump will operate at any point along this performance curve.
Pump capacity is therefore the flow the pump
will generate at any specific pressure. The object is to select a pump whose performance curve passes either through or close to the design-condition, preferably above.
Start with the smallest pump horsepower size that will pass the required solid size. If the solid size is not required or mentioned, go to Step 2 and check performance.
With the pump selected in Step 1, check performance curve(s) to see that it passes above or through the design condition.
SOLID HANDLINGS requirements may be determined by local codes and/or by the type of application and types of solids anticipated. Unless otherwise stated by codes, a sewage pump should have the capability of handling spherical solids of at least 2" in diameter in installations involving water closet.
BASIN selection is best accomplished by relating to required System Capacity as determined by the Fixture Unit method.
Figure 7 shows recommended basin diameters, assuming the normal pump differential (distance in inches between turn-on and turn-off), and running time ranges from 15 seconds to 4 minutes. Basin depth, however, should be at least 24" below basin inlet for most pumps and deeper where greater pumping differentials are anticipated.
Since basin size is directly related to frequency of pump operation, it is important to select a basin of sufficient size to insure that the pump does not short cycle.
The question of whether to use a SIMPLEX or DUPLEX system depends on the type of installation and/or local codes. Generally, a determination can be made using the following guidelines.
- Domestic — Simplex System is usually adequate.
- Commercial — OPTIONAL — Depending on the type of business and the need for uninterrupted sanitary drainage facilities.
- Public or Industrial — DUPLEX System is essential. While you are sizing the system and before you select the pump, you will need to know — and consider — or make allowances for the following:
- Volts/Phase/Hertz—What is available?
- Will the pump share a circuit?
- Does the home, business, etc. have circuit breakers or fuses?
- What is the breaker or fuse amp rating? Make sure it is enough.
- Check local or state codes for (1) Solid size requirements (2) Amp ratings/circuit cord size/ratings or type (3) Pipe material/size/depth to bury (4) Tank size/location.
- Are there plans for future expansion? As in, adding upstairs bath, basement plumbing, washing machine, etc.
Example Sizing Problem
- What PUMP CAPACITY would be required to handle the drainage from a 4 bathroom home, also including a dishwasher, a washer, a laundry tray, a kitchen sink, water softener, basement shower, a 13,000 gallon pool and a bar sink (1-1/2" trap)?
1. From Figure 1:
2. Refer to Figure 2:
Find 55 Fixture Units on the horizontal axis. Follow vertically until intersecting the line then horizontally to the left. The pump capacity on the vertical axis is 30 GPM.
- Determine the Total Head of the installation illustrated in Figure 4, The Typical Installation Illustration:
1. That Static Head in this instance is 7 feet.
2. Friction Head:
a. Since the required PUMP CAPACITY in this illustration of 30 GPM is less than the 46 GPM necessary to carry solids through 3" pipe, 2" or 2-1/2" pipe should be used. If 3" pipe is preferred or required, a PUMP CAPACITY of at least 46 GPM is required.
b. Measurement of the length of the discharge pipe totals 200'.
c. Refer to Figure 6 and note the friction factor in equivalent feet for each fitting:
3-90 degree elbows, 2" ---- 16 equivalent feet
1-gate valve, 2" --- 1 equivalent feet
1-swing check valve, 2" --- 17 equivalent feet
Totals 34 equivalent feet
Adding 34 feet to the measured pipe length, the total effective pipe length becomes 234 feet or 2.34 100-feet increments.
d. Refer to Figure 5. Find the 30 GPM required PUMP CAPACITY on the left scale and follow over to the 2" PVC pipe size column. Friction Head is 1.8 x 2.34 = 4.2 feet.
3. Total Head Required:
Total Head = Static Head + Friction Head
Total Head = 7 + 4.2
Total Head = 11.2
- Due to the existence of water closets in this installation, a pump with 2" Solids Handling capacity should be used unless otherwise specifically stated by applicable codes. Use Figure 3 to select pump.
- To determine the Basin size, find the Pump Capacity (30GPM) in the column on the left of Figure 7. Any BASIN diameter of 18" or greater is acceptable.
- Since this application is domestic, a Simplex System is sufficient.
- Summary: Recommended selections for this installation would be a Simplex System utilizing an 18" or greater diameter Basin and a 2" Solids Handling pump capable of delivering at least 30 GPM at 11".
Shop for Sewage Pumps | <urn:uuid:28f29fa0-5812-41f0-a2ff-5bcf3952c3ba> | CC-MAIN-2015-06 | http://www.plumbersurplus.com/Buying-Guides/Sewage-Pumps-Systems-Buying-Guide/11 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2015-06/segments/1422115863063.84/warc/CC-MAIN-20150124161103-00051-ip-10-180-212-252.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.886798 | 1,806 | 3.046875 | 3 | 2.194846 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | Industrial |
Lithuania was the last country in Europe to convert to Christianity and has retained a connection with the Old Gods in a way that has not been preserved elsewhere. Therefore, through exploring the mythologies of the Old Balts, it is possible to gather threads and weave a colourful picture of the traditions and way of life that stretched back to our Indo-European ancestors, and possibly even beyond to the Corded Ware culture of the Neolithic. The Old Ways are still very important in Lithuania and attempts have been made to recreate them all over the country, notably at the Naisiai Museum of Baltic Deities near Siauliai and the Hill of Witches on the Curonian Spit.
Of central important is the fire ritual, still held sacred in Lithuania to this day. Fire is regarded as the vital life force, the link between the ancestors and the fecundity of nature and the Earth. In ancient Vilnius, in the Sventaragis Valley at the conference of the Vilna and Neris rivers, the Eternal Flame burned and was tended by priestesses called the ‘Vaidilutes’ in the temple of Perkunas, the thunder god closely linked to the sacred fire. Today the cathedral stands over the site, and in the crypt you can see the archaeological remains of the twelve steps, and twelve altars, on which the sacred fire was burned. And in nearby Kalny park in a grove on the side of the Hill of Crosses there is a well-tended fire altar, set up to honour the ancestors in a way that would have been done from old.
Fire was also central to ever Lithuanian household, where the mother would have had the sacred role of tending the hearth and carrying out the sacred rituals. The fire itself was the sacred Ugnis, and the goddess of the hearth Gabija, the fiery one who had healing, protective and purifying powers. Pure water, bread and salt were commonly used in rituals as sacrifices, or sacred gifts, to the fire. ‘When Ugnis is fed salt, sacred Gabija is satiated.’ Each night, the mother of the house would cover the coals and bank the ashes for the night so the the fire would not wander and cause damage in the home. Indeed her name is derived from the verb meaning to ‘cover up.’
On Birute Hill, in the centre of Palanga there was once a very important fire altar situated right next to the Baltic Sea. Still regarded as a sacred site at the time of the Grand Duchy, the fire was tended by Vaidilutes, the fire priestesses, until legend has it, one of them named Birute was kidnapped and married to Grand Duke Kestutis. A small chapel on top of the hill tells in stained glass the story including a beautifully depicted fire priestess, and retaining the memory of how the Christianisation of the Grand Duchy resulting in a ‘kidnapping’ of the Old Ways.
Fire is also intrinsic to that other prize of the Baltic nations, amber. Though amber is found world- wide it is Baltic Amber that it is the most valued and is enshrined at the heart of the mythology of the Old Balts as follows:
‘Once there was a goddess called Jurate who lived in an amber palace under the Baltic Sea. She tried to stop a fisherman from catching her fish but ended up falling in love with him instead. She invited him to live with her in the palace, but the god Perkunas disapproved of the liaison. He sent a storm to the Baltic, destroying the palace and killing the fisherman. Now the moans of Jurate are said to be what cause the sea storms, and the Baltic amber is what remains of her palace.’
Science informs us that Baltic amber originated around 40 to 45 million years ago during the Eocence period. Since the greenhouse conditions of the Cretaceous, there has been a general cooling trend in climate but during the Eocene there were some periods of extended warming, not dissimilar to today. In response to the heat, the Baltic pine tree started to release copious amounts of resin from within, an act that ultimately led to the drying up and therefore death of the tree. In the process, creatures that lived in the ecology of the pine forest became engulfed in the sticky resin, entombing and therefore preserving them for prosperity. The amber museum in Palanga has a stunning collection of some of the 3000 species of Eocene fauna that became fossilised in amber, including spiders, ants, centipedes, early bees and flies. The many specimens show amber in all its different colours and forms, including rich cognac, crimson red, black and coral green, even white, and the largest piece of amber known today, called the sunstone.
For millions of years Amber lay at the bottom of the ocean, until about ten thousand years ago, when the melting ice and crustal adjustments created the Baltic Sea (again) and brought the long since buried fragments of amber up to the surface. In this warming world, the amber was ‘reactivated’ and human beings were on hand to search it out. Artefacts in the museum go back to around 4000 BC, and amber disks have been found in Nida with delineation marks dividing them into quarters, like the seasonal solar year. For thousands of years amber has been highly prized and used for ritual purposes, trade and a commodity on a par with salt and much later, silk, and it is accredited with many properties from healing, cleansing and protecting.
Above all though it is its fiery, piezoelectric qualities that make it unique, first named, though not necessarily first recognised, by the Greeks. They named amber Elektra or ‘shining light’ on the account that it can cause an attraction when rubbed with a cloth –a phenomena later called static electricity. Gilbert, Franklin and Volta all conducted experiments with this magic force that they called ‘electricity’ and in 1897 when JJ Thompson discovered the negatively charged electron’ he named it after the goddess Elektra, thereby cementing the link.
Amber was probably used
to create fire by rubbing or striking, and as Franklin also discovered with his
famous kite flying experiment, lightning and electrical sparks are the same
thing – another reason that Perkunas (the god of thunder and lightning) was
also closely associated with fire. Amber then held not only the secrets of the
past within its fabric, but also the key to one of the most transformational commodities
of the future – electricity. This is just one of the many secrets associated
with the Sacred Fire so revered by the Ancients. | <urn:uuid:5832bac7-e476-4cdd-89eb-b2a2abdb489d> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://earthwisdomearthscience.com/2019/07/14/ancient-lithuania-fire-and-amber/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141750841.83/warc/CC-MAIN-20201205211729-20201206001729-00490.warc.gz | en | 0.967341 | 1,385 | 3.078125 | 3 | 2.928606 | 3 | Strong reasoning | History |
As the holidays call for good will toward men, new research indicates that kids who are kinder are also happier and more popular.
This finding suggests that simple and brief acts of kindness might help reduce bullying, the researchers say.
At the top of parents' wish lists is for their children to be happy, to be good and to be well-liked, and past research has suggested these goals may be not only compatible but complementary.
The link between happiness and prosocial behavior such as kindness toward others apparently goes both ways: Not only do happy people often do good for others, but being more prosocial increases people's sense of well-being.
Based on this prior research, scientists carried out what they say was the first long-term experiment analyzing kindness in pre-teens. The investigators followed more than 400 "tweens" – kids age 9 to 12 – attending Vancouver, Canada, elementary schools.
The students were randomly assigned to two groups. Half the students were asked by teachers to keep track of pleasant places they visited, such as playgrounds, baseball diamonds, shopping centers or a grandparent's house.
The other students were asked to perform acts of kindness, such as sharing their lunch or giving their mom a hug when she felt stressed by her job.
"We gave them examples of acts of kindness, but we left it up to the kids to decide what was a kind act," said researcher Kimberly Schonert-Reichl, a developmental psychologist at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.
The students were asked to report how happy they were and identify classmates they would like to work with in school activities. After four weeks, both groups said they were happier, but the kids who had performed acts of kindness reported experiencing greater acceptance from their peers – they were chosen most often by other students as children the other students wanted to work with. [10 Scientific Tips for Raising Happy Kids]
"You can do this very simple intervention that not only increases happiness but makes kids like each other more in the classroom," Schonert-Reichl told LiveScience.
According to Schonert-Reichl, bullying often increases in grades 4 and 5. By asking students to briefly and regularly act kindly to those around them, "hopefully we can get kids to get along in the classroom and reduce instances of the bullying and teasing that we see, especially around this age group," Schonert-Reichl said.
"One thing we haven't done yet that I think would be fascinating would be to see what kind acts kids in this age group do," she added. "Another would be seeing if this actually can be an intervention for bullying — will it decrease bullying in the classroom? And we did this in classrooms; what happens if you did it on the whole school level?"
The scientists detailed their findings online Dec. 26 in the journal PLoS ONE. | <urn:uuid:5d3db32c-9741-4371-8315-698de4059937> | CC-MAIN-2017-51 | http://www.businessinsider.com/nice-kids-are-actually-more-popular-than-the-bullies-2012-12 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-51/segments/1512948543611.44/warc/CC-MAIN-20171214093947-20171214113947-00143.warc.gz | en | 0.983018 | 591 | 3.484375 | 3 | 2.939303 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Health |
Capital of Louisiana, Baton Rouge is a hub of industrial and commercial activities. The city is a blend of history, commerce and tradition, with oil refineries and chemical industries. The city is home to LSU (Louisiana State University), main port facilities and a wide array of cultural and historical attractions. With centrally located, the city is easily accessible and perfect to explore. Did you know that Baton Rouge’s name is French for “Red Stick”? Did you know that Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge in the only university in the country to actually have a mascot as a “live tiger”?
Image By Xnatedawgx (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or FAL], via Wikimedia Commons
Baton Rouge Geographic and Demographic Fast Facts
- The capital of Louisiana is Baton Rouge.
- It is located in southeastern Louisiana along the Mississippi River.
- It is the second largest city in the state.
- It is a port city because of the bridge constructed across the Mississippi River.
- The Port of the city is the ninth largest port in the United States in terms of shipping tonnage.
- The ethnic composition of Baton Rouge includes White-40.8%, Black or African American-50.4%, Native American-0.5%, Asian-3.5%, Latino or Hispanic-3.5%, and two or more races-1.3%.
- The city has warm climate with winters lasting for a short time.
Baton Rouge History Fast Facts
- In 1817, Baton Rouge was incorporated.
- The capital of Louisiana was transferred from New Orleans to Baton Rouge in 1849 for the first time.
- In 1861, Louisiana seceded from the United States, with capital again being shifted to New Orleans.
- Baton Rouge was again renamed the capital of Louisiana in 1882.
- In 1850, the Old State House was established.
- The city witnessed growth in the petrochemical industry in the 1950s and 60s, thus leading to expansion and growth.
Baton Rouge Government and Economy Fast Facts
- Baton Rouge is run by a consolidated government- the Parish of East Baton and the City of Baton Rouge.
- It is a political hub for the state.
- The largest industry in Baton Rouge is the petrochemical industry.
- It is a key industrial, medical, technology, petrochemical and research hub of the American South.
- According to Portfolio Magazines (2010), it is among the “Top 10 Places for Young Adults”.
- According to Brookings, Baton Rouge is ranked as one of the “Top 10 Cities in North American for Economic Strength”.
- According to CNN (2009), it was ranked as the ninth best place in the US to begin a new business.
Baton Rouge Important and Interesting Fast Facts
- Baton Rouge is nicknamed as “The Capital City”, “Red Stick”, “The Chemical City”, and “B.R.”.
- Baton Rouge in French means “red stick”.
- The tallest building in Louisiana is the Baton Rouge State Capitol Building about 450 feet.
- Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge in the only university in the country to actually a mascot as a “live tiger”. The name is Mike who is kept in a special habitat.
- "The Advocate" is the major daily newspaper in Baton Rouge. | <urn:uuid:0acadd4d-d461-4cf9-9d7c-0d864d450cdf> | CC-MAIN-2019-30 | https://www.batonrougeonline.us/guide/did-you-know | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-30/segments/1563195528208.76/warc/CC-MAIN-20190722180254-20190722202254-00089.warc.gz | en | 0.919782 | 765 | 3.109375 | 3 | 1.093567 | 1 | Basic reasoning | History |
explorer; founder of Quebec
Samuel de Champlain was born in
Brouage, Saintonge, France, circa 1570. His
father, a sea captain, taught him navigation. He
entered the French Army at the age of about 20
and served until 1598. In 1599 he sailed to the
Spanish colonies in America on a French trading
ship. From 1599 to 1601, he commanded the St.
Julien on several voyages to the West
Indies, Mexico, and Panama. Upon his return to
France, Champlain wrote a book about his voyages
in which he described the splendor of Mexico City
and proposed the construction of a canal across
the Isthmus of Panama. The book made an
impression on King Henry IV, who granted
Champlain a pension and the right to explore
French possessions in North America.
In 1603, Champlain sailed to
what is now Canada and anchored at Tadoussac,
where the Saguenay joins the St. Lawrence. He
then sailed up the Saguenay as far as the rapids
just above present-day Montreal. Returning to
Tadoussac, he then explored both sides of the St.
Lawrence River down to about present-day Quebec.
During this voyage he became one of the first
Europeans to see Niagara Falls.
Returning to Canada in 1604, Champlain explored
the New England coast. In 1605 he helped found a
settlement at Port Royal (now Annapolis Royal,
Nova Scotia). Later in 1605 Champlain again
explored the New England coast, this time making
it to the tip of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The
following year he continued on around Cape Cod,
but went no further south.
Founding of Quebec
Champlain returned to Canada in
1608 to establish a fur-trading post. He chose a
site along the St. Lawrence River and named it
Quebec, thus establishing the first permanent
settlement in what was then called New France.
The first winter was extremely cold, and only 8
of the 24 settlers survived.
Quebec, as pictured in
Champlain's 1613 book Voyages. The fort
had a fur storehouse, platforms for cannon (N), a
pigeon loft (B), and sundial (E). Entry was via a
drawbridge leading to the main door (I).
Champlain died in his official residence (H) in
Hoping to prevent Indian
attacks, Champlain became friendly with the
Algonquin and Huron who lived nearby. In 1609 he
and two French companions joined the Algonquin
and Huron in a raid on the Iroquis, who lived in
what is now New York. The French's muskets easily
defeated the Iroquis, and Champlain won the
lasting friendship of the Algonquin and Huron. On
this raid, Champlain became the first European to
reach Lake Champlain, which he named for himself.
From 1610 to 1624 Champlain
made several trips to France to obtain aid for
Quebec. He also explored Lake Ontario and the
Georgian Bay of Lake Huron.
War broke out between France
and England in 1626 and the English began to
seize French settlements in Canada. In 1628 an
English fleet cut off supplies to Quebec and
ordered Champlain to surrender the fort. The
settlers held out for a year but finally
surrendered after they ran out of food. The
English took Champlain to England, but allowed
him to return to France in 1629. In 1632 the
Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye returned Quebec
to France. Champlain sailed back to Quebec in
1633 and rebuilt the fort. He lived there until
his death, on December 25, 1635.
World Book Encyclopedia
Chicago: World Book-Childcraft International,
Museum of History: Hall of Explorers
Questions or comments about | <urn:uuid:11f8f93b-53a4-425e-af27-a4fd8bfbbb87> | CC-MAIN-2017-22 | http://robinsonlibrary.com/america/canada/history/champlain.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-22/segments/1495463607998.27/warc/CC-MAIN-20170525044605-20170525064605-00461.warc.gz | en | 0.935881 | 869 | 3.8125 | 4 | 2.417169 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | History |
Citrus trees come from the Rutaceae plant family, and are native to Asia and India. These flowering trees are commonly added to the garden landscape for their white, ornamental flowers, as well as their sweet and sour fruits. Citrus trees thrive in tropical, subtropical and Mediterranean climates. The longevity and life span of your citrus tree depends on the tree’s health and vigor. With proper cultural care, your citrus tree is less likely to succumb to disease, and have a longer lifespan.
The average lifespan of a citrus tree is approximately 50 years. This age applies to both standard size and dwarf citrus. Trees begin producing fruits sometime during their second through fifth growing season, and continue to produce fruit throughout their lifespan. Healthy foliage is an indicator of fruit production. A tree with a lot of healthy foliage produces more fruit. If it is particularly healthy, it is possible for citrus trees to live as long as 100 years.
Planting in the Ground vs. Container Growing
Citrus trees planted in the ground tend to last and produce fruit longer than those grown in pots or containers. Potted citrus trees require additional maintenance and care to keep the trees healthy. Depending on a tree’s growth rate, you must increase the size of the growing container every 12 to 16 months. Failing to do so results in a stunted tree and root system, and overall poor health and vigor. Extend the life of your container-growing citrus tree by providing a new, larger pot and fresh soil annually.
A life-threatening and life-shortening disease called citrus greening, or Huanglongbing disease is a common bacterium that affects citrus plants and trees. Affected trees show symptoms of blotchy leaves and uneven dispersal of fruit growing on the tree. The fruit that is produced is misshapen and has a bitter taste. The symptoms of this disease are slow to present themselves, leaving you unaware that your tree is infected. Citrus trees infected with this disease typically die or require removal within three to five years of infection. Those that survive are left with a shortened lifespan; typically down from 50 years to 15.
Proper Cultural Care
The best way to increase the life of your citrus tree is to practice proper cultural care and keep up the maintenance of your tree. Plant your citrus tree in a well-draining, full sun area where the tree is sheltered from wind. Create a schedule of regular water and fertilization until the tree becomes established. Establishment times vary depending on the type of citrus you are growing. Once the tree is established, it requires little maintenance other than pruning to remove dead, broken and diseased limbs. Because citrus trees are self-shaping, they only require shaping to allow more sunlight to reach lower branches of the tree.
- Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images | <urn:uuid:616c3cfb-be00-43dc-abc4-5bf20ac820be> | CC-MAIN-2017-22 | http://homeguides.sfgate.com/length-life-citrus-trees-51792.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-22/segments/1495463608954.74/warc/CC-MAIN-20170527133144-20170527153144-00487.warc.gz | en | 0.949155 | 579 | 3.8125 | 4 | 1.651101 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | Home & Hobbies |
Imagine if you could empower a 10-year-old boy go to school for the first time – just by helping him get a birth certificate.
His first day at school could be the last day he is left behind and invisible in his community.
Moisés and his twin brother Francisco always wanted to learn. But when they were old enough for the first grade, their mother María Elena couldn’t register them for school because she had lost their identity documents. In their country Bolivia, you can’t go to school without them.
A single mother, she couldn’t afford to pay for replacement documents – her inconsistent work as a cleaner was barely enough to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads.
It’s amazing how something so small can lead to a lifetime of hardship and lost opportunities. With no other option, María Elena tried to teach the boys herself at home instead of formal education.
But, as the years went by, it became clear that they were falling further and further behind other children their age, but everything changed when World Vision partnered with Moisés and Francisco’s community with their child sponsorship programme.
“I knew I had to ask for help to get their documents so that they could move on. Thank God, now they both have documents. And they started studying this year!"
Moisés and Francisco started first grade in February 2020, at the age of 10. Because of the time lost, they are by far the tallest and oldest in their classes, but Moisés has decided to make it his job to protect his smallest classmates.
“I don’t like violence,” he says. “I want to be a policeman when I grow up, so I am starting by protecting the small children now.”
The situation Moisés and Francisco faced is not unique. According to UNICEF , over 166 million children across the world remain invisible to their government and unable to fully participate in their communities each year. They often can’t access education or health services, and because they are not officially recognised as citizens, they are vulnerable to exploitation, abuse and underage marriage or recruitment into armed forces.
That’s why the child sponsorship programme helps families to register their children and get a birth certificate – it is a foundation for their protection and well-being.
Sadly, just a month after Moisés and Francisco’s enthusiastic start at school, COVID-19 restrictions closed their school and all formal classes eventually suspended in March. The boys were devastated.
Although their teacher continued to send tasks to parents via smartphone messages, Moisés and Francisco were again left behind because María Elena couldn’t afford a smartphone or an internet package to access the materials. Because of the COVID-19 restrictions, she was also out of work and it wasn’t long before María Elena contracted COVID-19 herself.
Being part of the child sponsorship programme, World Vision was able to bridge the gap, providing school materials and other supplies Moisés and Francisco desperately needed during lockdown.
“They brought us food when the pandemic started, in those days when you couldn't get out, when I fell into bed with the coronavirus. Thank God, now I'm on my feet again."
“Because of the school supplies, now my boys are studying again. Thank God they could continue studying, they are in first place!”
The boys are now preparing for grade placement tests so they can soon jump grades and attend classes with children their own age.
“I tell them that they have to study and make the effort, because then they can get ahead. They can do it if they keep studying and work hard," she says.
This year is not the first time Moisés and Francisco have been locked out of school – but it’s definitely the last time they will be left behind.
It’s been a difficult year for all of us, but Moisés and Francisco are making it count.
So can you. Imagine the world of firsts you could create in a child’s life today. | <urn:uuid:c129760e-ef63-4d6c-8797-61840f0b5e19> | CC-MAIN-2022-49 | https://www.wvi.org/child-sponsorship/Christmas-of-Firsts/Making-Him-Visible | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-49/segments/1669446711074.68/warc/CC-MAIN-20221206060908-20221206090908-00320.warc.gz | en | 0.977749 | 866 | 2.53125 | 3 | 2.749315 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Education & Jobs |
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Achilles tendon exercises are movements designed to strengthen the Achilles tendon in the heel. Made up of the tendons of the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris muscles in the calf, the Achilles — the strongest tendon in the human body — anchors these muscles to the heel bone, the calcaneus. Because this tendon transfers forces created by muscles in the calf across the ankle joint by pulling upward on the heel, Achilles tendon exercises tend to focus on strengthening the gastrocnemius and soleus and to a lesser degree the plantaris. Most effective exercises are variations on pointing and flexing the foot, as well as stretching the Achilles tendon to make it stronger.
The large two-headed muscle of the calf running from behind the knee to the heel bone, the gastrocnemius, is a powerful plantarflexor, meaning that it flexes the foot downward at the ankle joint. Beneath the gastrocnemius in the calf is the soleus, a slightly smaller muscle that also plantarflexes the ankle, particularly when the knee is bent. The third muscle with a common tendon in the Achilles is the plantaris, a relatively minor muscle of the leg whose muscle belly is situated behind the knee and whose tendon runs between the gastrocnemius and soleus to the heel. As the action of the plantaris is so insignificant — it is in fact considered a vestigial structure — exercises that strengthen the Achilles primarily involve the gastrocnemius and soleus.
Because contractions of these calf muscles pull upward on the Achilles tendon, thereby hinging the foot downward as in pointing the toe, strength training the gastrocnemius and soleus proximally strengthens the tendon. Any exercises that involve plantarflexion can therefore be considered Achilles tendon exercises. Novice exercisers and individuals rehabilitating an Achilles tendon injury can benefit from simple seated exercises. These can be done while sitting at one’s desk at work, and include basic plantar and dorsiflexion, or pointing and flexing the foot repetitively, as well as more complex ankle movements, such as drawing the alphabet with one’s toes.
Traditional calf-strengthening moves can also be considered Achilles tendon exercises. These include standing and seated calf raises. Standing calf raises, which work both muscles, involve standing on a step with the back half of the foot hanging off the edge and rising up onto the balls of the feet, followed by lowering the heels past the step until a stretch is felt before repeating. These can be done with one’s own body weight or on a machine for added resistance. Seated calf raises, which better emphasize the soleus, are performed on a machine with both knees pressed against overhanging pads to lift and lower the weight.
Though the Achilles is the most powerful tendon in the human body, the tendency toward tightness in the muscles of the calf leaves it susceptible to tears. For that reason, stretches for the calf muscles and their tendons should be included in a regimen of Achilles tendon exercises. To stretch the Achilles, a standing calf stretch is recommended, in which the individual stands facing a wall, plants both hands on the wall at chest height and steps one foot straight back into a lunge. Keeping the front foot planted and knee slightly bent, he should straighten the back leg and press the heel of the back foot into the floor while lunging his body weight forward to increase the stretch. This stretch should be held without bouncing for 30 seconds and repeated with the back knee slightly bent and heel on the floor, which targets the soleus.
One of our editors will review your suggestion and make changes if warranted. Note that depending on the number of suggestions we receive, this can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Thank you for helping to improve wiseGEEK! | <urn:uuid:abdbbbbf-1744-484a-b11c-252afb4b6f39> | CC-MAIN-2014-52 | http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-best-achilles-tendon-exercises.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2014-52/segments/1418802765678.46/warc/CC-MAIN-20141217075245-00156-ip-10-231-17-201.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.929883 | 800 | 3.0625 | 3 | 1.685457 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | Health |
Granted, router settings aren’t the sexiest of topics. But when you consider the merriment that a router in good working order can bring to your life, you soon discover that spending a few minutes reading something turgid on the subject is probably worthwhile.
Channels are signal bands that different devices use to connect to your router to tell it that they are there. Your laptop might link to your router on one channel, while dear old Amazon Alexa might on another.
Most routers have three independent, non-overlapping channels that don’t interfere with each other, 1, 6, and 11. Devices transmitting on these channels will, therefore, carry on communicating to your router, oblivious to the fact that other devices are also sending information too. That’s what you want.
Channel Setting Problems
The problem comes when the automatic settings on your router lead several devices to connect to it using the same bandwidth. Two or three is usually okay, but the more devices you add to a particular channel, the less stable your connection. In the worst case scenario, some devices won’t connect at all while others are in use on the same channel.
Rather than spending hours fiddling around with internet settings and getting nowhere, it usually pays to go into your router settings and look at which devices are connecting on which channels. If you find that you have a bunch of devices all running through channel 6, then consider moving some of them to 1 and some to 11. Doing that will help to spread the load, reduce interference and, hopefully, restore reliable internet connectivity.
Okay, here’s where things get a little trickier. Even though the data being sent by neighbouring networks is encrypted, and even though you can’t use their router to send and receive data to the internet without a key, their signals can still interfere with yours.
People who live in flats, for instance, often find that their internet connections are unstable. Blaming the overall internet speed probably isn’t correct, but blaming your neighbours might be. Signals from your neighbour’s devices interfere with your own, causing your channels to become thick with interference, leading to dropped internet connections.
So what can you do about it?
You’ve generally got two options: you can either spend hours manually conducting experiments to see which channels work and which don’t, or you can use special programmes that automatically scan current channel usage in your vicinity and then tell you the optimal one to pick.
When boffins came up with the modern router, they didn’t envision just how many different signals would have to cram into such as small space on the electromagnetic spectrum (used for WiFi). But as the proliferation of devices continued, and more people used high-bandwidth broadband, people are going to have to learn much more about channels, including how to troubleshoot problems.
Knowing about channels can save you potentially hours wasted looking for a solution in the bowels of Windows 10 network settings and simple deal with the problem on the router itself. | <urn:uuid:882c4540-1bde-477a-ae4b-aaf22759f9c7> | CC-MAIN-2019-18 | https://www.thegadgetman.org.uk/its-time-we-had-a-chat-about-router-channels/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-18/segments/1555578624217.55/warc/CC-MAIN-20190424014705-20190424040705-00201.warc.gz | en | 0.948539 | 629 | 2.984375 | 3 | 2.58668 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Software |
Ever felt that you should brush up on your history? If you have, then maybe you’ve also felt that you don’t have the time or energy to crack open a history book. In lieu of reading, the library has a great collection of history documentaries to help you get started.
Viewers are taken on a breathtaking journey through 400 years of U.S. history. Live-action recreations of key historical events give viewers an immersive view of history in the making. Features the vocal talents of Rudy Giuliani, Sean Combs, Al Sharpton, Buzz Aldrin, Colin Powell, Donald Trump, Jane Fonda, Meryl Streep, Tom Brokaw, and many others.
The definitive story of the Civil Rights era from the point of view of the ordinary men and women whose extraordinary actions launched a movement that changed the fabric of American life, and embodied a struggle whose reverberations are felt today.
Explore the extraordinary story of what happens when a freedom-loving nation outlaws the sale of intoxicating liquor, and the disastrous unintended consequences that follow. The utterly relevant cautionary tale raises profound questions about the proper role of government and the limits of legislating morality. When the country goes dry in 1920, after a century of debate, millions of law-abiding Americans become lawbreakers overnight.
Wars, assassinations, impeachments, and political scandal rocked America in the 20th century and still reverberate today. Join legendary newsman Mike Wallace as he examines the people, events, and issues that shaped the nation. Ten episodes include: Epidemic of Fear; Ronald Reagan and the Rise of the Right; The Impeachment of Clinton; First Ladies; and others. Bonus features include a viewer's guide with questions to consider, a featurette, and more.
The American Revolution:
A documentary of the American Revolution. Chronicles events leading up to the war, the revolution, and the writing of the Constitution. Features dramatic readings from letters and diaries of the period, comments by historians, and live-action recreations.
The British Isles:
A compelling and comprehensive series that charts the birth and growth of the Scottish nation. Each of the ten thought-provoking episodes brings a fresh perspective to Scotland's past and challenges many of the perceived notions of Scottish history. With stunning, award-winning cinematography and mesmerizing narrative, the series tells of battles and allegiances, political intrigue, and religious conflict.
David Starkey examines the story of the English crown from the fall of Rome to the 1660s. Starkey covers nearly 250 years, from Charles II to Victoria. Replete with infidelities, betrayals, and rivalries, English history emerges as a compelling family saga.
The Civil War:
An epic documentary bringing life to America's most destructive - and defining - conflict. Here is the saga of celebrated generals and the ordinary soldiers. A heroic and transcendent president and a country that had to divide itself in two in order to become one again.
The extraordinary world of ancient Egypt comes to life in a bountiful collection of documentaries that journey back to a time of giant pyramids, mysterious hieroglyphs, and elaborate burial tombs. From the secrets of the Sphinx to the glittering sepulcher of the legendary Tutankhamen to the pharaohs and feats that created the world's very first superpower. Get an inside look at the recently discovered KV-5, believed to be the family tomb of Ramses the Great.
The French Revolution:
Lead students through the grandeur of Versailles, the marriage of Louis XVI to Marie Antoinette, the violent disintegration of the revolution nearly a decade later and the impact on the modern world.
World War II:
A fascinating program that uncovers familiar anecdotes and fascinating details about the people who comprised the Nazi Party, and raids the treasure trove of archives the Nazis left behind. Includes rarely-seen German newsreel recordings along with other unique footage carried home by Russian troops.
Tells the story of ordinary people in four quintessentially American towns - Waterbury, Connecticut; Mobile, Alabama; Sacramento, California; and Luverne, Minnesota - and examines the ways in which the Second World War touched the lives of every family on every street in every town in America. | <urn:uuid:80e5ae01-b2b3-485d-8f38-df9e33fa4e3c> | CC-MAIN-2016-22 | http://www.bcls.lib.nj.us/catalog-history-documentaries | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2016-22/segments/1464049278389.62/warc/CC-MAIN-20160524002118-00213-ip-10-185-217-139.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.915973 | 884 | 2.546875 | 3 | 2.844723 | 3 | Strong reasoning | History |
For some time, we have been amidst a culture where learning from home is becoming more common. While I appreciate learning from the comfort of my own home, the socialization piece and interaction that we get with actually connecting in person can never truly be replaced by technology. However, when schools are faced to close but still anticipated to keep students engaged in learning, teachers can continue to be highly effective in a virtual setting.
Great teachers ARE great teachers- no matter what!
Like many of us, we are in preparation mode of what school may look like from a virtual platform. Bloggers such as Martina Bex (@MartinaBex, The Comprehensible Classroom, SOMOS) and Samara Spielberg (@SamaraSpielberg) have started to spin their wheels and share with our online #langchat community.
Martina has shared a recent blog post titled, “Lesson plans for COVID-19 school closure / 10+ days of Spanish ” where a Spanish teacher can download a ten-day outline for their classes while Samara has put together a GoogleSlides presentation via Twitter outlining an opportunity to create an activity portfolio by earning points!
Thanks to them, I was inspired to create this presentation to highlight both synchronous & asynchronous opportunities to use technology with students.
In both 2014 and 2016, my district (@pvrhsd Pascack Valley Regional HS District) held classes virtually. Dr. Barry Bachenheimer (@drbachenheimer) and I presented about the PVR Virtual Day and our reflections on moving forward.
In 2016, the district elected to take two virtual days on Feb 2nd & Feb 3rd in between semesters. Here is an outline of what the creative teachers throughout the Family & Consumer Science, Music and World Languages department organized for students learning from home.
I’ve also conducted online World Language Methodology courses both synchronously and asynchronously throughout different semesters when teaching at Rutgers, The Graduate School of Education in New Brunswick, NJ. Here were some of my “virtual” classes using Google Slides. (Spring 2017 // Spring 2019)
Although school may not in session, the goal should continue to be an immersion of comprehensible input for students. Whether you locate the resources or create short videos/readings, students should still engage their brains in the target language for at least ten to fifteen each day and provide feedback to the teacher that they understood.
For World Language teachers, some general ideas for several weeks of a school closure:
Viewing a Show/Series or Listening to Podcast Channel: Whether you’ve located an amazing video series or a podcast channel, students can continue listening to the target language at either novice-intermediate-advanced levels. As their teacher, you know what students can handle with independence, therefore, similar to how we select novels (“easier” is always better!)- 90% of what they are listening to/watching should be understood. The activities selected to share how well they understood what they heard/watched can be tailored to their level through “choice boards“.
Let’s Read! Select either a whole class reader or select their own reader of choice (Free Voluntary Reading). Each day, students provide a summarization of each chapter through a written discussion post using Canvas, Google Doc, Padlet OR a video summarization through FlipGrid or Extempore. If novice students are unable to share a spoken or written summarization, students can create a visual depiction of the beginning-middle-end of the chapter and upload a photo to Google Slides or their individual Padlet space.
As of March 10th*, I created a generic reading log for chapters 1-6 of any reader. You can view the presentation/make a copy here. Please modify to better suit your students & their reading level. I hope this helps in your planning & preparation!
Research, Reflect, Respond! Consider using the United Nation’s 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development and a Project-Based Learning model with students- engaging them in solving a real-world problem or answering a complex question. Students can decide in advance which topic is of most importance to them and opt to work collaboratively with their peers in small groups, partnerships or on their own. Either way, they can log their progress with researching the issue, reflecting on possible solutions and then using a collaborative platform to share their thoughts/responses to the problem.
Laura Sexton’s PBL in the TL Blog (@SraSpanglish)
I hope that this blog is helpful for those of you who are exploring ways to transform your physical classrooms into new virtual spaces with potential school closures. Should you have any questions about any of the technology tools, ideas or information highlighted, please reach out. We are all here to support one another and work together!
@SrtaNRodriguez // [email protected] // [email protected] | <urn:uuid:8531326b-d165-4a7d-843e-5c0a4ee759e5> | CC-MAIN-2020-16 | https://srtanrodriguez.wordpress.com/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-16/segments/1585371637684.76/warc/CC-MAIN-20200406133533-20200406164033-00242.warc.gz | en | 0.933855 | 1,029 | 2.578125 | 3 | 2.679009 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Education & Jobs |
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Christianity (from the Greek word Xριστός, Khristos, "Christ", literally "anointed one") is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament.
Adherents of the Christian faith, known as Christians, believe that Jesus is the Messiah prophesied in the Hebrew Bible (the part of scripture common to Christianity and Judaism). The foundation of Christian theology is expressed in the early Christian ecumenical creeds, which contain claims predominantly accepted by followers of the Christian faith. These professions state that Jesus suffered, died from crucifixion, was buried, and was resurrected from the dead to open heaven to those who believe in him and trust him for the remission of their sins (salvation). They further maintain that Jesus bodily ascended into heaven where he rules and reigns with God the Father. Most denominations teach that Jesus will return to judge all humans, living and dead, and grant eternal life to his followers. He is considered the model of a virtuous life, and both the revealer and physical incarnation of God. Christians call the message of Jesus Christ the Gospel ("good news") and hence refer to the earliest written accounts of his ministry as gospels.
Christianity began as a Jewish sect and is classified as an Abrahamic religion. Originating in the eastern Mediterranean, it quickly grew in size and influence over a few decades, and by the 4th century had become the dominant religion within the Roman Empire.
During the Middle Ages, most of the remainder of Europe was Christianized, with Christians also being a (sometimes large) religious minority in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of India. Following the Age of Discovery, through missionary work and colonization, Christianity spread to the Americas, Australasia, and the rest of the world, therefore Christianity is a major influence in the shaping of Western civilization.
As of the early 21st century, Christianity has between 1.5 billion and 2.2 billion adherents. Christianity represents about a quarter to a third of the world's population and is the world's largest religion. In addition, Christianity is the state religion of several countries.
[[File:Bloch-SermonOnTheMount.jpg|thumb|250px|right|The Sermon On the Mount by Carl Heinrich Bloch, Danish painter, d. 1890.] Though there are many important differences of interpretation and opinion of the Bible on which Christianity is based, Christians share a set of beliefs that they hold as essential to their faith.
Creeds (from Latin credo meaning "I believe") are concise doctrinal statements or confessions, usually of religious beliefs. They began as baptismal formulae and were later expanded during the Christological controversies of the fourth and fifth centuries to become statements of faith.
The Apostles Creed (Symbolum Apostolorum) was developed between the second and ninth centuries. It is the most popular creed used in worship by Western Christians. Its central doctrines are those of the Trinity and God the Creator. Each of the doctrines found in this creed can be traced to statements current in the apostolic period. The creed was apparently used as a summary of Christian doctrine for baptismal candidates in the churches of Rome. Since the Apostles Creed is still unaffected by the later Christological divisions, its statement of the articles of Christian faith remain largely acceptable to most Christian denominations:
- belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Holy Spirit
- the death, descent into hell, resurrection, and ascension of Christ
- the holiness of the Church and the communion of saints
- Christ's second coming, the Day of Judgement and salvation of the faithful.
The Nicene Creed, largely a response to Arianism, was formulated at the Councils of Nicaea and Constantinople in 325 and 381 respectively and ratified as the universal creed of Christendom by the First Council of Ephesus in 431.
The Chalcedonian Creed, developed at the Council of Chalcedon in 451, though rejected by the Oriental Orthodox Churches, taught Christ "to be acknowledged in two natures, inconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably": one divine and one human, and that both natures are perfect but are nevertheless perfectly united into one person.
The Athanasian Creed, received in the western Church as having the same status as the Nicene and Chalcedonian, says: "We worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding the Persons nor dividing the Substance."
Many evangelical Protestants reject creeds as definitive statements faith, even while agreeing with some creeds' substance. The Baptists have been non-creedal “in that they have not sought to establish binding authoritative confessions of faith on one another.” :p.111 Also rejecting creeds are groups with roots in the Restoration Movement, such as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Churches of Christ.:14-15:123
The central tenet of Christianity is the belief in Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah (Christ). The title "Messiah" comes from the Hebrew word מָשִׁיחַ (māšiáħ) meaning anointed one. The Greek translation Χριστός (Christos) is the source of the English word "Christ". [[File:Vladimirskaya.jpg|thumb|200px|left|A depiction of Jesus as a child with his mother, Mary, the Theotokos of Vladimir (12th century).]]
Christians believe that Jesus, as the Messiah, was anointed by God as savior of humanity, and hold that Jesus' coming was the fulfillment of messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. The Christian concept of the Messiah differs significantly from the contemporary Jewish concept. The core Christian belief is that through belief in and acceptance of the death and resurrection of Jesus, sinful humans can be reconciled to God and thereby are offered salvation and the promise of eternal life.
While there have been many theological disputes over the nature of Jesus over the first centuries of Christian history, Christians generally believe that Jesus is God incarnate and "true God and true man" (or both fully divine and fully human). Jesus, having become fully human, suffered the pains and temptations of a mortal man, but did not sin. As fully God, he rose to life again. According to the Bible, "God raised him from the dead," he ascended to heaven, is "seated at the right hand of the Father" and will ultimately return to fulfill the rest of Messianic prophecy such as the Resurrection of the dead, the Last Judgment and final establishment of the Kingdom of God.
According to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born from the Virgin Mary. Little of Jesus' childhood is recorded in the canonical Gospels, however infancy Gospels were popular in antiquity. In comparison, his adulthood, especially the week before his death, are well documented in the Gospels contained within the New Testament. The Biblical accounts of Jesus' ministry include: his baptism, miracles, preaching, teaching, and deeds.
Death and resurrection of Jesus
Christians consider the resurrection of Jesus to be the cornerstone of their faith (see 1 Corinthians 15) and the most important event in human history. Among Christian beliefs, the death and resurrection of Jesus are two core events on which much of Christian doctrine and theology is based. According to the New Testament Jesus was crucified, died a physical death, was buried within a tomb, and rose from the dead three days later. The New Testament mentions several resurrection appearances of Jesus on different occasions to his twelve apostles and disciples, including "more than five hundred brethren at once," before Jesus' Ascension to heaven. Jesus' death and resurrection are commemorated by Christians in all worship services, with special emphasis during Holy Week which includes Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
The death and resurrection of Jesus are usually considered the most important events in Christian Theology, partly because they demonstrate that Jesus has power over life and death and therefore has the authority and power to give people eternal life.
Christian churches accept and teach the New Testament account of the resurrection of Jesus with very few exceptions. Some modern scholars use the belief of Jesus' followers in the resurrection as a point of departure for establishing the continuity of the historical Jesus and the proclamation of the early church. Some liberal Christians do not accept a literal bodily resurrection, seeing the story as richly symbolic and spiritually nourishing myth. Arguments over death and resurrection claims occur at many religious debates and interfaith dialogues. Paul the Apostle, an early Christian convert and missionary, wrote, "If Christ was not raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your trust in God is useless."
Paul of Tarsus, like Jews and Roman pagans of his time, believed that sacrifice can bring about new kinship ties, purity, and eternal life. For Paul the necessary sacrifice was the death of Jesus: Gentiles who are "Christ's" are like Israel descendants of Abraham and "heirs according to the promise". The God who raised Jesus from the dead would also give new life to the "mortal bodies" of Gentile Christians, who had become with Israel the "children of God" and were therefore no longer "in the flesh".
Modern Christian churches tend to be much more concerned with how humanity can be saved from a universal condition of sin and death than the question of how both Jews and Gentiles can be in God's family. According to both Catholic and Protestant doctrine, salvation comes by Jesus' substitutionary death and resurrection. The Catholic Church teaches that salvation does not occur without faithfulness on the part of Christians; converts must live in accordance with principles of love and ordinarily must be baptized. Martin Luther taught that baptism was necessary for salvation, but modern Lutherans and other Protestants tend to teach that salvation is a gift that comes to an individual by God's grace, sometimes defined as "unmerited favor", even apart from baptism.
Christians differ in their views on the extent to which individuals' salvation is pre-ordained by God. Reformed theology places distinctive emphasis on grace by teaching that individuals are completely incapable of self-redemption, but that sanctifying grace is irresistible. In contrast Arminians, Catholics, and Orthodox Christians believe that the exercise of free will is necessary to have faith in Jesus.
Trinity refers to the teaching that the one God comprises three distinct, eternally co-existing persons; the Father, the Son (incarnate in Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Together, these three persons are sometimes called the Godhead, although there is no single term in use in Scripture to denote the unified Godhead. In the words of the Athanasian Creed, an early statement of Christian belief, "the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, and yet there are not three Gods but one God". They are distinct from another: the Father has no source, the Son is begotten of the Father, and the Spirit proceeds from the Father. Though distinct, the three persons cannot be divided from one another in being or in operation.
The Trinity is an essential doctrine of mainstream Christianity. "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" represents both the immanence and transcendence of God. God is believed to be infinite and God's presence may be perceived through the actions of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
According to this doctrine, God is not divided in the sense that each person has a third of the whole; rather, each person is considered to be fully God (see Perichoresis). The distinction lies in their relations, the Father being unbegotten; the Son being begotten of the Father; and the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and (in Western theology) from the Son. Regardless of this apparent difference, the three 'persons' are each eternal and omnipotent.
The word trias, from which trinity is derived, is first seen in the works of Theophilus of Antioch. He wrote of "the Trinity of God (the Father), His Word (the Son) and His Wisdom (Holy Spirit)". The term may have been in use before this time. Afterwards it appears in Tertullian. In the following century the word was in general use. It is found in many passages of Origen.
Trinitarianism denotes those Christians who believe in the concept of the Trinity. Almost all Christian denominations and Churches hold Trinitarian beliefs. Although the words "Trinity" and "Triune" do not appear in the Bible, theologians beginning in the third century developed the term and concept to facilitate comprehension of the New Testament teachings of God as Father, God as Jesus the Son, and God as the Holy Spirit. Since that time, Christian theologians have been careful to emphasize that Trinity does not imply three gods, nor that each member of the Trinity is one-third of an infinite God; Trinity is defined as one God in three Persons.
Nontrinitarianism refers to beliefs systems that reject the doctrine of the Trinity. Various nontrinitarian views, such as adoptionism or modalism, existed in early Christianity, leading to the disputes about Christology. Nontrinitarianism later appeared again in the Gnosticism of the Cathars in the 11th through 13th centuries, in the Age of Enlightenment of the 18th century, and in Restorationism during the 19th century.
Christianity regards the Bible, a collection of canonical books in two parts (the Old Testament and the New Testament), as the authoritative word of God. It is believed by Christians to have been written by human authors under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and therefore for many it is held to be the inerrant word of God. Jews, Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants each define separate lists of Books of the Bible that each considers canonical. These variations are a reflection of the range of traditions and councils that have convened on the subject. Every version of the complete Bible always includes books of the Jewish scriptures, the Tanakh, and includes additional books and reorganizes them into two parts: the books of the Old Testament primarily sourced from the Tanakh (with some variations), and the 27 books of the New Testament containing books originally written primarily in Greek. The Roman Catholic and Orthodox canons include other books from the Septuagint which Roman Catholics call Deuterocanonical. Protestants consider these books to be apocryphal. Some versions of the Christian Bible have a separate Apocrypha section for the books not considered canonical by some Churches or by the groups publishing them.
Catholic and Orthodox interpretations
In antiquity, two schools of exegesis developed in Alexandria and Antioch. Alexandrine interpretation, exemplified by Origen, tended to read Scripture allegorically, while Antiochene interpretation adhered to the literal sense, holding that other meanings (called theoria) could only be accepted if based on the literal meaning.
The literal sense of understanding scripture is the meaning conveyed by the words of Scripture. The spiritual sense is further subdivided into:
- the allegorical sense, which includes typology. An example would be the parting of the Red Sea being understood as a "type" (sign) of baptism.
- the moral sense, which understands the scripture to contain some ethical teaching.
- the anagogical sense, which applies to eschatology, eternity and the consummation of the world
Regarding exegesis, following the rules of sound interpretation, Catholic theology holds:
- the injunction that all other senses of sacred scripture are based on the literal
- that the historicity of the Gospels must be absolutely and constantly held
- that scripture must be read within the "living Tradition of the whole Church" and
- that "the task of interpretation has been entrusted to the bishops in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome".
- Clarity of Scripture
- Protestant Christians believe that the Bible is a self-sufficient revelation, the final authority on all Christian doctrine, and revealed all truth necessary for salvation. This concept is known as sola scriptura. Protestants characteristically believe that ordinary believers may reach an adequate understanding of Scripture because Scripture itself is clear (or "perspicuous"), because of the help of the Holy Spirit, or both. Martin Luther believed that without God's help Scripture would be "enveloped in darkness." He advocated "one definite and simple understanding of Scripture." John Calvin wrote, "all who...follow the Holy Spirit as their guide, find in the Scripture a clear light." The Second Helvetic (Latin for "Swiss") Confession, composed by the pastor of the Reformed church in Zurich (successor to Protestant reformer Zwingli) was adopted as a declaration of doctrine by most European Reformed churches.
- Original intended meaning
- Protestants stress the meaning conveyed by the words of Scripture, the historical-grammatical method. The historical-grammatical method or grammatico-historical method is an effort in Biblical hermeneutics to find the intended original meaning in the text. This original intended meaning of the text is drawn out through examination of the passage in light of the grammatical and syntactical aspects, the historical background, the literary genre as well as theological (canonical) considerations. The historical-grammatical method distinguishes between the one original meaning and the significance of the text. The significance of the text includes the ensuing use of the text or application. The original passage is seen as having only a single meaning or sense. As Milton S. Terry said: "A fundamental principle in grammatico-historical exposition is that the words and sentences can have but one significance in one and the same connection. The moment we neglect this principle we drift out upon a sea of uncertainty and conjecture." Technically speaking, the grammatical-historical method of interpretation is distinct from the determination of the passage's significance in light of that interpretation. Taken together, both define the term (Biblical) hermeneutics.
Some Protestant interpreters make use of typology.
Afterlife and Eschaton
Most Christians believe that human beings experience divine judgment and are rewarded either with eternal life or eternal damnation. This includes the general judgement at the Resurrection of the dead (see below) as well as the belief (held by Catholics, Orthodox and most Protestants) in a judgment particular to the individual soul upon physical death.
In Roman Catholicism, those who die in a state of grace, i.e., without any mortal sin separating them from God, but are still imperfectly purified from the effects of sin, undergo purification through the intermediate state of purgatory to achieve the holiness necessary for entrance into God's presence. Those who have attained this goal are called saints (Latin sanctus, "holy").
Christians believe that the second coming of Christ will occur at the end of time. All who have died will be resurrected bodily from the dead for the Last Judgment. Jesus will fully establish the Kingdom of God in fulfillment of scriptural prophecies. Jehovah's Witnesses deny the existence of hell. Instead, they hold that the souls of the wicked will be annihilated.
Justin Martyr described 2nd century Christian liturgy in his First Apology (c. 150) to Emperor Antoninus Pius, and his description remains relevant to the basic structure of Christian liturgical worship:
And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need.
– Justin Martyr
Thus, as Justin described, Christians assemble for communal worship on Sunday, the day of the resurrection, though other liturgical practices often occur outside this setting. Scripture readings are drawn from the Old and New Testaments, but especially the Gospels. Often these are arranged on an annual cycle, using a book called a lectionary. Instruction is given based on these readings, called a sermon, or homily. There are a variety of congregational prayers, including thanksgiving, confession, and intercession, which occur throughout the service and take a variety of forms including recited, responsive, silent, or sung. The Lord's Prayer, or Our Father, is regularly prayed. The Eucharist (called Holy Communion, or the Lord's Supper) is the part of liturgical worship that consists of a consecrated meal, usually bread and wine. Justin Martyr described the Eucharist:
And this food is called among us Eukaristia [the Eucharist], of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined. For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Saviour, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh.
– Justin Martyr
Some Christian denominations practice closed communion. They offer communion to those who are already united in that denomination or sometimes individual church. Catholics restrict participation to their members who are not in a state of mortal sin. Most other churches practice open communion since they view communion as a means to unity, rather than an end, and invite all believing Christians to participate.
Some groups depart from this traditional liturgical structure. A division is often made between "High" church services, characterized by greater solemnity and ritual, and "Low" services, but even within these two categories there is great diversity in forms of worship. Seventh-day Adventists meet on Saturday (the original Sabbath), while others do not meet on a weekly basis. Charismatic or Pentecostal congregations may spontaneously feel led by the Holy Spirit to action rather than follow a formal order of service, including spontaneous prayer. Quakers sit quietly until moved by the Holy Spirit to speak. Some Evangelical services resemble concerts with rock and pop music, dancing, and use of multimedia. For groups which do not recognize a priesthood distinct from ordinary believers the services are generally lead by a minister, preacher, or pastor. Still others may lack any formal leaders, either in principle or by local necessity. Some churches use only a cappella music, either on principle (e.g., many Churches of Christ object to the use of instruments in worship) or by tradition (as in Orthodoxy).
Worship can be varied for special events like baptisms or weddings in the service or significant feast days. In the early church, Christians and those yet to complete initiation would separate for the Eucharistic part of the worship. In many churches today, adults and children will separate for all or some of the service to receive age-appropriate teaching. Such children's worship is often called Sunday school or Sabbath school (Sunday schools are often held before rather than during services).
In Christian belief and practice, a sacrament is a rite, instituted by Christ, that mediates grace, constituting a sacred mystery. The term is derived from the Latin word sacramentum, which was used to translate the Greek word for mystery. Views concerning both what rites are sacramental, and what it means for an act to be a sacrament vary among Christian denominations and traditions.
The most conventional functional definition of a sacrament is that it is an outward sign, instituted by Christ, that conveys an inward, spiritual grace through Christ. The two most widely accepted sacraments are Baptism and the Eucharist, however, the majority of Christians recognize seven Sacraments or Divine Mysteries: Baptism, Confirmation (Chrismation in the Orthodox tradition), and the Eucharist, Holy Orders, Reconciliation of a Penitent (confession), Anointing of the Sick, and Matrimony. Taken together, these are the Seven Sacraments as recognised by churches in the High church tradition—notably Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Independent Catholic, Old Catholic and some Anglicans. Most other denominations and traditions typically affirm only Baptism and Eucharist as sacraments, while some Protestant groups, such as the Quakers, reject sacramental theology. Some Christian denominations who believe these rites do not communicate grace prefer to call them ordinances.
Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Eastern Christians, and traditional Protestant communities frame worship around a liturgical calendar. This includes holy days, such as solemnities which commemorate an event in the life of Jesus or the saints, periods of fasting such as Lent, and other pious events such as memoria or lesser festivals commemorating saints. Christian groups that do not follow a liturgical tradition often retain certain celebrations, such as Christmas, Easter and Pentecost. A few churches make no use of a liturgical calendar.
The cross, which is today one of the most widely recognised symbols in the world, was used as a Christian symbol from the earliest times. Tertuallian, in his book De Corona, tells how it was already a tradition for Christians to trace repeatedly on their foreheads the sign of the cross. Although the cross was known to the early Christians, the crucifix did not appear in use until the fifth century.
Among the symbols employed by the primitive Christians, that of the fish seems to have ranked first in importance. From monumental sources such as tombs it is known that the symbolic fish was familiar to Christians from the earliest times. The fish was depicted as a Christian symbol in the first decades of the second century. Its popularity among Christians was due principally, it would seem, to the famous acrostic consisting of the initial letters of five Greek words forming the word for fish (Ichthys), which words briefly but clearly described the character of Christ and the claim to worship of believers: Iesous Christos Theou Yios Soter, meaning, Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour.
Christians from the very beginning adorned their tombs with paintings of Christ, of the saints, of scenes from the Bible and allegorical groups. The catacombs are the cradle of all Christian art. The first Christians had no prejudice against images, pictures, or statues. The idea that they must have feared the danger of idolatry among their new converts is disproved in the simplest way by the pictures even statues, that remain from the first centuries. Other major Christian symbols include the chi-rho monogram, the dove (symbolic of the Holy Spirit), the sacrificial lamb (symbolic of Christ's sacrifice), the vine (symbolising the necessary connectedness of the Christian with Christ) and many others. These all derive from writings found in the New Testament.
History and origins
Early Church and Christological Councils
Christianity began as a Jewish sect in the eastern Mediterranean in the mid-first century. Its earliest development took place under the leadership of the Twelve Apostles, particularly Saint Peter and Paul the Apostle, followed by the early bishops, whom Christians considered the successors of the Apostles.
From the beginning, Christians were subject to persecution. This involved punishments, including death, for Christians such as Stephen and James, son of Zebedee. Larger-scale persecutions followed at the hands of the authorities of the Roman Empire, first in the year 64, when Emperor Nero blamed them for the Great Fire of Rome. According to Church tradition, it was under Nero's persecution that early Church leaders Peter and Paul of Tarsus were each martyred in Rome. Further widespread persecutions of the Church occurred under nine subsequent Roman emperors, most intensely under Decius and Diocletian. From the year 150, Christian teachers began to produce theological and apologetic works aimed at defending the faith. These authors are known as the Church Fathers, and study of them is called Patristics. Notable early Fathers include Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, and Origen.
State persecution ceased in the 4th century, when Constantine I issued an edict of toleration in 313. On 27 February 380, Emperor Theodosius I enacted a law establishing Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire. From at least the 4th century, Christianity has played a prominent role in the shaping of Western civilization.
Constantine was also instrumental in the convocation of the First Council of Nicaea in 325, which sought to address the Arian heresy and formulated the Nicene Creed, which is still used by the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, and many Protestant churches. Nicaea was the first of a series of Ecumenical (worldwide) Councils which formally defined critical elements of the theology of the Church, notably concerning Christology. The Assyrian Church of the East did not accept the third and following Ecumenical Councils, and are still separate today.
Early Middle Ages
With the decline and fall of the Roman Empire in the west, the papacy became a political player, first visible in Pope Leo's diplomatic dealings with Huns and Vandals. The church also entered into a long period of missionary activity and expansion among the former barbarian tribes. Catholicism spread among the Germanic peoples (initially in competition with Arianism the Celtic and Slavic peoples, the Hungarians, the Scandinavians, and the Baltic peoples.
Around 500, St. Benedict set out his Monastic Rule, establishing a system of regulations for the foundation and running of monasteries. Monasticism became a powerful force throughout Europe, and gave rise to many early centers of learning, most famously in Ireland, Scotland and Gaul, contributing to the Carolingian Renaissance of the 9th century.
From the 7th century onwards, Islam conquered the Christian lands of the Middle East, North Africa and much of Spain, resulting in oppression of Christianity and numerous military struggles, including the Crusades, the Spanish Reconquista and wars against the Turks.
The Middle Ages brought about major changes within the church. Pope Gregory the Great dramatically reformed ecclesiastical structure and administration. In the early 8th century, iconoclasm became a divisive issue, when it was sponsored by the Byzantine emperors. The Second Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (787) finally pronounced in favor of icons. In the early 10th century, western monasticism was further rejuvenated through the leadership of the great Benedictine monastery of Cluny.
High and Late Middle Ages
In the west, from the 11th century onward, older cathedral schools developed into universities (see University of Paris, University of Oxford, and University of Bologna.) Originally teaching only theology, these steadily added subjects including medicine, philosophy and law, becoming the direct ancestors of modern western institutions of learning.
Accompanying the rise of the "new towns" throughout Western Europe, mendicant orders were founded, bringing the consecrated religious life out of the monastery and into the new urban setting. The two principal mendicant movements were the Franciscans and the Dominicans founded by St. Francis and St. Dominic respectively. Both orders made significant contributions to the development of the great universities of Europe. Another new order were the Cistercians, whose large isolated monasteries spearheaded the settlement of former wilderness areas. In this period church building and ecclesiastical architecture reached new heights, culminating in the orders of Romanesque and Gothic architecture and the building of the great European cathedrals.
From 1095 under the pontificate of Urban II, the Crusades were launched. These were a series of military campaigns in the Holy Land and elsewhere, initiated in response to pleas from the Byzantine Emperor Alexios I for aid against Turkish expansion. The Crusades ultimately failed to stifle Islamic aggression and even contributed to Christian enmity with the sacking of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade.
Over a period stretching from the 7th to the 13th century, the Christian Church underwent gradual alienation, resulting in a schism dividing it into a so-called Latin or Western branch, the Roman Catholic Church, and an Eastern, largely Greek, branch, the Orthodox Church. These two churches disagree on a number of administrative, liturgical, and doctrinal issues, most notably papal primacy of jurisdiction. The Second Council of Lyon (1274) and the Council of Florence (1439) attempted to reunite the churches, but in both cases the Eastern Orthodox refused to implement the decisions and the two principal churches remain in schism to the present day. However, the Roman Catholic Church has achieved union with various smaller eastern churches.
Beginning around 1184, following the crusade against the Cathar heresy, various institutions, broadly referred to as the Inquisition, were established with the aim of suppressing heresy and securing religious and doctrinal unity within Christianity through conversion and prosecution.
Protestant Reformation and Counter-Reformation
The 15th-century Renaissance brought about a renewed interest in ancient and classical learning. Another major schism, the Reformation, resulted in the splintering of the Western Christendom into several Christian denominations. Martin Luther in 1517 protested against the sale of indulgences and soon moved on to deny several key points of Roman Catholic doctrine. Others like Zwingli and Calvin further criticized Roman Catholic teaching and worship. These challenges developed into the movement called Protestantism, which repudiated the primacy of the pope, the role of tradition, the seven sacraments, and other doctrines and practices. The Reformation in England began in 1534, when King Henry VIII had himself declared head of the Church of England. Beginning in 1536, the monasteries throughout England, Wales and Ireland were dissolved.
Partly in response to the Protestant Reformation, the Roman Catholic Church engaged in a substantial process of reform and renewal, known as the Counter-Reformation or Catholic Reform. The Council of Trent clarified and reasserted Roman Catholic doctrine. During the following centuries, competition between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism became deeply entangled with political struggles among European states.
Meanwhile, the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus in 1492 brought about a new wave of missionary activity. Partly from missionary zeal, but under the impetus of colonial expansion by the European powers, Christianity spread to the Americas, Oceania, East Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa.
Throughout Europe, the divides caused by the Reformation led to outbreaks of religious violence and the establishment of separate state religions in Western Europe: Lutheranism in parts of Germany and in Scandinavia and Anglicanism in England in 1534. Ultimately, these differences led to the outbreak of conflicts in which religion played a key factor. The Thirty Years' War, the English Civil War, and the French Wars of Religion are prominent examples. These events intensified the Christian debate on persecution and toleration.
Christianity in the Modern Era
In the Modern Era, Christianity was confronted with various forms of skepticism and with certain modern political ideologies such as liberalism, nationalism and socialism. Events ranged from mere anti-clericalism to violent outbursts against Christianity such as the Dechristianisation during the French Revolution, the Spanish Civil War, and general hostility of Marxist movements, especially the Russian Revolution.
Christian commitment in Europe dropped as modernity and secularism came into their own[clarification needed] in Western Europe, while religious commitments in America have been generally high in comparison to Western Europe. The late 20th century has shown the shift of Christian adherence to the Third World and southern hemisphere in general, with western civilization no longer the chief standard bearer of Christianity.
With an estimated number of adherents that ranges between 1.5 billion and 2.1 billion, split into around 34,000 separate denominations, Christianity is the world's largest religion. The Christian share of the world's population has stood at around 33 per cent for the last hundred years. This masks a major shift in the demographics of Christianity; large increases in the developing world (around 23,000 per day) have been accompanied by substantial declines in the developed world, mainly in Europe and North America (around 7,600 per day). It is still the predominant religion in Europe, the Americas, the Philippines, and Southern Africa. However it is declining in many areas including the Northern and Western United States, Oceania (Australia and New Zealand), northern Europe (including Great Britain, Scandinavia and other places), France, Germany, the Canadian provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec, and parts of Asia (especially the Middle East, South Korea, Taiwan and Macau).
In most countries in the developed world, church attendance among people who continue to identify themselves as Christians has been falling over the last few decades. Some sources view this simply as part of a drift away from traditional membership institutions, while others link it to signs of a decline in belief in the importance of religion in general.
Christianity, in one form or another, is the sole state religion of the following nations: Armenia (Armenian Apostolic), Bolivia (Roman Catholic), Costa Rica (Roman Catholic), Denmark (Evangelical Lutheran), El Salvador (Roman Catholic), England (Anglican), Finland (Evangelical Lutheran & Orthodox), Georgia (Georgian Orthodox), Greece (Greek Orthodox), Iceland (Evangelical Lutheran), Liechtenstein (Roman Catholic), Malta (Roman Catholic), Monaco (Roman Catholic), Norway (Evangelical Lutheran), Scotland (Presbyterian), Switzerland (Roman Catholic, Old Catholic, or Protestant—denomination varies per canton) and Vatican City (Roman Catholic).
Main grouping of Christianity
The four primary divisions of Christianity are Roman Catholicism, the Orthodox church, Anglican, and Protestantism.:14 There are other Christian groups that do not fit neatly into one of these primary categories. The Nicene Creed is "accepted as authoritative by the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and major Protestant churches." There is a diversity of doctrines and practices among groups calling themselves Christian. These groups are sometimes classified under denominations, though for theological reasons many groups reject this classification system. Another distinction that is sometimes drawn is between Eastern Christianity and Western Christianity.
The Catholic Church comprises those particular churches, headed by bishops, in communion with the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, as its highest authority in matters of faith, morality and Church governance. Like the Eastern Orthodox, the Roman Catholic Church through Apostolic succession traces its origins to the Christian community founded by Jesus Christ. Catholics maintain that the "one, holy, catholic and apostolic church" founded by Jesus subsists fully in the Roman Catholic Church, but also acknowledges other Christian churches and communities and works towards reconciliation among all Christians. The Catholic faith is detailed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
The 2,782 sees are grouped into 23 particular rites, the largest being the Latin Rite, each with distinct traditions regarding the liturgy and the administering the sacraments. With more than 1.1 billion baptized members, the Catholic Church is the largest church representing over half of all Christians and one sixth of the world's population.
Various smaller communities, such as the Old Catholic, Heenum Catholic and Independent Catholic Churches, include the word Catholic in their title, and share much in common with Roman Catholicism but are no longer in communion with the See of Rome. The Old Catholic Church is in communion with the Anglican Communion.
Eastern Orthodoxy comprises those churches in communion with the Patriarchal Sees of the East, such as the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. Like the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church also traces its heritage to the foundation of Christianity through Apostolic succession and has an episcopal structure, though the autonomy of the individual, mostly national churches is emphasized. A number of conflicts with Western Christianity over questions of doctrine and authority culminated in the Great Schism. Eastern Orthodoxy is the second largest single denomination in Christianity, with over 200 million adherents.
The Oriental Orthodox Churches (also called Old Oriental Churches) are those eastern churches that recognize the first three ecumenical councils—Nicaea, Constantinople and Ephesus—but reject the dogmatic definitions of the Council of Chalcedon and instead espouse a Miaphysite christology. The Oriental Orthodox communion comprises six groups: Syriac Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox, Eritrean Orthodox, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (India) and Armenian Apostolic churches. These six churches, while being in communion with each other are completely independent hierarchically. These churches are generally not in communion with Eastern Orthodox Churches with whom they are in dialogue for a return to unity.
In the 16th century, Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli, and John Calvin inaugurated what has come to be called Protestantism. Luther's primary theological heirs are known as Lutherans. Zwingli and Calvin's heirs are far broader denominationally, and are broadly referred to as the Reformed Tradition. Most Protestant traditions branch out from the Reformed tradition in some way. In addition to the Lutheran and Reformed branches of the Reformation, there is Anglicanism after the English Reformation. The Anabaptist tradition was largely ostracized by the other Protestant parties at the time, but has achieved a measure of affirmation in more recent history. Some but not most Baptists prefer not to be called Protestants, claiming a direct ancestral line going back to the apostles in the first century.
The oldest Protestant groups separated from the Catholic Church in the 16th century Protestant Reformation, followed in many cases by further divisions. For example, the Methodist Church grew out of Anglican minister John Wesley's evangelical and revival movement in the Anglican Church. Several Pentecostal and non-denominational Churches, which emphasize the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit, in turn grew out of the Methodist Church. Because Methodists, Pentecostals, and other evangelicals stress "accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior", which comes from John Wesley's emphasis of the New Birth, they often refer to themselves as being born-again.
Estimates of the total number of Protestants are very uncertain, partly because of the difficulty in determining which denominations should be placed in these categories, but it seems clear that Protestantism is the second largest major group of Christians after Catholicism in number of followers (although the Orthodox Church is larger than any single Protestant denomination).
A special grouping are the Anglican churches descended from the Church of England and organised in the Anglican Communion.. Some Anglican churches consider themselves both Protestant and Catholic. Some Anglicans consider their church a branch of the "One Holy Catholic Church" alongside of the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, a concept rejected by the Roman Catholic Church and some Eastern Orthodox.
Some groups of individuals who hold basic Protestant tenants identify themselves simply as "Christians" or "born-again Christians". They typically distance themselves from the confessionalism and/or creedalism of other Christian communities by calling themselves "non-denominational." Often founded by individual pastors, they have little affiliation with historic denominations.
The Second Great Awakening, a period of religious revival that occurred in the U.S. during the early 1800s, saw the development of a number of unrelated churches. They generally saw themselves as restoring the original church of Jesus Christ rather than reforming one of the existing churches. A common belief held by Restorationists was that the other divisions of Christianity had introduced doctrinal defects into Christianity, which was known as the Great Apostasy.
Some of the churches originating during this period are historically connected to early-19th century camp meetings in the Midwest and Upstate New York. American Millennialism and Adventism, which arose from Evangelical Protestantism, influenced the Jehovah's Witnesses movement (with 7 million members), and, as a reaction specifically to William Miller, the Seventh-day Adventists. Others, including the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Evangelical Christian Church in Canada, Churches of Christ, and the Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ, have their roots in the contemporaneous Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement, which was centered in Kentucky and Tennessee. Other groups originating in this time period include the Christadelphians and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the largest denomination of the Latter Day Saint movement with over 13 million members. While the churches originating in the Second Great Awakening have some superficial similarities, their doctrine and practices vary significantly.
Most churches have long expressed ideals of being reconciled with each other, and in the 20th century Christian ecumenism advanced in two ways. One way was greater cooperation between groups, such as the Edinburgh Missionary Conference of Protestants in 1910, the Justice, Peace and Creation Commission of the World Council of Churches founded in 1948 by Protestant and Orthodox churches, and similar national councils like the National Council of Churches in Australia which includes Roman Catholics.
The other way was institutional union with new United and uniting churches. Congregationalist, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches united in 1925 to form the United Church of Canada, and in 1977 to form the Uniting Church in Australia. The Church of South India was formed in 1947 by the union of Anglican, Methodist, Congregationalist, Presbyterian, and Reformed churches.
Steps towards reconciliation on a global level were taken in 1965 by the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches mutually revoking the excommunications that marked their Great Schism in 1054; the Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) working towards full communion between those churches since 1970; and the Lutheran and Roman Catholic churches signing The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification in 1999 to address conflicts at the root of the Protestant Reformation. In 2006, the Methodist church adopted the declaration.
- Christianity/Conservative Point of View
- Christian World
- Christian Apologetics
- Criticism of Christianity
- Freedom of religion
- Good news (Christianity), concerning the gospel message
- Political Catholicism
- Christianity's status as monotheistic is affirmed in, amongst other sources, the Catholic Encyclopedia (article "Monotheism"); William F. Albright, From the Stone Age to Christianity; H. Richard Niebuhr; About.com, Monotheistic Religion resources; Kirsch, God Against the Gods; Woodhead, An Introduction to Christianity; The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Monotheism; The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, monotheism; New Dictionary of Theology, Paul, pp. 496–99; Meconi. "Pagan Monotheism in Late Antiquity". p. 111f.
- BBC, BBC—Religion & Ethics—566, Christianity
- Briggs, Charles A. The fundamental Christian faith: the origin, history and interpretation of the Apostles' and Nicene creeds. C. Scribner's sons, 1913. Online: http://books.google.com/books?id=VKMPAAAAIAAJ
- The term "Christian" (Greek Χριστιανός) was first used in reference to Jesus' disciples in the city of Antioch about 44 AD, meaning "followers of Christ". The name was given by the non-Jewish inhabitants of Antioch, probably in derision, to the disciples of Jesus. In the New Testament the names by which the disciples were known among themselves were "brethren", "the faithful", "elect", "saints", "believers". The earliest recorded use of the term "Christianity" (Greek Χριστιανισμός) was by Ignatius of Antioch, around 100 AD. See Elwell/Comfort. Tyndale Bible Dictionary, pp. 266, 828
- Defined to avoid the ambiguous term "orthodox"
- Sheed, Frank. "Theology and Sanity." (Ignatius Press: San Francisco, 1993), pp. 276.
- McGrath, Christianity: An Introduction, pp. 4-6.
- Robinson, Essential Judaism: A Complete Guide to Beliefs, Customs and Rituals, p. 229.
- Esler. The Early Christian World. p. 157f.
- J.Z.Smith, p. 276.
- Anidjar, p. 3.
- Fowler, World Religions: An Introduction for Students, p. 131.
- McManners, Oxford Illustrated History of Christianity, pp. 301-03.
- "between 1,250 and 1,750 million adherents, depending on the criteria employed" (McGrath, Christianity: An Introduction, page xvl.)
- "1.5 thousand million Christians" (Hinnells, The Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion, p. 441.)
- 33.2% of 6.7 billion world population (under the section 'People') "World". CIA world facts. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/xx.html.
- "The List: The World’s Fastest-Growing Religions". foreignpolicy.com. 2007-03. http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=3835. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
- "Major Religions Ranked by Size". Adherents.com. http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
- Hinnells, The Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion, p. 441.
- [see Christianity#Demographics for information and references]
- Olson, The Mosaic of Christian Belief.
- Pelikan/Hotchkiss, Creeds and Confessions of Faith in the Christian Tradition.
- Catholics United for the Faith, "We Believe in One God"
- Encyclopedia of Religion, "Arianism".[clarification needed]
- Catholic Encyclopedia, "Council of Ephesus".
- Christian History Institute, First Meeting of the Council of Chalcedon.
- British Orthodox Church, The Oriental Orthodox Rejection of Chalcedon
- Pope Leo I, Letter to Flavian
- Catholic Encyclopedia, "Athanasian Creed".
- "Our Common Heritage as Christians". The United Methodist Church. http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1806. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
- Avis, Paul (2002) The Christian Church: An Introduction to the Major Traditions, SPCK, London, ISBN 0-281-05246-8 paperback
- White, The History of the Church.
- Cummins, Duane D. (1991). A handbook for Today's Disciples in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Revised Edition. St Louis, MO: Chalice Press. ISBN 0-8272-1425-1.
- Ron Rhodes, The Complete Guide to Christian Denominations, Harvest House Publishers, 2005, ISBN 0-7369-1289-4
- Metzger/Coogan, Oxford Companion to the Bible, pp. 513, 649.
- , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
- "Nicene Creed—Wikisource". En.wikisource.org. http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Nicene_Creed. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
- Hanegraaff. Resurrection: The Capstone in the Arch of Christianity.
- "The Significance of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus for the Christian". Australian Catholic University National. http://dlibrary.acu.edu.au/research/theology/Walsh.htm. Retrieved 2007-05-16.
- "Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ important?". Got Questions Ministries. http://www.gotquestions.org/resurrection-Christ-important.html. Retrieved 2007-05-16.
- , , , , , , and
- This is drawn from a number of sources, especially the early Creeds, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, certain theological works, and various Confessions drafted during the Reformation including the Thirty Nine Articles of the Church of England, works contained in the Book of Concord.
- Fuller, The Foundations of New Testament Christology, p. 11.
- A Jesus Seminar conclusion: "in the view of the Seminar, he did not rise bodily from the dead; the resurrection is based instead on visionary experiences of Peter, Paul, and Mary."
- Funk. The Acts of Jesus: What Did Jesus Really Do?.
- Lorenzen. Resurrection, Discipleship, Justice: Affirming the Resurrection Jesus Christ Today, p. 13.
- Ball/Johnsson (ed.). The Essential Jesus.
- Eisenbaum, Pamela (Winter 2004). "A Remedy for Having Been Born of Woman: Jesus, Gentiles, and Genealogy in Romans". Journal of Biblical Literature 123 (4): 671–702. doi:10.2307/3268465. http://www.sbl-site.org/assets/pdfs/JBL1234.pdf. Retrieved 2009-04-03.
- Wright, N.T. What Saint Paul Really Said: Was Paul of Tarsus the Real Founder of Christianity? (Oxford, 1997), p. 121.
- CCC 846; Vatican II, Lumen Gentium 14
- See quotations from Council of Trent on Justification at http://www.justforcatholics.org/a14.htm
- Westminster Confession, Chapter X; Spurgeon, A Defense of Calvinism.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, Grace and Justification
- Kelly. Early Christian Doctrines. pp. 87-90.
- Alexander. New Dictionary of Biblical Theology. p. 514f.
- McGrath. Historical Theology. p. 61.
- Metzger/Coogan. Oxford Companion to the Bible. p. 782.
- Kelly. The Athanasian Creed.
- Oxford, "Encyclopedia Of Christianity, pg1207
- Fowler. World Religions: An Introduction for Students. p. 58.
- Theophilus of Antioch Apologia ad Autolycum II 15
- McManners, Oxford Illustrated History of Christianity. p. 50.
- Tertullian De Pudicitia chapter 21
- McManners, Oxford Illustrated History of Christianity, p. 53.
- Moltman, Jurgen. The Trinity and the Kingdom: The Doctrine of God. Tr. from German. Fortress Press, 1993. ISBN 080062825X
- Harnack, History of Dogma.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, Inspiration and Truth of Sacred Scripture (§105-108)
- Second Helvetic Confession, Of the Holy Scripture Being the True Word of God
- Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, online text
- "PC(USA)—Presbyterian 101—What is The Bible?". Pcusa.org. http://www.pcusa.org/101/101-bible.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
- Bruce, The Canon of Scripture; Catechism of the Catholic Church, "The Canon of Scripture", § 120
- Metzger/Coogan, Oxford Companion to the Bible. p. 39.
- Kelly. Early Christian Doctrines. pp. 69-78.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, The Holy Spirit, Interpreter of Scripture § 115-118.
- Thomas Aquinas, "Whether in Holy Scripture a word may have several senses"
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, §116
- Second Vatican Council, Dei Verbum (V.19).
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, "The Holy Spirit, Interpreter of Scripture" § 113.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, "The Interpretation of the Heritage of Faith" § 85.
- Mathison. The Shape of Sola Scriptura.[clarification needed]
- Foutz, Martin Luther and Scripture.
- John Calvin, Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles 2 Peter 3:14-18
- Article about Helvetic confessions
- Second Helvetic Confession, Of Interpreting the Holy Scriptures; and of Fathers, Councils, and Traditions
- Sproul. Knowing Scripture, pp. 45-61; Bahnsen, A Reformed Confession Regarding Hermeneutics (article 6).
- Elwell, Walter A. (1984). Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House. ISBN 0801034132.
- Johnson, Elliott (1990). Expository hermeneutics : an introduction. Grand Rapids Mich.: Academie Books. ISBN 9780310341604.
- Terry, Milton (1974). Biblical hermeneutics : a treatise on the interpretation of the Old and New Testaments. Grand Rapids Mich.: Zondervan Pub. House. p. 205
- Elwell, Walter A. (1984). Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House. ISBN 0801034132. p. 565
- e.g., in his commentary on Matthew 1 (§III.3) Matthew Henry interprets the twin sons of Judah, Phares and Zara, as an allegory of the Gentile and Jewish Christians. For a contemporary treatment, see Glenny, Typology: A Summary Of The Present Evangelical Discussion.
- Catholic Encyclopedia, "Particular Judgment".
- Ott, Grundriß der Dogmatik, p. 566.
- David Moser, What the Orthodox believe concerning prayer for the dead.
- Ken Collins, What Happens to Me When I Die?.
- Audience of 4 August 1999
- Catholic Encyclopedia, "The Communion of Saints".
- Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologicum, Supplementum Tertiae Partis questions 69 through 99
- Calvin, John. "Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book Three, Ch. 25". www.reformed.org. http://www.reformed.org/books/institutes/books/book3/bk3ch25.html. Retrieved 2008-01-01.
- "The death that Adam brought into the world is spiritual as well as physical, and only those who gain entrance into the Kingdom of God will exist eternally. However, this division will not occur until Armageddon, when all people will be resurrected and given a chance to gain eternal life. In the meantime, "the dead are conscious of nothing."What is God's Purpose for the Earth?" Official Site of Jehovah's Witnesses. Watchtower, July 15, 2002.
- Justin Martyr, First Apology §LXVII
- Cross/Livingstone. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. p. 1435f.
- Hickman. Handbook of the Christian Year.
- "ANF04. Fathers of the Third Century: Tertullian, Part Fourth; Minucius Felix; Commodian; Origen, Parts First and Second | Christian Classics Ethereal Library". Ccel.org. 2005-06-01. http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/ANF-04/anf04-34.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
- Minucius Felix speaks of the cross of Jesus in its familiar form, likening it to objects with a crossbeam or to a man with arms outstretched in prayer (Octavius of Minucius Felix, chapter XXIX).
- "At every forward step and movement, at every going in and out, when we put on our clothes and shoes, when we bathe, when we sit at table, when we light the lamps, on couch, on seat, in all the ordinary actions of daily life, we trace upon the forehead the sign." (Tertullian, De Corona, chapter 3)
- Dilasser. The Symbols of the Church.
- Catholic Encyclopedia, "Symbolism of the Fish".
- Catholic Encyclopedia, "Veneration of Images.
- Theodosian Code XVI.i.2, in: Bettenson. Documents of the Christian Church. p. 31.
- Orlandis, A Short History of the Catholic Church (1993), preface.
- McManners, Oxford Illustrated History of Christianity, p. 37f.
- Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity, pp. 238–42.
- Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity, pp. 248–50.
- Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity, pp. 244–47.
- Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity, p. 260.
- Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity, pp. 278–81.
- Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity, pp. 305, 312, 314f..
- Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity, pp. 303–07, 310f., 384–86.
- Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity, pp. 305, 310f., 316f.
- Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity, pp. 321–23, 365f.
- Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity, pp. 292–300.
- Riley-Smith. The Oxford History of the Crusades.
- The Western church was called Latin at the time by the Eastern Christians and non Christians due to its conducting of its rituals and affairs in the Latin language
- "The Great Schism: The Estrangement of Eastern and Western Christendom". Orthodox Information Centre. http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/general/greatschism.aspx. Retrieved 2007-05-26.
- Duffy, Saints and Sinners (1997), p. 91
- Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity, pp. 300, 304–05.
- Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity, pp. 310, 383, 385, 391.
- Simon. Great Ages of Man: The Reformation. p. 7.
- Simon. Great Ages of Man: The Reformation. pp. 39, 55–61.
- Schama. A History of Britain. pp. 306–10.
- Bokenkotter, A Concise History of the Catholic Church, pp. 242–44.
- Simon. Great Ages of Man: The Reformation. pp. 109–120.
- A general overview about the English discussion is given in Coffey, Persecution and Toleration in Protestant England 1558–1689.
- Mortimer Chambers, The Western Experience (vol. 2) chapter 21.
- Adherents.com – Number of Christians in the world
- "Major Religions Ranked by Size". Adherents. http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
- Werner Ustorf. "A missiological postscript", in McLeod and Ustorf (eds), The Decline of Christendom in Western Europe, 1750-2000, (Cambridge University Press, 2003) pp. 219–20.
- Encyclopedia Britannica table of religions, by region. Retrieved November 2007.
- American Religious Identification Survey 2008
- New UK opinion poll shows continuing collapse of 'Christendom'
- Barrett/Kurian.World Christian Encyclopedia, p. 139 (Britain), 281 (France), 299 (Germany).
- BBC NEWS—Guide: Christians in the Middle East
- Is Christianity dying in the birthplace of Jesus?
- Number of Christians among young Koreans decreases by 5% per year
- "Christianity fading in Taiwan | American Buddhist Net". Americanbuddhist.net. 2007-11-10. http://americanbuddhist.net/christianity-fading-taiwan. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
- A Gambling-Fueled Boom Adds to a Church’s Bane
- Putnam, Democracies in Flux: The Evolution of Social Capital in Contemporary Society, p. 408.
- McGrath, Christianity: An Introduction, p. xvi.
- Peter Marber, Money Changes Everything: How Global Prosperity Is Reshaping Our Needs, Values and Lifestyles, p. 99.
- "Gov. Pataki Honors 1700th Anniversary of Armenia's Adoption of Christianity as a state religion". Aremnian National Committe of America. http://www.anca.org/press_releases/press_releases.php?prid=82. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- "Bolivia". Encyclopædia Britannica. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/72106/Bolivia. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- "Costa Rica". Encyclopædia Britannica. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/139528/Costa-Rica. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- "Denmark". Encyclopædia Britannica. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/157748/Denmark. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- "El Salvador". Encyclopædia Britannica. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/181798/El-Salvador. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- "Church and State in Britain: The Church of privilege". Centre for Citizenship. http://www.centreforcitizenship.org/church1.html. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- "Official Religions of Finland". Finish Tourist Board. http://www.visitfinland.com/w5/index.nsf/(Pages)/Religion. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- "State and Church in Finland". Euresis. http://www.euresisnet.eu/Pages/ReligionAndState/FINLAND.aspx. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- "McCain Praises Georgia For Adopting Christianity As Official State Religion". BeliefNet. http://blog.beliefnet.com/stevenwaldman/2008/08/mccain-praises-georgia-for-ado.html. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
- "Iceland". Encyclopædia Britannica. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/281235/Iceland. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- "Liechtenstein". U.S. Department of State. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2003/24418.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- "Malta". Encyclopædia Britannica. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/360532/Malta. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- "Monaco". Encyclopædia Britannica. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/388747/Monaco. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- "Norway". Encyclopædia Britannica. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/420178/Norway. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- "Church of Scotland". Encyclopædia Britannica. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/529484/Church-of-Scotland. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- "Switzerland". U.S. Department of State. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2003/24436.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- "Vatican". Encyclopædia Britannica. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/623972/Vatican-City. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- "Cyprus". U.S. Department of State. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2003/27433.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- "Divisions of Christianity". North Virginia College. http://www.nvcc.edu/home/lshulman/Rel232/resource/Xiandivision.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
- "The LDS Restorationist movement, including Mormon denominations". Religious Tolerance. http://www.religioustolerance.org/ldswho.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
- "Nicene Creed". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9055702. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
- Sydney E. Ahlstrom ([clarification needed], p. 381.) characterized denominationalism in America as "a virtual ecclesiology" that "first of all repudiates the insistences of the Roman Catholic church, the churches of the 'magisterial' Reformation, and of most sects that they alone are the true Church." For specific citations, on the Roman Catholic Church see the Catechism of the Catholic Church §816; other examples: Donald Nash, Why the Churches of Christ are not a Denomination; Wendell Winkler, Christ's Church is not a Denomination; and David E. Pratt, What does God think about many Christian denominations?
- Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium.
- Duffy, Saints and Sinners, p. 1.
- Hitchcock, Geography of Religion, p. 281.
- Norman, The Roman Catholic Church an Illustrated History, p. 11, 14.
- Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, chapter 2, paragraph 15.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 865.
- Marthaler, Introducing the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Traditional Themes and Contemporary Issues (1994), preface.
- John Paul II, Pope (1997). "Laetamur Magnopere". Vatican. Archived from the original on 2008-02-11. http://web.archive.org/web/20080211121910/http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/laetamurmagnopere.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
- Annuario Pontificio (2007), p. 1172.
- Barry, One Faith, One Lord (2001), p. 71
- Adherents.com, Religions by Adherents
- Zenit.org, "Number of Catholics and Priests Rises", 12 February 2007.
- Central Intelligence Agency, CIA World Factbook (2007).
- According to the Bonn Accord of 1931, cited at Old Catholic Church of the Beatitudes.
- Council of Anglican Episcopal Churches in Germany.
- Cross/Livingstone. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, p. 1199.
- Oriental Orthodox Churches
- An Introduction to the Oriental Orthodox Churches
- Syrian Orthodox Resources -- Middle Eastern Oriental Orthodox Common Declaration
- McManners, Oxford Illustrated History of Christianity. pp. 251–59.
- Dr. James Milton Carroll. The Trail of Blood. The School of Biblical & Theological Studies (2004).
- "About The Methodist Church". Methodist Central Hall Westminster. http://www.methodist-central-hall.org.uk/history/WhatisMethodism.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
- "American Holiness Movement". Finding Your Way, Inc. http://mb-soft.com/believe/text/holiness.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
- "Christianity: Pentecostal Churches". Finding Your Way, Inc.. http://www.findingyourwayinc.org/christianity.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
- "Statement of Belief". Cambridge Christ United Methodist Church. http://www.cambridgechristumc.com/statementofbelief.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
- "The New Birth by John Wesley (Sermon 45)". The United Methodist Church GBGM. http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/45/. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
- "God's Preparing, Accepting, and Sustaining Grace". The United Methodist Church GBGM. http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/wesley/walk.stm. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
- "Total Experience of the Spirit". Warren Wilson College. http://www.warren-wilson.edu/~religion/newifo/religions/christianity/index/pentecostal/essay.shtml. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
- Sykes/Booty/Knight. The Study of Anglicanism, p. 219.
- Gregory Hallam, Orthodoxy and Ecumenism.
- Gregory Mathewes-Green, "Whither the Branch Theory?", Anglican Orthodox Pilgrim Vol. 2, No. 4.
- Confessionalism is a term employed by historians to describe "the creation of fixed identities and systems of beliefs for separate churches which had previously been more fluid in their self-understanding, and which had not begun by seeking separate identities for themselves—they had wanted to be truly Catholic and reformed." (MacCulloch, The Reformation: A History, p. xxiv.)
- "Classification of Protestant Denominations". Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life / U.S. Religious Landscape Survey. http://religions.pewforum.org/pdf/report2religious-landscape-study-appendix3.pdf. Retrieved 2009-09-27.
- McManners, Oxford Illustrated History of Christianity, p. 91f.
- "The Restorationist Movements". Religious Tolerance. http://www.religioustolerance.org/chrrest.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
- "What is Restorationism?". Got Questions Ministries. http://www.gotquestions.org/restorationism.html. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
- JW-Media.org Membership 2005
- Statistical Report 2008
- "LDS Church says membership now 13 million worldwide", Salt Lake Tribune, June 25, 2007.
- Press Release, LDS Church, "One Million Missionaries, Thirteen Million Members", June 25, 2007.
- The church counts all members who were ever baptized, who have neither been excommunicated nor asked to have their names removed from church records. Independent surveys estimate that about 50% of people on LDS Church rolls do not identify with the religion. See John Dart, Counting Mormons: study says LDS numbers inflated, Christian Century, August 21, 2007.
- McManners, Oxford Illustrated History of Christianity, pp. 581–84.
- McManners, Oxford Illustrated History of Christianity. p. 413f.
- McManners, Oxford Illustrated History of Christianity, p. 498.
- McManners, Oxford Illustrated History of Christianity, p. 373.
- McManners, Oxford Illustrated History of Christianity, p. 583.
- Methodist Statement
|This page uses content from the English Wikipedia. The original article was at Christianity. The list of authors can be seen in the page history.| | <urn:uuid:16ca052e-bbab-4595-b0ad-36304cc2fca1> | CC-MAIN-2022-27 | https://religion.fandom.com/wiki/Christianity | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-27/segments/1656103989282.58/warc/CC-MAIN-20220702071223-20220702101223-00596.warc.gz | en | 0.908982 | 16,828 | 3.296875 | 3 | 2.916561 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Religion |
College students make strategic choices about where to vote, most prefer absentee ballots, and they are especially likely to vote absentee if their homes are in swing states, according to a new Northwestern University study of student absentee voting in the 2008 presidential election.
The findings are published today (Oct. 1) by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University's Tisch College.
The study assessed the outcomes of an in-person voter registration drive held during the fall of 2008 on Northwestern's Evanston campus. Students were offered a choice of local college-state voting in Illinois or home-state voting by absentee ballot. (The drive was organized and staffed by Northwestern students.)
Two Northwestern students, Kim Castle and Janice Levy, conducted the study under the direction of Michael Peshkin, professor of mechanical engineering in the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science.
"2008 was the first presidential election for most college students," said Peshkin, who is a steering committee member of Northwestern's Center for Civic Engagement. "That's often the moment when students emerge as political participants or political bystanders."
The researchers found that students from swing states preferred home-state voting by an 8-to-1 ratio. Even students from non-swing states preferred to vote back home, by a 2-to-1 ratio. Most students chose absentee voting even though absentee voting is more complicated than local voting.
The study disproved two common assumptions: that students are unreliable voters and that the extra steps required for absentee voting would further diminish the number of ballots students cast. The study found high turnout rates for both students who voted locally and those who voted by absentee ballot. Seventy-nine percent of students who registered locally voted, and 84 percent of students who got an absentee ballot voted.
"We were amazed how many students registered to vote when we asked them in person," said Castle, lead author of the study and an organizer of the voter drive last fall. "On-the-ground campaigns definitely still have their place."
More than 1.7 million students attend out-of-state colleges. A 1972 Supreme Court decision, Dunn v. Blumstein, eliminated lengthy state residency requirements that prevented students from voting in their college state. Since then, students who are away at college are eligible to vote in either their home state or in their college state. The same applies to military personnel at out-of-state bases as well as "snowbirds" and others with more than one home.
The Northwestern study concluded that:
- Students can be diligent voters with high turnout, both by absentee ballot and in local voting
- Students who can vote in their home state or their college state in a presidential election are strongly influenced in that choice by how close the race is
- Even in the Internet era, in-person voter drives reach many students who would not otherwise vote
The findings demonstrate that given the choice, students from swing states will maximize the impact of their votes by voting in their home states.
The study can be found at http://tinyurl. | <urn:uuid:cd4aa1fc-12b5-4007-a095-ea3d3cfd8fed> | CC-MAIN-2017-43 | https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-10/nu-csv100109.php | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-43/segments/1508187822513.17/warc/CC-MAIN-20171017215800-20171017235800-00608.warc.gz | en | 0.97438 | 632 | 2.515625 | 3 | 2.975439 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Politics |
The World Health Organization is encouraging governments to come up with plans to include mental health care in their health services. Many African states are struggling to meet the goal, in part because of the cost of improving health care in a developing nation. From Lusaka, reporter Sanday Chongo Kabange takes a look at how one nation, Zambia, is coping with mental health care issues.
On the streets of the Zambian capital, Lusaka, it’s not unusual to come across a person shouting for no apparent reason, talking nonsense, carrying huge, filthy bags or even committing acts of violence.
John Mayeya is a mental health specialist at the Ministry of Health.
He says Zambians suffer from some of the same disorders as others around the world, including schizophrenia, affective disorders, acute psychotic episodes, alcohol-related problems and organic brain syndromes.
As for the causes, he says, "It could be challenges of life, for instance unemployment, divorce, alcohol and drug problems. It could be due to infections to the brain like severe malaria. Road traffic accidents can also lead mental illness. Socio-economic and extreme religious beliefs can also precipitate mental illness in somebody who is vulnerable."
In Zambia, people who are mentally ill are often stigmatized, feared, scorned and condemned.
Among the exceptions, however, are the aged. It’s traditionally the duty of the extended family to look after older citizens – who sometimes suffer from mental illnesses such as dementia and depression. They and other common mental illnesses are often treated at home, while more serious ones are recommended to mental health centres.
Chainama Hills is Zambia’s only mental hospital. It offers long-term treatment with medication for severely ill patients. Talk therapy is not available at the center.
There are close to 560 beds for psychiatric patients across the country. A small force of trained personnel attends to them.
Over time the number of frontline mental health workers and professional staff has been declining. In fact, there is only one practicing psychiatrist for the whole country. Other key mental health workers such as psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists, are also in short supply. Mayeya says this is due to the retirement of skilled professionals – or the “brain drain,” in which they leave the country for better paying jobs abroad. It’s also attributed to the low output of training institutions.
But two years ago, the Zambian government took action to ease the growing problem of mental illness – and developed an official stand on the issue. The Mental Health Policy serves as a legal and legislative guideline for mental health institutions and workers.
The government is also in the process of revising the 1951 Mental Disorders Act, which refers to mentally ill people as idiots, imbeciles and invalids. The revised act will incorporate and define the legal rights and treatment of mental patients.
Mayeya says it will then be in line with health and human rights related United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
“We are proposing that we call them mentally ill persons and not imbeciles," he said. "We are also dealing with admission procedures. At present you have to get a detention order from the magistrate before some one is admitted to Chainama [Zambia’s only mental health institution]. Detention orders pertain to the withdrawal of human rights of someone for 14 days. But we are doing away with that. We want people to be admitted straight away where if there will be any detention orders to be administered they should be administered by medical personnel who understands the patients well.”
The World Health Organisation Health Promotions officer, Norah Mweemba, says her agency is working with the Zambian government to bring mental health care policy up to date. | <urn:uuid:ed48409c-99c6-45c2-89ba-c465136b231f> | CC-MAIN-2016-44 | http://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2007-06-02-voa17-66560427/554958.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2016-44/segments/1476988721405.66/warc/CC-MAIN-20161020183841-00386-ip-10-171-6-4.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.955806 | 774 | 2.796875 | 3 | 2.948946 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Health |
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of pancreas. Pancreas regulates the digestion process through its enzymes and regulates blood sugar level by producing insulin hormone.
Acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis are two types of pancreatitis. Generally, acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly and its symptoms can last for a week or more. Chronic pancreatitis lasts for several months to several years.
Signs and symptoms of pancreatitis
|Acute pancreatitis||Chronic pancreatitis|
|Upper abdominal pain||Upper abdominal pain|
|Abdominal pain||Losing weight without trying|
|Nausea and vomiting||Steatorrhea (Smelly and Oily Stools)|
|Abdominal Tenderness||Fatigue and excessive thirst|
Alcoholism, cigarette smoking, infections, gallstones and medications are common causes of pancreatitis. Other causes include cystic fibrosis, hypercalcemia, hyperparathyroidism, high triglyceride levels, etc.
Acute pancreatitis may require hospitalization and treatment of underlying cause of inflammation. Fasting is a good remedy for acute pancreatitis, which is also an important part of acute pancreatitis management in the hospital.
Here are some home remedies effective in chronic pancreatitis.
Nut grass water
It reduces abdominal pain and increases appetite. It is also beneficial in reducing fats in the stools.
How to Use
- Take two glasses of water and add 3 grams nut grass powder.
- Boil the water with nut grass powder and simmer it until the water remains half.
- Now, add a pinch of black pepper and Kala Namak.
Drink this water once every day for a month. Sipping nut grass water frequently in a day can also help tremendously in chronic pancreatitis.
If you have symptoms like bloating, intestinal gas and abdominal distention, then add a slice of ginger along with nut grass powder. Nut grass powder may cause bloating when taken in excess dosage.
Giloy and Ginger
Giloy is digestive stimulant, detoxifier, adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulator and anti-oxidant. Therefore, it is also effective in reducing chronic inflammation of the pancreas.
Ginger also has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and digestive stimulant properties.
The combination of Giloy and ginger helps reducing inflammation, pain, steatorrhea and excessive thirst that occurs in the pancreatitis.
How to Use
- Take 3 grams Giloy powder (or 500 mg Giloy Satva) and 500 mg dried ginger powder and mix them.
- Take this mixture twice a day with warm water.
- Alternatively, you can also use Giloy juice and ginger juice. For this, take 20 ml Fresh Giloy juice and add a half teaspoon of fresh ginger juice. Drink it 30 to 60 minutes before meal.
Bitter Gourd (Karela) Juice
Bitter Gourd is also effective in pancreatitis. It reduces inflammation, rectifies pancreas functions and prevents gallbladder stone formation. It is also used as adjuvant for some ayurvedic medicines used in gall bladder stones.
How to Use
- Take fresh Bitter gourd and extract its juice.
- Take 20 ml bitter gourd juice for a few days and then increase its dosage to 50 ml per day in divided doses.
However, some people may feel difficulty to drink bitter gourd juice. People with pancreatitis may experience loss of appetite after taking this juice. However, it is uncommon and in fact, bitter gourd improves appetite. If you feel loss of appetite or indigestion after taking it, then it may occur due to bitter taste of bitter gourd. You should start drinking 5-10 ml juice from first day, and then you can increase its dosage as per your comfort to 50 ml a day (in divided doses). | <urn:uuid:ed63f232-606c-4258-89c5-5f138491ad71> | CC-MAIN-2020-29 | https://www.ayurtimes.com/home-remedies-for-pancreatitis/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-29/segments/1593655906934.51/warc/CC-MAIN-20200710082212-20200710112212-00279.warc.gz | en | 0.892354 | 815 | 2.625 | 3 | 1.492741 | 1 | Basic reasoning | Health |
IoT evolves rapidly with advancements in connectivity, analytics and security. IT admins must understand the industry jargon before they can dig deeper into its nuances and manage an effective deployment.
Organizations adopt IoT technology to simplify tasks, but they won't find deploying IoT simple. Smart thermostats and devices that use apps to turn off lights without the physical flip of a switch are examples of IoT devices. These smart or connected devices represent the basic parts of IoT, but IoT deployments incorporate many other technologies, such as AI, cloud and edge computing, connectivity, and security.
This glossary of 30 IoT terms introduces basic concepts of IoT and works its way to specific considerations that organizations must make to secure and implement IoT.
10 beginner terms to understand IoT in context
Start with the basic IoT terminology to discover important components of IoT and how IoT fits in with other technology trends.
Internet of things. IoT is a system of sensors that collects and exchanges data through a network connection without human involvement. Sensors detect and respond to an input from the physical environment, such as a refrigerator temperature or the vibrations of a machine. IoT devices monitor the state of a machine, environment or person -- the things in the internet of things. IoT derives value from data analysis when admins apply the technology to increase efficiency or better understand processes.
This article is part of
IoT devices. Sometimes referred to as smart or connected devices, these include any device or sensor with computing capabilities that connects to the internet but is not traditionally internet-enabled. For example, a smart thermostat can adjust the temperature of a meeting room based on the number of people present. Smart sensors take input from their surroundings and act with predefined functions when specific conditions are met before the data is sent from the device. Traditional computing devices, such as computers, smartphones or tablets, do not fall under the realm of IoT.
Industrial IoT. IIoT narrows the focus of IoT to the sensors and actuators -- mechanisms that turn energy into motion -- used in a manufacturing or industrial process. IIoT refers to machines that were not previously connected to the internet that now use IoT devices analytics that improve efficiency or business decisions. IIoT use cases include predictive maintenance, supply chain traceability and asset tracking. The architectural components of IoT and IIoT are often similar, but organizations use each for different purposes. IoT covers connected device applications more broadly in many verticals, whereas IIoT devices in manufacturing and utilities deal with critical operational processes.
Fourth industrial revolution. Technologists might hear other professionals refer to IoT as part of the fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0. The idea behind it is that emerging technology trends -- including IoT, virtual reality and AI -- transform the way people live and work, similar to how previous industrial revolutions brought disruptive industrial, technological and digital advancements.
Digital transformation. Some organizations might talk about IoT as the catalyst for digital transformation. This evolution goes beyond just adopting IoT or another emerging technology and requires organizations to rethink and reinvent how they operate at fundamental levels. Organizations must examine and restructure their business strategy and culture to solve problems and optimize processes by turning manual tasks into digital ones.
Big data. IoT data is a subset of big data. IoT devices generate massive amounts of data used for machine learning, predictive modeling and analytics. From the data, organizations identify patterns and trends to inform their business decisions. IoT data requires the infrastructure to better manage, store and analyze a large volume of structured and unstructured data in real time. Organizations use big data, regardless of its source, to give them a competitive advantage to market their products or services, improve their processes and increase customer satisfaction.
IoT analytics. IoT's value comes from what organizations do with the data devices generate. Organizations use analytics to distill actionable information from the plethora of IoT data. IoT analytics tools use sensor data from sources such as manufacturing equipment, smart meters or delivery vehicles for reporting and analysis. IoT analytics challenge organizations with the different data types, the amount of data and the speed required for data processing.
IoT edge computing. Edge computing is the architecture IoT uses to process data close to its generation point, particularly when data processing is time sensitive. IoT edge computing addresses the problem of sending vast amounts of data over the network and processes data on the device itself or at a server close to it. Instead of processing all data for further use, a smart security camera can process and transmit data from the device only when it detects movement, which lessens the load on the network. Any data that does not require real-time analysis can be analyzed in the cloud.
IoT cloud computing. Organizations can use cloud computing services to provide fully managed scalable compute resources for IoT deployments. These services come in the form of infrastructure, platforms or SaaS. Information storage in the cloud gives organizations a backup for disaster recovery and can save them the cost of building the necessary infrastructure in-house.
IoT security. The IoT industry has not prioritized IoT device and network security measures during development, which creates vulnerabilities. Many methods that secure businesses also secure IoT devices, such as firewalls, but connecting devices to the internet presents some unique problems. IoT devices typically exist at the edge of an organization's network and increase the potential attack surface. The small size of IoT devices limits the resources each device can contain, including the space for security measures, such as advanced encryption. IoT standards bodies also lack cohesion, which means organizations have many frameworks to choose from without clear guidelines. Organizations may deploy devices that use different protocols, which complicates security and interoperability. Groups such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology develop industry standards, but these efforts are still in progress.
Dive deeper with intermediate IoT terminology
With a basic understanding of the IoT industry and how IoT fits into organizational strategies, IT administrators can now explore divisions within IoT technology and how IoT works.
Machine-to-machine. M2M classifies any technology, such as AI, that connected devices use to transfer information or take actions without human interaction. IoT is built on M2M capabilities, but they are not the same. M2M encompasses machines communicating with machines in a closed hardware system. IoT sensors connect to a larger network of machines that communicate with other machines and humans. M2M technology is essential to IoT for use in real time, remote monitoring of patients or equipment, and improving process efficiency. The technology has low-power consumption, the ability to continually or selectively send and receive data, and location-specific triggers for alert devices.
Internet of medical things. IoMT, also known as healthcare IoT, covers medical devices and applications that connect to healthcare networks to analyze data and improve patient care. The most prevalent uses of IoT in healthcare facilities include remote patient monitoring and asset tracking. IoMT comes with increased security risks to patient safety. As the number of connected devices increases, the attack surface gets bigger and hackers have more opportunities to access patient data or devices.
Artificial intelligence of things. AIoT refers to uses where AI combines with IoT to increase operational efficiency and improve data processing for better informed decisions. With AI, IoT devices can make decisions without the need for human intervention. If an IoT device is programmed to monitor the temperature of a machine, AIoT software can register when the temperature goes above or below a desired range and adjust.
IT/OT convergence. The nature of IoT technology requires IT and operations teams to work together on software, hardware, control systems and networks to succeed. The two teams' convergence can cause conflict in organizations because they often have different priorities and perspectives. IT teams focus on data created by IoT sensors and security. OT teams must incorporate IoT from a practical standpoint and ensure production goes smoothly. Organizations must define the IT and OT roles and responsibilities, outline where IT and OT overlap, and provide the teams with the right tools to support the convergence.
IoT attack surface. IoT adoption expands the attack surface, the total potential vulnerabilities in IoT devices, software and networks, that IT admins must address. Every IoT device connects to a network and has its own IP address, which gives hackers many opportunities to gain access.
IoT platforms. Organizations may use many different types of IoT platforms -- hardware or software that host an application or service -- to manage any aspect of IoT, including devices, data, analytics and security. Platforms simplify the challenges of IoT deployment, management and scalability. Engineers can design their own IoT platforms to manage devices, but many vendors offer IoT platforms as a service, including AWS, Google and Microsoft.
Fog computing. Some IT professionals use the terms fog and edge computing interchangeably, but there are differences between the concepts. Fog computing is the data, compute, storage and applications present between the cloud and the devices that create data. Some organizations use edge computing to strictly mean the compute that happens within network endpoints, absent of any network connections. The data that exists outside of an edge device, but not yet in the cloud, is fog. Fog computing reduces the bandwidth, latency and amount of data sent to the cloud.
IoT gateway. An IoT gateway device or software program preprocesses all data between IoT devices and the cloud. The gateway aggregates and analyzes the edge data to reduce the volume transferred through the network, which reduces the latency and bandwidth. Without this device, organizations would spend more on data costs in the cloud. Gateways also increase security for data moving to and from the cloud through encryption and tamper detection.
IoT OS. IoT devices require specific technology to transfer data over the internet because of their small size and use in remote locations. IoT developers must design IoT OSes specifically to fit the constraints on size, power and processing capacity. IoT OSes include Ubuntu Core, RIOT, Zephyr, TinyOS and Windows for IoT.
IoT network protocols. Protocols are the rules applied to data format, transmission and receipt for devices to communicate between servers, routers and endpoints, even if the IoT devices use different standards or designs. Examples of IoT protocols include Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, LoRaWAN and Z-Wave.
Dig into the details with advanced IoT terminology
Security and data privacy present significant challenges for any organization that uses IoT. IT admins must understand the threats, as well as the different regulations and methods to protect and address data use.
Identity and access management. IAM refers to the policies and technology that IT admins use to manage digital identities and control user access to sensitive information. IAM methods -- such as single sign-on or two-factor authentication -- automate and simplify the processes that assign and track user privileges, and they verify the connection of devices and applications to each other. The growing number of IoT devices that organizations use in remote locations presents a security risk, which IAM can reduce.
Event-driven architecture. EDA makes real-time processing possible through a framework that determines behavior for the production, detection and consumption of events or any significant occurrence in hardware or software. Many IoT uses, such as confirming the legitimacy of a financial transaction or identifying a security threat, require instantaneous processing to respond or react as quickly as possible. Organizations use EDA to produce highly scalable applications and to handle complex event processing from the high volumes of IoT data created.
Real-time analytics. Developers apply real-time analytics to IoT data because they require insights and computer responsiveness almost immediately when the data enters the system. Streaming data architectures with real-time analytics make near-instantaneous decisions through robotic process automation. This analytical type improves efficiency and can prevent damage, injuries or losses, and it can detect network security breaches.
IoT policy. Organizations use an IoT policy document to guide IoT device and deployment developments and address complications throughout the process. Policies differ based on industry, but security and privacy remain top priorities. IoT policies can set the framework for interoperability, standardization and regulatory compliance. Organizations must consider many aspects of their IoT policy, including what access controls IoT devices use, how to prioritize access and how to effectively develop IoT infrastructure.
IoT botnet. Traditional botnets have long plagued the technology landscape with the threat of attackers co-opting hacked devices for illicit ends, such as distributed denial-of-service attacks. The IoT botnet expands the targeted technology to include smart technology such as appliances, internet-connected sensors and automobiles. Attackers can consign any device with an IP address and the ability to transmit data into a botnet. Organizations might have hundreds or tens of thousands of IoT devices, and IT admins must protect each device against cyberthreats.
IoT privacy. IoT privacy refers to the considerations that organizations must make to protect individuals' information that IoT devices collect. As consumers use technology to track and manage more aspects of their lives, they have shown concern for how organizations use the collected data. Most individuals don't know or control how organizations use or monetize the data collected about them. Even though data collected from one sensor might not cause an issue, when it's combined with data from other endpoints and analyzed, organizations could derive sensitive information. Different countries and states have begun to develop legislation around organizations' use of personal data, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) or General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
GDPR. This 2018 regulation addresses data privacy laws across the European Union. Under the regulation, organizations must practice greater transparency about how they use personal data and to notify all affected people within 72 hours when an attack breaches their data. Organizations may not process any personally identifiable information unless they meet at least one of six conditions, such as the express consent of the data subject. Although GDPR doesn't focus on IoT, the policies include IoT devices. IoT devices don't often use graphical user interfaces, which makes informing a customer of personal data uses more difficult. Organizations often transfer data processing to the cloud, which can involve numerous parties. GDPR dictates that all parties across a supply chain must be responsible for the data use.
Over-the-air updates. Organizations can patch the software or firmware of IoT devices or deploy new OSes wirelessly with OTA updates. This updating method keeps devices secure and maintains a high level of performance in a scalable way using the same wireless communication paths that devices already send and receive data through. IT admins might need to update difficult-to-reach devices -- such as autonomous vehicles, smart home speakers or utility sensors -- and OTA updates negate the need to patch these devices in person.
Digital twins. Digital twins virtually represent products or workflows across their lifecycles as they evolve. The representation uses a physical item in the world, the digital twin itself in software form and the data that ties the two together. Organizations use the data from the IoT sensors in the physical world to inform the digital twin and to understand its interactions, development and lifecycle management. Developers can test IoT products for performance and reliability to improve real-world performance or predict when a machine will fail. In a production line, a digital twin of the workflow could show where bottlenecks are and how to handle changes in demand effectively.
Blockchain. This distributed ledger creates a permanent, tamperproof record of transactions to build trust in manufacturers. Organizations throughout a supply chain can use IoT sensors to track goods and use blockchain to trace where goods, such as food, came from or to combat counterfeit drugs. Bad actors would have a difficult time faking any information in a blockchain because each computer in the distributed ledger maintains a simultaneously updated and validated copy. | <urn:uuid:234e3b26-5e0e-4d40-b774-1f6758a13523> | CC-MAIN-2021-43 | https://internetofthingsagenda.techtarget.com/feature/A-glossary-of-the-IoT-terminology-you-must-know | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-43/segments/1634323585199.76/warc/CC-MAIN-20211018062819-20211018092819-00304.warc.gz | en | 0.925241 | 3,188 | 3.34375 | 3 | 2.893497 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Science & Tech. |
Let’s not be the fat guy bully in the room. I’ll explain.
An estimated 1,300,000,000 people will go to bed tonight without lights. The “energy poverty” gap hurts people’s health, education, and contributes to keeping them poor. Lack of affordable and reliable electricity is also among the top constraints on business and job growth in Africa . So, it’s pretty obvious that international development agencies, including those within the US Government, should be encouraging power production and distribution. The leading US agency for promoting investment in poor countries is the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, so we should also expect OPIC to play a major role in helping bring power to those without.
But there’s an added wrinkle. The USG also wants to reduce global CO2 emissions (or at least appear to be trying to do so). So the administration has self-imposed a carbon emissions ceiling on OPIC’s portfolio. In practice, this excludes OPIC from participating in all but a handful of electricity projects Worse, the current policy is a lose-lose since it has almost zero appreciable impact on global emissions.
I’ve complained about this before, but now I think I have a win-win alternative that would allow OPIC to help improve access to energy for the world’s poorest while also meeting concerns about global carbon emissions. A better policy would tweak OPIC’s investment rules to reflect the following principles:
- Pragmatism about potential power sources. While OPIC’s growing investments in renewable energy are encouraging and should continue, closing the energy poverty gap will realistically require a range of new energy sources, including gas-fired power stations and related infrastructure. Fortuitously, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Ghana, Papua New Guinea and other countries in need of power have had major natural gas finds. Yet the current policy prevents OPIC from participating in nearly all new power projects fueled by natural gas.
- Reflection of global emission shares. Global CO2 emissions are dominated by a handful of countries, almost none of which are among the poorest. (The US and China combined account for nearly half, while all of sub-Saharan Africa is only about 2%.) Moreover, the IEA estimates that achieving universal electricity access would increase energy-related CO2 emissions by 2030 by less than 1%.
- Policy fairness & consistency. The emissions cap applies to all foreign countries yet the US of course has no such limits on its own domestic energy investments while per capita emissions in poor countries are a tiny fraction of those in the United States. (It’s like the US is the fat guy in the room, forcing all the skinny undernourished people on a low fat low carb diet to make up for his own gluttony.)
- Potential net emissions reductions from new gas-fired power investments. In Nigeria, for example, 97% of large firms own (costly, inefficient, and polluting) diesel generators which provide nearly 2/3 of their power. New on-grid power generated by gas-fired plants that replaced such generators would actually reduce emissions, not increase them.
- Transparency and simplicity. New rules should be based on clear guidelines and third party data. A complicated formula could be open to dispute and manipulation.
So, the idea is simple: Let’s exempt projects from OPIC’s emissions cap in the countries where poverty is greatest and emissions are lowest. More specifically, I propose a 20x Exemption Rule. This rule change would allow OPIC to participate in non-coal projects in countries where U.S. GNI and CO2 emissions per capita are at least 20 times greater. Here’s a graph showing all countries, with their per capita income and CO2 emissions. The proposed exemption zone is the tiny box in the corner.
- Source: World Bank, WDI, 2012. Note: This chart excludes some small oil-producing outliers for reasons of scale.
This 20x Exemption Rule would, based on current data, enable OPIC to invest in energy projects in these 49 countries.
None of these 49 countries are major CO2 emitters and all have huge unmet energy needs. In fact, these countries alone have some 700 million people without access to electricity. And by using a ratio of the US level, a country would naturally graduate if it suddenly became a major emitter or got rich quickly.
The 20x Exemption Rule would help to close the energy poverty gap while having a trivial effect on global emissions targets. It is strategically counterproductive and morally dubious for the USG to deny access to electricity to those with a tiny fraction of American levels of income and emissions. OPIC rules should reflect this. An exemption at the 5% level makes sense—and could be easily implemented by the next administration. | <urn:uuid:c7d2a27e-78e4-47db-96c2-9d6b262c6a9f> | CC-MAIN-2014-10 | http://www.cgdev.org/blog/policy-tweak-help-bring-lights-700-million-people-stuck-dark-without-baking-planet | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2014-10/segments/1393999650424/warc/CC-MAIN-20140305060730-00011-ip-10-183-142-35.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.937212 | 1,001 | 2.546875 | 3 | 2.977184 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Politics |
Strep test, throat culture, Streptococcal screen
This test looks for the bacteria that cause strep throat. This condition causes a severe sore throat and makes it painful to swallow. It's important to detect and treat strep throat as soon as possible because it can progress to more serious illnesses, such as rheumatic fever.
The bacteria most likely to cause strep throat and bacterial sore throats in general are called Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus pyogenes (GABHS).
This test is a highly reliable way to diagnose strep throat because it has a sensitivity of 90% to 95%. But it's not used as commonly as the rapid antigen test because results for the throat culture are usually not available until 24 to 48 hours later.
You may need this test if you have symptoms of strep throat, including:
Sore throat. The soreness can begin suddenly and cause severe pain when you swallow.
Fever. Temperatures in adults are usually 101°F (38.3°C) or higher.
Headache, nausea, and vomiting
Mild neck stiffness
Swollen or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
Swollen, red tonsils. Sometimes they have streaks of pus or white patches.
Rash or body aches
Small red spots on the roof of your mouth, in the back on the soft or hard palate
You may also have this test if your tonsils are painfully enlarged and your breath smells very bad.
Strep throat is treated with antibiotics. Starting antibiotics right away eases symptoms and can reduce the time you are contagious from 1 week to 1 day. Treatment also prevents rheumatic fever if taken within 10 days after symptoms begin.
Your healthcare provider may also order these tests:
Rapid antigen test
Clinical prognostic score for GABHS, a score that helps prevent overuse of antibiotics for sore throats
Many things may affect your lab test results. These include the method each lab uses to do the test. Even if your test results are different from the normal value, you may not have a problem. To learn what the results mean for you, talk with your healthcare provider.
Normal results are negative, meaning you don't have strep throat. If your test result is positive, you almost certainly have strep throat caused by GABHS. If your sore throat lasts longer than a week, you probably have a different illness.
If your test is positive, you should stay home from work or school until you have been taking your antibiotics for 24 hours. It is important to do this so the infection won’t be spread to others. You should start feeling better within 1 to 2 days after starting the antibiotics.
Be sure to finish the entire prescription even though you are feeling better.
The test requires a sample from your throat. Your healthcare provider will take the sample by swabbing both of your tonsils.
The swabbing may cause a slight discomfort.
Taking antibiotics can affect your results.
You don't need to prepare for this test. But be sure your healthcare provider knows about all medicines, herbs, vitamins, and supplements you are taking. This includes medicines that don't need a prescription and any illicit drugs you may use. | <urn:uuid:0e3ff852-27a1-4724-8b8c-b70bd9cda27a> | CC-MAIN-2017-09 | http://www.dmc.org/Healthlibrary/testsandprocedures.aspx?ContentTypeID=167&ContentID=beta_hemolytic_streptococcus_culture&topic=doc&alpha=B | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-09/segments/1487501170992.17/warc/CC-MAIN-20170219104610-00161-ip-10-171-10-108.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.940284 | 669 | 3.28125 | 3 | 1.395712 | 1 | Basic reasoning | Health |
What is Red Light Therapy?
By now you’ve heard or read about the amazing all natural healing benefits of Red Light Therapy, so what’s all the hype about?
Red Light Therapy 101:
Red Light Therapy or RLT, is a form of low level but powerful light therapy that helps accelerate your bodies own natural healing processes without drugs like Fentanyl or Ozempic or surgery and the side effects and complications from them.
how red light therapy works
Much like plants absorb light from the Sun and convert it to food, with RLT you expose your naked skin to a RLT device and the mitochondria of your body’s cells(your cells powerhouse) absorb it and turn it from a light energy to a chemical called Adenosine Tri Phosphate ATP your body products naturally to repair and heal itself.
Many experts think RLT helps the cells to repair themselves and improve overall health especially in skin and muscle tissue.
RLT uses very low levels of heat therefore it does not hurt or burn the skin.The health of every organ and every cell in the body depends on energy being produced by the mitochondria in those cells. Skin, muscle, fat, bone, gland, or brain – when the mitochondria produce more energy, the cells in those tissues work better.
- Increased Cellular ATP Production. Red Light and Near Infrared Light therapy stimulates your body’s natural healing process at the cellular level through increased ATP production in the mitochondria.
- With an increase in mitochondrial output of ATP a series of metabolic events occur that improve blood oxygenation, improve blood flow, increase collagen production, reduce overall inflammation, and improve cellular regeneration and protection; building cellular antioxidant and anti-inflammatory defenses. Light entering our skin creates a low-dose healthy metabolic stress (hormesis) that builds our cell’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant defense systems. This results in a reduced amount of cellular free radicals being produced and less oxidative stress for our cell, protecting our tissues from further inflammation.
Do red light treatments have risks?
Red Light is considered a safe form of therapy. There are no specific sets of rules on how much light and for how long every treatment should go for as it really depends on the device and the condition is used for.
Generally too much light exposure could cause tissue damage and too little lightexposure might not be enough to get the benefits.
Treatments for red light therapy
Red light therapy has a wide range of applications.
There are thousands of studies showing significant benefits for the following purposes:
- Aches & Pains
- Brain Health
- Eye Health
- Hormone Optimisation
- Joint Pain
- Mood Boost
- Muscle Recovery
- Physical Performance Enhancement
- Post Surgery
- Skin Rejuvenation
- Sleep Enhancement
- Tendon Healing
- Wound Healing
- Weight Loss | <urn:uuid:5f855688-b8be-46c2-96e0-bf0dda05be55> | CC-MAIN-2023-50 | https://juvawave.com/pages/what-is-red-light-therapy | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-50/segments/1700679100287.49/warc/CC-MAIN-20231201120231-20231201150231-00092.warc.gz | en | 0.89689 | 591 | 2.53125 | 3 | 2.038626 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | Health |
Queenston in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada
Laura Secord (1775-1868)
The celebrated heroine of the war of 1812 is a renowned figure in Canadian History. Determined to warn the British of an impending attack on Beaver Dams, Secord set out from her home on June 22, 1813, on a dangerous mission. She traveled alone for over 30 kilometers, behind enemy lines, struggling to make it to the De Cew farmhouse, where she informed Lieutenant Fitzgibbon about the American plan. Later in the 19th century, a first generation of women historians championed Secord's courageous deed with the goal of uncovering and popularizing women's contributions to the history of Canada.
Cette célèbre héroïne de la guerre de 1812 est une figure marquante de lhistoire du Canada. Déterminée à prévenir les Britanniques dun imminent assaut américain à Beaver Dams, Secord quitta son foyer, le 22 juin 1813, pour accomplir une mission périlleuse. Elle franchit seule plus de 30 kilomètres derrière les lignes ennemies, parvenant à grand-peine à la ferme De Cew où elle informa le lieutenant FitzGibbon des plans dattaque américains. Plus tard au XIXe siècle, une première génération dhistoriennes célébra ce courageux exploit afin de faire reconnaître lapport des femmes à lépopée canadienne.
Erected by Historic Sites and Monuments
Location. 43° 9.848′ N, 79° 3.322′ W. Marker is in Queenston, Ontario, in Niagara Region. Marker is at the intersection of Queenston Street and Partition Street on Queenston Street. Touch for map. This historical marker is situated on the Canadian side of the Niagara River in a residential area located at the base of the Niagara Escarpment, in the backyard of the property that was once the home of Laura Ingersoll Secord. Marker is at or near this postal address: 29 Queenston Street, Queenston, Ontario L0S 1J0, Canada.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Laura Ingersoll Secord 1775-1868 (a few steps from this marker); Home of Laura Ingersoll Secord (within shouting distance of this marker); Brock Dead House (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Founding of Queenston (about 90 meters away); The Queenston Baptist Church (about 90 meters away); 'Alfred' (about 210 meters away); Brock's Cenotaph (about 210 meters away); Indians at Queenston Heights (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Queenston.
More about this marker. This marker is located at the former residence of Laura Secord who has been recognized as "a person of national historic significance" by the Minister of Canadian
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . .
1. Laura Secord Homestead. This is a link to information provided by the Niagara Parks web site (Submitted on January 14, 2012, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
2. Laura Secord Homestead. This is a link to information provided by the Niagara Greenbelt Routes and Discovery Centres. (Submitted on January 14, 2012, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
3. Laura Ingersoll Secord. This is a link to information from a web site that focuses on Laura Secord and other famous Canadian women. (Submitted on January 14, 2012, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
4. The Story of Laura Secord. This is a link to information provided by Mathew Keigher, of Thunder Bay, Ontario. (Submitted on January 14, 2012, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
5. Laura Secord. This is a link to information provided by Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (Submitted on January 14, 2012, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
Categories. • Colonial Era • Patriots & Patriotism • War of 1812 • Women •
Credits. This page was last revised on April 18, 2018. This page originally submitted on January 14, 2012, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 508 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 14, 2012, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. | <urn:uuid:eba9d260-8267-4065-bbc1-f78771a04cb4> | CC-MAIN-2018-17 | https://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=51613 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-17/segments/1524125938462.12/warc/CC-MAIN-20180420135859-20180420155859-00127.warc.gz | en | 0.832748 | 1,037 | 2.59375 | 3 | 2.084071 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | History |
Description of the chest The Mästermyr chest is made of oak planks measuring 89 x 26 x 24 cm (length x width x height). The lid has a convex top, reinforced with two broad iron bands across it. The hinges on the back consist of two double iron staples. When it was found, the chest was wrapped in an iron chain, both as an extra lock and as a replacement for the handle, which seems somewhat insufficient for the great weight of the chest. See the picture below. The lock on the chest The front of the chest has a long, wide lock plate of hammered iron. A lock and bolt are mounted inside the plate. Two braided iron bands extended from iron staples were attached to the lid. The other end of the bands had hasps that fit into the two openings in the plate, where they were locked in place by the bolt. Both the iron bands and the hasps are missing. Contents of the chest The tools in the chest are quite astonishing, both in terms of quantity and areas of use. Smiths manufactured their own tools based on existing models, and of course they also inherited some. Many of them are strikingly similar to Roman tools on display in several museums in parts of Germany that were once controlled by Rome, and were probably inspired by them. Chest locks, padlocks, keys, escutcheons and springs The tools were Roman in style (see pictures from the Roman citadel of Saalburg). Keys and locks were also influenced by their Roman counterparts. The political expansion of the Roman Empire had a long history of direct or indirect trade with foreign countries far from the empire’s boundaries. Technological ideas were spread over large parts of the known world. The storage chest contained eleven padlocks and lock parts and keys as shown in fig. 19. Key with four-tooth bit at a right angle from the shaft. Fig. 19:2. The upper part of the shaft is spool-shaped and consists of eight braided iron threads held together by a bronze ring. Total length 21.4 cm Key of iron with three-tooth bit at a right angle to the shaft. Fig. 19:3. A wooden handle is mounted on the top of the shaft. Total length 19.6 cm. Lock fitting of iron. Fig. 19:4. A row of small, square notches matches the teeth on the bit of the one key. 9.6 x 4.5 cm. Lock fitting of iron. Fig. 19:5. Lock plate. Two rows of small notches are possibly keyholes. 7.3 x 5.2 cm.Lock spring of iron. Fig. 19:6. One of three spring plates still remains. 15.1 x 2.4 cm.Lock spring of iron. Fig. 19:7. Three spring plates, one broken off. 10.1 x 3.1 cm. Lock spring of iron. Fig. 19:8. Bent back with three spring plates, one broken off, with a ring for hanging. 10.5 x 2.7 cm. Lock spring of iron. Fig. 19:9. Bent back with three spring plates and a ring for hanging. 9.4 x 1.9 cm. Padlock of iron with elements of brass soldering. Fig. 19:10. In two parts with three springs; bottom plate missing. Decorated with three twisted iron rods. The keyhole is T-shaped. 4.5 x 3.0 x 2.2 cm. Padlock of iron. Fig. 19:11. Like 19:10, but somewhat smaller. Only one spring remains. Decorated with twisted iron rods. The keyhole is T-shaped. 4.5 x 3.0 x 2.2 cm. Padlock of iron. Fig. 19:12. Like 19:10–11, but no springs remain. Decorated with twisted iron rods. 2.8 x 2.2 x 2.6 cm. | <urn:uuid:30b482cc-03f5-4a10-9388-c1e78fc6c625> | CC-MAIN-2022-05 | https://www.historicallocks.com/en/site/h/safes/mastermyr-and-oseberg/description-of-the-chest/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-05/segments/1642320305317.17/warc/CC-MAIN-20220127223432-20220128013432-00627.warc.gz | en | 0.954924 | 817 | 2.953125 | 3 | 1.865079 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | History |
The evidence of globalization can be seen everywhere: in the home, in the workplace, in the discount stores, in the newspapers and business journals, in the flow of monthly government statistics, and in academic literature. The backlash was on display in Seattle in November 1999, when thousands of protesters took to the streets to demonstrate against the ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
A short definition of globalization is “the growing liberalization of international trade and investment, and the resulting increase in the integration of national economies.” Economist David Henderson of the Melbourne Business School expands the definition into five related but distinct parts:
* the increasing tendency for firms to think, plan, operate, and invest for the future with reference to markets and opportunities across the world as a whole;
* the growing ease and cheapness of international communications, with the Internet the leading aspect;
* the trend toward closer international economic integration, resulting in the diminished importance of political boundaries. This trend is fueled partly by the first two trends, but even more powerfully by official policies aimed at trade and investment liberalization;
* the apparently growing significance of issues and problems extending beyond national boundaries and the resulting impetus to deal with them through some form of internationally concerted action; and
* the tendency toward uniformity (or “harmonization”), by which norms, standards, rules, and practices are defined and enforced with respect to regions, or the world as a whole, rather than within the bounds of nation-states.1
Globalization can be seen most clearly in the quickening pace and scope of international commerce. Global exports as a share of global domestic product have increased from 14 percent in 1970 to 24 percent today,2 and the growth of trade has consistently outpaced growth in global output. In the United States, the ratio of two-way trade and investment income flows as a share of GDP has roughly tripled since the 1960s. Annual global flows of foreign direct investment surged to a record $ 400 billion in 1997, with 37 percent directed to less developed countries (LDCs), up from 7 percent in 1990.3 In the 1970s, daily foreign exchange transactions averaged $ 10 billion to $ 20 billion; today, the average daily activity has reached more than $ 1.5 trillion.4
The expansion of international trade and foreign investment has not been the result of some grand design imposed on the global economy. It has been an ad hoc, decentralized, bottom-up process resulting from two developments of the 1980s: the collapse of global communism and the demise of the Third World’s romance with import substitution. The fall of the Berlin Wall and the final disintegration of the Soviet empire two years later released 400 million people from the grip of centrally commanded and essentially closed economic systems. Meanwhile, the debt crisis of 1982 and the resulting “Lost Decade” of the 1980s imposed a painful hangover on many Third World nations that had tried and failed to reach prosperity by shunning foreign capital and by protecting and subsidizing domestic “infant” industries. Beginning with Chile in the mid-1970s and China later that decade, LDCs from Mexico and Argentina to India more recently have been opening their markets and welcoming foreign investment. The globalization of the last decade has not been the result of a blind faith in markets imposed from above but of the utter exhaustion of any alternative vision.
In contrast to those failed policies, certain countries have managed to dramatically improve their living standards by deregulating their domestic economies and opening up to global markets. The Four Tigers of East Asia—Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea—are the most prominent examples. From typical Third World poverty in the 1950s, each has achieved a standard of living today equivalent to that of industrialized nations, with per-capita incomes in Hong Kong and Singapore rivaling those of the wealthiest Western nations.
The relative success of openness as a policy, compared with protectionism, has spurred a global movement toward unilateral trade liberalization. Since the mid-1980s, sixty LDCs have unilaterally lowered their barriers to trade. LDCs have flocked to join the WTO. Today more than three-quarters of its members are LDCs, with another twenty waiting in line to join.5 The move to trade liberalization has been accompanied by investment liberalization, with more than 90 percent of national policy changes in the last decade being in the direction of more openness toward foreign investment.6
THE BLESSINGS OF GLOBALIZATION
Beyond all the impressive numbers about the extent of globalization, what kind of impact is it having on national economies? There are at least three fundamental blessings of globalization on nations that embrace it: faster economic growth, reductions in poverty, and more fertile soil for democracy.
The greatest beneficiaries of globalization are the long-suffering consumers in those nations that had been “protected” from global competition. Globalization expands the range of choice, improves product quality, and exerts downward pressure on prices. It delivers an immediate gain to workers by raising the real value of their wages. It transfers wealth from formerly protected producers to newly liberated consumers, with the gains to consumers exceeding the loss to producers because the deadweight losses to the economy are recaptured through efficiency gains.
Under autarky, consumers are often cursed with poor service and overpriced and low-quality goods because there is no real competition to spur domestic producers to meet the demands of their consumers. This explains the poor quality of cars sold by protected domestic producers in such places as India, where the standard Ambassador car is based on the Morris Oxford, a make of car that went out of style in Britain four decades ago.
LDCs have the most to gain from engaging in the global economy. First, they gain access to much larger markets, both for imports and exports. On the import side, consumers gain access to a dramatically larger range of goods and services, raising their real standard of living. Domestic producers gain access to a wider range and better quality of intermediate inputs at lower prices. On the export side, domestic industries can enjoy a quantum leap in economies of scale by serving global markets rather than only a confined and underdeveloped domestic market.
Second, LDCs that open themselves up to international trade and investment gain access to a much higher level of technology. This confers on LDCs a “latecomer’s advantage”: rather than bearing the cost of expensive, up-front research and development, poor countries can import the technology off the shelf. They can incorporate new technology by importing capital equipment that embodies the latest advances and computers with the latest software. Subsidiaries of multinational companies also bring with them new production techniques and employee training that bolster the host nation’s stock of human capital.
Third, engagement in the global economy provides capital to fuel future growth. Most LDCs are people-rich and capital-poor. In a few countries in Asia, the level of domestic savings has been high enough to finance domestic investment, but typically the domestic pool of savings in an LDC is inadequate. Global capital markets can fill the gap, allowing poor nations to accelerate their pace of growth. In 1998, $ 166 billion in foreign direct investment flowed from the advanced economies to the less developed. A poor country that closes its door or fails to maintain sound domestic policies will forfeit the immense benefits this capital can bring.
Fourth, openness to the global economy can provide the infrastructure a developing economy needs for growth. Foreign capital can finance more traditional types of infrastructure, such as port facilities, power generation, and an internal transportation network, just as British capital helped to finance America’s network of canals and railroads in the nineteenth century. But just as importantly, multinational companies can provide an infrastructure of what could be called “enabling services,” such as telecommunications, insurance, accounting, and banking. As China and India have realized, a protected and inefficient service sector weighs down an entire economy, retarding the development of manufacturing and other industries. LDCs need to shed the mistaken idea that opening their economies up to international service competition is a “concession” to be made to gain access to farm and manufacturing markets in the advanced economies. In reality, liberalizing their service sectors by opening them to foreign competition is a favor LDCs can do for themselves.
Fifth, engagement in the global economy encourages governments to follow more sensible economic policies. Sovereign nations remain free to follow whatever economic policies their governments choose, but globalization has raised the cost that must be paid for bad policies. With capital more mobile than ever, countries that insist on following antimarket policies will find themselves being dealt out of the global competition for investment. As a consequence, nations have a greater incentive to choose policies that encourage foreign investment and domestic, market-led growth. New York Times columnist Thomas Freidman, in The Lexus and the Olive, his 1999 book on globalization, describes these progrowth policies as “the Golden Straitjacket.” The increasingly manifest rewards of engagement encourage nations to unilaterally restrict the scope of government action. As Friedman explains:
To fit into the Golden Straitjacket a country must either adopt, or be seen as moving toward, the following golden rules: making the private sector the primary engine of its economic growth, maintaining a low rate of inflation and price stability, shrinking the size of its state bureaucracy, maintaining as close to a balanced budget as possible, if not a surplus; eliminating and lowering tariffs on imported goods, removing restrictions on foreign investment, getting rid of quotas and domestic monopolies, increasing exports, privatizing state-owned industries and utilities, deregulating capital markets, making its currency convertible, opening its industries, stock, and bond markets to direct foreign ownership and investment, deregulating its economy to promote as much domestic competition as possible, eliminating government corruption, subsidies and kickbacks as much as possible, opening its banking and telecommunications systems to private ownership and competition, and allowing its citizens to choose from an array of competing pension options and foreign-run pension and mutual funds.7 While globalization may confront government officials with more difficult choices, the result for their citizens is greater individual freedom. In this sense, globalization acts as a check on governmental power, making it more difficult for governments to abuse the freedom and property of their citizens.
Any casual survey of the world today will confirm that nations relatively open to trade tend to be more prosperous than nations that are relatively closed. The wealthiest nations and regions of the world- -western Europe, the United States, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore—are all trade-orientated. Their producers, with a few notable exceptions, must compete against other multinational producers in the global marketplace. In contrast, the poorest regions of the world—the Indian subcontinent and sub-Saharan Africa—remain (despite recent, halting reforms) the least friendly to foreign trade. And those countries that have moved decisively toward openness—Chile, China, and Poland, among others—have reaped real (and, in the case of China, spectacular) gains in living standards.
Systematic studies confirm a strong link between openness and economic growth.8 A study of 117 countries by Jeffrey Sachs and Andrew Warner found that open economies grew much faster than closed economies. Specifically, the authors found that the developing countries that maintained open economies throughout the 1970s and ’80s grew at an average annual rate of 4.5 percent, compared with an average growth rate of 0.7 percent for closed economies. As a result, the open developing economies tended to converge toward the slower-growing rich economies, while relatively closed economies did not converge.9
A more recent study, by Jeffrey Frankel and David Romer, produced similar results. The authors found that trade exerts “a qualitatively large and robust E positive effect on income.” In their study of 150 countries, they concluded that increasing the ratio of trade to gross domestic product by 1 percentage point raises income per person by between 0.5 and 2 percent.10 The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) concluded that nations relatively open to trade grew on average twice as fast as those relatively closed to trade.11
HOPE FOR THE WORLD’S POOREST
Globalization offers hope to the world’s poorest. Just as more open trade tends to promote economic growth, growth in turn leads to poverty reduction. A World Bank study found that periods of sustained economic growth are almost always accompanied by reductions in poverty. Specifically, the study found that poverty fell in 77 of the 88 decade- long periods of growth covered by the survey.12
The greatest reductions in poverty in the last twenty years have occurred in nations that have moved decisively toward openness and domestic liberalization. The most spectacular gains have been realized in East Asia. Between 1993 and ‘96, the number of people living in absolute poverty—what the World Bank defines as less than $ 1 per day— declined in the region from 432 million to 267 million. In China alone, the number of poor people so defined fell by 150 million between 1990 and ‘97.13 The 1997—98 financial crisis that began in East Asia brought a temporary halt to this progress, but poverty rates in the hardest-hit countries—Korea, Thailand, and Indonesia—have begun to decline back toward their precrisis levels. Globally, the number of people living in absolute poverty has declined in the 1990s to an estimated 1.2 billion in 1998.14
Globalization facilitates the spread of modern medicine, which has helped to extend life expectancy and reduce infant mortality in rich and poor countries alike. On average, life expectancy in developing countries rose from 55 years in 1970 to 65 years in 1997. This good news is tempered by the fact that life expectancy has actually fallen in thirty-three LDCs since 1990, in large part because of AIDS epidemics, and remains far behind the OECD average of 78 years. Infant mortality rates in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa have fallen by about 10 percent since 1990.15
Opponents of globalization try to blame poverty in the world on the spread of trade and investment liberalization. But those regions where poverty and inequality have been the most visible and intransigent for decades—Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Indian subcontinent—for most of that time self-consciously followed policies of economic centralization and isolation.
FERTILE SOIL FOR POLITICAL FREEDOM
By raising the general standard of living, free trade helps people achieve higher levels of education and to gain access to alternative sources of information. It helps to create a larger and more independently minded middle class that can form the backbone of more representative forms of government. The wealth created from expanded trade can help to nurture and sustain civil institutions that can offer ideas and influence outside government. Engagement in the global economy exposes citizens to new ideas and new social and business arrangements. In his book Business as a Calling, Michael Novak explains the linkage with what he calls “the wedge theory”:
Capitalist practices, runs the theory, bring contact with the ideas and practices of the free societies, generate the economic growth that gives political confidence to a rising middle class, and raise up successful business leaders who come to represent a political alternative to military or party leaders. In short, capitalist firms wedge a democratic camel’s nose under the authoritarian tent.16
The wedge theory seems to be working in practice: As a general rule, the citizens of nations that are more open economically tend to enjoy other liberties as well. The relationship can be confirmed by comparing cross-country data measuring economic openness and political/civil liberties. For the political and civil data, I have used recent ratings from Freedom House, which classifies the nations of the world as free, partly free, or not free.17 Then I compared the Freedom House scores with international economic freedom as measured in the study Economic Freedom of the World: 1998/1999 Interim Report, written by James Gwartney and Robert Lawson. The authors rated nations according to their level of taxation on trade, the size of the trade sector, exchange rate controls, and restraints on capital mobility, with a rating of 10 representing maximum openness.18
Comparing these two sets of data confirms that nations that respect human rights tend to be relatively open to commerce with the rest of the world. Nations that are classified by Freedom House as being free scored an average of 7.9 on the scale of economic openness. Those that are partly free scored a less open 6.7, and those that are not free scored the lowest, 5.4 (see fig. 1). If we start at the other axis we find that, of those countries in the top third of the Gwartney-Lawson scale of economic openness, 84 percent earned a political/civil ranking of “free.” Of those in the middle third according to economic openness, 57 percent were free, but in the bottom third, only 22 percent were free. In other words, citizens who enjoy the freedom to engage in international commerce are about four times more likely to be free from political and civil oppression than those who do not enjoy such freedom.
Globalization and the growth it spurs have contributed to expanded political and civil freedom in a number of countries. Taiwan and South Korea were essentially dictatorships two decades ago, but they are now governed by elected legislatures and presidents. Political debate in those countries is robust, and civil liberties are more secure than ever. A share of the credit for political reform must be given to economic liberalization and the educated middle class it helped to create and nurture. In Latin America, the movement toward economic liberalization has been intertwined with a flowering of representative government. Chile, a leader in economic reform, now enjoys one of the region’s most stable democracies. A decade of dramatic economic reform in Mexico has helped lay the foundation for a more open political system, including Mexico’s first competitive presidential primary within the Institutional Revolutionary Party.
Skeptics of the link between economic and political reform routinely point to India and Singapore to refute the thesis. These countries are clearly outliers in the scatterplot: Singapore is one of the world’s most open economies but its government remains authoritarian, while India remains relatively closed economically yet is ruled by democracy. Exceptions, however, do not negate a clear trend. And even these two notable exceptions seem to be migrating toward the trend line, with India opening up to trade and foreign investment since its balance of payments crisis in 1991, and the Singapore government gradually loosening its controls on civil society.
THE CHALLENGES OF GLOBALIZATION
The advance of globalization has not been a smooth or a pain-free process. The changes it has caused, or is perceived to have caused, have spurred a political backlash—dramatically evident in the street protests that plagued the WTO ministerial in Seattle. Two of the most common complaints against globalization are that it has undermined labor and environmental standards, and that it has exacerbated the gap between rich and poor, both among and within countries.
Critics of globalization warn of a destructive “race to the bottom,” as advanced nations are forced to weaken labor and environmental standards to compete with less-regulated producers in developing nations. This theory rests on the assumption that lower standards give LDCs a significant advantage in attracting global capital and gaining export markets at the expense of more developed countries. The OECD has found that, in practice, a lack of core labor standards plays no significant role in attracting foreign investment or in enhancing export performance. The OECD did find strong evidence “that there is a positive association over time between sustained trade reforms and improvements in core standards.”19
In other words, trade liberalization encourages higher standards, not lower standards. If anything, the real race may be toward the top. For reasons of internal efficiency as well as public perceptions, multinational companies tend to impose higher standards on their overseas production plants than those prevailing in local markets, thus raising average standards in the host country. Free trade and domestic liberalization—and the faster growth they create—are the best ways to encourage higher standards. As per capita incomes rise in less developed countries, so does the domestic political demand for higher standards, and the ability of the productive sector to pay for them. Punishing LDCs with trade sanctions would only cripple their long-term ability to raise domestic labor and environmental standards.
Some environmental activists complain that the global trading system, as embodied in the WTO, favors free trade at the expense of environmental protection. But WTO rules place no restraints on the ability of a member government to impose any environmental regulations determined to be necessary to protect its own environment from domestically produced or imported products. Article XX of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994, the basic charter of the WTO, plainly states that members may impose trade restrictions “necessary to protect human, animal, or plant health.” The Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement of the Uruguay Round does require that such restrictions be based on sound scientific evidence—a commonsense requirement necessary to discourage the use of health and safety issues as a cover for protectionism.
If WTO members are found to be in violation of their commitments, they remain free as sovereign nations to simply ignore any adverse WTO rulings against domestic regulations that impact trade. A prominent example is the European Union’s ban on the sale of beef from cattle treated with growth hormones. The EU has repeatedly lost in the WTO, but it has no plans to lift its ban, even though it has produced no scientifically sound evidence that the banned beef poses any hazard to public health. The United States retaliated against the EU in May 1999 by imposing sanctions on $ 117 million worth of imports from Europe, but retaliation as a weapon of trade disputes existed long before the WTO.
Antitrade environmental activists complain that several decisions by the WTO have undercut U.S. environmental regulations. In the so-called Shrimp-Turtle case, the WTO ruled against a U.S. ban on shrimp from countries the United States judged were not adequately protecting sea turtles from being caught and killed in shrimp nets. In an earlier, similar case, the WTO had ruled against a U.S. ban on tuna from Mexico that the United States claims was caught through a process that endangers dolphins. Environmental critics of the WTO point to these two cases as proof of their claim.
In both these cases, however, the United States remains free to simply ignore the WTO ruling and continue enforcing the law as is. The affected nations could in theory retaliate with trade restrictions of their own if the United States refuses to comply, but that option would always exist even if the WTO did not. And in the case of the Shrimp- Turtle decision, it was not the law itself that ran afoul of WTO rules but the discriminatory way the United States went about implementing it, for example giving Latin American suppliers more time than Asian suppliers to comply with the law.
Expanding trade is not merely compatible with high standards of environmental quality but can lead directly to their improvement. As a country sees its standard of living rise through economic liberalization and trade expansion, its industry can more readily afford to control emissions and its citizens have more to spend on the “luxury good” of improved environmental quality, above what they need for subsistence. And as economic growth creates a growing, better- educated middle class, the political demand for pollution abatement rises. Today the most restrictive environmental laws are maintained in developed countries that are relatively open to trade.
This helps explain the so-called Environmental Kuznets Curve, where environmental quality in a developing nation initially deteriorates as the economy begins to industrialize but then improves after its citizens reach a certain standard of living. Research by Alan Krueger and Gene Grossman indicates that the turning point occurs at about $ 5,000 per capita: “We find no evidence that environmental quality deteriorates steadily with economic growth. Rather, for most indicators, economic growth brings an initial phase of deterioration followed by a subsequent phase of improvement.” By $ 8,000 per-capita income, the authors found, almost all the pollutant categories had begun to improve.20
The United States itself is a classic example of the benign effect of trade and growth on the environment. It has simultaneously one of the most open economies and one of the cleanest environments in the world. In the past decade, the United States has continued to open its economy further, signing the North American Free Trade Agreement and shepherding the creation of the World Trade Organization. Meanwhile, two-way trade and foreign investment continue to climb as a percentage of GDP. This liberalization of international trade and investment has been accompanied by ever-rising environmental standards. According to the President’s Council on Environmental Quality, mean ambient concentrations of both sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide in the atmosphere of the United States have dropped by nearly 40 percent since 1988. During that same period, the annual number of “bad air days” in major U.S. cities has dropped by two-thirds. The direct discharge of toxic water pollutants is down dramatically as well. Since the early 1970s, during a time of growing globalization of the U.S. economy, real spending by government and business on the environment and natural resource protection has doubled.21
Despite the rhetoric heard on the streets in Seattle, expanding global trade has not spurred a race to the bottom on environmental regulation or quality. In fact, the evidence points in the opposite direction.
THE GAP BETWEEN RICH AND POOR
Another challenge of globalization is the perception that economic liberalization has exacerbated the gap between rich and poor countries, and between the rich and poor within countries that have liberalized. The perception that the gap has been growing, both among and within nations, is broadly true. The connection with globalization is much less clear.
While some previously poor countries have managed to close the gap with the more advanced economies, a disturbingly large number of countries have fallen further behind. According to the World Bank, the ratio of income per capita in the richest countries compared with that in the poorest rose from 11 in 1870 to 38 in 1960 to 52 in 1985.22 Concern about the “marginalization” of poor countries in the global economic system has rightly focused on sub-Saharan Africa. Since 1976, the region’s share in world trade has fallen from 3 percent to slightly more than 1 percent in the 1990s.23 While the flow of foreign direct investment to LDCs has risen dramatically in the 1990s, sub-Saharan Africa has been almost entirely overlooked. But the phenomenon of marginalization has not been a random event.
Poor nations that have fallen further behind the rich nations are almost uniformly those that have clung to state-directed and inward- oriented economic policies. Sub-Saharan Africa has lagged behind the rest of the world in economic growth in significant part because its markets remain among the most closed in the world. Its governments have neglected domestic infrastructure such as roads and have distorted their domestic economies with subsidies, high taxes, and regulations. Granted, many African nations must also bear the burden of civil and tribal strife, poor soil, and inaccessible geography. But domestic economic policy must be considered a key variable in explaining the region’s failure to develop. Those African nations that have implemented more open, stable, and market-friendly policies in the last decade—such as Uganda, Botswana, and Mauritius—have achieved growth rates exceeding those of the advanced nations.
The most obvious variable that separates countries that are closing the gap from those falling further behind is their own domestic policy choices. Simply put, nations that adopt the “Golden Straitjacket” begin to catch up with the advanced economies, while those that reject it become increasingly marginalized. In their Economic Freedom of the World: 1997 Annual Report, Gwartney and Lawson found strong empirical evidence linking growth rates to economic freedom. The authors measured seventeen categories of economic policy for each of 115 countries— covering monetary policy, property rights, government spending and regulation, and restraints on foreign trade. They found a strong correlation between economic freedom and both economic growth and per- capita GDP. The authors found that each quintile of greater economic freedom corresponded with faster growth and higher per-capita GDP. Nations in the top quintile in 1995 grew almost three times faster (2.9 percent annually) on average than those in the middle quintile (1.1 percent). Those in the bottom quintile saw their economies shrink an average of 1.9 percent.24
There is nothing inherent in the process of globalization that would cause the gulf between rich and poor nations to expand. In fact, the access to capital, new technology, and larger markets that comes with global integration should be expected to accelerate the convergence of less developed regions of the world and to make global trade and wealth less concentrated across countries. This dynamic has been at work inside the United States, which has itself been a continent-sized free- trade area for more than two centuries. At the turn of the last century, in 1900, per-capita income varied widely across the four major regions of the United States. While incomes in the Midwest were close to the national average, at 103 percent, incomes in the Northeast were 139 percent above the national average and those in the West were 153 percent above. In contrast, income levels in the South were only 54 percent of the national average. One century later—thanks in large measure to the free flow of goods, capital, and people within U.S. borders—regional disparities have shrunk dramatically. Today, income levels in the Northeast are only 117 percent above the national average, incomes in the Midwest and West are within 2 percentage points of the national average, and incomes in the South as a share of the national average have risen to 90 percent.25
Evidence of a similar trend exists among countries that have chosen to join the global economy. A 1998 study sponsored by the WTO found that global trade and investment flows have actually become less concentrated in the last two decades when adjusted for the growth in world trade. Moreover, the authors found that the concentration of trade and financial flows has fallen among countries that have more rapidly liberalized, whereas it has increased among those that have integrated more slowly. “We argue this shows that marginalization of individual countries from world markets can be mostly explained by inward-looking domestic policies,” they concluded, “and therefore that marginalization is not inherent to the globalization process.”26
Of course, the advanced economies have not always been helpful. Despite progress in the post-war era, advanced-economy trade barriers remain stubbornly high against clothing, textiles, and agricultural goods, the very products in which LDCs have a natural comparative advantage. A recent study by Thomas Hertel of Purdue University and Will Martin of the World Bank found that the average tariff that rich countries impose on manufacturing goods from poor countries is four times higher than the average tariff rich countries impose on each other’s goods.27 One of the many disappointments left in the wake of the failed WTO talks in Seattle has been the indefinite postponement of negotiations to lower barriers to poor-country exports. It would be wrong, however, to blame advanced-country trade barriers for the lack of economic progress in so many LDCs. After all, the Four Tigers of East Asia managed to hop on the income-convergence conveyor belt in the face of advanced-country trade barriers that were even higher than they are today.
For poorer nations, the global economy has become like one of those giant conveyor belts that speed passengers through airport terminals. Globalization can accelerate a country’s development, but only if its policymakers allow its citizens to hop onboard by opening the economy to international trade and investment. This conveyor belt of growth provides new technology, investment capital, domestic competition, expanding export markets, and powerful incentives for further domestic policy reform. The result is faster growth and dramatic improvements in living standards within a generation or two—as we have seen most strikingly in the Far East. The fact that some nations insist on walking their own, uphill, isolated, and often dead-end path is not the fault of globalization but of their own policymakers.
The story of income inequality within nations is more complicated. The trend within the United States and other developed nations has been toward a wider earnings gap between the lowest- and the highest-paid workers. The gap has been driven primarily by a difference in worker skills rather than by international trade. An information-based economy will naturally produce jobs that require more specialized and technical skills than a less developed economy, which is more weighted toward agriculture and industry. As a result, in the United States in the last twenty-five years, the gap in income has been increasing between workers with college degrees and those with only high school diplomas.
International trade has probably contributed something to this trend in the United States, because trade should in theory accelerate the transition toward industries that rely more intensively on high-skilled labor. But the primary engine of change in the U.S. economy during that time has been technological innovation.
The relatively larger importance of technological change compared with trade can be seen in recent trends of job displacement. U.S. Labor Department surveys show that three-quarters of Americans displaced from their jobs in 1995—97 were working in sectors of the economy that are relatively insulated from trade.28 Even in the more trade-intensive manufacturing sector, technological change rivals trade as the principal engine of labor-market change. International trade is often blamed for job displacement in manufacturing when in fact the cause is rising productivity. This explains why the number of workers employed in manufacturing in the United States has remained stable in the 1990s at slightly more than eighteen million, at a time when manufacturing output has been rising an average of 3.8 percent a year in the decade (and 5.5 percent a year since 1994).
As with employment, technology is also the chief explanatory variable of changes in income inequality. William Cline, in a study on the impact of trade on wages, concluded that international trade and immigration “are unlikely to have been the dominant forces in rising wage inequality.”29 After surveying the literature and employing his own Trade and Income Distribution Equilibrium model, Cline concludes that skills-based technological change is by far the largest identifiable contributor to the growth in income inequality. International trade and immigration together “contribute only about one-tenth of the gross (total) unequalizing forces at work over this period.”30
If curbing inequality is the aim, trade policy is a poorly suited instrument for achieving it. The right response to this growing demand for higher skills is not to stifle change through trade barriers but to raise the general skill level of the workforce. Instead of a futile effort to “save” the jobs of yesterday, the focus should be on preparing workers to meet the rising demands of the labor market for specialized skills.
EXPANDING ECONOMIC LIBERTY
Globalization is really just shorthand for expanding economic liberty across international borders. The debate it has spawned is the repackaging, on a global scale, of the long-running argument over whether the way to prosperity is through free markets or centralized government planning, or some “third way” between the two. If you believe free markets unleash forces that are destructive to human happiness and must be controlled by active government intervention, you will tend to see globalization as a threat. If you believe that free markets, operating within a rule of law, are essentially self- regulating and lead, in the words of Adam Smith, “as if by an invisible hand” to a greater general prosperity, then you will tend to see globalization as a blessing.
The argument that globalization is much more the latter than the former is supported not only by economic theory but by decades of hard-earned experience. A growing majority of nations have made their peace with globalization based not on whim or blind ideology but on the manifest failure of any alternative. They have come to realize that the spread of free markets and the institutions that support them offer the best hope that the fruits of prosperity can be shared by a wider circle of mankind.
Notes 1.David Henderson, “The Changing International Economic Order: Rival Visions for the Coming Millennium,” Melbourne Business School, 9 Sept. 1999.
2.Figures quoted by Alan Greenspan, chairman, Federal Reserve Board of Governors, “Technology and Trade,” Speech before the Dallas Ambassadors forum, 16 Apr. 1999, http://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/speeches/1999/19990416.htm
3.United Nations, World Investment Report: 1998 (hereafter WIR:1998), 9.
4.United Nations, Human Development Report: 1999, 25.
5.Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Policy Coherence Matters, (Paris: OECD, 1999), 45.
6.United Nations, WIR:1998, 57.
7.Thomas Friedman, The Lexus and the Olive Tree (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1999), 86—87.
8.One problem with these cross-country studies of growth and trade is that trade liberalization is seldom an isolated event. LDCs liberalize in the context of broader economic reforms, which often include selling state-owned industries; reducing government taxation, spending, and borrowing; and deregulating domestic prices and production. This poses the challenge of determining the source of faster growth. Another methodological challenge is in measuring openness. There is no standard statistical measure of a nation’s openness. What is clear is a general correlation between openness, under various definitions, and economic performance.
9.Jeffrey Sachs and Andrew Warner, “Economic Reform and the Process of Global Integration, Brookings Papers on Economic Activity 1 (1995).
10.Jeffrey Frankel and David Romer, “Does Trade Cause Growth?” American Economic Review, June 1999, 379—99.
11.Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Open Markets Matter: The Benefits of Trade and Investment Liberalization, 1998, 10.
12.K. Deininger and L. Squire, “A New Data Set Measuring Income Inequality,” World Bank Economic Review 10:3, 565—91.
13.World Bank, Social Indicators, www.worldbank.org/poverty/data/trends/. Hereafter referred to as Social Indicators.
16.Michael Novak, Business as a Calling (New York: Free Press, 1996), 161.
17.Freedom House, Freedom in the World 1998—99, www.freedomhouse.org/survey99/tables/indeptab.html
18.James Gwartney and Robert Lawson, Economic Freedom of the World: 1998/1999 Interim Report (Vancouver, B.C.: Fraser Institute, 1998), 76—78.
19.OECD, Trade, Employment and Labor Standards: A Study of Core Workers’ Rights and International Trade (Paris: OECD, 1996), 12—13.
20.Gene Grossman and Alan Krueger, “Economic Growth and the Environment,” National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper No. W4634, Feb. 1994.
21.Council on Environmental Quality, Environmental Quality: 1997 Report (Washington), 86—89.
23.OECD, Policy, 60.
24.James Gwartney, Robert Lawson, and Walter Block, Economic Freedom of the World: 1975—95 (Vancouver, B.C.: Fraser Institute, 1996), xxii.
25.Joint Economic Committee of Congress, “The U.S. Economy at the Beginning and End of the Twentieth Century,” Dec. 1999, 8.
26.Patrick Low, Marcelo Olarreaga, and Javier Suarez, “Does Globalization Cause a Higher Concentration of International Trade and Investment Flows?” World Trade Organization, Staff Working Paper ERAD— 98—08, Aug. 1988, 22.
27.”White Man’s Shame,” Economist, 25 Sept. 1999, 89.
28.Daniel Griswold, “Trade, Jobs, and Manufacturing: Why (Almost All) U.S. Workers Should Welcome Imports,” Cato Trade Briefing Paper No. 6, 30 Sept. 1999, 11.
29.William Cline, “Trade and Income Distribution: The Debate and New Evidence,” Institution for International Economics (Washington), International Economic Policy Brief No. 99—7, 3.
30.Cline, “Trade,” 5. | <urn:uuid:d1549b1a-d98d-4cb4-8d0b-5d811eba537b> | CC-MAIN-2018-30 | https://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/blessings-challenges-globalization | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-30/segments/1531676589634.23/warc/CC-MAIN-20180717090227-20180717110227-00412.warc.gz | en | 0.946626 | 8,374 | 2.953125 | 3 | 3.005734 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Finance & Business |
Make a Python List
Today, we're going to teach you how to make a list in Python!
What's a Python list? Basically, it helps you store a collection of items. This can be used for anything from a list of numbers to shopping list items.
Python is an easy way to learn a high-level programming language. With some simple steps, you'll be able to build your skills in Python programming efficiently & effectively.
Ready for a learning adventure? Let's go!
Why Make a Python List?
Python is a powerful coding language. By learning how to make lists, a young coder can boost their skill set. This helps to prepare them for more advanced programming.
As we already mentioned, a list is made up of items (known as list elements) grouped together (in what's called a variable). This is done in an ordered way. Lists are one of the four data structures built into Python. The others are dictionaries, sets, and tuples.
A Python list is considered one of the most useful data types.
By building a solid foundation in Python, a kid can get a major head start. With more practice and instruction, they'll be ready to create many types of coding projects—fun video games, web design, mobile app development, and even artificial intelligence!
What You Need to Start
Python is a free, open-source programming language available for anybody to use!
Looking for a copy of Python? You can download Python from their website (for Windows, Linux/UNIX, MacOS, and other platforms). During setup, you'll be provided with links to an online Python tutorial and Python documentation.
New to Python or coding in general? Here are beginner resources:
Python Coding 101 for Kids (age 11+)
What Python Is Used For (major industries)
Python Virtual Zoom Background (beginner)
For more advanced Python tutorials, check out the following:
Python Rock Paper Scissors Game (intermediate)
Python Pet Simulator (intermediate)
How to Graph in Python (intermediate to advanced)
Coding can seem scary at first. Don’t be nervous! Once you practice the basics, it’s simple & fun to program in Python.
Python Terms and Concepts
Before we jump into making your first list, let's get familiar with Python terms!
Append and Extend Functions
With the append function, you can add an item to an existing list. The item is placed at the end of the list. This will then increase the size of the list by one. The append() function makes it easy to modify an original list.
As for the extend function, it's used to add all the elements from an iterable. This is an object (like lists, tuples, dictionaries, and sets) over which you can iterate or use repeatedly.
List comprehension is an easy way to create a new list from the values of an existing list. Using simple syntax—this is the set of rules that defines how a program is written—it's a lot quicker than using the for loop function.
More Python Terms
- Boolean: Represents the truth value of an expression.
- For loop: Used for iterating over a sequence.
- Data types: The classification of data items.
- Lambda: A single-line function that reduces the number of lines of code.
- List methods: Used to add or remove elements in a list.
- Iteration: The process of repeatedly executing a set of statements.
- Iterator: An object that holds a countable number of values.
- NumPy: A popular Python package used for scientific computing.
- Pandas: Wildly used package for data science and machine learning.
- TypeError: Occurs when an operation is performed on incorrect object type.
These are just a few terms. For more definitions, refer to the Python glossary.
Python List Tutorial
Okay, let's get hands-on!
In today's tutorial, we'll show you examples on how to make and edit your own lists.
To create a list in Python, place elements inside square brackets. Each item is separated by commas. An empty list is simply a pair of empty brackets.
Computer languages deal with numbers. When you want to use words, you'll need to create a list of strings. Strings are a collection of characters. To make a list composed of strings, you place each of them inside quotation marks.
In Python, a string of characters is encoded. This conversion process happens with the use of Python Unicode, which covers every character found in languages around the world!
A list can contain any object or even another list (called a sublist). Lists that contain sublists are known as nested lists. Elements in a list are numbered 0 (first element) to -1 (last item).
How to Make Python List of Numbers
For our first example, we'll make a simple list of the first 5 prime numbers. When dealing with these numbers, we don't need quotation marks (as we do for a sequence of characters).
First, enter the variable name of 'list' in the command line. Type in an equal sign and then a pair of square brackets. After that, add the 5 prime numbers (2, 3, 5, 7, and 11). Make sure to separate them with commas.
Next, type in 'print(list)' in the next line. The 'list' part represents the variable we want to print. Be sure to place the variable in parentheses.
Finally, run the code. You will then see your list of the first 5 prime numbers displayed like the above image. You've just made your first list!
How to Make Python Shopping List
In this example, we'll make a grocery shopping list.
First, we'll create a variable name. Let's type in 'grocery_shopping_list' (using underscores to separate each word). Then enter the equal sign and add square brackets.
We'll now enter the grocery shopping items. Each item needs to be placed in quotation marks and separated with commas.
Here's the list of items:
Bananas Bread Broccoli
'print(grocery_shopping_list)' in the next line. As with the list of prime numbers, run the code. Tada, here's your grocery list!
Find Out Size of List
To know how many items are in a list, use the code below.
For this example, we're using the prime number list. Run the code to see size.
Append a List (Add to the List)
Appending adds items to the end of a list. This uses the append () function.
In the above example, we're adding the next 3 prime numbers to our original list with the use of list.append() functions. When you enter the code and run it, you'll see the output.
Remove from List
Here, we show how to remove items using the remove() function.
Let's remove '2' and '11' from our list. As you can see, these two elements are removed via list.remove() functions. Again, once you run the code, it will display the above output.
Congratulations! You can now officially call yourself a Python programmer.
Once you've mastered these techniques, you can level up to more advanced skills. With continued learning, you'll be on your way to making your own games and apps!
You’ve Made It! Now Keep Learning
You know how to make your own list in Python. Continue to discover new Python skills. There are so many fun things to do, from web development to game programming!
At Juni Learning, we teach Python for kids and other popular coding languages (including Scratch, Java, and C++) to aspiring coders ages 7-18. With the help of our friendly instructors, students can explore how to build their own coding projects. See how we can help your child learn- speak with a Juni Advisor by calling (650) 263-4306 or emailing [email protected]. | <urn:uuid:f7a1ae55-407f-4eb5-bb69-eabf48caaf3e> | CC-MAIN-2022-05 | https://junilearning.com/blog/coding-projects/how-to-make-list-in-python/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-05/segments/1642320303884.44/warc/CC-MAIN-20220122194730-20220122224730-00073.warc.gz | en | 0.864339 | 1,707 | 3.921875 | 4 | 0.856469 | 1 | Basic reasoning | Software Dev. |
Alpine marmots (Marmota marmota) live in extended family groups of up to 20 individuals. The groups consist of a dominant territorial pair and a number of subordinate individuals, typically descendants of the dominant pair. Over a 14-year period, Klaus Hackländer of the Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna and Walter Arnold of the Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology (FIWI), University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna investigated the lifetime reproductive success (typically measured by the number of offspring) of female Alpine marmots in a free-living population in Berchtesgaden National Park.
Their results indicate a positive effect of male-bias in a litter on the development of a more aggressive female phenotype. This is important, as only the dominant female in a group gets to reproduce and the chance of a female's becoming dominant is greater the more aggressive she is.
To determine females' position in the uterus, Hackländer and Arnold used a non-invasive mark–recapture technique: they captured, marked, released and recaptured an average of 141 marmots per year and collected data on group composition, female reproductive output and relatedness among group members. By determining the sex ratio (the proportion of males in a litter) for each sample group, the scientists were able to calculate the likelihood that female group members were located next to a male in the uterus, as in male-biased litters there is a greater chance that a female developed next to one or two males. The scientists had expected to find an increase in aggression in such females but were surprised to discover that reproductive success is not negatively affected by prenatal masculinization.
Previous studies on other species have shown an influence of position in the uterus on subsequent development. In house mice (Mus musculus), for example, being located between two males appears to make females more aggressive but less reproductively successful. However, it was unknown so far whether this is of any importance in free-living wild animals. Moreover, the results on Alpine marmots seem to show the opposite effect: the greater the male-bias in a litter, the better the chance for females to become dominant and hence reproductively successful. An exposure to higher testosterone levels during foetal development thus seems to give female marmots an edge over other females in a population. As Arnold says, "Male marmots only mate with the dominant female in a group and clearly do not mind that she is a bit 'butch' – which she has to be to reach that position in the first place."
Explore further: Scientists discover new 'transformer frog' in Ecuador
More information: The article "Litter sex ratio affects lifetime reproductive success of free-living female Alpine marmots Marmota marmota" by Klaus Hackländer and Walter Arnold is published in the journal Mammal Review (DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2907.2011.00199.x). | <urn:uuid:082e0c89-8242-402b-84f9-678d75706e74> | CC-MAIN-2015-14 | http://phys.org/news/2011-12-boys-ndash-female-alpine-marmots.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2015-14/segments/1427131309986.40/warc/CC-MAIN-20150323172149-00279-ip-10-168-14-71.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.936004 | 619 | 4.03125 | 4 | 3.009254 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Science & Tech. |
can I use ”who” instead of ”with whom” ?
Before Brown spoke, the speaker of the parliament, Dalia Itzik, said it was unbelievable that 63 years after the Holocaust, "we are again facing the threat of extermination from the Iranians, with whom we have no conflict".
佢 = Iranians ?
- maLv 71 十年前最愛解答
a) ... from the Iranians
b) We have no conflict with the Iranians.
a b 就是
1) ... from the Iranians, with whom we have no conflict.
或 2) ... from the Iranians, whom we have no conflict with.
或 3) ... from the Iranians, who we have no conflict with.
Iranians在副句中是個indirect object，所以傳統文法要求用whom作為relative pronoun。此外，indirect object是用preposition with帶引出來，而preposition在傳統文法中是不該單獨留在句子的最後端，所以便要把preposition由句未抽調至relative pronoun之前。寫法（1）便是集齊了兩個文法慣例。寫法（2）只有跟隨第一個例而沒有跟第二個，留了with在句未。至於寫法（3）則是較美式，在object的時候也只用who而非whom。其實還可以有寫法（4）：with who we...，但這個較怪，因為一半傳統一半新。
- 1 十年前
actually, ashleydls is very good. If u can provide example, then yours one would be the best
- aShlEyLv 71 十年前
"who" cannot replace "with whom" | <urn:uuid:277c6e07-75e0-4374-87ba-ea28380b9fe8> | CC-MAIN-2020-34 | https://hk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080725000051KK00393 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-34/segments/1596439736902.24/warc/CC-MAIN-20200806091418-20200806121418-00034.warc.gz | en | 0.665099 | 602 | 2.546875 | 3 | 2.622081 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Education & Jobs |
Soar (cognitive architecture)
||This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (June 2010)|
Soar is a cognitive architecture, created by John Laird, Allen Newell, and Paul Rosenbloom at Carnegie Mellon University, now maintained by John Laird's research group at the University of Michigan. It is both a view of what cognition is and an implementation of that view through a computer programming architecture for artificial intelligence (AI). Since its beginnings in 1983 and its presentation in a paper in 1987, it has been widely used by AI researchers to model different aspects of human behavior.
The main goal of the Soar project is to be able to handle the full range of capabilities of an intelligent agent, from highly routine to extremely difficult open-ended problems. In order for that to happen, according to the view underlying Soar, it needs to be able to create representations and use appropriate forms of knowledge (such as procedural, declarative, episodic). Soar should then address a collection of mechanisms of the mind. Also underlying the Soar architecture is the view that a symbolic system is essential for general intelligence (see brief comment on neats versus scruffies). This is known as the physical symbol system hypothesis. The views of cognition underlying Soar are tied to the psychological theory expressed in Allen Newell's book, Unified Theories of Cognition.
While symbol processing remains the core mechanism in the architecture, recent versions of the theory incorporate non-symbolic representations and processes, including reinforcement learning, imagery processing, and emotion modeling (Laird, 2008).
Although the ultimate goal for Soar is to achieve general intelligence, there is no claim that this goal has already been reached. Advocates of the system recognize that Soar is still missing some important aspects of intelligence. Some examples of missing capabilities include automatically creating new representations on its own, such as through hierarchical clustering.
Soar is based on a production system, it uses explicit production rules to govern its behavior (these are roughly of the form "if... then...", as also used in expert systems). Problem solving can be roughly described as a search through a problem space (the collection of different states which can be reached by the system at a particular time) for a goal state (which represents the solution for the problem). This is implemented by searching for the states which bring the system gradually closer to its goal. Each move consists of a decision cycle which has an elaboration phase (in which a variety of different pieces of knowledge bearing the problem are brought to Soar's working memory) and a decision procedure (which weighs what was found on the previous phase and assigns preferences to ultimately decide the action to be taken). In addition to problem space search, however, Soar can be used to instantiate reasoning techniques such as reinforcement learning which do not require detailed internal models of the environment. In this way, Soar is flexible to behaving when varying amounts of task knowledge are available.
SOAR originally stood for State, Operator And Result, reflecting this representation of problem solving as the application of an operator to a state to get a result. According to the project FAQ, the Soar development community no longer regards Soar as an acronym so it is no longer spelled all in caps though it is still representative of the core of the implementation.
If the decision procedure just described is not able to determine a unique course of action, Soar may use different strategies, known as weak methods to solve the impasse. These methods are appropriate to situations in which knowledge is not abundant. Some examples are means-ends analysis (which may calculate the difference between each available option and the goal state) and a type of hill-climbing. When a solution is found by one of these methods, Soar uses a learning technique called chunking to transform the course of action taken into a new rule. The new rule can then be applied whenever Soar encounters the situation again (that is, there will no longer be an impasse).
- Laird, 2012 The Soar Cognitive Architecture
- Laird, 2008 Extending the Soar Cognitive Architecture
- Lehman, Laird, and Rosenbloom, 2006 A Gentle Introduction to Soar: 2006 update
- Rosenbloom, Laird, and Newell, 1993 The Soar Papers: Readings on Integrated Intelligence, Information Sciences Institute
- Newell, 1990, Unified Theories of Cognition, Harvard University Press
- Laird, Rosenbloom, and Newell (1987). "Soar: An Architecture for General Intelligence". Artificial Intelligence, 33: 1-64. | <urn:uuid:c5b0991f-0451-43db-962d-bb5d01ae80d4> | CC-MAIN-2015-18 | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soar_(cognitive_architecture) | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2015-18/segments/1429246634257.45/warc/CC-MAIN-20150417045714-00240-ip-10-235-10-82.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.937738 | 955 | 2.703125 | 3 | 2.935379 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Science & Tech. |
Philadelphia—If every Hispanic girl in America thought like Sheila, it seems, perhaps they wouldn't have the highest teen birthrate of any ethnic group in the nation.
Sheila preaches the use of condoms. She dreams of a military career and knows that dream can be shattered by having a baby. She regularly visits her high school's health resource center, where youth worker Maureen Comber dispenses sex information, advice and free condoms.
But at 19, Sheila has been pregnant three times.
This strong-willed, outgoing girl epitomizes the struggle facing youth workers like Comber, whose one-room health center on the second floor of Edison High School marks the front line in a battle over one of the nation's most stubborn teen health problems.
Federal officials recently hailed another drop in the teen birthrate, which has declined 18 percent since 1991. The news isn't so great here at Edison and in other Latino communities around the country, where the decline has been slower than for any other ethnic group. In a country that has the highest teen birthrate of any industrialized nation, Hispanic youth have held the top spot since 1994 - and their lead is growing. Pennsylvania bears out the trend: while the rate dropped 24 percent for African Americans and 16 percent for whites from 1991-97, the drop among Hispanic youth was two percent.
"At the national level we are successful, but the disparities [between ethnic groups] are becoming more and more vivid," says Dr. Irshad Shaikh, commissioner of health in the impoverished city of Chester, south of Philadelphia.
The Hispanic teen birthrate is significant not only for Hispanics but for the nation. There are more Hispanic youths in the U.S. than any other minority; that includes 5.5 million Hispanic girls under 18, according to "The State of Hispanic Girls," released this fall by the D.C.-based National Coalition of Hispanic Health and Human Service Organizations (COSSMHO). In the mid-1990s, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, one in 10 U.S. women of reproductive age was Latina. By mid-century, the ratio will be one in four.
That's one reason that Hispanic and government organizations are boosting efforts to reduce unprotected sex among Hispanics youth. Those efforts range from the El Joven Noble Male Responsibility Project, a sexual responsibility initiative aimed at Latino boys in Los Angeles, to increased outreach by the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH), whose Midwest affiliates last fall named pregnancy and HIV as the top concerns for Latino youth. COSSMHO's new report sounds an alarm about pregnancy as part of a troubling health phenomenon: Hispanic girls lead other ethnic groups in alcohol abuse, drug abuse and suicide.
Why has it been so difficult to reach Hispanic youth? Scarcity of family planning, economics, machismo, American pop culture and traditional Latino culture all get some blame in studies. Generalizations are difficult, especially because "Hispanic" takes in so many different cultures.
But here at Edison, the most striking theme is a lack of passionate long-range life goals that motivate many kids to try to avoid pregnancy. Without big plans for academics or a career, having a baby doesn't really get in the way. Explaining the live-for-today attitude among many of her schoolmates, Sheila says, "You don't know what will happen later today or tomorrow."
The Rubber Room
Edison sits across from a cemetery in a Latino neighborhood of north Philly, a neighborhood so rarely visited by outsiders that a cabbie needs a map from his passenger to find it. It is a poor community of row houses and storefronts; while somewhat disheveled, it is hardly the war zone of many inner cities. St. Christopher's Children's Hospital, its cheerful lobby populated by colorful fake animals, sits a few blocks from Edison. Seventy-eight percent of the 2,400 students are Hispanic (primarily Puerto Rican), and 17 percent are African American.
Once inside, it's easy to find Comber: ask for the condom lady. It's not the nickname that the 25-year-old would have hoped for when she graduated from Shippensburg University with a degree in social work. But she does have a drawer full of Lifestyles condoms which she dispenses for free, one of the reasons her Health Resource Center (HRC) gets heavy foot traffic.
This is one of 10 school-based HRCs established after the Philadelphia School Board voted in 1991 to create a comprehensive program to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The Family Planning Council (FPC) administers the centers and provides technical assistance; local health agencies provide staff. (St. Christopher's staffs the Edison clinic.) The Planning Council is a nonprofit that subcontracts with community-based organizations for education and health services in Philadelphia and four surrounding counties. Most of the HRC money comes from federal Title X family planning funds.
Not everyone is happy about it. The HRCs survived a court challenge by parents who objected to the free condoms. The schools must provide space for the centers, but "we have maintained an arm's distance because we don't want people saying there are taxpayer dollars going to hand out condoms to teenagers," says schools spokesman Paul Hanson.
[More typical in Pennsylvania is the nearby city of Chester: high schoolers who want school-based family planning services must get to Smedley Middle School, where funds from Title V of the 1996 Welfare Reform Act restrict the health center - staffed by a local hospital, just like Edison - to providing abstinence-only information.]
No subject appears out of bounds in Comber's office. On display are numerous brochures, such as "101 Reasons to be Abstinent," "What is Safer Sex?" and "Birth Control Facts." One wall sports a chart of birth control effectiveness, from abstinence (most) to withdrawal (least). Comber provides information, she counsels, she addresses classes at the invitation of teachers (about once a week) and she refers students to St. Christopher's adolescent health clinic, where they get pregnancy tests and contraception such as Depo Provera. These services were enough to draw in 559 students last year; most came more than once.
Walking in the first time is the toughest. One ninth grader says her friend strolled around outside the door "until everybody was gone" from the hallway. Once inside, the students get something that Latino youths typically lack: easy access to information about sex and birth control. COSSMHO's recent report cites a scarcity of family planning programs in Hispanic communities, and a scarcity of Spanish-speaking staff in programs that do exist, as major impediments to cutting teen birthrates.
"There are so few curriculums geared especially to that culture," says Lisa Shelby, vice president for education and professional development at Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania. "You're talking about intimate, personal, core stuff. Folks who come from Latino cultures, it's really taboo to have those kind of conversations with someone you don't know or feel comfortable with." In the sex education course that Planned Parenthood runs at a predominately Hispanic middle school in Philadelphia, she says, "the staff is bilingual and bicultural."
But teaching a captive classroom audience is one thing; getting Latinos to seek birth control assistance is especially difficult. "They don't understand family planning," says Iris Caballero, director of health promotions at the Asociacion Puertorrique-os En Marcha, Inc. (APM), a community-based nonprofit that provides health and social services to Hispanics in Philadelphia. In 1993 APM conducted focus groups with Hispanic women, and found that "the lack of information about the availability of family planning services was striking."
APM was running a pilot outreach program to inform Hispanic girls and women about family planning services and to make referrals. The pilot ended when the FPC grant ran out. APM is seeking funds to open a full-service family planning clinic in its Hispanic neighborhood, which is a few miles from Edison. "There are none" in Latino communities now, says Caballero, except hospitals - the kind of large institutions that most people, especially teens, don't just drop into to talk to someone about their sex lives.
How about personal physicians? According to COSSMHO, when compared to whites and African Americans, Hispanic girls are more likely to lack health insurance or a "usual source of health care." They are also less likely to have been taught about HIV in school. "I'm amazed by how many ninth graders don't know about reproduction," says Comber.
To be sure, most kids know something about condoms or AIDS when they walk up the steps as freshmen; the five girls and three boys interviewed at the center all confirmed this. What they get at the HRC is more quality, in-depth access to information and birth control. The question is, how are they using that access?
Wishing for Babies
"I need condoms."
The tall dark boy who zips into the health center between classes is in a hurry; he stands next to Comber shifting his feet as if they're on hot sand, waiting for her to dispense the maximum of four prophylactics. First, she delays him for 20 seconds with questions such as "What's the most common STD?" ("HIV," he says. "Chlamydia," she says.) Does he know that abstinence is the only guarantee against STDs and pregnancy. "Yes." Quiz over, he flees.
"Once you give them the condoms, shoom!" says Deedee, a 14-year-old sitting in the HRC.
Boys, says Comber, typically walk in quickly to get condoms and go. "Girls want to talk about problems, relationships, where they can go for more services," she says. Deedee and her two fellow freshmen friends visited soon after school began because they were involved in relationships that were getting sexually serious, and they wanted to talk to an adult about it. "A lot of girls come in wanting to know if they're pregnant," Comber says. She gives them referrals for testing at St. Christopher's.
What surprises her most is the number of girls "who come to me saying, 'I want to be pregnant.'" It does not surprise Caballero at APM. For many Hispanic women, she says, "the ultimate goal in life is to be a good mother." This, say Caballero and other Latino youth workers, is a significant barrier to cutting teen birthrates.
It's not the motherhood desire itself, but the lack of other life goals strong enough to outweigh it. This was strikingly clear last school year when Comber asked girls to write essays about why they wanted to spend a few days with the HRCs "Baby Think It Over" doll. "The girls really didn't have any other interests," she says. "There wasn't anything they felt they would be missing out on if they had a baby."
School? It's no coincidence that the Hispanic dropout rate, like the teen pregnancy rate, is the highest of any ethnic group in the nation. COSSMHO reports that Latinas who drop out are more likely than whites, African Americans or Asians to get pregnant. Here at Edison, the average daily attendance (67 percent) is the lowest among the 10 HRC schools. The four-year high school completion rate (36 percent) is second lowest.
Careers? Asked where they see themselves after Edison, the girls in the HRC generally shrug. Deedee would like to be a nurse. Sheila, the oldest, displays the strongest burn for a career, the military. If you get pregnant, she says, "your life is not your life anymore."
She speaks from experience. She chalks up her pregnancies to condom failure, or the failure of the guy involved to wear one as promised. Her son, three, lives with her sister.
Sheila and the other four girls at HRC want to avoid pregnancy, but sticking to that objective means overcoming cultural forces that push girls the other way. A study released in September by the American Association of University Women, based on "summits" with 2,100 girls, found that compared to whites and Asian Americans, pressure to have sex is greater on Hispanics and African Americans, who "cite pregnancy as an issue in their lives" more than other girls and "do so at a younger age."
The public abstinence movement that has spread among many teens has not caught fire at Edison; the girls laugh when asked if there is a so-called "virgin club" here. Erica knows a girl who started having sex at 12. Another girl's friend got pregnant at 13. Besides Sheila, one of the other girls, 16-year-old Daniela, has also been pregnant. Several of their mothers had their first babies at around 16.
"If somebody wants to have a baby," says Comber, "you can't just hand them a condom and say, 'Use it.'"
It is impossible to get the three boys sitting in the HRC to talk about sex for more than six seconds without them breaking down in snickers and elbow-in-the-ribs banter about sexual conquests. This is not because they're Latino; it's because they're guys, aged 15, 16 and 17. But many of the forces that impact the Hispanic girls who were sitting here just minutes earlier affect these boys as well.
Consider their economic prospects: 25 percent of Hispanics live below the poverty line, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. (The school district says 91 percent of Edison's students are "low-income," higher than any of the HRC schools.) While 86 percent of whites age 25 and over have at least a high school diploma, only 53 percent of Latinos do. While 26 percent of whites have at least a bachelor's degree, only 9 percent of Latinos do.
Asked where they see themselves after Edison, the boys look a bit blank at first. One wants to be an auto mechanic. (There's a shop at the school.) Another envisions "going to bars, clubs. I'll be having fun. Lookin' for a chlllin' job."
Bill Albert, spokesman for the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, believes that the strong economy of the 1990s has helped to reduce teen pregnancies. "In a lot of focus groups I've been to," he says, "there are teens who say, 'I have a future. I want to go to college. I want to work in computers. I'm not going to get there if I'm pregnant at 17.'"
The flip side is that those with less economic hope might be less motivated to postpone pregnancy. This has long been seen as a factor among young African-Americans. In Chester, which is predominately black, the birthrate among single teens is more than four times the rate for the rest of Delaware County, according to the Pennsylvania Kids Count Partnership. "If the kids have something to look for - scholarships, recreational opportunities, job opportunities - I'm sure they would steer away from risky behavior," says Dr. Shaikh, the city health commissioner.
In both cities, youth workers say many young people don't see sex as risky because they don't envision losing much if they have a baby or contract an STD. Several of the Edison girls say they expect many of the boys to die before getting far into their 20s anyway. They talk about the shooting deaths of several boys in the community, and a widespread feeling that many will die young from violence or drugs.
"I hear a lot of males say they're proud of the fact that they're leaving something behind," Comber says of those who've fathered babies. Sheila talks about a boy who was shot and says, "I wish my friend could have at least had a baby" before he died.
It's a nationwide phenomenon, says Jerry Tallo, director of the National Latino Fatherhood and Family Institute, part of the nonprofit Bienvenidos Family Services in East Los Angeles. "Latinos rarely see themselves in a positive light," he says. "If you're trying to counteract that powerlessness, the easiest and most concrete way to make a stand or be represented is to be sexual and have a baby." The Institute's El Joven Noble Male Responsibility Project teaches boys to take responsibility for their actions, including the creation of life. Among its techniques: channeling creative energy toward other outlets, like dance and theater.
Given such forces, Comber sees the daily depletion of her condom supply as a small victory. For years the most popular contraceptive method among Latinos has been female sterilization. But that step is commonly taken, says Caballero of APM, after a woman has had three babies by 21.
As with young people of many ethnic backgrounds, these youngsters still see birth control as primarily a girl thing. While all five girls at the HRC vow that condoms should be used every time someone has intercourse, only one of the three boys says he always uses condoms. The other two use them sometimes. "I ask the girl, 'You want me to use a condom? It's up to you,' says Ronald.
This puts even more pressure on girls. "Guys, they want to do it raw," says Daniela.
Edison's HRC clearly helps youths such as Daniela grapple with the incredible personal and difficult decisions about sex. A study of the HRCs, published by the Guttmacher Institute in 1997, concluded that they slightly increased condom usage and did not increase sexual activity. But convincing significantly more Latino youth to use condoms or abstain will require more than pamphlets and a friendly youth worker. It will take instilling a stronger sense that they are headed toward a productive, healthy future - a future that they value enough to put babies on hold.
"We can teach them sex ed as much as we want or tell them to say no as much as we want," says Albert of the National Campaign. "Unless they are motivated to choose one method or another, they're not going to do either." | <urn:uuid:e64127a2-312a-48c5-adb6-21142139c38d> | CC-MAIN-2017-39 | https://youthtoday.org/2000/01/latinas-perplexing-lead-in-teen-births/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-39/segments/1505818685850.32/warc/CC-MAIN-20170919145852-20170919165852-00343.warc.gz | en | 0.972501 | 3,733 | 2.515625 | 3 | 2.983353 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Health |
CHANGES TO A BOND's VALUE OVER TIME
AND AS RATES CHANGE
The purpose of this page is to explain the usage and results that can be generated by the spreadsheet (Excel or OpenOffice) that automates most all the issues discussed here. Many bond investors will already understand the concept of rolling down the yield curve. Those who don't should work through this page before making any changes to the default variables of the spreadsheet. The default variables are used to produce the graphs below. Understanding the concept of what should happen is not much use in the real world unless you can quantify your expectations. This spreadsheet allows you to do that. Its accuracy depends on the accuracy of your predictions about future interest rates.
First you must understand the yield curve. Above is the graph of historical yields for various maturities of Government of Canada bonds. The relationship between the rates of different maturities at any specific date can be graphed with the different maturities along the bottom axis. When the rate differences are large
the lines in the chart above splay apart. The yield curve at that time would look steeply rising. When the rates are similar across all maturities the yield curve would look flatter. It can even become inverted (e.g. 1990) with the shortest rates higher than the long rates. There are four factors determining what rate the market demands for different maturities.
The market rates for the benchmark maturities that form the yield curve below are the variable inputs in the spreadsheet.
- The liquidity preference reflects that loans repaid next year are less risky than those repaid later.
- The return required longer terms reflects the expected market rates that will be in effect at those later dates.
- Supply and demand for different debt terms may vary leading to different pricing.
- Investors have a maturity preference that will only change with sufficient pricing differences.
it is important to add the dimension of time to bond analysis. If you buy a 10-year bond, then next year you will own a 9-year bond, and the year after that an 8-year bond, etc. Each year your bond moves incrementally closer to maturity, resulting in lower volatility and shorter duration and demanding a lower interest rate. Since falling rates create increasing prices, the value of a bond initially will rise as the lower rates of the shorter maturity become its new market rate. Because a bond is always anchored by its final maturity, the price at some point must change direction and fall to par value at redemption.
Using the spreadsheet, a bond's market value at different times in its life can be calculated. The chart above shows a 30-year bond issued at par. In one case the yield curve is steep and the bond is predicted to have a large capital gain before later falling in price. When the yield curve is flatter, the capital gain is predicted to be much less. Notice the word 'predicted'. This chart assumes that the market rates that determine the yield curve do not change over the 30 years of the bond's life.
The bond's increasing and then declining value has a few implications.
1) Advice to retired investors is often to hold a bond ladder of different maturities. Each bond is allowed to mature. The proceeds fund your living costs. But if there is an existing capital gain in the bond, it may be better to sell it BEFORE maturity. Remember transaction costs.
2) Bond ETFs have mandates to invest in bonds of specific maturities. Try to figure out whether their holding period will allow for the realization of capital gains from rolling down the yield curve. Stay away from those where the allowed maturities are within a very tight range. A Canadian ETF that holds to maturity a ladder of 5 year bonds seems to capture all the worst aspects of the price curve.
3) An ongoing bond portfolio can ride each bond down the yield curve and roll over to a new long-term bond at the optimal point to benefit from the capital gain. Remember that if you reinvest the larger capital in another long-term bond you also assume the risks of that longer maturity. The spreadsheet has a box to calculate your expected bump up in yield from this action.
The optimal time to exit a bond is not when its valuation is the highest. You probably think "I'll get the same coupon $$ every year anyway, so I should try to maximize the capital gain". The error in that argument is that a stable coupon $$ becomes a smaller % yield as the bond's value increases. You are trading off yield for capital gains. To properly evaluate your situation you need to calculate the yearly 'total return' - the sum of the coupon yield plus the capital gain from the changing valuation. You compare this total return to your alternate investment possibilities.
The chart above shows that the yearly total-returns are quite different from the chart of the capital gains only. When the yield curve is flat there is little variability in the returns over time. But when the yield curve is steep returns are much higher to start and much lower approaching maturity. For reference, this bond was issued at par with a 4.4% coupon and yield-to-maturity.
When the media talks about rising interest rates, too often investors presume that rates all along the yield curve will rise by the same amount - the curve will move up in parallel. Because longer-term bonds have a larger duration that rise in rates will cause a larger capital loss for them, than for short-term bonds. But rates do NOT rise equally along all the maturities. Almost always, the long maturity's rate will change much less. When rates rise by flattening the yield curve, the greater change in rates at the short end will offset to some extent the advantage provided by the shorter bond's lower duration. So staying in short maturities may not provide the protection from rising rates that you expect.
Looking at the chart above, a flattening of the yield curve from a steep curve will change your expected yearly total returns from the blue line to the red line. The rise in rates causes a capital loss but if you hold to maturity to recover the loss with the higher yearly returns of the red line.
For this discussion's purpose pretend that rising interest rates change from the steep yield curve to the flat one - all in one year. The example used here (and the default variables in the spreadsheet) has the 30-year bond's rate the same in both the steep and the flat yield curve situations. Everyone will have capital losses except for those with 30-years remaining, because the market rates for that maturity have not changed. The size of the loss varies. In this example the bond with only 4 years (50 months) remaining shows the largest capital loss, not the longer term bonds with the larger duration. Notice that the chart above shows the one year's return experienced ONLY ONCE by the bond depending on its term-to-maturity when the rate change happened. The bottom axis does NOT represent time.
But the capital loss is not the only thing happening to your returns. A better evaluation of the situation measures each year's 'total return' - the combination of the coupon's yield, the gain from rolling down the yield curve plus the capital loss. In this example you see a total-return loss of only 4% - pretty manageable compared to the 8% capital loss. | <urn:uuid:7704849e-3e50-40ac-8038-263f5a767761> | CC-MAIN-2015-11 | http://www.retailinvestor.org/bondPrice.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2015-11/segments/1424936469077.97/warc/CC-MAIN-20150226074109-00293-ip-10-28-5-156.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.924427 | 1,502 | 3.421875 | 3 | 2.972036 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Finance & Business |
When you’re stressed, so is your thyroid
Everything seems to be going wrong this morning—you’re out of coffee, traffic is bad, and you can feel tension from the tips of your toes to the top of your head. Maybe you’re under constant pressure at work or can’t catch a break on your bills. Stress is a part of your life, and when it’s ongoing, it can affect everything—including your thyroid. Learn why this is significant and what you can do to help reduce the effects of stress on this important gland.
Your thyroid: The regulator of body functions
Sitting squarely at the front of your neck is the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped powerhouse of your body’s metabolism. As part of your endocrine system (a collection of glands in the body that produce hormones), the thyroid regulates many body functions including, but not limited to:
- Heart rate
- Body weight
- Body temperature
- Muscle strength
- Menstrual cycle
- Cholesterol levels
- Central and peripheral nervous systems
Yes, the thyroid is more than just a little important in the overall picture of you. It produces, secretes, and stores specific hormones. Two of the main hormones made by the thyroid are triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Both hormones affect just about every cell in your body; having too little or too much of either can throw several body systems out of whack and contribute to health issues such as:
- Hair loss
- Weight loss/gain
- Mood swings
- Missed menstrual periods
- Temperature sensitivity
How stress affects the thyroid
The effect of stress on thyroid health is like a game of dominos: When one tile falls, the rest typically follow. Stress impacts the thyroid by influencing how other hormones balance with it. For example, cortisol (the “fight or flight” hormone) can surge due to chronic stress. This surge can cause problems with thyroid hormone production,1 pressing this important gland to work harder to produce and release more thyroid hormones, leading to an imbalance. Consequently, if the imbalance becomes chronic, it can contribute to the risk of developing a thyroid disorder.2
Another example of hormonal imbalance is insulin resistance, wherein the body resists insulin production, resulting in increased blood sugar levels. This leads to other associated health problems. Several of these conditions often occur with hypothyroidism (when the thyroid doesn’t make enough of its hormones). The result? Increased products of dysregulated sugar metabolism, which lead to lower levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the blood.3 Insulin resistance can also contribute to thyroid enlargement and nodules.4,5
Chronic stress has also been shown to increase the risk of developing an autoimmune thyroid condition.2 By affecting the immune system through the nervous and endocrine systems, chronic stress can “flip a switch” and increase the risk of autoimmune thyroid disorders for people who have a genetic predisposition.2
Don’t stress about your thyroid
If you’re concerned about chronic stress and how it may affect your thyroid, ask your healthcare practitioner for more information. He or she is the best person to consult about stress and thyroid health.
This content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individuals should always consult with their healthcare professional for advice on medical issues.
- Ranibar S et al. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2011;15(1):18–22.
- Mizokami T et al. Thyroid. 2004;14(12):1047–1055.
- Walter K et al. Thyroid Res. 2012;5:13.
- Rezzonico J et al. Thyroid. 2008;18(4):461–464.
- Yunzhao T et al. Int J Endocrinol. 2017;2017:1617458.
Submitted by the Metagenics Marketing Team
#healthandwellness #holistichealth #wellbeing #healthy #happy #anxiety #motivation #lifestyle #healthylifestyle #weightlossjourney #weightloss #fitnessmotivation #meditation #healing #instahealth #healthychoices #wellness #wellnesstips #wellnessjourney #wellnesscoach #emotionalwellness #wellnessadvocate #DrToniHarrisonMD #ToniHarrisonMD #ToniHarrisonIncredibleHealth #FunctionalMedicine | <urn:uuid:03905b73-a2db-47e0-8e7c-97dc5e1b9507> | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | https://www.incrediblehealthcenter.com/how-does-stress-impact-my-thyroid/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510259.52/warc/CC-MAIN-20230927035329-20230927065329-00381.warc.gz | en | 0.877435 | 954 | 2.8125 | 3 | 2.155926 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | Health |
While we never like to hear “arch” and “ouch” in the same sentence, we know arch pain is a fact of life for many.
Some people are born with low arches or flat feet and never have symptoms or pain while others suffer arch strain and even fallen arches. This can lead to pain in the heel, arch, or even the ankle.
Ultimately, conditions like Achilles tendonitis, Posterior Tibial tendonitis and plantar fasciitis can develop.
The Ouch in the Arch
The muscles and tendons in our arches can weaken or become injured as we age, after prolonged stress and injury, or gain weight. One of the biggest factors is foot abuse: wearing shoes that are not supportive enough for long periods of standing, walking or lifting. Concrete surfaces and high-heeled footwear are particularly notorious abusers.
Whatever the cause, aches, pains and even swelling of the arch can happen.
Also, if the arch falls, it shifts weight to the inner edge of the foot, which can make walking excruciating. (If you’ve ever bruised the bottom of your foot and tried to avoid the sore spot by walking on a different part of your foot for a day, you’ve probably gotten a taste of how uncomfortable this can get.)
Preventing Arch Pain: Exercise and Support
Changing exercise routines and using support products can help prevent pain.
Adding these exercises to strengthen and to stretch might help:
• You can use a towel for toe-grip exercises for strengthening.
• Balancing on one foot keeps foot muscles toned and responsive.
• Stretch the calf muscles to help the tendons that attach to the foot.
• Stretch the feet through the arches, using stretching aids if you like.
You can also make adjustments to your regular workout routine. For example, if you currently run on concrete you could switch to running on grass, or you could do less running and take up more lower-impact activities such as biking or swimming.
The second strategy is to make sure your foot has ample support. You can do this by using orthotics, arch sleeves, braces and/or wraps.
Of course shoes are important, too. Brands such as Orthaheel feature extra arch support and motion control. Athletic shoes are particularly important to get right, so look for walking and running styles designed for “low arch”, “pronating foot type”, and/or “orthotic friendly.”
Be sure to match the right type of shoe for the activity you’re doing, especially if it’s high-impact or otherwise strenuous. | <urn:uuid:61592b98-1b8c-4638-ab9c-0085178c9b77> | CC-MAIN-2015-35 | http://blog.footsmart.com/what-is-arch-pain/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2015-35/segments/1440645323734.78/warc/CC-MAIN-20150827031523-00106-ip-10-171-96-226.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.929315 | 554 | 2.765625 | 3 | 1.707567 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | Health |
Unit 2 School life Task导学案
Task and Self-assessment
班级--------- 姓名---------- 学号---------
【学 习 目 标】
a. 词汇：finish, tennis, physics, hall,
b. 词组：my ideal school, get up late, have an hour for, have a big dining hall,
listen to music, wear ties, a swimming pool, at weekends, go on a school
c. 句型：①We have lots of time for after-school activities..
②We only have an hour of homework every day .
1．艺术俱乐部 6．大而干净的餐厅 ________
2．听音乐 7．在每个班 ________
3．进行一次学校旅行 8．挑选学习的科目 _______
4．一个足球场 9．有一小时的作业 ________
5．上电脑课 10．戴领带 ________
（二）词汇运用 2 How long is your (午餐时间)
3 If you want to keep ____________(健康), you must do more sports. 4 Do you like to go on a school (旅行)？
4 Millie is a good student. She is in the________ (九) grade this term.
5 Red is ____________ (流行) than black.
(三) 用括号所给词的正确形式完成下例句子： 1 Suzy goes to the (swim) Club every Friday.
2 Millie’s skirt is nicer than (I). 3 Jack has (little) free time than John. 4 Does your father enjoy (listen) to pop music? 5 The students (hold) a sports meeting last week.
( )1. Jack doesn’t run Simon.
1 1 What time does his school day (开始) ？
A. as quick as
A. anything new
A. other B. so quick as B. new nothing B. the other C. as quickly as D. so faster as C. new something D. nothing new C. another D. others ( )2. Have you got to tell us? ( )3. We have a lot of mooncakes here. What about one/
( )4. You’d better in the classroom.
A. to not eat anything B. not eating anything
C. don’t eat anything D. not eat anything ( )5. Ships are than planes and people take them mainly for pleasure.
A. much more slowly B. so much slowly
C. too much slowly D. very much slowly ( )6. We you a good luck in the new term.
A. hold B. wish B. holding C. like C. bring D. want D. carring ( )7. The teacher came into the classroom, some books in her hand.
( )8. “Where are you going?”
“I’m going to my aunt’ house to help my aunt the dinner party.’
A. be ready for B. getting ready C. get ready for D. be getting ready
4．每天上午8点上课，下午4点放学，课后可以参加各种各样的兴趣小组，只有一个小时的作业。 My ideal school 2 | <urn:uuid:6e6c744f-f930-47cf-b85b-0fcbf2d8e009> | CC-MAIN-2016-44 | http://www.haihongyuan.com/chuzhongyingyu/615515.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2016-44/segments/1476988719416.57/warc/CC-MAIN-20161020183839-00260-ip-10-171-6-4.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.762264 | 943 | 2.6875 | 3 | 1.339693 | 1 | Basic reasoning | Education & Jobs |
Anticensorship scheme could make site blocking a thing of the past
Computer science researchers at the University of Michigan and the University of Waterloo in Canada have come up with a radical new approach to beating internet censorship.
While current schemes get around site blocks by routing users through outside servers called proxies, the censor sooner or later finds and blocks the proxy, too.
But the new Telex system would essentially turn the whole web into a proxy server, making it virtually impossible for a censoring government to block individual sites.
The researchers are at the proof-of-concept stage, and have created a test system in their lab. They've tested it with a client in Beijing who was able to stream YouTube videos even though the site is blocked there.
"This has the potential to shift the arms race regarding censorship to be in favor of free and open communication," says J Alex Halderman, assistant professor of computer science and engineering at UM.
"The internet has the ability to catalyze change by empowering people through information and communication services. Repressive governments have responded by aggressively filtering it. If we can find ways to keep those channels open, we can give more people the ability to take part in free speech and access to information."
Under the new system, users would need to install Telex software - maybe downloading it from an intermittently available website or borrowing a copy from a friend.
And ISPs outside the censoring nation would need to deploy equipment dubbed Telex stations.
Users wanting to visit a blacklisted site would establish a secure connection to an HTTPS website, which could be any password-protected site that isn't blocked. This is a decoy connection.
The Telex software marks the connection as a Telex request by inserting a secret-coded tag into the page headers. The tag utilizes a cryptographic technique called public-key steganography.
"Steganography is hiding the fact that you're sending a message at all," says Halderman. "We're able to hide it in the cryptographic protocol so that you can't even tell that the message is there."
The user's request passes through routers at various ISPs, some of which would be Telex stations. These stations would hold a private key that lets them recognize tagged connections from Telex clients, and would divert the connections so that the user could get to any site on the internet.
Under this system, though, large segments of the internet would need to be involved through participating ISPs.
"The problem with any one company doing this, for example, is they become a target. It's a collective action problem," says Halderman.
"You want to do it on a wide scale that makes connecting to the internet almost an all or nothing proposition for the repressive state." | <urn:uuid:58f21a48-b9f8-41f7-b3d6-5d0276600e4f> | CC-MAIN-2014-23 | http://www.tgdaily.com/security-features/57823-anticensorship-scheme-could-make-site-blocking-a-thing-of-the-past | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2014-23/segments/1406510273663.2/warc/CC-MAIN-20140728011753-00371-ip-10-146-231-18.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.957903 | 564 | 2.703125 | 3 | 2.94496 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Software |
Emergent Management (for Unstable Patients)
The initial resuscitation begins with following three steps: (1) securing the airway, (2) obtaining hemodynamic stability while controlling the bleeding, and (3) immobilizing the cervical spine. The optimal choice of airway control is often debated. Intubation may be performed safely if the vocal folds are easily seen, there are no visible injuries, and the smallest tube possible is used. However, endotracheal intubation can cause further injury to an already tenuous airway, resulting in an emergent need for airway control. In addition, the extent of injury may not be known prior to attempted direct laryngoscopy. Surgical airway control such as an awake tracheotomy (performed under local anesthetic) or a cricothyroidotomy may often be more prudent in these situations. If a cricothyroidotomy is performed, it should be converted to a formal tracheotomy as soon as possible to prevent long-term sequelae (eg, subglottic stenosis).
In contrast to adults, pediatric patients are unlikely to cooperate with a tracheotomy while awake. In addition, their neck anatomy is often more challenging owing to a high laryngeal position and soft cartilage. Therefore, a pediatric airway is preferably secured with a rigid bronchoscope while maintaining spontaneous respiration before a tracheotomy is performed.
After stabilization of the airway, the patient should be examined and the injury stratified to help guide further management.
External Laryngeal Trauma
Laryngeal injuries are grouped according to increasing severity (Table 34–1; Figure 34–3). Patients with Group I injuries have minor endolaryngeal hematomas or lacerations. These patients are treated successfully with medical management alone, typically. Group II injuries demonstrate airway compromise, more severe soft tissue injury, or single nondisplaced laryngeal fractures. These patients are usually managed with a tracheotomy followed by direct laryngoscopy and esophagoscopy. If an arytenoid dislocation is discovered, then closed reduction should be attempted. Group III injuries include patients with massive edema, mucosal tears with exposed cartilage, displaced fractures, or vocal cord immobility. Group IV describes the unstable larynx with comminuted fractures. A Group V classification is the most severe type of injury; these patients present with complete laryngotracheal separation. Injuries within Groups III–V require immediate operative repair and may involve the use of stent. The ability to restore the integrity of the larynx impacts a patient's long-term outcome with regard to voice, airway, and the quality of life. It must be noted that this classification system does not account for patients with significant injuries (displaced fractures with altered vocal quality) who have mild or no airway compromise. These patients will often present later with complaints of hoarseness alone. If the injury was relatively recent, repair may be attempted to improve long-term functional outcome.
Table 34–1. Classification of Laryngeal Injury. ||Download (.pdf)
Table 34–1. Classification of Laryngeal Injury.
|I||Minor endolaryngeal hematoma; minimal airway compromise, if any; no detectable fractures|
|II||Endolaryngeal hematoma or edema associated with compromised airway; minor mucosal lacerations without exposed cartilage; nondisplaced fracture shown on a CT scan|
|III||Massive endolaryngeal edema with airway obstruction; mucosal tears with exposed cartilage; immobile vocal cord(s)|
|IV||Same as group III with more than two fracture lines on imaging studies; massive derangement of endolarynx|
Treatment algorithm for the acute management of external laryngeal trauma. (Data from Schaefer SD: The acute management of external laryngeal trauma: a 27-year experience. Adapted, with permission, from Schaefer SD. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1992;118:598.)
Group I and II injuries often heal spontaneously and have excellent outcomes. These injuries are usually managed nonsurgically with humidified air, head of bed elevation, and voice rest. To prevent complications from an undetected or progressive injury, the patient should be closely observed with serial fiberoptic examinations and continuous pulse oximetry for 24–48 h. Antibiotics are often prescribed when there is observable mucosal injury. The use of steroids is controversial. Steroids probably decrease edema if given within the first few hours after injury. The prophylactic treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux is also recommended to prevent exposure of an injured larynx to acidic gastric contents.
In more severe injuries, the careful approximation of mucosal tears and the reduction of fracture segments are required to prevent long-term voice disturbance or airway compromise. Findings that tend to lead to a recommendation for surgery include: (1) lacerations involving the anterior commissure, injury to the free edge of the true vocal fold, or the finding of exposed cartilage; (2) displaced or comminuted fractures; (3) vocal fold immobility; or (4) arytenoid dislocation.
Some data indicate that patients with treatment delays of 48 hours have inferior outcomes when compared with patients whose injuries are repaired soon after the initial trauma. Early intervention is generally preferable since it allows an accurate identification of the injury, less scarring, and superior long-term results.
Fractures can affect the voice by changing the geometry of the larynx and glottal configuration. Therefore, the precise reduction and fixation of even minimally displaced or angulated fractures is often advocated. Fractures traditionally have been repaired with stainless-steel wires or absorbable sutures. Miniplates (titanium or absorbable) provide immediate stability and good results (Figure 34–4) although they are often difficult to place in the cartilaginous framework.
Intraoperative photo graphs of the patient from Figure 34–2. The first photograph (A) was taken before rigid fixation using a plating system; the second photograph (B) was taken after the plate was inserted. Note that the plate is carefully bent to restore the proper anterior commissure angle and location.
When there is significant disruption of the endolaryngeal soft tissue, a midline thyrotomy to the level of the cricothyroid membrane is performed through a horizontal anterior neck incision. The arytenoids are palpated and reduced if dislocated or avulsed. Only obvious devitalized tissue is débrided. Mucosal lacerations are repaired with primary closure or local flaps to cover any exposed cartilage with the goal of preventing perichondritis, the formation of granulation tissue, and scarring. Grafts are rarely needed.
The use of stents is controversial because of the increased risk of infection and granulation formation. Stents provide structural stability and are indicated in patients with laryngeal instability following inadequate fracture fixation. In the presence of severe soft tissue disruption or lacerations involving the anterior commissure, stents may help prevent synechiae. After 1 or 2 weeks, they are typically removed endoscopically.
Penetrating neck trauma is classified by the level of injury based on the clinical features and the ease of surgical access: (1) Zone I extends from the sternal notch to the cricoid; (2) Zone II extends from the cricoid to the angle of the mandible; and (3) Zone III extends cranially from the mandible to the skull base. This classification system directs the diagnostic evaluation and treatment.
With sophisticated ancillary tests and the accurate identification of localizing signs and symptoms, the surgical exploration of penetrating neck trauma is being used increasingly on a selective basis. Immediate operative exploration including triple endoscopy (direct laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, and esophagoscopy) is used for all patients with hemodynamic instability or airway compromise. The hypopharynx should be closely inspected for injury. Injuries above the level of the arytenoids often heal spontaneously and may be expectantly managed. Lower hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal injuries require open exploration, primary closure, and drainage due to the higher incidence of salivary leak, infection, and subsequent fistula.
The stable patient is stratified depending on the presence of other signs or symptoms such as expanding hematoma, dysphonia, hemoptysis, hematemesis, or dysphagia. This group of symptoms is explored more selectively.
Injuries crossing into Zones I and III of the neck are more difficult to examine clinically and approach surgically; therefore, imaging—including angiography—is often performed. Zone I injuries are studied with preoperative arteriography and often gastrograffin swallow studies because of the risk of occult injuries reported by some clinicians. Because of difficult surgical access to the vasculature at the base of the skull, patients with Zone III injuries are also studied with arteriography, with the therapeutic option of embolization should an injury be found. Patients with isolated Zone II injuries, however, are usually explored surgically, often without imaging.
The management of asymptomatic patients is controversial. With these patients, some evidence supports observation alone because the physical examination is extremely sensitive in detecting injuries that require operative intervention. In these patients, imaging and adjunctive testing are very helpful in guiding further management.
Intubation injuries may cause a wide variety of acute and chronic conditions. High endotracheal tube cuff pressures may cause progressive hoarseness or airway obstruction from glottic or subglottic edema. Compressive neuropathies caused by direct pressure of the cuff may lead to vocal fold paralysis. Mucosal injury is commonly seen, particularly in the posterior larynx and subglottis and usually results from pressure necrosis due to the presence of the tube and/or cuff or from traumatic intubation. These injuries may progress and lead to granuloma formation, fixation of the cricoarytenoid joint, web formation, or stenosis. The incidence of posterior glottic stenosis increases with the length of intubation and may occur in up to 14% of patients intubated for more than 10 days. Differentiating glottic stenosis from vocal fold paralysis can often be difficult, since both result in partial or complete vocal fold immobility. Typically, the cause of the immobility can be elucidated either by manual assessment of arytenoid mobility or by the use of laryngeal electromyography.
Most cases of granulation tissue formation seen after intubation trauma resolve spontaneously after some time. However, further treatment may be necessary in certain cases. This treatment typically involves a combination of voice therapy and antireflux medication. This combination reduces the impact of behavioral and local inflammatory factors that are presumed to cause ongoing laryngeal irritation. In certain refractory cases, botulinum toxin injections can be used to forcibly reduce the impact of ongoing phonotrauma. Pulsed-dye or pulsed potassium titanyl phosphate laser treatment has also been successful. Operative removal of the granuloma is rarely necessary except in cases of partial airway obstruction. It should be noted that surgical removal does not obviate the need for voice therapy and antireflux medications. Without controlling these factors, granulomas may recur after surgical excision alone.
The management of stenosis depends on its location and severity. It may be detected weeks or months after extubation, when a patient presents for the evaluation of recent exercise intolerance or stridor. Thin webs that tether the anterior glottis can be surgically divided. A keel may then be placed to prevent the web from reforming between apposed denuded mucosa. Posterior laryngeal stenosis and cricoarytenoid joint fixation are typically treated with repeated dilation through an endoscopic approach. However, occasionally, an open approach through a laryngofissure or the use of a stent is required. Other techniques utilized to treat failures or more severe cases include arytenoidectomy or partial posterior cordotomy.
Subglottic or tracheal stenoses may be initially approached with endoscopic laser incision and dilation. More severe stenoses may require laryngotracheal reconstruction or segmental resection with primary anastomosis. Tracheal segments 4–5 cm in length may be removed if performed with release maneuvers.
In unilateral vocal fold paralysis, patients with persistent dysphonia or significant aspiration—despite therapy—may benefit from vocal fold augmentation with a temporary injection material while awaiting the spontaneous return of function. A medialization laryngoplasty with or without arytenoid adduction or injection augmentation with a more permanent substance is typically recommended if the paralysis is likely to be permanent.
Patients with bilateral vocal fold immobility often present with stridor. Relieving the airway obstruction may require a partial posterior cordectomy, arytenoidectomy, or arytenoid lateralization procedure. In more pressing cases, airway relief is often provided via a tracheostomy.
The finding of arytenoid dislocation is suggested by an uneven vocal cord level seen on laryngoscopy. However, this appearance can also be seen with vocal fold paralysis, which occurs much more commonly. Laryngeal EMG and CT scanning can be used to clarify the diagnosis.
Benninger MS, Gillen JB, Altman JS. Changing etiology of vocal fold immobility. Laryngoscope.
. (Vocal fold immobility is most commonly a result of a malignant disorder and surgical trauma, while intubation injuries still account for a significant number of cases.)
Butler AP, Wood BP, O'Rourke AK, Porubsky ES. Acute external laryngeal trauma: experience with 112 patients. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2005;114:5. (Outcome may be predicted by the initial severity of injury and is improved with earlier intervention.)
Clyne SB, Halum SL, Koufman JA, Postma GN. Pulsed dye laser treatment of laryngeal granulomas. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2005;114(3):198. (In-office use of the pulsed dye laser is a relatively safe and effective method for treating laryngeal granulomas that do not respond to antireflux therapy and speech therapy.)
De Mello-Filho FV, Carrau RL. Management of laryngeal fractures using internal fixation. Laryngoscope
. (Adaptation plating systems are well tolerated and effective, and provide immediate stabilization of laryngeal fractures.)
Gold SM, Gerber ME, Shott SR, Myer CM. Blunt laryngotracheal trauma in children. Arch OtolaryngolHead Neck Surg 1997;123(1):83 (Review of pediatric laryngotracheal injuries, which combines the classification systems proposed by Fuhrman et al and Schaefer and Brown for laryngotracheal injuries.)
Schweinfurth JM. Endoscopic treatment of severe tracheal stenosis. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2006;115(1):30 (Severe and complete tracheal stenoses may be successfully treated endoscopically, which is associated with few complications, low morbidity, a short operative time, and a short length of hospitalization when compared with tracheal resection.)
Sekharan J, Dennis JS, Veldenz HC, Miranda F, Frykberg ER. Continued experience with physical examination alone for evaluation and management of penetrating Zone II neck injuries: Results of 145 cases. J Vasc Surg
. (Penetrating neck trauma of Zone II may be safely and accurately managed based on the findings of the physical examination of vascular injury.)
Stanley RB Jr, Armstrong WB, Fetterman BL, Shindo ML. Management of external penetrating injuries into the hypopharyngeal-cervical esophageal funnel. J Trauma.
. (The severity of injuries increases as they descend from the upper hypopharynx to the cervical esophagus, with the former being amenable to expectant treatment.)
, Porter JM, Fernandez LG. Penetrating neck trauma: An overview of management. J Oral Maxillofac Surg.
2002;60(8):918. (Review of management of penetrating trauma to the neck.)
Yin SS, Qiu WW, Stucker FJ. Value of electromyography in differential diagnosis of laryngeal joint injuries after intubation. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1996;105(6):446. (Laryngeal electromyography can help in the diagnosis of cricoarytenoid joint fixation.) | <urn:uuid:561cbbf3-e4f6-47f5-8af6-530173e61fcb> | CC-MAIN-2023-06 | https://accesssurgery.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=386§ionid=39944072 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-06/segments/1674764500151.93/warc/CC-MAIN-20230204173912-20230204203912-00102.warc.gz | en | 0.890242 | 3,697 | 2.8125 | 3 | 2.951289 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Health |
Could the X Prize Cup help NASA develop a Lunar RLV?
by Taylor Dinerman
|It seems that the second part of the competition is oriented towards developing a Lunar RLV.|
If NASA and the X Prize Foundation can keep the prize money flowing for this contest for the next ten or more years, they will help create a cadre of experts and entrepreneurs dedicated to building rocket craft that can operate from the surface of the Moon and go not only into lunar orbit or to hop around the surface, but such craft might even be capable of traveling around the Earth- Moon System.
If NASA keeps to its current plan, they will fly the first “Outpost Mission” in 2022 or 2023. These are by far the most important NASA missions of the first half of the 21st century. The goal is to begin work on what will become a permanent base on the Moon. In time this will evolve into the starting point for lunar colonization and development. To accomplish this NASA hopes to show that it can “live off the land” using In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) technology, especially to provide the Moon base with a source of rocket fuel.
If the US can build a vehicle, or class of vehicles, that can reliably and safely launch from the Moon into Lunar orbit and support travel to places such as the Lagrange points or either low Earth orbit (LEO) or geosynchronous orbit (GEO), it will be well on its way to attaining a strong position in the future economy of cislunar space. A new space transportation system using the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) and the Lunar RLV together will provide the US with something that might be thought of as a “manned space maneuver architecture”. The Lunar RLV could provide a growth version of the CEV with enough power and fuel to move easily from Lunar orbit to any point of interest within the Earth-Moon system.
For the moment, NASA and the Defense Department have given up on developing RLVs that can launch from the surface of the Earth to LEO. One reason that is often given is that they did not see how anyone could, in the near term, overcome the mass fraction problem. Unfortunately for the space launch industry, any rocket that wants to reach orbit must begin its ascent with 90% of its weight in fuel and oxygen. They overcome this by having the stages of their vehicles drop off on the way up. This process is sometimes referred to as “feeding very expensive bits of metal to the fish.”
On the Moon things are different. The ascent stage of the Apollo-era Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) weighed about 4,500 kg and its fuel weighed about 2,300 kg, i.e. a mass fraction of about 50%. This is far more manageable than the 90% needed to escape from Earth’s gravity. The designers of a Lunar RLV will have more available mass for the vehicle’s structure and payload than those working on its terrestrial equivalent.
According to the Exploration Systems Architecture Study (ESAS), the Lunar Surface Access Module (LSAM) will ascend using a new liquid oxygen/methane power engine designed to be “ISRU compatible”. A few of the ideas and technologies developed for the Suborbital Lunar Lander Analog Challenge may find their way into the LSAM. Certainly some of the people involved in the teams that will compete for the prize will gain valuable expertise that will feed into the whole Lunar exploration technology development process.
|The goal should remain a Lunar RLV that will be a reliable and economical workhorse for the mid to late 21st century.|
In spite of the low gravity, the challenges facing those who want to build a Lunar RLV will be huge. The environment is the most unforgiving and dangerous one imaginable. Dust and small rocks will be a constant hazard, kicking up debris every time the rocket engine is ignited. At least until some sort of pad or hard stand can be built, and even then exploration missions will still face the foreign object damage problem. The underside of the vehicle will have to be built with this in mind.
Far better radiation shielding than was available for Apollo will also be needed. For an Earthbound competitor this will not be a problem, at least not at first. It might, however, be wise to begin planning for future competitions to include a requirement that each team must take this into account. The vehicle will also have to have a life support system at least as good as the one on the LSAM, one that can provide a weeks’ worth of air, water, and food; it will also have to have the same kind of airlock.
Moving from the LSAM to the Lunar RLV will take a positive decision by NASA and by the White House and Congress. The plan, as its stands now, is for the LSAM to be developed between the years 2010 and 2018. It would seem natural that Lunar RLV development begin immediately after the LSAM becomes operational. The knowledge gained by the space industry from this Centennial Challenge competition will provide a base of information for the decisionmakers. NASA should plan to keep this annual event going right up until the 2018 timeframe. The rules of the competition can change or be refined, but the goal should remain a Lunar RLV that will be a reliable and economical workhorse for the mid to late 21st century. | <urn:uuid:eacea61b-8128-47cc-b9dc-a98c01e6d583> | CC-MAIN-2018-05 | http://www.thespacereview.com/article/491/1 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-05/segments/1516084888041.33/warc/CC-MAIN-20180119144931-20180119164931-00238.warc.gz | en | 0.949964 | 1,114 | 2.875 | 3 | 2.803496 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Science & Tech. |
What is CYL in eye prescription?
Cylinder (CYL) – This indicates the amount of lens power for astigmatism and represents the difference in the greatest and weakest powers of the eye, usually separated by 90 degrees.Read more
You may also ask, what is normal cyl in eye prescription?
The abbreviation stands for Cylinder. It represents the amount of lens power you need for astigmatism. If you do not have astigmatism, you may not have anything indicated in this column. The value may be a plus or a minus, and in most cases, the value will be between +/-0.25 to +/-4.00.
One may also ask, what is the normal range of cyl? CYL: Short for cylinder, CYL indicates a correction for astigmatism. It is usually a number between -4.0 and +4.0.
In addition to that, you may wonder, what cyl is legally blind? What Eye Prescription is Considered Legally Blind? Simply put, if your prescription is -2.5 or lower, this means that you are legally blind. Visual acuity of -2.5 is equivalent to 20/200 vision. Visual acuity of -3.0, for instance, means that you have 20/250 or 20/300 vision.
What does high Cyl mean in eye prescription?
The higher the number, the stronger your prescription. Cylinder measures what degree of astigmatism you have, or how flat or irregular the shape of your cornea is. The more your eye looks like an American football (instead of a basketball), the more astigmatism you have.
37 Related Questions & Answers
What does SPH and CYL mean?
Here is a simple guide to it means: Sph (sphere) represents how long or short sighted you are. This can be positive (+) for long sight or negative (-) for short sight. The higher the number, the stronger your lens. Cyl (cylinder) represents the amount of astigmatism present.
What is normal cyl and axis?
If you have “normal” eyesight, there would not be an axis number, as you would not have astigmatism. However, the most “normal” eyes with this condition would tend to have approximately 0.50 dioptres of negative cylinder power with a 180 axis number.
How do I know my eye power?
What is normal vision of eye?
20/20 vision is normal vision acuity (the clarity or sharpness of vision) measured at a distance of 20 feet. If you have 20/20 vision, you can see clearly at 20 feet what should normally be seen at a distance.
Can astigmatism go away?
Can astigmatism go away on its own? Astigmatism will not go away on its own. It will either stay the same or get worse with age. While this reality can seem daunting, the good news is that it can be easily corrected.
What is the weakest eye power?
The lowest strength is usually 1.00 diopters. Glasses go up in strength by factors of . 25 (1.50, 1.75, 2.00). The strongest glasses are 4.00 diopters.
What's the highest eye prescription?
Essilor has achieved a world record for manufacturing Special Lenses with the power of -108.00 dioptres and a 6.00 cylinder.
Can astigmatism be misdiagnosed?
Astigmatism is genetic, and children are usually diagnosed with it after they start school and have a hard time reading or concentrating. In fact, it's fairly common for children to be misdiagnosed with learning or behavioral disorders when they just need glasses.
What does astigmatism look like on a prescription?
The S refers to the "spherical" portion of the prescription, which is the degree of nearsightedness or farsightedness discussed above. The C refers to the "cylinder" or astigmatism, and can be a negative or a positive number. It measures in diopters the degree of astigmatism that you have.
What it's like to see with astigmatism?
People with astigmatism may experience mild to severe distorted vision, depending on the degree of astigmatism. While myopia (nearsightedness) makes far-away objects blurry and hyperopia (farsightedness) makes close-up objects blurry, astigmatism makes things blurry at every distance.
What does 160 axis mean in eye prescription?
Answer: The axis number on your prescription tells your optician in which direction they must position any cylindrical power in your lenses (required for people with astigmatism). This number shows the orientation or angle in degrees from 1 to 180. The number 90 means vertical position and 180 horizontal.
What causes astigmatism?
Astigmatism is often hereditary, which means it's passed down from your parents. It can also be the result of eyelids putting pressure on the cornea. It can get better or worse over time. Sometimes, astigmatism happens after an eye injury or surgery.
How can I check my peripheral vision at home?
Hold the test grid right in front of you, 14 inches (35 centimeters) away from your eye. Look at the dot in the center of the grid, not at the grid pattern. While looking at the dot, you will see the rest of the grid in your peripheral vision.
How can I check my eyesight at home?
Is eye minus power curable?
Currently, there is no cure for myopia (nearsightedness). Blurry vision caused by myopia can be corrected, and myopia progression can be slowed. But leading eye doctors refer to these methods as myopia management, not as treatment or cures. Myopia is not an eye disease.
What are the 3 types of vision? | <urn:uuid:98097c1f-2984-450b-9d4f-d9c87ab2d36c> | CC-MAIN-2022-49 | https://hasorno.com/what-is-cyl-in-eye-prescription | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-49/segments/1669446710698.62/warc/CC-MAIN-20221129132340-20221129162340-00223.warc.gz | en | 0.922381 | 1,240 | 2.875 | 3 | 1.478129 | 1 | Basic reasoning | Health |
What is pop rock music? The term “pop” originated in the early 20th century to describe any popular music. It’s a general category that has risen to prominence since the mid-1950s, but the exact definition of the genre is still debated. Nevertheless, it’s easy to see why it has become so popular. The term “pop” has come to be associated with the mainstream media, and it’s often regarded as a less authentic version of rock.
The term pop rock refers to a genre of rock music that combines catchy pop songs with more intense lyrics and instrumental arrangements. The music is typically guitar-based, and it’s played by a group or individual. Famous pop groups include N-Sync and Britney Spears. There are also a variety of subgenres in pop rock. While it may be considered a separate genre, it overlaps with rock music and is also a subgenre of the genre.
The origins of pop rock can be traced back to ragtime in the 1890s and the jazz music of the 1920s. Then there was the big band era in the 1940s, and Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, was an early proponent. However, it’s worth mentioning that pop rock has evolved into its own genre, despite the fact that it has a lot of overlap with rock and pop.
Today, pop rock is a fusion of rock and pop music. The songs are typically guitar-based and often have a catchy pop style. Depending on the definition, it can be a slower, more mellow style of rock. Some detractors of pop rock say that it lacks authenticity, and that it’s nothing more than a cheap commercial product. In truth, it’s a mix of two worlds and can be categorized as both.
Rock music originated from different styles. The first genre was jazz, which originated from the 1890s. In the 1930s, pop music evolved into more popular forms, such as punk. The second subgenre, called pop, was made by American bands. It was mostly female-oriented, with a male frontman and a childish spirit. It became popular throughout the US and the UK and was characterized by a combination of rock and pop.
The first major subgenre of rock is called blues. It is a mixture of blues and rock. It usually features an electric ensemble and electric guitar, although some bands may use keyboards. It’s difficult to define which subgenre is “pop rock” without a definition. There is no definitive answer to that question, but it’s worth defining the difference between pop and rock. So, it’s best to start by listening to some classics, and then explore what you find.
Rock music is a genre that combines elements of both types. Its main characteristic is its catchy tunes. Its genre is sometimes referred to as “pop rock.” Its definition varies greatly and can be a subgenre of a more traditional rock genre. There are also varying definitions of pop rock. It can be a slower, more commercial version of rock music. It is often a fusion of different styles, and it is often characterized by a lack of authenticity, but many people love it.
A popular type of rock music is a fusion of both styles. It often features electric guitars, and is often accompanied by light, catchy lyrics. But, the genre has different definitions. For some, it is a subgenre of pop, while others consider it a more authentic form of rock. Its popularity depends on the type of song, but it’s an essential part of the music industry.
Most pop/rock musicians are familiar with the verse-chorus song form. This form consists of three parts: a chorus and two verses. Each verse follows the chorus. The chorus is the main focus of the song and is often accompanied by a guitar. The verses, on the other hand, will have similar chord progressions but the lyrics will change. Some of these songs will have contrasting bridges. The bridges are rap breaks, guitar solos, and other types of instrumental accompaniment. | <urn:uuid:820a8c5e-9061-4e60-85d8-ba316b4fb6ae> | CC-MAIN-2022-49 | https://roothogmusic.com/what-is-pop-rock-music/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-49/segments/1669446710534.53/warc/CC-MAIN-20221128171516-20221128201516-00775.warc.gz | en | 0.973 | 857 | 3.03125 | 3 | 1.891199 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | Entertainment |
The beautiful Magaliesberg mountain range is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, even older than Mount Everest.
It is a World Heritage site and is believed to be millions of years old; at least half the age of the Earth itself. This mountain range is beautiful and is home to an abundance of fauna and flora.
Its many habitats provide a home for more than 130 species of trees as well as many types of grasses, ferns and flowers.
Photo credit: SA Conferencing
In the past, the mountains were roamed by wild animals such as elephants, rhinos, giraffes and even big cats.
Unfortunately, these wild populations have been destroyed and can only be seen in some of the nature or game reserves situated around the Magaliesburg mountain.
There are however, over 300 species of birds that can be spotted on the slopes of this beautiful mountain. As well as smaller animals such as dassies, mongoose, porcupines and bushbabys.
Additionally, there are many tourist attractions in Magaliesberg that will satisfy anyone’s taste for adventure.
This sanctuary for endangered wildlife if situated at the foot of the Magaliesberg, close to the famous Hartebeestpoort dam.
It is a privately owned non-profit organisation which started with a strong desire to save the cheetah species which was once on the brink of extinction. Furthermore, the first ever king cheetah was bred here.
Since 1971 the centre has managed to facilitate the birth of over 600 cheetah cubs which has consequently played a major role in saving the species.
The centre has since become home to other endangered species such as the hyena, wild dog, vultures and the blue and red duiker.
Enjoy a 3-hour guided tour where you will see some of Africa’s most beautiful animals and some of the rare ones too.
Whether you are looking for an exhilarating experience or would simply love to feel the gentle morning breeze against your cheeks, this one is for you!
Considered one of the safest and purest forms of flight, the hot air balloon will give you a perspective like nothing you’ve experienced before.
Marvel at a majestic African sunrise as you float over the Magaliesberg mountains and the Cradle of Humankind.
Tickle the treetops and gracefully ascend into the wide-open skies and spot some wild life roaming the landscape as you move peacefully over the selected game reserves.
Photo credit: Magaliesberg Canopy Tour
The Magaliesberg mountain range is said to be approximately 2500 million years old. Imagine ziplining through this historic gem!
Prepare for a journey that can take you between 2-4 hours. A journey where you will experience the kloofs of this mountain range from a bird’s eye view.
You will receive a safety briefing and will be supplied with all the safety gear required for your adventure, after which you will enjoy a 2km 4x4 trip to your drop off point.
Don’t forget to look out for wildlife as you make your journey to the first platform.
You will now journey along the cables between 11 safely built platforms while your well-trained guides ensure your safety.
Educational, exhilarating and awe-inspiring, this is an experience that should not be missed.
Enjoy a 2-hour journey on the famous Hartebeestpoort dam. This boat cruise takes you on a relaxed trip to all the secret spots this man-made dam has to offer.
Choose between a midday cruise where you will learn all about the history of the area as well as the fauna and flora or a sunset cruise while sipping on a glass of bubbly.
Both cruises offer hot and cold gourmet snacks to be enjoyed while you take in the sights and sounds of the dam and all its life.
Enjoy this historical piece of our country in unique ways and expect only the best hospitality from us. There are many things to do and places to see, you just need to look closely.
Contact us, for more information about our guesthouse or view our cottages here.
Photo credit: Harties Watersports Centre
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Book Now Online | <urn:uuid:11d134e2-b733-41ca-b488-9d43cd302d8a> | CC-MAIN-2019-18 | https://www.randomharvest.co.za/en-us/Cottages/Information/entryid/5198/are-you-looking-for-things-to-do-in-magaliesberg | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-18/segments/1555578721468.57/warc/CC-MAIN-20190425134058-20190425160058-00104.warc.gz | en | 0.941651 | 918 | 2.65625 | 3 | 1.404396 | 1 | Basic reasoning | Travel |
A stress fracture is a localized breakdown of a bone, that occurs when the forces directed into the bone tissue exceed the ability of the bone to repair itself. A stress fracture is distinct from the fractures caused by the direct, one-time application of a force to the bone, such as created by a fall or a blow. When bone sustains damage, it mobilizes its reserves of minerals, primarily calcium and phosphates, to repair the bone damage; repetitive stress prevents the repair effort from being effective. Stress fractures occur most often in the tibia and fibula (the bones of the lower leg), the ankle, and the foot. Stress fractures are less common in other parts of the body, but may occur in any sport where repetitive motion isolates forces into a specific skeletal region. Distance running, running-oriented sports, and traditional track and field events such as the high jump and the long jump are the most common activities leading to the development of stress fractures.
Stress fractures recur for a number of reasons, some of which are caused by the structure of the athlete's body, others of which are related to the athlete's preparation, equipment, and attitude toward training. Sports science research confirms that approximately 60% of all athletes who have sustained a single stress fracture will later sustain at least one other. Female athletes are somewhat more likely to suffer a stress fracture than male athletes.
Unlike a direct fracture, stress fractures are more often a progressive condition, identified by the onset of pain while participating in the sport, a sensation that disappears when the athlete is at rest. Stress fractures are observable on an x ray; bone scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are also commonly employed diagnostic techniques. The recovery from a stress fracture is will primarily require rest, with appropriate stretching or activities that do not direct forces or apply resistance into the fractured bone.
There are two general sets of factors that are typically present to cause a stress fracture. The structure and manner of movement of the body, often referred to as biomechanical factors, will significantly influence how the forces directed into the skeletal structure are distributed and absorbed. The risk of an athlete developing a stress fracture in the lower leg will be increased when different factors are present, such as any sport that requires repetitive leg movement that places stress upon the lower leg. Also, unequal leg length in which the difference in the length of legs of the athlete are greater than 0.25 in (0.5 cm), causing the forces generated by the strike of the foot on the ground to be uneven. The greater force will be repeatedly directed into a region of the foot or the lower leg, causing the formation of the stress fracture.
Another structural factor is a high-arched foot that causes the forces directed into the foot on impact with the running surface to radiate unevenly. High arches are a key contributing factor to stress fractures of the metatarsal bones (the connective bones between the ankle and the toes).
The different manners in which the foot contacts the surface during running are other structural problems. Athletes are generally classed as either "forefoot strikers," where the ball and toes of the foot strike first, or "rearfoot strikers," where the force is first absorbed by the heel, and the foot rotates forward to generate force to push off from the forefoot. Forefoot strikers tend to direct greater amounts of force through the foot into the lower tibia and fibula, in a region located above the ankle, often to the medial (inside) aspect of the lower leg.
Biomechanical deficiencies are unlikely to cause stress fractures alone. A recreational runner who enjoys an easy 3 mi (5 km) run four days per week, will most likely not be affected by any one of these structural factors. It is the combination of greater workout and competitive intensities, training methods, and equipment that elevate the biomechanical factors from the background to prominence.
Stress fractures recur as a result of both a failure on the part of athlete to counter the biomechanical factors, as well as through the imposition of factors personal to the athlete. When an athlete has sustained a stress fracture, aggressive steps must be taken to ensure that the footwear is sufficient protection. An orthotic is often prescribed to correct leg length imbalance of high arch irregularity; a failure to take such steps is often a guarantee of a recurrent
Other training basics must be addressed to prevent a recurring stress fracture. The overall nutrition of the athlete must be examined to ensure that the proper daily intakes of calcium, its companion vitamin D, and related bone-building materials are being ingested. The athlete must ensure that stretching, flexibility, and general warm-up procedures are followed; poor flexibility will create biomechanical problems of its own. In the initial recovery stages from a stress fracture involving running, the athlete must select the training surfaces with care, as uneven or angled ground and roadways creates uneven distribution of forces into the feet and lower legs.
Extreme caution must be exercised in the treatment of a stress fracture that occurs in a young athlete. The long bones, such as the femur, tibia, and fibula, are constructed with a growth plate, located next to the end of the bone, known as the epiphysis. Any damage to the growth plate by way of a stress fracture may compromise the ability of the bone to grow to maturity. | <urn:uuid:0db931ea-1a8c-47a9-80c8-7a2704b1d87b> | CC-MAIN-2016-36 | http://www.faqs.org/sports-science/Pl-Sa/Recurrent-Stress-Fractures.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2016-36/segments/1471982982027.87/warc/CC-MAIN-20160823200942-00059-ip-10-153-172-175.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954919 | 1,089 | 3.640625 | 4 | 2.561162 | 3 | Strong reasoning | Health |
Bearded dragons are popular reptile pets known for their unique appearance and friendly temperament. As a potential bearded dragon owner, it is crucial to understand their growth potential and the size they can reach. In this article, we will explore the various factors that affect the size of bearded dragons and provide insight into their growth patterns. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of how big bearded dragons can get and what factors contribute to their growth.
Factors Affecting Bearded Dragon Size
The size of a bearded dragon is influenced by several factors, including genetics, diet, environment, and overall health. Understanding how each of these factors contributes to their growth will help you ensure that your bearded dragon reaches its full size potential.
Genetics and Breeding
Just like any other living organism, bearded dragons inherit their genetic traits from their parents. The size of the parents can provide a general idea of the size potential of the offspring. If the parents are larger in size, there is a higher probability that the offspring will also grow to be larger. On the other hand, if the parents are smaller, the offspring may also have a smaller size potential.
Breeders often select bearded dragons with desirable traits, such as larger size, for breeding purposes. This selective breeding can result in offspring with enhanced growth potential. However, it is important to note that genetics alone do not determine the final size of a bearded dragon. Other factors, such as diet and environment, play a significant role in their growth.
Diet and Nutrition
The diet and nutrition of a bearded dragon have a direct impact on its growth. Providing a well-balanced and nutritious diet is essential for promoting healthy growth and development. In their natural habitat, bearded dragons are omnivores, consuming a variety of insects, vegetables, and fruits.
As hatchlings, bearded dragons require a higher percentage of protein in their diet to support their rapid growth. Crickets, mealworms, and small dubia roaches are excellent sources of protein for young bearded dragons. As they mature, the proportion of plant-based foods should increase, including dark leafy greens, vegetables, and fruits.
It is important to note that overfeeding can lead to obesity and other health issues. Monitoring portion sizes and offering a variety of foods will help ensure a balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight.
The environment in which a bearded dragon lives also has a significant impact on its growth. Temperature, lighting, and habitat size are crucial considerations to ensure optimal growth and development.
Bearded dragons are ectothermic, which means they rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. Providing a temperature gradient within their enclosure allows them to move between warmer and cooler areas, mimicking their natural habitat. Proper heating and temperature control promote healthy digestion, metabolism, and overall growth.
In addition to temperature, lighting is also essential for bearded dragon growth. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, specifically UVB rays, is necessary for the synthesis of vitamin D3, which plays a vital role in calcium absorption. Calcium is crucial for bone growth and development in bearded dragons. Proper UVB lighting, either natural sunlight or specialized reptile UVB bulbs, should be provided to ensure adequate vitamin D3 synthesis.
Lastly, the size of the habitat is an often-overlooked factor in bearded dragon growth. Providing a spacious enclosure allows them to move around, exercise, and exhibit natural behaviors. A cramped habitat can restrict their growth and lead to stunted development.
Overall Health and Care
Bearded dragons, like any other living creature, require proper care and attention to ensure optimal growth. Regular veterinary check-ups are crucial to identify any health issues early on and provide appropriate treatment. Regular parasite screenings, such as checking for internal and external parasites, are also important to maintain overall health.
Proper hygiene and cleanliness of their habitat are essential to prevent the spread of diseases and infections. Regularly cleaning their enclosure, providing fresh water, and maintaining proper humidity levels will contribute to their overall well-being and growth.
Growth Stages of Bearded Dragons
Bearded dragons go through several growth stages throughout their life. Understanding these stages will give you an idea of their growth potential and what to expect as they develop.
1. Hatchling Stage (0-3 months): During this stage, bearded dragons are small and fragile. They require a higher protein diet and more frequent feedings to support their rapid growth. Hatchlings generally measure around 4-5 inches in length.
2. Juvenile Stage (3-12 months): As bearded dragons enter the juvenile stage, their growth rate slows down. They continue to grow in length and start developing more distinct features, such as their beard and spikes. The length of a juvenile bearded dragon can range from 9-12 inches.
3. Sub-Adult Stage (12-18 months): At this stage, bearded dragons are approaching their adult size. Their growth rate further slows down, and they start developing more muscular bodies. The length of a sub-adult bearded dragon can range from 15-20 inches.
4. Adult Stage (18+ months): Once a bearded dragon reaches adulthood, its growth rate significantly slows down, and they generally reach their full size potential. Adult bearded dragons can measure anywhere between 18-24 inches in length, with males tending to be larger than females.
In conclusion, the size of a bearded dragon is influenced by genetics, diet, environment, and overall care. While genetics play a significant role in their potential size, providing a well-balanced diet, maintaining optimal environmental conditions, and ensuring proper overall health are essential for a bearded dragon to reach its full growth potential.
Understanding the growth stages of bearded dragons and their average sizes at each stage allows owners to monitor their development and make necessary adjustments to their care. By providing a suitable environment, a nutritious diet, and regular veterinary care, you can help your bearded dragon thrive and reach its maximum size. Remember, each bearded dragon is unique, and their growth may vary based on individual factors.
How big do bearded dragons get?
Bearded dragons can grow to be around 18 to 24 inches long from the tip of their snout to the end of their tail. The size can vary depending on the individual's genetics, health, and care.
FAQ 1: How fast do bearded dragons grow?
Bearded dragons tend to grow rapidly during the first year of their life. They can gain approximately 4 to 6 inches in length during this period. After the first year, their growth rate slows down.
FAQ 2: How long does it take for a bearded dragon to reach its full size?
Bearded dragons typically reach their full size within 1 to 2 years of age. However, some individuals may continue to grow slightly for a longer period.
FAQ 3: What factors can affect the growth rate of a bearded dragon?
The growth rate of a bearded dragon can be influenced by various factors such as genetics, nutrition, habitat conditions, and overall health. Providing a proper diet and suitable environment plays a crucial role in their growth.
FAQ 4: Can the size of a bearded dragon be controlled?
The size of a bearded dragon is primarily determined by its genetics, and it cannot be controlled or manipulated by external factors. However, providing optimal care can ensure that the dragon reaches its full potential size.
FAQ 5: How can I estimate the adult size of my bearded dragon?
While it is difficult to precisely estimate the adult size of a bearded dragon, you can generally gauge it by observing its growth patterns during the first year. If the dragon is healthy, well-fed, and has appropriate living conditions, it is likely to reach a typical adult size within the expected range. | <urn:uuid:c0111f15-5f27-4ca9-a47f-327cf468ddc9> | CC-MAIN-2024-10 | https://seekforpet.com/how-big-does-bearded-dragons-get/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-10/segments/1707947474412.46/warc/CC-MAIN-20240223121413-20240223151413-00696.warc.gz | en | 0.955309 | 1,579 | 3.546875 | 4 | 2.264688 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | Health |
You've probably heard that it's important to pay attention to decreased fetal movement, but you may wonder if it's possible for your baby to move too much. When it comes to your comfort level during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, a very active fetus can make it difficult for you to sleep or even rest comfortably. However, lots of fetal movement is typically not a cause for concern regarding your baby. Even though it's uncomfortable, it's actually a sign that your baby is healthy.
About Fetal Movement During Pregnancy
Some obstetricians and midwives recommend that you pay attention to how much your baby is moving so that you can monitor any decrease in regular activity. Fetuses are typically most active after meals, which can be uncomfortable if you're full or trying to rest. Fetal movement is also easier for you to feel when you're sitting still or lying down, so you're more likely to think that your baby is moving too much if he's keeping you awake when you're trying to fall asleep.
Time Frame for Braxton Hicks Contractions
Most women begin to feel fetal movement between 16 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. If you've previously been pregnant, you might feel movement earlier than you did the first time because once you're familiar with how fetal movement feels, it's easier to distinguish it sooner in the second and subsequent pregnancies. Second-time mothers sometimes feel movement as early as 13 weeks, while first-time mothers might not recognize fetal movement until week 22. If this is your second pregnancy, you might worry that there's too much movement compared to your first pregnancy, simply because you're more aware of it.
Causes for Concern
If you haven't felt any movement by the time your baby is 22 weeks old, you should talk to your care provider. In addition, ask your care provider if you should count the number of kicks you feel your baby make during your third trimester. Most babies move at least 10 times during a two-hour period; if your baby is moving less than that, or if he was moving a lot and the movement decreases, then talk to your care provider about that, too. A change in your baby's usual movement can indicate fetal distress. Usually, fetal distress results in decreased movement, but an increase in violent, frantic movement could also indicate that something is wrong. If your baby's movement patterns change suddenly or drastically, call your doctor or midwife.
Tips for Comfort with Fetal Movement
If your baby is moving so much that you can't rest or relax, try walking around for a few minutes. The rocking motion of your movement can soothe your baby in utero -- just like it will once he's born -- and help him go to sleep so you can rest, too. Avoid caffeine, since it could stimulate your baby to become more active. | <urn:uuid:27ec3515-8bc5-4ee3-a104-090c0fecef3d> | CC-MAIN-2016-50 | http://www.livestrong.com/article/514508-can-there-be-too-much-fetal-movement/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2016-50/segments/1480698542520.47/warc/CC-MAIN-20161202170902-00146-ip-10-31-129-80.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.975105 | 576 | 2.859375 | 3 | 2.329852 | 2 | Moderate reasoning | Health |
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