Datasets:

yushengsu

/

fineweb_edu_cleaned_modified

like 0

December 1844: James Polk was elected President, swept in on a tide of expansionist views on annexing Texas, California and Oregon. New York City was experiencing a colossal boom, which had begun with the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825, developing the city into the premiere trading center of the Eastern Coast and its harbor into a forest of masts. In droves, Irish immigrants were coming to American shores, in particular to New York, driven from their native land by the devastating and persistent potato famine. As Charles Dickens had noted two years earlier upon visiting New York's slums, the poor were becoming poorer, while the rich became richer. Nativism, an attitude of protecting native inhabitants against immigrants, namely the Irish, prevailed among many prominent New Yorkers. They spoke of "an oozing leak of a sewer pipe into the crystal water of a well." The worst alarmists quoted Jefferson who had said in 1787, "When we get piled upon one another in large cities, we shall become as corrupt as in Europe..." As the city filled, so did its prisons. Conditions deteriorated as crowding grew. In December, a call was sent out by the Inspectors of Sing Sing to citizens to form a society with three main purposes: to ameliorate the condition of prisoners; to improve prison discipline; to help discharged prisoners find a means of earning a living. On December 15, 1844, in response to this call, a group of New York City business, political, and philanthropic leaders that included well-known Quaker abolitionist, Isaac Tatem Hopper, formed the Prison Association of New York. From the beginning, a Female Department of the Association was created by a number of women who met with Isaac Hopper and took upon themselves the task of visiting prisons in the area. Their conclusion: "A home needs to be provided for the homeless; other doors need to be open to them than those that lead to deeper infamy." Concerning the rights of women, Isaac Hopper exemplified the Quaker attitude that there was an inherent equality between men and women; it never occurred to him "that there was anything unseemly in a woman using any gift with which God has endowed her, or transacting any business which she had the ability to do well." In January, 1845, the Female Department, a "regularly constituted body" of the Prison Association, was formed. Among the leaders of the Female Department of the New York Prison Association was Abigail Hopper Gibbons, daughter of Isaac T. Hopper and leading light of the WPA for the next 50 years. The first Hopper Home was established in June, 1845 on Fourth Street near Eighth Avenue (later to move to 191 Tenth Avenue). In its first three years, more than 450 women were sheltered there. The custom was to find them jobs as domestic help. Many were sent away - after a short period of training at the Home - to families far from "the corrupting sway" of the city, which in those days were "drink, bad company, and evil influences." The volunteer ladies of the Female Department -- soon known as the Women's Prison Association -- visited prisons and reported on conditions in the jails and station houses. They also taught sewing, basic eading skills and an appreciation for a higher orality. One of these women was Catherine M.Sedgwick, a well-known novelist of the time. Mrs.Sedgwick, who said "intemperance is the pervading cause of the vagrancy and crime in our city," became the first president of the association in 1848, an office she held until 1863- It was the hope of the Board that the former prisoners coming to the Home would form new, good habits, such as abstinence from tobacco, snuff, alcohol, foul language, and profanity. In its first decade of operation, the hired matrons at the Home constantly urged that the young women who drank should be discharged from the residence, but the Board repeatedly denied these requests saying the women deserved a second chance. In 1853, the Female Department separated from the Prison Association. Abigail Hopper Gibbons, daughter of Isaac Hopper, took the lead in acquiring a New York State Charter for the Women's Prison Association, traveling to Albany to importune the Legislature. Mrs. Gibbons married to James S. Gibbons, a financier who was also a Quaker and an abolitionist - had long been involved in her father's philanthropies, his work with slaves. It was she who had her father to create a Female Department of the Prison Association. Once WPA had a state charter, Mrs. Gibbons was able to implement many important reforms. The first of these was to mandate that there be female matrons in all state penal facilities where there women prisoners. This, however, did not occur i887 despite Mrs. Gibbons' tireless lobbying. America's Civil War began in i861. Mrs. Gibbons and her eldest daughter went to the fro to work, with few intermissions, as nurses in hospitals and camps. Funding the operations of WPA was always a challenge, but it became more difficult during the war. The annual report for 1862 noted, "our regular supplies have been somewhat diminished the past year by the fact that the necessities of our military hospitals force the stream of charity into one channel." The Directors were always on the lookout for donations from charitable men and women in New York, and in each annual report listed all gifts, not only of money, but also of reading materials, baked and preserved goods, coal, turkeys (for holidays), and useful equipment. As is true today, the Board noted that "the cost of maintaining the inmates in the Home is far less than state prisons." Yet, "not more than a quarter of the expense of the Association can be covered by the earnings of the inmates. Many come with health greatly impaircd. A still greater number are fitted to do house work alone, and that there is no means of doing until they leave the Home. The efforts to obtain employment for them encounters so much opposition from the prejudices of the unthinking and the unfeeling ... that it is quite out of the question to make the Home self-sustaining." Virtue and perseverance were clearly rewarded in 1865 when WPA received a $50,000 legacy from Charles Burrall of Hoboken, a sum which would yield |©1995, 1999 The Women's Prison Association & Home, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of the original 1995 book or of this 1999 web reproduction may be further reproduced or re-transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.|

<urn:uuid:0881d3cf-3d0c-4a4d-829b-af2b6f4e3ced>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.correctionhistory.org/html/chronicl/wpa/html/wpaone2.htm

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Crabs are incidentally caught in fisheries for groundfish and scallops. These fisheries are prohibited from harvesting crab so if they catch them, they are required to throw them back. However, because most of these discarded crabs die, researchers, managers, and fishermen have worked hard to reduce bycatch of crab in other fisheries. A number of measures are in place in other fisheries to protect crab, including bycatch limits, closed areas, and modifications to fishing gear. Researchers continue to look for new ways to protect the valuable crab resource. - Ocean perch - Sea Bass - Turbot (Greenland) Alaska Snow Crab ALSO KNOWN AS: U.S. wild-caught from Alaska’s Eastern Bering Sea - FISHING RATE - HABITAT IMPACTS Click the icons to learn more about each criteria Only male crabs can legally be caught for commercial use. Commercial size males are usually older than 8 years and weigh between 1 and 2 pounds. (Photo credit: Forrest Bowers, Alaska Department of Fish and Game)LAUNCH GALLERY Snow crab – named for their sweet, delicate, snow-white meat – is one of Alaska’s signature crab fisheries. Although the Alaska snow crab fishery has had its ups and downs over the years, management has effectively responded to these fluctuations. Every year, scientists determine the abundance of the snow crab resource. Using these abundance estimates, managers set a harvest limit for the following fishing season. So in 1999 when scientists found that the snow crab stock had fallen below the minimum stock size threshold (i.e., had become overfished), managers cut harvests for the following fishing seasons to a level that would allow the stock to recover. Under conservative harvest levels, Alaska snow crab has rebounded and is now above its target population level. This is good news for the resource and for fishermen, too. An abundant resource can sustainably support higher harvests, and managers boosted the harvest limit for 2011/2012 by 64 percent to nearly 90 million pounds. In 2005, the derby-style fishery – where anyone could enter the fishery and the fishery was closed when the catch limit was reached – was replaced with an individual fishing quota (IFQ). Under the IFQ management system, individual fishermen are given a share of the harvest and can catch their share at any time during the fishing season. This has resulted in a safer and more efficient fishery, as fishermen can take weather and economic factors into account when deciding when to fish. LOCATION & HABITAT Snow crabs have a wide distribution. In Asia, they’re found in the Japan Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk. In the Atlantic, they’re found from Greenland south to Maine. In Alaska they live in the Bering, Beaufort, and Chukchi Seas, although they’re only harvested in the Bering Sea. They prefer soft sandy or muddy bottoms, typically in water less than 650 feet deep, where they can burrow if threatened by predators and where they can feed on the animals living in the sediment. In Alaskan waters, female snow crabs can carry up to nearly 100,000 eggs, depending on their size. They hatch their larvae in the spring when there is plenty of food in the water column. Larvae, which look like tiny shrimp, live in the water and feed on plankton. The larvae molt and grow through three stages before becoming megalops, which look like crabs with long tails. Megalops seek out suitable habitat, settle, molt, and metamorphose into the first crab stage. From this point forward they look like miniature versions of the adult crabs, and will live on the bottom for the rest of their lives. Snow crabs, like all crustaceans, can only grow by molting, because their hard shells (exoskeletons) prevent a gradual increase in size. When a crab is ready to molt, they absorb a lot of water and swell up inside their old shell until it pops open. Then they wriggle out of the old shell and absorb even more water to increase their size. Right after molting they are very soft and vulnerable to predators until their new shell hardens. Snow crabs molt several times a year for the first couple of years, but as they grow larger they molt less frequently. When they have reached sexual maturity, both females and males have a terminal molt, after which they never molt again. Females seldom grow larger than 3 inches in shell width while males can reach 6 inches. Scientists estimate that snow crabs may live for up to 20 years. Snow crabs will eat almost anything they can catch and break open with their claws, including fish, shrimp, crabs, worms, clams, brittle stars, snails, algae, and sponges. They will also scavenge on anything dead they find. In turn, they are eaten by seals, sea otters, octopi, other crabs, and a wide variety of fish. Snow crabs have a hard rounded shell, four pairs of walking legs, and one pair of claws. On top they are brownish in color and underneath they are lighter. Their eyes are green or greenish blue. Males and females can be distinguished by the shape of their abdominal flaps; on males this flap is triangular, whereas on females it is broadly rounded. Scientists with NOAA’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center annually survey the Bering Sea crab stocks to estimate their abundance. NOAA Fisheries and the State of Alaska use this information to determine the status of the stocks and to set the harvest limits for the following fishing season. Scientists use model estimates of the number of mature males in the population (mature male biomass) at the time of mating as the measure for population status of snow crab. Mature male biomass has increased since its low in 2002, and is currently estimated to be at a sustainable level. Harvesting Snow Crab Foreign fleets harvested snow crab in the Bering Sea from the 1960s through 1980, until the Magnuson-Stevens Act banned foreign fishing in U.S. waters. Today, the U.S. fleet is made up of a variety of vessels, from small inshore vessels to large-scale “super crabbers” that fish in the Bering Sea. Commercial fishermen use crab pots to harvest snow crab. They bait the pots with chopped herring, mackerel, or squid and lower the pots over silt and mud bottoms. After a couple days, fishermen haul the pots back on board, empty them, and sort the catch – then start all over again. Who’s in charge? North Pacific Fishery Management Council, NOAA Fisheries, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Current management: Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crab Fishery Management Plan, which defers management of crab fisheries to the State of Alaska with federal oversight. State regulations must comply with the fishery management plan, the national standards of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable federal laws. - The Alaska snow crab fishery is currently managed according to three “S’s” – size, sex, and season. Only male crabs of a certain size may be harvested, and fishing is not allowed during mating and molting periods. These measures help ensure that crabs are able to reproduce and replace the ones that are harvested. - Every year, managers set the harvest limit for the next fishing season using the most recent estimates of crab abundance. Managers allocate shares of the harvest among harvesters, processors, and coastal communities through the “Crab Rationalization Program,” which was developed in 2005 to address economic, safety, and environmental issues in the fishery. This program includes a “Community Development Quota,” which protects community interests by allowing community groups 10 percent of the harvest. They’re given the opportunity to purchase shares in the fishery before the shares are offered for sale outside the community. - Vessels carry vessel monitoring systems (satellite communications systems used to monitor fishing activities) and must report their landings electronically, so managers can monitor the fishery in real time and anticipate any issues. If they project the fishery will reach the harvest limit before the end of the fishing season, they will close the fishery. - Fishermen must install escape panels and rings on their pots to prevent ghost fishing (when lost pots continue to capture and kill species) and to reduce bycatch. - NOAA Fisheries also runs a voluntary buyback program to reduce excess participation in crab fisheries. The agency pays participants for withdrawing their vessels from the fishery, relinquishing fishing licenses, and surrendering fishing histories. Reducing excess vessels in the fishery helps conserve the resource and increases the productivity and value of the fishery for remaining participants. - Observers are required to be on 20 percent of the vessels in the fishery. They collect data on the retained crabs, discarded crabs, and bycatch, and document any violations of fishing regulations. In the 2010/2011 season, 54.5 million pounds of snow crab were harvested in U.S. fisheries in the Bering Sea. Managers boosted the harvest limit for the 2011/2012 season to 89.9 million pounds. In 2009 the dockside price for snow crab was $1.45 per pound and the total value of the Bering Sea fishery was about $75 million. Since 2001 the value of the fishery has varied from $39 to $96 million per year. The snow white meat is what gives the snow crab its name and its reputation as a delicacy. In the United States, the legs and claws are typically steamed and frozen in brine before being sold. They simply need to be thawed and reheated gently before eating. The meat is sweet and flaky, is more delicate in flavor than king crab, and can be eaten directly out of the shell, dipped in melted butter, or used in a variety of recipes. (Seafood Business, 2011 ) Generally harvested from January to April in the Eastern Bering Sea, but product is available year-round Crab provides many dietary benefits, including a low-fat source of protein. |Serving Weight||100 g (raw)| |Fat, total||1.18 g| |Saturated fatty acids, total||0.143 g g| |Sugars, total||0 g| |Fiber, total dietary||0 g| Snow Crabs Table of Nutrition - Coming Soon...

<urn:uuid:2392d660-f9bc-46d7-b3a1-cb0eef62ba70>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.fishwatch.gov/seafood_profiles/species/crab/species_pages/alaska_snow_crab.htm

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Posted on | July 11, 2012 | No Comments “…Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it. “Your father’s right,” she said. “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing … but sing their hearts out for us.” Nelle Harper E. Lee was born in Alabama in 1926 and wrote only one book in her lifetime, published on this day in 1960; the brilliant To Kill A Mockingbird. It won the Pulitzer-Prize and is one of the 20th century’s greatest literary works. Now 52 years old, the book has been translated into 40 languages, sold 35 million copies, and was made into a film starring Gregory Peck for which he rightly won an Oscar in 1962. The story of To Kill A Mockingbird confronts huge subjects head-on: racism, class, courage, forgiveness, loss, justice, crime, punishment, death, violence, being a woman, class. Despite being as complex as Dickens and as tragically beautiful as Shakespeare, it is written plainly, simply, beautifully. The story unfolds through the observations of a six-year-old girl, Scout Finch, and it is through her eyes, through laughter, irony and satire we learn what it is to be a decent human being. Always shy of publicity, Lee considers To Kill A Mockingbird to be entirely self-explanatory and has always shied away from publicity or explanation. “Surely it is plain to the simplest intelligence that To Kill a Mockingbird spells out in words of seldom more than two syllables a code of honor and conduct…” she says. When in 2011 she was asked why she never wrote anything else, she said: “Two reasons: one, I wouldn’t go through the pressure and publicity I went through with To Kill A Mockingbird for any amount of money. Second, I have said what I wanted to say and I will not say it again.” Now aged 85, Harper Lee is partly deaf and blind, wheelchair-bound and suffering memory loss People of faith open their ancient, so-called ‘holy’ books to guide them in life. But for those of us living free of the dogma of invisible sky-gods, we turn to Dickens, Shakespeare and To Kill A Mockingbird for relevant, rational, universal moral guidance. Indeed,To Kill A Mockingbird topped a 2006 survey of librarians, ahead of the Bible and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. “I think there’s just one kind of folks. Folks.”

<urn:uuid:1861d94e-a269-4750-85c5-6328bac2dead>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.janetomlinson.com/harper-lee-publishes-to-kill-a-mockingbird/

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

[an error occurred while processing this directive][an error occurred while processing this directive] Increasingly, articles can be found online in full-text format, however many still only exist in print. Libraries across the campus offer access to both full-text online and print materials. Now, we will focus on finding and citing articles. Before we start, it is important to differentiate between the three types of journals. Journals are best divided into the following categories: Scholarly/peer reviewed, trade/professional, and popular. When compiling research for an academic paper, for instance, scholarly/peer reviewed journals are crucial. However, trade and popular articles may be useful for contemporary architecture. Read about how to critically evaluate resources as you perform your research. You will see options to search electronic resources by subject, type, title, or general. From here, you will be able to access the databases we cover in this exercise and more… 1. Select Electronic resources: subjects A-Z 2. Select Architecture 3. Select Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals Avery Index is one of the best resources for architecture journal article citations. Although we will walk through the process of searching Avery, you can also view a 4 minute long Avery video tutorial for detailed instruction. Once in Avery, you will notice that it defaults to the advanced search option. Observe that there are various fields in which to input keywords. However, also note the automatic application of Boolean search operators OR and AND. If you want to search for articles identified by any of your keywords, make sure that all operators are changed to OR. AND will identify only articles that include ALL of your keywords, potentially ruling out some useful results. See what happens when we experiment with some tholos tomb keyword combinations below. 4. Enter “tholos tomb*” OR “beehive tomb*” OR “passage grave*” (to search articles identified by any of these keywords) AND “gree*” [for Greek or Greece] OR “early minoan” to search for articles containing any of the above keywords plus the keywords pertaining to location and time period. Enter the search terms as shown: 5. Click “Search” 6. Note that we receive only a few results. This may indicate that the search is too specific 7. Return to the search page and remove “gree*” and “early minoan” 8. Execute a new search for “tholos tomb*” OR “beehive tomb*” OR “passage grave*” 9. Note that we receive more results At this point, note the available features. As in Oskicat, we can save or email records. Additionally, notice the inclusion of Discovery Links. Where available, Discovery Links provide images, definitions and other supplemental forms of information related to the record. 10. Click the Discovery Links link for the The Structural Mechanics of the Mycenaen Tholos Tomb record. You will see various images from ARTstor. Close the Discovery Links window 11. Open the record (click on the title) for The Structural Mechanics of the Mycenaen Tholos Tomb. 11. To locate an article either online or in print form, select the UC-eLinks link 12. A window will pop up to reveal possible ways to obtain the article. In this case, this article is available in full text online (select JSTOR Arts and Sciences 5). Click through until you have retrieved the text. Note: As you perform your research, if you would prefer to use print materials or cannot retrieve the text of an article you need online, you should use the “Find a Print Copy” option to see whether UCB has a print copy in a campus library. Exercise Part 5 Focusing on your topic, use the Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals and repeat these steps with the keywords you previously compiled. Try different combinations of your keywords for a comprehensive search. Once you have saved a list of records to your bibliography, remember to add your citations to Zotero or RefWorks. In addition to Avery Index, there are many other recommended databases to search for articles. All are accessible through Electronic Resources – UCB. Remember, you are NOT limited to the suggested resources. Additional recommended resources for this class include: You may also want to browse the Electronic Resources for databases on different, but related subjects. For example, if your topic is a building in China, check databases under subject: Chinese Studies. Exercise Part 6 Focusing on your topic, use two of the resources above other than Avery Index and perform searches using the keywords you previously compiled. Try different combinations of your keywords for a comprehensive search. Remember to add your citations to Zotero or RefWorks. [an error occurred while processing this directive]

<urn:uuid:d8a04b5b-c768-4716-a7f0-8e584b59bdcc>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/ENVI/arch170_tutorial/journalsserialsandperiodicals.html

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

The US Postal Service's Pony Express The 19th century saw the steady growth and flow of the U.S. population, who moved to reside, work and do business in the new territories of Louisiana, California and Oregon. Families, groups and individuals moved along trails in Sante Fe, Oregon and Mormon on wagon trains. The roads were rough and in many cases, dangerous. Many passengers lost their lives through disease, pestilence, hunger and ambushes but it didn't stop the pioneers. With the discovery of gold in California, people flocked to the colony to prospect. To provide a service to the growing population, a contract for mail delivery was signed by the Post Office with the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. The mail route was tedious in that mail had to be brought by ship to Panama from New York, transferred by rail and delivered by ship to San Francisco. Mail was also sent to California on land through the military who would travel to Santa Fe from Fort Leavenworth and back but even this didn't make the delivery faster. In an attempt to solve the problem, semi-weekly deliveries were scheduled from Missouri to San Francisco, a 2,800-mile journey. The mail was supposed to reach the postal station in 24 days but it often took several months to get delivered. The Pony Express In early 1860, William H. Russell advertised for young men to service the California mail route. Russell had not been successful at getting a contract to carry mail from Missouri to California. The roads were considered difficult because of weather conditions but this didn't stop Russell from organizing what would later become the Pony Express. Russell's company was the Central Overland California and Pike's Peak Express Company. The plan was to build relay stations and deliver mail by horse. The young riders were hired and the Pony Express was born, beginning its operations in 1860. It took a Pony Express Rider to deliver the company's first mail 10 1/2 days, half the time it took the stage service to do the same. It was also the Pony Express who would deliver the inaugural address of Abraham Lincoln in 1861. The time it took to do so? 7 days, 17 hours.

<urn:uuid:d9808d1d-81be-4e82-9ca4-8610c12ff280>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.nationalmailboxes.com/pony_express.html

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Ancient people also had clogged arteries - From: AAP - March 11, 2013 SCANS of mummies from as long ago as 2,000 BC have revealed that ancient people also had clogged arteries, a condition blamed on modern vices like smoking, overeating and inactivity. The finding, published in the Lancet medical journal on Monday, casts doubt on our understanding of the condition known as atherosclerosis that causes heart attacks and strokes. "The presence of atherosclerosis in premodern human beings suggests that the disease is an inherent component of human ageing and not associated with any specific diet or lifestyle," says the study. "A common assumption is that the rise in levels of atherosclerosis is predominantly lifestyle-related, and that if modern humans could emulate pre-industrial or even pre-agricultural lifestyles, that atherosclerosis ... would be avoided," cardiologist Randall Thompson, one of the authors of the international study, said in a statement issued by Lancet. "Our findings seem to cast doubt on that assumption, and at the very least, we think they suggest that our understanding of the causes of atherosclerosis is incomplete, and that it might be somehow inherent to the process of human ageing." This did not mean that lifestyle factors should be discounted, senior author Gregory Thomas, medical director of the MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Long Beach Memorial Medical Centre in California, told AFP. They have been shown in study after study to contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, though the degree remains unclear. "Our study demonstrates ... that we are all at risk of atherosclerosis," said Thomas. "We should do the very best we can to avoid these risk factors. We can not expect, however, that avoiding them will prevent atherosclerosis." Atherosclerosis is a hardening and narrowing of the arteries that transport oxygen-rich blood from the heart, through a buildup of fatty material or cholesterol. The World Health Organisation considers smoking, physical inactivity, a high-salt, high-fat diet and high alcohol use as risk factors. For this study, the researchers performed full-body computed tomography (CT) scans on 137 mummies from four geographic regions in modern-day Egypt, Peru, southwest America and Alaska. The mummies were of people who had lived over a 4,000-year period stretching from ancient Egypt in about 2,000 BC to the Unangan hunter-gatherers who lived in the Aleutian Islands of modern-day Alaska as recently as 1930. The team diagnosed "probable or definite" atherosclerosis in more than a third of the mummies on the basis of calcification of the arteries shown up by the scans. A similar diagnostic method is used today. The calcification was found in the same locations as in modern humans, and the appearance was the same. "Our findings greatly increase the number of ancient people known to have atherosclerosis and show for the first time that the disease was common in several ancient cultures with varying lifestyles, diets and genetics, across a wide geographical distance and over a very long span of human history," the scientists wrote. "These findings suggest that our understanding of the causative factors of atherosclerosis is incomplete." The mummies of older people were more likely to show signs of the disease, just as in humans today. Other research cited in the study has found atherosclerosis to be common in people living today, even ubiquitous in men by age 60 and women by 70. "We simply don't know enough about the diet and lifestyle of the people studied to say whether behaviour or genetics lies at the root" of the disease, the British Heart Foundation said in a comment on the study.

<urn:uuid:7d94b36b-b3ae-4d6b-986c-5a9554b4e2bb>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/world/ancient-people-also-had-clogged-arteries/story-e6frfkui-1226594620656

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Wamena – West Papua – highland first contact place When missionaries began to penetrate the Baliem valley, it was necessary to build an airport which would provide them with supplies. This is the reason why the Indonesian village of Wamena was founded. Today, Wamena is a city which provides Papua with contact to the rest of the world. The road which would connect the Baliem valley to the shore, has not yet been built. Wamena, with its large airport, became a strategic place for providing supplies and keeping the whole area in contact with the world. All the cars, building machinery, oil and petrol came to Wamena by air – in large by Hercules planes, or transport Trigan planes, or by planes of other cargo companies. In the city itself, many brick buildings sprang up, and several hotels and a modern Christian church were not long to follow. There are large shops, and a lot of cars on the streets. Only occasionally will you meet an almost naked native dressed in only a koteka. These are a reminiscence of the old, but paradoxically very recent times. Wamena is also the most important business centre and place where aborigines from different tribes meet to trade with one another. In many cases they have to walk for a week to get to Wamena. Therefore, the old Wamena full of aborigines is definitely a thing of the past. The time-machine has steamrolled the small city, and soon it is going to do the same thing to the Baliem Valley and rest of Papua.

<urn:uuid:6d67acb9-7c13-4286-bc76-c1a559d68ad8>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.papuatrekking.com/Wamena.html

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

As Thurston’s article approached its 30th anniversary this year, all but four of the 23 main questions had been settled, including the geometrization conjecture, which the Russian mathematician Grigori Perelman proved in 2002 in one of the signal achievements of modern mathematics. The four unsolved problems, however, stubbornly resisted proof. “The fact that we couldn’t solve them for so long meant that something deep was going on,” said Yair Minsky, of Yale University. Finally, in March, Ian Agol, of the University of California at Berkeley, electrified the mathematics community by announcing a proof to “Wise’s conjecture,” which settled the last four of Thurston’s questions in one stroke. Mathematicians are calling the result the end of an era. “The vision of three-manifolds that Thurston articulated in his paper, which must have looked quite fantastic at the time, has now been completely realized,” said Danny Calegari, of the California Institute of Technology. “His vision has been remarkably vindicated in every way: every detail has turned out to be correct.” “I used to feel that there was certain knowledge and certain ways of thinking that were unique to me,” Thurston wrote when he won a Steele mathematics prize this year, just months before he died in August at 65. “It is very satisfying to have arrived at a stage where this is no longer true — lots of people have picked up on my ways of thought, and many people have proven theorems that I once tried and failed to prove.” Agol’s result means that there is a simple recipe for constructing all compact, hyperbolic three-manifolds — the one type of three-dimensional shape that had not yet been fully explicated. “In a precise sense, we now understand what all three-manifolds look like,” said Henry Wilton, of University College London. “This is the culmination of a massive success story in mathematics.” Thurston’s program tried to do for three-dimensional manifolds what mathematicians had successfully done more than a century earlier for two-dimensional manifolds. As a warm-up for understanding three-dimensional manifolds, let’s look under the hood at the classification of “compact, orientable” surfaces (finite surfaces with no punctures or gashes and a consistent sense of orientation). To tackle this classification problem, mathematicians showed that, given an arbitrary surface, it is possible to progressively simplify it by cutting it open along curves until the surface completely opens out into a flat polygon. Figure 1. Cutting a torus open along loop A yields a cylinder. Cutting further, along loop B, unfurls the cylinder into a square. Image: Courtesy of the Simons Foundation Figure 2. Cutting a double torus along loops A, B, C and D yields an octagon. Image: Courtesy of the Simons Foundation It’s easy to see how to do this with, say, a torus: first cut it open along loop A in Figure 1, producing a cylinder. Next, cut along loop B, flattening the cylinder out into a square. It’s a little harder to see, but cutting along the four curves in Figure 2 converts a double torus (a torus with two holes) into an octagon. Similarly, for any n-holed torus, we can cut along 2n loops to flatten out the surface into a 4n-gon. Given an arbitrary, unidentified surface, we can try to simplify it (and ultimately identify it) by dissecting it in a similar way. Provided that the surface is not a sphere, topologists have shown that it must contain some embedded loops (loops that don’t intersect themselves) that cannot be pulled down to a single point, similar to loops A and B on the torus. Dissecting the surface along one of these loops removes some of the surface’s interesting topological features. Mathematicians have shown that there are only a finite number of times we can cut in this way before we have reduced the surface to a flat polygon. Once we have simplified our surface down to a polygon, it’s fairly simple to see that when we re-glue the sides to recover our original surface, we must produce a torus, or a double torus, or a triple torus, and so on. After all, the first gluing will turn the polygon into a tunnel-shaped surface, and then each subsequent gluing will either introduce a new tunnel-shaped handle on the surface or simply sew up some open seams. When we’re finished, the result is a torus surface with some number of holes. This approach does more than just show that the surface is topologically equivalent to a sphere or a torus of some type: it also gives a way to endow the surface with a simple, uniform geometric structure.

<urn:uuid:9d1fe6f9-c61c-4f9c-be94-878581f8de0f>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=getting-into-shapes&page=2

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Science Readers Literacy Guides are designed to help you foster literacy skills in your students as they learn science. There is a specific Literacy Guide available for every Student Reader in the series. Each Literacy Guide begins by identifying the Fountas & Pinnell, DRA, and Lexile levels, running word count, extended vocabulary words, compound words, and contractions used in the Student Reader. The Literacy Guide then offers extensive Implementation support, such as: About this Book - Suggests specific ways to introduce the unit topic to students. Background Knowledge - Identifies specific questions you can ask your students to set the stage for reading comprehension by generating curiosity about the topic. Before Reading, During Reading, After Reading - Simple fluency and comprehension strategies you can use with students throughout their process of reading the Student Reader. Assessment - A black-line master is included encourages your students to demonstrate mastery of the lesson?s concepts through a simple writing activity. Parent Resource Section - Included on the black-line assessment page, this section suggests follow-up questions parents can use to help their child develop critical thinking skills. Science Readers Literacy Guides ensure that each of your students develops literacy skills as their science knowledge grows!

<urn:uuid:83a4e9f5-d627-4532-b03c-bd4caaa25631>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fossils-Literacy-Guide-131448

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Niseko volcano (ニセコ火山群 Niseko-kazangun) is a group of stratovolcanoes and lava domes NW of Niseko city. The latest eruption of Niseko was a phreatic or magmatic eruption ca. 7000 years ago. At present, there is geothermal activity including hot springs and fumaroles at various locations. Copyrights:VolcanoDiscovery. Use of material: Text and images on this webpage are copyrighted. Further reproduction and use without authorization is not consented. If you need licensing rights for photographs, for example for publications and commercial use, please contact us.

<urn:uuid:438b9246-b277-444f-b33d-6e1514e53dbe>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/niseko.html

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Volume 16, Number 3—March 2010 Potential for Tick-borne Bartonelloses As worldwide vectors of human infectious diseases, ticks are considered to be second only to mosquitoes. Each tick species has preferred environmental conditions and biotopes that determine its geographic distribution, the pathogens it vectors, and the areas that pose risk for tick-borne diseases. Researchers have identified an increasing number of bacterial pathogens that are transmitted by ticks, including Anaplasma, Borrelia, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia spp. Recent reports involving humans and canines suggest that ticks should be considered as potential vectors of Bartonella spp. To strengthen this suggestion, numerous molecular surveys to detect Bartonella DNA in ticks have been conducted. However, there is little evidence that Bartonella spp. can replicate within ticks and no definitive evidence of transmission by a tick to a vertebrate host. Bartonella spp. are gram-negative bacilli or coccobacilli that belong to the α-2 subgroup of Proteobacteria. According to 16S rDNA gene comparisons, they are closely related to the genera Brucella and Agrobacterium (1). A remarkable feature of the genus Bartonella is the ability of a single species to cause either acute or chronic infection that can cause either vascular proliferative lesions or suppurative and granulomatous inflammation. The pathologic response to infection with Bartonella spp. varies substantially with the status of the host’s immune system; vasoproliferative lesions are most frequently reported for immunocompromised patients. To date, 13 Bartonella species and subspecies have been associated with an increasing spectrum of clinical syndromes in humans, including cat-scratch disease and chronic bacteremia (B. henselae), bacillary angiomatosis (B. henselae, B. quintana), peliosis hepatitis (B. henselae), bacteremia and/or endocarditis (B. henselae, B. quintana, B. elizabethae, B. vinsonii subsp. arupensis, B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii, B. koehlerae, and B. alsatica), Carrión disease (B. bacilliformis), trench fever (B. quintana), retinitis and uveitis (B. henselae, B. grahamii), myocarditis (B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii, B. washoensis), splenomegaly (B. bacilliformis, B. henselae, B. rochalimae), and fever and fatigue (B. henselae, B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii, B. tamiae) (1–3). Ticks were first identified as potential vectors of Babesia bigemina, the agent of Texas cattle fever, in 1893 (4). There are 2 major tick families (≈865 tick species worldwide): the Ixodidae, or hard ticks, characterized by a sclerotized dorsal plate, and the Argasidae, or soft ticks, characterized by their flexible cuticle. A third family, the Nuttalliellidae, is represented by a single species that is confined to southern Africa. The genus Ixodes, family Ixodidae, contains >200 species, of which 14 make up the I. ricinus complex (4). Among these 14 species, I. scapularis, I. pacificus, I. ricinus, and I. persulcatus ticks are involved in the transmission of the Borrelia burgdorferi complex, which is a prevalent cause of Lyme disease in persons in the Northern Hemisphere. Ticks in various regions of the world are vectors for bacterial, viral, and protozoal pathogens (5). Ticks may act not only as vectors but also as reservoirs of tick-transmitted bacteria that are transmitted transstadially and transovarially in a tick species (e.g., certain Rickettsia spp. and Borrelia spp.) (5). When feeding on an infected small-mammal host, larvae and nymphs can ingest >1 pathogens while obtaining a blood meal. Some organisms are then passaged to the next stage in the tick life cycle and can be transmissible during the subsequent blood meal (5). For each tick species, the optimal environmental conditions determine the geographic distribution; the spectrum of tick-borne pathogens; and as a result, the geographic areas of risk for tick-borne diseases, particularly when ticks are both vectors and reservoirs of specific pathogens. Hard ticks are the primary vectors of a variety of bacterial pathogens, including Anaplasma spp., Borrelia spp., Ehrlichia spp., Coxiella burnetii, and Rickettsia spp (5–7). Anaplasma phagocytophilum is transmitted by I. persulcatus–complex ticks, including I. scapularis, I. pacificus, and I. ricinus, whereas Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii are transmitted by Amblyomma americanum ticks (5,6). Although some pathogens are carried by a single or limited number of tick species, other organisms such as Coxiella burnetii have been identified in >40 tick species (7). Lyme disease, caused by B. burgdorferi, is transmitted by I. scapularis and I. pacificus ticks within the United States, by I. ricinus ticks in Europe, and by other Ixodes spp. ticks in the Northern Hemisphere (5,8). Although specific Bartonella spp. are transmitted by blood-sucking arthropods, including fleas, lice, or sandflies, the only evidence to support the possibility of tick-borne transmission is indirect. We present an overview of the various Bartonella spp. that have been detected in ticks and discuss human cases of Bartonella infection that are suggestive of tick transmission. Because of the rapidly expanding number of reservoir host–adapted Bartonella spp. that have been discovered in recent years, efforts to clarify modes of transmission are relevant to public health in terms of interrupting the transmission process. As evolving evidence supports the ability of this genus to induce chronic intravascular infections in humans, improved understanding of vector competence could facilitate efforts to block pathogen transmission, which would help improve human health (9). Host Associations and Specificity Bartonella spp. have a natural cycle of chronic intravascular infection in a reservoir host and a sustained pattern of bacterial transmission by a defined and evolutionarily well-adapted vector from the reservoir hosts to new susceptible hosts. Current information leads to the presumption of a long-standing and highly adapted species-specific association between a given Bartonella sp. and the preferred animal host and vector (10). Inadvertent infection of persons with at least 13 Bartonella spp. has resulted in a wide spectrum of disease manifestations. After primary infection of the natural mammalian host, a chronic, relapsing, nonclinical bacteremia occurs. At times, in wild and stray animal populations, including cats, cows, and various rodent species, the prevalence of infection within the population can approach 100% (1). Although the geographic distribution of a specific Bartonella sp. may reflect the geographic distribution of its hosts or vectors, knowledge related to vector transmission of Bartonella organisms remains inadequate. Bartonella spp. DNA in Ticks As an initial effort to define tick species that might serve as competent vectors for transmission of Bartonella spp., molecular epidemiology surveys to identify Bartonella spp. DNA in ticks have been conducted (2). Bartonella spp. have mostly been identified by PCR using primers targeting either specific Bartonella genes like the citrate synthase gene (gltA) gene, the riboflavin synthase gene, the heat shock protein gene (groEL), the 16S–23S intergenic spacer, the heme binding protein gene, and the cell division protein gene or the 16S rDNA gene (Table 1). Summarized results indicate that the proportion of ticks harboring Bartonella DNA can vary from low prevalences of 0.43% among questing A. americanum ticks examined in the southeastern United States (3) and 1.2% of I. ricinus ticks collected in the Czech Republic (24) to a prevalence as high as 60% in I. ricinus ticks from roe deer in the Netherlands (20) (Table 1). Bartonella spp. from various locations tend to differ. For example, Bartonella DNA related to B. doshiae, B. rattimassiliensis, and B. tribocorum has been identified in ticks only in Asia, B. bacilliformis–like DNA and B. capreoli in ticks only in Europe, and B. washoensis, B. tamiae–like DNA, and B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii in ticks only in the United States (Figure). Evidence for Co-infections in Ticks In recent years, emphasis on the potential transmission of multiple pathogens by an individual tick after attachment to an animal or person has grown. While studying different tick populations throughout the world, several researchers have identified Bartonella DNA in conjunction with known tick-transmitted organisms. Adelson et al. tested for the prevalence of B. burgdorferi, Babesia microti, A. phagocytophilum, and Bartonella spp. in 107 I. scapularis ticks collected in New Jersey (27). A large percentage of ticks (45.8%) contained DNA from at least 1 of these organisms, and 34.5% of ticks screened harbored Bartonella spp. DNA. Of the ticks positive for Bartonella by PCR, 9 (8.4%) contained B. burgdorferi DNA, 1 (0.9%) contained B. microti DNA, 1 (0.9%) contained A. phagocytophilum DNA, 1 (0.9%) contained both B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum DNA, and 1 (0.9%) contained B. microti and A. phagocytophilum DNA (27). Although the primers in this study were originally selected for the species-specific amplification of B. henselae, this region of the Bartonella 16S rDNA gene is highly conserved among many Bartonella spp. In a study performed in France, Halos et al. screened 92 questing I. ricinus ticks and determined that 9.8% contained Bartonella DNA by using gltA-specific primers (22). Bartonella schoenbuchensis–like DNA (96% homology) was detected in 1 of the adult ticks tested. The authors also reported that 1% of the ticks contained Bartonella spp. and B. burgdorferi DNA, 4% contained Bartonella and Babesia spp. DNA, and 1% contained Bartonella spp., B. burgdorferi, and Babesia spp. DNA (22). Of 168 questing adult I. pacificus ticks from Santa Cruz County, California, screened for Bartonella DNA, 11 (6.55%) contained B. henselae genotype I DNA (31). Of the Bartonella–positive ticks, 1.19% also harbored B. burgdorferi DNA and 2.98% harbored A. phagocytophilum DNA (31). Loftis et al. tested Carios kelleyi ticks, argasid tick species found on bats, from residential and community buildings in Iowa, for Anaplasma, Bartonella, Borrelia, Coxiella, and Rickettsia spp. One tick was found to contain Bartonella and Rickettsia DNA, and the DNA sequence was most closely related to B. henselae (11). Recently, Sun et al. examined Haemaphysalis longicornis and I. sinensis from People’s Republic of China for Borrelia, Bartonella, Anaplasma, and Erhlichia spp. (15). Of adult and nymphal H. longicornis ticks collected in the cities of Benxi and Liaoyang, 36% of 150 groups (60 individual host-associated adults, 30 pools of 2 questing adults, and 60 pools of 5 nymphs) harbored detectable Bartonella DNA. Furthermore, 16.3% of 86 individual I. sinensis ticks (all host-associated adults) from the cities of Tiantai, Jindong, and Jiangshan contained Bartonella DNA. One tick harbored all 4 bacteria (Borrelia, Bartonella, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia spp. DNA), and a second tick pool was positive by PCR for Borrelia, Bartonella, and Ehrlichia spp (15). Evidence of Potential Tick Bartonella spp. Transmission to Humans In 1992, B. henselae infection developed in 2 previously healthy, immunocompetent men within weeks of a tick bite (32) (Table 2). Both patients reported signs and symptoms generally associated with B. henselae infection: fever, muscle and joint pain, headache, and photophobia. The first patient did not recall being bitten or scratched by a cat, the general mode of B. henselae transmission to humans. B. henselae organisms were cultured from the blood of both patients and confirmed by PCR. To our knowledge, this was the first case report to suggest that ticks may be responsible for transmission of Bartonella spp. in humans. More recently, B. henselae was isolated from a boy who had severe intractable migraine headaches 10 days after an attached tick was removed from his leg, although on the basis of seroconversion, infection with B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii was suspected (9). Breitschwerdt et al. concluded that the boy was either co-infected or chronically infected with B. henselae, the organism isolated, and subsequently infected with B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii, as reflected by the documentation of seroconversion. In a clinical study, Zangwill et al. were interested in identifying risk factors associated with development of cat-scratch disease (33). The epidemiologic survey, performed in Connecticut, contained 56 cat-scratch disease patients and their controls (persons who owned or had been in contact with cats). They used a modified random-digit dialing technique to recruit controls, and they identified 60 patients with cat-scratch disease. However, of the 60 patients whose illnesses met the case definition, 4 were not successfully matched with controls for age and cat ownership; therefore, 56 patients and their controls were enrolled in the case–control study. The controls did not differ significantly from the patients by race, sex, family size, level of maternal education, or socioeconomic status. Answers to questionnaires suggested that cat-scratch disease was more likely to occur in patients than in controls if the person owned a kitten, had contact with a kitten with fleas, or had been bitten or scratched by a kitten. Of the 56 patients, 21% were also more likely than controls to have been bitten by a tick, although bivariate analysis did not demonstrate a significant association between tick bite and cat-scratch disease development (33). Other case reports have suggested potential human co-infections with Bartonella spp. and a known tick-transmitted organism. Eskow et al. described 4 cases in which patients from central New Jersey reported several neurologic symptoms, including headache, fatigue, insomnia, and depression, which may have resulted from Lyme disease (caused by B. burgdorferi) (28). However, other causes for their cognitive dysfunctions cannot be ruled out. Of these 4 patients, 2 had histories of Lyme disease, and 3 had B. burgdorferi DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). One patient exhibited no laboratory evidence of Lyme disease, suggesting that these symptoms might have been caused by an agent other than B. burgdorferi. However, 2 patients reported illness within 1 week to 3 months after being bitten by a tick. Upon further investigation, all patients were seroreactive to B. henselae; immunofluorescence assay showed immunoglobulin (Ig) G titers of 64–256. According to the authors, B. henselae DNA was amplified from blood of 1 patient, from CSF of 1 patient, and from both blood and CSF of the other 2 patients (B. burgdorferi DNA also was detected in the CSF of these 2 patients). Ticks, identified as I. scapularis, found in 2 patients’ homes potentially harbored both B. henselae and B. burgdorferi DNA. Whether B. henselae was specifically detected in this case series is unclear because sequencing of amplicons was not performed and because the PCR primer set targeted the Bartonella 16S rRNA, a highly conserved region. Without sequencing of amplicons or confirmation of results by targeting a more highly variable gene, ascertaining whether B. henselae was present in the ticks or in the patients would be difficult. However, the results derived from these cases are of interest because, to our knowledge, this was the first case series to propose simultaneous detection of both B. burgdorferi and Bartonella DNA in the CSF of patients with neurologic signs. In another study, 2 of 17 patients from Poland with symptoms suggestive of neuroborreliosis seemed to be co-infected with B. burgdorferi and B. henselae (34). B. burgdorferi–specific antibodies were detected in a patient whose CSF also had detectable B. henselae DNA. The other patient was seroreactive to both B. burgdorferi and B. henselae antigens at titers of 32. The authors speculated that co-infection may be tick transmitted; however, contact with other arthropod species should be considered. Although the detection of B. henselae DNA in the CSF of these patients could be attributed to amplification of DNA from nonviable organisms or to laboratory error, the repeated documentation of B. henselae in blood and in CSF of a young woman with a previous diagnosis of classical cat-scratch disease support the potential that this bacterium can cause chronic intravascular and central nervous system infections in immunocompetent persons (9). In a study performed in Slovenia, 86 febrile children were screened for serologic evidence of exposure to multiple tick-borne organisms within 6 weeks of a known tick bite (35). Acute- and convalescent-phase serum samples were collected from each child. Prior exposure was determined for 5 children who harbored B. henselae IgG and for 4 children who harbored B. quintana IgG. Seroconversion of IgG to both antigens was detected for only 1 child (35). Morozova et al. tested for Bartonella DNA in persons from the Novosibirsk region of Russia who had been bitten by ticks during the summers of 2003 and 2004 (38). Bartonella DNA closely related to B. henselae and B. quintana was detected in the blood of some patients by using groEL-specific primers (36). A more recent study, performed by Breitschwerdt et al., screened 42 immunocompetent patients, who had had prior animal and arthropod contact, for Bartonella spp. (37) The study included 12 women and 2 men who reported having had occupational animal contact for >10 years, including frequent animal bites, animal scratches, and arthropod exposure (e.g., fleas, ticks, biting flies, mosquitoes, lice, mites, chiggers). B. henselae or B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii were detected by PCR or were cultured from all patients (37). Case studies and surveys of this type suggest that ticks may serve as competent vectors of Bartonella spp., but this supposition cannot be confirmed until experimental studies demonstrating successful transmission have been performed. Recently, Cotté et al. detailed the potential transmission of B. henselae by I. ricinus ticks (38). Using an artificial feeding platform made of rabbit skin, the authors successfully (based on PCR screening) infected ticks with B. henselae of molted ticks previously fed infected blood, suggesting that transstadial transmission may be possible. Subsequently, molted ticks were placed onto rabbit skins and fed noninfected blood, after which B. henselae was either cultured or detected by PCR analysis within 72 hours of when aliquots were taken from the previously noninfected blood. This finding indicates that during a blood meal, the organism could potentially be transferred from an infected tick to a noninfected individual. In addition, B. henselae bacteria were also present within molted ticks in sufficient numbers to cause bacteremia when tick salivary gland extracts were inoculated intravenously into domestic cats. Because ticks were not allowed to attach directly to the cats, this study supports, but does not prove, tick transmission of B. henselae by I. ricinus. Consistent with the transmission of Bartonella spp. by other arthropods such as fleas and lice, B. henselae does not seem to be transovarially transmitted in ticks because larvae hatched from B. henselae–positive (by PCR) egg clutches did not harbor detectable Bartonella DNA (2,38). The number of zoonotic Bartonella spp. identified in the past 15 years has increased considerably. This review indicates that a diversity of Bartonella spp. DNA can be amplified from various tick species from numerous geographic locations, that tick attachment has preceded the onset of illness in a small number of patients from whom B. henselae DNA has been amplified, and that serologic and molecular evidence suggests cosegregation of Bartonella spp. with known tick-borne pathogens. Therefore, ticks might serve as potential Bartonella vectors. However, there is little evidence that Bartonella spp. can replicate within ticks and no definitive evidence of transmission by a tick to a vertebrate host. Only Kruszewska and Tylewska-Wiezbanowska reported successful isolation of Bartonella sp. from a tick (25); all other studies were based on amplification of Bartonella DNA from ticks by using PCR. As the medical relevance of the genus Bartonella continues to evolve, it is clearly necessary to determine whether ticks or other arthropods play a role in the transmission of Bartonella spp. among animals and humans. For this reason, experimental transmission studies, using infected ticks placed on live animals, are required to determine whether ticks are vector competent for the transmission of Bartonella spp. Since the submission of this manuscript, we found 3 cases of B. henselae infection transmitted by Dermancentor spp. ticks. These patients had scalp eschar and neck lymphadenopathy (39). Dr Angelakis is a clinician and researcher at the Unité des Rickettsies in Marseille. His research interests are zoonotic pathogens. - Rolain JM, Brouqui P, Koehler JE, Maguina C, Dolan MJ, Raoult D. Recommendations for treatment of human infections caused by Bartonella species. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2004;48:1921–33. - Billeter SA, Levy MG, Chomel BB, Breitschwerdt EB. Vector transmission of Bartonella species with emphasis on the potential for tick transmission. Med Vet Entomol. 2008;22:1–15. - Billeter SA, Miller MK, Breitschwerdt EB, Levy MG. Detection of two Bartonella tamiae–like sequences in Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) using 16S–23S intergenic spacer region–specific primers. J Med Entomol. 2008;45:176–9. - Swanson SJ, Neitzel D, Reed KD, Belongia EA. Coinfections acquired from Ixodes ticks. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2006;19:708–27. - Parola P, Raoult D. Ticks and tickborne bacterial diseases in humans: an emerging infectious threat. Clin Infect Dis. 2001;32:897–928. - Inokuma H. Vector and reservoir hosts of Anaplasmataceae. In: Rickettsial diseases. Infectious Diseases and Therapy Series. 2007;42:199–212. - Maurin M, Raoult D. Q fever. Clin Microbiol Rev. 1999;12:518–53. - Hildenbrand P, Craven DE, Jones R, Nemeskal P. Lyme neuroborreliosis: manifestations of a rapidly emerging zoonosis. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2009;30:1079–87. - Breitschwerdt EB, Maggi RG, Nicholson WL, Cherry NA, Woods CW. Bartonella sp. bacteremia in patients with neurological and neurocognitive dysfunction. J Clin Microbiol. 2008;46:2856–61. - Houpikian P, Raoult D. Molecular phylogeny of the genus Bartonella: what is the current knowledge? FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2001;200:1–7. - Loftis AD, Gill JS, Schriefer ME, Levin ML, Eremeeva ME, Gilchrist MJ, Detection of Rickettsia, Borrelia, and Bartonella in Carios kelleyi (Acari: Argasidae). J Med Entomol. 2005;42:473–80. - Chang CC, Hayashidani H, Pusterla N, Kasten RW, Madigan JE, Chomel BB. Investigation of Bartonella infection in ixodid ticks from California. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2002;25:229–36. - Rar VA, Fomenko NV, Dobrotvorsky AK, Livanova NN, Rudakova SA, Fedorov EG, Tickborne pathogen detection, western Siberia, Russia. Emerg Infect Dis. 2005;11:1708–15. - Kim CM, Kim JY, Yi YH, Lee MJ, Cho MR, Shah DH, Detection of Bartonella species from ticks, mites and small mammals in Korea. J Vet Sci. 2005;6:327–34. - Sun J, Liu Q, Lu L, Ding G, Guo J, Fu G, Coinfection with four genera of bacteria (Borrelia, Bartonella, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia) in Haemaphysalis longicornis and Ixodes sinensis ticks from China. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2008;8:791–5. - Chang CC, Chomel BB, Kasten RW, Romano V, Tietze N. Molecular evidence of Bartonella spp. in questing adult Ixodes pacificus ticks in California. J Clin Microbiol. 2001;39:1221–6. - Morozova OV, Cabello FC, Dobrotvorsky AK. Semi-nested PCR detection of Bartonella henselae in Ixodes persulcatus ticks from western Siberia, Russia. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2004;4:306–9. - Sanogo YO, Zeaiter Z, Caruso G, Merola F, Shpynov S, Brouqui P, Bartonella henselae in Ixodes ricinus ticks (Acari: Ixodida) removed from humans, Belluno Province, Italy. Emerg Infect Dis. 2003;9:329–32. - Podsiadly E, Chmielewski T, Sochon E, Tylewska-Wierzbanowska S. Bartonella henselae in Ixodes ricinus ticks removed from dogs. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2007;7:189–92. - Schouls LM, Van de Pol I, Rijpkema SGT, Schot CS. Detection and identification of Ehrlichia, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, and Bartonella species in Dutch Ixodes ricinus ticks. J Clin Microbiol. 1999;37:2215–22. - Schabereiter-Gurtner C, Lubitz W, Rolleke S. Application of broad-range 16S rRNA PCR amplification and DGGE fingerprinting for detection of tick-infecting bacteria. J Microbiol Methods. 2003;52:251–60. - Halos L, Jamal T, Maillard R, Beugnet F, Le Menach A, Boulouis HJ, Evidence of Bartonella sp. in questing adult and nymphal Ixodes ricinus ticks from France and co-infection with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Babesia sp. Vet Res. 2005;36:79–87. - Bogumila S, Adamska M. Capreolus capreolus and Ixodes ricinus as a reservoir of Bartonella in northwestern Poland [in Polish]. Wiad Parazytol. 2005;51:139–43. - Hercík K, Hásová V, Janecek J, Branny P. Molecular evidence of Bartonella DNA in ixodid ticks in Czechia. Folia Microbiol (Praha). 2007;52:503–9. - Kruszewska D, Tylewska-Wierzbanowska S. Unknown species of rickettsiae isolated from Ixodes riconus tick in Walcz. Rocz Akad Med Bialymst. 1996. 1996;41:129–135. - Matsumoto K, Berrada ZL, Klinger E, Goethert HK, Telford SR III. Molecular detection of Bartonella schoenbuchensis from ectoparasites of deer in Massachusetts. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2008;8:549–54. - Adelson ME, Rao RV, Tilton RC, Adelson ME, Rao RV, Tilton RC, Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi, Bartonella spp., Babesia microti, and Anaplasma phagocytophila in Ixodes scapularis ticks collected in northern New Jersey. J Clin Microbiol. 2004;42:2799–801. - Eskow E, Rao RV, Mordechai E. Concurrent infection of the central nervous system by Borrelia burgdorferi and Bartonella henselae: evidence for a novel tick-borne disease complex. Arch Neurol. 2001;58:1357–63. - Wikswo ME, Hu R, Metzger ME, Eremeeva ME. Detection of Rickettsia rickettsii and Bartonella henselae in Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks from California. J Med Entomol. 2007;44:158–62. - Parola P, Shpynov S, Montoya M, Lopez M, Houpikian P, Zeaiter Z, First molecular evidence of new Bartonella spp. in fleas and a tick from Peru. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2002;67:135–6. - Holden K, Boothby JT, Kasten RW, Chomel BB. Co-detection of Bartonella henselae, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Ixodes pacificus ticks from California, USA. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2006;6:99–102. - Lucey D, Dolan MJ, Moss CW, Garcia M, Hollis DG, Wegner S, Relapsing illness due to Rochalimaea henselae in immunocompetent hosts: implication for therapy and new epidemiological associations. Clin Infect Dis. 1992;14:683–8. - Zangwill KM, Hamilton DH, Perkins BA, Regnery RL, Plikaytis BD, Hadler JL, Cat scratch disease in Connecticut. Epidemiology, risk factors, and evaluation of a new diagnostic test. N Engl J Med. 1993;329:8–13. - Podsiadly E, Chmielewski T, Tylewska-Wierzbanowska S. Bartonella henselae and Borrelia burgdorferi infections of the central nervous system. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2003;990:404–6. - Arnez M, Luznik-Bufon T, Avsic-Zupanc T, Ruzic-Sabljic E, Petrovec M, Lotric-Furlan S, Causes of febrile illnesses after a tick bite in Slovenian children. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2003;22:1078–83. - Morozova OV, Chernousova NI, Morozov IV. Detection of the Bartonella DNA by the method of nested PCR in patients after tick bites in Novosibirsk region [in Russian]. Mol Gen Mikrobiol Virusol. 2005;4:14–7. - Breitschwerdt EB, Maggi RG, Duncan AW, Nicholson WL, Hegarty BC, Woods CW. Bartonella species in blood of immunocompetent persons with animal and arthropod contact. Emerg Infect Dis. 2007;13:938–41. - Cotté V, Bonnet S, Le-Rhun D, Le Naour E, Chauvin A, Boulouis HJ, Transmission of Bartonella henselae by Ixodes ricinus. Emerg Infect Dis. 2008;14:1074–80. - Angelakis E, Pulcini C, Waton J, Imbert P, Socolovschi C, Edouard S, Scalp eschar and neck lymphadenopathy caused by Bartonella henselae after tick bite. Clin Infect Dis. 2010 Jan 13; [Epub ahead of print]. Suggested citation for this article: Angelakis E, Billeter SA, Breitschwerdt EB, Chomel BB, Raoult D. Potential for tick-borne bartonelloses. Emerg Infect Dis [serial on the Internet]. 2010 Mar [date cited]. http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/16/3/09-1685.htm

<urn:uuid:f509638e-8370-4c11-a44f-3ad6b539c82e>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/16/3/09-1685_article.htm

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Dear Dr. Donohue: I would like to know about cholesterol. What part of the body makes it? Does it make bad as well as good cholesterol? What foods contain bad and good cholesterol? - B.A. Dear B.A: Most cholesterol is made in the liver. Cholesterol in foods contribute only a minor fraction to total blood cholesterol. Saturated fat stimulates liver production of cholesterol. Saturated fat is the fat that surrounds meat and the fat that's found in whole-milk dairy products. Cholesterol has important body functions. It's a part of every cell's membrane. It's a component of many body hormones. Because cholesterol doesn't dissolve in water, it has to be modified to be transported in the blood from the liver to distant body sites. The modification consists in hitching it to lipoproteins - part fat, part protein molecules. LDL (low density lipoprotein) takes cholesterol to arteries, where it dumps it. LDL cholesterol infiltrates the artery wall and eventually builds an obstruction in the artery. This is "bad" cholesterol. The lower the LDL cholesterol, the better off arteries are. HDL (high density lipoprotein) transports cholesterol from artery walls and takes it back to the liver, where it is degraded. It's "good" cholesterol. The higher the HDL cholesterol, the better off arteries are. Dietary changes can increase HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol. Eat a diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Minimize intake of saturated fats - fat found in red meats and in whole-fat dairy products. Avoid trans fats, found in many baked products and deep-fried fast foods. Dear Dr. Donohue: I have a Pap smear every year. I don't have a cervix. My cancer doctor (I had breast cancer) said a Pap smear isn't necessary for women without a cervix. - K.R. Dear K.R.: If a woman has had her uterus and cervix removed, she does not need to have Pap smears unless the uterus and cervix were removed because of cancer. Such a woman shouldn't cut off all examinations with her doctor. She could have other pelvic problems that require periodic examinations. Write to Paul Donohue, M.D., P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.

<urn:uuid:49cd87c8-0a1a-4da8-af50-2b4c930b3a21>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2007-10-31/features/0710290392_1_density-lipoprotein-bad-cholesterol-total-blood-cholesterol

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Any-side-up diagrams for representing scientific disciplines were introduced by Herbert Walter in his textbook, Genetics, in 1928. Walter's diagram has been adapted here for the discipline of molecular evolution. Any-side-up diagrams capture multiple perspectives on a discipline while not privledging any single perspective by virtue of the orientation of the text. The concentric circles of the diagram for molecular evolution are framed by the four major perspectives informing the study of molecular evolution: systematics, evolutionary genetics, molecular biology, and genomics. Text in the outer layer of the concentric circles represent important subjects of inquiry within molecular evolution. They are placed near perspectives that have influenced them. Many entries could easily fill this part of the diagram; only a small subset of subjects are represented here. The inner circle of the diagram represents the material or objects of inquiry of molecular evolution: DNA, RNA, and proteins. While this may seem to include most biologically important molecules, it does not include all biologically important molecules. This diagram provides an overview of the many issues under investigation in molecular evolution. It also posits molecular evolution as a discipline at the nexus of several others. While the transdisciplinary nature of molecular evolution is captured in the any-side-up diagram, the history of this field is not. A historical overview of the study of molecular evolution is presented in the General Timeline avaliable here. This page was written by Michael Dietrich. It was last updated on May 15, 2004.

<urn:uuid:ebc18a5a-4327-469b-ab12-0138d188de57>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://authors.library.caltech.edu/5456/1/hrst.mit.edu/hrs/evolution/public/anyside0.html

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

ARIUS (c. 270-336), controversial church figure. Probably born in Libya, he was named deacon by Patriarch PETER I. Eventually Peter had to excommunicate Arius after he had attached himself to the separatist church of the Melitians. Peter's successor, ACHILLAS (311-312), ordained Arius presbyter and entrusted him with one of the principal churches in the city, that of Baucalis. It was here that Arius attracted attention through his rhetorical talents and his pragmatic teaching, as well as his asceticism and his pastoral dynamism. About 318, under Achillas' successor, ALEXANDER I, Arius' innovative ideas gained wider dissemination, first during a meeting of the Alexandrian presbyters at the patriarchal palace and subsequently in preaching at his own church, a departure from the traditional ways of Alexandrian pastoral orthodoxy. At Alexandria there was an institution known as Didaskaleion, a Christian cultural center where ecclesiastical education was provided mainly to a limited group of scholars, a kind of intellectual elite. There certain elements of Hellenistic thought were presented along with Christian teachings, a confusion that was more or less tolerated. It should not be forgotten that the church of Alexandria grew in an atmosphere of Greek philosophy, and consequently was prone to Greek influence in the course of its development. Under these conditions Christian theological thinking was in full process of elaboration, with all the risks that entailed. Arius found his place at this critical point in the development of Christian thought. His preaching taught a kind of SUBORDINATIONISM with regard to Christ, the second Person of the Trinity, in maintaining the unity of God. He combated all heresies of his day, including SABELLIANISM. But he ultimately became a victim of his own logic, which was more philosophical than theological. Finding himself in difficulty with the church hierarchy in Alexandria, Arius sought support in the anti-Alexandrian polemic of what has come to be known as the school of Antioch, then represented by LUCIAN OF ANTIOCH, who was under suspicion of heresy. Among the disciples of Lucian (the Collucianists) the most active and intriguing was Eusebius of Nicomedia, a very curious person whose intentions were not solely religious. The situation worsened to such an extent that in 320 Alexander I had to summon a synod at Alexandria to excommunicate Arius (which it did in 321). The polemic became more bitter. The Christians of Alexandria were divided between Arius, who was highly respected for his asceticism and his pragmatic teaching, and the church hierarchy. Shortly after his arrival in the East in 324, Emperor CONSTANTINE I, anxious for the peace and unity of his empire, sent Bishop Ossius of Cordova to Alexandria with a view to finding a private compromise between Arius and Alexander. This mission was doomed to failure. The emperor, whose concern was political rather than doctrinal, decided, no doubt on the advice of Ossius, to summon an ecumenical council to settle these differences and all other ecclesiastical conflicts that threatened the peace of his empire. The meeting was first planned for Ancyra (Ankara), then for practical reasons it was decided to hold the council at the town of NICAEA (near Iznik, Turkey). At the beginning of the summer of 325, under the influence of the fiery deacon ATHANASIUS, who accompanied Alexander I, Arius was condemned and banished from Alexandria into Illyria. His friend Eusebius, bishop of Nicomedia, later used his influence at the imperial court to have Arius recalled from his exile (c. 334). Arius returned to Alexandria, where Athanasius had succeeded to the throne of Saint MARK. Athanasius refused to accept him, and Arius had to leave again. He died suddenly (possibly from poisoning) at Constantinople in 336. Arius was more an eloquent orator than author. He seems to have written very little, and even less has survived, consisting almost entirely of quotations and paraphrases in the writings of his opponents. He spread his doctrines primarily through popular songs, known under the name of Thaleia (Banquet), of which only a few fragments have survived. Of his correspondence one letter has survived in which he asks the support of EUSEBIUS OF CAESAREA. Another letter, to Bishop Alexander, includes his profession of faith. At the end of 327 a final letter was submitted to Emperor Constantine; in it he records a credo intended to prove his orthodoxy. Was Arius a heretic? Without entering into the details of his teaching, one may say that he represents a crucial moment in the cultural heritage of Alexandria and other regions, and that his shrewd, logical spirit, philosophical as well as polemical, made him a "typical case" in the history of theological "modernism." In fact, Arius was an adherent of the literal exegetical method of the school of Antioch; he had even been to Antioch to complete his education. The advanced dialectic of his logical mind drove him to consider Christ as subordinate to the Father (with biblical texts and philology, as well as logic and philosophy, to support him), a view with the purpose of preserving the unity of God in a "rational" manner. This outlook was already present in the school of Alexandria in the third century—for example, ORIGEN spoke of a deuteros theos (second God) with reference to Christ. Arius, then, did no more than push to extreme limits certain dialectical elements already present in Alexandrian speculations. He ought to have confined himself to private research. To display all this to a wider audience of the "uninitiated" was not a pastoral act, and the pope of Alexandria, in his capacity as shepherd of the flock, had to intervene. The polemic of Athanasius (despite the fact that it is not always objective) grasped the pastoral danger of such speculations. Later tradition made Arius the heretic par excellence. The case of Arius, from the point of view of the development of Alexandrian thought and of the history of theology (with a Greek philosophical character), reveals a restless and active mind in search of new "rational" interpretations, a mind more concerned with philosophical rationality than with traditional orthodoxy. Origen had subordinationist ideas but in a context profoundly anchored to the ecclesiastical tradition (he was a philosopher despite himself). Arius burned all the bridges and, though proclaiming his orthodoxy, did not succeed in achieving a happy and harmonious union between Greek philosophy and ecclesiastical tradition (he was a theologian despite himself). To clarify the case of Arius, here, in brief, are the basic positions: In Alexandrian orthodoxy the Logos, identified with Christ, is not the work of a decision, of an act of the divine will, as is the case with created beings. The Logos of God is the expression of God's eternal Being, and exists in God by nature, from all eternity. According to the speculation of Arius, the Logos, or Son, is the work of a decision, and came into existence by an act of the divine will. Arius associates generation and creation (philosophically and rationally). If the Logos, or Son, is the work of an act of the divine will, then in effect, before he was engendered or created, there was a time when he did not exist. Hence he is related to the created order: "In the beginning the Logos was and the Logos was with God . . ." (J. 1:1ff.). MARTINIANO P. RONCAGLIA Click tabs to swap between content that is broken into logical sections.

<urn:uuid:e8fb2b4f-5d48-4888-bb5b-83dcf49771f4>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://ccdl.libraries.claremont.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/cce/id/234/rec/10

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Second degree burn What is a second-degree burn? A second-degree burn affects the outer and underlying layers of skin-the epidermis and dermis. What causes a second-degree burn? In most cases, second-degree burns are caused by the following: - scald injuries - skin that briefly comes in contact with a hot object

<urn:uuid:c4d076ff-b5b4-4fd6-a14b-83ebde543941>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://childrenshospital.org/az/Site1569/mainpageS1569P0.html

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

What happens to the delicate larvae of ocean creatures when they’re exposed to increasing acid levels in the ocean? That’s the question marine biologists Steve Palumbi of Stanford and Eric Sanford of UC Davis are trying to answer through experiments with sea urchin larvae off the California and Oregon coasts. Their theory is that the increased acidity in the oceans—caused in part by increased CO2 levels in the atmosphere—makes it difficult for marine species to grow their shells. In this short documentary, you’ll see the scientists test their theory by designing and building a time machine in their lab, transporting sea urchin babies to the ocean of the future. This video comes courtesy of our friends Dan Griffin and Robin Garthwait of GG Films and Steve Palumbi of Stanford University. We’ll be featuring more of their great work in the coming months. In the meantime, head over to the GG Films website and Microdocs.org.

<urn:uuid:e21635b5-85d7-4cb0-8c60-95ada76d685b>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://climatescience.tv/2012/06/ocean-babies-on-acid/

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Dr. Michael Ullman from the Department of Neuroscience from Georgetown University visited Beijing Normal University last week. I attended his talk entitled "What Rats can tell us about Language: Contributions of Declarative and Procedural Memory to Language". He began with a general overview of the two memory systems, declarative and procedural memory. Declarative memory is the "what", and can be divided into episodic (personal experiences) and semantic memory (facts). Procedural memory is the "how" and is responsible for the learning and control of motor and cognitive skills. He emphasized some subtle differences between the two memory systems; speed of learning and retention. Declarative memory involves quick learning with a moderate retention rate, while Procedural memory relies on a more gradual learning process but has an excellent retention rate (Maybe that's where the quote "It's like riding a bike" comes from!). Both systems involve navigation but in different ways; landmark-based navigation is declarative memory while route-learning navigation is procedural memory. This distinction supports the idea that these memory systems are cooperatively redundant mechanisms. The opposing position is that declarative and procedural memory systems work competitively. Dr. Ullman used the analogy of a see-saw- as one goes up, the other goes down. Estrogen is shown to help declarative memory and to inhibit procedural memory. This finding suggests that the competitive theory is at play. The talk then moved into distinctions among sex, handedness, first and second languages as it relates to the memory systems. In general, females tend to have better declarative memory and males have better procedural memory. Procedural dysfunctions, such as dyslexia and SLI, affect males more than females. Perhaps, this could support the see-saw effect theory. In this case, females would be better able to compensate for the loss in procedural memory because they tend to have a stronger declarative memory than men. He also discussed how frequency effects can show if declarative or procedural memory is being used. Declarative storage assumes that the information is stored as a whole, where you would see frequency effects, while procedural memory assumes composition and shows no such effects. His research looks at the frequency effects for regular and irregular past tense verbs for males vs. females. I also went on some great trips with Dr. Ullman! One that stands out was the trip to the Great Wall. Dr. Ullman insisted that we try to hike the most difficult and dangerous section of the Wall, called Jiankou. Dr. Guo, Taoran (a graduate student in my lab), and I accepted the challenge. It was the most beautiful and difficult hike I have ever been on. Dr. Guo and I overcame our fear of heights and were able to enjoy the breathtaking views. It was a great time and highly recommend it to any adventurous future PIRE student going to China!

<urn:uuid:f64d79a4-697e-49b6-a7e4-30f755d9dada>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://cls.psu.edu/PIRE/blog/2011/07/week-6-in-beijing.html

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

The authors of "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide" cite a statistic that in the years during World War I, more women died in childbirth than men died in battle. An even more interesting and galvanizing statistic would be comparing the number of women who have died in childbirth compared to the number of men who have died as a result of war in the course of history. Another recognized fact is that a woman dies in childbirth somewhere in the world every minute which is over half a million a year. In addition to deaths, one in three women throughout the world experience the surgical removal of the fetus. The trauma rates of childbirth, expressing itself as PTSD up to 6% of the time, is also about one in three. This trauma can be caused from fear of losing the baby, intense physical pain and even violence perpetrated by health professionals. The number of abortions that take place through the world is upward of 40 million a year and spontaneous miscarriages and stillbirths are known to happen in approximately 30% of pregnancies. In countries where rape is used as a weapon of war, many babies are conceived in trauma and horror. In the Unites States were one in three girls experience sexual assault or molestation in their lives, childbirth can be a triggering event leading them to recall their assault. That's a lot of death, grief, trauma and loss caused by or experience in a normal event and that's not quantifying the childbirth injuries or complications like obstetric fistula, nerve damage, postpartum hemorrhage, etc. Its not just a developing world issue, women in the developing world face the same possibilities though in some cases with reduced risks. I think its safe to say that giving birth is the woman's war. Its the battle between life and death coalescing into a brief period of time ranging from a couple hours to a couple of days and it can happen a number of times in a woman's life. Though the total fertility rate is around 1.7 in many developed countries, some women give birth many more times than that in their lifetime. And every woman has her birth story. That she often remembers in great detail throughout her life and into old age. Childbirth has been an intensely fulfilling, peaceful, joyful and safe experience. While men can beat their swords into plowshares and refrain from war, women cannot stop bearing children (if we want our species to survive). Yet we can make childbirth safer, more fulfilling and joyful for women around the world. By ignoring, and allowing the governments of our planet to overlook childbirth issues, we are saying that a war on women ought to continue. Each woman who has given birth is a veteran. Whether she bears the physical scars of a C-section, episiotomy and stretch marks or the psychological scars of a traumatic birth experience or she can returned home the victor after an orgasmic birth experience, she has survived and come out the other side of an intense battle for autonomy, confidence, life and attachment. Today may be a day to recognize Veterans of wars and armed forces, but my remembrance is called up to my mothers and sisters who give birth. Any remembrance post that is calling attention to an important topic needs a How-To address this issue. I'll refer you to the appendix in Half the Sky as the authors have created an impressive lists of ways to address global issues impacting women.

<urn:uuid:e6ce5d2a-a2f1-4335-aa9e-60195ff415b5>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://descentintomotherhood.blogspot.com/2010/11/honoring-our-veterans.html

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

The Gas Leaks of Boston According to a new study, Boston has more than 3,000 leaks from aging natural-gas piping systems across the city. The new study finding thousands of natural gas leaks in Boston comes in the wake of devastating fires fueled by natural gas during Hurricane Sandy. Potential damage to gas pipeline pressure regulators, caused by flooding in Hurricane Sandy, has raised ongoing safety concerns in New York and New Jersey. The researchers report finding 3,356 separate natural gas leaks under the streets of Boston. "While our study was not intended to assess explosion risks, we came across six locations in Boston where gas concentrations exceeded the threshold above which explosions can occur," said Nathan Phillips, associate professor in BU's Department of Earth and Environment and co-author of the study. Nationally, natural gas pipeline failures cause an average of 17 fatalities, 68 injuries, and $133M in property damage annually, according to the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. In addition to the explosion hazard, natural gas also poses a major environmental threat: Methane, the primary ingredient of natural gas, is a powerful greenhouse gas that degrades air quality. Leaks in the United States contribute to $3 billion of lost and unaccounted for natural gas each year. "Repairing these leaks will improve air quality, increase consumer health and safety, and save money," said co-author Robert B. Jackson, Nicholas Professor of Global Environmental Change at Duke. "We just have to put the right financial incentives into place." Phillips and Jackson's teams collaborated with industry partners Robert Ackley of Gas Safety, Inc., and Eric Crosson of Picarro, Inc., on the study. They mapped the gas leaks under Boston using a new, high-precision methane analyzer installed in a GPS-equipped car. Driving all 785 road miles within city limits, the researchers discovered 3,356 leaks. The leaks were distributed evenly across neighborhoods and were associated with old cast-iron underground pipes, rather than neighborhood socioeconomic indicators. Levels of methane in the surface air on Boston's streets exceeded fifteen times the normal atmospheric background value. Like Boston, other cities with aging pipeline infrastructure may be prone to leaks. The researchers recommend coordinated gas-leaks mapping campaigns in cities where the infrastructure is deemed to be at risk. The researchers will continue to quantify the health, safety, environmental, and economic impacts of the leaks, which will be made available to policymakers and utilities as they work to replace and repair leaking natural gas pipeline infrastructure.

<urn:uuid:e0d5c71b-15e7-4798-8089-20c9ec455ed3>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://eponline.com/Articles/2012/11/21/The-Gas-Leaks-of-Boston.aspx

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

How does the ear work? The ear works by receiving sound waves and sending messages to the brain. The outer ear includes the part of the ear you can see and the ear canal. The sound waves go through the ear canal and hit the eardrum and cause it to vibrate. The vibration of the eardrum causes the tiny bones in the ear to move. This movement sends the sound waves to the inner ear. What causes earaches? A tube called the eustachian (say: "you-stay-shun") tube connects the middle ear with the back of the nose. Normally this tube lets fluid drain out of the middle ear. If bacteria or viruses infect the lining of your child’s eustachian tube, the tube gets swollen and fills with thick mucus. This keeps fluid in the ear from draining normally. Bacteria can grow in the fluid, increasing pressure behind the eardrum and causing pain. The eustachian tubes can become blocked because of allergies, a cold or other infection. In other cases, the adenoids (glands near the ear) become enlarged and block the eustachian tubes. Acute ear infections usually clear up within 1 or 2 weeks. Sometimes, ear infections last longer and become chronic. After an infection, fluid may stay in the middle ear. This may lead to more infections and hearing loss. Anatomy of the ear Why are earaches so common in children? This may be because children's eustachian tubes are shorter and more narrow than those of adults. Most children will have at least 1 ear infection by their third birthday. What is otitis media with effusion? Otitis media with effusion means that there is fluid (effusion) in the middle ear. The middle ear is the space behind the eardrum. Fluid in the middle ear usually doesn't bother children. It almost always goes away on its own in a few weeks to a few months. So, this kind of ear problem doesn't usually need to be treated with antibiotics, unless the fluid doesn't go away. What is swimmer's ear? Swimmer's ear (also called otitis externa) is a type of ear infection. It is an infection of the outer ear and the ear canal. Because the canal is dark and warm, it can easily get infected with bacteria and fungus. Swimmer's ear is different from the kind of infection you get in the middle part of your ear. That kind of infection is called otitis media. See a list of resources used in the development of this information. Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff

<urn:uuid:dc5b84cf-96f3-4304-b356-d2b19ebafc5b>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/ear-infections.html

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Food Poisoning Bulletin has been reporting about the sub clinical use of antibiotics in farm animals for the past year. Many farmers routinely feed chickens, pigs, and cows antibiotics in their feed to prevent disease and to promote growth. The link between antibiotic dose and disease prevention may be obvious. But how do antibiotics promote growth? Mother Jones has a report connecting antibiotic use and weight gain. Regular low doses of antibiotics make animals gain weight because they change bacteria that live in the gut. The colonies of bacteria are called “microbiomes” and they can affect everything from allergies to the immune system to weight gain. A study published in Nature last year found that low doses of antibiotics changed the bacteria in the intestines of mice. Those mice gained more weight than mice not given the drugs. The different bacteria were able to break down carbohydrates more readily so the body absorbed them and converted them to fat. A paper published in the International Journal of Obesity looked at body mass and infant antibiotic exposure. Scientists found that antibiotic exposure in infants less than 6 months of age was associated with increased body mass. The paper concluded that “although effects of early exposures are modest at the individual level, they could have substantial consequences for population health.” Last month the Government Accountability Project sued the FDA over information they have about how antibiotics are used in food animals. Many consumer and public interest groups want to know more about the drugs that are being used in our food supply because antibiotic resistant bacteria are becoming more prevalent. The obesity epidemic in America may be another reason to be concerned about this issue.

<urn:uuid:0d149182-e612-4089-a261-914b261f20f9>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://foodpoisoningbulletin.com/2013/antibiotics-fatten-farm-animals-people-too/

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

May 13 is Mother’s Day and to celebrate, Giving Birth with Confidence will post throughout the month of May on “The Wonder of Mothers,” a series dedicated to sharing some of the many ways mothers’ bodies are beautifully designed to grow, birth, and nourish her baby. We’ll also be giving away a Lamaze stroller and infant car seat, so be sure to check back regularly! The Wonder of Mothers: Skin-to-Skin Care You may have heard of the phrase “skin-to-skin” or ”kangaroo” care, but if you’re new to the idea, here’s a simple definition: Skin-to-skin or “kangaroo” care is when a newborn baby is placed unclothed on mother’s chest directly after birth and as often as possible during the newborn stage. This kind of care has been proven to have many health benefits for healthy full-term babies, as well as quicker recovery from illness and difficulties for premature and sick babies. So what is it about a mother’s body that makes skin-to-skin care so important? Because of the unique symbiosis between a mother and her baby, a mother’s body is designed to provide the perfect environment for her newborn baby. When a baby is placed on her mother’s chest, the temperature of mom’s body not only keeps baby warm, but helps regulate a baby’s temperature to what he/she needs at that very moment. Some babies are born with the inability to regulate their own temperature. Studies have shown that skin-to-skin care is best for keeping a baby’s ideal temperature. It is often reported that artificial heat from an incubator cannot replicate the effects of mom’s touch. It also has been shown that the temperature for twins who are each placed on one of mom’s breasts are regulated independently, adjusting according to their individual needs! Beyond temperature, skin-to-skin care has been shown to also provide newborn benefits in the way of regulating blood sugar levels, stabilizing heart rate, reducing crying, increasing mother-baby bonding, and establishing and maintaining breastfeeding. Mothers’ bodies are amazing! Requesting Skin-to-Skin Care at a Hospital If you are planning a hospital birth, know that many hospitals routinely perform infant procedures shortly after birth. If your baby is healthy, it is safe and encouraged to delay newborn procedures like weight and measurements, bathing, and any routine shots or ointments. Instead, use the first couple of hours after birth to spend skin-to-skin time with your baby. Talk to your care provider, your birth partner, and your doula about your preferences to hold your baby skin-to-skin after birth. And, ask your partner or doula to remind the nurses on staff during your labor of your birth preferences. You may need to speak up to get what you want, but remember, it’s your baby and your right! Did you practice skin-to-skin care with your newborn? How do you think it helped you or your baby?

<urn:uuid:fdd2d079-03bb-4f08-9252-8ba7339f0505>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://givingbirthwithconfidence.org/tag/skin-to-skin/

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

By Jenifer Goodwin WEDNESDAY, April 20 (HealthDay News) -- Many people with autism also have epilepsy that doesn't respond to treatment, a new study suggests. Researchers looked at the medical records of 127 children and adults aged 3 to 49 with autism who had had one or more seizures. The patients had been referred to the NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center in New York City over a 20-year period because they had also been diagnosed with epilepsy or it was suspected they might have epilepsy, said study lead author Dr. Orrin Devinsky. About 34 percent of the patients were found to have treatment-resistant epilepsy, meaning their seizures continued despite medications. A few also underwent surgery -- vagus nerve stimulation, in which an electrical device is implanted to stimulate a nerve that runs near the carotid artery of the neck. Another 28 percent were seizure-free after treatment. For the other 39 percent of patients, researchers didn't have enough information to determine if their seizures were treatment-resistant or not. "This highlights that epilepsy is common in autism, and in a large percentage of cases, the epilepsy is treatment-resistant," said Devinksy, a professor of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry at NYU Langone School of Medicine and director of the NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center. "Epilepsy is a bad disorder. Recurrent seizures can injure the brain, can cause structural damage to the brain and can be deadly over time," he added. The findings are published in the May issue of the journal Epilepsia. The researchers found other differences between those who had treatment-resistant epilepsy and others with autism who'd experienced seizures. Overall, the average age of the first seizure was 8, according to the study. But the medical records suggest that patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy tended to have their seizures start earlier in childhood (about age 6) than those whose epilepsy responded to treatment (about age 11). Autistic children with epilepsy also tended to be more impaired than those without epilepsy. About 54 percent of those with treatment-resistant epilepsy had motor skills delays, compared to 35 percent of those with treatable epilepsy. Also, those with treatment-resistant epilepsy had more language delays (72 percent versus 65 percent), and were somewhat more likely to experience development regression, the study suggested. Autism experts have long known that many people with autism also suffer from epilepsy, said Clara Lajonchere, vice president of clinical programs for Autism Speaks. Prior research suggests about 30 percent of people with autism also have epilepsy, while new research suggests the prevalence may even be higher. A study published in the April 15 issue of the Journal of Child Neurology found that 39 percent of those with autism who'd donated brain tissue had epilepsy. "There seems to be increased mortality in people with autism and epilepsy as compared to those with autism alone," said Lajonchere, senior author of that study. People with autism are more likely than those in the general population to experience "sudden, unexplained death," she said, adding that some of those deaths are likely from seizures. It's not fully understood why seizures can be deadly, Devinksy said, but it's believed that seizures can interfere with breathing, brain function and heart rhythms. Both experts agree that much more needs to be learned about epilepsy and autism, including possibly screening children diagnosed with autism for epilepsy. "They are already dealing with cognitive, social and emotional problems," Devinksy said. "And now you add to it epilepsy. It adds to the overall problem of autism." The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has more on autism. Copyright © 2011 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

<urn:uuid:9593baf0-291d-4e30-a658-250b1a5e0618>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2011/04/20/many-with-autism-also-have-treatment-resistant-epilepsy-study

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Being that Baruch She'amar fell from the sky (as said in the Baeir Heiteiv Orach Chaim 51:1), how is it that the Rambam (seder tefilos kal hashna) has a different version than what we have in our siddur: did multiple versions fall from the sky? |show 3 more comments| All prayers were composed by someone, at some point, yet for many of them we have multiple versions. Generally it's because the original version is not known and people have different traditions as to what it was; sometimes it's because the original version is not known and people make different emendations in favor of what they think it must have been. I don't know which of those is true of "Baruch sheamar" (perhaps both are), but I don't see that its having fallen from the sky makes it any less subject to later changes than any other prayer. |show 10 more comments| In brief, this link discusses why and how some versions use the word בפי ('in the mouth of...') and some (most, actually) use the word בפה ('in the mouth,' with no grammatical connection to whose mouth it is) even though this represents a later change and is ungrammatical. It seems to be based on a kabbalistic interpretation having to do with gematria. The switch to בפה makes the word add up to same gematria as the number of words in Baruch Sh'amar, which is 87 and equal to פז, paz, refined gold, which, in turn, is symbolic of Hashem's glory. This discussion also addresses the topic of why the text was allowed to be changed even though it "fell from the sky." Of course, many poskim feel that the text was actually instituted by the Anshei Kenneset ha-Gedolah. The discussion in the link recounts the entire history of these opinions. As for the differences between the order of the initial praises regarding Divine Speech and Creation, I couldn't find a source for this but I would imagine it has to do with interpretations of the process of Ma'aseh B'reishit. Nusach Ashkenaz begins the process with praising the act of Creation itself, while Nusach S'fard begins with praising the the fact that Hashem speaks and creates. It's a difference in emphasis of the elements of the process of creation. Baruch SheAmar was not instituted by the Anshei Knesset HaGedolah, but rather by the Geonim. And it was composed by human beings, rather than falling from the sky. The source for it falling from the sky and being instituted by the Anshei Knesset HaGedolah is the Or Zaruah, Rabbi Yitzchak ben Moshe of Vienna, in 1260. Saadia Gaon instituted that Baruch sheAmar be recited on Shabbos, but in France, the custom developed to recite this prayer daily. The Pri Chadash wonders at how the Geonim could institute a new tefillah. Thus, Yet others point to early sources for it. Thus, I've heard that sometimes 'Yerushalmi' is used to refer to midrash. But regardless, just because the Or Zarua says it fell from heaven and was established by the Anshei Knesset Hagedola does not make it absolutely so. And at the least, Rambam (who predates Or Zarua) did necessarily hear this (later) Or Zarua. If this was not the universally accepted theory, then people would feel free to modify it. In terms of בפי vs. בפה, see my post in which I show that there is a regular change because "fi" had negative connotations in French. And then kabbalists likely came and bolstered this change with kabbalistic ideas. But the original is the grammatical one, בפי.

<urn:uuid:38dced01-f167-4c92-a100-6c7be6798d1e>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/17798/multiple-versions-for-baruch-sheamar?answertab=oldest

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

I hear people talk about "defragging" their computers all the time as a way to make it faster, but I'm not really sure what that means. What does defragging do and is it something I need to do to my computer? How often? "Defrag" is short for "defragment," which is a maintenance task required by your hard drives. Most hard drives have spinning platters, with data stored in different places around that platter. When your computer writes data to your drive, it does so in "blocks" that are ordered sequentially from one side of the drive's platter to the other. Fragmentation happens when those files get split between blocks that are far away from each other. The hard drive then takes longer to read that file because the read head has to "visit" multiple spots on the platter. Defragmentation puts those blocks back in sequential order, so your drive head doesn't have to run around the entire platter to read a single file. Image by XZise. When You Should (and Shouldn't) Defragment Fragmentation doesn't cause your computer to slow down as much as it used to—at least not until it's very fragmented—but the simple answer is yes, you should still defragment your computer. However, what you need to do depends on a few factors. Here's what you need to know. If You Use a Solid-State Drive: No Defragmentation Necessary If you have a solid-state drive (SSD) in your computer, you do not need to defragment it. Solid-state drives, unlike regular hard drives, don't use a spinning platter to store data, and it doesn't take any extra time to read from different parts of the drive. So, defragmentation won't offer any performance increases (though SSDs do require their own maintenance). Of course, if you have other non-solid-state drives in your computer, those will still need defragmentation. If You Use Windows 7 or 8 Windows 7 and Windows 8 automatically defragment your hard drives for you on a schedule, so you shouldn't have to worry about it yourself. To make sure everything's running smoothly, open up the Start menu or Start screen and type "defrag." Open up Windows' Disk Defragmenter and make sure it's running on a schedule as intended. It should tell you when it was last run and whether your drives have any fragmentation. Note: A lot of you are finding that Windows 7's "automatic" defrag leaves a lot to be desired. All the more reason you should check in with Disk Defragmenter every once in a while and make sure it's doing its job! Windows 8 seems to be much better about running it regularly. Note that in Windows 8, you'll see your SSDs in the Disk Defragmenter, but it doesn't actually defrag them; it's just performing other SSD-related maintenance. So don't worry if it's checked off along with the other drives. If You Use Windows XP If you're on Windows XP, you'll need to defragment your drives yourself. Just open the Start menu, click Run, type Dfrg.msc and press Enter. You'll open up the Disk Defragmenter, from which you can defragment each of your drives individually. You should do this about once a week or so, but if you want, you can set it to run on a schedule using Windows' Task Scheduler. If you're using an SSD, you should really upgrade to Windows 7, since XP doesn't have any built-in tools for SSD maintenance. If You Use a Mac If you use a Mac, then you probably don't need to manually defragment, since OS X will do it automatically for you (at least for small files). However, sometimes defragging—particularly if you have a lot of very large files—can help speed up a slow Mac. When You Should Use a Third-Party Defragmenting Tool We've talked a bit before about the best defragmenting tools, since Windows' built-in Disk Defragmenter isn't the only one. However, for the vast majority of people, Windows' built-in tools are just fine. Third-party tools are useful if you want to see which files are fragmented or defragment system files (like if you're trying to shrink a drive), but are otherwise unnecessary for most users. So kick back, let your scheduled defragger do it's thing, and forget about it!

<urn:uuid:3449fd2d-577a-482d-8206-1a04fe16968e>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://lifehacker.com/5976424/what-is-defragging-and-do-i-need-to-do-it-to-my-computer?tag=Speed

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) occurs most often in infants who are born too early. RDS can cause breathing difficulty in newborns. If it is not properly treated, RDS can result in complications. This may include pneumonia, respiratory failure, chronic lung problems, and possibly asthma. In severe cases, RDS can lead to convulsions and death. RDS occurs when infant's lungs have not developed enough. Immature lungs lack a fluid called surfactant. This is a foamy liquid that helps the lungs open wide and take in air. When there is not enough surfactant, the lungs do not open well. This will make it difficult for the infant to breathe. The chance of developing RDS decreases as the fetus grows. Babies born after 36 weeks rarely develop this condition. A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Factors that increase your baby's risk of RDS include: - Birth before 37 weeks; increased risk and severity of condition with earlier prematurity - Mother with insulin dependent diabetes - Multiple birth - Cesarean section delivery - Cold stress - Precipitous delivery - Previously affected infant - Being male - Hypertension (high blood pressure) during pregnancy The following symptoms usually start immediately or within a few hours after birth and include: - Difficulty breathing, apnea - Rapid, shallow breathing - Delayed or weak cry - Grunting noise with every breath - Flaring of the nostrils - Frothing at the lips - Blue color around the lips - Swelling of the extremities - Decreased urine output The doctor will ask about the mother's medical history and pregnancy. The baby will also be evaluated, as outlined here: Amniotic fluid is fluid that surrounds the fetus. It may be tested for indicators of well-developed lungs such as: - Lecithin:sphingomyelin ratio - Phosphatidyl glycerol - Laboratory studies—done to rule out infection - Physical exam—includes checking the baby's breathing and looking for bluish color around the lips or on trunk - Testing for blood gases—to check the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood - Chest x-ray —a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body, in this case the heart and lungs Treatment for a baby with RDS usually includes oxygen therapy and may also include: A mechanical respirator is a breathing machine. It is used to keep the lungs from collapsing and support the baby's breathing. The respirator also improves the exchange of oxygen and other gases in the lungs. A respirator is almost always needed for infants with severe RDS. Surfactant can be given to help the lungs open. Wider lungs will allow the infant to take in more oxygen and breathe normally. One type of surfactant comes from cows and the other is synthetic. Both options are delivered directly into the infant's windpipe. Inhaled Nitric Oxide Nitric oxide is a gas that is inhaled. It can make it easier for oxygen to pass into the blood. The gas is often delivered during mechanical ventilation. Newborns with RDS may be given food and water by the following means: - Tube feeding—a tube is inserted through the baby's mouth and into the stomach - Parenteral feeding—nutrients are delivered directly into a vein Preventing a premature birth is the best way to avoid RDS. To reduce your chance of having a premature baby: - Get good prenatal care. Start as early as possible in pregnancy. - Eat a healthful diet. Take vitamins as suggested by your doctor. - Do not smoke. Avoid alcohol or drug use. - Only take medicines that your doctor has approved. If you are at high risk of giving birth to a premature baby: - You may be given steroids about 24 hours before delivery. Steroids can help your baby's lungs develop faster. - Your doctor may do an amniocentesis. This test will check the maturity of your baby's lungs. The results will help determine the best time for delivery. - Reviewer: Michael Woods - Review Date: 09/2012 - - Update Date: 00/91/2012 -

<urn:uuid:7d8d5dec-597e-4805-b78e-8e623e0c5fb5>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://medtropolis.com/your-health/?/11599/

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

American bridge engineering largely overlooks that efficiency, economy and elegance can be mutually reinforcing ideals. This is largely because engineers are not taught outstanding examples that express these ideals. A 2000 report by the Federal Highway Administration indicated that an average of about 2,500 new bridges are completed each year; each could be an opportunity for better design. The best will be elegant and safe while being economical to build. The key is to require that every bridge have one engineer who makes the conceptual design, understands construction and has a strong aesthetic motivation and personal attachment to the work. This will require not only a new ethos in professional practice, but also a new focus in the way engineers are educated, one modeled on the approach of those Swiss professors, Wilhelm Ritter and Pierre Lardy. Via Bridges and code.

<urn:uuid:7ba2cafc-f4c3-4976-84d1-a55ce307ae6a>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://morenews.blogspot.com/2007/08/beautiful-engineering.html

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

While I was browsing here I came across an interesting question so I decided to see what the answer was and well, I had some difficulties understanding it. I'll quote a short part of the answer. If the fretted note is higher (sharper) than the harmonic, then the length of the string needs to be lengthened. If the harmonic note is sharper, then the length of the string needs to be shortened. So my question is what is a harmonic note as described in the above quote? I have close to no knowledge of music theory but I've started a course to learn it.

<urn:uuid:b9dd482b-9899-4bef-bcfc-d3ee331e2cd5>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://music.stackexchange.com/questions/3931/what-is-a-harmonic-note-and-how-do-you-play-it

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Welcome to a spot to share ideas for working with students in exceptional education in public schools. Please describe activities you've successfully used with students to improve fine motor and self-help skills. Creative classroom adaptations for sensory-based and ergonomic needs are sought. Technology applications, low and high tech, are appreciated. Above all--be positive and professional in sharing your experiences and ideas. Thanks. Saturday, July 28, 2012 Using Their Noses Found this great post with a reminder to incorporate the sense of smell into activities:

<urn:uuid:bca6b233-1593-427b-b364-58305b18de89>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://otinpublicschools.blogspot.com/2012/07/using-their-noses.html

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

by Yasser Latif Hamdani Other than Jinnah and to a certain extent Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Abdul Ghaffar Khan aka Bacha Khan is the only politician in Pakistani history to have sustained a following beyond his death. The tall Pushtun – who adopted Non-violence as a creed in a very violent society- is still remembered fondly by the Pushtuns as Fakhr-e-Afghan. In India he is remembered as the Frontier Gandhi for his close association with the Indian leader. In many ways he was more committed (even if at times inconsistently) to the so called Gandhian values of non-violence than Gandhi who was at the end of the day a shrewd politician before a non-violent saint. And yet this is precisely why this great leader of the Pushtuns was not able to achieve much. When Bacha Khan made up his mind about something, there was no room for negotiation, no room for self doubt and certainly no need for reflection. His blind stubbornness often squandered any advantages that his followers might get but it was his inability to understand the nitty gritty of the constitutional political process that marked the last stage of the “independence movement”. Juma Khan Sufi, a Pushtun nationalist writer very close to Bacha Khan and who had helped him write his book “Zama Zhwand au Jaddujahad” writes: “As an afterthought after reading Maulana Azad’s India wins freedom in Urdu he came to know about the ‘sins’ of the Congress during partition and blamed Patel, Nehru and indirectly Gandhi for the dismemberment of the dream of united India. Before that Bacha Khan remained ignorant and noncommittal about the happenings of the decisive moments of the Indian subcontinent. Ajmal Khattak is the living testimony to the fact that Bacha Khan agreed with all the inferences of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. He made the writers to translate paragraph after paragraph of Azad’s interpretation of the events leading to partition with slight alterations by the writers. With one thing of Azad he understandably disagreed was his reference to the stinginess of Khan brothers… and their pocketing of funds regularly sent by the Congress to them for public welfare schemes. Congress connived with Mountbatten and agreed with the scheme of partition of India. The Pushtuns were left alone… the poor Khudai Khidmatgars took everything for granted as if they were just herd which needed an all time shepherd. They were neither consulted nor did they play a significant role in the shape of politics of the time. Everything was decided behind their back. The intricacies of constitutional wrangling and legal mechanism of transfer of power to Indians were beyond the comprehension of their leader. Congress was good for India especially Hindu India, like Akbar was for Mughal India… both served India well… both betrayed Pushtuns… both used Pushtuns. In both cases Pushtuns had no voice… nobody recorded their grievances… Bacha Khan never came to know of about the much publicized love affairs of Mrs. Mountbatten with Nehru nor was he competent enough to understand the constitutional and legal niceties of transfer of power, the role of Congress and Muslim League therein. He could not see beyond the Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners of the districts and tehsils who played their due role in the preordained referendum of the province in accordance with the Congress-Muslim League agreement regarding the composition of two dominions, India and Pakistan. Mullah ke dor masjid tak. He could understand these local politics played under the big game which never made any sense to him… Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was never consulted. Nor did he have any independent point of view. Unfortunately he was a pygmy walking amongst the giants of the Congress, who damn cared for him seeing his intellectual depth. He was blindly following Gandhi and Congress. Congress took him for granted. The trouble with him was his anti-intellectualism and his abhorrence for lawyers and legal practitioners- the only educated class allowed to dabble in politics at that time. Intellectuals parted with him in the initial period… unfortunately Bacha Khan was without a clear vision, depth or strategy.” (Random Thoughts – Pages 80-89- Juma Khan Sufi, Published by Khost Independent Cultural Society). It must be remembered that Bacha Khan’s politics spanned over five decades out of which a significant portion was spent in jail. This fact was like a badge of honor for him and his followers. In fact he epitomized the jail-bharro politics which was in quite unproductive. A self styled “researcher” wrote in Dawn recently of the “painstaking” struggle of the nationalists (meaning the Jamiat-e-Ulema and Khudai Khidmatgars) for the independence of the subcontinent from British rule. A perceptive historian would however point out that the real fathers of India’s independence were the Aryan “Mahatma”, Adolf Hitler, and Mr. F D Roosevelt, the President of the United States of America, the former for starting the world war which depleted Britain’s will to hang on to its Empire and the latter for twisting Winston Churchill’s arm all throughout the war on this major issue. Congress and its local heroes can probably take credit for going to jail but independence was not won through salt marches and civil disobedience, this is a fact of history that cannot be denied. So did Bacha Khan achieve anything for the people he claimed to represent? According to Juma Khan Sufi, Bacha Khan let his followers down for personal prestige. He also wrote a compelling article in The News on 18 June, 2000 inquiring about Bacha Khan’s will. In this he contrasted Bacha Khan’s efforts on behalf of the Pushtuns with those of Mahomed Ali Jinnah – who left one third of his residuary estate to Islamia College Peshawar – which later became Peshawar University. It is was with money from Jinnah’s will that to date a commerce college, a college dedicated to women, residential block for the employees of Islamia College and a new teaching block were built- all part of the Peshawar University serving amongst others the committed followers of Bacha Khan. This was Jinnah’s contribution to the education of the people of Frontier. In contrast Bacha Khan’s will has never been made public and according to Juma Khan Sufi, Bank Al Milli Afghani has billions of Afghanis in his account which have not yet been claimed. Similarly the vast tracts of land owned by Bacha Khan have been divided up by his children and none of it has been given to some sort of a welfare trust for Pushtuns, as Bacha Khan had promised. What Juma Khan Sufi forgot to mention that it was Jinnah who had campaigned for and gotten NWFP the provincial status. It was one of the fourteen irreducible minimums put forth by Jinnah to Congress. Jinnah also campaigned for the release of Bacha Khan from prison in 1929-1930 which has been duly noted by Stanley Wolpert in his biography of Jinnah. And ironically it was Jinnah who had put forth Bacha Khan’s name for inclusion in the round table conference. Gandhi, Nehru and other benefactors of Bacha Khan might not even have heard of him at this time. But Jinnah was an all-India figure. Bacha Khan’s contributions to Pushtuns pale in comparison to even those of that Kashmiri Frontier man, Abdul Qayyum Khan. Abdul Qayyum Khan is despised by the Pushtun Nationalists universally – even though till one year before partition he was Bacha Khan’s trusted comrade in the Congress. While Bacha Khan and his progeny continue to raise the bogeys of “Pathanistan”, “Pakhtunkhwa” and the Kala Bagh Dam, Qayyum Khan busied himself with building schools and colleges in the province. He served the people of Frontier well, certainly much better than Bacha Khan or his brother Dr. Khan Sahib (who ironically became part and the first Chief Minister of the One-Unit scheme) or Wali Khan, Bacha Khan’s son and his successor. Contrary to propaganda against him, Qayyum Khan was a democrat through and through- which is why the Ayub regime arrested him. Is Non-violence Bacha Khan’s legacy? While he took to non-violence as a creed, Zalmai Pakhtoon – a militant organization and wing of Red Shirts- was a decidedly violent organization founded by Ghani Khan, Bacha Khan’s son and which continued to operate way into the 1970s – with some blaming it for the famous assassination of Hayat Khan Sherpao. That Bacha Khan encouraged Fakir of Ipi’s militancy against Pakistan is a well known fact. He colluded with the Afghans and created a situation which has plagued Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan for the last 60 years. Yet if Non-violence was Bacha Khan’s legacy, he was inconsistent about it and his followers definitely did not accept it or internalize it. There was hardly anything progressive or secular about Bacha Khan’s politics, spin it as you may. Secularism/left politics was an afterthought for him and his party. As shown above, the Khudai Khidmatgars were quite unclear and confused about the Congress and its politics. It was after partition that they took up a nominal commitment to these vague ideas which made little or no sense to them. Bacha Khan was a votary of the status quo being its biggest pillar. He stood for the continuation of the tribal traditions and way of life which accorded him and his family their sardari status. His philosophy was essentially a sort of tolerant Islamic Puritanism blended with Pushtun Nationalism, another not so tolerant variant of which was his friend Faqir of Ipi’s Islamically charged Pushtun Nationalism and that strain is still represented by Behtullah Mehsud and the like. Bacha Khan may be credited for the role he played, along with such figures as Mian Iftikharuddin and other left wingers within the mainstream of Pakistani politics, in the formation of the National Awami Party, which later became Pakistan’s only real leftist organization but within this NAP Bacha Khan represented the ethno-nationalist conservative element. Later his son Wali Khan turned it into a family run affair and what was a grand national left movement became a front of Pushtun parochialism.

<urn:uuid:204c4b93-b619-4220-8bee-2aa0affa1416>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://pakteahouse.net/2008/07/28/nwfp-history-5-bacha-khan-and-his-legacy/

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

By Holly Lippke Fretwell "The concern for forests today is not simply that trees will die from bugs or diseases--it is that entire forest systems are so far out of normal ecological range that virtually every element in the system is affected, and may be at risk." Americans and public land managers both want healthy forests on our federal lands. Indeed, the guiding philosophy of our public agencies is to preserve wilderness, biodiversity, and landscape beauty as well as to protect the soil, water, and air quality (FS 1998c, inside front cover). The Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management are mandated by Congress to provide for multiple uses--for the hunter and the hiker, for the logger and the four-wheeler.1 And the mission of the National Park Service is to conserve the scenery, the natural and historic objects, and the wildlife.2 These goals are supported with hundreds of millions of dollars appropriated each year by Congress. There can be no question that forest health is a high priority for the land management agencies, and with generous funding the expectation should be for the highest quality land stewardship. But we are not achieving our goals. Something has gone wrong in the federal estate, and one does not have to be a forest ecologist to see that our national forests are at risk under the current management system. Despite romantic calls to save old-growth forests, most of us have never seen the forests as pictured in old photographs and described in pioneer journals. A hundred and fifty years ago, ponderosa pine covered nearly 40 million acres of the American West. Fires occurring as often as every 7 to 25 years burned the understory while leaving the hardy, fire-resistant pine unharmed (Arno, Scott, and Hartwell 1995, 21). Early settlers drove their wagons through parklike savannas under towering trees and paused to rest in the open meadows that dotted the forest landscape.3 Grasses flourished, berries soaked up the sun, and willows sent up tender shoots providing food for abundant wildlife. Today's forests bear little resemblance to these earlier visions (Wickman 1992, 1). In many forests an understory of shade-tolerant Douglas fir has grown so dense it is difficult for man or animal to squeeze through the thickets of limbs. The trees compete for moisture and nourishment, leaving them in poor health and vulnerable to insects and disease. The grassy meadows and small, sunny openings have disappeared and along with them the willows, berries, and other forage for wildlife. As the forests have grown dense and the food supplies dwindled, the wildlife in many areas has also vanished. Why aren't we getting what we pay for? Though hundreds of millions of dollars are earmarked for federal land stewardship, the public is getting neither multiple-use benefits, fiscal responsibility, nor good resource stewardship. Our federal land managers are responding to perverse incentives and government obstacles that reduce the economic and ecological value of our national forests. Current Forest Service management would like us to believe that the agency is on the road to solving many of the problems in our forests by changing focus from timber production to healthy forests and fish and wildlife habitat. But the agency's new emphasis on resource protection may in fact exacerbate some forest health problems. The problem is not simply the result of too much commodity production and too little wilderness protection. While some of our public forests meet high standards for health and vigor, many more are sick and ailing. Too often the problem can be traced to obstacles that frustrate managers who are attempting to apply sound science to their management practices.4 Politics. Land management agencies are dependent upon Congress for their budgets. They must respond to political pressures to protect their budgets. Land managers may have to oversee expensive pet projects supported by influential congressional delegations, while other public resources under their care deteriorate for lack of funding. Standard forest management practices such as harvesting, thinning, and prescribed burns may have to be canceled or postponed when constituents complain. For example, it is widely known that fire is an integral part of healthy forest ecosystems, yet Congress provides unlimited funds for fire suppression. Public opposition to fire, which began with the great fires of 1910 in western Montana and eastern Idaho, virtually eliminated fire as a management technique, despite its proven scientific value (Peterson 1995, 9). Regulations. During the last thirty years, more than two hundred new regulations have been passed that impede managers from responding promptly to changing forest conditions. The Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Federal Land and Management Policy Act, the Multiple Use and Sustained Yield Act, the National Forest Management Act, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the Public Range Improvement Act, among others, have the expressed goal of protecting the environment. But in some cases they have the opposite effect. Public comment periods and citizen appeals allowed under NEPA can result in lengthy delays to land management decisions that are critical to forest health. For example, insect infestations require immediate action by forest managers, but they face lengthy delays from regulations resulting in irreparable damage to millions of acres of national forest land. Short-Term Goals. Federal land managers are required to meet dozens of short-term goals for habitat and stream restoration, road construction and maintenance, timber sales, recreational visits, and more (FS 1998c, 3). A manager's annual performance is measured by quantifying these goals. How many miles of roads were constructed? How many million board feet of lumber were sold? Managers meet such goals by dedicating resources to short-term projects. For example, a large cut that produces a high volume of timber at a low cost might be the best way to meet an annual goal. On the other hand, it could be detrimental to the long-term health of the forest. Instead, a selective harvest could provide openings attractive to wildlife, encourage forage, and reduce the dense structure of the forest. But because it would cost more, require more time, and produce less timber, such a harvest would not help a forest manager meet short-term goals. Lack of Positive Incentives. Federal land managers lack positive incentives to respond to consumer demands. Recreational users pay trivial or no fees, giving managers little incentive to change management practices.5 Instead, managers respond first to Congress, which funds their budgets. The recently created fee demonstration program is beginning to change some incentives. The ability to charge user fees and keep at least 80 percent of that money at the site for use at the managers' discretion provides a positive incentive that has long been missing. Many of the projects funded by these fees have been in direct response to demands of paying visitors. Private and State Results Managers of state and private lands who must generate revenues show that it is also possible to produce healthy forests with abundant wildlife habitat, clear streams, and aesthetic beauty. They face fewer obstacles than federal forest managers and respond to strong financial motives. They are clearly getting different, and often better, results in their forests--a fact that might surprise some critics. State laws regulating forest management and environmental health issues are generally less burdensome than federal laws.6 Managers of state trust and private lands have more flexibility in responding to the changing conditions of the forest. State trust lands are required to generate revenue for the benefit of the public schools and other endowed institutions.7 To meet this mandate, state land managers have the freedom to use more discretion to enhance the long-term productivity of the land. A study by Don Leal (1995) shows that state timber land managers generate greater receipts at lower costs than federal timber managers while being more environmentally sensitive. Much like the states, individuals and corporations who manage private forest land are motivated by sustained long-term profits. Forest health becomes a top priority when management goals are to maximize long-term asset value and when market conditions support that goal. This report shows many examples of better resource stewardship on state and private lands than on similar federal lands, although the converse can occur. Poor markets, as well as restrictive regulations, can inhibit a manager's incentive for long-term forest health. On the federal side, scientific research labs throughout the national forest system are showing improved management methods on experimental areas. A Sharper Image The following pages provide a image of our nation's forests, both public and private. The photos illustrate how different incentives can result in different forests. Understanding the incentives that produce healthy, robust forests and the obstacles that are responsible for our sick and threatened ones can help us draft new policies for federal land management. By removing the barriers and providing the right incentives, we can return environmental health and vigor and economic viability to our public forests. After nearly a century of fire suppression, many of our forests are in grave danger of wildfire. A dry year and a spark can be the impetus for crown fires that take out millions of acres of forest land. The result is a devastated landscape prone to accelerated erosion. Among the many victims are fish and wildlife. In the summer of 1992, east of Boise, Idaho, a rare population of bull trout was destroyed by catastrophic fire. As the crown fire raced across the landscape it took more than timber resources; it took every living thing in its path as it spewed tons of carbon dioxide into the air. The fire scorched the stream down to the bedrock, wiping out the entire fish population. In eastern Oregon, the endangered spring chinook salmon makes its home in the Grand Ronde River. In 1989, a raging inferno known as the Tanner Gulch Fire triggered a debris torrent 36 miles upstream that wiped out the entire population of salmon. Dr. Victor Kaczynski, a fresh water biologist working on salmon recovery strategies, says, "No single forest practice--not timber harvesting, nor road building--can compare with the damage wildfires are inflicting on fish and fish habitat" (Evergreen, 1995, 53). A charred mountain slope devoid of vegetation leads to increased spring runoff and lower summer water volumes. The low water and lack of forest cover translate into higher water temperatures in the summer and colder water temperatures in the winter. Fish populations suffer from these extremes, and increased erosion chokes spawning beds with sediment. At the same time, valuable nutrients are removed from the forest floor. Attempting to eliminate fire from the natural forest ecosystem has also changed the composition of many public forests, thus increasing the risk of intense wildfire and disruption of wildlife. The forest types at greatest risk are found in the Inland West where historically frequent, low-intensity fires thinned the forest. Today satellite images of these forest lands show unusually large areas of dense growth with no openings or clearings. The greatest problems exist on public lands (Clark and Sampson 1995, 2). Much of the private forest land in the region is owned by timber companies that manage their land to protect the commercial value of the timber (Clark and Sampson 1995, 2). These forests are thinned and treated to reduce the threat of infestation, disease, and catastrophic fire. Selective harvesting creates a patchwork of openings that can serve as favored habitat for many plant and animal species. The clearings allow sunlight to reach the forest floor and encourage a variety of plants. Commercial cuts can be designed to resemble the patterns typically found in historic forests. Although natural fire cycles do not exist in most commercial forests, alternative treatments can protect the timber and the wildlife from catastrophic fires. Commercial forest managers have an incentive to provide quality wood products, but the same management techniques can also create forests that are hospitable to wildlife. In 1988, fire burned nearly one-third of Yellowstone National Park, an area greater than the state of Delaware. "The changes in light were rapid, intense and immediate. From orange to startling white, to sepia to gloomy gray, the air itself seemed to take on a new color and texture as the wind-whipped fire sprinted toward Old Faithful" (McMillion 1998, A-30). Half a century of fire suppression had stoked the forest with fuel and turned the fire process that is a natural part of lodgepole pine regeneration into a roaring inferno. At a cost of $120 million, 25,000 firefighters risked their lives to control the blaze. Despite costly suppression efforts, the fire burned almost unhampered for months until seasonal rain and snow snuffed it out. "It was ultimately uncontrollable no matter what you did" said Bob Barbee, Superintendent of Yellowstone at the time (McMillion 1998, A-10). Yet it was the largest firefighting effort in the history of the United States. Scientists recognize that fire is a natural and necessary part of a healthy forest ecosystem. Ironically, the policy of fire suppression that has been in effect for nearly a century on our national forests has led to the catastrophic fires that cause massive damage to vegetation, wildlife, and watersheds. Smaller, less intense fires at more frequent intervals are known to have a restorative effect on forest ecosystems and certainly are less hazardous to human health. Harvest, thinning, and prescribed fires can mimic what were once naturally occurring small fires. They reduce the fuel load and the risk of catastrophic fire, thus protecting trees from death or injury from intense wildfire. Still, Congress continues to provide a blank check to cover firefighting services. The total firefighting bill is paid with tax dollars from emergency funds, not from the Forest Service budget. At an annual cost of $1 billion in 1996 (Nelson 1999, 2), battling summer blazes also provides a reliable stipend for many seasonal workers and is a politically popular economic boost to remote communities where firefighting efforts are based. Firefighting costs an estimated $400 to $500 per acre, often with little success. This does not include the additional costs associated with the destruction of wildlife habitat, soil erosion, water quality degradation, and forest restoration. The Forest Service projects an average increase in firefighting expenses of $19 million a year into the near future (Nelson 1999, 16). In contrast, fire prevention projects must be paid from the annually appropriated budget. Congress allots just $1.25 per acre for fire prevention on Forest Service land that is considered at high risk to wildfire. Little can be accomplished for that price, but for $40 to $50 per acre the Forest Service could manage the land to prevent inferno-type fires (Glickman 1997, 19). Using controlled burns, thinning, and other silviculture techniques, managers could provide healthy forest ecosystems as well as potential value from timber harvesting. Despite these benefits, the multimillion dollar emergency fund for firefighting provided by Congress is a powerful incentive to the Forest Service to make firefighting, not fire prevention, a high priority. Early named the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon and Washington for the constant haze of wildfire smoke that surrounded them. Frequent, small fires cleared the understory, allowing the stately, fire-resistant ponderosa pines to flourish. Wagon trains traveling west along the Oregon Trail rolled easily between the widely spaced trees of the open forest landscape. Today, these mountains are covered with grey ghosts. Nearly six million acres of trees are dead and dying from insect infestations (Peterson 1992, 4). Fire suppression, historic logging practices that removed many pines, and lack of intensive management turned the once open pine forest into a dense thicket of fir crowding beneath the remaining pines. Without fire to knock it back, the shade-tolerant fir proliferated under the mature pines. In the late 1940s, much of the pine overstory was logged, followed by a series of insect infestations. By the 1980s, the dense nature of the fir stands in the Wallowa-Whitman and Umatilla national forests in the Blue Mountains made it ideal habitat for the western spruce budworm. The infestation spread rapidly, sometimes reaching epidemic proportions, yet it was seven years before national forest managers could respond to the onslaught. Speedy timber removal in some areas could have disrupted the infestation, but managers were restricted from taking immediate action by federal regulations and a lengthy public comment process (Committee on Agriculture 1997). On a neighboring forest owned by the Boise Cascade Corporation, loss from insect damage has been minimal.8 In northeastern Oregon, Boise Cascade's timberlands have been continuously managed for many decades. Active forest management has been key to enhancing forest resiliency and resistance to disease and insect infestation. These same management practices have also protected the high commercial value of the timber. Working within current private land-use regulations, Boise Cascade forest managers have encouraged seral species such as ponderosa pine and Douglas fir and in many cases have maintained timber stands that are a close replica of the forests that stood in the Blue Mountains one hundred years ago. Industrial forests cover about 10 percent of the nation's forest land. Managed to produce wood and paper products, they are generally maintained in young to middle-age stands, less susceptible to insects and disease. Forests managed in this way may lack the species diversity associated with more complex forest structures, but this problem is increasingly being addressed by streamside management zones. This allows for the development of old forest structure, thus producing multi-aged stands (Sampson and DeCoster 1998, 26). Giant trees crash to the forest floor crumbling beneath their own weight. A once magnificent forest is reduced to a jumble of dead timber. Each lost tree thins the overstory, which reduces the closed canopy. As a result, the Forest Service is losing the wildlife habitat it is attempting to preserve. Known as the "Valley of Death," this region of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest of Northern California was designated a late successional reserve under President Clinton's Pacific Northwest Forest Plan. These reserves were intended to serve as habitat for late successional and old-growth species including the northern spotted owl. A single pair of owls remains nested in the vicinity, but in the future it is unlikely that other species requiring mature forest habitat will find a home in this reserve. Opportunities for preserving late successional habitat are better on private lands less prone to catastrophic loss, says a forester with the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Under the president's forest plan, the thinning and salvage harvesting that would normally take place are not permitted. The result is higher mortality from disease and insects as well as greater risk of catastrophic loss due to fire. In the McCloud region of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest root disease and bark beetles have reached epidemic proportions, resulting in tree mortality as high as 80 percent in heavily infested areas. The consequences include severe fire hazard and the elimination of the very habitat for which the area was preserved. How to save what is left of the forest has been the subject of ongoing discussions for ten years. A late successional reserve assessment, required by the forest plan, is under way. Upon its completion, a federal impact analysis threatens to further postpone action as the controversy boils again. Frustrated by the maze of regulation, forest managers predict that it will be at least several more years before any treatment to halt the infestation takes place. Meanwhile, the area of tree mortality continues to expand, destroying approximately three hundred additional acres each year. Future plans for restoration must now include the high cost of removing the fuel buildup of dead trees, rather than the revenue that could have been generated from a thinning or salvage operation to improve forest health. Intermixed with the national forest land are private lands. Like the national forest, the land was originally logged at the turn of the century and has since grown into a forest providing late successional habitat. The private forests, however, have been thinned and salvage timber has been harvested, promoting optimum growth and forest health. These forests support habitat for northern spotted owls and carry low fuel loads, thus reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires. The landowners' primary objective is to grow and harvest forest products while still providing a variety of other forest values, such as wildlife habitat, clean water, and recreation. Active management is the only way to ensure these values today and into the future.9 One Spark From Disaster As the road dropped out of the Sierras into the Lake Tahoe basin below, the scenery made an abrupt change from healthy, green forests to dead and dying stands of timber. The congressmen on their way to the June 1997 Presidential Summit on the problems facing the lake and surrounding basin were taken aback by what they saw. Later, during a session on forest health, U.S. Senator Richard Bryan of Nevada exclaimed, "This forest looks like hell!"10 It appeared as if someone had drawn an imaginary line across the landscape and then nurtured the trees on one side, while destroying those on the other. The Tahoe Basin was once forested with well-spaced Jeffrey and ponderosa pines (WCSHF 1997, 3). Moderate intensity wildfires burned thousands of acres each year, preventing shade-tolerant fir from taking hold in the soils of the basin. In a tragedy of the commons, early settlers and silver miners razed most of the pines. Ensuing years of fire suppression and restricted harvest enabled fire-prone fir to grow in dense stands, replacing the earlier pines. The Forest Service estimates that basin forests are 82 percent denser today than in 1928 (WCSHF 1997, 3). Now, after eight years of drought, bark beetles and disease have ravaged overstocked stands, killing more than 80 percent of the trees (WCSHF 1997, 4). In jeopardy is Lake Tahoe, known as one of the clearest, deepest lakes in the world. Its beauty has drawn 60,000 residents to the basin area and attracts 3.5 million visitors every year. Deteriorating air quality is a growing concern, and the pristine quality of the lake is being threatened by erosion and pollution. Studies show it is losing nearly a foot in clarity each year. Ironically, forest management practices on surrounding federal lands have put at risk the very qualities they were supposed to preserve: the integrity of the forest and the clarity of the lake below. Environmental regulations have delayed some management actions and restricted timber harvests and forest treatments. Meanwhile, the forest has changed dramatically, resulting in high tree mortality. This tinderbox of dead and dying trees is at grave risk to wildfire that could threaten the basin with even greater erosion and air quality degradation, while destroying homes and vacation getaways sprinkled throughout the forest. The potential for loss of property and life to wildfire is higher than nearly anywhere else in California (WCSHF 1997, 3). To prevent increased erosion from wildfire, the Forest Service has estimated that 10,000 acres need to be treated annually--far more than the 200 acres now treated each year. As trees sicken and die, the once green forest is turning to shades of brown. A single spark could destroy the recreational opportunities and economic stability of the Lake Tahoe basin. Only through selective thinning and prescribed burn can the risk of conflagration be reduced. On adjacent lands just above the national forest, the trees remain vigorous and healthy. With a similar history of early forest clearing followed by fire suppression, these stands have escaped the bug infestation and high mortality. These privately owned timberlands are intensively managed to ensure vigor and high productivity. Unlike federal forest managers, private timberland managers responding to the bottom line have protected their forest assets overtime. On gold-tinged hills covered in tall grass just outside Bozeman, Montana, developers planned a new housing development that would be environmentally sensitive, provide communal open space, and protect migratory routes for wildlife. It also offered magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. At the same time, the state was making plans of its own in the form of a timber harvest on Mount Ellis, which rises directly behind the new development offering residents a striking view of its forested slopes and snowy summit. Real estate developer "Hurricane Harry" raised a ruckus about the proposed cut as did the new property owners at Eagle Rock Reserve. They did not stop the logging, but they did change the way the timber was harvested. After the initial uproar, the state offered to stop the harvest if the homeowners agreed to pay for the timber as well as for what would normally regrow on the site during the next twenty years. The price for this "viewshed easement" came to $430,000. This may have been an accurate reflection of the value of two timber rotations, but it was more than the homeowners wanted to pay. The state continued to work on solutions and came up with a less expensive alternative that saved the view and earned a profit. The harvest was designed to mimic the natural mosaic of meadows caused by wind and fire. This effort added only 1 or 2 percent to the overall logging costs, making the sale of 1.1 million board feet profitable for both the state school fund and the logging contractor. Solutions of this sort are not so easy to come by when dealing with federal agencies. Just over the ridge in the Gallatin National Forest, the Forest Service harvested an unsightly clear cut that became known as the "diaper line." When covered with snow from October to April, the large rectangular scars strung below a straight logging road resembled diapers hung out to dry. The public outcry was deafening and continued for years. Local groups petitioned the Forest Service to harvest additional timber around the edges of the cut to soften the harsh lines and make the openings appear more natural. This proved impossible, however, because the Forest Service had imposed a moratorium on timber harvesting to protect the watershed.11 Thirteen years passed before the Bozeman Creek sale was reharvested to feather the edges of the clear cut. While working toward its timber volume goal, the Forest Service apparently did not anticipate the public backlash from the highly visible clear cut. Caught in the political turmoil that followed, the agency found that it was hamstrung by its own regulations, unable to modify the cut and quell the outcry for more than a decade. The Profit Motive Summer campouts, fall hunting trips, and year-round rambles in fragrant pine forests were a treasured part of life for thousands of residents of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. Without free access to large areas of public lands such as in the West, these outdoor enthusiasts relied on the generosity of the International Paper Company (IP) to provide them with free use of its 1.2 million acres of private timberlands in the mid-south. Despite this heavy recreational use, the company managed its lands with one goal in mind--timber production, the main source of its revenue. By the early 1980s, however, the steadily increasing demand for recreation convinced company executives that charging fees for recreation made sense. Through the sale of daily use permits, seasonal family permits, and multi-year leases to hunting clubs, the company generated significant revenues (Anderson and Leal 1997, 4-8). From zero in 1980, revenues grew to $2 million in 1986, representing 25 percent of the company's total profits in that region (Anderson and Leal 1997, 6). By 1999, the earnings from non-timber sources were $5 million.12 As the profits grew, so did the incentive to manage the forests for recreation as well as timber. To enhance wildlife production, corridors of trees were maintained between harvest areas for wildlife movement. In areas that previously would have been clear cut, clumps of trees were left standing to provide greater age diversity. The overall size of the timber cuts was reduced and the perimeters made irregular, thus more attractive to a greater variety of wildlife. Riparian areas were protected by restricting harvests along streams. Long-term contracts with hunting clubs provided an incentive for the club members to act as stewards of their leased land and work cooperatively with IP managers. These efforts have paid big dividends to wildlife and stockholders. Game surveys in 1996 showed that populations of whitetail deer increased fivefold and turkey tenfold, along with substantial increases in fox, quail, ducks, and nongame populations. The incentive for IP to change its land management came from the revenues generated by fee-based recreation programs and the growing interest in sustainable forest management.13 Until recently, most of the fees collected on federal lands were returned to the treasury. Visitor demands for more recreational opportunities or increased wildlife were not addressed. Forest managers had no incentive to spend the money appropriated by Congress on visitors who made no direct financial contribution. The good news is federal officials are beginning to recognize the importance of revenues from recreation. The bad news is, they have yet to learn what IP has discovered: Integrating timber production and wildlife conservation can be beneficial. Located deep in the red rock canyon country of southeastern, Natural Bridges National Monument is the destination of nearly 150,000 visitors a year.14 Meandering streams have cut through sandstone walls to form some of the world's largest natural bridges. Hiking the trails of this remarkable monument is the main attraction for tourists, and it has also been the source of serious damage to the area's fragile ecosystem. The delicate surface soils found in this arid region form a living crust that is particularly vulnerable to the compression stress of footprints or tires. Visitors who leave the designated trails damage the crust, making it vulnerable to wind and water erosion. Impacted areas are slow to recover, taking fifty years or longer. Despite deteriorating conditions in many areas of the monument, managers have received no money from Congress for trail improvements or repairs for the last thirteen years. Historically, recreation fees collected on federal lands such as Natural Bridges were returned to the national treasury except for a small percentage that was retained to fund the fee collection program. Since none of the money was available for use at the site, managers had no incentive to operate a rigorous fee collection program. The Fee Demonstration Program, authorized in 1996, has begun to change management incentives. Pilot sites are allowed to keep at least 80 percent of the fees earned at the site with the remainder returned to the land agency for use at nonparticipating units. In fiscal year 1997, the National Park Service collected $45.1 million, the Forest Service collected $8.7 million, the Fish and Wildlife Service collected $2.1 million, and the Bureau of Land Management collected $419,000 (USDI and USDA 1998, 2-4). At Natural Bridges, the fees have allowed the managers to hire a trail supervisor and crew and to buy tools and materials to operate a sustainable trails program. Already the crew has reconstructed 5,000 feet of trails that were hazardous to visitors and damaging to the natural resource. They have also made repairs to another seven miles of trails. Plans for 1999 call for more reconstruction of trails that are literally falling apart and repairs to eroded areas. The new fees paid by recreational users have allowed managers to respond to the needs of the visitors and also protect the natural resources in ways that were impossible when all funding for the monument was coming from congressional appropriations. A Tale of Two Forests As darkness fell over the weary hunters returning to camp, the grins on their faces told the tale of a successful hunt--five trophy-sized elk harvested in five days. The largest bull scored 404 points, easily surpassing the 375 points required for entry into the Boone and Crockett record book. Because of today's crowded hunting conditions, this would be considered an extraordinary hunt in most parts the country, but it was typical for the Fort Apache Reservation in Arizona. Prior to 1977, the Arizona Game and Fish Department had managed hunting on the reservation. Its goal was to maximize hunter days, which translated into 700 annual elk permits at $150 each. When the White Mountain Apache tribe took control of hunting on the reservation, it made some drastic changes. In its first year of operation, the tribe issued just 12 permits, but the price was $750 each. Today, through careful management of wildlife habitat, the tribe has arguably the best elk herd in North America. Only 70 permits are now issued each year for trophy bull elk and they cost upwards of $24,000 each. The waiting list for a permit is five years (Anderson and Leal 1997, 150-53). To improve the quality of the herd, the tribe not only reduced hunting pressure, but hired biologists to assist with land management. Open meadows that provide abundant forage were protected, livestock grazing was reduced, and logging was restricted in the high country, riparian zones, and mountain meadows. But timber is still a top-revenue producer at $7 million a year (Cornell and Kalt 1992, 224). By combining market incentives with a tradition of land stewardship, the White Mountain Apache tribe has developed a flourishing wildlife community, recreational activities, and 700,000 acres of productive forest land in east central Arizona. Through careful management, the tribe has further enhanced its already substantial income from natural resources. In contrast, elk are disappearing from the Clearwater National Forest in Idaho, once considered a mecca for wildlife. Much of the Clearwater basin burned in the great fires of 1910 that were the impetus for the fire suppression policies adopted by the Forest Service. Since then, the forest has been managed in the absence of fire, resulting in an even-aged stand of dense fir. Without the openings and meadows historically created by fire, the elk have nowhere to graze. The dense thicket of undergrowth blocks the sunlight and prevents the growth of essential forage. Over time, elk and other wildlife have virtually disappeared from the forest ecosystem.15 Only recently has public dissatisfaction prompted federal managers to act. A working group composed of local citizens, the Forest Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has formed to create solutions and lure the elk back into the Clearwater. The Reserve, 40 miles northwest of Charleston, North Carolina, harbors the oldest wading bird rookery in North America. Owned and operated by the Nature Conservancy as a wildlife sanctuary, the 1,040-acre site also is habitat for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker which makes its home in the long leaf pines.16 The woodpecker excavates cavities in the living trees when they reach about 80 years of age. There are few documented cases of the birds being found in stands less than 30 to 40 years old, but the number of woodpeckers increases dramatically as the age of the stand reaches 80 to 100 years. With that in mind, the managers at the reserve encourage the growth of large, mature pines with mechanical thinning to reduce competition for sunlight and nutrients. They use prescribed burns to inhibit underbrush growth, create small openings in the forest, and improve the forage for wildlife. Timber revenues from selective cuts help pay for the management of the reserve. And, of course, the Nature Conservancy depends upon its members for contributions, thus providing an incentive to pursue its conservation activities. Other private landowners who have provided habitat for endangered species have been thwarted by the very law that was designed to protect these species. Many private pine forests in the south are managed for their long-term timber asset. These pine stands also provide wildlife habitat, and are often managed for hunting and other recreation. The Endangered Species Act (ESA), however, permits the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restrict landowner rights if endangered species habitat exists on the land. A private landowner with a known red-cockaded woodpecker nesting site may be prohibited from harvesting land after decades of investment in timber management. Ben Cone of North Carolina is a case in point. Cone managed 7,200 acres of timberland with 70-80 year harvest rotations, small cuts, and controlled burns, which aided not only the return of the wild turkey, but also created habitat for the red-cockaded woodpecker. When the endangered woodpecker took up residence on Cone's land, more than 1,500 acres were placed under the control of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (see Stroup 1997). In response, Cone began a harvest rotation of 40 years on the rest of his land in order to eliminate the mature pines favored by the woodpecker and also remove any possibility that the federal government would take control of his remaining land. Ben Cone's experience is not an isolated incident, as a study by economists Dean Lueck and Jeffrey Michael (1999) confirms. Using data from hundreds of forest plots in North Carolina, they found that the more red-cockaded woodpeckers in the vicinity, the more likely the landowners were to harvest younger trees. If no colonies were found within a 25-mile radius, the harvest age was 58 years. When 25 colonies were present, the harvest age fell to 36 years and with 437 colonies (the maximum density in North Carolina), the harvest age was just 16 years (Lueck and Michael 1999, 36). The landowners' incentive for using this shorter rotation was to ensure the birds did not move onto their property, possibly leading to land-use restrictions. Clearly, the ESA is creating perverse incentives. September is a month of stunning beauty at the Snow Bank Recreation Area in southwestern Montana's Gallatin National Forest. The vibrant yellows and oranges of the aspens and cottonwoods mix with the deep greens of pine and spruce to create an arresting tapestry. Thousands of recreationists are drawn into the forest for a weekend drive or an end-of-season campout. Cars, trucks, RVs, ATVs, and mountain bikes crowd the road sending plumes of dust into the air. This Forest Service road and many more like it are thoroughfares providing millions of Americans with easy access to the nation's forests. In fact, there are 380,000 miles of Forest Service roads, a distance eight times longer than our interstate highway system. And like our interstates, they are built to carry heavy traffic and remain in perpetuity. These high-quality roads are expensive projects; in 1997, the average cost for one mile of Forest Service road was $64,000 (FS 1998a, 163). Although originally built for timber removal and paid for with congressional appropriations for the timber harvesting program, 98 percent of their use is for recreation. Yet recreational users pay nothing for these roads--neither for their construction nor their maintenance. Congressional appropriations for road building create an incentive to build more and more roads in the national forests. The projects provide work for Forest Service engineers, planners, and other staff, expanding the size of the agency. Furthermore, forest managers must add roads for recreational use in order to meet their annual goals; the more roads, the higher their performance rating. The excessive number of roads running through the forests are beginning to take their toll on the environment. During the first half of the century, roads were built to much lower standards. Many of these roads are now deteriorating, causing hillside erosion, water quality degradation, and other environmental problems. Congress continues to appropriate money for road building but little for maintenance. As a result, there is now a maintenance backlog of $10 billion (FS 1998b, 19). Recreation fees could help maintain roads and also ration visitors in congested areas. Without these fees or a bottom line where operating costs are funded from revenues, federal forest managers have no incentive to reduce road building, make repairs, or obliterate timber roads. In fact they have the incentive to do just the opposite.17 Alternatively, state timber roads cost less and are less damaging to the environment. Building specifications are much lower than federal standards because of the planned short-term use. For example, in Montana a state timber road costs about $5,000 per mile and is built solely for the purpose of timber removal and reforestation. The fact that state managers must adhere to a bottom line prevents overinvestment in roads. Furthermore, state forests are required to generate a positive return for public schools. Thus, many roads are routinely obliterated, eliminating the threat of environmental damage or the need for maintenance. Some are retained as foot trails for recreational use and in some states, such as Arizona, Montana, and New Mexico, a small fee is charged for recreation on state lands (see Fretwell 1998, 13-14). In May 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted violently in western Washington. More than 1,300 feet of the mountain's top cascaded into the Toutle River Valley below. The blast killed 57 people and devastated 150,000 acres of private, state, and national forest land. Weyerhaeuser Company, the largest private landowner affected by the eruption, lost 68,000 acres of its St. Helens Tree Farm. Quick action by the company, however, has been handsomely rewarded by the healthy forest that is growing there today.18 Salvage harvest operations begun that fall saved 850 million board feet of timber, enough to build 85,000 three-bedroom homes. Extensive restoration followed and by June of 1987 more than 18 million Douglas fir and noble fir seedlings were growing on company lands ravaged by the eruption. These young trees, many now over 45 feet tall, are rebuilding a healthy forest ecosystem. The commercial loss to the company was an incentive for quick reforestation to return the land to productivity. Although the restoration work was primarily motivated by economics, it also returned environmental quality to the blast area by preventing erosion, improving water quality, and restoring wildlife habitat. Adjacent to the Weyerhaeuser lands, Congress set aside federal land as the National Volcanic Monument, an outdoor museum that would document the natural restoration process. The accompanying educational programs and displays have drawn millions of visitors to the site. The Weyerhaeuser land next door is an education in a different respect. Nearly twenty years after the eruption, a new forest is growing on the private land, while the monument land shows few signs of recovery. Allowing nature to take its course is not always the best alternative, unless the objective is to create a living museum. With the right incentives, man can lend a helping hand to nature. Americans are not getting what they pay for. Although hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on our federal forest lands every year to ensure ecological health, productivity, and biodiversity, the photos and stories in this report show forests that exhibit almost none of these values. Instead, they are inhospitable to both wildlife and recreational visitors and at risk of devastation from disease, insects, and catastrophic wildfire. Our federal land management system is clearly dysfunctional and harmful to the health of our national forests. Forest managers must respond to a multitude of demands that are contrary to their goal of healthy forest ecosystems: political interests, short-term bureaucratic goals, perverse incentives, and stultifying layers of regulations that reflect neither local nor regional differences. Yet other timber lands exhibit healthy, vigorous forest ecosystems. Private land owners who grow trees for commercial harvest have a long-term commitment to the value of the timber and a strong incentive to manage for a productive forest. In recent years, the growing market in outdoor recreation has created additional incentives for private owners to manage their lands for wildlife, recreational opportunities, and other environmental amenities. Similarly, the managers of state trust lands have shown that with less political interference and clear mandates to generate revenues for public schools, public timberlands can be managed to benefit both forest health and the state residents. The solution proposed by environmentalists and being rapidly embraced by the Forest Service is to stop logging and focus on recreation. But this report and the recent GAO report show that logging should be part of the ecological and economic solution. Federal forest managers could restore our public forests to health and productivity if only Congress would remove the barriers and provide positive incentives for sound scientific management. Toward that end, we recommend several policy changes: Require federal forest managers to pay costs from revenues earned. Managers would be responsible for setting recreational fees, planning harvests, and creating other revenue opportunities compatible with forest health. When these revenues are retained by managers, they create a positive incentive to respond to visitor demands and protect the resources, while also insulating the managers from political pressures. Decentralize forest management by allowing local and regional concerns to guide management decisions. Applying the same set of principles to forests in widely differing regions can prove more harmful than beneficial. Encourage competitive bidding for forest uses. Managers could accept fees for retaining timber stands or harvesting them. The relative value of forest uses--recreation, environmental protection, or commodity production--helps managers determine the resource's best use and eliminates gridlock. Devolve some federal forest lands to state or private management. Private property owners and state agencies manage their lands for the greatest productivity, including both commodities and environmental amenities. 3. This is illustrated in an excerpt from the 1853 journal of Miss Rebecca Ketcham: "Our road has been nearly the whole day through the woods, that is, if beautiful groves of pine trees can be called woods. . . .The country all through is burnt over, so often there is not the least underbrush, but the grass grows thick and beautiful. It is now ripe and yellow and in the spaces between the groves looks like fields of grain ripened, ready for the harvest" (Wickman 1992, 1). 6. Many western states have adopted state environmental policy acts similar to NEPA. California, Montana, Oregon, and Washington have timber harvest restrictions comparable to national requirements. See also Fretwell (1998). 7. Most western states were provided grants of land upon their creation for the benefit of the public schools and other state institutions. States receiving school trust grant lands are Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 13. IP has also begun to certify its lands under the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The economic incentive of a more marketable end product also drives timber management decisions. 18. Information in this section taken from pamphlets provided by Weyerhaeuser Company (Tacoma, Washington): Mount St. Helens Weyerhaeuser's Reforestation and The Pacific Northwest Working Forest: For Generations to Come. Anderson, Terry L., and Donald R. Leal. 1997. Enviro-Capitalists: Doing Good While Doing Well. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. Arno, Steve F., Joe H. Scott, and Michael G. Hartwell. 1995. Age-Class Structure of Old Growth Ponderosa Pine/Douglas-Fir Stands and Its Relationship to Fire History. Research Paper INT-RP-481. Ogden, UT: U.S. Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, April. Clark, Lance R., and R. Neil Sampson. 1995. Forest Ecosystem Health in the Inland West: A Science Policy Reader. Washington, DC: American Forests, Forest Policy Center. Committee on Agriculture. 1997. Hearing on Forest Ecosystem Health in the United States. Joint with Committee on Resources. Washington, DC, April 9. Available: here. Evergreen Magazine. 1995. A Season of Fire. Winter 1994-95, 48-57. Forest Service (FS). 1998a. FY 1998 Budget Explanatory Notes for the Committee on Appropriations. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture. ------. 1998b. National Forest Road Systems and Use. Draft. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, January 30. ------. 1998c. Report of the Forest Service. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture. Fretwell, Holly Lippke. 1998. Public Lands: The Price We Pay. Bozeman, MT: Political Economy Research Center, August. Glickman, Dan. 1997. Hearing on the Use of Fire as a Management Tool and its Risks and Benefits for Forest Health and Air Quality. Statement of the Secretary, USDA, before the Committee on Resources, House of Representatives. Washington, DC, September 30. Government Accounting Office (GAO). 1999. Western National Forests. GAO/RCED-99-65. Washington, DC, April. Cornell, Stephen, and Joseph P. Kalt. 1992. Culture and Institutions as Public Goods. In Property Rights and Indian Economies, ed. Terry L. Anderson. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 215-52. Leal, Donald R. 1995. Turning a Profit on Public Forests. PERC Policy Series PS-4. Bozeman, MT: Political Economy Research Center. Lueck, Dean, and Jeffrey Michael. 1999. Preemptive Habitat Destruction under the Endangered Species Act. Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics, Montana State University, Bozeman, April 20. McMillion, Scott. 1998. It's Time to Run, Dammit. Now. Go. Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Vista '98: Summer of Fires (Special Issue), March 28. Nelson, Robert H. 1999. Ending the Forest Fire Gridlock: Making Fire Fighting in the West a State and Local Responsibility. Environmental Studies Program. Washington, DC: Competitive Enterprise Institute, March. Peterson, Jim. 1992. Grey Ghosts in the Blue Mountains. Evergreen Magazine, January/February, 3-8. ------. 1995. The 1910 Fire. Evergreen Magazine, Winter 1994-1995, 8-13. Sampson, R. Neil, and Lester A. DeCoster. 1998. Forest Health in the United States. Washington, DC: American Forests, Forest Policy Center. Stroup, Richard L. 1997. The Economics of Compensating Property Owners. Contemporary Economic Policy 15(October): 55-65. U.S. Department of the Interior (USDI) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 1998. Recreation Fee Demonstration Program: Progress Report to Congress. Vol. 1: Overview and Summary. Washington, DC, January 31. Western Communities for Safe and Healthy Forests (WCSHF). 1997. Media Resource Guide: The Lake Tahoe Presidential Event. Sacramento, CA. Wickman, Boyd E. 1992. Forest Health in the Blue Mountains. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-295. Portland, OR: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, March.

<urn:uuid:7c0136be-ea0c-4407-ace8-67ee9b556531>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://perc.org/articles/do-we-get-what-we-pay

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

COASTAL SUSTAINABILITY STUDIOMississippi Delta. Click image to enlarge. With its ability to carry and deposit rich sediment, the Mississippi River has for centuries built up and maintained the fertile land of the Delta. The progressive re-engineering of the river and the delta in the past three centuries — much of it under the direction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — has produced significant regional and national benefits, serving especially the shipping and petrochemical industries. But we know that these economic benefits have been purchased at enormous environmental costs, and that the sustainability of the gulf ecosystem is threatened. The devastation wrought by successive hurricanes — Katrina, Rita, Ike, Gustav — and the explosion this summer of the offshore Deepwater Horizon and the catastrophic oil spill that followed, have heightened awareness that the region faces a perilous future. The Coastal Sustainability Studio is focused on exploring solutions that match in boldness and scale the gravity of the problem: restoring the power of the Mississippi River. Image credit: Coastal Sustainability Studio

<urn:uuid:181d41c0-6be9-41ee-8066-6166d5857619>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://places.designobserver.com/slideshow.html?view=1168&entry=14938&slide=1

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Saint Elizabeths Is a Hospital Reborn By Douglas Gordon, Hon. AIA Sited on a bluff overlooking the confluence of the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, the 336-acre Saint Elizabeths compound accommodated the first large-scale federal psychiatric hospital in the U.S. from 1855 until the federal government transferred the hospital to the District of Columbia in 1987. Healthcare innovator Dorothea Dix originated the idea of the hospital, which, she wrote in 1852, was to provide the “most humane care and enlightened curative treatment of the insane of the Army, Navy, and District of Columbia.” The originally named Government Hospital for the Insane became better known during the Civil War by the moniker ascribed to the colonial tract—Saint Elizabeth’s (although the apostrophe was inadvertently dropped when Congress officially changed the name in 1916). Wounded and sick soldiers and sailors at the time were averse to mentioning in letters home that they were housed in an insane asylum. There are still two cemeteries on the grounds from those days in which military and civilian dead, both white and black, are interred—very unusual for the time. The General Services Administration is currently rehabilitating the western campus, which still belongs to the federal government (as reported in the 2010 Inform, issue 6). It will become the new home of the Department of Homeland Security. The District, in turn, owns the 118-acre east campus, which, since 2010, has been the site of a new Department of Mental Health-run, state-of-the-art psychiatric facility for about 300 in-patients, designed by EYP Architecture and Engineering. It is this facility—which houses both civil and forensic patients, separately—that is the focus of this article. The new facility houses and treats the civil patients—individuals with serious and persistent mental illness—in the transitional section of the complex. In the adjacent and more secure (although aesthetically identical) part of the hospital are the individuals who have been committed by the courts as unable to stand trial by reason of insanity. That section of the hospital, generally undifferentiated other than by extremely unobtrusive security monitors and fencing, is the intensive section. Treatment for these patients (about half of whom are transitional and the other half intensive) includes recreation and education within a daily schedule that mirrors what patients might experience in the outside world. The goal is to educate and assimilate people to return to the outside world as productive members of society. The means involve a range of incentives, training routines, and an environment filled with light, access to the out-of-doors, and an over-riding sense of what one might call normality (although staff prefer to avoid that comparison lest it denote that being inside the facility is anything but normal). In fact, says Saint Elizabeths CEO, Dr. Patrick Canavan, the facility and many of its amenities—including a 250-person theater and congregation/ballfield area—are open to the public. Bringing the hospital as an activating element into this east-of-the-Anacostia community is very much a part of the hospital’s over-arching purpose, he says. Moreover, it is interesting to walk about the hospital with Dr. Canavan and see how the patients know and respond to him as a familiar (not always with respect and grace, incidentally). He and his staff, for their part, are not only understanding of their patient’s behavior, there is an award voted on by the patients—the Respect Award—which recognizes staff whose demeanor the patients regard most highly. On showing a visitor the display of the Respect Award recipients, Canavan is quick to note: “In every instance, not surprisingly, these people are, in my opinion, very deserving of this recognition.” Treatment within Saint Elizabeths Patients’ access to privileges within the hospital is based on both their status and behavior. With the biggest two challenges of adjusting to life in the outside world being housing and employment, Canavan says, the hospital focuses on creating an environment that mirrors the world into which, hopefully, patients will aspire. This includes a schedule that brings individuals outside of their rooms into the general population and recreational and educational opportunities. The hospital also treats out-patients who freely move between the facility and outside community. A hub of the hospital’s activities is the therapeutic learning center. Patients spend much of the day in these centers, located in both the transitional and intensive-care areas. In addition to these areas, supplemented with computer-training rooms, there are the very popular plant-germination rooms where patients with permission are able to plant and care for seedlings destined for the outdoor areas. These kinds of amenities, as well as levels of supervision and outdoor access, strengthen social skills that allow patients to connect to the outside world. Another major factor is their connection with what many of us consider a normal day: Get up and have breakfast at home, go to work and take a lunch break midday, go home at the end of the workday and have dinner, and go to bed at a reasonable hour. This is in contrast to what often happened at the older Saint Elizabeths facility, where many people stayed in their sleeping area a large part of the day. Moreover, they weren’t able to go outside unless their entire group was able and willing to go out. With the older five-story facility, this often meant hours of gathering residents together, taking them via elevator down to the ground floor, and making sure they were safe and secure outside. And, if any one individual had a physical or emotional problem, the whole group would have to go back up the elevator in either a drastically postponed or, more likely, cancelled attempt to connect to the out-of-doors. The amount of staff hours devoted to this laborious routine took them away from the more important tasks of patient care and healing. For that reason, says Saint Elizabeths Director of Facilities Planning Richard Warsh, the design team for the new hospital kept three design goals in mind from the outset: maximum natural light, ready access to green outdoor settings, and a minimal need to use elevators. Other amenities EYP Principal Eric Kern, AIA, points out include privacy in showers and bathrooms (as opposed to the previous facility’s communal arrangements), large and comfortable bedroom areas, quiet rooms for people who need to get away temporarily from any feelings of disturbance, and a basketball court (very reminiscent of a high school court and identical—one each—in the transitional and intensive areas). Sustainability as an added amenity Although the D.C. government did not require LEED® certification of its major construction projects when EYP took on the design of the new hospital, sustainable design was a goal from the outset, says Marc Shaw, AIA, who worked on the project as an EYP principal earlier and now oversees his own firm in Washington. “D.C. didn’t have a LEED requirement at the time,” Shaw explains. “We decided on our own that these elements of resource management should be there. For one thing, there were practical aspects of having, for instance, the large green-roof areas to absorb water and provide additional insulation. If we had installed storm drains to handle the large amount of runoff from the impervious paved surfaces, we would have had to install a huge underground holding tank fed by large-diameter pipes. That alone would have cost nearly a million dollars. Although, obviously, the green roof had costs involved, the net effect was to save a lot of money.” The facility also has a bio-swale system and landscaped rainwater retention areas as part of its overall water-management strategy, Kern says. Rhodeside & Harwell was the landscape architect. The gym is one of the “greenest” areas of the building, Shaw asserts. “You have several thousand square feet where patients, staff, and community can come in, play basketball, and burn off energy. Clinically and socially it makes sense. It’s not sexy, but it communicates that the residents are part of the community, and, with the clerestory windows, you can operate that gym for 8 to 10 hours a day without turning on the lights.” The designers were also mindful of other LEED-oriented considerations. The brick—which is reminiscent of the original west campus—and the copper and manufactured-stone highlights were locally sourced. (Two brick subcontractors competed to put two of the wings in place with the understanding that whichever performed the best would be awarded the middle wing, Shaw says. The resulting competition meant both higher quality and an accelerated pace of construction.) With the patients in mind From the facilities to operations, and even with the move from the old hospital to the new, the well-being of the patients was foremost on the minds of staff and the design/construction team. For instance, the security system—necessary for the well-being of the patients as well as the security of the community, given the nature of patients in the intensive wards—is as unobtrusive as possible. Although privacy for bathing and bathrooms is paramount, every other aspect of patient and staff movement is carefully monitored from a central closed-circuit-television control room. Camera direction and focus are operable and precise. Climb-resistant fences, with a mesh of about an eighth of an inch, have motion-sensitive detectors. Staff have direct visual oversight of all living and activity areas all day, every day. And public traffic into and out of the facility is monitored scrupulously at all times. Certainly the public has access to the hospital, but the staff monitor that access, both closely and in a friendly way. Recognizing the distress that moving to a new facility would have on the patients, the hospital staff endeavored to make it as smooth a transition as possible, Canavan says. “We tried to give patients a sense of owning their new space by having an open house and letting them move their clothes and personal effects themselves,” he says. Still, there was an uptick in disturbances in the first months of the move. According to the Environmental Survey Report that the hospital regularly posts, resident disturbances increased temporarily in May 2010, but soon tapered back to a level lower than in the original facility. CEO Canavan responds that although the cause-and-effect relationship is too complicated to address directly, the access to the outside, normalized schedule, educational opportunities, and light and fresh air are all positive influences on patient recovery. He points out that reducing the stress on the staff was also a programmatic concern. There was a conscious effort to separate on-duty and off-duty physical space. Staff have “away” areas if the stress gets unbearable. They also have separate lunch areas so that they are not eating or enjoying a coffee break in the presence of patients (who would not have access to the food or beverage, which would be inexplicable to them). “When you’re on duty, you are working for the patients; when you are off duty, you are away from the stress of the job,” the doctor says. In addition to patients bringing over objects and a sense of place that is meaningful to themselves, the design team saw it meaningful to reflect the aesthetic of the historic hospital in the new facility, which includes a small museum in the entryway lobby, the brick with stone and copper highlights, and bringing a number of stone plaques and other artifacts from the west campus. With EYP and its client and construction team as partners, Saint Elizabeths is reborn as the state-of-the-current-art of psychiatric care, as Dorothea Dix envisioned.

<urn:uuid:374a3cbc-3a3e-4017-aa20-95f17ca1cb02>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://readinform.com/feature/saint-elizabeths-is-a-hospital-reborn/

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

On March 4, 1996, the following response to an Internet survey on mathematics instruction for blind students was sent by Professor Abraham Nemeth, addressing a personal perspective of factors which were critical to his ultimate achievement and success as a mathematician. I did not require any special methods of instruction. I attended regular classes where I took notes in braille supplemented by tape recordings of the lectures. I developed the Nemeth Code when I found that the other available codes in existence were inadequate as a tool for doing mathematics. I used the braillewriter as the exclusive device by which I performed mathematical calculations and manipulated mathematics expressions. On a braillewriter, the dots appear on the top side of the paper where they can be immediately read. This allows for the rapid alternation between reading and writing which is required when interacting with mathematical expressions, and is the closest thing to the use of a pencil and paper used by the sighted. To operate effectively in this manner, one must be a skilled and accurate braille user. I am congenitally and totally blind and was fortunate to have been taught braille at an early age. There were no areas in mathematics that caused me any particular difficulty. I often wished that my instructor would verbalize what he was writing on the blackboard. I tried contacting my professors to ask them to do that; sometimes I was successful and sometimes not. I believe that I could not have reached my potential in mathematics without the Nemeth Code. With it, I am able to read and write mathematics, as well as other sciences, at all levels, limited only by my talent and my ambition.

<urn:uuid:097bb0af-2295-4f10-9e35-920973fa64d6>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://s22318.tsbvi.edu/mathproject/ch8.asp

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Communities in Kenya have adopted one another’s food preferences and recipes. With the exception of the Coast and Indian communities for whom food preparation is an elaborate process, nearly all other communities garnish their food by frying it. They also boil, bake in hot ashes and roast. Common foods include: It is a sticky mixture of flour and water and is accompanied by vegetables, meat, milk or milk mixed with blood especially for pastoralist communities. Traditionally, it is made from millet or cassava. But maize flour has increasingly taken pride of place. lt is used to prepare sauces and stews. Communities have different ways of preparing meat, but roast meat is widely eaten as a delicacy especially in urban areas. Animals slaughtered for meat depend on the location, with beef and mutton the most common. Camel and game are the preserve of communities with access to the animals. In the last quarter ofthe 20th century, maize replaced sorghum as the most important cereal in Kenya. lt is roasted and eaten as a snack and sold on the streets and in markets. Green boiled maize, often garnished with salt, is also common. Among the Somali, fresh maize (galeey) is fried in oil and eaten as a snack. Dry maize is also fried to make popcorn, popular with children. A mixture of green or dry maize and beans, cowpeas, pigeon peas or even groundnuts is also popular. lt is eaten as a main course or snack. Sometimes, it is pounded with Irish or sweet potatoes, bananas and green vegetables. A wide range of traditional and exotic fruits are consumed in Kenya, usually as snacks. Mango, citrus fruits, banana, jackfruit, papaya, melons, guava, passion fruit, custard apple and avocado pear are common. Many traditional fruits such as baobab, wild custard apple, carissa, dialium, flacourtia (Indian plum), marula, vangueria, tamarind, vitex and ‘jujube’ are picked in the wild. They are used as accompaniments for starchy food such as ugali. Common traditional vegetables include baobab, cowpeas, amaranth, vine spinach, Ethiopian kale, pumpkin leaves, spider plant and hibiscus. Kale (sukuma wiki) is now the most common vegetable in Kenya.

<urn:uuid:b5f9c5d5-79ee-47f3-a1e8-641570913001>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://softkenya.com/food/

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Learning Japanese from media Learning the Japanese language from Japanese media can be a great and motivational way to study the language. This article organizes information useful in that pursuit. The language found in Japanese media can differ greatly from what one would encounter in real life Japan, particularly in its excessive crudeness. Individuals may exchange words and expressions frequently that seem innocuous and elicit innocuous responses, but are fighting words to a Japanese person. The following are some words that are best avoided entirely until you are proficient and well in-tune to the subtle situations where they may be appropriate. - おのれ -- Highly aggressive "you". - てめえ -- Highly aggressive "you". - おまえ -- Highly aggressive "you". - きさま -- Highly aggressive "you". You can see what will happen by using おまえ and きさま at a public place. - 俺【おれ】-- Boastful word for "I". Used historically by the samurai to impress upon others their own greatness. It is used infrequently in modern day Japan and is almost always rude. See this. - [one's own name]さま -- Using the honorific さま after one's own name isn't a part of real Japanese, but may occur in some forms of media. - しとけ (しておけ) -- See a relevant forum thread. - やがる -- Expresses disdain for the clause preceding it. See Tae Kim on the word. A search in the discussion forums on a particular word may yield more information. In general when writing and speaking the Japanese language, try to favor the forms you learned in your grammar books over what you encounter in the media. Sometimes a particular media takes place in historical times such as feudal Japan, or the 1980s. In either case, bear in mind that antiquated language may be in use, and that current events and pop culture likely influenced its creation. Non-Japanese media translated to Japanese Like what you may find in ALC (which is powered by Eijiro (英辞朗)), non-Japanese media may contain material that is not literally translated, but is actually translated based on situational context. Due to the immense cultural differences between Japan and most of the world, this would make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to put out a translation that is as literal as possible without being unnatural. In that case, treat the Japanese translated material as if it were of Japanese origin, and apply strategies for watching anime.

<urn:uuid:d4e4de1e-55b5-46b5-8499-541b9497b275>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://thejapanesepage.com/w/index.php?title=Learning_Japanese_from_Japanese_media

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Try creating an outline, and then using that as a reference to write the story. One of the first books I wrote as a teenager, I actually did this. I just wrote down an outline first; pencil on paper. Not chapter by chapter, but event by event. When a major event came to mind, I would use the top-level outline numbering and indent level, and then drill down into what would transpire. It was a great exercise to help train my mind how to write books. As I wrote the story, perhaps a year later, I remember finding it easier to write about one event at a time. It was more like writing a series of short stories. Of course, I changed things at whim. Through several rounds of rewrites, the book did eventually come together. I hate to say it, but if you're writing a story, don't be afraid to just outright use a formula. I don't do this any more, but have certainly used it as a mechanism to help get ideas out when I was younger. Just think about how you think the basic story should flow, and then fill in the blanks with passes of ever-increasing detail, sketchy outline, detailed outline, rough draft of events, piece together into short stories, and then craft a draft novel (or series, depending on the amount of stuff you're covering). - Opening scene - Plot development 1 - Plot development 2 - Ending climax Looking back, this may not have been the easiest way to create a book, but it was a way that worked for me, given being wont to overfocus on details and then actually lose focus on the story as a whole. I'd say that anything you do that helps you get out the stories you have inside is a good practice. Your talents will develop better as you write than if you're thinking about writing, but not actually doing it :)

<urn:uuid:aa0b9fa4-5b53-40f6-a27b-3c2759174864>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://writers.stackexchange.com/questions/61/what-are-the-first-things-i-should-do-with-an-idea/3148

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

World looks to ICCAT to overcome more than four decades of failure to save tuna A WWF analysis of ICCAT's record, updated for the Paris meeting, has found parallels between the collapse of the Western Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery under ICCAT's supervision in the 1990s and the current looming collapse of the remaining Eastern Atlantic (Mediterranean) bluefin tuna fishery. These parallels include periods of reduced catch limits when frustration with ICCAT led to proposals for trade restrictions under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) - followed by a return to inflated catches and negligent management when the danger of international intervention had passed. The WWF analysis clearly identifies the key issue as ICCAT's woeful adherence to its original charter of managing fisheries in accordance with scientific advice. At last year's meeting, ICCAT’s own scientists established that Atlantic bluefin tuna fitted the criteria for the highest level of trade restrictions, as did a subsequent analysis of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation - but a Monaco proposal to list bluefin tuna was voted down with no debate at the March 2010 meeting of parties to CITES in Doha, Qatar. Lobbying by the principal bluefin market, Japan, played a key role in this decision, which was however followed by the most significant players on both the catch and trade sides of the bluefin tuna equation – Japan, the EU, the U.S., Norway and Canada – also committing themselves to the adoption of sustainable, science-based fisheries management measures by ICCAT. The Paris test will be whether ICCAT parties remain true to their “Doha Commitments” or agree only a marginal reduction in quotas and persist with a management regime full of loopholes.

<urn:uuid:84ae9586-6361-477a-a148-0657d4d7c901>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://wwf.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/turkey/?197141/TUNA-TIMELINE--World-looks-to-ICCAT-to-overcome-more-than-4-decades-of-failure-to-save-tuna

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

ETA: S&F for a well put together thread edit on 9-2-2013 by thesmokingman because: (no reason given) Contrary to the conventional wisdom of the day, the real danger facing humanity is not global warming, but more likely the coming of a new Ice Age.What we live in now is known as an interglacial, a relatively brief period between long ice ages. Unfortunately for us, most interglacial periods last only about ten thousand years, and that is how long it has been since the last Ice Age ended.How much longer do we have before the ice begins to spread across the Earth's surface? Less than a hundred years or several hundred? We simply don't know Even if all the temperature increase over the last century is attributable to human activities, the rise has been relatively modest one of a little over one degree Fahrenheit — an increase well within natural variations over the last few thousand years. While an enduring temperature rise of the same size over the next century would cause humanity to make some changes, it would undoubtedly be within our ability to adapt.Entering a new ice age, however, would be catastrophic for the continuation of modern civilization. New York (CNN) -- A massive blizzard that dumped as much as 3 feet of snow in parts of the Northeast is heading out to sea, as workers across New York and New England struggle to get airports, trains and highways back online. The snowstorm, a product of two converging weather systems, knocked out power for more than 635,000 customers and prompted the U.S. Postal Service to suspend deliveries in seven states. About 4,800 flights were canceled as of Saturday, and at least four people died in traffic accidents related to the storm in New York, Connecticut and southern Ontario The last glaciation centered on the huge ice sheets of North America and Eurasia. Considerable areas in the Alps, the Himalaya and the Andes were ice-covered, and Antarctica remained glaciated. Canada was nearly completely covered by ice, as well as the northern part of the USA, both blanketed by the huge Laurentide ice sheet. Alaska remained mostly ice free due to arid climate conditions. Local glaciations existed in the Rocky Mountains and the Cordilleran ice sheet and as ice fields and ice caps in the Sierra Nevada in northern California. In Britain, mainland Europe, and northwestern Asia, the Scandinavian ice sheet once again reached the northern parts of the British Isles, Germany, Poland, and Russia, extending as far east as the Taimyr Peninsula in western Siberia. The maximum extent of western Siberian glaciation was reached approximately 18,000 to 17,000 BP and thus later than in Europe (22,000–18,000 BP). Northeastern Siberia was not covered by a continental-scale ice sheet. Instead, large, but restricted, icefield complexes covered mountain ranges within northeast Siberia, including the Kamchatka-Koryak Mountains An artist's impression of the last glacial period at glacial maximum. Based on: Crowley, Thomas J. (1995). Originally posted by Painterz Global Warming for the UK for example means it will get generally a lot colder here, and a whole lot wetter. Which is exactly what is happening. Seriously - global warming will cause a lot of the planet to cool down?Is a lot of the planet seeing record low temperatures? Can you provide some statistics on that? Originally posted by Ben81 This winter have been one of the worst in term of precipitation and very cold temperature many in the north hemisphere will agree with me on that

<urn:uuid:fd168af8-0b24-4c5b-9767-c7b2bd0f992f>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread925032/pg1

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Mark Perry has posted some interesting comparison of how prices have plummeted between 1958 and 2012 when measured in terms of the hours of work required to purchase items. He concludes that today's consumer working at the average wage of $19.19 would only have to work 26.6 hours (a little more than three days) to earn enough income ($511) to purchase a toaster, TV and iPod. The equivalent products (in terms of their basic function, not their quality) would have required 4.64 weeks of work in 1958. In short, the "time cost" of these items has massively declined by 86% in less than 5 decades. Similarly, Perry calculates that measured in the amount of time working at the average hourly wage to earn enough income to purchase a washer-dryer combination, the "time cost" of those two appliances together has fallen by 83%, from 181.8 hours in 1959 to only 31 hours today. What if we applied this kind of analysis to health care? The results are quite interesting. In 1958, per capita health expenditures were $134. This may seem astonishingly small, but it actually includes everything, inclusive of care paid for by government or private health insurers. A worker earning the average wage in 1958 ($1.98) would have had to work 118 hours-nearly 15 days-to cover this expense. By 2012, per capita health spending had climbed to $8,953. At the average wage, a typical worker would have to work 467 hours-about 58 days. In short, while time prices for other goods and services had shrunk to less than one quarter of their 1958 levels, time prices for health care had more than quadrupled! Of course, health care in 2012 is vastly different and greatly improved compared to what was available in 1958. But the same can be said of other goods and services (Perry, for example, is comparing the cost of an iPod to 4-speed automatic record player). This simple comparison reminds us of three basic truths. In general, private markets tend to produce steadily lower prices in real terms (e.g., in worker time costs) and steadily rising quality. This is exactly what we observe for goods such as toasters, TVs, iPods, washers and dryers. In contrast, while the quality of health care unequivocably has risen since 1958, real spending on health care has climbed dramatically. This isn't an apples-to-apples comparison insofar as the bundle of goods and services that constitute health care is also much larger today than in 1958. In contrast, even though the quality may be better, a washing machine in 2012 is still a washing machine. If we were willing to rely more on markets in medicine, we might be able to harness the superior ability of Americans to find good value for the money to produce results more similar to other goods. Second, over time, we as a nation have been able to afford more health care precisely because the time cost of other goods and services has declined. For the same number of hours worked, workers can enjoy the same standard of living even as they allocate more of their working time to purchasing health care. There is nothing wrong with this. The only issue is whether we are getting good value for the money when we buy health care. With only 11 cents of every health dollar paid directly out-of-pocket, I think most of us can honestly say "no." Anyone who is skeptical on this point should do the following mental experiment: if I promised to pay 89 percent of the cost of your groceries, would what you buy be different? Most students I ask freely concede that they would buy things they would not otherwise buy and might well pay higher prices even for things they would have bought anyway. The difference between the cost of your weekly groceries when you buy them with your own money (say, $100) and what you spend when someone else is paying most of the bill (say, $150) is not pure waste. There is some added value to you from those extra groceries. But that value cannot exceed the added cost else you would have bought them on your own in the first place. The difference between that added cost and your own estimate of the added value is what an economist would call waste. According to the Institute of Medicine, we wasted about $765 billion in health care in 2009-about 30 percent of all spending. Finally, this rate of increase is not sustainable. The time price of health spending cannot quadruple again over the next half century, else the average worker is likely to experience a decline in his or her real standard of living (i.e., what can be afforded after paying for health care). To paraphrase the former president of AEI, "we cannot make health care affordable by picking each other's pockets." The sooner policymakers recognize this basic truth, the sooner we can get on a path towards sustainable growth in health care expenditures. As well, one could argue that the average worker does not purchase the average per capita amount of health care since there are all sorts of cross-subsidies created by private and public insurance as well as U.S. tax policy. But at the end of the day, today's health spending is financed by today's workers, so if anything, the very rough picture I've provided is overly optimistic. On a per worker basis, total U.S. health spending this year will amount to $21,280, which would require an average-paid worker 1,108 hours of work to finance (and even more when taxes are taken into account). In reality, there are few U.S. workers who have to devote more than half a year to bankrolling their health care. The average hourly earnings figure I am using is only for production and nonsupervisory employees in manufacturing. Many other workers, including those in management and entrepreneurs, do not earn an hourly wage. And the costs of government-financed health care-which now accounts for more than 60 percent of health spending-tends to be borne more by those with the highest incomes. In fairness, when health economists have tried to measure the real prices of health treatments such as for heart attacks, they sometimes have found these have declined, though not nearly as rapidly as the decline in prices for goods and services analyzed by Perry. The original quote, from Christopher DeMuth, was "we cannot all grow wealthier by picking each other's pockets."

<urn:uuid:555eb4e4-70fe-4234-9b61-d33877257ca8>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.aei.org/article/health/entitlements/the-cost-of-health-care-1958-vs-2012/

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

In Atrial Septal Defects (ASD), the blood tends to flow from the right atrium to the left atrium due to the relatively high pressure exerted by the blood returning to the heart from the body circulation. This phenomenon prevents blood in the heart from being pushed into the lungs leading to poor oxygenation of blood cells and consequently a decrease in the circulating oxygen in the body. Depending on the size and location of the hole in the cardiac muscle wall, minor defects may not result in any visible signs while larger defects often result in an imbalance in blood pressure within the heart. Most Bulldogs diagnosed with the condition usually live normal lives but those with severe forms die from secondary defects of the heart. A veterinarian can diagnose ASD in a Bulldog upon detecting a significant heart murmur while doing a thorough physical examination. Bulldogs suffering from the condition may show evidence of heart problems as shown by poor exercise tolerance and/or mucus membranes or tongue with a bluish tinge. Other signs include swelling of the abdomen, breathing difficulties, collapse or even death. ASD may also incidentally show up on routine x-rays. Chest x-rays will demonstrate a right-side heart enlargement while an echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart) can reveal the abnormal physical changes in the dimensions of the heart and the blood flowing though from the heart to the lungs. The treatment regimen for ASD depends on the size of the defect and the existence of other heart abnormalities. Although a Bulldog may already be diagnosed with the condition at an early age, no treatment is indicated until clinical signs are manifested. In moderate to severely affected dogs, heart medications may be given to maintain normal functioning of the heart and for the relief of respiratory congestion. Most veterinarians prescribe a special heart-friendly diet and tell the dog owner to restrict the dog’s activity. Surgery has been done in some cases where an affected suffers from multiple heart problems but results were not as promising. Thus, most veterinarians believe that the condition is best left managed with drugs. Since it is a hereditary condition, screening of dogs which are predisposed to the disease as well as those whose littermates have been diagnosed with the disease should be done before breeding to prevent affected animals from passing on the defect to its offspring.

<urn:uuid:d42420f5-2728-42f4-bfb6-9fc3d32757cf>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.bulldogsworld.com/health-and-medical/atrial-septal-defects-bulldogs?quicktabs_hot_content=1

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

The East has longer American history. The West has more palm trees. The East has rolling deciduous forests. The West has towering evergreens and Rocky mountains. Homeowners from coast to coast take pride in their design, their cities, and their environment. Yet at the same time, a home in Boston is likely designed much different from a home in Los Angeles. How and why are East and West Coast housing different? What, if anything, makes one better or more attractive than the other? In this post we’ll attempt to explore the markets, architecture, and environment on both sides of the Mississippi River. Up until a few years ago, East and West both enjoyed an unprecedented housing boom. Unfortunately, both are now deep in the throes of a rapid economic downturn, resulting largely from a sudden crash in the housing market. It’s hard to say if East or West has it any better than the other. After all, Florida and California, the two states taking the hardest hit, are geographical opposites. In terms of housing permits, declines were seen across the nation from 2005-2007, although southern California and western Arizona had the most widespread decline. Palm Coast, Florida had the largest decrease in permits issued at 86 percent. There were pockets of increases as well, although few and far between. Most growth in the West was limited to central Washington and the small region in and around Missoula, Montana. There were several more localized increases east of the Mississippi, but they do not represent the overall trend and have most likely reversed direction since these figures were released a year ago. There’s just no point in trying to separate east from west in market terms. The overall downward trend in the national housing market screams for unity, not division. East Coast versus West Coast architecture is like old versus new. Eastern metropoles have centuries of design behind them, while many western cities may have but 50 years. The difference is palpable. The old brownstones of Chicago and New York clash loudly with Spanish-influenced, mission-style stucco peppering Los Angeles neighborhoods. Or contrast the long history of Connecticut colonials and Atlanta’s sprawling porches with the mid-century modern architecture so prevalent in Hollywood’s golden years. One would have to fly to San Francisco to find much architecture that reflects eastern origins. Yet each region has its own style, and it’s up to homeowners to decide which better suits their preferences, whether it be the cooler colors of the arid-to-temperate west or the intricacy and age of America’s early years. The future of American architecture will be influenced mostly by one key factor… I am by no means an architect or an expert in building design trends, but I feel confident in saying that environment will drive and inspire the architects of the future; for many it already does. Just like the housing market is slumping across the country, so green building is increasing from sea to shining sea. According to a report from the American Institute of Architects (via sourcecorp.com), the Pacific region is moving toward green building at a much faster rate than other regions, mainly due to progressive state and local governments and public support. East and West both have their advantages, but the differences are moot. It is easy to fall in love with eastern architecture, but times are changing, and presently. The rapid move to green, energy efficient building will change the face of American (and global) architecture. Now the great architects will trade in large mega mansions of brick, stone, and wood for sandbags, straw bales, and solar panels. Housing in the 21st Century will not be inhibited by the Mississippi River.

<urn:uuid:8ea59d5e-3078-43d3-8258-e7f1f4df3c58>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.calfinder.com/blog/general/east-coast-vs-west-coast-housing/

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Probably the most frustrating thing about caring for a new baby is the fact that your baby canít communicate verbally and you arenít a mind reader. When it comes to illnesses, many new parents often overreact and call the doctor every single time they think something is wrong. This can be frustrating both for the parents as well as the doctor. It helps to know what signs you should look for and when it really is the right time to make that phone call. Babies get sick. Some worse than others. The problem is that many times the symptoms or type of illness is hard to distinguish from typical to serious. It can be difficult to read your babyís body language or tell a sick cry from a normal ďfeed meĒ or ďchange meĒ cry. However, there are some key behavioral and physical changes you can detect in your infant that will help you make the decision as to whether you should call your doctor or not. Small signs you donít have to worry about include the typical cough, sneeze or runny nose. Infants catch the common cold just like adults so donít feel the need to jump the gun. However, fevers are one of the conditions you need to look at closely. Usually a mild fever isnít a sign of a more serious condition but if your baby starts to experience a fever and has a rectal temperature of 100 degrees or more or an oral/ear temperature of 102 degrees or higher, youíll want to call your doctor. This type of high fever should be a big concern to parents if your infant is less than two months of age. If your baby stops eating, repeatedly refuses feedings or eats very poorly, call your doctor. The same goes if your infant has diarrhea or vomiting. More serious signs of a very sick baby include any changes in skin color (yellow or blue around the lips or nails), oozing or bleeding around the navel and/or genital area, discharge from the eye area, ear pain (your baby will signal this by pulling excessively on the affected ear or if you see drainage), constipation, rashes, dehydration, or changes in mood such as lethargy. Of course there may be times when a call isnít necessary and you need to rush your baby to the emergency room immediately. Such conditions include injury/trauma, extremely high fever, trouble breathing, bleeding or discharge that wonít stop, seizures, choking, unresponsiveness, and sudden lethargy or the inability to move. When you take your baby to the doctor, be sure you have all his/her medical history and information on hand. Be prepared to answer questions and describe in detail to the doctor how your infant was behaving prior to falling ill. |Honey, Your Baby & Infant Botulism| Honey may seem harmless, especially when it comes to your baby but not knowing that this sweet treat can potentially be fatal to your infant can be dangerous. Learn what you need to know about honey, infant botulism, your baby and why this common element of Mother Nature shouldnít be anywhere |Natural Health Remedies for Your Sick Baby| Seeing your baby sick can be heartbreaking for any parent. No one wants to see their child uncomfortable or in any pain. With the FDAís warning to avoid using cough and cold medication on younger children, many parents are wondering what to do the next time their baby gets sick. For parents who

<urn:uuid:b0b73eb6-6e17-406d-8976-b0d51e8c0074>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.carefair.com/Beauty/Moms-and-Babies/Call_Doctor_about_Your_Baby_5912.html

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

When someone tells that there was no successful French tank, especially in WWI - don't you believe him! The Renault FT or Automitrailleuse à chenilles Renault FT modèle 1917, inexactly known as the FT-17 or FT17, was a French light tank; it is among the most revolutionary and influential tank designs in history. The FT was the first operational tank with an armament in a fully rotating turret, and its configuration with the turret on top, engine in the back and the driver in front became the conventional one, repeated in most tanks until today; at the time it was a revolutionary innovation, causing armour historian Steven Zaloga to describe the type as "the world's first modern tank". Studies on the production of a new light tank were started in May 1916 by the famous car producer Louis Renault. The evidence strongly suggests that Renault himself drew up the preliminary design, being unconvinced that a sufficient power/weight ratio could be achieved for the medium tanks requested by the military. One of his most talented designers, Rodolphe Ernst-Metzmaier, prepared the final drawings. Though the project was far more advanced than the two first French tanks about to enter production, the Schneider CA1 and the heavy St. Chamond, Renault had at first great trouble getting it accepted. Even after the first British use of tanks, on 15 September 1916, when the French people called for the deployment of their own chars, the production of the light tank was almost cancelled in favour of that of a superheavy tank (the later Char 2C). However, with the unwavering support of Brigadier General Jean-Baptiste Eugène Estienne (1860–1936), the "Father of the Tanks", and the successive French Commanders in Chief, who saw light tanks as a more feasible and realistic option, Renault was at last able to proceed with the design. However, competition with the Char 2C was to last until the very end of the war. The prototype was slowly refined during the first half of 1917. Early production FTs were often plagued by radiator fan belt and cooling system problems, a characteristic that persisted throughout World War I. Only 84 were produced in 1917 but 2,697 were delivered before the end of the war. At least 3,177 were produced in total, perhaps more; some estimates go as high as 4,000 for all versions combined. However, 3,177 is the delivery total to the French Army; 514 were perhaps directly delivered to the U.S. Army and three to Italy - giving a probable total production number of 3,694. The tanks had at first a round cast turret; later either an octagonal turret or an even later rounded turret of bent steel plate (called Berliet turret after one of the many coproducing factories). The latter two could carry a Puteaux SA 18 gun, or a 7.92 mm Hotchkiss machine gun. In the U.S., this tank was built on a licence as the Six Ton Tank Model 1917 (950 built, 64 before the end of the war). There is a most persistent myth about the name of the tank: "FT" is often supposed to have meant Faible Tonnage, or, even more fanciful: Franchisseur de Tranchées (trench crosser). In reality, every Renault prototype was given a combination code; it just so happened it was the turn of "FT". Another mythical name is "FT-18" for the guntank. A 1918 maintenance manual describes the FT as the Char d'Assault 18HP, a reference to the horsepower of the engine. FTs captured and re-used by the Germans in World War II were re-designated Panzerkampfwagen FT 18. Either of these might have led to the confusion. Also in "FT 75 BS", the "BS" does not mean Batterie de Support but "Blockhaus Schneider", a reference to the short 75mm Schneider gun with which it was fitted. The FT was widely used by the French and the US in the later stages of World War I, after 31 May 1918. It was cheap and well-suited for mass production. It reflected an emphasis on quantity, both on a tactical level: Estienne proposed to overwhelm the enemy defences by a "swarm" of light tanks, and on a geostrategic level: the Entente was thought to be able to gain the upper hand by outproducing the Central Powers. A goal was set of 12,260 to be manufactured (4,440 of which in the USA) before the end of 1919. After the war, FTs were exported to many countries (Poland, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Brazil, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and Japan). As a result, FT tanks were used by most nations having armoured forces, invariably as their first tank type, including the United States. They took part in many later conflicts, such as the Russian Civil War, Polish-Soviet War, Chinese Civil War, Rif War and Spanish Civil War. FT tanks were also used in the Second World War, among others in Poland, Finland, France and Kingdom of Yugoslavia, although they were completely obsolete by then. In 1940 the French army still had eight battalions equipped with 63 FTs each and three independent companies with ten each, for a total organic strength of 534, all with machine guns. Many smaller units, partially raised after the invasion, also used the tank. This has given rise to the popular myth that the French had no modern equipment at all; in fact they had more modern tanks than the Germans; the French suffered from tactical and strategic weaknesses rather than from equipment deficiencies. When the German drive to the Channel cut off the best French units, as an expediency measure the complete French materiel reserve was sent to the front; this included 575 FTs. Earlier 115 sections of FT had been formed for airbase-defence. The Wehrmacht captured 1,704 FTs. A hundred were again used for airfield defence, about 650 for patrolling occupied Europe. Some of the tanks were also used by the Germans in 1944 for street-fighting in Paris. By this time they were hopelessly out of date. The FT was the ancestor of a long line of French tanks: the FT Kégresse, the NC1, the NC2, the Char D1 and the Char D2. The Italians produced as their standard tank the FIAT 3000, a moderately close copy of the FT: The Soviet Red Army captured fourteen burnt-out Renaults from White Russian forces, and rebuilt them at the Krasnoye Sormovo Factory in 1920. The Soviets claimed to have originally manufactured these Russkiy Reno tanks, but they actually produced only one exact copy, named 'Freedom Fighter Comrade Lenin'. When Stalin began the arms race of the Thirties, the first completely Soviet-designed tank was the T-18, a derivation of the Renault with sprung suspension: In all, the FT was used by Afghanistan, Belgium, Brazil, the Republic of China, Czechoslovakia, Estonia, Finland, France, Nazi Germany, Iran, Japan, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, the Russian White movement, the Soviet Union, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States and the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Two interesting variants:

<urn:uuid:8802c369-de05-468a-876f-993aff93f25f>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.dieselpunks.org/profiles/blogs/renault-ft-tank

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Sharks roamed the oceans before dinosaurs walked the land. They even survived the Permian mass extinction 252 million years ago, when over 90% of all species died off. Today, however, these top predators are disappearing from our oceans. They are in trouble on the Great Barrier Reef, have almost been eliminated from the Atlantic Ocean, and are a regular on the endangered species list. This magnificent animal, which has been around for over 400 million years, is falling victim to overfishing. Sharks are being taken from the oceans before they can replenish their populations. Many people believe these creatures hold the secret to long life. Reports of sharks with abnormalities are so rare that it's commonly thought they do not get cancer. Sharks have cartilage instead of bones, and lack bone marrow where humans produce immune cells. Sharks produce their immune cells in the spleen, thymus, esophagus and in unique tissues associated with the gonads. Since these immune cells circulate in the bloodstream, they offer a more efficient immune response. In humans, on the other hand, there is a brief lag before immune cells are produced in the bone marrow and mobilized into the bloodstream to fight off invaders. When a top predator such as the shark disappears, the rest of the ecosystem often spirals out of control. With declining large shark populations, the smaller sharks, skates, and rays increase in numbers and their prey then plummets. Off the coast of South Africa, for example, bony fish are disappearing due to increased smaller inshore sharks. Similarly, off the North Carolina coast, rays are depleting the bay scallop populations. The collapse of the Caribbean coral-reef ecosystem may also have been triggered by the overfishing of sharks. Millions of sharks are killed each year to supply a growing demand for shark fin soup – one of the most expensive foods available. Shark fins are said to contain the essence of virility, wealth and power. In fact, shark fins may actually be harmful to eat since sharks are often high in mercury. Processing the fins also frequently involves soaking them in industrial grade hydrogen peroxide and ammonia to bleach out their color. The demand for shark fins is at an all-time high. Shark fin soup is popular at Chinese weddings, celebratory occasions and corporate functions. In China, the rapid rise of a middle-class population with disposable income means more people can afford the expensive soup. If the soup is not served, the host will look cheap and lose face. The fins can cost as much as $275 a kilogram, and millions of sharks are killed for their fins each year. The fish is caught live, the fins removed and the animal thrown back into the water. While those who consume shark fin soup are contributing to the shark's demise, they are not the only ones. Many people are taking supplements containing shark products in the hope that it will lead to healthier lives or cure their cancer. They often do this without exploring the science behind the myth. Sharks occasionally attack us, but this is extremely rare: they are actually positively elusive compared with other large animals which have been known to attack humans. Each year, sharks attack between 50 and 100 people, with fewer than 20 fatalities. Most attacks are “hit and run” attacks, where the shark makes a single bite and passes (humans are not an ideal food for a shark—not enough fat). These attacks are rarely life-threatening. Despite all this, shark attacks draw worldwide attention. Sharks should not be feared. But life without sharks is scary. If sharks continue their rapid decline, the only people who'll need to worry about a shark attack will be those working in zoos and aquariums.

<urn:uuid:e3930070-b1a0-4f91-9ae6-0ef04e6a252a>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/animals/news-sharks-rapid-decline-due-desire-shark-fins-0

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Torpedoing Conventional Thinking on the Cheonan The narrative around the Mar. 26 sinking of the South Korean Navy Corvette Cheonan, and the death of 46 sailors, seems pretty straightforward: the ship was sunk by a North Korean (DPRK) torpedo. That was the conclusion by a South Korean (ROK) panel of 47 military and military-research experts and three international representatives. The only question left unanswered was the DPRK’s motive, with fallout from an internal power struggle holding the inside track. But two researchers from the University of Virginia and Johns Hopkins University are suggesting there may have been a rush to judgment, and that the evidence presented by the panel is deeply flawed. Seunghun Lee, a professor of physics at Virginia, and J.J. Suh, an associate professor of Korean Studies at Johns Hopkins, have analyzed the findings of the Joint Civil-Military Investigation Group (JIG) and found them wanting. The JIG concluded that the Cheonan was ripped in two by an external explosion from a North Korean torpedo, which ROK naval units recovered. But according to Lee and Suh, those conclusions are “riddled with such serious flaws as to render the JIG’s conclusion unsustainable.” They even suggest that some of the X-ray data used to tie the torpedo to the explosion “may have been fabricated.” Americans who watch television saw a sobering re-creation of the event in which an exploding torpedo’s powerful bubble destroyed a similar sized ship. But according to the two authors, the South Korean Navy has not been able to “produce a bubble simulation consistent with the information presented in the JIG report.” The simulations run by the JIG instead show a bubble forming, striking the ship, deforming the hull, and making a small rupture, not tearing the ship in half. According to the authors, “If the bottom of the ship was hit by a bubble, it should show a spherical concave deformation resembling the shape of a bubble, as the JIG’s own simulation suggests, but it does not.” Instead, the damage seems more consistent with a “collision with a hard object.” What is also missing is any sign of what is called the “pre-bubble shock wave,” nor does internal damage and crew casualties appear to be consistent with those inflicted by a shock wave. Lee and Suh also take issue with the chemical and X-ray analysis of the residue on the hull that the JIG found to be consistent with the chemical signature of an explosion caused by the recovered torpedo. According to the authors, the “critical evidence” used by the JIG “to link the Cheonan sinking to the alleged explosion of the torpedo is scientifically groundless and perhaps fabricated.” The two researchers also question the torpedo itself, and particularly a blue ink marking on the weapon spelling out “Hangul “in Korean. The torpedo’s deeply corroded surface is consistent with an explosion that would burn off the weapon’s protective paint. The only problem is that ink boils at a much lower point than paint, 150 degrees Celsius and 350 degrees Celsius respectively. “This inconsistency—the high heat tolerant paint was burnt but the low heat tolerant ink was not—cannot be explained and casts serious doubt on the integrity of the torpedo as ‘critical evidence,’” write the two authors. “While we emphatically note that our findings do not prove that North Korea did not do it, we conclude that the JIG has failed to prove that it did,” the authors argue. “The seriousness of the inconsistencies in fact casts doubt not only on the validity of the JIG conclusions but also on the integrity of its investigation.” If North Korea didn’t sink the ship, who did? Maybe it was not a “who but a “what.” Some of the damage is consistent with a collision. Is there damage that might indicate an internal explosion? The DPRK certainly has a history of doing provocative things, but part of that reputation comes from the relentless demonization of Pyongyang. The North Koreans have always shown an affection for bombast, but they have been generally careful not to do something that would provoke a war. It may turn out that the North Koreans did sink the Cheonan, but the evidence is hardly the slam-dunk it has been represented as in the media. And doubts about the DPRK’s guilt may well explain China’s reluctance to join in the pile-on condemnations of Pyongyang, as well as for the careful wording of the recent United Nations resolution that condemned the incident but avoided assigning blame. What is clear is that in-house investigations are always open to suspicion. No matter what the Israeli’s handpicked panel to investigate the attack on a Turkish ship comes up with, it will have no credibility outside of Israel. Lee and Suh conclude that “given the inconsistencies” of the JIG investigation, the South Korean government should “re-open the investigation and form a new, and more objective” investigation. “The dead sailors deserve such a report. So does the international community.” Visit Conn's blog, Dispatches from the Edge.

<urn:uuid:8820096b-1965-4517-9833-64e5d02b9855>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.fpif.org/blog/torpedoing_conventional_thinking_on_the_cheonan?q=Tag%3APapua

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Shortly after taking office President Obama announced his intention to develop federal policies to induce states and local communities to embrace "smart growth" land use strategies that would deter growth, crowd development, and discourage automobile Dubbed the "Livable Communities Program," several of the President's cabinet departments have proposed a series of early initiatives to implement the plan and establish long-term strategies. As part of this effort, the Administration provided funding support to the transit industry's Moving Cooler study, which argued that their greenhouse gas reduction proposals "may result in higher housing prices, and some people might need to live in smaller homes or smaller lots than they would prefer." As the evidence from other countries reveal, the creation of a federal land use policy will likely lead to a decline in housing quality, including house size. To prevent this outcome, Congress should ensure that land use policy remains exclusively the responsibility of state and local government. Similar Policies Imposed in the United Residents of the United Kingdom have indeed experienced a dramatic shrinkage in the size of their homes as a result of restrictive land use and housing regulations enacted in 1947 to discourage suburbanization and preserve the rustic countryside. Recent studies reveal that these regulations have led to shortages of land available for housing, and this in turn has caused the U.K. to have the smallest and most expensive housing in the developed world. London Mayor Boris Johnson refers to these tiny units as "hobbit homes," and he promises to change the As earlier reports by The Heritage Foundation have pointed out, the smart growth strategies President Obama proposes for the U.S. have led to high home prices in states and communities where elements of such programs have been imposed. And the ensuing affordability problems there have contributed to the mortgage default and foreclosure epidemic that has battered the nation's financial markets for the past two years. The Experience in the United Whereas some communities in the U.S. did not impose smart growth regulations until the early 1970s, the U.K.'s experience with strict land regulation dates to the Town and Country Planning Act of 1947, which confined residential development within existing urban areas. By freezing the supply of land for new housing, a growing population was forced to compete for what little was available, and house prices soared as a consequence. According to the 2009 Demographia housing cost study, which covers the United States, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Australia, not a single British urban area managed to make it into the "affordable" or "moderately unaffordable" categories. Of the 16 U.K. urban areas covered in the report, six were rated "seriously unaffordable" in 2007, and 10 were rated "severely unaffordable," meaning that all homes in these areas cost more than four times a household's annual income. Those rated "affordable" sell at or below two times average annual income. On top of these high costs, the British are also forced to get by with less housing, and a series of new reports show just how severe the decline has been. According to one report compiled and published by The Times and the BBC, new housing built in Britain is now among the smallest in the developed world. This reflects a notable retrenchment from past international comparisons, when the Japanese were at the bottom of the list. As the chart reveals, new British homes are a little more than a third as big as new U.S. homes. Another report found that the U.K. also has the smallest average room size compared with other member states of the European Union. For example, the average-size room for a newly built dwelling in France is 289 square feet, compared to 170 square feet in the These calculations and their recent publication in the British media were in part spurred by a 2009 report published by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), an official advisor to the British government on housing issues. The CABE surveyed 2,249 new homebuyers about their new homes and Many residents do not believe that the space provided in their homes is sufficient for basic everyday activities. This has implications for storage of personal possessions, the arrangement of furniture, food preparation, recycling, socializing in the home, privacy, social equity and adaptability. ... And the findings show the pressures of space impact disproportionately on those who are more economically disadvantaged. Preventing America from Adopting this Although the Obama Administration has yet to produce many details of its forthcoming housing and land development strategies, the Secretaries of HUD, EPA, and Transportation have generally described their goals as encouraging denser housing arrangements to deter automobile use, accommodate the transit industry, save land and energy, and clean up the environment. And under Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, the government has also provided financial and political support to organizations that favor using the federal government to force Americans to change the way they live and travel, most notably the Moving Cooler report funded by the transit industry and environmental Congress, too, has joined the effort, and the recent House version of the highway reauthorization bill includes livability provisions to encourage communities to adopt smart growth Keep the Federal Government Out of Land Use Regulations Both the President and the bipartisan leadership of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee have committed themselves to an unprecedented expansion of the federal government into new areas of responsibility to limit how American's travel and how they live. Currently, these are responsibilities of states and local governments. Some states and many communities have used their land use authority to impose counterproductive and exclusionary housing policy, but most have not. This gives all Americans the opportunity to escape oppressive regulation by voting with their feet. Members of Congress should reject any effort by the President or the congressional leadership to force all Americans into these Ronald D. Utt, Ph.D., is Herbert and Joyce Morgan Senior Research Fellow in the Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies at The Heritage Foundation. Ronald D. Utt, "President Obama's New Plan to Decide Where Americans Live and How They Travel," Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 2260, April 13, 2009, at http://www.heritage.org/Research/SmartGrowth/bg2260.cfm; see also Ronald D. Utt, "Obama Administration's Plan to Coerce People out of their Cars," Heritage Foundation WebMemo No. 2536, July 10, 2009, at http://www.heritage.org/Research/SmartGrowth/wm2536.cfm; Ronald D. Utt, "Slouching Toward a Huddled Masses Housing Program," Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 2281, June 1, 2009. Among the report's many provisions is one that would require at least 90 percent of new development to be in compact, pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly neighborhoods with high quality transit. The report notes that the land use measures "may require strong regional land use planning and oversight agencies ... [and] may result in higher Housing prices" and that "some people might need to live in smaller homes or on smaller lots than they would prefer." See Ken Orski, "A Tendentious Report Has the Transportation Community Up in Arms," Innovation NewsBriefs, August 18, 2009, at http://www.innobriefs.com/ (August 31, Rebecca O'Connor, "New-Build Dwellers Get That Shrinking Feeling," The Times (London), August 11, 2009, p. 37. See also BBC Magazine, "Room to Swing a Cat? Hardly," August 15, 2009, at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8201900.stm (August 31, 2009). Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, "Summary: Space in New Homes: What Residents Think," 2009, p. 8, at http://www.cabe.org.uk/publications/space-in-new-homes (August 31, 2009). It is important to note that 90 percent of the households surveyed by CABE had a spare bedroom, so overcrowding was not the source of space constraints.

<urn:uuid:cd43ca6b-d0da-4356-ba74-b9a59c763977>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2009/09/will-obamas-livability-program-bring-britains-hobbit-homes-to-america

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

To compile the file associated with the current buffer, choose File > Compile . To compile multiple files associated with buffers, select them in the buffers view and choose File > Compile . If there is not a current buffer, the menu command File > Compile... is available, which prompts for a file to compile. Note: this command calls the Common Lisp function ; it creates the fasl file but does not load it. You can use File > Load to later load the fasl. To compile a file (or files) and load the resulting fasl file(s) with a single command, choose File > Compile and Load . If there is not a current buffer, the menu command File > Compile and Load... is available. LispWorks IDE User Guide (Unix version) - 25 Nov 2011

<urn:uuid:200a7dd1-1407-405c-9bc2-0fd5d65ebb77>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.lispworks.com/documentation/lw61/IDE-U/html/ide-u-272.htm

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Astigmatism is caused by an irregular curvature of the cornea or lens. A cornea without significant astigmatism is shaped like the side of a basketball (the curvature is uniform over the entire surface). A cornea with astigmatism is shaped more like the side of a football (with the curvature being short and steep in one direction and long and flat in the other). Astigmatism distorts rays of light in a way that is similar to a funhouse mirror, making objects look wider, taller or thinner than they really are. Astigmatism is very common. In fact, most people have some degree of astigmatism. In most cases, people with astigmatism are born with this condition. The reason why corneal shape differs from person to person is unknown, but the likelihood of developing astigmatism is inherited. Sometimes, astigmatism can develop after an eye disease, eye injury or surgery. When the cornea has an irregular shape, it is called corneal astigmatism. When the shape of the lens is distorted, you have lenticular astigmatism. As a result of either type of astigmatism, your vision for both near and far objects appears blurry or distorted. Astigmatism may be combined with other refractive errors such as nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia). While adults with a higher degree of astigmatism may realize their vision is not as good as it should be, children who have astigmatism symptoms may not be aware they have this condition and are unlikely to complain about blurred or distorted vision. Astigmatism can be treated non-surgically with glasses or rigid or soft contact lenses. Astigmatism can also be corrected surgically using a variety of procedures, such as LASIK, PRK, as a part of cataract surgery using LRI’s (limbal relaxing incisions, which are only for very low degrees of astigmatism), or as a part of cataract surgery using specialized TORIC lens implants which can correct even very high degrees of astigmatism by putting the correction inside the eye.

<urn:uuid:aee336ae-e2fc-4d45-8041-8c5c8dcd9ee1>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.mississippivision.com/flowood/astigmatism.htm

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Term used in the 20th century, in particular from the 1960s, to describe a style characterized by an impersonal austerity, plain geometric configurations and industrially processed materials. It was first used by David Burlyuk in the catalogue introduction for an exhibition of John Graham’s paintings at the Dudensing Gallery in New York in 1929. Burlyuk wrote: ‘Minimalism derives its name from the minimum of operating means. Minimalist painting is purely realistic—the subject being the painting itself.’ The term gained currency in the 1960s. Accounts and explanations of Minimalism varied considerably, as did the range of work to which it was related. This included the monochrome paintings of Yves Klein, Robert Rauschenberg, Ad Reinhardt, Frank Stella and Brice Marden, and even aspects of Pop art and Post-painterly Abstraction. Typically the precedents cited were Marcel Duchamp’s ready-mades, the Suprematist compositions of Kazimir Malevich and Barnett Newman’s Abstract Expressionist paintings. The rational grid paintings of Agnes Martin were also mentioned in connection with such Minimalist artists as Sol LeWitt. After the work of such critics as Clement Greenberg and Michael Fried, analyses of Minimalism tended to focus exclusively on the three-dimensional work of such American artists as Carl André, Dan Flavin, Donald Judd, LeWitt, Robert Morris and Tony Smith, although Smith himself never fully subscribed to Minimalism. These artists never worked or exhibited together as a self-defined group, yet their art shared certain features: geometric forms and use of industrial materials or such modern technology as the fluorescent electric lights that appeared in Flavin’s works. Minimalists also often created simple modular and serial arrangements of forms that are examples of Systems art. LeWitt’s serial works included wall drawings as well as sculptures. Judd and Morris were the principal artists to write about Minimalism. Judd’s most significant contribution to this field was the article ‘Specific Objects’ (1965). Judd’s article began by announcing the birth of a new type of three-dimensional work that could not be classified in terms of either painting or sculpture and, in effect, superseded both traditions. Judd’s concept became retrospectively identified with his own boxes and stark geometric reliefs of the period . Originally, however, he explained his idea with reference to the work of a heterogeneous selection of artists, including Lee Bontecou, John Chamberlain, Klein, Yayoi Kusama (b 1929), Claes Oldenburg, Richard Smith, Frank Stella and H. C. Westermann (1922–81). The article was also copiously illustrated with works by such artists as Richard Artschwager, Flavin, Jasper Johns, Phillip King, Morris, Rauschenberg, Stella, and with one of Judd’s own pieces. Judd distinguished the new work by means of its compositional ‘wholeness’, which, unlike previous art, was not ‘made part by part, by addition’. He was later to focus the critical implications of this distinction with a dismissive reference (1969) to the ‘Cubist fragmentation’ of Anthony Caro’s work. For Judd, his own work achieved its formal integrity principally by adapting into a third dimension the ‘singleness’ that he observed in the compositions of such painters as Barnett Newman, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Clyfford Still. Morris’s influential ‘Notes on Sculpture’ appeared a year after Judd’s article. In it he established the criteria by which his own recent work could be evaluated. Like Judd, he repudiated an aesthetic based on Cubist principles. ‘The sensuous object, resplendent with compressed internal relations, has had to be rejected’ (Artforum, v/2 (Oct 1966), p. 23). In its place Morris proposed a more compact, ‘unitary’ art form. He was especially drawn to simple, regular and irregular polyhedrons. Influenced by theories in psychology and phenomenology, Morris argued that these configurations established in the mind of the beholder ‘strong gestalt sensation’, whereby form and shape could be grasped intuitively. Judd and Morris both attempted to reduce the importance of aesthetic judgement in modernist criticism by connecting the question of the specificity of the medium to generic value. Nevertheless, a distinction between the categories of art and non-art was maintained with Judd’s claim that ‘A work needs only to be interesting’. For Greenberg and Fried, Minimalist work was united by the threat it posed to their modernist aesthetic. The modernist response to Minimalism was outlined in Greenberg’s ‘Recentness of Sculpture’ and Fried’s ‘Art and Objecthood’ (both 1967). Both critics were troubled by claims for Minimalism as a new art form, and were also concerned at the Minimalist elimination of complex compositional relations and subtle nuances of form, which they believed to be essential qualities of modernist sculpture. The critical resistance that Minimalism met in its initial stages persisted, and censure arose not only from modernist critics but also from the tabloid press. This was particularly evident in the abuse that was given to André’s sculpture made from building bricks, Equivalent VIII (1966; London, Tate), upon the occasion of its exhibition at the Tate Gallery in London in 1976. From the 1960s the Minimalists’ work remained remarkably consistent, continuing its geometric and serial forms (e.g. LeWitt’s Cube Structures Based on Five Modules, 600×800×700 mm, 1971–4; Edinburgh, N.G. Mod. A.). Conceptual art inherited many of the concerns as well as the contradictions of Minimalist discourse. Attempts were made by Joseph Kosuth, among others, to resolve its complex views on the relationship between aesthetic judgement and the art object. Minimalism’s sense of ‘theatricality’ stimulated much subsequent work in the fields of installation and performance art, where it helped facilitate a critical engagement with the spectator’s perception of space and time. The concept of ‘theatricality’ was first used in connection with Minimalism by Michael Fried to characterize the absence of ‘presentness’ in the spatial and temporal experience of the art work. While Fried was critical of this situation, his analysis led, by default, to a reassessment of Minimalism from an anti-humanist perspective. From Grove Art Online © 2009 Oxford University Press

<urn:uuid:15f85be0-a4ce-40a8-8838-544366bd0d85>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.moma.org/collection/details.php?theme_id=10459

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Moving beyond superheroes to tell his people's story. Artist and writer Will Eisner did not invent the graphic novel, but he was among the first to apply the convention of comics to novel-length stories. Eisner was born in Brooklyn in 1917, the son of Austrian Jewish immigrants. His father, a renowned church painter in Europe, first painted sets for theatres after moving to New York. Eventually, to better provide for his family, he opened a retail store. When that business prospered, the Eisners moved to the quieter, more affluent, and relatively more suburban Bronx. They left a neighborhood that was nearly all Jewish, and moved into an area with a more varied ethnic makeup of Irish, Italian, and Eastern European presences. Eisner’s experiences from his youth created a tableau for many of the recurring themes in his work: new immigrants, crooked landlords and store-owners, salesmen with wandering eyes, and housewives with wandering affections. Eisner watched these seedy characters, absorbed their stories, and used them later in life to paint vivid character portraits. Even as a child, Eisner was a gifted artist. At a young age, his father took Will to drawing lessons at an inexpensive art school. When the school turned out to be a fraud -- the "school" was a machine that was attached to the student's arm in order to draw shapes -- the senior Eisner didn't give up. He was determined to find a suitable place for Will to develop his skill. That "suitable place" ended up being their apartment. Self-taught, Will sold his first cartoon in 1936 to Wow What a Magazine. Soon thereafter, he joined one of the many assembly-line comic art studios springing up all over lower Manhattan. There, he met and collaborated with many of the era's finest talents--among them, Jack Kirby (co-creator of Spider-Man and The Eternals) and Max Gaines (Wonder Woman, Famous Funnies). Eisner became so successful that he and cartoonist Jerry Iger created their own studio in 1936. They hired a new team and began to produce high quality work, quickly. In 1939, the two had an amicable split. Eisner ended up selling his half of the studio and started work on his own ventures. Though the overwhelming majority of early comic book creators were Jewish, anti-Semitism still persisted in the industry. Eisner had experienced anti-Semitism in his youth--the kind that provoked street fights in his neighborhood. In the workplace, Eisner encountered people who tried to stop him and other Jews from getting ahead. When Eisner didn't give Bob Powell, creator of Sheena, Queen of the Jungle, permission to leave his company, Powell accused Eisner of pulling a "Jew trick." In his early career, Eisner also did business with several publishers and businessmen who, seeing him as an uneducated child of immigrants, attempted to steal his creations and claim them as their property.

<urn:uuid:5c6c3219-4315-44bb-9116-f3494759851a>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.myjewishlearning.com/culture/2/Literature/Jewish_American_Literature/Immigrant_Literature/Will_Eisner.shtml

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

CANBERRA, Australia — Australia has created the world's largest network of marine reserves and will restrict fishing as well as oil and gas exploration in a major step to safeguard the environment and access to food. With the expansion announced Thursday, Australia will protect 1.2 million square miles of ocean. The reserves will encompass a third of the island continent's territorial waters, which sustain more than 4,000 species of fish. Australia is surrounded by the world's third-largest ocean territory, which provides important habitat to threatened species of whales, sharks and turtles as well as spectacular corals. Previously only 310,000 square miles of Australian waters were protected. According to the Protect Planet Ocean website, only 1.1 million square miles of oceans worldwide were within marine protection areas before. Environmental group WWF welcomed the expansion as a "major advance in marine conservation" that hopefully will inspire other countries at next week's United Nations' Rio+20 conference on sustainable development. Environment Minister Tony Burke said the government expects to pay an estimated $100 million to compensate the fishing industry for new restrictions that will take effect late this year, with only a minor impact on most types of fishing. While the public will be invited to lodge complaints before the sanctuaries are enshrined in law, the center-left government faces no hurdles in imposing the new restrictions under existing environmental laws. But the conservative opposition has vowed to review the boundaries if it wins government at elections next year — an outcome that opinion polls agree is likely. "I am instinctively against anything that damages the rights of recreational fishing ... and anything that will further damage the commercial fishing industry and tourism industry," opposition leader Tony Abbott said. The number of marine reserves off the Australian coast will rise from 27 to 60. Highly protected areas such as the Coral Sea off Australia's northeastern coast and the adjoining World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef also will be protected from oil and gas exploration. Both areas, which cover 500,000 square miles, have shallow reefs that support tropical ecosystems with sharks, coral, sponges and many fish species. Burke said he wanted the reserves to set a benchmark for the world in environmental protection and food security — the access to and consistent availability of food. The plan aims to guarantee future fish stocks by preventing overfishing. "We have an incredible opportunity to turn the tide on protection of the oceans and Australia can lead the world in marine protection," he said. Don Henry, chief executive of the environmental group Australian Conservation Foundation, said the plan will make Australia a global leader in ocean protection. But he warned that the remote northwest region where an offshore oil and gas industry is already established had been left vulnerable to the threats of further energy exploration. Rachel Siewert, a senator for the environmentally focused Greens Party, which supports the Labor Party minority government, described the plan as a "cave-in to the oil and gas industry." She said allowing exploratory drilling beside some of the most highly protected zones off northwest Australia leaves critical habitats for threatened species, including humpback whales, whale sharks, flatback turtles and dolphins, vulnerable to contamination from oil spills. Judy Lynne, chief executive of the recreational anglers' group Sunfish Queensland, said the ban on commercial operations in the most environmentally sensitive areas would result in more foreign trawlers fishing illegally. Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

<urn:uuid:d4493c22-2409-4161-a035-991f9535b24f>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/47812743/ns/us_news-environment/

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

- THE MAGAZINE - WEB EXCLUSIVES Anyone who has faced a production problem with a need to solve it by using production data can relate to the notion of a brain teaser. The brain teasers presented here are based on real-world situations encountered by workers in manufacturing environments. The brain teasers have three parts: (1) the situation, (2) available data or other supporting information, and (3) questions that various workers need answered for continual improvement. Recommended solutions follow in the next issue and on the Web at Quality Online (www.qualitymag.com). SituationOn a recent monthly report Roxanne, the production manager for a company that manufactures mobile technology equipment, noticed that the total number of units sold in January 2009 was lower than the total number of units sold in both January 2008 and January 2007. She then started looking at other months and discovered that the number of units sold in December 2008 was the lowest value for the entire time period. At the next monthly production meeting, Roxanne expressed her concern that company sales were beginning to decline and decisions about staffing needed to be made soon. Available DataThe monthly sales data for units sold are printed on production reports. Roxanne asked for a special printout of all months in 2007 and 2008. These data appear in the table, “Monthly Sales of Units.” Questions1. Based on the data from January 2007 through January 2009, what evidence exists that sales are beginning to decline? 2. Using an individuals and moving range chart with all of the data, what is the behavior of these data on number of units sold? What is the routine variation month-to-month for these data? 3. How do 2007 and 2008 sales compare? What should Roxanne expect for monthly sales of units in 2009? 4. What, if any, actions should Roxanne propose concerning monthly sales? Answers to April Brain TeaserKeith is the production manager at a motor plant. He has been asked to provide process behavior information at the morning meeting instead of the summaries currently used. Because the current summaries are preprinted, setting up charts for the data will take some time. Keith asked LaShawn, a production supervisor, to set up the charts to analyze yield of all stator production process lines. Q: La Shawn decided to analyze all stator lines together. He set up an average and range chart with a subgroup of size 6. What is your interpretation of process behavior with this setup? What are the sources of variation in the ranges? A: Using an average and range chart with a subgroup size of 6, the process behavior appears to be predictable at a grand average of 86% (85.97%) and a standard deviation of 5.4% calculated from the average range. Using these results, LaShawn explains to Keith that the natural process limits for yield from the stator lines are 70% to 100% due to routine variation only. In this analysis, the subgroup ranges include equipment, material, operator, procedure and measurement variations plus differences in lines and shifts, all of which will make up the sources of routine variation. See the chart, “Stator Production Yield.” Q: After he made the first chart, LaShawn decided to analyze each line separately. He set up an individuals and moving range chart for each line by plotting all 14 day shift values and then all 14 night shift values. What does this organization of the data reveal? A: With separate individuals and moving range charts for each line, LaShawn can determine if all stator lines have the same average and standard deviation and if they all have predictable behavior. For Line 1, night shift has a long run about the overall average line indicating that night shift yield is higher than day shift. The average for Line 2 is 80.6% with no detectable difference between the day and night shifts. Also, for Line 3 the overall average is 90% with no detectable difference between the two shifts. The two shifts on each line have about the same amount of variation (see the range chart for each line), but it appears that Line 1 has a greater amount of variation than the other two lines. See the chart, “Line 2, Day and Night Shifts.” Q: The third charting approach LaShawn used was to plot each line and shift separately. He had six individuals and moving range charts. What do you learn from these charts? A: From these six charts it is possible to compare lines and shifts to determine where any differences might be found. A summary of these six charts is in the table, “Summary of Stator Yield by Line and Shift.” Q: What other ways might LaShawn have charted these data to understand process behavior? In order to have all stator processes achieve the same yield at the highest level, which charting approach gives the best insight about the stator processes and the challenges that Keith faces? A: The behavior of any process is best understood with data plotted in time order. Some insights surface when data are plotted by shift and/or by line. However, the goal is to achieve predictable high yields regardless of the line or shift. To monitor this goal, Keith needs to have process behavior charts for each line separately with day and night shifts occurring in time order instead of displaying the shifts on separate charts. By plotting shifts separately, some patterns that indicate process changes will be missed.

<urn:uuid:dffdfd7e-2ef2-48d6-bc2d-18b0bcf73a37>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.qualitymag.com/articles/88715-brain-teasers-are-sales-decreasing

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Oct. 11, 2007 The hit song that proclaimed, "All we are is dust in the wind," may have some cosmic truth to it. New findings from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope suggest that space dust -- the same stuff that makes up living creatures and planets -- was manufactured in large quantities in the winds of black holes that populated our early universe. The findings are a significant new clue in an unsolved mystery: where did all the dust in the young universe originate? "We were surprised to find what appears to be freshly made dust entrained in the winds that blow away from supermassive black holes," said Ciska Markwick-Kemper of the University of Manchester, U.K. Markwick-Kemper is lead author of a new paper appearing in an upcoming issue of the Astrophysical Journal Letters. "This could explain where the dust came from that was needed to make the first generations of stars in the early universe." Space dust is essential to the formation of planets, stars, galaxies and even life as we know it. The dust in our corner of the universe was piped out by dying stars that were once a lot like our sun. But, when the universe was less than a tenth of its present age of 13.7 billion years, sun-like stars hadn't been around long enough to die and make dust. So, what produced the precious substance back when the universe was just a toddler? Theorists have long-postulated that short-lived, massive exploding stars, or supernovae, might be the source of this mysterious dust, while others have proposed that a type of energetic, growing supermassive black hole, called a quasar, could be a contributing factor. A quasar consists of a supermassive black hole surrounded by a dusty doughnut-shaped cloud that feeds it. Theoretically, dust could form in the outer portion of the winds that slowly blow away from this doughnut cloud. "Quasars are like the Cookie Monster," said co-author Sarah Gallagher of the University of California at Los Angeles, who is currently a visiting astronomer at the University of Western Ontario, Canada. "They are messy eaters, and they can consume less matter than they spit out in the form of winds." Nobody has found conclusive proof that either quasar winds or supernovae can create enough dust to explain what is observed in the early universe. Markwick-Kemper and her team decided to test the former theory and investigate a quasar, called PG2112+059, located in the center of a galaxy about 8 billion light-years way. Although this particular quasar is not located in the early universe, because it is closer, it is an easier target for addressing the question of whether quasars can make dust. The team used Spitzer's infrared spectrograph instrument to split apart infrared light from the quasar and look for signs of various minerals. They found a mix of the ingredients that make up glass, sand, marble and even rubies and sapphires. While the mineral constituting glass was expected, the minerals for sand, marble and rubies were a surprise. Why? These minerals are not typically detected floating around galaxies, suggesting they could have been freshly formed in the winds rushing away from the quasar. For instance, the ingredient that makes up sand, crystalline silicate, doesn't survive for long free-floating in space. Radiation from stars zaps the minerals back to an amorphous, glass-like state. The presence of crystalline silicate therefore suggests something -- possibly the quasars winds -- is churning out the newly made substance. Markwick-Kemper and her team say the case of the missing dust is not firmly shut. They hope to study more quasars for further evidence of their dust-making abilities. Also, according to the astronomers, quasars may not be the only source of dust in the early universe. "Supernovae might have been more important for creating dust in some environments, while quasars were more important in others," said Markwick-Kemper. "For now, we are very excited to have identified the different species of dust in a quasar billions of light-years away." Other authors of this paper include Dean Hines of the Space Science Institute, Boulder, Colo., and Jeroen Bouwman of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Heidelberg, Germany. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., manages the Spitzer Space Telescope mission for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington. Science operations are conducted at the Spitzer Science Center at the California Institute of Technology, also in Pasadena. Caltech manages JPL for NASA. Spitzer's infrared spectrograph was built by Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. Its development was led by Jim Houck of Cornell. Other social bookmarking and sharing tools: Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above. Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

<urn:uuid:6701f7bf-f057-43b6-a848-3c82c2004855>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071010125734.htm

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Themes, Motifs, and Symbols Language As Connection to Society Throughout Surfacing, the narrator’s feeling of powerlessness is coupled with an inability to use language. When she goes mad, she cannot understand David’s words or speak out against his advances. Similarly, when the search party comes for her, she cannot understand their speech, and her only defense from them is flight. Words betray her, as it is by yelling that the search party discovers her. The narrator maintains the false hope that she can reject human language just as she imagines she can reject human society. She admires how animals know the types of plants without naming them. When she goes mad, she vows not to teach her child language—yet eventually she conquers her alienation by embracing language. The Total Alienation of Women Atwood uses the narrator’s near-constant feeling of alienation to comment on the alienation of all women. The narrator feels abandoned by her parents because of the disappearance of her father and the detachment of her mother. She finds men especially alienating because of the way they control women through religion, marriage, birth control, sex, language, and birth. She depicts the way that men view relationships as a war, with women as the spoils. The narrator also describes her alienation as systematic, highlighting the way that children learn gender roles early on in life. The result of the narrator’s alienation is madness and complete withdrawal. The narrator remains unnamed, making her a universal figure and suggesting that all women are in some way alienated. Atwood packs Surfacing with images of Americans invading and ruining Canada. The Americans install missile silos, pepper the village with tourist cabins, leave trash everywhere, and kill for sport. David even goes so far as to theorize an American invasion of Canada for Canadian fresh water. Atwood depicts American expansion as a result of psychological and cultural infiltration. The narrator calls Americans a brain disease, linking American identity to behaviors rather than nationality. To the narrator, an American is anyone who commits senseless violence, loves technology, or over-consumes. David claims he hates Americans, yet he loves baseball and imitates Woody Woodpecker. Atwood depicts American expansion as destructive and a corruptive psychological influence. The narrator mentions power several times before going mad and actively seeking “the power.” In Chapter 4, she remembers thinking that seeds from a certain plant will make her all-powerful. In Chapter 9, she says that doctors pretend childbirth is their power and not the mother’s. In Chapter 15, she remembers alternately pretending to be a helpless animal and an animal with power. The narrator’s later quest for “the power” emphasizes her response to alienation. Ever since childhood, she has been isolated and emotionally numb, crippled by unsuitable religious ideals and gender roles. The narrator’s psychotic search for “the power” represents the false hope that by withdrawing from society she can regain her humanity. Ultimately, the narrator gains power by resolving not to be powerless. She acknowledges that in order to function in society, she must learn to love and communicate. The narrator’s quest for “the power” is similar to her anxiety over social alienation. Paul’s wooden barometer, which features a wooden man and woman inside, becomes an unfortunately accurate emblem of marriage for the narrator. The narrator’s shifting assessment of the barometer traces her shifting attitudes toward marriage. Initially, the narrator views the barometer couple as representative of a simplistic and even empty marriage, and she compares them to Paul and Madame. She mentions how Paul and Madame even look wooden. The narrator later compares the barometer couple to Anna and David in that the wooden couple, like Anna and David’s happiness, is not real. The narrator also thinks of the barometer in relation to her parents. She compares the image of the barometer with the image of her mother and father sawing a piece of birch. The image of the birch is evocative because the narrator associates birches with unspoiled nature. The implication is that the barometer represents an unattainable, unrealistic version of love, whereas her parents possess true love. The Hanged Heron The hanged heron at the portage represents the American destruction of nature. The narrator obsesses over the senselessness of its slaughter, especially that it was hanged and not buried. The heron’s death emphasizes that the narrator defines someone as American based on his or her actions. She condemns any act of senseless violence or waste as distinctly American. That the bird is killed with a bullet and hanged using a nylon rope emphasizes the subversion of nature to technology. Also, the narrator thinks of the hanged bird as a Christ-like sacrifice, which reflects Christian ideology. By using Christian ideas to describe nature, the narrator emphasizes her near-religious reverence for nature. The narrator also compares herself to the heron during her madness, when she worries that the search party will hang her by the feet. By associating the narrator with the hanged heron, Atwood associates the way Americans destroy nature with the way men control women. Anna’s makeup, which David demands she wear at all times, represents the large-scale subjugation of women. The narrator compares Anna to a doll when she sees her putting on makeup, because Anna becomes David’s sexual plaything. At the same time, makeup represents female deception. Anna uses makeup as a veneer of beauty, and the behavior is representative of the way she acts virtuous (but sleeps with other men) and happy (but feels miserable). Makeup goes completely against the narrator’s ideal of a natural woman. The narrator calls herself a natural woman directly after her madness, when she looks in a mirror and sees herself naked and completely disheveled. The narrator comments that Anna uses makeup to emulate a corrupt womanly ideal. The narrator’s ring symbolizes marriage and its entrapping effects. The narrator describes wearing both her boyfriend’s and her fake husband’s rings around her neck. She compares her rings to a crucifix or a military decoration. The crucifix suggests that marriage is not only a sacrifice but a sacrifice toward a false ideal. The image of a military decoration implies that marriage forces women into becoming the spoils of war. Atwood uses the narrator’s ring to foreshadow Joe’s demand for marriage, as she mentions in Chapter 1 that Joe fiddles with the narrator’s ring. Readers' Notes allow users to add their own analysis and insights to our SparkNotes—and to discuss those ideas with one another. Have a novel take or think we left something out? Add a Readers' Note!

<urn:uuid:f2bb16ad-02c1-494f-9094-b52c21b9ca1a>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/surfacing/themes.html

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

“I don’t get it! Everytime I come to your office my blood pressure is high. It’s never like that anywhere else!” “White Coat Hypertension” is very common and affects many people, even those who feel at ease with their physician. But whether your blood pressure is low or high at the doctor’s office, if you’ve been told you might have hypertension, you are likely to find yourself at home, or in a grocery or drug store with your arm in a cuff trying to figure out if your blood pressure is reasonable. A key to successful self-measurement is knowing the proper technique. The big studies of blood pressure in the population upon which we base all our definitions of normal and high values were careful to take their measurements in a standardized way. The patient should avoid coffee, tea, nicotine, and other stimulants for at least 30 minutes prior to the test. She should sit quietly for a full 10 minutes reading or softly conversing before measurement. Even reaching across the table to pull the BP cuff near is to be avoided. (Get the machinery next to you when you first sit down.) Use an upper arm cuff. Forearm and finger devices are not reliable. Feet should be flat on the floor, clothing comfortable, and a bare arm may be needed for some machines. Two or three measurements a few minutes apart may be averaged. A few caveats to mention: if one arm is higher than the other, you have to go by the higher side. Humans have a natural ‘diurnal’ variation, with most of us having a little higher blood pressure in the morning compared with later in the day. Blood pressure rises with physical and mental exertion and takes some time to come down, so don’t expect a resting value if you’ve not been at rest for 10 minutes or more. Blood pressure is dynamic and always changing. The majority of values should be in a good range; your physician can help you determine if your numbers are in the range you need for optimal health.

<urn:uuid:37703f30-ceea-4bbf-9bca-5cbcd3b39dfc>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.swedish.org/About/Blog/Tags?tagid=168

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Researchers have found that the flu virus may trigger diabetes, which give us a way to prevent some forms of the disease from the discovery. In diabetes, cells do not take up sugar from the blood. This can happen because cells have lost sensitivity to the hormone insulin, which leads to type 2 diabetes. Linked to diet and lifestyle, this form of the disease is rapidly becoming more common throughout the globe. Another cause of diabetes is when the immune system destroys the pancreatic cells that produce insulin. People inherit a genetic predisposition for this condition, called type 1 diabetes, but an environmental trigger is also required for it to appear, New Scientist reported. Since the 1970s, researchers have suspected that viruses may provide this trigger, as type 1 diabetes often sets in suddenly after an infection. Enteroviruses and rotaviruses were both implicated; something about these infections confuses the immune system enough to make it attack the pancreas. "The great thing is that even if flu only causes a few per cent of type 1 diabetes cases, we can vaccinate and prevent flu in people who are genetically predisposed, and that can have a real impact,” Ilaria Capua, of the World Organisation for Animal Health reference lab for bird flu in Legnaro, Italy, said. There are 65,000 new cases of type 1 diabetes worldwide annually, and that figure is growing by 3 to 5 percent every year. The link between diabetes and flu adds to growing evidence that many diseases considered non-infectious are actually caused by infection - and can therefore spread. The study has been published in the Journal of Virology.

<urn:uuid:b0a1c85c-a100-4a74-924f-451d7e42d334>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/medicine-and-research/diabetes-may-be-triggered-by-flu-virus/article4062256.ece

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Kids can explore chemistry as they cook up candies and chocolates in the kitchen. Users will perform a number of sweet experiments and learn important physical science principles related to candy and cooking. Discover why sugar crystallizes to make rock candy. Learn about specific heat and the phases of matter by molding chocolates. Use a thermometer and learn about heat and temperature while boiling sugar. Gain experience with measurements and conversions, volumes, and weights. Investigate the chemistry of gummy bears. Learn about the mysterious phenomenon of triboluminescence with wintergreen candies. Make gummy candies, chocolate shapes, and hard sugar candy using the special tools included: plastic and metal molds, candy thermometer, spatula, dipping fork, and more. Finish them with foils, paper cups, sticks, and wrappers. The 48-page, full-color manual provides instructions and explanations. Does not contain hazardous chemicals or food items; users supply the safe ingredients from their kitchen. Launch date: Summer 2012. |Featured in:||Science and Nature (2/1/2012)| ToyDirectory Product ID#: 33497 (added 1/20/2012)

<urn:uuid:40eaadb0-d165-4c19-b4ed-88ba7f737caa>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.toydirectory.com/monthly/new_product.asp?id=33497

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Fossil Collectors’ Paradise Most residents of Cincinnati are probably unaware that its local fossils can be viewed in museums all over the world. Most residents of Cincinnati are probably unaware that its local fossils can be viewed in museums all over the world. Now Trammel Fossil Park in Sharonville offers Cincinnatians a unique opportunity to understand what all the attention is about. The story of Trammel Park actually begins 440 million years ago when shallow seas covered North America during what is called the Ordovician Period. The bedrock underlying Cincinnati and the Tristate region was formed at this time and has been intensely studied for over 150 years because of its good exposure at the surface and its abundant and well preserved fossils. In fact, the layers of limestone and shale composing the bedrock serve as a scientific standard for comparison throughout North America and are called the “Cincinnatian Series.” The next chapter in the park’s story involves local developer, R.L. Trammel, who was excavating land for the Sharonville Industrial Park and discovered its rich contents. Since natural exposure to Cincinnati’s fossils was better before urbanization, reforestation, and construction of dams along the Ohio River and its tributaries, exposure today is usually limited to road building sites and developments like that planned by Trammel. Once news of Trammel’s find was out, scholars like David Meyer, professor of geology, began taking students there, so Meyer was excited when Trammel decided to donate the last ten acres of the building site to Sharonville rather than develop it for business. At that point Meyer offered to assist in development of a concept for a park on the site. He contacted Virginia Russell, associate professor and landscape architect in DAAP, to collaborate on a design. She devoted Site Systems, a spring quarter class, to the task, and 14 student design projects were subsequently presented to Sharonville’s mayor and city council. These set the stage for architect Ted Johansen’s final design. Meyer’s work continued as he and his wife created signs for the park. In the interpretive section the signs explain the purpose of the park, the geological story of the site, the four geological formations exposed there, and the characteristics of the fossils. Meyer notes, “At Trammel we have four of the best Cincinnatian formations exposed; the Fairview formation, Miamitown shale, Bellevue limestone, and the Corryville formation. The strata were all named for sites within the inner city that are now only poorly exposed.” What makes the park unique is not only the generosity of Trammel and the dedication of volunteers like McMicken’s Meyer but also the willingness of the city of Sharonville to allow visitors a special privilege. Guests may collect surface level fossils from the site so long as no digging is involved. The city has also agreed to allow the site to be periodically renewed by having the surface scraped. Meyer is currently helping to develop in-place displays by exposing particularly interesting fossil-rich layers and protecting them under covered frames. Visitors can arrange to have the covers opened to allow close examination of the layers, but no digging is allowed. More A&S News | A&S Home | A&S Research | UC News |

<urn:uuid:74c9e655-db5f-4095-9c15-387abdf30691>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.uc.edu/profiles/profile.asp?id=6466

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

They were poets, bards, and to get an idea of those 'mysterious. dark words', read the Edda. The function was clear in the link I gave: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skald and dark and mysterious was not included in the job description. Not that I don't see 'call' in skald/scald - which is probably more what their name is based in. (Proto-Germanic-sound, voice, shout) I would have agreed that Kalta's name if meaning call also, was etymologically the same as skald - and skald's definitely were named for their speaking. The difference is now, you pointed out enough times for me to question it, is that Kalta was named because of her DARK, UNCLEAR words. Which is why I now consider her name could be from cold rather than call. And makes sense her name as this description is exact opposite of Minerva, who co-incidently lived on the OPPOSITE side of the Scheldt.

<urn:uuid:398cd7d6-a38e-49d0-9963-26e10ed52360>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/forum/index.php?s=d8f54c699f0bb0cee657c951a9071e8b&showtopic=227240&st=2415&p=4651418

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

The often-overlooked Burning of the Bridge diorama does an effective job of explaining the Civil War Battle of Wrightsville and the subsequent burning of the Susquehanna River bridge connecting Wrightsville and Columbia in late-June 1863. It’s located in a former post office at 124 Hellam Street and is open from 1-4 p.m. Sundays until Oct. 28. After that visit, stop by the Historic Wrightsville Museum. (See another photo of a reenactment of sorts of the burning of the bridge below.) Also of interest: Battle of Wrightsville – Rare photograph of the battlefield Much has been written about the bold move by a Hanover businessman to purchase the old Electric Map familiar to generations of visitors to Gettysburg. Scott Roland plans to display the map as an attraction in Hanover, where it will appear with another exhibit showing the Battle of Hanover. That’s a wonderful project on the eve of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. It’s sure to draw people to Hanover, site of an often-overlooked cavalry clash that resulted in 300 dead, wounded and missing military men in blue and gray. It gives an opportunity to remember another map or diorama explaining the other major battle on York County soil — the Battle of Wrightsville. Along the old Lincoln Highway in Wrightsville sits a small building, a former post office. Today, it houses Historic Wrightsville’s Burning of the Bridge diorama. The exhibit, complete with sound and light show, does an effective job interpreting the Battle of Wrightsville and the subsequent burning of the covered bridge that stopped the Confederate advance possibly to Harrisburg and Philadelphia. “The story told by the narration is one of adventure and history,” a description of the diorama at historicwrightsvillepa.org states. If the diorama in Wrightsville models the overall battle, ‘Bridge Burner’ volunteer Chuck Storm lights firewood on one of the old bridge supports in the Susquehanna River in a past reenactment of the burning of the covered bridge. That support actually held the bridge that was burned in 1863 to stop the Confederate advance. Other neat stuff from all over … . Challenged intersection: Something that came across in the reporting on the now-demolished Rocky Ridge Motel. The Glen Rock exit off of Interstate 83, site of the old motel, is known as a “failing intersection”, meaning its late 1950s-vintage ramps and exits don’t meet the modern standards of an interstate. A bike brand: This weekend is Bike Night, Harley’s open house and the White Rose Thunder event at the York Expo Center. These events surely reinforce the connection of York with two-wheel motorized bikes. Background: Check out these photos and stories about Harley-Davidson in York and Harley’s new plant tour – From frame to ‘final dress’ Blog post of the day: Yorkblogger June Lloyd writes about the just-released Journal of York County Heritage, a publication of the York County Heritage Trust. Forum of the day: An Exchanger is reflecting on York’s newstands, past and present. Join in the conversation.

<urn:uuid:3836944f-d3a6-4705-a1b3-3b475063bcc7>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.yorkblog.com/yorktownsquare/2012/09/28/wrightsvilles-burning-of-the-bridge-diorama-tells-story-of-adventure-history-linked-in-to-york-county-history-sept-28-2012/

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

April 27th, 2007 by Dan Meyer - Some difficult Pythagorean Word Problems - A discussion of the distance formula. - Some really pretty slide work. - Some really sturdy distance formula scaffolding. - Louisianans, Mainers, Nutmeggers, New Jersey-ites, Bay Staters (Massholes, more locally). - I cut the word problem assignment waaay back. Painful. - Ask if the baseball bat (34 in.) fits in vertically. Where’s the right triangle? - Didn’t get to this. - Monterey Bay, CA. - I want to know the distance, by air, from Pebble Beach to the Presidio. Each box in the grid is a square mile. (Not true, but let’s roll with it for argument’s sake.) - They’ll count squares here. - They’ll count squares here too. - Here, they can’t count squares. So what do you do? - Give what they’ve done on the last several problems, have them derive the formula. - Again we’re Pythagorizing, but looking for a rule, a pattern. Notes & Revisions:

<urn:uuid:37b4f436-df48-4d47-abb8-87bb59837d54>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://blog.mrmeyer.com/?p=217

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is an ischemic stroke in which the blood flow is restored quickly and the symptoms disappear within 24 hours. In other words, it's a mini-stroke that you recover from quickly. For most patients with a TIA, the symptoms last less than one hour. The longer the symptoms last, the more likely that there will be permanent brain tissue injury. TIAs affect 1 in 15 persons over age 65 years, but often go undiagnosed if the symptoms are not recognized. Approximately 15% of strokes are preceded by a warning TIA. Therefore, recognition of TIA symptoms is important because preventative treatment may help to reduce the chance of an impending stroke. The risk of stroke is highest within the first 3 months following a TIA, especially within the first few days. Within the first month, the average risk of stroke after a TIA ranges from 1 in 20 to 1 in 10. TIAs and strokes generally occur in people with atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) or coronary artery disease. In fact, people who have suffered TIAs are even more likely to die of heart attack than of stroke. A TIA is caused by the same factors that cause ischemic stroke. Ischemia is the medical term for a reduction of blood and oxygen to the cells. Ischemic stroke occurs when the arteries feeding the brain become blocked. This may result from narrowing (stenosis) of the arteries, which disturbs blood flow, creating areas of turbulence that can lead to blood clot (thrombus) formation. Such a clot may occur in a brain-feeding artery, or it may occur elsewhere in the body, travel up to the brain, and lodge in a narrowed section of a brain artery. A free-floating particle in the blood is called an embolus, and a free-drifting clot is called a thromboembolism. Local and travelling blood clots are the leading causes of stroke and TIA. The most common sources of brain emboli that cause stroke are the carotid arteries in the neck and the heart. The risk factors for TIA are exactly the same as those for stroke: There are other risk factors that aren't preventable: The symptoms of a TIA vary depending on which arteries are obstructed. The most common location of blockage is in the carotid artery system. The two carotid arteries supply blood to the two sides of the brain. If one of them is blocked, there may be symptoms in the eye on the side of the blocked arteries, or symptoms affecting the opposite side of the body. A blockage in the left carotid artery, for example, could cause temporary blindness in the left eye or paralysis of the right side of the face and the right arm and leg, or a loss of speech (inability to speak normally or understand speech). Instead of complete blindness, many people suffer blurring or dimming of vision like a shade or veil slowly descending across their field of vision (the medical term for this is amaurosis fugax). Another common location of blockages is the vertebrobasilar system. These strokes and TIAs can sometimes cause symptoms on both sides of the body or in both eyes. The balance control centre of the brain may be affected, causing symptoms of vertigo, dizziness, imbalance, and poor coordination, as well as double vision and slurred speech. TIAs may come alone or in a series. Some people get several in a year, and a few get them daily. The more TIAs you get, the more likely you are to suffer a full-scale stroke. The symptoms of TIA are identical to the symptoms of stroke, for the very good reason that a TIA is a stroke. When it happens, there's no way of knowing if the blockage will dissolve quickly (meaning a TIA) or stay in place long enough to cause cell death (meaning a stroke). According to statistics, it's far more likely to be a real stroke. Rush to the hospital (not the doctor's office) immediately - every minute of delay is risky. Even if you are having a TIA, you need immediate treatment, for a large stroke may follow within hours. Never attempt to drive yourself, because there's a major risk of sudden blindness, paralysis, or blackout. Did you find what you were looking for on our website? Please let us know.

<urn:uuid:9fa01dfe-57c7-412f-b6a6-7dff088c323e>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/condition_info_details.asp?disease_id=131

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Violent Tornado Causes Catastrophic Damage in Moore, Oklahoma Posted: 12:00 PM EDT on May 21, 2013 A massive and violent tornado at least a mile wide smashed through Moore, Oklahoma near 3 pm CDT Monday, causing catastrophic damage along a 22-mile long path. The National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma has rated the tornado at least an EF-4 (166 - 200 mph winds), and detailed damage surveys may upgrade this rating to the top-end EF-5 level in the coming days. Damage was extreme and covered a huge area, and many buildings swept away down to their foundations. Read This Blog Entry Other Featured Blogs: Did you know that... Even though everything on Earth experiences the effects of Coriolis, it is still very hard to explain. Basically, the force is an effect of motion on a rotating body (such as Earth) and it is one factor that determines wind direction. On this date in 1792, Gustave-Gaspard Coriolis, the first to describe the Coriolis force, was born. More Weather Education Resources

<urn:uuid:05b25402-df14-458b-a4e3-39672ccaa27c>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://classic.wunderground.com/?theprefset=56243199999WS&theprefvalue=KMNHUTCH1

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Novo, E.M., Hansom, J.D. and Curran, P., 1989. The effect of sediment type on the relationship between reflectance and suspended sediment concentration. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 10 (7), pp. 1283-1289. Full text not available from this repository. Official URL: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a... The use of remotely-sensed optical data to estimate the suspended sediment concentration (SSC) of water is dependent upon the correlation between SSC and reflectance. The strength of this relationship was hypothesized to vary with sediment type, as it is known that sediments, when dry, differ in their particle size distributions, colour and therefore reflectance properties. To test this, the reflectance of pure water with four concentrations of white clay and red silt were measured in the laboratory using a spectroradiometer. The correlation between SSC and reflectance varied with wavelength and sediment type. For white clay the correlations were very high (r0·98) in visible and near-infrared wavelengths but for the red silt it was lower (r0·8) in blue wavelengths increasing to much higher levels (r0·98) in blue/green and longer wavelengths. It was concluded that sediment type can affect the strength of the correlation between SSC and reflectance and that this will be most noticeable at shorter wavelengths. |Subjects:||Geography and Environmental Studies| |Group:||University Executive Team| |Deposited By:||Ms MJ Bowden| |Deposited On:||14 Dec 2007| |Last Modified:||07 Mar 2013 14:45| |Repository Staff Only -| |BU Staff Only -| |Help Guide -||Editing Your Items in BURO|

<urn:uuid:58ff8112-4251-44d7-86ba-53ae86bfec64>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/4660/

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

The Global Climate during El Niño and La NiñaTopics: Composite (average) climate | Seasonal extremes | How events differ |El Niño and La Niña can cause the "seasonal climate" -- the cumulative effects of the weather over a season -- to deviate from normal at many places around the globe. These pages analyze what happened during past El Niños and La Niñas and provide a guide to what may happen in the future.| - Average seasonal El Niño and La Niña climate means and anomalies - Allows single or comparison plots of seasonal averaged variables in relation to El Niño and La Niña over the globe and the US. - Month by Month El Niño and La Niña composites - What does the seasonal cycle of different variables during an average (composite) El Niño and La Niña look like? - Global seasonal temperature and precipitation composites - Plot composite signals based on historical data of global surface temperature and precipitation. Includes animations. - Composite wintertime US temperature and precipitation means and anomalies - Posters show the El Niño/La Niña temperature and precipitation anomalies on one page. Postscript versions are available (2.8M) for the - Plot climate anomalies and compare to El Niño's linear signal. - How do the precipitation and geopotential heights for a particular year/month compare to those one would expect from ENSO (assuming a linear ENSO effect)? - Plot effects on seasonal climate extremes of temperature and precipitation over the United States ("Risk Plots") - Given an El Niño or La Niña condition, what are the odds of getting a warm versus a cold season? A wet versus a dry season? - Regional seasonal temperature and precipitation extremes with preceding and concurrent ENSO conditions. - Historical risk of seasonal temperature and precipitation extremes for specific regions of the United States. Risk is shown with the ENSO conditions preceding the seasonal value from 3 seasons to 0 seasons. - These "posters" show the comparison of actual climate throughout the year during a El Niño and La Niña event to those expected from a risk analysis of the historical climate record for the last 100 years. Surface temperature and precipitation are plotted. Note that these posters are large. How events differ - Plots showing differences between the atmospheric response of El Niño and La Niña events. - Both differences in the tropical SST pattern and "random" variability of the the atmosphere mean that the climate of El Niño and La Niña events will not necessarily be the same from event to event.

<urn:uuid:ff3b6bbd-9889-4f91-9443-27060d29f45c>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://esrl.noaa.gov/psd/enso/enso.climate.html

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Why Organic? Because It’s Nature’s Way! We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.” ~Thomas Fuller, Many reasons Why organic is better... "Pesticide use raises a number of environmental concerns. Over 98% of sprayed insecticides and 95% of herbicides reach a destination other than their target species, including non-target species, air, water and soil. The World Health Organization and the UN Environment Programme estimate that each year, 3 million workers in agriculture in the developing world experience severe poisoning from pesticides, about 18,000 of whom die. According to one study, as many as 25 million workers in developing countries may suffer mild pesticide poisoning yearly." Source: Wikipedia Why organic? An example to follow! When Charles, The Prince of Wales, took over the Highgrove farm early in the 1986, he said he was appalled by the loss of Great Britain’s wildflower meadows, the hedgerows and chalk grasslands to "agriculture-industry." The Prince decided to convert the old farm to a completely organic system to demonstrate the environmental and commercial benefits. He started the work to make the farm and gardens into organic showplaces with a hope to inspire others to preserve England's rural landscape. Highgrove is today, not only a successful working farm, but it’s a flagship for the benefits of an organic, sustainable form of agriculture in England. We can see almost all over the world that the agriculture-industry is creating "monocultures” that lack diversity and robustness. The results are a poisoned ecosystem, contaminated food chains, empty aquifers, contaminated water sources and destroyed biodiversity. Let’s hope the Royal Wedding in England this spring will make living organically “in”. We need more farmers that want to go green! Overall, certified organic cropland and pasture accounted for about 0.6 percent of U.S. total farmland in 2008 according to United State Department of Agriculture. I could not find numbers for 2009 or 2010 Why organic is better for you and for Mother Nature! - Organically produced food is free of toxic chemicals like additives, artificial preservatives and colors. - Organically food is produced without the use of insecticides, herbicides or pesticides - Organically food is produced without the use of chemically synthesized inorganic fertilizers - Organically produced food is free from synthetic growth or breeding hormones. - Organic produced food has higher nutritional value and better taste. - Farmers that grow organically are not exposed to insecticides, herbicides or pesticides or other chemical substances. - Organic philosophy means raising animals in harmony with nature. Don’t blow it – good planets are hard to find”. ~Quoted in Time Why organic? Why buy organic? The main arguments against buying organic products are: - More expensive. - Bad quality. - Hard to find. - How can we trust they are organic? - Reports tell us organic products are no better than non-organic. Most organic food do cost more, but not much. Higher prices are due to more expensive farming practices. Ask yourself, what is more important than your own health, your family’s health, the nature and your children’s future? Make a calculation - find out how much money you spend on your house, car/petrol, sport equipment, fun, clothing, shoes, accessories, cosmetics , electronics, holidays, pleasure and more... Maybe you could do without some of it and use the money to invest in your health and the environment? 2. Bad quality! Why organic? - The apple test! This is a true story. I bought a green big and polished beautiful and "perfect" looking non-organic apple. I was not going to eat it; I was going to make a test. I placed it in my window sill to see how long it took before it was poor and rotted. One week passed, two weeks, several weeks and months. I can’t remember exactly how many months, but it was more than half a year. Need I say more? Buy organic food online! Is the look of the apple more important to you than the health effects? It is a natural process that all “live” food gets poor and bad. One major reason that it often is bad already in the shop is not because it is organic but because it often sits longer on the shelf before it's sold. I would much rather buy an organic apple with some spots on than a perfect polished apple “prepared” to be stored for months. An apple a day? - An Apple a day - keeps the doctor away! - An apple a day In the chemically grown environment will bring the doctor into play! “Apples are the second most commonly eaten fresh fruit, after bananas, and they are also used in the second most popular juice, after oranges, according to Dr. Greene. But apples are also one of the most pesticide-contaminated fruits and vegetables.” 3. Why organic products are hard to find. I agree that it can be hard to find organic products in your local groceries. I have to call the shop a day or two in beforehand to order my organic fruit and vegetables as they don’t have it normally. And even then I have problems to get what I want. In some shops they don’t even take orders for organic products unless you buy a whole case. But why is it hard to find? If you look for something organic and don’t find it - do you ask the store personnel if they can get it for you? If we all start asking for organic products each time we go to our grocery store it will not take long before they start to take in organic products. Today we can shop organic products online. I have spent much time searching to find the best organic food companies - Live Superfoods is one of the best. Buy organic food online! If you look for the seal that says it is certified organic you can feel safe in most cases. Of course we will find fraud and deception in this business as in all others. If you buy non-organic you can trust they are non organic. What do you have to lose? Go here to find more organic seals: Certified Organic Seals 5. Reports/studies tell us that organic products are no better than non-organic. Don't trust them. How can it be better to eat food produced using pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, breeding hormones, artificial colors, additives and and other toxic substances? See videos with David Wolfe, Sunfoods grounder in the sidebar. Sunfood is one of the top organic food companies . Buy organic food online! And don’t forget the soil. I have been growing vegetables organically for 15 years. Fill your hands with organic soil, it's alive!. Then fill your hand with soil from a conventionally monoculture and you will understand. How can it be better to eat food that lack essential vitamins and minerals because the soil is depleted or dead? Read this article about why we need green supplements: Green superfood supplements. The answer should be obvious. Do we need reports and studies to understand that organically grown foods are better for us and for Mother Nature? I think the environment should be put in the category of our national security. Defense of our resources is just as important as defense abroad. Otherwise what is there to defend?" ~ Robert Redford, Yosemite National Park dedication, 1985 Buy organic food online from top quality organic food companies: Why organic? Because it’s nature’s way! If you liked this article please make a comment below and/or share it with your friends! Thanks a lot! Kristin Article: Why organic? Because it’s nature’s way!

<urn:uuid:9bd1d04f-8420-49b8-86ba-df22328633ce>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://happynaturallife.com/2011/02/why-organic-because-its-natures-way/

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

While the use and size of land connected with U.S. lighthouses varies, observers say the Point Retreat lighthouse reserve near Juneau is larger than most. Years ago, lighthouses established by the federal government were assigned a reservation. In some cases an entire island was set aside as a lighthouse reserve. In other cases, part of the island became the reserve, said Dave Snyder, a historian with the U.S. Lighthouse Society, a nonprofit historical and educational organization based in San Francisco. U.S. Lighthouse Society President Wayne Wheeler was a navigator on the Coast Guard cutter Sweetbrier in Alaska in the 1960s. Among other duties, the crew dropped off food, mail and movies at Southeast lighthouses, including Point Retreat, every two weeks. At 1,500 acres, Point Retreat's land base is unusual, he said. "There's no reason for them to have that kind of acreage. If you look at other light stations around the country, there's just not that kind of acreage," Wheeler said. The society's Washington chapter runs a lighthouse at New Dungeness on the Olympic Peninsula that includes about 20 acres. The light station at Point Bonita, Calif., was about 180 acres, he said. Lighthouses closer to railroads or more populated areas might have included less land, while those further away, such as those in Alaska, might have included more land so the keeper would be self-sufficient, Snyder said. As an example, a lighthouse keeper might fell trees for firewood or to build a fence. Some keepers were involved in minor commercial activities such as fishing or crabbing, Snyder said. "In lighthouse days, there would have been minimal management," he said. Light stations in the early 19th century also used the land to plant crops, grow vegetables and keep cows, chickens and pigs, Wheeler added. In Alaska, the Coast Guard leased the 216-acre Cape Decision lighthouse reserve to Cape Decision Lighthouse Society in 1997, according to society President Karen Johnson of Sitka. Along with the lighthouse and other buildings, the reserve includes a 0.7-mile spur trail that provides access to the site, she said. Part of a 4.5-mile Port McArthur historic trail also is on the reserve. The lighthouse group has collaborated with the Forest Service on trail construction, Johnson said. As with the land around the Point Retreat lighthouse reserve, the land adjacent to Cape Decision on southern Kuiu Island is managed for semi-remote recreation by the Forest Service. The designation provides a predominantly natural setting for semi-primitive recreation with some rustic recreation and tourism facilities allowed, according to the agency. The Cape St. Elias lighthouse is on Kayak Island between Cordova and Yakutat. The island is 22 miles long by 2 miles wide, and the Cape St. Elias Lightkeepers' Association lease with the Coast Guard includes about 500 acres, President Toni Bocci said. "It's sheer rock that goes up 1,500 feet that you can't do anything with. The lighthouse is on the tip," she said. The association's main focus is restoring the lighthouse building, a task made more difficult because of the site's location, Bocci said. "Ours is more remote than some of the other ones," she said. "You have to charter a plane, land on the beach and hike two miles, carrying everything on your back." Closer to Juneau, the Sentinel Island Lighthouse, which can be seen from Amalga Harbor, is on six forested acres. The Five Finger Light sits on a "three-acre rock" 64 miles south of Juneau, according to Valerie O'Hare of the Juneau Lighthouse Association. What a land transfer at Point Retreat could mean to other Alaska lighthouses will depend on what happens next, she said. "What's going to affect us is what they do after," she said. "With that being said, we hope that whatever they do is not only done in the best interest of Point Retreat, but done within the best interest of the entire lighthouse program in Alaska." Juneau Empire ©2013. All Rights Reserved.

<urn:uuid:22b32a3c-d74b-476f-87d6-b8ea8e1cc4e1>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://juneauempire.com/stories/102101/Loc_.shtml

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

All kids have worries and doubts. But kids with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often can't stop worrying, no matter how much they want to. And those worries frequently compel them to behave in certain ways over and over again. OCD is a type of anxiety disorder. Kids with OCD become preoccupied with whether something could be harmful, dangerous, wrong, or dirty — or with thoughts that bad stuff could happen. With OCD, upsetting or scary thoughts or images, called obsessions, pop into a person's mind and are hard to shake. Kids with OCD also might worry about things not being "in order" or "just right." They may worry about losing things, sometimes feeling the need to collect these items, even though they may seem useless to other people. Someone with OCD feels strong urges to do certain things repeatedly — called rituals or compulsions — in order to banish the scary thoughts, ward off something dreaded, or make extra sure that things are safe, clean, or right in some way. Children may have a difficult time explaining a reason for their rituals and say they do them "just because." But in general, by doing a ritual, someone with OCD is trying to relieve anxiety. They may want to feel absolutely certain that something bad won't happen or to feel "just right." Think of OCD as an "overactive alarm system." The rise in anxiety or worry is so strong that a child feels like he or she must perform the task or dwell on the thought, over and over again, to the point where it interferes with everyday life. Most kids with OCD realize that they really don't have to repeat the behaviors over and over again, but the anxiety can be so great that they feel that repetition is "required" to neutralize the uncomfortable feeling. And often the behavior does decrease the anxiety — but only temporarily. In the long run, the rituals may worsen OCD severity and prompt the obsessions to return. Doctors and scientists don't know exactly what causes OCD, although recent research has led to a better understanding of it and its potential causes. Experts believe OCD is related to levels of a neurotransmitter called serotonin. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that carry signals in the brain. When the flow of serotonin is blocked, the brain's "alarm system" overreacts and misinterprets information. These "false alarms" mistakenly trigger danger messages. Instead of the brain filtering out these messages, the mind dwells on them — and the person experiences unrealistic fear and doubt. Evidence is strong that OCD tends to run in families. Many people with OCD have one or more family members who also have it or other anxiety disorders influenced by the brain's serotonin levels. Because of this, scientists have come to believe that the tendency (or predisposition) for someone to develop a serotonin imbalance that causes OCD can be inherited. Having the genetic tendency for OCD doesn't mean that someone will develop OCD, but it does mean there's a stronger chance that he or she might. Sometimes an illness or some other stress-causing event may trigger the symptoms of OCD in a person who is genetically prone to develop it. It's important to understand that the obsessive-compulsive behavior is not something that a child can stop by trying harder. OCD is a disorder, just like any physical disorder such as diabetes or asthma, and is not something kids can control or have caused themselves. OCD is also not something that parents have caused, although life events (such as starting school or the death of a loved one) might worsen or trigger the onset of OCD in kids who are prone to develop it. Common OCD Behaviors in Kids OCD can make daily life difficult for the kids that it affects and their families. The behaviors often take up a great deal of time and energy, making it more difficult to complete tasks, such as homework or chores, or to enjoy life. In addition to feeling frustrated or guilty for not being able to control their own thoughts or actions, kids with OCD also may suffer from low self-esteem or from shame or embarrassment about what they're thinking or feeling (since they often realize that their fears are unrealistic, or that their rituals are not realistically going to prevent their feared events). They also may feel pressured because they don't have enough time to do everything. A child might become irritable because he or she feels compelled to stay awake late into the night or miss an activity or outing to complete the compulsive rituals. Kids might have difficulties with attention or concentration because of the intrusive thoughts. Among kids and teens with OCD, the most common obsessions include: fear of dirt or germs fear of contamination a need for symmetry, order, and precision preoccupation with body wastes lucky and unlucky numbers sexual or aggressive thoughts fear of illness or harm coming to oneself or relatives preoccupation with household items intrusive sounds or words These compulsions are the most common among kids and teens: grooming rituals, including hand washing, showering, and teeth brushing repeating rituals, including going in and out of doorways, needing to move through spaces in a special way, or rereading, erasing, and rewriting checking rituals to make sure that an appliance is off or a door is locked, and repeatedly checking homework rituals to undo contact with a "contaminated" person or object rituals to prevent harming self or others ordering or arranging objects hoarding and collecting things of no apparent value cleaning rituals related to the house or other items Recognizing OCD is often difficult because kids can become adept at hiding the behaviors. It's not uncommon for a child to engage in ritualistic behavior for months, or even years, before parents know about it. Also, a child may not engage in the ritual at school, so parents might think it's just a phase. When a child with OCD tries to contain these thoughts or behaviors, this creates anxiety. Kids who feel embarrassed or as if they're "going crazy" may try to blend the OCD into the normal daily routine until they can't control it anymore. It's common for kids to ask a parent to join in the ritualistic behavior: First the child has to do something and then the parent has to do something else. If a child says, "I didn't touch something with germs, did I?" the parent might have to respond, "No, you're OK," and the ritual will begin again for a certain number of times. Initially, the parent might not notice what is happening. Tantrums, overt signs of worry, and difficult behaviors are common when parents fail to participate in their child's rituals. It is often this behavior, as much as the OCD itself, which brings families into treatment. Parents can look for the following possible signs of OCD: raw, chapped hands from constant washing unusually high rate of soap or paper towel usage high, unexplained utility bills a sudden drop in test grades unproductive hours spent doing homework holes erased through test papers and homework requests for family members to repeat strange phrases or keep answering the same question a persistent fear of illness a dramatic increase in laundry an exceptionally long amount of time spent getting ready for bed a continual fear that something terrible will happen to someone constant checks of the health of family members reluctance to leave the house at the same time as other family members OCD is more common than many other childhood disorders or illnesses, but it often remains undiagnosed. Kids might keep the symptoms hidden from their families, friends, and teachers because they're embarrassed. Even when symptoms are present, a parent or health care provider might not recognize that they are part of a mental health disorder and may attribute them to a child's quirkiness or even bad behavior. Doctors consider OCD to be a pattern of obsessive thinking and rituals that does one or more of the following: takes up more than an hour each day interferes with daily activities OCD in kids is usually diagnosed between the ages of 7 and 12. Since these are the years when kids naturally feel concerned about fitting in with their friends, the discomfort and stress brought on by OCD can make them feel scared, out of control, and alone. If your child shows signs of OCD, talk to your doctor. In screening for OCD, the doctor or a mental health professional will ask your child about obsessions and compulsions in language that kids will understand, such as: Do you have worries, thoughts, images, feelings, or ideas that bother you? Do you have to check things over and over again? Do you have to wash your hands a lot, more than most kids? Do you count to a certain number or do things a certain number of times? Do you collect things that others might throw away (like hair or fingernail clippings)? Do things have to be "just so"? Are there things you have to do before you go to bed? Because it might be normal for a child who doesn't have OCD to answer yes to any of these questions, the doctor also will ask about how often and how severe the behaviors are, about your family's history of OCD, Tourette syndrome and other motor or vocal tic disorders, or other problems that sometimes occur with OCD. OCD is common in people with Tourette syndrome. Other disorders that often occur with OCD include other anxiety disorders, depression, disruptive behavior disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disorders, and trichotillomania (compulsive hair pulling). PANS, a rare condition that stands for Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome, also has been associated with having OCD. The most successful treatments for kids with OCD are behavioral therapy and medication. Behavioral therapy, also known as cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy (CBT), helps kids learn to change thoughts and feelings by first changing behavior. Behavioral therapy involves gradually exposing kids to their fears, with the agreement that they will not perform rituals, to help them recognize that their anxiety will eventually decrease and that no disastrous outcome will occur. For example, kids who are afraid of dirt might be exposed to something dirty, starting with something mildly bothersome and ending with something that might be really dirty. For exposure to be successful, it must be combined with response prevention, in which the child's rituals or avoidance behaviors are blocked. For example, a child who fears dirt must not only stay in contact with the dirty object, but also must not be allowed to wash repeatedly. Some treatment plans involve having the child "bossing back" the OCD, giving it a nasty nickname, and visualizing it as something he or she can control. Over time, the anxiety provoked by dirt and the urge to perform washing rituals gradually disappear. The child also gains confidence that he or she can "fight" OCD. OCD can sometimes worsen if it's not treated in a consistent, logical, and supportive manner. So it's important to find a therapist who has training and experience in treating OCD. Just talking about the rituals and fears have not been shown to help OCD, and may actually make it worse by reinforcing the fears and prompting extra rituals. Family support and cooperation also go a long way toward helping a child cope with OCD. Many kids can do well with behavioral therapy alone while others will need a combination of behavioral therapy and medication. Therapy can help your child and family learn strategies to manage the ebb and flow of OCD symptoms, while medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), often can reduce the impulse to perform rituals. Helping Kids With OCD It's important to understand that OCD is never a child's fault. Once a child is in treatment, it's important for parents to participate, to learn more about OCD, and to modify expectations and be supportive. Kids with OCD get better at different rates, so try to avoid any day-to-day comparisons and recognize and praise any small improvements. Keep in mind that it's the OCD that is causing the problem, not the child. The more that personal criticism can be avoided, the better. It can be helpful to keep family routines as normal as possible, and for all family members to learn strategies to help the child with OCD. It's also important to not let OCD be the "boss" of the house and regular family activities. Giving in to OCD worries does not make them go away.

<urn:uuid:7c177a20-0e53-447e-a748-0e6b3ea8c112>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=girlshealth&article_set=21761&lic=175&cat_id=146

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Skip to Navigation ↓ Many images of the solar system do not do justice to how small the planets are relative to the Sun, or how distant they are from the Sun and each other. The solar system is really mostly empty space. The Toilet Roll Solar System activity helps give an idea of the relative distances between the planets. Some other fun things to try include finding your age and weight on other planets.

<urn:uuid:34c1061a-aeab-4f8c-bb27-f33c51722326>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://lcogt.net/spacebook/scale-solar-system

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

When I think of bullying, I think of African Elephants. Actually it was a CBS News story some years ago called "The Delinquents." South Africa Game rangers discovered that a new group of juvenile delinquents had been attacking and killing the white rhinoceros, the rhino they've spent years protecting. The prime suspects were not humans, but elephants. A group of young elephants who were orphaned as young calves were now adolescents. They had grown up without role models. In addition to killing rhinos, they acted aggressively toward tourist vehicles. Researchers eventually decided to kill the elephants. They may have been juvenile delinquents but there's no reform school for elephants. But the rangers wanted to avoid killing the delinquents. The solution turned out to be the biggest Big Brother program in the world. The rangers decided to bring in some larger bull elephants. The bigger, older elephants established a new hierarchy, in part by sparring with the younger elephants to discourage them from unacceptable behavior. It was like a group of teenagers who have been acting up who are confronted by their fathers all of a sudden. In short time the juveniles got the message loud and clear. Since the big bulls arrived, not one rhino has been killed. Elephant or human, adolescents need mentoring. They need guidance on how to become good, productive citizens. During this month of Anti-Bullying Awareness let us, instead of seeking out vengeance against those who bully, recognize and celebrate those mentors who keep them on the right path. Martin Luther King Jr. said "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." The future of our community depends on having healthy men and women as opposed to overgrown boys and girls. So celebrate the mentors in our community during this time of awareness. Next time you see a teacher, a coach, a police officer or others who work with our youth let them know you appreciate their work.

<urn:uuid:0434b18e-869f-4aac-b3b0-f73f3ed80ca8>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://manchester.patch.com/groups/kate-nicholass-blog/p/bp--when-i-think-of-bullying-i-think-of-african-eleph400e9b0783

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

There are a number of reasons why some countries publish more than others but it is no real surprise that the USA produces the most scientific papers. Over the period 1999-2009 there were 2.9 million scientific papers published in the USA according to Essential Science Indicators at Thomson Reuters (see infographic) (http://sciencewatch.com/dr/cou/2009/09decALL/). This is considerably more than the next two countries in the top 20 list, Japan and Germany, who each produced a respectable 0.8 million scientific papers. It is also worth mentioning the three countries that just missed the top 20 list:, Scotland, Denmark and Israel. These small countries have managed to punch above their weight, producing 0.1 million science papers each over the ten year period. To investigate the reasons behind these figures it would be necessary to compare a number of different factors between the top 20 countries including science funding, population size, GDP, education levels, facilities and language advantages. Perhaps more interesting are the doughnut and bar charts on the infographic showing the number of citations for each country and the number of citations per paper. This indicates that the work has contributed to subsequent research and can be considered as a mark of quality. Again, the USA has the most citations but Switzerland has more citations per paper produced. Thomson Reuters also listed some ‘rising star’ countries that had the highest percentage increase in citations for the first three quarters of 2011. These are represented by the flags at the bottom of the map. In honour of Open Access Week last week, we decided to produce an additional infographic. The open access movement has grown considerably over the last decade and they now represent 20% of all scientific journals. If this trend continues perhaps we will see a higher number of publications from less well funded countries?

<urn:uuid:bc33832a-9979-4882-8707-79d625605beb>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://openaccessweek.org/profiles/blogs/the-top-20-countries-for-scientific-output?xg_source=activity

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

The Great Blue Hole, a submarine sinkhole off the coast of mainland Belize, yawns wide in an image captured by GeoEye's Ikonos satellite on Dec. 8. The Great Blue Hole is one of the natural wonders of the world, lying off the coast of Belize in the midst of the Lighthouse Reef Atoll. It's a circular sinkhole measuring about 1,000 feet (300 meters) wide and more than 400 feet (124 meters) deep. It was apparently formed as part of a cave system tens of thousands of years ago, when sea levels were much lower. When the ocean's waters rose, the caves were flooded. The Great Blue Hole is part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, which UNESCO has designated a World Heritage Site. Archaeologists and historians say the reef system provided fishing grounds for Maya communities more than a millennium ago, and later served as a haven for 17th-century pirates and buccaneers. Today, the reef is a haven for scuba divers and for marine species at risk, including West Indian manatees and green turtles. This picture of the sinkhole and its surroundings was captured by GeoEye's Ikonos satellite on Dec. 8, from an altitude of 423 miles (681 kilometers). It serves as today's offering from the Cosmic Log Space Advent Calendar, which features outer-space images of Earth every day from now until Christmas. Sample these other goodies from the calendar: - 2012 Cosmic Log Space Advent Calendar - Day 1: A fantastic Chinese fan - Day 2: Satellite shows a Grander Canyon - Day 3: Typhoon stirs awe — and alarm - Day 4: Glittering nighttime view of Riyadh - Day 5: Night lights shine on 'Black Marble' - Day 6: Holy sites seen at night - Day 7: Blue Marble still leaves its mark - Day 8: Satellites look into a volcano's hell - Day 9: Jack Frost nipping at Alaska's nose - Day 10: Cosmonaut looks down on peaks - Day 11: Earth looms above moonwalker - Day 12: Skytree casts shadow on Tokyo - Day 13: Aurora sets stage for meteor show - Day 14: Apollo's last look at Earthrise - Day 15: A sobering moment from space - Day 16: Middle Earth spotted from orbit - Day 17: Mount Etna erupts ... in 3-D! - 2011 Cosmic Log Space Advent Calendar - 2010 Cosmic Log Space Advent Calendar - The Atlantic: Hubble Advent Calendar - Zooniverse Advent Calendar Alan Boyle is NBCNews.com's science editor. Connect with the Cosmic Log community by "liking" the log's Facebook page, following @b0yle on Twitter and adding the Cosmic Log page to your Google+ presence. To keep up with Cosmic Log as well as NBCNews.com's other science and space news coverage, sign up for the Tech & Science newsletter, delivered via email. You can also check out "The Case for Pluto," my book about dwarf planets and the search for new worlds.

<urn:uuid:532a8edb-75cd-4f93-9557-8a21f1c607df>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://photoblog.nbcnews.com/great-blue-hole

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Individual differences | Methods | Statistics | Clinical | Educational | Industrial | Professional items | World psychology | |Part of a series on| Although the title "difference feminism" is a relatively recent addition to the feminist movement, the philosophies of gender relations undergirding this category have their roots as far back as the early Greeks. Forms of difference feminism often stress a fundamental biological, emotional, psychological or spiritual difference between the sexes. Reverse gender polarity Edit Reverse gender polarity is the form of difference feminism that asserts that women, per se, are superior to men. It developed as the opposite of traditional gender polarity that asserts that men, per se, are superior to women. Traditional polarity was espoused beginning with Aristotle. Reverse gender polarity, however, began in the medieval era with the exaltation of feminine virtue by authors like Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa and Lucrezia Marinelli. It became prominent again in second-wave feminism with women like psychologist Carol Gilligan. Gender complementarity Edit - Further information: Complementarianism Fractional gender complementarity Edit Fractional gender complementarity argues that men and women complement one another as separate parts that together make up a composite whole. This form of difference feminism was most prominent in the Cult of True Womanhood developed in reaction to other forms of feminism in the 19th century. It originally developed from a neoplatonic unisex theory that one sexless soul was incarnated into two different bodies: male and female. The two, when added together, were to have formed a single mind. Difference feminism has been criticized for claiming that the sexes differ in their style of reasoning by evolutionary psychologist Steven Pinker. "If difference feminism is true," he writes, "it would disqualify women from becoming constitutional lawyers, Supreme Court justices, and moral philosophers, who make their living by reasoning about rights and justice." He also notes that many studies have not found significant differences between men and women in their moral reasoning. Integral gender complementarity Edit Integral gender complementarity argues that men and women are each integral, whole beings unto themselves whose result when put together is greater than the sum of their parts. Michele M. Schumacher, for example, believes that there is "one (human) nature, two modes of expression... Together they form a communion of persons..."to exist mutually one for the other" " The metaphysical foundation of this theory was developed by Dietrich von Hildebrand and Edith Stein, and later by Personalists like Emmanuel Mounier and Jacques Maritain. More recently, the theory was espoused by Pope John Paul II as a foundation for a new feminism. In regards to differences in emotions, styles or reasoning, those who follow integral complementary assert that the differences are not divisional - that women only feel or reason one way and men another. Rather, they claim the characteristic differences can be found in tendencies and inclinations rather than finite generalizations. For example, author Janne Haaland-Matlary asserts that it "is far more profound than simple biological reductionism...or... social constructivism." A woman may use her "feminine genius" in practically every profession and vocation. Pope John Paul II asserted that the challenge facing most societies "is that of upholding, indeed strengthening, woman's role in the family while at the same time making it possible for her to use all her talents and exercise all her rights in building up society." For feminists who believe in integral complementary, like the new feminists, biology is not "destiny", but it is essentially important. See also Edit - ↑ Allen, Prudence, RSM. The Concept of Woman: The Aristotelian Revolution 750BC - AD 1250. Montreal: Eden Press, 1985 - ↑ Allen, The Concept of Woman. p. 89-126 - ↑ Allen, "Man-Woman Complementarity", p.3 - ↑ Allen, "Man-Woman Complementarity". p.3-5 - ↑ Steven Pinker, The Blank Slate, Chapter on Gender p. 342. - ↑ Schumacher, Michele M. "The Nature of Nature in Feminism, Old and New: From Dualism to Complementary Unity". p.17-51 in "Women in Christ; Toward a New Feminism". William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. Grand Rapids, Michigan. 2003. p. 45 - ↑ Von Hildebrand, Dietrich. Marriage: the Mystery of Faithful Love. Manchester, New Hampshire: Sophia Institute Press, 1991. p. 53-55; Von Hildebrand, Dietrich. Man and Woman: Love and the Meaning of Intimacy. Manchester, New Hampshire: Sophia Institute Press, 1992, p. 91 - ↑ Stein, Edith. "Letter to Sister Callista Koph" in Self-Portrait in Letters: 1916-1942. Washington DC: ICS Publications, 1993. Stein, Edith. Essays on Woman. - ↑ Allen, "Man-Woman Complementarity". p.5-18 - ↑ John Paul II, "Letter to Women" in The Genius of Women (Washington DC: United States Catholic Conference, 1997) - ↑ Haaland-Matlary, Janne. "Men and Women in Family, Society and Politics". L'Osservatore Romano. Vatican. January 12, 2005. p. 6-7. http://www.catholicculture.org/docs/doc_view.cfm?recnum=6309&longdesc - ↑ John Paul II, "Welcome to Gertrude Mongella, Secretary General of the Fourth World Council on Women", May 1995. No 8, as included in "The Genius of Women". |This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).|

<urn:uuid:5e6cd5b8-6e1f-4b55-8bfc-7012a63cb03a>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Difference_feminism

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

A brief history of public inquiries As was stated in the First Report of the Select Committee on Public Affairs there has been “a trend, from the primacy of parliamentary committees and royal commissions up to the second decade of the century to the dominance of 1921 Act inquiries until the 1970s, then the predominance of ad hoc or subject specific statutory inquiries subsequently.” Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921 Before the Inquiries Act 2005, statutory tribunals of inquiry were established under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921. Oonagh Gay, in the parliamentary paper Investigatory inquiries and the Inquiries Act comments that public inquiries set up under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921, “were independent of Parliament, although their establishment depended upon parliamentary resolution and upon the willingness of the Government to find the necessary time to debate such a motion.” Sir Andrew Turnbull KCB KVO, Cabinet Secretary and head of the Civil Service between 2002 and 2005, in giving evidence to the Select Committee was rather more scathing in his description of “this rather clunking instrument of the 1921 Act, which assumes everything is in public, with full legal representation and so on…” The Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921 primarily deals with the powers of the inquiry once it has been set up, rather than the determination of public concern that the Inquiries Act 2005 stipulates. Gay comments that “the tribunals were designed to replace an earlier system of investigation by parliamentary committee into matters of urgent public concern after that system was discredited by the unsatisfactory outcome of an inquiry by a Commons committee into the Marconi Affair in 1913.” The focus of public inquiries held under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921 has been allegations of serious misconduct by the government or public officials. They have included investigations into allegations of political corruption, police brutality and serious disasters. The Salmon Commission opined that tribunals held under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921 should “always be confined to matters of vital public importance concerning which there is something of a nation-wide crisis of confidence.” The limiting wording of the commission was not carried into the Inquiries Act 2005 however, which simply requires “public concern”. Since 1921, the British Government invoked the act around 20 times. Prior to four public inquiries, listed below, held in the 1990s, the Act fell out of use for some time. It is now repealed by the Inquiries Act 2005. Notable public inquiries held under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921 include: - Aberfan landslide disaster - Dunblane School Inquiry - Harold Shipman Inquiry The Republic of Ireland The Republic of Ireland retains some United Kingdom legislation pre-dating independence in 1922. The Smithwick Tribunal of Inquiry, an inquiry set up to enquire into suggestions that members of An Garda Síochána or other employees of the State colluded in the fatal shootings of RUC Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and RUC Superintendent Robert Buchanan, was established by resolution of the Dail Eireann and Seanad Eireann and under the 1921 Act. The Salmon Commission The Royal Commission on Tribunals of Inquiry, ‘The Salmon Commission’ was chaired by Lord Justice Salmon. It made recommendations affecting the protection of witnesses, in particular the Salmon Principles. Since the Salmon Commission A useful and comprehensive narrative on the development of public inquiries can be found in the Report of the Select Committee. Inquiries held under other legislation Schedule 3 of the Inquiries Act 2005 repealed a range of sections or whole pieces of legislation that gave authority to hold a public inquiry. Inquiries that had been held under such legislation include: - Rosemary Nelson Inquiry (Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998) - Robert Hamill Inquiry and Billy Wright Inquiry (Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 before conversion to Inquiries Act 2005) - Marchioness-Bowbell Inquiry (Merchant Shipping Act 1995) - Victoria Climbié Inquiry (Children Act 1989; NHS Act 1977; and Police Act 1996) - Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry (Health and Safety at Work Act 1974) A number of public inquiries have been held on an ad hoc basis. These include:

<urn:uuid:31d29825-101b-4930-b682-2a78b9eb058b>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://publicinquiries.org/introduction/a_brief_history_of_public_inquiries

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Hepatitis B and C viruses are associated with liver cancer. Epstein Barr virus and Kaposi’s sarcoma associated herpesvirus are associated with lymphomas, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Kaposi’s sarcoma. Helicobacter pylori is associated with a sub-set of gastric cancers. These are just a few examples. For instance, Kaposi’s sarcoma in Africa is 3 times more prevalent that prostate cancer in the US. These cancers are rapid and devastating, but they offer a unique scientific opportunity. For some of these infectious agents, effective preventative measures already exist. Examples are drugs against Helicobacter and vaccines against HBV and HPV. Thus, just like other preventative strategies e.g. tobacco control to prevent lung and oral cancers, preventing infections with the agents listed above should reduce the global burden of cancer. UNC Lineberger member and associate professor of surgery, Carol Shores, MD, PhD, FACS, has been working in Malawi to conduct innovative clinical trials in Burkitt lymphoma (BL), which is the most common pediatric cancer in sub-Saharan Africa and is associated with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV).

<urn:uuid:97634b63-d090-4dfa-b521-a7ac7079c05f>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://unclineberger.org/global/infectious

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

The Name Mitla is derived from the Nahuatl word "Mictlan", which means "Place of the Dead". In the Language of the Zapotecans, it is called "Lyobaa", which means "Burial Place". The name in the language of the original builders (The Zapotecans) is probably the most accurate when one considers the tombs of the ancient kings and priests which are actually an integral part of the structures within the city. Archaeological evidence indicates that the site was actually inhabited as early as 900 BC, but the structural remains of the city itself have dates ranging between 200 AD and 900 AD. The Structural remains of the city correspond with the height of Zapotecan rule over the region from Monte Alban (500 BC to 800 AD). It must be noted, however, that Mitla experienced its greatest growth between 750 AD and 1521 AD; and this period of growth corresponds with the end of Zapotecan rule over the area and the beginning of Mixtec rule with its center of power based in Mitla. Political Power in Mitla followed the same theocratic structure as Monte Alban. In 1580, an early Spanish explorer named Canseco visited Monte Alban and said that the interior chamber of the Hall of Columns was the residence of the High Priest who was "like our Pope". And the Spanish Chronicler, Father Burgoa, said that Mitla was once the residence of the Zapotec High Priest who was so powerful that the King Zaashila bowed to his wishes and commands. He went on to say that the High Priest ruled from his Jaguar covered throne - even the King, when in his presence, took a lower seat. The ancient city of Mitla was made up of 5 main palaces, or precincts: One for the Zapotecan High Priest, One for secondary priests, one for military officers, with one reserved for the king and another for his entourage (when they were in town). Today, what is left of Mitla, gives us a glimpse back into the past. To a time when the walls with long panels of geometric mosaics made of polished stone and pieced together without mortar stood out against a brilliant red background. A time when the codex style writing which covered the walls of the palaces were bright and new. When priests were trained here, and the noble dead were laid to rest. Busses leave for Mitla every half hour from the second class bus station, and a ticket will cost 12 Pesos (you pay another 12 Pesos on your way back). The ruins are located about 45km from Oaxaca, and the trip will take about 50 minutes. When the bus stops in Mitla, signs will point you towards the ruins and it’s a ten minute walk to get there. The ruins are open Tuesday through Sunday from 9-5. Entrance to the ruins is 30 Pesos (free on Sundays for Mexican Nationals only). If you have a video camera, it will cost you an extra 30 Pesos (tripods are by special permit only). If you would like a first class tour of the ruins, guides are available for 120 Pesos.

<urn:uuid:3b985699-e60c-43f3-b974-0441f1f859a0>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.advantagemexico.com/oaxaca/mitla.html

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Actually, that's a very good question. From The Laws of Form by G. Spencer Brown: "If a content is of value, a name can be taken to indicate this value. Thus the calling of the name can be identified with the value of the content." We name things in order to be able to refer to them without having to explicitly state their characteristics and the nature of their interactions with other things in the world around them. If you are conversant in Special Relativity, I can jot down E=MC**2 and you will know that I'm referring to the fact that a given quantity of matter contains a potential amount of energy that's equal to the mass of the matter times the square of the speed of light in a vacuum. So having explained the nature of the unification of mind and body via words, exercises and practical demonstrations, and named it ki, I can tell a student to "extend ki" and she will immediately know what I am looking for and how to do what I am asking her to do without me having to explain it every time. It would be better not to use an ambiguous word like ki. It is clear from what I've written, David, that I agree with you (although Ron makes a strong point); what other words/phrases might we use?

<urn:uuid:9a72d00a-21fe-40e8-89d0-beb897ec05c7>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/showpost.php?p=312879&postcount=167

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

of all types can engage in a systematic approach to better identify and prevent medical errors and adverse events that occur commonly among patients with limited English proficiency (LEP). Research available from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality makes these 5 key recommendations to improve detection of medical errors across diverse LEP populations and prevent high-risk scenarios from becoming safety events: hospitals with resource or other limitations that preclude a full rollout of these strategies at once, the authors suggest beginning incrementally by choosing any strategies that can be readily implemented and, at a minimum, focus on addressing the root causes that lead to high-risk scenarios for medical errors among patients with LEP. study, Bringing It to Life, highlights a breakdown in communication involving hospital staff and a 45-year-old Spanish-speaking man with type 2 diabetes who goes to the emergency department accompanied by his wife.

<urn:uuid:99e6e972-1fbb-458c-bf4d-633a2ee2678b>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.apta.org/PTinMotion/NewsNow/2012/9/20/HauserAppointment/?blogid=10737418615&id=10737428217

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Most Common Chronic Disease Among Olympic Athletes Is Asthma 2 Aug 2012 Based on data from the last five Olympic games, a study by the University of Western Australia has identified those athletes with asthma and airway hyper-responsiveness. With a prevalence of around 8% they are the most common chronic conditions among Olympic athletes, and could be related to intense training. In summer and winter sports there is widespread suffering from asthma and airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) among athletes who take part in endurance sports. Its relatively late onset in many older athletes suggests to the experts that the years of intense training could be one of the causes. "Inhaling polluted or cold air is considered an important factor which might explain the cause in some sports, but not in all", explained Kenneth D. Fitch, researcher at the University of Western Australia and sole author of the study. The author identified those athletes with documented asthma and AHR from among those who during the last five Olympic games -from 2002 to 2010- used inhaled beta-2 agonists (IBA), a drug frequently used by elite athletes as an anti-asthma treatment. The results, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, show a prevalence of around 8%, which makes these chronic conditions the most common among Olympic athletes. In fact, due to a significant increase in the number of Olympic competitors reporting the use of IBA between 1996 and 2000, in 2001 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided that athletes must justify their use by providing proof of the condition. The decision was not an anti-doping measure, but was taken to protect the health of athletes. Summer sports vs winter sports "The quality of inhaled air could be harmful to the airways, but does not cause the same effect in all sports", highlights Fitch. For example, in the summer Olympics the prevalence of asthma and AHR is much greater in those who practise endurance sports. According to the study, if there are many more asthmatic winter athletes compared with summer athletes it is mainly because in summer competition there are less individual medals in endurance sports. For its part, during the winter games the inhalation of cold air contributes to airway damage. It also occurs inside skating rinks, where particles in suspension from the ice resurfacing machines can cause damage. Why do athletes with asthma beat their rivals? Those athletes with asthma and AHR have continually beaten their colleagues, although there is no scientific evidence that the treatments provided improve performance. Genetic aspects could be a key factor in airway damage suffered by athletes, but this hypothesis needs further corroboration. The Australian researcher wonders whether training harder than the other competitors in order to improve results could be the reason why many athletes develop asthma and AHR during adult life. The experts even question whether the physiological changes associated with asthma represent a stimulus to train not experienced by non-asthmatics. Asthma Common in Olympic Athletes No replies to this topic 1 user(s) are reading this topic 0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users

<urn:uuid:abf1c08f-b308-47d6-9107-d22682a7caf9>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.breathingbetterlivingwell.com/community/index.php?s=71e44b37486e3bbb3ffb536d70a743e8&showtopic=12349&pid=36053&st=0

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

LeitnerBox is a technique for learning with more & better effect. We should learn the things by heart in 5 steps (30 days) with Leitner Box. This application was created for learning English words or words of another language. I've created this project with .NET Framework 3.5 SP1, so you have to install it to use the project. Leitner Box's Algorithm According to Leitner's Algorithm, we have to study our questions everyday like this : 1 : Answer all questions in Box 5 -> Part 1 If your answer was True the question goes to the Data Base else it goes to Box 1. 2 : Shift all parts of Box5 to the left ( In the application use Shift up button ) 3 : Answer all questions in Box 4 -> Part 1 4 : Shift all parts of Box4 to the left 5 : And so on ... 10 : Add new questions to Box 1 I've implemented this algorithm in this project. Using the Application At first you have to create a user, so you will see this form : Notice: You can use A-Z and a-z for the name. Press the button to create new user, new user will save in a folder beside the main EXE file. If there are multiple users, you will see this form: Appending a Word You have to select a destination box or a part and then add a question. Notice: You can't add two words with the same questions. Whenever you type a word into 'Add Questions' textboxes, it searches for the inserted word in former words (in all boxes and database). If something is found, it will show a list of them below the textbox. Now you can choose it by pressing Enter on it. This is a good way to avoid duplication. - 2nd March, 2009: First post - 14th March, 2009: Updated source and demo files - fixed some bugs - 25th March, 2009: Updated source and demo files - 2nd April, 2009: Updated source and demo files - fixed some bugs - 11th April, 2009: Auto Complete added - 22nd March, 2010: Updated source and demo files

<urn:uuid:9cd45533-9ce9-4863-b6cf-4a243b4a918b>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/33814/Leitner-Box-with-C

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

According to Wikipedia, the definition of Earth Day is “a day early each year on which events are held worldwide to increase awareness and appreciation of the Earth’s natural environment.” Earth Day, started in 1970, and is celebrated nationally and in over 175 countries world wide. Do you celebrate Earth Day in your home? My family and I love to celebrate our mother earth not only on Earth Day, but everyday. Each step we make in our home to become a greener family means we are doing that much more to reduce our carbon footprint. Cox Communications, my local cable company, wanted a way to reduce their carbon footprint as well so they started Cox Conserves in 2007. Launched in 2007, Cox Conserves is the company’s national sustainability program that is designed to reduce Cox Enterprises’ carbon footprint by 20 percent. Cox Conserves seeks to reduce Cox Enterprises’ energy consumption by embracing alternative energy, conserving natural resources and inspiring eco-friendly behavior. The program engages each of the company’s major subsidiaries (Cox Communications, Manheim, Cox Media Group and AutoTrader.com) and encourages Cox Enterprises’ more than 50,000 employees and their families to engage in eco-friendly practices. For more information, visit: http://www.coxconserves.com/ How does Cox Conserves make a difference right here in Las Vegas? How does Cox Conserves make a difference nationally? Alternative Energy – Cox actively identifies opportunities to harness solar energy and employ fuel cell technology, annually preventing more than 17,400 tons of greenhouse gases from entering the environment through its alternative energy projects. Energy Conservation- Across Cox Enterprises, programs are in place to conserve energy, including producing alternative energy, constructing eco-friendly buildings, greening the company fleet, conserving resources and recycling materials. Waste Management- Cox Enterprises employs a holistic approach to waste management including waste reduction, strategic partnerships for e-waste and customer engagement. Water Conservation- Cox’s water conservation efforts save more than 20 million gallons of water annually and return high-quality reusable water to the community. How can you celebrate Earth Day everyday? 5 Tips for a Green Home! - Reduce your junk mail stream by joining a no-send list. This is where my family is listed. - Use compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. They use 2/3 less energy than standard incandescent light bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. If every household in the U.S. replaced one light bulb with a CFL, it would prevent enough pollution equal to taking more than 800,000 cars off the road for an entire year. This was one of the first things we did when we moved into a new home. - Buy bulk items. A family of four can save $2,000/year in the supermarket by choosing large sizes instead of individual serving sizes. This also reduces production of plastic wrappers and boxes. We love shopping our local super store. - Avoid using non-native plants that may be invasive in your area. We have desert landscaping to help reduce our use of water. - Skip pre-packaged items for school lunches and cut up your own cheese, meats and veggies to cut down on wasteful packaging. Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children.” ~ Kenyan proverb Disclosure: This post was written on behalf of Cox Communications. All my thoughts and opinions are my own. Latest posts by Lolo (Posts) - A Chat With Rosita and Sesame Street’s Newest Neighbor Mando - May 15, 2013 - Favorite Moments from the Week | Wordless Wednesday Linky - May 14, 2013 - Arm & Hammer Tooth Tunes Toothbrush Review #ToothTunes1D - May 12, 2013

<urn:uuid:a914b035-07ca-495a-bfbf-c1284c8a7e78>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.crazyaboutmybaybah.com/celebrate-earth-day-cox-communications/

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Global greenhouse gas emissions are currently around 5 tonnes of carbon dioxide per person per year, and need to be reduced by at least 80% have a good chance of avoiding catastrophic warming. Most computer users are responsible for far more emissions than is sustainable. For example one medium distance return flight can be equivalent to over 1 tonne of emissions1: more than an average person should be emitting in an entire year. Offsetting emissions is no substitute for direct cuts. We therefore offer a discount to people who make an effort not to fly excessively or cannot afford to do so anyway. If you buy the discounted licence you may only use it for as long as you meet the terms of the licence. 1 Flights are particularly bad because of additional non-carbon emissions and cloud formation at high altitude: the short-term warming effect is estimated to be many times worse than the same CO2 emission at ground level, perhaps a factor of two worse on a twenty-year timescale, but it could be worse - the science is not well understood. Almost all studies more than a couple of years ago were extremely optimistic about the impacts of climate change, for example neglecting important feedback mechanisms that could lead to very rapid warming: there is still a significant risk of it being much worse than suggested by current studies. Temperature increases in excess of 5 degrees are quite possible if nothing is done. Even the best-case scenario involves major negative consequences in a few decades. A few degrees warming does not sound much, but the effect is spread very unevenly so many places heat up much more than the average. Even conservative studies suggest that stabilization will require cuts of around 80% from current levels of CO2 emissions. This number comes from the Stern Review - also a book). This review has been welcomed by everyone from the president of the World Bank to Tony Blair, and is in no way controversial and certainly not green-lobby propaganda. Continuing with business as usual will result is something like a 5%-loss in global GDP and cause many hundreds of millions of people to face starvation and disease due to shifting weather patterns. To have a good chance of avoiding the worst outcomes, cuts of at least 80% in total emissions are needed by 2050, with significant progress in the next decade; it is much more effective to reduce emissions early on than make huge cuts later on when the problem starts to get out of hand. Tackling aviation growth is particularly difficult because of international agreements not to tax aviation fuel. There is also considerable pricing flexibility (price elasticity of demand), meaning that prices would probably have to at least double to cut flight use in half through market mechanisms alone. This corresponds to an infeasibly high carbon emission trading price. Taking numbers from the Stern Review: every medium distance flight you take now probably causes about 0.001 people to face starvation in the future. Roughly this means that for every hour you spend flying, someone in the future will spend an extra day short of food. If you take more than a couple of flights a year, cutting back is likely to be must the most direct way to reduce your carbon footprint. Doesn't aviation only cause a tiny fraction of emissions? Yes, the current global level is only a few percent. But it is a much larger fraction of the emissions of the wealthiest few (which is likely to include you), and the sector is expanding rapidly. Governments can easily put schemes in place to restructure large fractions of the economy at low (or even negative) cost. For example with suitable incentives cars can become much more efficient and take their remaining energy from biofuels (or, in the future, hydrogen). Building can be much better insulated and use renewable heating sources. Electricity can be generated by numerous methods, including from fossil fuels with carbon capture. Aviation is much more difficult: the life-time of the fleet is long compared to the timescale needed for action, and there are currently no alternatives to fossil-fuel power (biofuels do not remain liquid at low temperatures). As mentioned above, it is also hard to tax. Offsetting flight emissions is currently relatively cheap, and should certainly be used if you do need to fly, but this is only because there are currently lots of easy unexploited ways to cut emissions. As time goes on these should be rapidly used up, at which point aviation will become a major source of emissions and cuts in aviation will be needed to make further progress. Cutting aviation use will be much harder than preventing its expansion in the first place. In addition, the clear reason for linking the licence to flying is that people know how many flights they take, so it is immediately clear whether or not they can meet the 2-flights condition. Assessing other emissions is much more complicated. You can of course easily reduce your emissions significantly by taking other measures (like insulating your home, turning down the heating, driving less, etc.)

<urn:uuid:75c87e0c-c3d2-4817-aa6b-e508fc304973>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.crossword-compiler.com/discount.html

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

The Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri has developed an online tool to help farmers build projected budgets for their operations. The Farm Cost and Return Tool, or Farm CART, is at www.fapri.missouri.edu/projects. “The tool allows beginning farmers and ranchers, not only in Missouri but all over the country, to play a what-if game on the Web,” said FAPRI economist Peter Zimmel. “They can develop a farm with how many acres they want, how many animals they want, and they can see what it will look like financially over the next five years.” Farm CART was funded by a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Grant from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher project was started because the age of the average farmer is increasing and the number of farmers is decreasing. USDA is looking for ways to educate people who may want to start farming in the future, Zimmel said. FAPRI developed Farm CART to help producers who are either thinking about farming or are looking to grow their operation, but Zimmel says the tool can benefit anyone who wants help making better-informed agricultural finance decisions. “With the risk that is involved in agriculture, you really need to plan for the future,” Zimmel said. “What’s the future look like for your farming operation? Is it feasible to continue to farm the way you’re farming?” Farm CART uses the baseline projections that FAPRI produces every year. The tool can provide budgets based on a selected location but can also be customized to a specific operation. “One of the strengths of this tool is that producers can say they want to make a farm that looks like X, Y and Z, and see how that looks financially,” Zimmel said. “But then they can go back and add soybeans and see what the difference is financially. Is it a positive or a negative? Then they can go back and make a better-informed decision if they should grow their farm that way.” Zimmel says a lot of effort went into making Farm CART easy to use. He says there is very little information that producers have to enter before they can play those what-if games. Information from the FAPRI baseline as well as the USDA is programmed in, so all that is needed is the number of acres or animals. “All the information we start them with, all the costs for seed, fertilizer or chemicals, is there,” Zimmel said. “But if they want to they can customize that to their specific operation and change every number in there.” The Farm CART is free to use and there is no sign-up or registration required. Zimmel says all you have to do is select the state and county and you are ready to go. “There aren’t many tools with the ability to project out five years, especially in a Web-based tool with all the information from FAPRI and USDA,” Zimmel said. “One of the big benefits of Farm CART for a producer who is either getting ready to start farming or wants to make a change to their operation, they can look at it before actually going out there and spending the money to try and do it.” For more information, go to www.fapri.missouri.edu/projects.

<urn:uuid:11be5786-7ae9-4aa4-9a12-176aa6e47944>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.dairyherd.com/dairy-resources/Online-tool-provides-an-interactive-farm-budgeting-resource-187464721.html

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Focal seizure; Jacksonian seizure; Seizure – partial (focal); Temporal lobe seizure Definition of Partial (focal) seizure All seizures are caused by abnormal electrical disturbances in the brain. Partial (focal) seizures occur when this electrical activity remains in a limited area of the brain. The seizures may sometimes turn into generalized seizures, which affect the whole brain. This is called secondary generalization. Patients with focal seizures can have any of the symptoms below, depending on where in the brain the seizure starts. Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, and Department of Anatomy at UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. – 1/23/2010

<urn:uuid:bea322b2-08f8-4f7c-a451-7e9cf97da8ad>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.drgreene.com/adam/partial-focal-seizure/

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Letzburgesch or Luxembourgian (in French, Luxembourgeois; in German, Luxemburgisch; in Luxembourgish Lëtzebuergesch) is a West Germanic language spoken in Luxembourg. It was adopted as an official language in 1984. It is also spoken in small parts of Belgium, France and Germany Luxembourgish belongs to the Middle German group of High German languages, like standard German. However, it's not intelligible to most Germans, as it is more than just a german dialect. It borrows many French words. For example, the verb to propose is proposieren from the French proposer, which in German would be verschlagen. Standard German is called "High German" in Luxembourg, where it is used for official purposes.

<urn:uuid:4c323655-9303-486b-842e-c652527da4ae>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.encyclopedia4u.com/l/luxembourgish-language.html

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

"Green jobs" to outweigh losses from climate change By Alister Doyle, Environment Correspondent NUSA DUA, Indonesia (Reuters) - Climate change is creating millions of "green jobs" in sectors from solar power to biofuels that will slightly exceed layoffs elsewhere in the economy, a U.N. report said on Thursday. Union experts at U.N. climate talks in Bali, Indonesia, said the findings might ease worries among many workers that tougher environmental standards could mean an overall loss of jobs for many countries. "Millions of new jobs are among the many silver, if not indeed gold-plated, linings on the cloud of climate change," Achim Steiner, head of the U.N. Environment Program (UNEP) said in a statement. "New research reveals that these jobs are not for just the middle classes -- the so-called 'green collar' jobs -- but also for workers in construction, sustainable forestry and agriculture, engineering and transportation," he said. The study of "Green Jobs" around the world said that measures to promote ethanol in Brazil, for instance, had created 500,000 jobs. In China, 150,000 people were employed in solar heating, a sector with sales revenues in 2005 of $2.5 billion. And it said that renewable energy programs in Spain and Germany, such as in promoting wind power, had "already created several hundred thousand jobs." The environmental industry employed more than 5.3 million people in the United States in 2005, according to a UNEP statement that did not give a breakdown by sector. "There's every indication that there will be a net gain (in jobs) but probably not a very large net gain," Janos Pasztor, a senior UNEP official, told a news conference in Bali. "The labor intensity of renewables is higher than those of fossil fuels or nuclear power," he said. Jobs could be lost in coal mining, for instance, if the world sought to shift away from fossil fuels. The study did not try to estimate the total number of jobs that could be created or lost by measures to combat climate change, which U.N. reports project will bring more droughts, floods, heatwaves and rising seas. "The fears that this will turn into a job killer...are unfounded," said Peter Poschen, a development specialist at the U.N.'s International Labor Organization. "There is a huge opportunity for 'green jobs'." "Fear of job or livelihood losses...continues to pose a barrier to greater worker involvement," said Lucien Royer of the International Trade Union Confederation, grouping workers in more than 100 nations. He welcomed the study as confirming past economic theories about net gains in jobs linked to combating global warming. -- For Reuters latest environment blogs click on:

<urn:uuid:3a179e55-b0e5-4d74-bfdf-c28d61e5174b>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.enn.com/business/article/26669/print

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Winter 2012 Edition By Matthew DeMeritt, Esri Writer This article as a PDF. When the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, one of the strongest ever recorded, struck the coast of Japan, it sent a tsunami Hawaii's way. In a sense, Hawaii had dodged a bullet. The March 11, 2011, earthquake transferred most of the tsunami's energy toward Japan's coast rather than toward Hawaii. The wave that Hawaii experienced was 1 meter high (compared to Japan's 10-meter wave) but still caused millions of dollars in damage to docks and seacraft but—fortunately—no deaths. The tsunami alert sent many Hawaiians scrambling to find out if they were in a tsunami evacuation zone or where the nearest shelter was located. Requests to Honolulu's government website created a logjam that disabled the site. During a government meeting to assess the tsunami's toll, Honolulu technical staff raised the issue of public access to critical evacuation zone maps during times of high demand on the county server. "One of the GIS analysts mentioned that their site [Honolulu.gov] went down following the alert because too many residents were trying to find information related to the tsunami at once," said Kyle Shimabukuro, a systems analyst for City and County of Honolulu. "That spurred discussion about why the bottleneck happened and how we could avoid it in the future." Staff eventually concluded that the emergency maps in local phone books also were not sufficient to disseminate critical information about tsunami evacuation zones immediately following a seismic event. Because a large percentage of Hawaiians exclusively depend on cell phone service for their telephone needs, many residents simply don't have phone books. To avert a similar crisis in the future, systems staff at Honolulu created a tsunami evacuation zone app built with Esri's ArcGIS Runtime Software Development Kit (SDK) for Android to serve as a critical information channel. "It took an event like this to point out the obvious problem," said Shimabukuro. "Being an Android phone owner, I knew that a large majority of those seeking information from the web had smartphones and that Esri had already created a variety of mapping solutions for them." Theoretically, a large percentage of requests could be transferred to a simple mapping app, similar to the ones Esri had already created, so Shimabukuro went looking for a way to make a custom app for Hawaii's Android phone owners. Because City and County of Honolulu had already integrated ArcGIS throughout its departments, Shimabukuro was familiar with Esri technology and its online customer support channels. He started his research at Esri's ArcGIS Resource Center and it immediately paid off. There he saw the beta version of the ArcGIS Runtime SDK for Android available for free download. "Seeing the beta of the API confirmed my hunch that an evacuation zone app was within reach," said Shimabukuro. "After a simple registration, I downloaded the API as well as information on how to build apps and add functionality. It was all well documented and easy to find." Esri's approach to customer support involves giving users access to example apps and preconfigured templates for developers to build on. Rather than having to start from scratch, the application available with the Android SDK gives developers a starting place for adding code and testing functionality during the development process. "It's good to know that documentation could provide the answers I needed, but having the sample apps to immediately reference saved me much time in not having to start from the ground up," said Shimabukuro. "The examples gave me a logical starting point to pick and choose the kind of functionality our app should have." Shimabukuro could easily add and remove code as needed and attach a variety of available map services using the runtime SDK. "I downloaded many libraries to see what each one did and incrementally built the app using that process, which would have been much harder without having access to the example apps and seeing how they operate," he noted. During development, Shimabukuro had envisioned using the smartphone's onboard GPS to verify whether the user was in an evacuation zone and generate driving directions from there. "The idea of exploiting the GPS technology already available on Android devices and producing something more than static maps was exciting," said Shimabukuro. "In addition to displaying the address of a given point, I was also able to pass that address to Google Navigation, an external navigation app, to give driving directions." The final product, which includes full integration with GPS and a handy navigator, exceeded Honolulu's original objectives for the app. Honolulu has successfully promoted it to residents with nearly 1,000 installs. Shimabukuro plans to integrate additional services as they become available. ArcGIS Runtime SDK for Android is scheduled for official release before the 2012 Esri International User Conference. For more information on the Honolulu Tsunami Evacuation Zones app or to see it in action, visit the download site in Android Market. For more information, contact Kyle K. Shimabukuro at email@example.com.

<urn:uuid:1222575a-9a47-4e67-b0ac-9917c2b92f23>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.esri.com/news/arcuser/0112/new-information-channel.html

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Copyright (c) Arvin S. Quist INTRODUCTION TO CLASSIFICATION THE NEED FOR CLASSIFICATION A government is responsible for the survival of the nation and its people. To ensure that survival, a government must sometimes stringently control certain information that (1) gives the nation a significant advantage over adversaries or (2) prevents adversaries from having an advantage that could significantly damage the nation. Governments protect that special information by classifying it; that is, by giving it a special designation, such as "Secret," and then restricting access to it (e.g., by need-to-know requirements and physical security measures). This right of a government to keep certain information concerning national security (secrets) from most of the nation's citizens is nearly universally accepted. Since antiquity, governments have protected information that gave them an advantage over adversaries. In wartime, when a nation's survival is at stake, the reasons for secrecy are most apparent, the secrecy restrictions imposed by the government are most widespread,[*] and acceptance of those restrictions by the citizens is broadest.[†] In peacetime, there are fewer reasons for secrecy in government, generally the government classifies less information, and citizens are less willing to accept security restrictions on information. MAJOR AREAS OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION The information that is classified by most democracies, whether in peacetime or wartime, is usually limited to information that concerns the nation's defense or its foreign relations--military and diplomatic information. Most of that information falls within five major areas: (1) military operations, (2) weapons technology, (3) diplomatic activities, (4) intelligence activities, and (5) cryptology. The latter two areas might be considered to be special parts of the first three areas. That is, intelligence and cryptology are "service" functions for the primary areas--military operations, weapons technology, and diplomatic activities. From a historical perspective, the classification of weapons technology became widespread only in the 20th century. Classification of information about military operations and diplomatic activities has been practiced for millennia. Examples of military-operations information that is frequently classified include information concerning the strength and deployment of forces, troop movements, ship sailings, the location and timing of planned attacks, tactics and strategy, and supply logistics. Obviously, if an enemy learned the major details of an impending attack, that attack would be less successful than if it came as a surprise to the enemy.* Information possessed by a government about an adversary's military activities or capabilities must be protected to preserve the ability to predict those activities or to neutralize those capabilities. If the adversary knew that the government had this information, the adversary would change those plans or capabilities. Military-operations information is usually classified for only a limited time. After an operation is over, most of the important information is known to the enemy. Weapons technology is classified to preserve the advantage of surprise in the first use of a new weapon,† to prevent an adversary from developing effective countermeasures against a new weapon,‡ or to prevent an adversary from using that technology against its originator (by developing a similar weapon). A major factor in that latter reason for classifying weapons technology is "lead time." Classifying advanced weapons-technology information prevents an adversary from using that information to shorten the time required to produce similar weapons systems for its own use. Consequently, assuming continued advancements in a weapons technology by the initial developer of that technology, the adversary's weapons systems will not be as effective as those of the nation that initially developed that technology, and the adversary will be at a disadvantage. With respect to lead time, when weapons systems can be significantly improved, then information on "obsolete" weapons is much less sensitive than information on newer weapons. Thus, information on muzzle-loading rifle technology was not as sensitive as that on breech-loading rifle technology, which was not as sensitive as information on lever-action rifle technology, . . . semiautomatic rifle . . . automatic rifle . . . machine gun. However, with respect to nuclear weapons, a "rogue" nation or terrorist group can probably achieve its objectives just as easily with "crude" kiloton nuclear weapons that might require a ship or truck to transport as with sophisticated megaton nuclear weapons that might fit into a (large) suitcase. Thus, "obsolete" nuclear-weapons technology should be continue to be protected, especially with respect to technologies concerning production of highly enriched uranium or other nuclear-weapon materials. Weapons technology includes scientific and technical information related to that technology. World War I marked the start of the "modern" period when science and technology affected the development of weapons systems to a greater degree than any time previously. That interrelationship became even more pronounced in World War II, with notable scientific and technological successes: the atomic bomb, radar, and the proximity fuse. World War II, particularly with respect to the atomic bomb, marked the first time that the progress of military technology was significantly influenced by scientists, as contrasted to advances by engineers or by scientists working as engineers. With respect to classification, the more that applied scientific or technical information is uniquely applicable to weapons, the more likely that this information will be classified. Generally, basic research is not classified unless it represents a major breakthrough leading to a completely new weapons system. An example of that circumstance was the rigid classification during World War II, and for several years thereafter, of much basic scientific research related to atomic energy (nuclear weapons). The need for secrecy in diplomatic negotiations and relations has long been recognized. A nation's ability to obtain favorable terms in negotiations with other countries would be diminished if its negotiating strategy and goals were known in advance to the other countries.* The effectiveness of military-assistance agreements between nations would be impaired if an adversary knew of them and could plan to neutralize them. In New York Times v. United States, the "Pentagon Papers" case, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stewart recognized the importance of secrecy in foreign policy and national defense matters: It is elementary that the successful conduct of international diplomacy and the maintenance of an effective national defense requires both confidentiality and secrecy. Other nations can hardly deal with this Nation in an atmosphere of mutual trust unless they know that their confidences will be kept . . .. In the area of basic national defense the frequent need for absolute secrecy is, of course, self evident. During the term of the first president, it was established that some need for secrecy in diplomatic matters would remain even after negotiations were completed. President Washington, in 1796, refused a request by the House of Representatives for documents prepared for treaty negotiations with U.S. and gave the following as one reason for refusal: England The nature of foreign negotiations requires caution, and their success must often depend on secrecy; and even when brought to a conclusion a full disclosure of all the measures, demands, or eventual concessions which may have been proposed or contemplated would be extremely impolitic; for this might have a pernicious influence on future negotiations, or produce immediate inconvenience, perhaps danger and mischief, in relation to other powers. It has been said that President Nixon initially was not going to attempt to stop the New York Times and other newspapers from publishing the "Pentagon Papers." However, the executive branch was then in secret diplomatic negotiations with , and Henry Kissinger "is said to have persuaded the president that the Chinese wouldn't continue their secret parleys if they saw that China couldn't keep its secrets." Washington Intelligence information includes information gathering and covert operations. Collecting military and diplomatic information about other nations involves the use of photoreconnaissance airplanes and satellites, communication intercepts, the review of documents obtained openly, and other overt methods. However, information gathering also includes the use of undercover agents, confidential sources, and other covert methods. For those covert activities, secrecy is usually imposed on the identity of agents or sources, on information about intelligence methods and capabilities, and on much of the information received from the covert sources. Few clandestine agents could be recruited (or, in some instances, would live long) if their identity were not a closely guarded secret. Information provided by a clandestine agent must frequently be classified because, if a government knew that some of its information was compromised, it might be able to determine the identity of the person (agent) who provided the information to its adversary. Successful intelligence-gathering methods must be protected so that the adversary does not know the degree of their success and is not stimulated to develop countermeasures to stop the flow of information. Intelligence information from friendly nations is generally classified by the recipient country. Allies would be less willing to share intelligence information if they knew that it would not be protected against disclosure. Cryptology encompasses methods to code and transmit secret messages and methods to intercept and decode messages. Writing messages in code, or cryptography,* has been practiced for thousands of years. One of the earliest preserved texts of a coded message is an inscription carved on an Egyptian tomb in about 1900 B.C. The earliest known pottery glaze formula was written in code on a Mesopotamian cuneiform tablet in about 1500 B.C. The Spartans established a system of military cryptography by the 5th century B.C. Persia later used cryptography for political purposes. Cryptography began its steady development in western civilization starting about the 13th century, primarily in . By the early 16th century, Italy 's ruling Council of Ten had an elaborate organization for enciphering and deciphering messages. Venice Restrictions on cryptologic information are necessary to protect communications. Diplomatic negotiations could not successfully be conducted at locations other than the seat of government if safe communications could not be established. Cryptologic information must also be protected to prevent an adversary from learning of a nation's capabilities to intercept and decode messages. If an adversary learns that its communications are not secure, it will use another method, which will require additional time and effort to defeat.[‡] The Allies' World War II success in breaking the German codes contributed to shortening that war. That success was kept secret until 1974, about 34 years after the German code had been broken and about 29 years after World War II had ended. The U.S. Army's success in breaking a World War II U.S.S.R. code (the Venona project, which began in 1943 and continued until 1980) was not made public until about 1995. That was about 50 years after the first such message had been deciphered (and about 45 years after the U.S.S.R. had learned through espionage of the Army's success). U.S. BASIS FOR CLASSIFICATION IN THE UNITED STATES The need for governmental secrecy was directly recognized in the U.S. Constitution. Article I, Sect. 5, of the Constitution explicitly authorizes secrecy in government by stating that "Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as in their Judgment require Secrecy." Also included in the Constitution, in Article I, Sect. 9, is a statement that "a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time." A U.S. Court of Appeals has determined that the phrase "from time to time" was intended to authorize expenditures for certain military or foreign relations matters that were intended to be kept secret for a time. The Constitution does not explicitly provide for secrecy by the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government. However, the authority of that Executive Branch to keep certain information secret from most citizens is implicit in its executive responsibilities, which include the national defense and foreign relations. This presidential authority has been upheld by the Supreme Court in a number of cases. Judicial decisions have also relied on a common-law privilege for a government to withhold information concerning national defense and foreign relations. Congress, by two statutes, the Freedom of Information Act and the Internal Security Act of 1950, has implicitly recognized the president's authority to classify information (see Chapter 3). U.S. At this time in the , information is classified either by presidential authority, currently Executive Order 12958, or by statute, the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (Atomic Energy Act). Classification under Executive Orders and under the Atomic Energy Act is extensively discussed in Chapters 3 and 4, respectively. United States CLASSIFICATION AND SECURITY Classification has been variously described as the "cornerstone" of national security, the "mother" of security, and the "kingpin" of an information security system.,,, Classification identifies the information that must be protected against unauthorized disclosure. Security determines how to protect information after it is classified. Security includes both personnel security and physical security. The initial classification determination, establishing what should not be disclosed to adversaries and the level of protection required, is probably the most important single factor in the security of all classified projects and programs., None of the expensive personnel-clearance and information-control provisions (physical security aspects) of an information security system comes into effect until information has been classified; classification is the pivot on which the whole subsequent security system turns (excluding security for other reasons, such as to prevent theft of materials). 19 Therefore, it is important to classify only information that truly warrants protection in the interest of national security. Since the mid 1970s, several classification experts have remarked on the increasing emphasis by some government agencies on physical-security matters, which has been accompanied by a decreased emphasis on the classification function. One of the founders (and the first chairman) of the National Classification Management Society (NCMS), who was also an Atomic Energy Commission Contractor Classification Officer, has expressed concern about the tendency to emphasize the word "security" at the expense of the word "classification" with respect to security classification of information.17 In the mid 1980s another charter member of the NCMS pointed out that, although the status of classification still remained high in the Department of Energy (DOE), the situation had changed within the Department of Defense, where Classification Management had been organizationally placed under Security. Even the NCMS, founded as a classification organization, appears to be changing to become increasingly oriented towards security matters rather than classification matters. It is noteworthy that the marked emphasis by the U.S. Government in recent years on physical-security measures has not been accompanied by any significant increased emphasis on classification matters. The previous paragraph was written in 1989, and the trend described in that paragraph has continued. The classification function at DOE headquarters is now a part of the security organization as is the classification function at many DOE operations offices and DOE-contractor organizations. That function generally used to be part of a technical or other non-security organization. The NCMS has also continued to become more security-oriented. With respect to classification as a profession (or lack of recognition thereof), it is interesting to note some comments and a recommendation in the Report of the Commission on Protecting and Reducing Government Secrecy. In this 1997 report, that Commission noted the "all-important initial decision of whether to classify at all," and that "this first step of the classification management process . . . tends to be the weakest link in the process of identifying, marking, and then protecting the information." The Commission further stated that "the importance of the initial decision to classify cannot be overstated." However, the Commission then stated that "classification and declassification policy and oversight . . . should be viewed primarily as information management issues which require personnel with subject matter and records management expertise." Although recommending that "The Federal Government . . . [should] create, support, and promote an information systems security career field within the Government," the Commission made no similar recommendation for security classification of information as a profession or career. Res ipsa loquitur. [*] "When a nation is at war many things that might be said in time of peace are such a hindrance to its effort that their utterance will not be endured so long as men fight and that no Court could regard them as protected by any constitutional right" [Schenck v. United States, 249 U.S. 47, 52 (1919) (J. Holmes)]. [†] Since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon, the United States considers itself to be in a war against terrorism. One consequence has been a significant shift in opinion, not only of the general public but also of some strong supporters of freedom-of-information matters, towards favoring more control of information that might aid terrorists. This increased control, especially pertaining to weapons of mass destruction, includes (1) establishing broader criteria for identifying information that is classified or "sensitive"; (2) permitting reclassification of declassified information, and (3) restricting further governmental distribution of documents already released to the public. *However, during the Greek and Roman eras in the Mediterranean, when the infantry was paramount and both sides were approximately equally equipped with respect to weapons, many battles were fought without attempts to maintain secrecy of troop movements or with respect to surprise attacks (B. and F. M. Brodie, From Crossbow to H-Bomb, Indiana University Press, Bloomington, Ind., 1973, p. 17). †"Secret" weapons have proven decisive in warfare. One example of the decisive impact of a new weapon was at the battle of Crecy in 1346. At this battle, the English used their "secret" weapon, the longbow, to defeat the French decisively. Although the French had a two-to-one superiority in numbers (about 40,000 to 20,000), the French lost about 11,500 men, while the English lost only about 100 men (W. S. Churchill, A History of the English-Speaking Peoples, Vol. 1, Dodd, Mead and Co., New York, 1961, pp. 332-351; B. and F. M. Brodie, From Crossbow to H-Bomb, Indiana University Press, Bloomington, Ind., 1973, pp. 37-40). ‡In World War II, the Germans developed an acoustic torpedo designed to home in on a ship's propellers. However, the Allies obtained advance information about this torpedo so that when it was first used by the Germans, countermeasures were already in place (B. and F. M. Brodie, From Crossbows to H-Bombs, Indiana University Press, Bloomington, Ind., 1973, p. 222). *In 1921, the United States, Britain, France, Italy, and Japan held a conference to limit their naval armaments. The United States had broken Japan's diplomatic code and thereby knew the lowest naval armaments that Japan would accept. Therefore, U.S. negotiators had merely to wait out Japan's negotiators to reach terms favorable to the United States (J. Bamford, The Puzzle Palace, Houghton, Mifflin Co., Boston, 1982, pp. 9-10). *The breaking of codes is termed cryptanalysis. [‡] Even "friendly" nations get upset if they know that one of their codes has been broken. As noted earlier in this chapter, the United States deciphered Japan's diplomatic code in 1921. Herbert O. Yardley, who was principally responsible for breaking this code, wrote a book, The American Black Chamber, published in 1931, which included information on this matter. Yardley's book did not contribute to developing friendly United States-Japanese relations. A consequence of this revelation was enactment of a U.S. statute that made it a crime for anyone who, by virtue of his employment by the United States, obtained access to a diplomatic code or a message in such code and published or furnished to another such code or message, "or any matter which was obtained while in the process of transmission between any foreign government and its diplomatic mission in the United States" (48 Stat. 122, June 10, 1933, codified at 18 U.S.C. Sect. 952.) B. and F. M. Brodie, From Crossbow to H-Bomb, Indiana University Press, Bloomington, Ind., 1973, p. 172. Hereafter this book is cited as "Brodie." Brodie, p. 233. New York Times v. United States, 403 U.S. 713, 728 (1971). J. D. Richardson, A Compilation of Messages and Papers of the Presidents. 1789-1897, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., Vol. I, at 194-195 (1896). Richard Gid Powers, "Introduction," in Secrecy--The American Experience, by Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Yale University Press, New Haven, Conn., 1998, p. 32. D. Kahn, The Codebreakers, MacMillan, Inc., New York, 1967, p. 71. Hereafter cited as "Kahn." Kahn, p. 75. Kahn, p. 82. Kahn, p. 86. Kahn, p. 106. Kahn, p. 109. See, for example, F. W. Winterbotham, The Ultra Secret, Harper & Row, New York, 1974. Halperin v. CIA, 629 F.2d 144, 154-162 (D.C. Cir., 1980). U.S. Constitution, Article II, sect. 2. See, for example, Totten v. United States, 92 U.S. 105 (1875); United States v. Reynolds, 345 U.S. 1 (1952); Weinberger v. Catholic Action of Hawaii, 454 U.S. 139 (1981). F. E. Rourke, Secrecy and Publicity: Dilemmas of Democracy, Johns Hopkins Press, Baltimore, 1961, pp. 63-64. D. B. Woodbridge, "Footnotes," J. Natl. Class. Mgmt. Soc. 12 (2), 120-124 (1977), p.122. R. J. Boberg, "Panel--Classification Management Today," J. Natl. Class. Mgmt. Soc. 5 (2), 56-60 (1969), p. 57. E. J. Suto, "History of Classification," J. Natl. Class. Mgmt. Soc. 12 (1), 9-17 (1976), p.13. James J. Bagley, "NCMS - Now and the Future," J. Natl. Class. Mgmt. Soc. 25, 20-29 (1989), p. 28. T. S. Church, "Panel--Science and Technology, and Classification Management," J. Natl. Class. Mgmt. Soc. 2, 39-45 (1966), p. 40. W. N. Thompson, "Security Classification Management Coordination Between Industry and DOD," J. Natl. Class. Mgmt. Soc. 4 (2), 121-128 (1969), p. 121. W. N. Thompson, "User Agency Security Classification Management and Program Security," J. Natl. Class. Mgmt. Soc. 8, 52-53 (1972), p. 52. Department of Defense Handbook for Writing Security Classification Guidance, DoD 5200.1-H, U.S. Department of Defense, Mar. 1986, p. 1-1. F. J. Daigle, "Woodbridge Award Acceptance Remarks," J. Natl. Class. Mgmt. Soc. 21, 110-112 (1985), p. 111. D. C. Richardson, "Management or Enforcement," J. Natl. Class. Mgmt. Soc. 23, 13-20 (1987). Report of the Commission on Protecting and Reducing Government Secrecy, S. Doc. 105-2, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Chairman; Larry Combest, Vice Chairman, Commission on Protecting and Reducing Government Secrecy, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1997. Hereafter cited as the "Moynihan Report." Moynihan Report, p. 19. Moynihan Report, p. 35. Moynihan Report, p. 44. Moynihan Report, p. 111.

<urn:uuid:647c5d85-6ea3-4124-aa9a-e2a2146530fb>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.fas.org/sgp/library/quist/chap_1.html

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

US 7278346 B2 A cutting device holds an article to be cut stationary while a blade is traversed along a curved guide to peel or slice away material from the article. The article may be rotated using an indexing mechanism to realign the article with respect to the blade. The cutting device is especially configured to cut complex shapes, such as a seven-sided tourné. Portions of the cutting device may be separated for storage or travel, and a storage container may be provided to protect the device as well as to keep the separated pieces together. 1. A cutting device for cutting an article, comprising: a cutting portion comprising a curved blade guide having a top portion and a bottom portion, a support arm attached to the blade guide, and a needle-shaped first holder contacting the support arm; and a base portion connectable to the cutting portion, the base portion comprising a second needle-shaped holder and an indexing mechanism, wherein the first and second holders hold the article stationary relative to the base portion when cutting said article with a blade that travels along the curved blade guide from the top portion to the bottom portion, and wherein the indexing mechanism permits rotation of the article relative to the cutting portion before executing a cut with the blade. 2. The cutting device of 3. The cutting device of 4. The cutting device of 5. The cutting device of 6. The cutting device of 7. The cutting device of 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to the art of slicing, and more particularly to the art of cutting food items into desired shapes. 2. Description of the Related Art Slicing shapes in vegetables is generally well known in the culinary art. In particular, the tourné shape is highly regarded for its uniqueness. As shown in The tourné shape is unique because it has an uneven number of curved or arced sides. Such shape is desired for food items, such as vegetables and roots, particularly potatoes. However, the unusual shape is difficult to accurately produce by manual cutting. Thus, recreating the tourné shape typically requires a great deal of effort, time, and skill. It would be very desirable to form the tourné shape quickly and efficiently using a device that is simple, portable, and easy to clean. U.S. Design Pat. No. 397,921 to Joergensen shows a manual potato peeler with a handle and blade. Such peelers and blades are well known in the art, but require great skill to create complex designs. Peeling apparatuses that hold an article during peeling are generally well known in the culinary art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,006,621; 2,130,980; 2,521,987; 4,738,195; 4,765,234; 5,950,528; 5,957,045 and 6,408,520 teach various peeling, slicing and coring machines. However, these devices are incapable of shaping an article into a tourné, i.e., a three-dimensional shape with seven arced sides. U.S. Pat. 5,582,096 to Marton illustrates a more complex vegetable peeling and shaping machine. A potato is held in a chute or tube as blades are fed into and out of slots through the tube or chute to cut portions of the potato away. Similarly, Japanese publication JP 06141991 A illustrates a vegetable cutter, comparable to Marton, that utilizes cutting edges that travel through guides 3 to form curved surfaces. These devices permit the creation of complex shapes, such as the symmetrical “Chateau” shape. However, these devices are complex, relatively expensive, difficult to clean, and relatively difficult to move about or use in a typically crowded kitchen. Commercial and home chefs still seek a device for forming complex cut shapes, such as a tourné, that is simple, portable, handheld, and easy to clean. In a first aspect of the invention, a cutting device is provided that holds an article stationary while a blade is traversed along a curved track or blade guide to peel or slice away material from the article. The article may be rotated using an indexing mechanism to re-align the article with respect to the blade and form a shaped article, such as a seven sided tourné. The article to be cut may be a root or vegetable, such as a potato. Additionally, portions of the cutting device may be separated for storage or travel, and may have a container to protect the device as well as to keep the separated pieces together. In a second aspect of the invention, a cutting method includes the steps of fixing an article to be cut to a base portion of a cutting device and to a cutting portion of the cutting device, where the cutting portion includes a blade guide or track. After fixing the article, a blade is moved along the blade guide from a start position to slice through a portion of the article with a first pass of the blade along the blade guide. The article is indexed to a new cutting position, such as by rotating, and the blade is returned to its start position within the blade guide in preparation for a second cutting pass along the blade guide. Preferably, indexing the article is by disengaging an engagement mechanism that fixes the position of the article relative to the cutting portion and rotating the article to a new position. Preferably, the engagement mechanism has seven indexed positions to permit cutting portions from the article to form a seven-sided tourné. The base portion may be handheld when carrying out the cutting method. Novel features and advantages of the present invention in addition to those mentioned above will become apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts and in which: As shown in Article 20 can be fixed relative to cutting portion 16 and base portion 18, as shown in A second holder 30, which may be a needle or double needle (a single needle is shown in The blade guide 22 may be aligned relative to article 20 for cutting a first side of a tourné shape 10 simply by virtue of the fact that article 20 is fixed relative to the joined cutting portion 16 and base portion 18. Preferably, blade guide 22 permits blade 24 to travel along the guide without binding or other interruption to slice a side of article 20 into a predetermined shape, such as an arc in the case of the tourné shape. As shown in As shown in As shown in To prevent debris, fingers, or other foreign objects from entering the indexing mechanism, an upper mounting plate 38 and lower control plate 40 may be joined to at least partially enclose the indexing mechanism. In the embodiment of Article 20 may be elevated from the upper mounting plate 38 by platform 50 to reduce friction while advancing article 20 through the rotating and slicing process. Upper mounting plate 38, lower control plate 40, screws 42, feet 44, and any portion of base 18 may comprise metal, plastic, wood or other suitable material. The cutting device may be handheld, and its component parts may be separated for cleaning, transportation, or storage. As shown in This stacked arrangement may also be inserted into a container 60 that may have a lid 64 with a flap 62 or other fastening or securing means (see The foregoing description of the invention illustrates and describes the present invention. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only the preferred embodiments of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or the skill or knowledge in the art of article shaping, particularly the shaping and cutting of items. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain the best modes known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other, embodiments and with the various modifications required by the particular applications or uses of the invention. Accordingly, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Also, it is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments.

<urn:uuid:b6542b07-51e0-4495-bcea-89cf86556552>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.google.com.au/patents/US7278346

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Gallery: Huntington State Hospital fire, Nov. 26, 1952 On Nov. 26, 1952, a ward building at Huntington State Hospital, now Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital, caught fire, killing 17 people. Some readers may find these images (and the news story below) disturbing. Established on a 33-acre tract in 1899 as the West Virginia Asylum, the state-supported hospital has evolved from the dark ages when as many as 1,800 patients were crammed into open wards and the staff included a superintendent and seven or eight physicians. Today, it is a 90-bed facility. In 1958, West Virginia had 5,500 patients placed in a half-dozen mental health facilities scattered over the state. Because of improved treatment and drugs, that number had decreased to 2,400 in 1976. The Hartley Act, which was brought on by a class action suit, caused more dramatic changes in the 1980s. The act mandated that all state hospitals eliminate open wards and provide only two-bed, semi-private rooms for mentally ill patients. West Virginia now operates just two psychiatric care hospitals, Huntington and Weston, W.Va. In 1999, Gov. Cecil Underwood announced that Huntington State Hospital would be renamed the Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital in honor of the retiring doctor and her dedication to bringing mental health issues to the state's attention. This old Associated Press story about the fire was found on the GenDisasters website. HUNTINGTON HOSPITAL FIRE KILLS 14 PATIENTS. NINE WOMEN, 5 YOUNG GIRLS ARE VICTIMS. ATTENDANTS ARE CREDITED WITH 'HEROIC JOB' BY FIREMEN. Huntington, Nov. 26 -- (AP) -- Fourteen women and children perished tonight in a fierce blaze that swept a three-story building at the Huntington State Hospital, a mental institution. President Joe F. Burdett of the State Board of Control, which supervises the state's institutions, announced the death toll as complete and official. Two hours after the fire roared through the 56-year-old building, Burdett said the blaze took 15 lives. After a thorough recheck, he brought the figure down one. Five of the victims were young girls, 15 or younger. The others were women, the oldest 89. There were about 275 patients in the three-story brick structure. The fire broke out in the basement shortly after 7 p.m. and burned for about two hours. The flames were confined to the first two floors but the thick acrid smoke played havoc with the youngsters trapped on the top level. Firemen had to cut through heavy wire mesh with acetylene torches to get inside the building when the front entrance became an inferno. The screaming patients had to be removed by means of an old wrought iron circular stairway at the rear of the building. The rescuers couldn't use stretchers on the narrow escapeway, so they bundled the patients --some alive, some dead -- in blankets and carried them down on their shoulders. Fire Capt. C. C. Martin credited attendants on duty with a "heroic job" in getting the most of the patients out of the building. He said they tripped the latches on the ward doors so the patients could flee by themselves. The kitchen, one of the several buildings nearby, was turned into a hasty receiving station for the screaming, weeping, vomiting victims. One reporter called it a "sorry sight." The patients were sprawled on the kitchen floor, some of them dead, most with only a blanket covering them, reeking with the strong smell of smoke. One fireman said the blaze started in the basement. A staff physician who refused to be quoted said some of the patients sometimes went to the basement to smoke during off hours, which was against the rules. The hospital built in 1896, has been under recent scrutiny both through the press and the state legislature for its condition. "I know it's too late to say this," Burdett said, "but we submitted to the budget director a recommendation for one million dollars for fireproofing all this -- ward buildings one, two, three and four." It was ward building four which burned. Burdett said the requested appropriation was cut out somewhere along the line in the last legislative session. A new building was being constructed on the grounds nearby which was to house the patients in the structure which burned. They would have been transferred into the quarters withing a few weeks. Two other fires have occurred at the state hospital within the last two years -- one in a third floor sewing room and the other in a basement storage bin. Both were extinguished quickly. "The same situation exists at Spencer and Weston State (two other state mental institutions). Recommendations for fireproofing those two hospitals and Huntington have been approved by the budget director for submission to the 1953 legislature." He added that part of Spencer and Weston State Hospitals already have been fireproofed. Two elderly women were listed as in serious condition from burns. The only other person listed as injured was a Huntington fireman who suffered a broken foot when a battering ram fell on him. All three members of the State Board of Control were at the hospital during cleaning-up operations. They are, besides Burdett, L. Steele Trotter, treasurer, and Dell White, Secretary. State Fire Marshal C. A. Raper, also at the scene, said he had not had a chance to make an inspection or estimate of the damage. Here's List of Dead In Huntington Fire. Huntington, Nov. 26 -- (AP) -- Here is the list of dead in tonight's fire at Huntington State Hospital as released by Chief of Detectives Herman A. Frazier of the city police. ADA CARVER, 89, Huntington. JOYCE TUCKER, 20, Fairmont. ELIZABETH BRIGHT, 31, Wellsburg. EVANGELINE ELZY, 15, Dunbar. PATRICIA LONG, 15, Sutton. LENA WENTZ, 11, Cabell County. LILLIAN GOULD, 36, Huntington. GERALDINE CURRY, 26, Mingo County. CASSIE SUMMERFIELD, 44, Huntington. AVANELE KEIFER, 15, Huntington. ETHEL MUNDAY, 68, Charleston. HELEN FINDLEY, 33, Sistersville. PATRICIA CLARK, 14, Vallscreek, McDowell County. MADALINE PRESTON, 24, Maidsville, Monongalia County.

<urn:uuid:92da9e42-77d8-4066-8ed2-2c8eea280f81>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/multimedia/galleries/historicalphotos/x883171487/Gallery-Huntington-State-Hospital-fire-Nov-26-1952

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2011: FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IN LATIN AMERICA The third wave of democracy in Latin America began around 1978, opening a promising era that followed different trajectories in strengthening democratic institutions in the countries of the region. However, since democracy’s comeback important setbacks have occurred in the region, some directly political, others more related to democratic life, the performance of institutions, or the granting of crucial liberties on the part of governments. One particular tension bringing setbacks in the practice of Latin American democracy has to do with freedom of the press. These shortcomings were born as a controversy between several governments and the media companies (and journalists) about the alleged untrustworthiness of the information being produced for public use (and the lack of objectivity thereof), impacting larger societal realms such as political governance and national sovereignty. As the confrontation worsened, leading in some cases to acute polarization, it has brought violations of freedom of the press such as the closure of media outlets, murder and harassment of journalists, constant accusations against media companies, as well as the pursuit of legislation seeking to impair the influence of the press, radio, TV, and even internet in the creation of public opinion. Watch video from this event! clck here to go to video Go To 2011 Conference Information ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2009: THE HONDURAS CRISIS The current crisis in Honduras, whereby an elected president was ousted from power under military pressure after allegedly pledging the Honduras people his intent in modifying the country's constitution in order to be reelected, is a vivid testimony of the frailty of democratic institutions in Latin America. The Carr Center, in collaboration with the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies (DRCLAS) at Harvard, will be pursuing a one day conference to explore in greater depth the nature and implications of the crisis in Honduras. The idea is to explore the different angles of the events in the country, looking at the Central American historical context in which democratization took place, examining the impending constitutional crisis that resulted from a clash of internal powers, analyzing what international forces (Latin American countries, the US, OAS, mediators) were at play and what was their response to the crisis. Finally, the implications of the current crisis in terms of the confrontation of forces alluded earlier on how democracy is exercised throughout the continent. Go To 2009 Conference Information

<urn:uuid:9145e41f-7353-4293-b2b3-73edae2146f4>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.hks.harvard.edu/cchrp/initiatives/latin_america/conference.php

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Focus 360º - Getting there safetly is everyone's responsibility. “Safe driving is serious business.” It is the responsibility of every driver is to operate a motor vehicle safely. The task of driving requires full attention and focus. Drivers should resist engaging in any activity that takes their eyes and attention off the road for more than a couple of seconds. In some circumstances even a second or two can make all the difference in a driver being able to avoid a crash. Of special concern is the use of electronic entertainment and communication devices, especially cell phones. The relative risks of the various tasks drivers engage in are still being assessed, but in general the safest course of action is to refrain from using a cell phone while driving, which includes talking, dialing, and texting. In 2008, nearly 6,000 people died in crashes that involved distracted driving. Distracted driving applies to anything that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the steering wheel, or interrupts your concentration while driving. - Cell Phone Use While Driving Fact Sheet - Driving Drowsy - Driving Distracted - Aggressive Driving - Driving Impaired - Seat Belt Use Maryland’s Traffic Safety Laws Maryland’s Highway Safety Laws Maryland’s Safety Engineering Safe Driving in Bad Weather During this time of the year when bad weather challenges our save driving skills, it is imperative that we drive more carefully. Visit the Maryland Highway Administration website for more survival tips.

<urn:uuid:5102eec6-71fe-47ad-8a59-107815606a33>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/hse/notices/tsafe4.html

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Milestones:First Intelligible Voice Transmission over Electric Wire, 1876 First Intelligible Voice Transmission over Electric Wire, 1876Alexander Graham Bell called out to his assistant Thomas Watson, “Mr. Watson, come here! I want to see you.” This transmission took place in their attic laboratory located in a near here at 5 Exeter Place. The milestone plaque may be viewed close to Lafayette Place, near where Avenue de Lafayette and Essex Streets intersect. There is an existing historical marker close by commemorating the site of the original laboratory where Watson and Bell constructed their telephone equipment at 109 Court Street. A pioneer in the field of telecommunications, Alexander Graham Bell was born in 1847 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He moved to Ontario, and then to the United States, settling in Boston, before beginning his career as an inventor. Throughout his life, Bell had been interested in the education of deaf people. This interest led him to invent the microphone and, in 1876, his “electrical speech machine,” which we now call a telephone. The first transmission of voice over electric wires was from Alexander Graham Bell to his laboratory assistant Thomas Watson on March 10, 1876. This historic event was marked by Bell’s famous phrase, “Mr. Watson, come here! I want to see you.” This first telephone transmission took place at the Bell & Watson laboratory located at 5 Exeter Place in Boston. News of Bell’s invention quickly spread throughout the country, even throughout Europe. The first long distance telephone call was made on August 10, 1876 by Bell from the family home in Brantford, Ontario to his assistant located in Paris, Ontario, ten miles away. By 1878, Bell had set up the first telephone exchange in New Haven, Connecticut. Long distance connections were made between Boston, Massachusetts and New York City by 1884, (the year IEEE was founded.) In 1876, Bell got a patent for the telephone and started the Bell Telephone Company with others in July, 1877. Two years later, this company joined the New England Telephone Company to form the National Bell Telephone Company. In 1880, they established the American Bell Telephone Company, and in 1885, American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T), still a large enterprise today. Electric communication has had a long evolving history. It began with early telegraph inventions by Wheatstone, Morse, Hughes, Henry, and has continued with the submarine cable, and with pioneers like Marconi and Popov. These early telegraphic innovations and Marconi’s wireless system were improvements in the way people communicated with each other. Yet, the invention of the telephone was a quantum leap over all previous technologies. By allowing individuals to communicate remotely and instantly from the safety of their home, the telephone has had global, pervasive, and profound impacts on mankind.

<urn:uuid:7d7a8909-2e7f-4eb3-963d-b4a3f77f4391>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.ieeeghn.org/wiki/index.php/Milestones:First_Intelligible_Voice_Transmission_over_Electric_Wire,_1876

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

posted 1 Nov 1999 in Volume 3 Issue 3 A notable improvement in R&D Culture shifts are often difficult to carry out, especially in such a difficult area as laboratory experimentation and research. Kodak's approach to the need for better data storage led not just to a different process, but also to a significant culture change. Here, Jonathon Trigg explains the uses and lasting influences of an electronic notebook for recording data and research. Research has always been fundamentally part of the 'knowledge business'. Irrespective of the nature of an organisation's business, or indeed the nature of its research, the key element of the R&D department's mission is to increase the knowledge about the organisation's current and future products and processes. For manufacturing industry, this is typically accomplished through the evaluation of product and process developments and innovations by means of experimentation. In order to comply with the organisation's information policies, and in certain cases to comply with regulatory and/or legal requirements, all experimentation must be properly recorded. The process for recording this information is exactly the same as that taught to children in their earliest science lessons; record the objective of the experiment, the details (what was done), the results and observations, and finally what conclusions were drawn. For most organisations, this is still a paper-based process. The 'laboratory notebook' is accepted as the basic tool for recording experimentation, and as such is subject to a number of familiar constraints associated with all paper-based processes. For example: - Storage: paper notebooks take up a lot of room; - Accessibility: notebooks are often locked away in filing cabinets or desks; archives may be difficult to access; - Difficult to search: it requires a significant effort to provide a comprehensive index and cross-index of all experiments and projects in all notebooks; - Legibility: the quality of the handwriting can be variable; - Disaster recovery: It's difficult to 'back-up', and may be subject to damage. It seems a reasonable assumption, therefore, that a paper-bound process will have severe limitations in helping an organisation satisfy its knowledge management requirements. The difficulty in sharing information recorded in paper notebooks is magnified for an organisation that operates multi-site, multi-discipline R&D. In such cases, site-to-site communication can be less efficient than a single site operation and can lead to additional problems such as repeating the same or similar work carried out elsewhere, and/or poorer understanding of the expertise available in different R&D units. The prospect of using an electronic laboratory notebook to address these issues has been under consideration for a number of years, but typically has floundered on the difficulty of defining a generic process for experimentation, and also on overcoming some of the potential obstacles for regulatory and legal acceptance and long term storage (it is typical to expect information in laboratory notebooks to be accessible for 50 years or more). An additional factor is the willingness of R&D communities to adapt to structured and formal systems. Since the human qualities normally associated with a career in research tend to lean more towards innovation, free-thinking, non-conformity, etc., the implementation and user acceptance of formal systems in an R&D environment often provides a significant challenge. Kodak European R&D, in conjunction with New Information Paradigms (Crowthorne, Berks; a Lotus Premium Partner), has developed an Electronic Laboratory Notebook based on Kodak's company-wide implementation of Lotus Notes. The Kodak Electronic Lab Notebook is now being extensively used at their UK site in Harrow, Middlesex, and is being introduced in their other R&D sites in Rochester, NY, USA and Chalon-sur-Saone, France. The basis of the Kodak Electronic Lab Notebook is to provide a simple facility for recording experimental objectives, details, results and conclusions, and to make this information readily shareable across the R&D organisation in a way that facilitates collaboration amongst R&D scientists. The system shares a lot of features with the traditional paper notebook approach. Every scientist is issued with an Electronic Lab Notebook ( a Lotus Notes database). Each instance of the Electronic Lab Notebook can be used by an individual scientist, it may be shared with a technician, or it may be shared within a project team. Each experiment recorded in the Electronic Lab Notebook contains four basic pieces of information (objective, details, results, conclusions) and up to ten configurable information fields. Each field is 'rich text', i.e. it can contain formatted text, numbers, objects such as graphs, images, etc. All of the Electronic Lab Notebooks are linked in two ways; firstly they are all linked to a single 'Projects' database which holds some basic information about the R&D projects, and secondly they are all linked to a 'Summary' database. The Summary database is automatically updated with summary information taken from all Electronic Lab Notebooks and therefore acts as a major knowledge repository for the entire R&D organisation. The Electronic Lab Notebook therefore provides not only a repository for experimental information, but also provides linkages between experiments, projects and programmes, and ultimately, people. The complete system can therefore be considered as a single, 'virtual' electronic notebook for all of Kodak R&D. The Electronic Lab Notebook is implemented as a 'core' application, which means that it contains generic functionality which can be applied to all types of experimentation. But, of course, there are many other applications and systems used in the R&D laboratories for data acquisition, data processing and data storage which are strongly related to, or integrated within the experimental work. In order to prevent the scope of the Electronic Lab Notebook project constantly expanding to embrace more and more of these laboratory data systems, a strategy has been evolved for building interfaces to other R&D systems, which protects the core system by placing the interfaces in other Lotus Notes databases. These can be simply linked to the core system. As pointed out earlier, Electronic Lab Notebooks have long been considered as a potential solution for R&D to deliver productivity benefits, but issues such as (a) defining a generic approach to experimentation, (b) regulatory and legal acceptance and (c) solving the problem of long term storage, have restrained progress. How does Kodak's Electronic Lab Notebook address these issues? Firstly, the experimentation process which is supported by the Kodak Electronic Lab Notebook is the very basic, traditional approach which is common to all experimentation. All information is held in 'rich text' fields, so data models and data dictionaries associated with relational databases are not required. Secondly, Kodak R&D is not subject to stringent regulatory compliance and audit. This therefore creates a few more degrees of freedom in terms of its data and information management than would be experienced, for instance, by a pharmaceutical company. Nevertheless, Kodak has an absolutely fundamental commitment to protecting its own information for proprietary and legal purposes, and as such, the Electronic Lab Notebook allows for notarisation to support patent application, and a high degree of security for data protection. Security of information in the Electronic Lab Notebook is paramount from two perspectives; firstly, in terms of the proprietary information contained within the system and the provision of adequate safeguards against unauthorised access, and secondly in terms of protection of that information against physical damage or corruption by any other means. Access is controlled at four levels: network, application, database and document. Access control requires a fine balance between the more traditional approach of 'need to know' and the principles of collaboration required in order to drive a knowledge management culture. This presents an interesting challenge to any R&D organisation! The Electronic Lab Notebook represents a streamlined approach to the mainstream purpose of R&D, in Kodak's case, technology delivery. But technology delivery is only a part of the overall R&D business, since it also requires a number of support functions both from a business and from a technology perspective. The design of the Electronic Lab Notebook offers opportunities to integrate a significant number of R&D data acquisition and data processing systems (see earlier). It also offers the possibility of linking to business systems for resource management, financial management, project management, etc., to develop a fully integrated R&D systems environment which will offer a comprehensive approach to managing all aspects of R&D through a consistent user interface. This vision is progressively evolving, and shows a lot of parallels with the way that ERP (enterprise resource planning) is having a significant impact on manufacturing environments. 1. User acceptance Since R&D scientists do not always enthusiastically adopt formal systems, the level of acceptance has been extremely good. The pilot project specified that there would be no pressure to use the Electronic Lab Notebook - it would be used by choice. The take-up exceeded expectations. One possible reason for this is that there is only a minimal structure in the system, allowing each individual scientist to work with it in their own way, but without detriment to the overall objective of linking and sharing information. 2. Accessibility of information In identifying the Electronic Lab Notebook as the fundamental repository for experimentation, the need to transpose information from one system to another has largely disappeared, unless there is a fundamental reason for doing so. As a consequence, some complex interfaces between different data and information systems have become redundant. Common information can be recorded once, stored once, and shared by many. The elimination of paper as a medium for passing test requests and reports between organisational units has in some cases represented a significant saving in time; collation, photocopying, filing and posting are no longer part of the communication process. Accessibility of information is facilitating 'people-networking'. Examples already exist where searching the summary database has identified scientists on different sites working on related materials, and establishing contact with each other to share and optimise their knowledge. For Kodak the Electronic Lab Notebook represents a tool for managing the core of its R&D business. Without adding an extra burden on its R&D scientists (data/information/knowledge is recorded electronically rather than in handwriting, and is captured at source), a number of tangible benefits have accrued. In particular, it provides a significant enhancement of the management of explicit knowledge. This in turn is having an impact upon the R&D culture and is starting to drive new behaviours which are associated with exploiting this environment. It is also encouraging a different type of interaction, thus breaking down some of the more traditional barriers associated with organisational structures. There is evidence that (a) scientists in different areas of the laboratories are working more closely than before; (b) there is greater sympathy towards, and greater understanding of the need for sharing, rather than hiding information; and (c) people are coming into contact across organisational boundaries through finding information in the Electronic Lab Notebook on related projects, experiments and materials. The initial success of the Electronic Lab Notebook has been extremely encouraging, and gives Kodak R&D a well-defined systems approach to managing its technology, and for ensuring that this process is integrated with other aspects of managing the R&D business. John Trigg is Technical Leader within Kodak European R&D, Harrow. He can be contacted at: firstname.lastname@example.org

<urn:uuid:8aa691f0-dab5-4473-8b0b-f72df2aa64b3>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.ikmagazine.com/xq/asp/sid.07933528-4041-4272-828C-7336878F226E/articleid.F06B5FAC-E32D-4A36-BC09-532428832366/eTitle.A_notable_improvement_in_RD/qx/display.htm

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

NASA Phoenix Mars Lander Puts Arm and Other Tools to Work May 29, 2008 TUCSON, Ariz. - NASA's Mars lander is returning more detailed images from the Martian surface and is now preparing its instruments for science operations. Phoenix transmitted a 360-degree panorama of its frigid Martian world, freed its nearly 8-foot robotic arm, tested a laser instrument for studying dust and clouds, and transmitted its second weather report on Wednesday evening. "We've imaged the entire landing site, all 360 degrees of it. We see it all," said Phoenix principal investigator Peter Smith, University of Arizona, Tucson. "You can see the lander in a fish-eye view that goes all the way out to the entire horizon "We are now making plans for where to dig first, and what we'll save for later." Commands were communicated to Phoenix to rotate the robotic arm's wrist to unlatch its launch lock, raise the forearm and move it upright to release the elbow restraint. "We're pleased that we successfully unstowed the robotic arm. In fact, this is the first time we have moved the arm in about a year," said Matthew Robinson of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. The arm deployment brings the Phoenix mission to a significant milestone. "We have achieved all of our engineering characterization prerequisites, with all the critical deployments behind us," said JPL's Barry Goldstein, Phoenix project manager. "We're now at a phase of the mission where we're characterizing the science payload instruments. That's a very important step for us." After a health check that tests the arm at a range of warmer and colder temperatures, the titanium and aluminum arm will soon be tasked with its first assignment: to use its camera to look under the spacecraft to assess the terrain and underside of the lander. The robotic arm will later trench into the icy layers of northern polar Mars and deliver samples to instruments that will analyze what this part of Mars is made of, what its water is like, and whether it is or has ever been a possible habitat for life. Another milestone for the mission included the activation of the laser instrument called light detection and ranging instrument, or lidar. "The Canadians are walking on moonbeams. It's a huge achievement for us," said Jim Whiteway Canadian Science lead from York University, Toronto. The lidar is a critical component of Phoenix's weather station, provided by the Canadian Space Agency. The instrument is designed to detect dust, clouds and fog by emitting rapid pulses of green laser-like light into the atmosphere. The light bounces off particles and is reflected back to a telescope. "One of the main challenges we faced was to deliver the lidar from the test lab in Ottawa, Canada, to Mars while maintaining its alignment within one one-hundredth of a degree," said Whiteway. "That's like aiming a laser pointer at a baseball at a distance from home plate to the center field wall, holding that aim steady after launch for a year in space, then landing," he added. Lidar data shows dust aloft to a height of 3.5 kilometers (2 miles). The weather at the Phoenix landing site on the second day following landing was sunny with moderate dust, with a high of minus 30 degrees Celsius (minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit) and a low of minus 80 (minus 112 degrees Fahrenheit). The Phoenix mission is led by Smith at the University of Arizona with project management at JPL and development partnership at Lockheed Martin, Denver. International contributions come from the Canadian Space Agency; the University of Neuchatel, Switzerland; the universities of Copenhagen and Aarhus, Denmark; Max Planck Institute, Germany; and the Finnish Meteorological Institute. For more about Phoenix, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/phoenix . Media contacts: Guy Webster 818-354-5011 Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. Dwayne Brown 202-358-1726 NASA Headquarters, Washington Sara Hammond 520-626-1974 University of Arizona, Tucson

<urn:uuid:75eeaa0d-bb93-48d3-8e84-8c4b5d90f0e3>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/phoenix/release.php?ArticleID=1722

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Shell collecting is a wonderful pastime. It doesn’t cost a thing, and it is full of possibilities for pleasure and learning alike. Children love shells because they are safe and easy to pick up, they are great for decorating sand pies, or for making into pictures in the sand. Challenges can also be thrown down: Who can find the biggest or the smallest shell on the beach? How many different kinds can you discover? Who can find the most brightly coloured? Which is the prettiest shell of all? The possibilities are endless... Young children are also fascinated to learn more about shells, especially when they discover that these beautiful objects are a creature’s habitat. You can explain that shells; If you are visiting foreign shores, you may find different types of shells washed up on the beach. But be careful. The balance of nature is a matter of concern to us all, and there is also a word of caution when it comes to shell collecting. In an increasing number of countries there are local regulations that restrict or even prohibit the collection of shells, and it is important to check what rules apply to any coastal area you are visiting. International conservation agencies advise that where shells may be collected, only a limited number should be taken away from any beach. - are made by molluscs – animals with soft bodies and no bones. For this reason, they build shells on the outside of their bodies, to protect them and keep them safe inside. - They don’t keep changing their shells and replacing them with larger ones as they grow, but they live in the same shell, making it bigger as they get older. - When your child finds an empty shell on the beach, it is because the mollusc that lived inside has died, and the discarded shell has been washed up with the tides. So we are not causing any harm to an animal when we pick up an empty shell, but it’s important to remember that if your child picks one that has a creature moving inside it, they should leave it where it was found. - It’s also wise to explain to your child that lifting rocks to see what is underneath may disturb or damage marine creatures, because it is probably home to lots of animals, including molluscs inside their shells. The greenest approach is to enjoy finding the shells, but to leave them on the beach afterwards. Children can spend endless hours happily decorating sandcastles with shells, and making interesting patterns using shells on the beach. Children can do some sketches of their favourite shells or take a digital photo so they have a permanent reminder of them. However, there are times when they really want to take their shells home. If this is the case, a great time can be spent searching for the most perfect examples – your child can then select the best single shell of each kind to take home. In my experience, children are always happy with this thoughtful compromise, and parents can feel satisfied with their own responsible approach to an activity that will always be cherished as a wonderful childhood memory Five Fun Things to Do with Shells at the Beach 1) Write your name or funny messages in the sand with shells 2) Decorate sand-pies and sandcastles with different shaped shells 3) See how many different types of shell you can find, and draw pictures of them in a pretty design on some paper, to hang on the wall at home 4) Hold a competition to see who can find the smallest or the largest shell on the beach 5) Who can find the smoothest shell, the most brightly coloured shell, the heaviest shell? Ingrid Thomas is the author of The Shell: A World Of Decoration And Ornament (Thames & Hudson, £35).

<urn:uuid:8050e1c8-a3c6-4e28-bf1c-173b2a823b95>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.juniormagazine.co.uk/art-and-craft/shell-collecting/51.html

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Science becomes real for Dallas students The Grade 5 students gazed upon the charred volcano rock like it was the rarest of gems. “I’ll pass it around,” said Don Bouffard, who treated the Dallas elementary students to a science presentation. Handing the rock to a student, he noted it once gleamed iridescent with “all the colours of the rainbow.” When the rock was passed to one girl, she leaned in to inspect it and, in an awed tone, whispered: “All the colours of the rainbow . . .” Another girl asked Bouffard: “Where did you get the pieces from the volcano?” He replied: “From the big island of Hawaii,” and she said, “Oh, I went there.” Bouffard, a retired geologist and volunteer with the Vancouver-based Scientists and Innovators in the Schools, also showed the students 450 million-year-old fossils and models of prehistoric beasts. “It’s cool to see their eyes light up,” he said. He also passed around an asteroid chunk so the students could touch a “piece of outer space.” Ten-year-old Steven Schafthuiz said he wants to be a scientist. “I was just thinking that maybe I could invent something really cool that could help everyone in the world,” he said. He added: “In millions of years, they say that Mars may be just like Earth.” Marvelling at the asteroid piece, Chase Davidson, 10, also professed a love for science. “The fascinating thing about science is you can create all these new things to put the world at a different level,” he said. “It’s incredible what science can do.”

<urn:uuid:13566340-d931-41e1-aaca-df1a4433dc8f>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/news/11001886.html

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

Between the years 900 and 1100, Chinese painters created visions of landscape that depicted the sublimity of creation. Viewers are meant to identify with the human figures in these paintings. In Summer Mountains, travelers make their way toward a temple retreat. The central mountain sits in commanding majesty, like an emperor among his subjects, the culmination of nature’s hierarchy. The advanced use of texture strokes and ink wash suggests that Summer Mountains is by a master working about 1050, a date corroborated by collectors’ seals belonging to the Song emperor Huizong (r. 1101–25), whose paintings catalogue records three works entitled Summer Scenery by the otherwise unknown artist Qu Ding.

<urn:uuid:27ff06e7-c757-4bcd-a3a2-1fde3833a1d7>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/60006974?high=on&rpp=30&pg=1&rndkey=20121113&ft=*&when=A.D.+1000-1400&where=China&pos=2

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en

A low-cost electricity using thin-film amorphous-silicon photovoltaics is in the works. Imagine what would be possible if solar cells were available for 70 cents per watt! At that price, a fully equipped home would receive its electricity at a cost that's equivalent to utility-produced energy billed at 10 cents per kilowatt-hour (KWH). Power company rates now average 7 cents per KWH in the U.S., and the dime-per figure promises to be upon us all too soon. (In other parts of the world—Japan, for example—even that price is already a fond but fading memory.) But is it really possible that solar cells will sell for 70 cents per watt in the next few years? The answer is yes, if current trends in thinfilm cell research are any indication of what can be done. And one of the hotbeds of such investigation is Japan, which began to organize a national effort to study photoelectricity back in 1974. You see, that country recognized—nearly ten years ago—that fuel prices were going nowhere but up! Since then, photovoltaics researchers have taken great strides toward the goal of making solar electricity a practical, economical alternative to that generated with imported oil. The Japanese investigated numerous alternatives, and—in 1979—settled on thin-film, amorphous-silicon technology as the best bet. In fact, many of that country's scientists anticipate that once the technology has matured, the cost of such cells could drop to 70 cents per watt by 1985 . . . and to as low as 25 cents per watt by 1990. ABOUT AMORPHOUS SILICON Unlike the popular single-crystal wafer I described a couple of issues back (see MOTHER EARTH NEWS issue 76, page 178), amorphous silicon has physical properties that can best be compared with those of glass. Instead of a rigid crystalline framework, the material has a more fluidlike form that lacks orderly structure. (In fact, the word amorphous means "without definite form".) It's the shapeless nature of this kind of silicon that holds so much promise for photovoltaic production. In contrast to the time-consuming, energy-intensive chore of growing single-crystal wafers, producing amorphous cells is actually quite simple. Fabrication of the cell begins with a sheet of ordinary glass, over which a very thin layer of conductive metal—actually a mixture of indium oxide and tin oxide, referred to as the ITO layer—is deposited. Its purpose is to provide the positive contact for the cell. A layer of P-type semiconductor silicon is then applied on top of the ITO by a plasma process. (The material is released from its gaseous carrier by means of radio-frequency bombardment.) Then a layer of undoped (nonconducting) silicon, which acts as an insulating barrier, is formed over the two previous coatings. A third and final silicon deposit consists of N-type semiconductor material. And backing up the whole assembly—providing the negative contact—is a covering of aluminum. The semiconductor silicon layers on the glass base are so thin that they're measured in millionths of an inch . . . they total just 20 millionths, to be exact. As a result, the entire cell formation process uses only 1/300 as much material as is required for the production of a conventional solar cell! AMORPHOUS SILICON: COST VERSUS EFFICIENCY Not only are the material costs for thin-film cells considerably lower than for single-crystal units (with an accompanying reduction in waste), but the steps involved in producing them are fewer. Moreover, the process lends itself to automation. Therefore, the major expenses involved in fabricating thin-film cells will undoubtedly be the cost of the glass and the aluminum backing. Amorphous cells do have one disadvantage. At present, single-crystal wafers are capable of operating at about 10% efficiency, which means that approximately one-tenth of all the sun's energy striking the face of the cell is converted into electricity. Production amorphous cells, on the other hand, function—so far—at only about 4% efficiency. In order to generate the same amount of power as a conventional cell, therefore, the area of the amorphous cell must be 2-1/2 times as large. Nevertheless, laboratory amorphous units have already exceeded 8% efficiency, and there's little doubt that this figure can eventually be duplicated on an assembly line. Furthermore, two other features of the thin-film cell serve to offset its lower efficiency. For one, the spectral response of the amorphous silicon more closely approximates that of sunlight, which means that the material reaches its efficiency level by making use of a wider range of the energy available. And the output voltage of the individual amorphous wafer is higher than that of a single-crystal cell, thereby reducing the number of units needed in series to generate a given voltage. In the final analysis, though, the choice between single-crystal and thin-film photovoltaics boils down to a trade-off between efficiency and reduced production cost. And all things considered, it looks as though the amorphous cells could prove to be a bargain. THIN-FILM AMORPHOUS-SILICON PHOTOVOLTAICS ARE IN PRODUCTION If you're under the impression that the amorphous cell is still just another pie-in-the-sky dream, you'd better think again. Although you can't buy a module for your home as yet, amorphous cells are being manufactured on a production basis right now . . . in Japan! Sanyo Electric, the same company that makes stereos and televisions, has recently opened the largest photovoltaics manufacturing plant in the world, turning outyou guessed it—thin-film, amorphous-silicon solar cells. And there are a number of calculators, radios, and clocks—on the market today—powered by such cells. Unfortunately, it's impossible to say how long it might take for panels to be available outside Japan, since the initial production is destined for domestic use. However, while Japan does seem to be breaking ground in thin-cell research, the United States isn't exactly standing still . . . even though this country hasn't yet produced amorphous cells on any major scale. Research is being conducted by no fewer than a half-dozen independent U.S. companies and organizations . . . but the funding for the work doesn't come close to equaling the amount Japanese corporations receive from their government. Currently, Japan is spending a full 33% of its national budget on solar research, and most of that money now goes into the photovoltaics program. In short, the Land of the Rising Sun has made a firm commitment to exploit solar energy and appears to be ready to make the sacrifices necessary to stick to it. U.S. policy, on the other hand, is wishy-washy at best . . . it vacillates from one administration to the next. Only $62.9 million has been set aside for photovoltaics research in 1983, down from the $161.5 million allocated last year. Most of the available energy research funds have been channeled, instead, into areas such as nuclear power. Still, the future looks bright for thin-film, amorphous-silicon solar cells, whether or not the U.S. proves to be a major source. Unfortunately, present prices (although they compare favorably with those of other currently available photovoltaics) are anything but low . . . running between $10 and $20 per watt. As production rises and sales increase, however (and the Japanese seem intent on making sure that both do happen), the cost will likely drop dramatically. perhaps by as early as 1985 you'll be able to buy amorphous cells for less than $1.00 per watt. And by 1990 . . . who knows?

<urn:uuid:55360f75-4864-4765-bd3c-d1ac426335fa>

CC-MAIN-2013-20

http://www.motherearthnews.com/renewable-energy/thin-film-amorphous-silicon-photovoltaics-zmaz82ndzgoe.aspx

s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz

en