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Netherlands Antilles
This article is about the former constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. For the Dutch Caribbean islands in general, see Dutch Caribbean. For the current integral territories of the constituent country of the Netherlands, see Caribbean Netherlands.
The Netherlands Antilles (Dutch: Nederlandse Antillen, pronounced [ˈneːdərlɑntsə ʔɑnˈtɪlə(n)] (listen); Papiamento: Antia Hulandes)[2] was a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The country consisted of several island territories located in the Caribbean Sea. The islands were also informally known as the Dutch Antilles.[3] The country came into being in 1954 as the autonomous successor of the Dutch colony of Curaçao and Dependencies and was dissolved in 2010. The Dutch colony of Surinam, although it was relatively close by on the continent of South America, did not become part of the Netherlands Antilles but became a separate autonomous country in 1954. All the island territories that belonged to the Netherlands Antilles remain part of the kingdom today, although the legal status of each differs. As a group they are still commonly called the Dutch Caribbean, regardless of their legal status.[4] People from this former territory continue to be called Antilleans (Antillianen) in the Netherlands.[5]
Netherlands Antilles
Land Nederlandse Antillen (Dutch)
Pais Antia Hulandes (Papiamento)
Motto: Latin: Libertate unanimus
Dutch: In vrijheid verenigd
"Unified by freedom"
Het Wilhelmus (1954–1964)
Tera di Solo y suave biento (1964–2000)
Anthem without a title (2000–2010)
StatusConstituent country of
the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Common languagesDutch
Demonym(s)Netherlands Antillean
GovernmentUnitary parliamentaryconstitutional monarchy
• 1954–1980
• 1980–2010
• 2002–2010
Frits Goedgedrag
Prime Minister
• 2006–2010
Emily de Jongh-Elhage
LegislatureEstates of the Netherlands Antilles
15 December 1954
• Secession of Aruba
1 January 1986
10 October 2010
2010987.7 km2 (381.4 sq mi)
• 2010
CurrencyNetherlands Antillean guilder
Calling code599
Internet TLD.an
Preceded bySucceeded by
Curaçao and Dependencies
Sint Maarten
Caribbean Netherlands
Geographical grouping
Main article: Geography of the Netherlands Antilles
The islands of the Netherlands Antilles are all part of the Lesser Antilles island chain. Within this group, the country was spread over two smaller island groups: a northern group (part of Leeward Islands) and a western group (part of the Leeward Antilles). No part of the country was in the southern Windward Islands.
Islands located in the Leeward Islands
This island subregion was located in the eastern Caribbean Sea, to the east of Puerto Rico. There were three islands, collectively known as the "SSS Islands":
They lie approximately 800–900 kilometers (500–560 miles) north-east of the ABC Islands.
Islands located in the Leeward Antilles
This island subregion was located in the southern Caribbean Sea off the north coast of Venezuela. There were three islands collectively known as the "ABC Islands":
The flat landscape of Klein Bonaire
Maps of the Netherlands Antilles, 1910s
The Netherlands Antilles have a tropical trade-wind climate, with hot weather all year round. The Leeward islands are subject to hurricanes in the summer months, while those islands located in the Leeward Antilles are warmer and drier.
See also: Curaçao and Dependencies and Dutch colonial empire
In the 18th century, Sint Eustatius was the most important Dutch island in the Caribbean.
Spanish-sponsored explorers discovered both the leeward (Alonso de Ojeda, 1499) and windward (Christopher Columbus, 1493) island groups. However, the Spanish Crown only founded settlements in the Leeward Islands. In the 17th century the islands were conquered by the Dutch West India Company and colonized by Dutch settlers. From the last quarter of the 17th century, the group consisted of six Dutch islands: Curaçao (settled in 1634), Aruba (settled in 1636), Bonaire (settled in 1636), Sint Eustatius (settled in 1636), Saba (settled in 1640) and Sint Maarten (settled in 1648). In the past, Anguilla (1631–1650), the present-day British Virgin Islands (1612–1672), St. Croix and Tobago had also been Dutch. During the American Revolution Sint Eustatius, along with Curaçao, was a major trade center in the Caribbean, with Sint Eustatius a major source of supplies for the Thirteen Colonies. It had been called "the Golden Rock" because of the number of wealthy merchants and volume of trade there. The British sacked its only town, Oranjestad, in 1781 and the economy of the island never recovered. Unlike many other regions, few immigrants went to the Dutch islands, due to the weak economy. However, with the discovery of oil in Venezuela in the nineteenth century, British-Dutch Shell Oil Company established refineries in Curaçao, while the U.S. processed Venezuelan crude oil in Aruba. This resulted in booming economies on the two islands, which turned to bust in the 1980s when the oil refineries were closed.[6] The various islands were united as a single country — the Netherlands Antilles — in 1954, under the Dutch crown. The country was dissolved on 10 October 2010.[3] Curaçao and Sint Maarten became distinct constituent countries alongside Aruba which had become a distinct constituent country in 1986; whereas Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba (the "BES Islands") became special municipalities within the Netherlands proper.[7]
From 1815 onwards Curaçao and Dependencies formed a colony of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Slavery was abolished in 1863, and in 1865 a government regulation for Curaçao was enacted that allowed for some very limited autonomy for the colony. Although this regulation was replaced by a constitution (Dutch: Staatsregeling) in 1936, the changes to the government structure remained superficial and Curaçao continued to be ruled as a colony.[8]
The island of Curaçao was hit hard by the abolition of slavery in 1863. Its prosperity (and that of neighboring Aruba) was restored in the early 20th century with the construction of oil refineries to service the newly discovered Venezuelan oil fields.
Colonial rule ended after the conclusion of the Second World War. Queen Wilhelmina had promised in a 1942 speech to offer autonomy to the overseas territories of the Netherlands. During the war, the British and American occupation of the islands—with the consent of the Dutch government—led to increasing demands for autonomy within the population as well.[9]
In May 1948 a new constitution for the territory entered into force, allowing the largest amount of autonomy possible under the Dutch constitution of 1922. Among other things, universal suffrage was introduced. The territory was also renamed "Netherlands Antilles". After the Dutch constitution was revised in 1948, a new interim Constitution of the Netherlands Antilles was enacted in February 1951. Shortly afterwards, on 3 March 1951, the Island Regulation of the Netherlands Antilles (Dutch: Eilandenregeling Nederlandse Antillen or ERNA) was issued by royal decree, giving fairly wide autonomy to the various island territories in the Netherlands Antilles. A consolidated version of this regulation remained in force until the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles in 2010.[10][11]
The new constitution was only deemed an interim arrangement, as negotiations for a Charter for the Kingdom were already under way. On 15 December 1954 the Netherlands Antilles, Suriname and the Netherlands acceded as equal partners to an overarching Kingdom of the Netherlands, established by the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands. With this move, the United Nations deemed decolonization of the territory complete and removed the Netherlands Antilles from the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories.[12]
Play media
Dutch prime minister Den Uyl visiting the Antilles, 1974
Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles on 1 January 1986, paving the way for a series of referenda among the remaining islands on the future of the Netherlands Antilles. Whereas the ruling parties campaigned for the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, the people voted for a restructuring of the Netherlands Antilles. The coalition campaigning for this option became the Party for the Restructured Antilles, which ruled the Netherlands Antilles for much of the time until its dissolution on 10 October 2010.
Flag of the Netherlands Antilles before Aruba seceded in 1986
Even though the referendums held in the early 1990s resulted in a vote in favour of retaining the Netherlands Antilles, the arrangement continued to be an unhappy one. Between June 2000 and April 2005, each island of the Netherlands Antilles had a new referendum on its future status. The four options that could be voted on were the following:
Of the five islands, Sint Maarten and Curaçao voted for status aparte, Saba and Bonaire voted for closer ties with the Netherlands, and Sint Eustatius voted to stay within the Netherlands Antilles.
On 26 November 2005, a Round Table Conference (RTC) was held between the governments of the Netherlands, Aruba, the Netherlands Antilles, and each island in the Netherlands Antilles. The final statement to emerge from the RTC stated that autonomy for Curaçao and Sint Maarten, plus a new status for Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba (BES) would come into effect by 1 July 2007.[13] On 12 October 2006, the Netherlands reached an agreement with Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba: this agreement would make these islands special municipalities.[14]
On 3 November 2006, Curaçao and Sint Maarten were granted autonomy in an agreement,[15] but this agreement was rejected by the then island council of Curaçao on 28 November.[16] The Curaçao government was not sufficiently convinced that the agreement would provide enough autonomy for Curaçao.[17] On 9 July 2007 the new island council of Curaçao approved the agreement previously rejected in November 2006.[18] A subsequent referendum approved the agreement as well.
The acts of parliament integrating the "BES" islands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba) into the Netherlands were given royal assent on 17 May 2010. After ratification by the Netherlands (6 July), the Netherlands Antilles (20 August), and Aruba (4 September), the Kingdom act amending the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands with regard to the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles was signed by the three countries in the closing Round Table Conference on 9 September 2010 in The Hague.
Political grouping
FlagNameCapitalArea (km2)CurrencyOfficial languagesRemarks
CuraçaoWillemstad444Netherlands Antillean guilderDutch and PapiamentoCapital of the Netherlands Antilles[19]
BonaireKralendijk288Netherlands Antillean guilder
ArubaOranjestad180Netherlands Antillean guilder (from 1986 Aruban florin)Seceded on 1 January 1986
Sint MaartenPhilipsburg34Netherlands Antillean guilderDutch and EnglishWere parts of the island territory of the Windward Islands until 1 January 1983
Sint EustatiusOranjestad21Netherlands Antillean guilder
SabaThe Bottom13Netherlands Antillean guilder
Netherlands AntillesWillemstad800 (after 1986)
Netherlands Antillean guilder
Constitutional grouping at time of dissolution
The Island Regulation had divided the Netherlands Antilles into four island territories: Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao (ABC), and the islands in the Leeward Islands. In 1983, the island territory of the Leeward was split up to form the new island territories of Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius (SSS). In 1986, Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles, reducing the number of island territories to five. After the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles in 2010, Curaçao and Sint Maarten became autonomous countries within the Kingdom and Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (BES) became special municipalities of the Netherlands.
Current constitutional grouping
Countries and special municipalities of the Kingdom of the Netherlands that are located in the Caribbean (blue background)
The islands of the former country of the Netherlands Antilles are currently divided are two main groups for political and constitutional purposes:
There are also several smaller islands, like Klein Curaçao and Klein Bonaire, that belong to one of the island countries or special municipalities.
Constituent countries
There are three Caribbean islands that are countries (Dutch: landen) within the Kingdom of the Netherlands: Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten. (The Netherlands is the fourth constituent country in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.)
Sint Maarten covers approximately 40% of the island of Saint Martin; the remaining northern part of the island—the Collectivity of Saint-Martin—is an overseas territory of France.
Special municipalities
There are three Caribbean islands that are special municipalities of the Netherlands alone: Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. Collectively, these special municipalities of the Netherlands are also known as the BES islands.
Main article: Politics of the Netherlands Antilles
The Constitution of the Netherlands Antilles was proclaimed on 29 March 1955 by Order-in-Council for the Kingdom. Together with the Islands Regulation of the Netherlands Antilles it formed the constitutional basis for the Netherlands Antilles. Because the Constitution depended on the Islands Regulation, which gave fairly large autonomy to the different island territories, and the Islands Regulation was older than the Constitution, many scholars describe the Netherlands Antilles as a federal arrangement.[20]
The head of state was the monarch of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, who was represented in the Netherlands Antilles by a governor. The governor and the council of ministers, chaired by a prime minister, formed the government. The Netherlands Antilles had a unicameral legislature called the Estates of the Netherlands Antilles. Its 22 members were fixed in number for the islands making up the Netherlands Antilles: fourteen for Curaçao, three each for Sint Maarten and Bonaire, and one each for Saba and Sint Eustatius.
The Netherlands Antilles were not part of the European Union, but instead listed as overseas countries and territories (OCTs). This status was kept for all the islands after dissolution, and will be kept until at least 2015.[needs update]
Main article: Economy of the Netherlands Antilles
Tourism, petroleum transshipment and oil refinement (on Curaçao), as well as offshore finance were the mainstays of this small economy, which was closely tied to the outside world. The islands enjoyed a high per capita income and a well-developed infrastructure as compared with other countries in the region.[21]
Almost all consumer and capital goods were imported, with Venezuela, the United States, and Mexico being the major suppliers, as well as the Dutch government which supports the islands with substantial development aid. Poor soils and inadequate water supplies hampered the development of agriculture. The Antillean guilder had a fixed exchange rate with the United States dollar of 1.79:1.
Main article: Demographics of the Netherlands Antilles
A large percentage of the Netherlands Antilleans descended from European colonists and African slaves who were brought and traded here from the 17th to 19th centuries. The rest of the population originated from other Caribbean islands as well as Latin America, East Asia and elsewhere in the world. In Curaçao there was a strong Jewish element going back to the 17th century.
The language Papiamentu was predominant on Curaçao and Bonaire (as well as the neighboring island of Aruba). This creole descended from Portuguese and West African languages with a strong admixture of Dutch, plus subsequent lexical contributions from Spanish and English. An English-based creole dialect, formally known as Netherlands Antilles Creole, was the native dialect of the inhabitants of Sint Eustatius, Saba and Sint Maarten.
After a decades-long debate, English and Papiamentu were made official languages alongside Dutch in early March 2007.[22] Legislation was produced in Dutch, but parliamentary debate was in Papiamentu or English, depending on the island. Due to a massive influx of immigrants from Spanish-speaking territories such as the Dominican Republic in the Windward Islands, and increased tourism from Venezuela in the Leeward Islands, Spanish had also become increasingly used.
The majority of the population were followers of the Christian faith, with a Protestant majority in Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten, and a Roman Catholic majority in Bonaire, Curaçao and Saba. Curaçao also hosted a sizeable group of followers of the Jewish religion, descendants of a Portuguese group of Sephardic Jews that arrived from Amsterdam and Brazil from 1654. In 1982, there was a population of about 2,000 Muslims, with an Islamic association and a mosque in the capital.[23]
Most Netherlands Antilleans were Dutch citizens and this status permitted and encouraged the young and university-educated to emigrate to the Netherlands. This exodus was considered to be to the islands' detriment, as it created a brain drain. On the other hand, immigrants from the Dominican Republic, Haiti, the Anglophone Caribbean and Colombia had increased their presence on these islands in later years.
Antillean diaspora in the Netherlands
Main articles: Curaçaoans in the Netherlands, Arubans in the Netherlands, and Bonaireians in the Netherlands
See also: Music of Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles, Culture of St. Martin, and Culture of Saba
A Bulawaya dance in Curaçao
The origins of the population and location of the islands gave the Netherlands Antilles a mixed culture.
Tourism and overwhelming media presence from the United States increased the regional United States influence. On all the islands, the holiday of Carnival had become an important event after its importation from other Caribbean and Latin American countries in the 1960s. Festivities included "jump-up" parades with beautifully colored costumes, floats, and live bands as well as beauty contests and other competitions. Carnival on the islands also included a middle-of-the-night j'ouvert (juvé) parade that ended at sunrise with the burning of a straw King Momo, cleansing the island of sins and bad luck.
See also: Netherlands Antilles at the Olympics
Netherlands Lesser Antilles competed in the Winter Olympics of 1988, notably finishing 29th in the bobsled, ahead of Jamaica who famously competed but finished 30th.
Baseball is by far the most popular sport. Several players have made it to the Major Leagues, such as Xander Bogaerts, Andrelton Simmons, Hensley Meulens, Randall Simon, Andruw Jones, Kenley Jansen, Jair Jurrjens, Roger Bernadina, Sidney Ponson, Didi Gregorius, Shairon Martis, Wladimir Balentien, and Yurendell DeCaster. Xander Bogaerts competed in the 2013 World Series for the Boston Red Sox against the St. Louis Cardinals. Andruw Jones played for the Atlanta Braves in the 1996 World Series hitting two home runs in his first game against the New York Yankees.
Three athletes from the former Netherlands Antilles competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics. They, alongside one athlete from South Sudan, competed under the banner of Independent Olympic Athletes.
The Netherlands Antilles, though a non-existing entity since 2010, are allowed to field teams at the Chess Olympiad under this name, because the Curaçao Chess Federation remains officially registered as representing the dissolved country in the FIDE Directory.[24]
Miscellaneous topics
Unlike the metropolitan Netherlands, same-sex marriages were not performed in the Netherlands Antilles, but those performed in other jurisdictions were recognised.
The main prison of the Netherlands Antilles was Koraal Specht, later known as Bon Futuro. It was known for ill treatment of prisoners and bad conditions throughout the years.[25]
The late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez claimed that the Netherlands was helping the United States to invade Venezuela due to military games in 2006.[26]
See also
1. ^ "Landsverordening officiële talen". decentrale.regelgeving.overheid.nl. 28 March 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
2. ^ Ratzlaff, Betty. Papiamentu/Ingles Dikshonario (in Papiamento). p. 11.
3. ^ a b "Status change means Dutch Antilles no longer exists". BBC News. BBC. 10 October 2010. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
4. ^ "Visa for the Dutch Caribbean". Netherlands embassy in the United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 19 January 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
5. ^ On the deviant age-crime curve of Afro-Caribbean populations: The case of Antilleans living in the Netherlands
6. ^ Albert Gastmann, "Suriname and the Dutch in the Caribbean" in Encyclopedia of Latin American History and Culture, vol. 5, p. 189. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons 1996.
7. ^ "Antillen opgeheven op 10-10-2010" (in Dutch). NOS[clarification needed]. 1 October 2009. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
8. ^ Oostindie and Klinkers 2001: 12–13
9. ^ Oostindie and Klinkers 2001: 29–32
10. ^ Oostindie and Klinkers 2001: 41–44
11. ^ Overheid.nl – KONINKLIJK BESLUIT van 3 maart 1951, houdende de eilandenregeling Nederlandse Antillen
12. ^ Oostindie and Klinkers 2001: 47–56
13. ^ "Closing statement of the first Round Table Conference". Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. 26 November 2005. Archived from the original on 21 November 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
14. ^ Radio Netherlands (12 October 2006). "Caribbean islands become Dutch municipalities". Archived from the original on 13 December 2006. Retrieved 2 February 2007.
15. ^ "Curaçao and St Maarten to have country status". Government.nl. 3 November 2006. Retrieved 21 January 2008.
16. ^ "Curacao rejects final agreement". Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. 29 November 2006. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 2 February 2007.
17. ^ "Curaçao verwerpt slotakkoord". Nu.nl. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
18. ^ The Daily Herald St. Maarten (9 July 2007). "Curaçao IC ratifies November 2 accord". Archived from the original on 11 July 2007. Retrieved 13 July 2007.
19. ^ "Netherlands Antilles no more". Stabroek News. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
20. ^ Borman 2005:56
21. ^ COUNTRY COMPARISON GDP, Central Intelligence Agency.
22. ^ "Antilles allow Papiamentu as official language", The Times Hague/Amsterdam/Rotterdam, 9 March 2007, page 2.
23. ^ Ingvar Svanberg; David Westerlund (6 December 2012). Islam Outside the Arab World. Routledge. p. 447. ISBN 978-1-136-11330-7.
24. ^ "FIDE Directory – Netherlands Antilles". FIDE.
25. ^ Rob Gollin (23 February 1998). "Koraalspecht is het ergst, zeggen zelfs Colombiaanse gevangenen". de Volkskrant (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 October 2013.
26. ^ "Chavez Says Holland Plans to Help US Invade Venezuela". Spiegel.de. 11 April 2006. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
External links
Netherlands Antilles
at Wikipedia's sister projects
General information
(in English and Spanish) Method of Securing the Ports and Populations of All the Coasts of the Indies from 1694. The last five pages of the book are about life, economy and culture of the Netherlands Antilles.
Last edited on 21 June 2021, at 11:32
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fstrim — discard unused blocks on a mounted filesystem
fstrim [ −o offset ] [ −l length ] [ −m minimum−free−extent ] [−v] mountpoint
fstrim is used on a mounted filesystem to discard (or "trim") blocks which are not in use by the filesystem. This is useful for solid-state drives (SSDs) and thinly-provisioned storage.
By default, fstrim will discard all unused blocks in the filesystem. Options may be used to modify this behavior based on range or size, as explained below.
The mountpoint argument is the pathname of the directory where the filesystem is mounted.
The offset, length, and minimum-free-extent arguments may be followed by the multiplicative suffixes KiB=1024, MiB=1024*1024, and so on for GiB, TiB, PiB, EiB, ZiB and YiB (the "iB" is optional, e.g. "K" has the same meaning as "KiB") or the suffixes KB=1000, MB=1000*1000, and so on for GB, TB, PB, EB, ZB and YB.
−h, −−help
Display help text and exit.
−o, −−offset offset
Byte offset in filesystem from which to begin searching for free blocks to discard. Default value is zero, starting at the beginning of the filesystem.
−l, −−length length
Number of bytes after starting point to search for free blocks to discard. If the specified value extends past the end of the filesystem, fstrim will stop at the filesystem size boundary. Default value extends to the end of the filesystem.
−m, −−minimum minimum-free-extent
Minimum contiguous free range to discard, in bytes. (This value is internally rounded up to a multiple of the filesystem block size). Free ranges smaller than this will be ignored. By increasing this value, the fstrim operation will complete more quickly for filesystems with badly fragmented freespace, although not all blocks will be discarded. Default value is zero, discard every free block.
−v, −−verbose
Verbose execution. When specified fstrim will output the number of bytes passed from the filesystem down the block stack to the device for potential discard. This number is a maximum discard amount from the storage device's perspective, because FITRIM ioctl called repeated will keep sending the same sectors for discard repeatedly.
fstrim will report the same potential discard bytes each time, but only sectors which had been written to between the discards would actually be discarded by the storage device. Further, the kernel block layer reserves the right to adjust the discard ranges to fit raid stripe geometry, non-trim capable devices in a LVM setup, etc. These reductions would not be reflected in fstrim_range.len (the −−length option).
Lukas Czerner <>
Karel Zak <>
The fstrim command is part of the util-linux package and is available from
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Transparency in Public Administrationfree
Transparency in Public Administrationfree
• Tero ErkkiläTero ErkkiläDepartment of Political and Economic Studies, University of Helsinki
Transparency is one of the keywords of contemporary governance. It is often associated with democratic accountability, but it also carries connotations of market efficiency. Though transparency is a key concept for economics and politics, its ideational roots lie in access to government information. Transparency holds promises for increased democratization and economic performance, but these may also stand in contradiction. Coinciding with the rise of transparency as a token of responsible governance, we have witnessed rapid global diffusion of information access laws. In debates on public accountability, transparency appears as an element of both deliberation and performance, which is peculiar as these are often seen as complementary types of accountability. Moreover, increased transparency is often assumed to lead to increased citizen trust in government, but the relation of trust and transparency is more complex. Transparency also implies access to public information, which can consist of various types of documents and registries. Through digitalization, public information has become a pressing topic of interest, including as raw material for a knowledge-based economy. Public administration also manages significant amounts of personal data of citizens, raising additional concerns for privacy. While transparency and privacy are not antonyms, there is a trade-off between them. Nevertheless, transparency also appears as a means for holding government accountable for its use of registry data. Finally, transparency has become a measured element of governance indicators that are themselves an instance of transparency. As a key concept of public administration, transparency is relevant for both democracy and efficiency of governance, but it is ambiguous and even paradoxical by nature.
• Governance/Political Change
• Policy, Administration, and Bureaucracy
• Political Economy
Transparency is one of the keywords for contemporary governance. It is often associated with democracy and accountability, but it also carries connotations of responsiveness and efficiency. While transparency is a relevant concept for private corporations and political actors, its roots in many ways lie in access to government information, that is, transparency of public administration. Even though the term transparency is a newcomer to the political vocabulary of states, access to government information has in certain contexts a significant institutional history, reaching even to the 18th century. Since 2000, coinciding with the rise of transparency as a token of responsible governance, we have witnessed the rapid global diffusion of information access laws.
There are different modalities and conceptualizations of transparency. Transparency holds promises for increased democratization and economic performance, but this article reminds us that these may also stand in contradiction. Transparency has nevertheless become a keyword for responsible governance and it is often referred to in debates on how to hold public administration accountable. Here transparency appears as an element of both deliberation and performance, which is peculiar as these are often seen as complementary types of accountability. Moreover, increased transparency is often assumed to lead to increased citizen trust in government, but in reality the relation of trust and transparency is more complex.
Transparency of public administration also implies access to public information, which can consist of policy documents and memos, but also of cartographic information, weather data, registry data, and so on. Through digitalization public information has become a pressing topic of interest, including as raw material for a knowledge-based economy. Transparency and privacy are not antonyms, but there are clear trade-offs between them. This concerns public administration, which manages massive amounts of personal data of citizens. Interestingly, to hold public administration accountable for its use of this information, transparency is often called for. Finally, transparency of public administration resonates with the global indicators of good governance and economic performance, also increasingly measured by such comparative assessments. Though implying transparency and improved quality of government, global rankings and performance indicators may have constitutive effects on institutional practices that are often surprising.
This article considers transparency as a key concept of public administration that is relevant for both democracy and efficiency of governance, but that is ambiguous by nature. While by no means exhaustive, the article outlines different elements of transparency in public administration, focusing on its often surprising and even paradoxical character and effects. This makes transparency a truly interesting topic for scholars and students of public administration.
History of Institutional Openness
The modern state was built on its ability to collect and analyze information (Sheehan, 2006, p. 9). In many ways the history of institutional openness or “transparency” in public administration reads as a history of social conflicts concerning markets, (state) institutions, and citizen rights (cf. Arendt, 1958; de Tocqueville, 1991; Emirbayer & Sheller, 1999; Habermas, 1989). These conflicts have set the normative boundaries of the “public,” leading also to different institutional trajectories of states.
The different lineages of openness and state secrecy have been discussed in terms of path dependence (Knudsen, 2003), where the critical junctures and crises have proved important in shaping practices. The secrecy of rule stems from the absolutist state tradition, where the monarch was the image of God on earth and all information concerning the state was solely in the hands of the ruler. The erosion of state secrecy in the 18th century can be understood as the decline in power of the absolutist state (Anderson, 1993, pp. 190–191).
While similar attempts were made elsewhere, the 1766 Swedish law on public access to state information was for a long time an exception to the prevailing practice of bureaucratic secrecy (Knudsen, 2003; Konstari, 1977; cf. Gestrich, 1994; Martens, 1971; van Dülmen, 1986; van Eijnatten, 2004; Würgler, 2002). The Swedish act was linked to a new printing technique and granted the right to publish information relating to the state and government documents. This also highlights the role of technological shifts in the history of institutional openness, as it was the new printing technique and related rise of the public sphere (Gestrich 1994; Habermas 1989) that created pressure for access to state information, though social conditions and the critique of mercantilist rule were also relevant in the Swedish case (Manninen, 2006).
Since the mid-20th century, politicization of government, the computerization of public administration, and transnational communication of policy innovations has led to the expansion of government transparency (Bennett, 1997; Schudson, 2015). In addition, the end of the Cold War and the opening of the global market economy have also greatly contributed to the rise of transparency in public administration (Best, 2005; Rose-Ackerman, 2005). Since the 1990s, the rise of the Internet has created pressures for transparency, and the use of big data, social media, and algorithmic governance has influenced states’ information strategies and the transparency of public administration. While accounts of the global spread of transparency in public administration may appear to be a somewhat deterministic history of the Enlightenment and rationalization facilitated by technological advances and (global) power shifts, there are nuances to the story of transparency becoming a globally adopted principle of governance, which has also been appealing to organizations (Christensen & Cornelissen, 2015; Yiannis, 2005).
Global Diffusion of Freedom of Information Acts
Some analyses of the global adoption of information access laws echo functionalist explanations (Bennett, 1997), but there are also studies that highlight the social conflicts and politics involved (Berliner, 2014; Rose-Ackerman, 2005; Worthy, 2017). While these perspectives may be helpful in understanding states’ different historical trajectories in the public accessibility of government information, such patterns of explanation face limitations in explaining the global drive towards transparency and convergence in the standards on public access to government information.
The global expansion of transparency can also be understood in the context of the international diffusion of liberalism (Simmons, Dobbin, & Garrett, 2006). While liberalist ideas of governing spread through the European communication networks of the 18th century, the late 20th century saw the worldwide spread of political and market liberalism (Peters, Pierre, & King, 2005; Schulz-Forberg & Stråth, 2010; Simmons et al., 2006). For example, democratization has been visible in the post-communist countries in Europe, where information access laws have also contributed to coming to terms with the past (Rose-Ackerman, 2005). As for market liberalism, the codifications of New Public Management (NPM) and good governance have enhanced performance through transparency, which has also hastened the process overall (Blomgren, 2007; Blomgren & Sahlin, 2007), implying the rise of results-based economic performance and accountability.
The diffusion of freedom of information in the 20th century has served as an example of political innovation, as assessed through the global adoption of information access laws (Bennett, 1997; Relly, 2012). Such ideational diffusion used to be mostly horizontal, meaning from one national context to another, but this is increasingly becoming vertical, from supranational organizations to national polities (Harlow, 2006; Knudsen, 2003). Moreover, the types of countries adopting the laws have changed, as the international diffusion of transparency also encompasses newly industrialized countries, and even autocracies (Adu, 2018; Cejudo, 2008; Lynden & Wu, 2008; Piotrowski, Zhang, Lin, & Yu, 2009; Rodan, 2004; Samaratunge, Alam, & Teicher, 2008). This development demonstrates the shift from the old ideas of publicity and public sphere to the new conceptualization of transparency, implying the increasing importance of market transparency in attracting foreign investments, loans, and development aid, also echoed in global governance indicators. But one should not underestimate the symbolic aspects of transparency. Endorsed by international organizations, transparency and anti-corruption measures have become an attribute of the modern state in “world society” (Meyer, Boli, Thomas, & Ramirez, 1997), leading states to adhere to this global policy script due to its symbolic and normative appeal (cf. Relly & Sabharwal, 2009). Here also the global country comparisons and rankings have influenced the policies of countries.
Table 1 shows the countries that have adopted information access laws. Though the global diffusion of freedom of information (FOI) legislation began in the 1970s and 1980s, the trend intensified in the 1990s after the end of Cold War. There was also a sharp increase in the early 2000s as the global drive for transparency intensified and its links to both democracy and economic performance were highlighted, and transparency became a global norm of governance.
Table 1. Countries with Information Access Laws
Sweden (1766)
Italy (1990)
Lithuania (2000)
United Kingdom (2005)
Ethiopia (2010)
Finland (1951)
Hungary (1992)
Czech Republic (2000)
Azerbaijan (2005)
Russia (2010
United States (1967)
Ukraine (1992)
Georgia (2000)
India (2005)
Guinea (2010)
Denmark (1970)
Portugal (1993)
Liechtenstein (2000)
Montenegro (2005)
Indonesia (2010)
Norway (1970)
Belgium (1994)
Bulgaria (2000)
Taiwan (2005)
Liberia (2010)
France (1978)
Belize (1994)
Moldova (2000)
Switzerland (2006)
El Salvador (2011)
Netherlands (1980)
Iceland (1997)
Japan (2001)
Germany (2006)
Mongolia (2011)
Australia (1982)
Thailand (1997)
Trinidad (2001)
Uganda (2006)
Niger (2011)
New Zealand (1983)
Uzbekistan (1997)
Estonia (2001)
Honduras (2006)
Nigeria (2011)
Canada (1983)
South Korea (1998)
Slovakia (2001)
Macedonia (2006)
Tunisia (2011)
Colombia (1985)
Ireland (1998)
South Africa (2001)
Jordan (2007)
Brazil (2011)
Greece (1986)
Latvia (1998)
Romania (2001)
Kyrgyzstan (2007)
Malta (2012)
Austria (1987)
Israel (1999)
Bosnia & Herzegovina (2001)
Nepal (2007)
Yemen (2012)
Albania (1999)
Poland (2002)
Nicaragua (2007)
Rwanda (2013)
Angola (2002)
China (2008)
Guyana (2013)
Pakistan (2002)
Bangladesh (2009)
Sierra Leone (2013)
Panama (2002)
Chile (2009)
Spain (2013)
Tajikistan (2002)
Guatemala (2009)
Ivory Coast (2013)
Zimbabwe (2002)
Uruguay (2009)
Maldives (2014)
Mexico (2003)
Cook Island (2009)
Paraguay (2014)
Armenia (2003)
Burkina Faso (2015)
Croatia (2003)
Kazakhstan (2015)
Kosovo (2003)
Sudan (2015)
Peru (2003)
Kenya (2016)
St. Vincent & the Grenadines (2003)
Philippines (2016)
Slovenia (2003)
Sri Lanka (2016)
Jamaica (2004)
Tanzania (2016)
Serbia (2004)
Togo (2016)
Turkey (2004)
Vietnam (2016)
Antigua (2004)
Vanuatu (2016)
Argentina (2004)
Malawi (2016)
Dominican Republic (2004)
Lebanon (2017)
Ecuador (2004)
Cyprus (2018)
Luxembourg (2018)
(Source: Fringe Special,
Initially a Nordic institutional feature, and famously adopted by the United States in 1967, access to government information spread to Western Europe and anglophone countries in the 1980s and to several post-communist countries in the 1990s. But beginning in the early 2000s, information access laws began to appear in developing countries and even autocratic states. This points to the importance of implementation of such legal norms in the institutional context in which they are adopted (Adu, 2018; Benjamin, 2017).
Scholars have criticized the relatively loose conceptualization of transparency, arguing that it is unclear what actually is diffused under the notion of “freedom of information,” making the assessment of its impact difficult (Calland & Bentley, 2013). The operationalization of the concept of transparency is also not straightforward (Da Cruz, Tavares, Marques, Jorge, & de Sousa, 2015; Hollyer, Rosendorff, & Vreeland, 2014). One paradoxical characteristic of information access laws is that oftentimes they are actually secrecy laws, defining the limits of the public through exemption, that is, what is not public.
Like secrecy (Bok, 1989), transparency applies to a variety of different social interests, where different normative principles and values need to be assessed. This may be highly contextual, which makes the universal definition of access to information difficult. The impacts of information access laws may also be surprising at times, even leading to unintended consequences (Erkkilä, 2012; Götz & Marklund, 2014). This is also highly contextual and further complicated by the adoption of information access laws in different contexts, even autocratic states. Here some researchers have found transparency to have limited or even negative effects on accountability (Adu, 2018; Rodan, 2004; Tan, 2014), while others argue that disclosure of governments’ economic performance data can be linked to protest movements in autocracies (Hollyer, Rosendorff, & Vreeland, 2015), marking an opening for political change. Then again, scholars have pointed to auditing and performance management as means of hierarchical control that nevertheless often fail to produce information on how the organizations being assessed really function (Strathern, 2000). Finally, it needs to be asked what kind of effects freedom of information laws actually have and how this works on the organizational level. Field experiments have shown that information requests submitted with explicit references to freedom of information laws do increase government officials’ responsiveness to them in comparison with informal requests (Grimmelikhuijsen, John, Meijer, & Worthy, 2018). In addition to the type of request, a study on access to information in the Slovakian municipal context found that organizational size and resources, ethnic and cultural diversity, as well as gender and party dependence of mayors may influence response rates (Spáč, Voda, & Zagrapan, 2018). It has also been argued that the way in which organizations comply with the information access laws also depends on their peer organizations’ activities when facing similar requests (ben-Aaron, Denny, Desmarais, & Wallach, 2017). Moreover, organizational transparency can be perceived as a relational negotiation process between organizations and their stakeholders (Heimstädt & Dobusch, 2018). This points to a contextual understanding of access to information and transparency.
Different Modalities of Transparency
The transnational discourse on transparency has different modalities. It can refer to freedom of information as a civil right (“right to know”), implying a conflict of interest between the government and the public. Transparency is also linked to new forms of collaborative governance and enhancing citizen trust, arguably making governance more effective (cf. OECD, 2003). Finally, transparency is an economic concept, referring to performance of public organizations and regulative frameworks of countries. It is important to understand that these different modalities are not fully aligned and that their conceptual constituents are weighted differently from one national context to another.
The modalities of transparency may also come with different peer concepts, such as publicity and openness. For example, in the Finnish context access to government information has been traditionally understood in terms of “publicity,” referring to democratic control, or as “openness” in consensual governance. The perceptions of effectiveness and economic competitiveness are discussed under the term “transparency,” which entered the Finnish vocabulary of governance in the late 1990s (Erkkilä, 2012, pp. 52–54). It is also important to notice that transparency in public administration and governance functions very differently in different cultural contexts.
For instance, the consensual tradition of governance in Nordic countries is by and large a result of broad access to information, allowing inclusion of different stakeholders and hence their integration in the process of governing (Erkkilä, 2012; Götz & Marklund, 2014). Seen from this perspective, transparency becomes a principle—or even means—of governance. On the other hand, in the Anglo-American tradition access to government information is regarded primarily as a citizen right that enables control of government (Schudson, 2015; Worthy, 2017).
Access to government information increasingly has an economic function as well, tackling information asymmetries in the market (Stiglitz, 2002). As opposed to the concepts of publicity and openness, the notion of transparency also carries explicit economic connotations, that is, market transparency, that tie it to the so-called Washington Consensus that informed development economics and global markets in the 1990s (Stiglitz, 2008). The evolution of administrative thinking on transparency goes hand in hand with the theorizing of (good) governance that emphasizes the rule of law and aims to uproot information asymmetry (opacity) and hidden transaction costs, such as corruption. These ideational changes of democracy and efficiency are often reflected in conceptual change, where “transparency” has become a keyword of responsible governance.
Transparency and Accountability: Performance and Deliberation
Transparency is generally seen as a central element of accountability. Accountability is often defined as a process of “being called to account to some authority for one’s actions,” or a process of “giving an account” (Mulgan, 2000, p. 555; see also Bovens, 2009; Dubnick, 2005, p. 6). As a process, accountability can be reduced to three questions: accountable for what; to whom; and how? (Mulgan, 2000). Here, the most important question is how, implying a “mechanism of accountability” through which the actors are made accountable. Transparency and access to information are often perceived as such mechanisms, though this is not always as straightforward as one might think.
There are different types of accountability cited in the literature with varying mechanisms of accountability, such as political accountability (mechanism: democratic elections), bureaucratic accountability (legal rules and supervision), personal accountability (ethics), professional accountability (peer review), performance (responsiveness), and deliberation (public debate) (Erkkilä, 2007; cf. Mulgan, 2000). However, these types are not always clear-cut and often overlap. Furthermore, as new forms of governance are replacing more hierarchical government, there are shifts within the types of accountability, highlighting performance and deliberation. This is also relevant for government transparency that is linked to both.
In the debates over accountability, performance and deliberation are often seen to be opposed to one another, but they meet in the concept of transparency. Owing to the NPM reforms of the early 1990s, performance was identified as a new type of accountability, and public administration has been exposed to new efficiency-seeking programs and means of control. This has also potentially diminished the public political debate, increased expert authority, and privatized bureaucratic processes (Erkkilä, 2007). New deliberative models of governing have arisen as a counterbalance to this.
Many scholars of political science, administrative studies, and international relations see transparency as a means for bringing about democratization. In the political science literature on deliberative democracy, the notions of consensus, collaboration, and trust have become democratic virtues (Cohen, 1997; Dryzek, 2002; Habermas, 1996; Young, 2000). This has brought the transparency of public institutions to the fore of research on democratization and democratic government (Chapman & Hunt, 2006; Kelly, 2004; Lord, 2006; Roberts, 2006). At the same time, scholars of international political economy consider transparency as a means for enhancing efficiency (Best, 2005, p. 141), improving market information, and lowering transaction costs (Breton, 2007; Kono, 2006; Lambsdorff, 2007; Libich, 2006). Moreover, many analyses of public sector reform currently see transparency as an element of performance management, an heir of NPM (Blomgren, 2007; Blomgren & Sahlin, 2007). In other words, though deliberation is often seen as balancing the performance demands of NPM reforms, transparency has been a central part of the NPM doctrine. There is also a strong drive towards quantification and use of indicators that is a further instance of transparency.
Interestingly, debates on performance and on deliberation both hold “openness” and “transparency” as keys to better governance (cf. Hood & Heald, 2006). This implies that we can do away with either–or dichotomies (cf. Jessop, 1998, p. 31) and have a transparent system of governance that is both democratic and efficient, merging the spheres of market and bureaucracy (hierarchy). However, “performance” and “deliberation” may not singlehandedly provide a mechanism of accountability (Dubnick, 2005; Erkkilä, 2007; Mulgan, 2003). Deliberation does not necessarily imply that the conclusions of these debates are taken into account. And enhanced performance does not readily provide a mechanism for calling someone to account when things go wrong (Dubnick, 2005). Rather they become effective when linked to more traditional types of accountability, as part of political or bureaucratic accountability or as an input channel to the experts, deferring to peer review. Yet the discussion about performance and deliberation has influenced the understanding of available means for controlling government, highlighting transparency and access to information.
Transparency and Trust
Citizen trust is essential for governing (Tilly, 2005), and trust is seen as a critical element in avoiding social traps such as free-riding (Rothstein, 2005). As an abstract concept, trust is maintained through narratives and collective memory that may help to generate joint understanding of the virtues of governing and responsibilities of individuals as citizens (Rothstein, 2000). Transparency is often seen as key to trust in government; the more transparent the government, the more citizens trust it. However, the relation of transparency and trust is complex (Moore, 2018) and increased information does not always straightforwardly contribute to more rational government (Tsoukas, 1997). An experimental study found the link between transparency and trust to be limited (Grimmelikhuijsen, 2012), while another study on participation found a positive link between transparency of digital public services and trust in government (Kim & Lee, 2012). In the context of healthcare decision-making, increased transparency was even found to potentially weaken citizens’ trust in government (de Fine Licht, 2011). Moreover, transparency is also linked to gossip and even conspiracy theories that can undermine or indicate the limits of public trust (Birchall, 2014; West & Sanders, 2003).
In fact, as a mechanism of government control transparency may require an element of mistrust to be effective. Paradoxically, if transparency leads to broad sharing of information among policy actors, it runs the risk of making these deliberations non-public (Erkkilä, 2012, chap. 5) and may even create incentives for corrupt behavior (Tiihonen, 2003, p. 112). Larsson’s account of the Swedish experience in government transparency states the same problematic slightly differently: the openness of Swedish government builds trust, but at the same time government can “afford” to be transparent because there is no mounting social pressure or mistrust of its work (Larsson, 1998).
While openness and consensus may endorse cohesive qualities, they can also have limiting effects on democratic accountability, public debate, and public scrutiny (Mouffe, 1999). This is a somewhat troubling finding for the deliberative democracy theory that holds transparency as a means for reaching consensus, a normative goal as such (Habermas, 1996). The trust-based sharing of information can be termed accountable through representation, but the control function of transparency often requires systematic control and even mistrust in those who govern.
Transparency and Public Information
Government transparency is often understood as access to public information, which may refer to policy documents, registry data, cartographic information, and meteorological data. Giddens has referred to modern nation-states as surveillance states, as the public authorities’ knowledge of their subjects of governance is highly detailed (Giddens, 1985, p. 14). Such tools of government are essential for efficient government (Hood & Margetts, 2007), but they are also necessary for democratic and predictable rule. For instance, political rights such as the right to vote are based on registry data, as is the allocation of potential government benefits.
Digitalization and knowledge-based economy have given such public information resources a new meaning as they are understood as raw material for digital services. States habitually maintain massive information resources, as (digital) public goods are acquiring different uses, including by private and civil society actors. Though governments have made efforts to provide public data online, users’ ability to locate and utilize this data meaningfully requires attention to ensure equal access (Jaeger & Bertot, 2010). In many countries public information has also been commodified, and the public organizations that hold it have started charging for their digital services (Blakemore & Craglia, 2006). This is often a result of performance management. Paradoxically, budget transparency—organizations’ responsibility for economic performance and reporting on this—has created further pressures to charge for public information, limiting public access to it (Erkkilä, 2012, chap. 4).
Furthermore, the use of big data and algorithmic governance have been discussed in relation to transparency. As automatization is increasing in public administration, scholars have discussed transparency both as its facilitator as well as a means of control, linking to ethical questions (de Laat, 2018; Hansen, 2015). This has also concerned the issue of privacy and its reconceptualization (Janssen, 2015).
Transparency and Privacy
Privacy—often understood as the right to be left alone—is a concept closely related to transparency. While not its direct antonym, there is often a perception of a trade-off between the two. Hence, full transparency is not desirable by most accounts. This also points to the key characteristic of transparency and freedom of information laws that indeed apply to a variety of various social interests. This makes the regulation of public access a difficult matter legally, given the technological changes and shifts in public norms and values over time.
Diverging cultural and historical trajectories of nation building have shaped different conceptualizations of the public sphere as a cultural form (Eder, 2006). In a similar fashion, national attitudes to personal privacy reflect historical trajectories, often going back to the experiences of misuse of public registry data during World War II or even to the liberalist ideas of the 18th century (Desrosières, 1998; Wietog, 2001). These historical patterns are also evident in different approaches to privacy protection in Europe and the United States (Newman & Bach, 2004). This is currently reflected in the different regulatory schemes on personal data in Europe and the United States, for example. The concerns over privacy have emerged in the debates over social media and new techniques of personalization such as facial recognition.
Countries also have different traditions in registering their citizens and the use of single identifiers in government registers that in some countries even allow for combining different registers. This can bring significant gains in efficiency of governance, but it also requires great responsibility in data handling. Such “transparency” of citizens’ information vis-à-vis the administration fundamentally builds on social trust, which also resonates with privacy. In fact, concerns over privacy triggered the adoption of information access laws in some countries in the 1970s and 1980s (Bennett, 1997). Transparency hence appears both as a concern and a remedy in the debates over privacy: too much transparency may compromise individuals’ privacy, but when trying to control the use of registry data by the public administration, we call for transparency.
Transparency and Governance Indicators
Since 2000 there has been a surge in global indicators and rankings that measure and compare countries’ performance in economic competitiveness and good governance. Whereas large country comparisons were previously done mostly by academics, the practice has largely been taken up by international governmental organizations (e.g., the World Bank, UN, OECD), non-governmental organizations (e.g., Transparency International), private companies (e.g., Standard & Poor’s), and associations (e.g., World Economic Forum). The emergence of governance indices can be linked with the global concern over good governance and corruption (Ivanov, 2009). Transparency is associated with these measurements in two respects. First, the indicators themselves are an instance of transparency. On a global level, indicators are bringing the state of governance in different countries to light. Moreover, indicators are also used in performance management, where public organizations are observed against measurable criteria. Second, some global indicators also seek to measure how transparent institutions does a country have.
Many of the early governance indicators of the mid-1990s, such as the Worldwide Governance Indicators (World Bank Institute) and the Corruption Perception Index (Transparency International), do not measure transparency, but rather hold it as a premise for their assessments, where sound institutions and transparent policy-making lead to enhanced performance, lower rates of corruption, and democratization. Transparency—in its different conceptualizations—has also been used as a measure for global comparisons. This can be understood against the development in global ranking that is moving towards more specific measurements of governance, often labeled as “second generation” governance indicators (Erkkilä, 2016; Knack, Kugler, & Manning, 2003).
Transparency is difficult to conceptualize, as is evident from the different measurements of transparency, ranging from freedom of press (Freedom House) to e-government readiness (UN), open budgeting (International Budget Partnership), and right to information (Center for Law and Democracy). These nuanced measurements of good governance, focusing on different aspects of transparency, are aiming for change in institutional practices on the national level (Trapnell, 2011). This bears similarities to the use of indicators in performance management on the organizational level.
Governance indicators are also seen to influence policies and institutional practices of nation-states (Kelley & Simmons, 2015; Löwenheim, 2008). However, the effects are often indirect and such performance indicators can have surprising policy effects. While these effects are often regarded as unintended consequences, on closer inspection they may in fact appear as constitutive effects of indicators (Dahler-Larsen, 2013). In other words, while the measurements themselves are an instance of transparency, their effects are not always clear and require closer analysis. This is quite typical for transparency in general.
This article has summarized some of the key issues of transparency in public administration. As has been discussed, transparency has become a keyword of responsible governance, but its impacts and qualities can be somewhat surprising and even paradoxical. As scholars have pointed out, the effects of the global expansion of transparency are difficult to assess due to the somewhat loose understanding of what actually is being diffused. Moreover, there is a strong symbolic element in the process, as even autocracies have felt the need to adopt information access laws. Furthermore, though the global adoption of transparency is often linked to democratization, it is also deeply entangled in perceptions of economic performance.
In fact, transparency seems to have a somewhat surprising quality in that it eludes traditional dichotomies, such as democracy–efficiency, market–hierarchy, and public–private. Arguably, it enhances both democracy and efficiency of governance, concerning the market and bureaucracy alike, while also touching upon different modalities of public and private. However, a closer look may reveal tensions between the different categories that are important for understanding the actual effects of transparency in public administration. This is apparent in the discussion on deliberation and performance, both of which build on “transparency” but nevertheless may be in tension with each other.
As discussed, the link between trust and transparency is also complex and sometimes even counterintuitive. While transparency is associated with citizens’ trust in government, increased transparency may in some circumstances lead to a decrease in trust. As a means of government control, transparency even requires some mistrust of government, leading to active attempts to hold it accountable through requests for information. Moreover, increased openness and broad-based inclusion of actors in the policy process may paradoxically have a negative effect on public debate.
Transparency is linked to the allocation of public information not only through the legal framework that allows access but also through performance management schemes that may lead to commodification of public information, hence limiting its public access. Moreover, concerns of privacy are also related to transparency—here transparency appears both as a cause of concern and a remedy for breaches of privacy. Finally, transparency is prominently visible in global indicators and country rankings that measure good governance, democracy, and economic performance, where transparency is becoming a measurable attribute. At the same time, the indicators themselves are an instance of transparency that may have (constitutive) effects on the subjects of measurement, leading to changes in public governance and administration.
Transparency of public administration is a multifaceted topic, resonating with both democracy and efficiency. While it is often assumed to bring somewhat straightforward advances in these, the nature and effects of transparency are often surprising and even paradoxical. This makes transparency a fascinating topic for scholars and students of public administration.
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The Cortese necklace pays homage to the elusive Italian Renaissance writer and alchemist Isabella Cortese. In 1561 she published her book on alchemy 'The Secrets of Lady Isabella Cortese', which became widely read throughout Europe. She was one of the earliest popular female authors in Italy. Her publication countered the prevailing stigmas surrounding female participation in ‘sciences’, instead it boldly asserted a woman’s participation in discourses on alchemy, natural sciences and experimentation in sixteenth-century Europe.
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High Blood Pressure Diseases
3 Diseases Caused By High Blood Pressure
Coronary Heart Disease: The same plaque that blocks arteries to the brain can clog arteries that feed the heart. Remember that all cells need oxygen from the bloodstream to survive. So reducing the amount of blood to the heart muscle can drastically weaken it. If a blood clot gets stuck in one of these heart arteries (called coronary arteries), heart muscle cells can die. This is a heart attack. When too many heart muscle cells die, or when the heart muscle has been strained for a long time, the heart can’t pump blood through the body very well. This is called heart failure. Obviously, both a heart attack and heart failure are extremely serious and sometimes fatal.
Kidney Damage: Your kidneys are responsible for removing excess fluid and waste from your body. They work by filtering the blood that passes through them. But high blood pressure can damage the arteries within the kidneys. It can also narrow the arteries that feed blood to the kidneys. Either way, the kidneys become less efficient at removing fluid and waste. The worst-case scenario is called renal failure – a complete shutdown of kidney function. When this happens, you need dialysis or a kidney transplant.
High blood pressure can be double trouble where your kidneys are concerned. If you have hypertension, you might suffer kidney damage and reduced kidney function. This, in turn, can lead to even higher blood pressure, since your kidneys won’t be able to remove excess fluid from the bloodstream. This is why controlling high blood pressure is so important. It breaks the vicious circle of damage.
Aneurysm: Constant high blood pressure puts quite a strain on your arteries. It can cause them to develop bulges that balloon out and weaken over time. Sometimes these bulges, called aneurysms, burst, causing drastic problems.
When the burst blood vessel is in the brain, the result is a hemorrhagic stroke. Another type of aneurysm involves the aorta, the huge artery that carries blood from the heart down the chest and into your midsection. Over time, extra pressure can weaken this vital artery and cause it to burst. In especially bad cases, the weak spot can actually split the walls of the aorta – a condition known as a dissecting aortic aneurysm. This type of aneurysm causes tremendous pain in your chest, abdomen, or back. Lowering blood pressure can reduce your chances of developing an aneurysm. If you already have one, you may need surgery to repair it. If the aneurysm is small, your doctor may just monitor it to make sure it doesn’t increase in size and require an operation to fix.
Source: https://positivearticles.com
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Wa He Guru
Wa He Guru
We’ve all come to a point during a particularly tough day when we feel as though we’ve reached our breaking point.
However, taking a moment out of your busy life to focus on your breath could be extremely beneficial for your mental health, both in the short and long term.
Using a simple breathing technique to soothe your mind is not only effective, but also very easy to learn.
The “coherent breathing” method was invented by Stephen Elliott, life scientist and author of The New Science of Breath.
Elliott has previously studied different forms of yoga taught in China, Kashmir and India, which inspired the development of coherent breathing.
Coherent breathing involves becoming more conscious of the way you inhale and exhale, breathing at an approximate frequency of five breaths per minute.
While this concept may not sound particularly groundbreaking, Elliott assures that doing so can have a hugely positive impact on your overall wellbeing.
Singing for Breathing has been demonstrated to reduce anxiety about breathing difficulty and increase confidence in self-managing everyday activity and living. Participants have described engaging in more social and valued activities and experience less difficulty breathing. Singing for Breathing aims to improve the quality of life, health and wellbeing of those who have been diagnosed with a respiratory condition. The intended outcome is that individuals have increased confidence to self-manage their condition.
Slow breathing practices have been adopted in the modern world across the globe due to their claimed health benefits. This has piqued the interest of researchers and clinicians who have initiated investigations into the physiological (and psychological) effects of slow breathing techniques and attempted to uncover the underlying mechanisms. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive overview of normal respiratory physiology and the documented physiological effects of slow breathing techniques according to research in healthy humans. The review focuses on the physiological implications to the respiratory, cardiovascular, cardiorespiratory and autonomic nervous systems, with particular focus on diaphragm activity, ventilation efficiency, haemodynamics, heart rate variability, cardiorespiratory coupling, respiratory sinus arrhythmia and sympathovagal balance. The review ends with a brief discussion of the potential clinical implications of slow breathing techniques. This is a topic that warrants further research, understanding and discussion.
Key points
• Slow breathing practices have gained popularity in the western world due to their claimed health benefits, yet remain relatively untouched by the medical community.
• Investigations into the physiological effects of slow breathing have uncovered significant effects on the respiratory, cardiovascular, cardiorespiratory and autonomic nervous systems.
• Key findings include effects on respiratory muscle activity, ventilation efficiency, chemoreflex and baroreflex sensitivity, heart rate variability, blood flow dynamics, respiratory sinus arrhythmia, cardiorespiratory coupling, and sympathovagal balance.
• There appears to be potential for use of controlled slow breathing techniques as a means of optimising physiological parameters that appear to be associated with health and longevity, and that may extend to disease states; however, there is a dire need for further research into the area.
A Workout to Increase Oxygen Capacity
So how would this type of oxygen-capacity-improving workout actually be structured? Here’s a sample bicycle workout to increase oxygen capacity:
Warm-up 5-10 minutes by pedaling easy.
Prepare the body for the oxygen capacity efforts by doing five hard 30 second efforts, each separated by 60 seconds of recovery.
Now, on to the good stuff! Perform three to five efforts of three to five minutes of very hard pedaling, with three to five minute of easy pedaling after each effort. Each of the hard pedaling efforts should be at your maximum sustainable pace.
Cool-down until you’re breathing easy.
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25. Thales of Miletus and Water
Thales of Miletus said that water was the basic element of the universe.
Thales of Miletus
As the story goes, Thales of Miletus, an astronomer among many other things, was walking along, gazing at the stars, not watching where he was going, when he fell into a well.1 A story like that is stereotypical of a philosopher who has his mind so set on lofty ideas, he loses touch with earthly things. With Thales, nothing could be further from the truth.
In addition to being an astronomer and a philosopher, he was also an engineer, a meteorologist, and a mathematician.2 He was considered one of the seven sages of Greece.3 In one of his many claims to fame, he is said to have predicted a solar eclipse in 585 BC – something that was very difficult to do.4 Because of this eclipse, a 15-year battle between the Medians and the Lydians ended in a truce as both sides laid down their arms.
He was born around 625 BC in Miletus in western Asia Minor.5 If Ionia was the center of philosophical development in Asia Minor (see previous post), then Miletus was the heart of philosophy in Ionia. Miletus was a very busy and prosperous city on the western coast of the Aegean Sea.6 The prosperity and stability of Miletus provided fertile ground for philosophy to develop.
Thales eschewed worldly wealth and advancement, living a life of poverty. He was often ridiculed for this, but said nothing to defend himself. Instead, he just studied the weather.
One year, he predicted that there would be a glut of olives.7 Before this occurred, he rented all of the olive presses in Miletus. When the olive glut became apparent, he rented the olive presses back to the anxious owners at a handsome profit, proving that philosophers could make money if they wanted to. This prompted Aristotle to say, years later, “Thus he showed the world that philosophers could get rich if they liked, but their ambition is of another sort.”
He displayed his engineering talents when King Croesus of Lydia hired him to find a way for his army to cross the Halys River without having to build a bridge.8 Thales had the army encamp on the river bank and dig a trench around them so that the river was split into two, thus lowering the overall height of the water and allowing the army to cross safely.
Thales of Miletus, the First Philosopher
Of all his accomplishments, his greatest claim to fame was that of being the first philosopher. In post 26, I mentioned how the poet Hesiod broke new ground in cosmology by compiling a comprehensive account of the origin of the kosmos – the Greek term for “universe.” He attributed the origin of the cosmos to the gods rather than naturalistic causes.
Thales took this a step further and started looking for a naturalistic cause for the origin of the universe. As mentioned in post 26, the overall cause or origin of the universe was what the Greeks termed arche. Aristotle defines the arche as:
“that of which all existing things are composed and that from which they originally come to be and that into which they finally perish.”9
-Aristotle, Metaphysics [983b]
The arche is the primary or originating principle of the universe. Even though the concept of arche originated with Hesiod who attributed it to the gods, it was Thales and the other Presocratics who sought the arche in naturalistic causes.
When the Greeks talked about origin, they did not mean something arising out of nothing, ex nihilo, as in the Judeo-Christian tradition. For them, matter was eternal and always existed.10 The question for Thales was what was the original or primary element of matter from which the other elements arose? In other words, which element was the arche of the cosmos?
The contenders for the arche were what the Greeks considered the basic elements of the cosmos – earth, air, fire, and water.11 They believed that the elements could change into one another. So Thales tried to rationalize which of the elements was the originating principle.
There is evidence that Thales traveled to Egypt and possibly other places. He would have learned about the Nile and its annual cycle of flooding and recession.12 When the Nile flooded, the plant life decayed and decomposed, turning into methane, a flammable gas. Thus all of the four elements were present. The same phenomenon occurred with the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in Mesopotamia as well as at the mouth of the River Meander in Thales’s hometown of Miletus. These rivers would leave a layer of fertile soil which would begin the planting cycle all over again.
Water as the Principle Element of the Universe
Also, he noticed that water was ubiquitous. It fell from the sky, it was in the soil, and it was inside of plants. With observations such as these, it is no wonder that Thales concluded that water was the arche or principle element of the cosmos. As such, he believed that water then changed into earth, air, and fire (or Earth, Wind, & Fire, if you like).
There were two things that made Thales and the other Presocratics unique and distinguished them from those who came before. The first is that they looked for naturalistic explanations of things and the second is that they used rational arguments to come to their conclusions. Seeking knowledge about the cosmos made Thales a philosopher, and using rational arguments to come to his conclusions made him a scientist. In the beginning, philosophy and science were in essence the same.
We have to be careful, though, in projecting our modern secular mindset onto the Presocratics. We could easily assume that by seeking naturalistic explanations, they denied the divine. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Christopher Hollis has a great quote in Noble Castle to this effect:
“The great Greeks did rightly use their reason to purify themselves of their superstitions, but reason did not lead them to the conclusion that rationalism was the explanation of all. It led rather to the conclusion that rationalism was insufficient.”13
In addition to the arche, the other thing that characterized the cosmos was movement. Movement for the Greeks meant life and being. So even though water was the naturalistic first principle of the universe according to Thales, the universe could not “be alive” or have movement unless it had a soul.14 Thales thought that a magnet was alive and therefore had a soul simply because it caused iron to move. Note the following quote from Aristotle:
“Thales, too, to judge from what is recorded of his views, seems to suppose that the soul is in a sense the cause of movement, since he says that a stone [magnet, or lodestone] has a soul because it causes movement to iron” (De An. 405 a20-22)15
For Thales, this soul permeated the universe. This prompted Aristotle to say, “For Thales, all things are full of gods.”16
Finally, I think that the following quote from Aristotle sums up Thales contribution to philosophy the best:
“Thales, the introducer of this sort of philosophy, said that it (the arche) was water (that is why he declared the earth to be sitting on water), perhaps drawing this supposition from seeing that the nourishment of all creatures is moist and that warmth itself that arises from this and that it is by this that all creatures live (and the assumption that that from which a thing comes is its principle in all cases). For this reason, indeed, taking this assumption and also because the seeds of all creatures have a moist nature and water is the natural principle for moist things.17
Unfortunately, what writings we have of Thales exist only in fragments and quotes from later philosophers. We don’t know the full extent of his beliefs. I find it interesting that he may have posited an early form of dualism where the universe had a physical origin but was animated by a divine soul. Later philosophers such as Thomas Aquinas would further develop these ideas of causation. Aquinas talked about primary and secondary causation. Primary causation is the being of everything which has its origin in the divine, and secondary causation involves the creatures who are dependent on the divine.
The important thing is that Thales and the Presocratics became the first thinkers to look for a naturalistic explanation of the universe and to use rational arguments to do so. Thales rejected the mythological Greek pantheon of gods as an explanation for natural phenomena. By doing this, he laid the foundation for other Presocratic philosophers as well as for the development of science. Like Thales, these subsequent thinkers would look for the primary element of matter, but unlike Thales, they would choose something different from water.
One account of Thales’s death said that he died from dehydration after watching a sporting event in the hot sun for several hours without drinking water. If this is true, how ironic that the man who said everything was made of water died from dehydration! I leave you the a quote about Thales from the the later Greek writer Diogenes Laertius (3rd century AD):
“This wise Thales died while present as a spectator at a gymnastic contest, being worn out with heat and thirst and weakness, for he was very old, and the following inscription was placed on his tomb. You see this tomb is small—but recollect, the fame of Thales reaches to the skies.”18
“God is the most ancient of all things, for he had no birth.”
What do you find most interesting about Thales’ life. Please leave a comment below. Thank you!
1. O’Grady, Patricia, “Thales of Miletus (c. 620 B.C.E.—c. 546 B.C.E.,” introduction, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, https://iep.utm.edu/thales/#SH8c; The well story in found in an excerpt from Plato’s Theaetetus, 174a found at http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=plat.+theaet.+174a
2. O’Grady, Patricia, “Thales of Miletus”
3. Kerferd, George Briscoe. “Sophist”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 May. 2020, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sophist-philosophy
4. Mosshammer, Alden A. “Thales’ Eclipse.” Transactions of the American Philological Association (1974-), vol. 111, 1981, pp. 145–155. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/284125
5. O’Grady, Patricia, “Thales of Miletus”
6. Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopedia. “Miletus”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Nov. 2019 https://www.britannica.com/place/Miletus
7. Aristotle, Politics, book 1, section 1259a
9. Aristotle, The Metaphysics, pp. 12-3, translated by Hugh Lawson-Tancred, Penguin Books, London, 1998, reprint 2004
10. Furley, David J. “The Greek Theory of the Infinite Universe.” Journal of the History of Ideas, vol. 42, no. 4, 1981, pp. 571–585. www.jstor.org/stabl
11. Longrigg, James. “The ‘Roots of All Things.’” Isis, vol. 67, no. 3, 1976, pp. 420–438. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/230682
12. Bouwman, Will, “Philosophy’s Roots and Branches,” Philosophy Now, https://philosophynow.org/issues/104/Philosophys_Roots_and_Branches
13. Hollis, Christopher, The Noble Castle, p. 13, Longmans, Green and Co., London, New York, Toronto, 1941
14. O’Grady, Patricia, “Thales of Miletus (c. 620 B.C.E.—c. 546 B.C.E.,” section entitled ‘All Things are Full of Gods.’
15. Ibid.
16. Aristotle, On the Soul, 411a 7-8, translated by Fred D. Miller, Jr., Oxford University Press, Oxford World Classics, Oxford, England, 2018
17. Aristotle, The Metaphysics, (983b6], p. 13, translated by Hugh Lawson-Tancred, Penguin Books, London, 1998, reprint 2004
18. Joshua, Mark, “Thales of Miletus,” New World Encyclopedia, September 2, 2009, https://www.worldhistory.org/Thales_of_Miletus
Bibliography and Sources:
Aristotle, On the Soul, translated by Fred D. Miller, Jr., Oxford University Press, Oxford World Classics, Oxford, England, 2018
Aristotle, The Metaphysics, translated by Hugh Lawson-Tancred, Penguin Books, London, 1998, reprint 2004
Aristotle, Politics, translated by R.F. Stanley and Ernest Barker, Oxford University Press, Oxford, England, 2009
Copleston, Frederick, A History of Philosophy, Book 1, Image Press, Cicero, N.Y., 1981
Dawson, Christopher, The Age of the Gods: A Study in the Origins of Culture in Prehistoric Europe and the Ancient East, Sheed and Ward, New York, 1950
Dawson, Christopher, The Dynamics of World History, public domain
Grayling, A.C., The History of Philosophy, Penguin Press, New York, 2019)
Hollis, Christopher, The Noble Castle, Longmans, Green and Co., London, New York, Toronto, 1941
Jones, E. Michael, Logos Rising, a History of Ultimate Reality, Fidelity Press, South Bend, Indiana, 2020
Voegelin, Eric, Order and History, Vol. 2: The World of the Polis, classic reprint, hardcover, Forgotten Books, London, 2018
Internet Sources:
Adamson, Peter, Lecture 1 “Everything is Full of Gods: Thales.” December 21, 2010, History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps, King’s College, London, https://historyofphilosophy.net/thales
Check out this short video on Thales:
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Capital Punishment
Powerful Essays
Capital punishment, also called the death penalty or death sentence, is a legal form of punishment carried out by a state or government upon a criminal. It is a legal process by which a person is put to death for a crime. Although it has been utilized since the beginning of civilization, capital punishment is a malignancy on civilized society that must be removed. The taking of an individual’s life legally is no different than the taking of a life illegally. The death penalty violates the US Constitution as well as the basic human rights to which we are all entitled. Furthermore, executions affect even those who are not convicts. The relatives of the condemned have to suffer along with the inmate and live with the consequences of the inmate’s death after the execution. The costs of the death penalty are not only borne by the inmates or their families but everyday people as well. The financial costs of the death penalty reach far beyond the actual execution. And it is the taxpayers who foot the bill. Ultimately, capital punishment is arbitrary, undignified and not suited for civilized society.
The execution of criminals and political opponents has taken place in nearly every culture and society, both as punishment and to silence dissidents. In most places that utilize capital punishment, it is reserved for murder, treason, or as part of military justice. In some nations sexual crimes, such as rape, adultery, incest and sodomy, carry the death penalty, as well as religious crimes such as apostasy or heresy. In many countries that use the death penalty, drug trafficking is also considered a capital offence. In militaries around the world courts-martial have imposed death sentences for off...
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... blood levels for thiopental were much lower in 88 percent of inmates than was required for a typical surgery. In addition to the University of Miami study, a 2007 study was published stated that “the conventional view of lethal injection leading to an invariably peaceful and painless death is questionable.”
Given the trend in research and the scientific studies that have been published, the death penalty should be abolished world-wide. It has been proven to be cruel and unusual, morally wrong, financially impractical, unconstitutional, and in violation of basic human rights. Over 100 countries, the European Union and the United Nations all oppose capital punishment. These countries and organizations have come to the morally correct and truthful conclusion that capital punishment is arbitrary, undignified and not suited for civilized society.
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London Symphony Orchestra
Active: 1904
Country: England
Formed in 1904 by a group of 46 musicians who had resigned from London's Queen's Hall Orchestra because of change in policy, the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is an ensemble of "firsts." It was the first orchestra in England to set up a self-governing administrative structure, the first to tour North America, and the first to accept commercial sponsorship. Known as one of England's most gifted and versatile ensembles, it is the resident orchestra at London's famous Barbican Centre. This and the fact that the LSO tours extensively; has provided music for countless films, radio broadcasts, and television productions; and records prolifically has helped to consolidate the group's reputation as one of the world's leading orchestras.
During the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, London musicians worked on a strictly freelance basis, finding work where they could for the highest possible fee. In 1904, Henry Wood, conductor of the Queen's Hall Orchestra, decided that he could no longer tolerate the chaos of the situation and hired players as full-time employees with a small but guaranteed wage for about 100 scheduled performances a year. Many of the best musicians, who were in great demand and who stood to lose a significant portion of their earnings through this restriction, resigned from Wood's ensemble and formed their own, self-governing orchestra.
Soon after its creation, the LSO invited Hans Richter to be its first conductor. He accepted the position on the condition that the orchestra increase its number to at least 100 players. Although Richter conducted a great many of the orchestra's concerts during his eight-year tenure, the group also attracted numerous other distinguished conductors to the podium. These included Nikisch, Steinbach, and Elgar. In so doing, the LSO promoted the idea of guest conductors in English musical society.
Two years after its foundation, the orchestra played its first concerts outside England; two concerts in Paris. Under the direction of Nikisch in 1912, the LSO became the first British orchestra to tour North America, presenting 28 concerts in 21 days, beginning and ending with performances in New York's Carnegie Hall.
Over the next 50 years, the LSO was lead by a number of gifted and distinguished conductors including Sir Thomas Beecham, Albert Coates , Sir Hamilton Harty, Josef Krips, Pierre Monteux, Istvan Kertesz, André Previn, and Claudio Abbado. All of these men, in addition to the many guest conductors and artists invited to work with the LSO, left their marks on the orchestra; shaping and honing the virtuosity of its players into an ensemble of great sensitivity and versatility.
The orchestra's association with the film industry began in 1922 when Walter Wanger, head of United Artists, hired the LSO to play for the presentation of silent films at Covent Garden's Opera House. Since then, the ensemble has provided music for numerous films including the Star Wars series for which the LSO won a platinum disc.
The LSO's connection with the BBC goes back to 1924 when Ralph Vaughan Williams conducted the orchestra in the premiere broadcast performance of his Pastoral Symphony. The LSO was the unofficial orchestra in residence for the BBC until the formation of the BBC Symphony in 1930 and has continued to broadcast concerts and provide background music for many BBC productions.
When Michael Tilson Thomas replaced Abbado in 1987, he set about securing the organization's financial as well as musical future by encouraging the LSO to accept corporate sponsorship. Conducted by Sir Colin Davis since 1995, the London Symphony Orchestra has long enjoyed its well-deserved reputation as a pioneer in several areas of British orchestral history and is a highly versatile and distinguished world-class ensemble.
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Culture and Tourism
The Philippines is a culture in which East meets West. The Filipino people have a distinct Asian background, with a strong Western tradition. The modern Filipino culture developed through influence from Chinease traders, Spanish conquistadors, and American rulers. Filipino people tend to be very hospitable, especially to Western visitors (1). Because of their strong ties to Spanish culture, Filipinos are emotional and passionate about life in a way that seems more Latin than Asian (1). This is easily seen in the works of comporary artists such as Rody Herrera in his painting Unahan Sa Duluhan.
The family is the basic and most important aspect of Filipino culture. Divorce is prohibited and annulments are rare (2). The family is the safety net for indivuduals, especially older people, during difficult economic times. Children will often stay with their parents into adulthood, only leaving when they get married (2). Political and business ties are often influenced by family relationships (2).
Two traits that many foreign visitors often have a difficult time understanding are Pakikisama and Utang na Loob. Pakikisama roughly means "getting along" and requires individuals overlook slight improprieties or indiscretions for the sake of preserving peace within the family, personal, or business relationship. Utang na Loob refers to the custom of paying back one favor with another (2). These traits emphasize the importance that Filipino people place on maintaining pleasant interpersonal relationships and puting the needs of the group ahead of the individual.
More than 80% of the population of the Philippines is Roman Catholic. Fiestas in honor of the patron saint of a town are quite common. Criticism of the Catholic church is not taken lightly - and should be avoided (2).
In the Philippines, people greet each other with a handshake. A smile or raised eyebrows can mean "Hello" or "Yes". Someone can be summoned with a downward wave of the hand (3).
Anyone with a valid passport (from a country in which the Philippines has diplomatic relations) may enter the Philippines for up to 21 days without a visa. All travelers should keep in mind, however, that is costs P500 to leave the country.
The Philippines has much to offer tourists and sight-seerers: mountains, beaches, caves, and markets filled with exotic goods. Hotels range in price from about $50.00 per night to several hundred dollars per night. A tax of 15% is added to the cost of each room.
End Notes
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Explain the Reasons Why Children and Young People's Development May Not Follow the Expected Pattern
There are many reasons why children’s and young person’s developments might not follow the expected pattern unfortunately in some cases although investigation takes place no reason is found but in most of the cases a reason is found and it might be one of the following.
Disability might minimise the possibility of development in a specific area of development but if the problem is tackled early the problem might be minimised an example of this might be of a child with a disability in one of his feet making it difficult for him to walk and it the problem is detected early and early support is provided for the child like specific walking aides to help him walk the developmental problem might be minimised.
Emotional reasons
How children feel emotionally plays an important part in their development as children that might be suffering from a depression or a low self esteem might not be keen and motivated to take risks in life and try out new things while children emotionally balanced take all the opportunities they might come across giving them the possibility to achieve their full potential
Physical reasons
Some children’s development might not follow the expected pattern because of their genetic code which makes them develop at a slower rate than another children with to specific reason. Some children’s development might also be affected by the rate the gorw physically. An example of the is a 2 year old that is not yet able to speak yet and so he/she is not able to reach his/her full potential.
Environmental Reasons
The environment in which the children are brought up affects their development this relates to the factors that influence children and young person’s develpment like for exapmle children that are brought up in poverty and in stressed environment might not be offered the same opportunities as other children that might be brought up in...
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How Supermarkets Can Make Money on Ugly Produce
Ugly produce is a big problem. Why? Because depending on whom you ask, 30-50% of all food produced is wasted, thrown away … whether it’s tossed out because it’s not pretty enough to put on display, left over on your plate at a restaurant, or rotting in your crisper, all of this food has an enormous carbon footprint–by one estimate, 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions!
Because so much produce, when picked, is not beautiful, consciously choosing ugly produce can help reduce waste–because normally, other people will avoid it. However, French supermarket chain Intermarche launched this promotional campaign to help reduce food waste of “undesirable” fruits and vegetables. Rather than throw out ugly, deformed, or damaged produce, Intermarche instead sells them with a unique twist.
Thanks to my friend and fellow Sustainable Williston member Marie-Claude for passing this on to me.
We’re Eating Oil–Literally
I came across a disturbing statistic today: ten to one. This was in Bill McKibben’s book Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet:
It takes the equivalent of four hundred gallons of oil annually to feed an American, and that’s before packaging, refrigeration, and cooking. In 1940, our food system produced 2.3 calories of food energy for every calorie of fossil fuel it consumed. Now, says Michael Pollan, “it takes ten calories of fossil energy to produce a single calorie of modern supermarket food. Put another way, when we eat from the industrial food system, we are eating oil and spewing greenhouse gases.”
I think I had actually read this once before and been disturbed by it then, but at the time I was still in blissful ignorance of how fast and how hard climate change would be coming down on us. Reading it this time was painful–but it also made clear an enormous opportunity. Look at this information from a 2009 sustainability report from NYU:
A 2002 study from the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health estimated that, using our current system, three calories of energy were needed to create one calorie of edible food. And that was on average. Some foods take far more, for instance grain-fed beef, which requires thirty-five calories for every calorie of beef produced. What’s more, the John Hopkins study didn’t include the energy used in processing and transporting food. Studies that do estimate that it takes an average of 7 to 10 calories of input energy to produce one calorie of food.
So that’s painfully depressing. It’s at least possible to imagine not driving a car everywhere and turning off extra lights, but how exactly do we survive without eating?
Fortunately, as I said, there’s a huge opportunity there–three, actually.
1. Because most food production energy goes into transportation and packaging, eating local, minimally-packaged foods drastically reduces their negative environmental impact.
2. The figures above are for mainly conventional farming methods. Sustainable methods have a much lower impact.
3. Eating lower on the food chain (less red meat, more beans and veggies, etc.) also greatly reduces environmental impact.
I’m ridiculously relieved that there’s at least something I can do about this. We’re already following some of these practices, but it looks like this will be the first area of changes for our family, tentatively: going localvore, reducing packaging, and eating low on the food chain. We were going in the right direction, but we need to step our efforts way up. We can do that. Actually, practically everybody could do that. I wish everybody would–but I’d better start with myself.
Photo by C Jill Reed
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The weight of expectation
Control gondola and ground crew of Hindenburg. Source:
Control gondola and ground crew of Hindenburg. Source:
Blimp. Zeppelin. Airship. Regardless of technical differences the general media has for many years associated these with aviation’s most infamous of images—the Hindenburg plunging into a New Jersey airfield in 1937.
Seventy-four years later and the ghastly sight of a burning airship falling to Earth was in the news once more. This time it was a Goodyear blimp, near Munich in June 2011. There was no hydrogen-fuelled conflagration; the blimp used non-flammable helium as its lifting gas. But petrol spilling from a ruptured tank was just as horribly effective at creating an inferno. (Ironically, the Hindenburg had used diesel engines in an attempt to avoid precisely this hazard.)
The pilot was an Australian. Michael Nerandzic was a well-known figure in the airship community, with over 25 years and 12,000 hours of flying blimps.
He was hailed a hero for remaining at the controls after delivering his three passengers to safety.
He died; they all lived.
But the report released in late 2013 by the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) suggests his sacrifice was unnecessary because the crash was unnecessary. Instead it was the culmination of decisions, practices and habits that in themselves were usually harmless but formed a deadly combination on the evening of 11 June 2011.
The blimp had been stationed at Reichelsheim Airfield for several days conducting flights as part of a publicity campaign. Just after 1800 hrs, Nerandzic, who had taken over from the day pilot, took up three passengers for the eighth flight of the day. During the final approach at 2015 hrs, after ‘quickly descending’, the airship hit the ground in a field 450 metres away from the ground crew and anchor mast, with the impact described by the passengers as being ‘very hard’.
The impact with the ground was so vicious it caused a high-tensile stress fracture of the airship’s single landing gear strut. With the landing gear collapsed, the gondola hit the ground and continued to ‘slide across the meadow for about 38 metres’.
Flailing along the ground, the landing gear strut ‘pulled one hose of the drainage valve to such an extent that the cap on the gascolator* shifted and subsequently caused the heavy fuel leakage’. As the fuel spilled onto the central electrical supply it was ‘ignited by arcing originating from the electrical system’. (*The gascolator is a drain sump on the fuel line.) The tank was also ruptured.
The blimp came to a halt about 430 metres away from the ground crew. With a blaze now running up the side of the gondola, the ground crew ‘ran towards the airship to help (and) saw three passengers disembark from the gondola’, with Nerandzic remaining at the controls. ‘According to their statements the pilot supported them to do so,’ the BFU report said.
With its weight reduced, the blimp quickly rose to 60 feet and the ground crew, running from over 400 metres away, failed to reach the mooring lines in time.
The burning airship continued to rise to an altitude of 300 feet before the envelope started to deform, caving in moments later and sending the fiery blimp crashing back to Earth.
Nerandzic’s body was recovered at the controls. The three survivors were treated for shock.
‘It’s a heavy puppy 15 plus. Doesn’t want to fly at 2200 rpm. I guess no hooked approaches today.’
Of the many findings detailed by the German investigators, a few stand out. One aspect was that communication between the pilot and ground grew was reduced to the pilot using his mobile phone to communicate via text message, as ‘there were problems with the microphone button which often jammed mechanically’.
This second-rate communication was compounded by the most influential factor in the crash – the airship was over-weight, potentially compromising flight control. In a telling message sent shortly before the crash, Nerandzic wrote: “It’s a heavy puppy 15 plus. Doesn’t want to fly at 2200 rpm. I guess no hooked approaches today.”
The American Blimp Corporation, which manufactured the A-60 model Nerandzic was flying, said his text message ‘implies the airship was overloaded by 15 ballast bags or 375 lbs (170 kg), respectively’ and was why the pilot ‘demanded 2200 rpm from the engines to hold the aircraft steady’.
The blimp Nerandzic was flying was over-ballasted, a subtly but fundamentally different condition from being overloaded. An over-ballasted airship is not putting its structure at risk of immediate or eventual failure, as an overloaded winged aircraft is. But too much ballast can reduce flight control.
Airships use ballast to take account of variations in lift, which occur for various reasons over a day, or even an hour.
Airships are ballasted to be slightly heavier than air and to require some engine power to keep aloft. A maxim of airship aviation is that it is better to be a little too heavy than too light. This is to ensure that in an engine failure the airship will descend at a moderate rate rather than ascending uncontrollably.
Another fact of airship life is that determining optimum ballast is a constantly shifting calculation. It depends on wind, temperature, humidity, the ‘freshness’ of the lifting gas from air contamination, and barometric pressure. Several of these factors can change markedly over a few hours, and the relationship between them is complex. The result is that few, if any, airship captains can hand-on-heart say they have never found themselves over-ballasted.
The other pilot to fly the blimp said ‘the lifting capacity of the airship had been below the optimum that morning’. He also estimated that ‘due to the changed solar radiation conditions in the late afternoon the lifting capacity of the airship had been reduced further’ and during the accident flight the airship could have been overweight by ‘about 175 Ibs (79 kg)’.
Despite this, when Nerandzic took over the blimp at 1500 hrs, ‘the filling volume, lifting capacity, fuel quantity and loading were not documented’.
As if a warning for what was to come, the flight before the crash resulted in a tail strike and the loss of the rudder wheel. Although the chief of the ground crew and Nerandzic discussed the occurrence, it was not deemed serious enough to warrant suspension of the day’s remaining flights. Nerandzic was ‘informed of the loss of the wheel and advised that the landing gear bungees were not in the best of condition’.
This relatively minor incident also highlighted the role of the wind in contributing to the fatal crash, which when coupled with the over-ballasted airship ‘resulted in an extremely difficult landing situation for the pilot’.
When the wind dropped, Nerandzic had to make a powered approach at relatively high speed. When this went wrong the airship ended up landing heavily at enough speed to push its landing gear back.
Individually, these occurrences might not have resulted in any serious or life-threatening situation. But combined, one otherwise negligible failure can mean disaster. As James Reason’s ‘Swiss cheese’ model says – ‘accidents are the accumulation of multiple factors and failures, where each may be necessary but where they are only jointly sufficient to produce the accident’.
For Nerandzic, the reduced lifting capacity of the overweight blimp, coupled with the wind conditions and an inability to communicate fluently with his ground crew, proved fatal.
Furthermore, despite experiencing a tail-strike on the penultimate flight and being ‘aware of the malfunctioning radio’, along with acknowledging ‘the loading condition in combination with the difficult landing conditions’, the flight proceeded.
The investigation did not say whether commercial pressures were factors in the crash, although the blimp’s manufacturer said the fuel leakage ‘could have been avoided if the pilot had closed the fuel valve controller after the hard landing as is stipulated in the airship manual’ – despite the BFU finding that ‘a large amount of fuel leaked from the fuel tank’. The position of the fuel controller could not be determined from the wreckage.
A Bureau of Air Safety Investigation (BASI) study looked at 75 fatal accidents and the role of human factors. While the report found ‘most accidents had more than one contributing factor’ it pinpointed that ‘over 70 per cent of the accidents involved pilot factors’ with the most common ‘related to poor judgement and decision making’. The report also illustrated the irrelevance of experience, as ‘errors of judgement are made by experienced and less-experienced pilots alike’.
However, the report concluded ‘while pilot factors are of great importance, accidents frequently have their origins in systemic or organisational failings’ with ‘training, supervision, regulation (and) commercial pressures…involved in a significant proportion of accidents’.
There was another way Michael Nerandzic could have been a hero. In its own way it would have been as difficult as the decision he made to let his passengers leave him alone in a blazing gondola. (As an experienced airship pilot he must have known what was going to happen next). He could have pointed to the ballast, the shattered tailwheel and the non-functioning radio and said words to the effect of ‘No, I’m not going’. He would have earned no eulogies for doing this, most likely quite the opposite. A reputation as an awkward customer, a stickler, would have been his. But he would have stayed alive.
1. To know my uncle could’ve have survived and lived from the accident is slightly disturbing, just imagining him being here now, I just can’t I really can’t, seems like almost a century ago since I last saw him on the same year in the U.K., uncle mike was one of the big pushers in my life decisions even before his death, he died a hero is all I could say, go down without a fight your dead for good, go down a hero and you will live on, there is one slight problem with this however, he always thought the up most of the people around him, he never got a split second would say “wait no that’s mine give it back” when I was a child, he really wanted to just have a good life, which he did, just a shame he can’t be with me and my family today.
-Baxter Mortimer son of Jerffery Mortimer how is the brother of Lindy Nezandzic
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Timber and Woodworking For Building Homes
Hundreds of different types of timber, which differ greatly in appearance and properties, are usually divided into two broad groups of hardwoods and softwoods. Hardwood comes from deciduous trees such as ash and oak.
Look upon here for the classification of plants, and the term is just a general indication of the hardness of the forest – balsa, for example, maybe the softest wood available but is classified as a hardwood, whereas yew, a hardwood, is classified as soft.
Softwood is traditionally an inexpensive and easy-to-use timber used in house construction for floors, beams, beams, windows, and doors. They are often painted.
Hardwood, on the other hand, is usually more expensive and is considered to be more durable and difficult to work with. They are used to make furniture and are sometimes colored and then polished or varnished to reveal their natural decorative grain and textural features.
Due to the high cost of hardwood, it has been largely replaced by home improvements made of artificial planks covered with a thin hardwood veneer (such as teak or mahogany), widely used in the manufacture of furniture and shelves.
There are many options of artificial planks available in place of regular timber planks: there is also a wide selection of hardwood and softwood cornices for home use.
The most common sizes of softwood and several types of hardwood are available from major hardware stores, as well as some hardware stores. The whole range is available from timber traders.
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Hit-by-pitch (HBP)
A hit-by-pitch occurs when a batter is struck by a pitched ball without swinging at it. He is awarded first base as a result. Strikes supersede hit-by-pitches, meaning if the umpire rules that the pitch was in the strike zone or that the batter swung, the HBP is nullified.
A batter is awarded a hit-by-pitch, even if the ball only touches a portion of his uniform or protection (helmet, shin guard, etc.).
Most hit-by-pitches are unintentional. They often stem from pitchers trying to throw the ball inside but missing by a few inches. Pitchers will often throw inside to make the hitter wary, so they do not crowd the plate. However, a pitcher may sometimes throw at a hitter intentionally as a form of retaliation. If the home-plate umpire suspects this is the case, he has the right to eject the pitcher (and the manager of the pitching team) from the game.
A hit-by-pitch does not count as a hit, but it does count as a time on base for on-base percentage purposes. Certain hitters -- specifically those who stand very close to the plate -- have a knack for earning HBPs, which can obviously be helpful because the goal of any hitter is to reach base. But hit-by-pitches can also result in injury because most pitches are thrown 80 mph or faster. Per the rules, a batter must make an attempt to avoid being hit by a pitch in order to receive first base.
Pitchers with high HBP totals typically struggle with their control and will also walk a higher-than-normal number of hitters.
In A Call
"plunked," "drilled," "hit batter," "hit batsman"
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Drawing flight routes with NetworkX
In this recipe, we load and visualize a dataset containing many flight routes and airports around the world (obtained from the OpenFlights website at https://openflights.org/data.html).
Getting ready
To draw the graph on a map, you need Cartopy, available at http://scitools.org.uk/cartopy/. You can install it with conda install -c conda-forge cartopy.
How to do it...
1. Let's import a few packages:
>>> import math
import json
import numpy as np
import pandas as pd
import networkx as nx
import cartopy.crs as ccrs
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
from IPython.display import Image
%matplotlib inline
2. We load the first dataset containing many flight routes:
>>> names = ('airline,airline_id,' 'source,source_id,' 'dest,dest_id,' ...
Get IPython Interactive Computing and Visualization Cookbook - Second Edition now with O’Reilly online learning.
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How Much Calcium Can We Absorb from Different Foods?
When removing a food group from our diet, we sometimes cannot calculate what we should include instead. For example, think that your breakfast consists of cheese, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers and eggs (typical Turkish breakfast). One day you realize that you are intolerant to dairy. When you only take out the cheese and continue with the rest, you are saved from a food that is harming you, but on the other hand, there is a possibility that some of the nutrients you get with that food will diminish. Therefore, when removing a food group, it is necessary to take a look at which micronutrients come with it. In this article, I will share how much calcium we can get from which alternative calcium sources, especially for those who exclude dairy products from their diet for various reasons.
Normally, you can easily find information about the calcium content of food. However, to find out how much calcium you actually get from a food, we need to take into account how much of the calcium in that food can be absorbed by the body. For example, the absorbable part of 300mg calcium contained in a glass of milk is 32%. This means that we get 96mg of calcium from 1 glass of milk (240g). The same amount of calcium-rich spinach (240g) contains 322mg of calcium, more than 1 glass of milk; However, since only 5% of it can be absorbed, we only get 16mg of it. That’s why I prepared the list below so that we can make our calculation according to this absorbable calcium. Don’t worry, spinach is a bit of an extreme example… You can see that many vegetables on the list have a lot of absorbable calcium.
Of course, before we can use the list, we need to know how much calcium we need. You can find the recommended daily intake of calcium according to age in the table below (1).
Age Male Female
0–6 months* 200 mg 200 mg
7–12 months* 260 mg 260 mg
1–3 years 700 mg 700 mg
4–8 years 1,000 mg 1,000 mg
9–13 years 1,300 mg 1,300 mg
14–18 years 1,300 mg 1,300 mg
19–50 years 1,000 mg 1,000 mg
51–70 years 1,000 mg 1,200 mg
71+ years 1,200 mg 1,200 mg
* adequate intake (this warning in the original source may mean that the ideal intake for these age groups may be higher.)
In this table, the recommended daily intake of 1000mg for an adult, actually refers to dietary calcium, not the absorbable amount. How do we understand this? It is recommended that we consume 3-4 portions of dairy products to meet our daily calcium needs. If all 1000mg were to be absorbed daily, it would be recommended to consume 10 portions of dairy products since we would get 96mg absorbable calcium from 1 serving of dairy products. Based on this, we can say that the recommended amount of calcium to be absorbed daily is 300-400mg (5).
Let’s also briefly mention that there are different opinions about whether this is the amount of calcium we really need. Different factors such as physical activity, estrogen hormone and vitamin D level can also change the amount of calcium we need. Asian and African societies with fewer bone fractures with less calcium intake, raise questions about the recommended amounts of calcium. Of course, there are so many variables in diet and lifestyle that it is difficult to explain this difference with calcium intake alone.
After this detail, we can move on to the table showing the absorbable calcium amounts in foods. Hope this helps you to regulate your diet …
Bone (eg. softened bones in chicken bone broth) 3 g 270mg
Collard greens 1 cup cooked( 190g) 173mg
Turnip greens 1 cup cooked( 190g) 102mg
Feta Cheese 30g 96.3mg
Yoghurt 240g 96.3mg
Milk 1 bardak 96.3mg
Sardines (with bones) 106g 95mg
Canned Salmon (with bones) 106g 71mg
Chinese cabbage 1 cup cooked( 170g) 69-85mg
Broccoli 1 cup cooked( 156g) 57mg
Kale 1 cup cooked( 125g) 46mg
Mineral water
(San Pellegrino, one of the highest Ca containing)
500ml 41-45mg
Mustard Greens 1 cup cooked( 190g) 42mg
White Beans 110g 24.7mg
Rutabaga 85g 22mg
Almond 28g 17mg
Red Beans 110g 15.3mg
Spinach 1 cup cooked( 180g) 12mg
Radish 50g 10.4mg
Sesame (hulled) 28g 7.7mg
Sweet potato 164g 9.8mg
error: İçerik izinsiz kullanılamaz!
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The difference between sustainable fabrics
What are the differences between sustainable fabrics?
Having introduced sustainable clothing options to our workwear range a year ago, we have seen the demand for environmentally friendly clothing grow and with that, the retail and imprintable textile manufacturers are positively responding to this by increasing their ranges further.
There are however various methods in which clothing can be eco-friendly - materials and processes can differ from manufacturer to manufacturer and therefore can lead to confusion as to what specific terms and fabrics actually mean. We're here to help quickly break those down.
Pile of green toned yarn.
Regenerated / Reclaimed Cotton
A process you would have thought would have been adopted by all manufacturers from the very beginning: leftover fabrics generated by textile factories are collected, sorted by colours and then re-processed into new cotton yarn.
As a result, this saves a great amount of water, Co2 emissions and chemical usage due to yarn not needing to be re-dyed thanks to the colour separating process.
Whilst this is a more sustainable option compared to other pieces, this reclaimed cotton is often mixed with polyester to strengthen the fibres which can be weakened during the process.
Organic Cotton
Organic cotton involves a process that has been designed to remove the use of toxic chemical fertilisers and pesticides with the goal to improve the biodiversity of the soil. According to the Soil Association, 1kg of cotton takes as much as 10,000-20,000 litres of water to produce whereas organic cotton version can save water consumption by 91% over the life cycle.
Shockingly, the mass variety is responsible for 16% of global insecticide and 7% pesticide use - more than any other crop available. Choosing organic therefore also benefits the farmers and locals as they can often grow more variety of crops, won't be exposed to such toxic chemicals and there is reduced pressure on water resources as the sustainable fibre is rainfed, not irrigated.
Regatta Honestly Made 2021 brand shot including boxes featuring a variety of sustainability logos.
Recycled Polyester
Whilst polyester doesn't require any land for cultivation, it's a man-made fibre created from petroleum derived chemicals and is a water and energy intensive process. Made from PET, the fibres have also been noted to contribute greatly to oceanic pollution.
Recycled polyester still offers the same quality as the virgin version, but can use up to 59% less energy. Created using the PET from disposed clear plastic water bottles, which are cleaned and crushed and spun into yarn for garment use.
However, it is worth noting that whilst the recycled option will significantly help reduce overall PET waste and production, those fibrous microplastics less than 5mm in length will still enter oceans, lakes and rivers, unable to biodegrade.
See how Regatta uses this process with their Honestly Made range here.
Sustainable Viscose
A popular choice for drapey dresses, tops and scarves. Although man-made, viscose does come from a natural source - cellulose extracted from wood pulp and in the case of the eco version, responsibly managed wood pulp. Fibre maker Lenzing's EcoVera fibre uses a closed loop process, ensuring that all water and chemcals is re-used resulting in 50% less impact than the generic option.
Transparent with their supply chain, Lenzing has been given the EU Ecolabel, a world leading environmental standard that is only given to products or services that have a greatly reduced impact throughout its entire lifecycle.
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Visualising Decision Trees in Python
0 machine learning
Interpretability is often an important concern with a machine learning algorithm (despite spellcheck telling me it’s not even a word). Having an accurate predictive model may be enough in itself, but in some cases the only way to turn it into a business decision is if you can understand why it’s getting the results it’s getting.
An obvious candidate for an interpretable classifier is a decision tree.
I won’t go into the specifics of decision trees, Machine Learning Mastery has a good tutorial on the subject, but I’ll just go over the intuition.
A decision tree is a series of if-then rules that decide what class a data point should belong to (in the case of a classification tree), or what value one of its properties should have (in the case of a regression tree).
If you’ve ever seen a flowchart, you can imagine a decision tree the same way.
A model might learn a decision tree that can be interpreted as something like “if the petal length is less than 2, classify the flower as setosa, otherwise if the petal width is greater than 1.5 classify it as virginica, otherwise classify it as versicolor“.
You can train decision trees with Python using scikit-learn.
from sklearn.datasets import load_iris
from sklearn.tree import DecisionTreeClassifier
from sklearn.model_selection import train_test_split
from sklearn.metrics import accuracy_score
iris = load_iris()
X =
y =
X_train, X_test, y_train, y_test = train_test_split(X, y, test_size=0.3, stratify=y)
dt = DecisionTreeClassifier(min_samples_leaf=5, max_depth=3), y_train)
I’ve set the maximum depth to 3, meaning it won’t be grown beyond 3 levels, in this case purely for easier visualisation.
Once you’re happy with a model, how do you visualise your tree?
Scikit-learn has a built-in function called export_graphviz which lets you export it to a file, in a specific format.
from sklearn.tree import export_graphviz
export_graphviz(dt, '', feature_names=iris.feature_names)
You can then open the file in Notepad (or any text editor) and view its output online by pasting its contents into the textbox at
Our iris decision tree looks something like this:
Decision tree trained on the iris dataset
A 3-level decision tree trained on the Iris dataset
By providing the feature names we can label each decision point so it is obvious what’s happening at each step.
The “value” part of each leaf node shows how the examples that make it to that node are split between the different classes.
I wasn’t far off with my example – a petal length of 2.45cm separates the setosa class nicely, then a further separation using petal width, length and sepal length is enough to give us over 90% accuracy.
Once you get to deeper trees, this visualisation becomes ungainly, but if you want to keep the tree interpretable you probably want to limit its depth.
For further visualisation options you can follow the instructions on the official scikit-learn page.
Footnote: This is the 28th entry in my 30 day blog challenge.
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Sql Injection Union Select 1 2 3 4 » wristbandsfree.com
27/08/2015 · SQL Injection flaw is quite easiest to exploit and protect too but only when you know how to do it. In continuation to our Injection attacks tutorial series, today we will learn about Union Exploitation Technique to exploit SQL Injection Vulnerability. Union exploitation technique is most common and. SQL Injection Tutorial by Marezzi MySQL In this tutorial i will describe how sql injection works and how to use it to get some useful information. First of all: What is SQL injection? It's one of the most common vulnerability in web applications today. 23/03/2002 · What is an SQL Injection Cheat Sheet? An SQL injection cheat sheet is a resource in which you can find detailed technical information about the many different variants of the SQL Injection vulnerability. This cheat sheet is of good reference to both seasoned penetration tester and. A complete series on MSSQL Injection for those who are still not really comfortable with MSSQL Injection.
Thank you for sharing such valuable information and tips. This can give insights and inspirations for us; very helpful and informative! Would love to see more updates from you in the future. 화면에 출력되는 컬럼을 확인하기 위해0' union select 1,2,3,4를 입력하니 다음과 같이 나왔다. 2번 컬럼과 4번 컬럼의 값이 출력된다는 것을 확인할 수 있다. 5. DB버전과 DB명 알아내기. SQL-InjectionPOST/Select Secret. This article is based on our previous article where you have learned different techniques to perform SQL injection manually using dhakkan. Today we are again performing SQL injection manually on a live website “” in order to reduce your stress of installing setup of dhakkan. We are going to apply the same concept and techniques. 07/04/2018 · SQL Injection is a web based attack used by hackers to steal sensitive information from organizations through web applications. It is one of the most common application layer attacks used today. This attack takes advantage of improper coding of web applications, which allows hackers to.
13/08/2016 · How to do SQL Injection in DVWA?-----Commands Used - 1. ?id=1' order by 1,2--. Content page 3. Content page with string input in POST parameter; username parameter is prone to code injection. Advanced SQL Injection on POST data. 17/09/2015 · SQL Injection: SQL injection is a code injection technique, used to attack data-driven applications in which malicious SQL statements are inserted into an entry field for execution e.g. to dump the database contents to the attacker.
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A person without consciousness would be like a robot: perfect in his movement, nor would he make too much or too little movement in unconditional goal orientation. He would feel no emotion and feeling and would be carefully protected from pain. But since man is not a machine, it is good that he pays close attention to his consciousness. Being aware of oneself is natural to us and allows us to choose and make decisions. The freer we are in body and spirit, the easier we direct our life, while ignorance makes us prisoners of a vicious circle of problems and illnesses. Our organism is a complex and developing system, so it constantly forces us to nurture its integrity so that we are completely aware of it and try to advance in every level of living. A person's consciousness is the one that allows all parts of the system to be efficient and cooperative. Self-awareness allows us to feel the shortcomings in our system's functioning; only constant learning prevents us from shying away from problems. Learning the AEQ method is the approach that allows us to know and act, which gives us invaluable experience.
Za ogled celotne vsebine se prijavite spodaj
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#7. Brick Industry “Shapes” Alliance
Making clay bricks
Workmen removing the finished bricks and putting them on the drying cars at Alliance Clay Products. 1928. https://www.alliancememory.org/digital/collection/places/id/1033/rec/19
Brickmaking began in Alliance during the 1860s with Josiah Rosenberry who took his clay from the ponds that are now on the Glamorgan estate. As early as 1907, James Wilcox’s Alliance Clay Products Company was turning out 18,000 brick a day from a single plant at 1500 South Mahoning Avenue. By 1924, Wilcox had three plants in operation at the same location and was capable of producing 275,000 bricks a day, or about 50,000,000 a year. For about seventy years, the clay products industry was of considerable economic importance to Alliance. Production subsided during the 1950s and 1960s until Alliance Clay Products sold out to Whitacre-Greer. (Condensed from https://www.wgpaver.com/alliance-brick-industry/)
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When we think about online research and media skills our minds quickly turn to video production. Yet students and teachers can find video making and remixing a daunting task.
We need simple tools to scaffold video production. I like, many, mourned the demise of xtranormal. I found the text to movies tool so powerful for classroom use.
So I immediately began to look for alternatives. I came across Plotogan in my Twitter feed. Not only do I get all the functionality of text to movie tools but the program provides strong functionality and runs local on my mac (or your pc).
Classroom Uses
The possibilities are endless as students can recreate favorite scenes from literature, use as a journaling tool, or simply create online content.
When I consider possible connection to the Common Core State Standards I find once again endless options.
In the Reading anchor standards for the Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
In the Speaking and Listening anchor standards for Comprehension and Collaboration:
How Does it Work?
1. Plotagon works as a script editor. You choose the scene and the character(s).
Screenshot 3:4:14 3:01 PM
Screenshot 3:4:14 2:59 PM
2.You can then choose the location of your character in that scene.
Screenshot 3:4:14 3:01 PM 2
3. You then type your dialogue. You can choose an emotion for your character.
Screenshot 3:4:14 3:02 PM
4. You can also choose to have your characters move around the scene.Screenshot 3:4:14 3:04 PM
Screenshot 3:4:14 3:03 PM
You can then add sounds. The sounds include both effects and music. Next you publish your movie by clicking share. If you connect your YouTube account you can upload directly. If your school does not allow YouTube access you can also upload the movie to Plotagon.
Screenshot 3:4:14 3:09 PM
That is it. Now you just wait, go make some popcorn and let the movie render. Plotagon will do the rest. When it is done you will get a notice.
Screenshot 3:4:14 3:23 PM
Embedded movie on Youtube:
Same movie on Plotagon:
Some Examples
This is a debate I had on the meaning of text as part of the #walkmyworld project:
This is a mini-lesson I made as part of my video tutorial series on Internet inquiry. I had to make separate movies in Plotagon. I then did a screencast on my iPad using Explain Everything. Finally I remixed the videos using Mozilla’s Popcorn maker.
There are many other great content related examples on the Plotagon Movie Page.
Plotagon is in very early Beta so many of these issues maybe addressed.
CPU Intensive
My macbook Pro just makes the minimum system requirements and it shows. When Plotagon is open I cannot do much else. You should plan accordingly and close unnecessary programs.
Few Scenes
I am sure more scenes will be added. Especially to the store. As of now the scenes available do not always fit an academic setting. I have spoken to the developers and they will make a push for education. So I am sure we will see schools, classrooms, offices, and parks in the future.
No Downloads
Another feature I am willing to pay for, and probably one coming in the future. Until then I have been using Mozilla’s Popcorn to edit the movies. this has allowed me to splice in other videos and add text layovers.
Final Verdict
I find Plotagon to be a powerful classroom tool and recommend it to all education professionals.
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[relatedkingpro show=”4″ images=true width=”150″ height=”150″ placeholder=false]
The first stories we told tried to describe the unknown while developing a sense of the self with tales of great heroes, ferocious monsters, disastrous floods, and lands of unsurpassed beauty. For millennia, these tales were passed from mouth to ear. Then, as writing emerged the first stories ever written regaled the adventures of Sargon and Gilgamesh. Now with the flood of new technologies students can navigate the vast seas of information and enjoy the journeys of epic adventurers online. Folklore and myths, provide an opportunity to connect the oldest known narratives with the newest text to emerge, the Internet.
Technology has always acted as a catalyst for literary change (Leu & Kinzer, 2000), yet the ancient tales of oral traditions remain the same. As a result the same traits of mythological and folklore heroes first identified by early folklorist such as Edward Taylor, George von Hahn, and Vladimir Propp (Segal, 1990) have spread through the Internet. These yarns are no longer bound to cultural of physical boundaries. Audiences today have access to the written and oral traditions from infinite resources and many cultures. Readers can use these online resources to develop an understanding of mythology and folklore, which Dundes (1989) called, “crucial to establishing a sense of identity or senses of identity” (p. vii). In this weeks post I describe a mythology unit I taught that utilized the internet.
Looking back three years later, I see how the lesson not only introduced the affordances of the internet but also allowed students to develop and share their own voice.
Creation Myths
As teachers we can use narrative hypertext to introduce students to new literacies (Castek, Bevans-Mangelson, Goldstone, 2006). First, literacy classrooms have a strong focus on literature and this can allow children to dedicate more cognitive energy into the development of new literacies skills. Second, reading and writing online motivates students. (McNabb, 2006). Therefore, online narrative texts, like creation myths, offer opportunities for students to interact with ICT’s. Students can analyze an author’s use of hypertext features, and reflect on how their comprehension skills change because of digital texts. In order to do this in my class I had students read myths using offline texts, static webpages, and multimedia flash stories.
We began by first reading the Greek Creation myth in D’aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths . We discussed the myth and created an interactive storyboard. Basically I would retell the myth as we read. The kids loved when I, in the role of Cronus, would puke up my children. Granted I added plenty of green goo and audio effects.
Next we read Murtagh’s Common Elements of Creation Myths When previewing the Murtagh website with students I asked questions like, “Why does the author link words in her text to other pages? Which buttons did you use to navigate the text? Did you choose the hyperlinks in the text or those listed at the bottom? What caused confusion during your navigational choices? Can the author have made it easier for the reader to find the creation myths?” These questions had the student evaluate the decision the author made and lead to an understanding of how to effectively navigate online text.
Finally we moved from a static website with hyperlinks to ineractive multimedia stories on bigmyth.comThe interactive website https://www.bigmyth.com provides students a launching point for the study of creation mythology. The website, created by Distant Train and the International Association of Intercultural Education provides flash videos of creation myths from around the world. The videos contain animation, text, and sound while they retell creation myths from every corner of the globe. Along with each myth, the authors created a series of activities for students after they finish reading a myth. When choosing a myth students must select buttons that overlay a map of the globe. Some buttons, those in red, are free, and other grey buttons only work with a subscription. I started conversations with questions such as, “Why do you think the authors use a map as a navigation menu? How does geography affect a culture’s outlook? Why would the author’s choose to provide some myths for free and charge for others? Why and how did the author’s choose one culture for the free version and decide to include other cultures as part of a subscription?
After we had read texts using a variety of tools we discussed the formats and how they Internet changed reading for the students on a class discussion board.Some of their responses are below:
Thread 15 Posted by Mr. Mac
How is reading a a book different from reading a static website (no animation), and an animated website? How are your reading comprehension skills of predicting, summarizing, clarifying, questioning, and connecting used differently between medias. Compare and contrast.
In media myths (animated), static online myths, and books are different because they both affext how you have to think. For instance, in a book you have to read the text by yourself, picture the characters in your head, and
predict what will happen on the next page or two. In an animated myth you can have the computer read the myth to you or read it yourself, there are pictures and you don’t have to picture it in your head like when you read a book, you also have a variety of links on the web pages and you have to narrow down the choices that will help you, you have to predict what will happen on the next page that you go to just like when you read a book. When you read a static myth you can’t picture the scenes and characters in your head like you can when you watch a myth online, you still can have the
computer read the myth to you, you are also forced to predict the same way
you have to in the other media types. When you connect to the real world I
think that it is easier to do it in a book that you have to read than in any
type of myth online.
I think that reading a book is different than using a computer by that when using a computer you are more motivated to actually read and pay attention. Also, when using the computer your reading skills are different because you can read longer or shorter versions of stories, you can understand the stoy better when you have animated picttures of scens so you know what’s going on, and sometimes you can have a recording read the story out loud to you while you read along so, you can understand the story the way it is supposed to sound. In a book you only have pictures that can be sometimes complicated. and you have to read it when you might not understand it. Predicting is different because on a computer you have to predict what a page is going to be about, where a different page will take you, and if the information on that page will be important to you.In a book you have to predict what will be on the next page of the book. When summarizing on a computer you can use animated pictures and different pages or sites to help you, where in a book you have to use the detailed descriptions to help you. when questionning a book you want to find your answer in the pages and detailed descriptions of the book to help you where on a computer you have many differentways to find an answer to your question. A computer may be easier for most kids.
Reading a book is different from reading a website without pictures/animation because on a website you can take notes on a document and look up words, phrases, or things that confused you, or you ask someone. Where as, when your reading a book, you tend to just try to figure things out on your own using the text, instead of looking them up or asking someone. On an animated website you tend to use the animations to figure things out instead of using the text, looking it up, or asking someone. Your reading comprehension skills are used different because when you predict in a book you usually tell someone else who has read the book, or keep it to your self. You also predict on what will happen next/to the main character. While predicting on a website you predict where links will take you, what will happen in the animation, and what will happen next/to the main character. When you summarize a book you either write it all or self, or copy off the back. When you write a summary of a webpage, you usually
copy and paste it into a word document.
From the responses it is evident that many comprehension strategies do change as texts move online and that students prefer to have the tools of the internet available to them as they read.
Finally to measure how students understood how comprehension strategies evolve as text changed they created their own multimedia poems using PPT. The students had to pick a myth or God/Goddess not taught in class and create a retelling. The PPT had to include the myth, a family tree, use action buttons, include a quiz, and also prompt students to use comprehension strategies. I wish I could share the products they came out great!
Writing your own Creation Myth
The next part of the unit had the students write a creation myth for a fictional world of their own design.
Returning to BigMyth.com we explored the understanding that literature cannot be separated from its historical context. For example in the Inuit creation myth berries and animals are spread far apart to reduce over hunting. We also used the Inuit creation myth to explore gender roles. What are the implications when women are created to cure the boredom of man? Why is the woman the helper and companion of the man? These gender roles, along with other elements of culture, could then be contrasted to other creation myths.
The students identified common elements of creation myths from the list provided on Murtagh’s Common Elements of Creation Myths. They also contrasted creation myths. For example the Inuit myth was based on hunter/gatherer culture while the Incan myth had a clear connection of the divine right of rulers.
Next the students, using an adapted version of the graphic organizer provided by BigMyth.com planned a fictional culture. They then wrote a creation myth that this culture would believe in. I assessed them on the fictional connections between their myth and their culture (also on the hero archetype, but more on that lesson later. The stories came out great.
Fiction and Agency
More importantly than their content learning, what I loved the most was the expression of student voices throughout the unit. For example, Lauren (pseudonym), an adopted student of Haitian descent, wove the mythology she read online with her own sense of identity to further explore culture and identity through writing literature.
After spending time reading multimedia versions of creation mythology, Lauren created a fictional nation where the people had a culture that revolved around the sea. She, then wrote a creation story of a people kicked out of their planet who had to travel to another galaxy on a ship. On the way the boat crashed and became a new planet, which the people inhabited. In her brief myth elements common to her culture and identity are evident. The ship may represent a common theme from mythology she read, a connection to Haitian culture, it may serve as a metaphor to the greater African Diaspora, or build upon her sense as an adopted child. She used the Internet and literature to explore her own identity and, as a reader, make connections to the stories she read online.
Lauren’s adventure began by reading an online multimedia myth about the Voudon creation myth, which developed in Haitian culture. After enjoying the tale she went to the Internet and found many people discussing links between Caribbean mythology and African mythology. She became very interested in looking for connections between the myths of Western Africa, the myth she just read, and her own beliefs. After exploring the Yoruba creation myth she noted the common elements of water that exist in both myths. She then spent time comparing the Vodoun and Yoruba cultures and commented that it was nice to learn about “where she came from.” As an adopted child who did not share the same culture of her parents she used online literature to explore her sense of identity, culture, and place in the world.
Other students also expressed themselves through the creation myth unit. One student, who fancied herself a comedian, wrote about a haphazardous culture that worshiped a porcupine god (her world was modeled after Vail, CO) and everyone was ordered to constantly shop. Many of the boys chose to write about empire cultures (although it was hard to convince them that in a short story choose a battle not the entire war). These worlds often focused on adolescent ideals of sports such as motorcross or ATV’s.
I know this is way too long for a blog post, but I wanted to share this lesson. When I tell teachers I was studying common elements of creation myths and hero archetypes with sixth graders they are amzed, but my students loved it. Below is a list of mythology resources online. I haven’t checked the links so many maybe dead. Good luck and have fun using the oldest stories with some of the newest literacy tools.
Common Elements of Creation Myths
A student created website that explores common characteristics in creation myths.
The Big Myth
A collection of creation myths from around the world retold using Flash movies.
Online Mythology and Folklore Collections Encyclopedia Mythica https://www.pantheon.org/
An online encyclopedia of world mythology organized by continent.
Timeless Myths https://www.timelessmyths.com/
A collection of Norse, Classical, Celtic, and Arthurian Mythology.
In Search of Myths and Heroes
Companion website for PBS television show. Contains many myths from around the world and an overview of the hero archetype.
African Mythology and Folklore
A dictionary of African God/Goddesses and a collection of African myths and folktales.
Cutting to the Essence
A description of the West African Yoruba people’s Gods, arts, and mythology
Chinese Myths and Fantasies
An overview and history of Chinese mythology.
Crystal Dragon of Taiwan
A collection of Chinese myths and fables.
Greek Mythology
An online dictionary of Greek Gods/Goddesses, myths, and heroes.
Greek Mythology Link
A comprehensive website with biographies, topics, stories, and Spanish versions of Greek Myths.
A collection of animated Greek Myths.
Winged Sandals
An Interactive flash sites with fully animated movies, games, and many extras.
Hawaiian Mythology
A website created by students at Ahuimanu Elementary School containing a collection of Hawaiian myths.
Indian Divinity
An animated flash adventure detailing Hindu creation mythology.
American Folklore
An anthology of American folklore.
Legends of America
Comprehensive collection of Native American myths, American folklore, and tall tales.
Mexico Connect
A collection of Mayan, Aztec, and Mexican myths and fables.
Mythology of the Inca and Maya
A collection of myths from Central and South America and lesson plans for the classroom.
Native American Mythology
A collection of myths from Native Americans and lesson plans for the classroom
Windows to the Universe
An overview of Aztec mythology with Spanish and English Versions and three reading levels,
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Undecidability of English Syntax and Semantic Feedback
There are three main components to any form of language communication: syntactic, semantic and pragmatic. Due to the immense impact that syntax has upon semantics, linguists have always been interested in the relationship between the first two. Although agreement exists regarding many points in connection with this, others, maybe just as important, remain open to debate.
The problem of syntactic ambiguity and “undecidability” in English is nothing new. However, starting from the idea that there is a two-way relationship between the syntactic and semantic component of language production, a theory of how syntax cannot be determined in the absence of semantics has become very popular. Practical implications of this include computer programmer Jeffrey Kegler’s demonstration, which will be analysed below, that there exist sentences which are unsyntactic “if and only if they are syntactic”.
My opinion is that such a theory and its implications should not be accepted without question, due to the fact that there are issues to be identified with it. Since this is difficult to disprove on a universal scale, in the present article I have taken up as case study Kegler’s demonstration and tried to point out its flaws.
The syntax-semantics link is very clearly seen even from the preliminary considerations that by the syntactic component of language production we mean how morphemes work together in the forming of sentences as well as their roles in them, word order etc. and by the semantic component we refer to different aspects of the meaning(s) sentences have. Although some theories presume the contrary, this article is written in the view that the syntactic component ‘happens’ first and the information it offers is used by the semantic one to create meaning.
A very important aspect must be established before analysing anything else related to the impact of semantic feedback on the undecidability of syntax. Let us take a look at the following two examples:
1. Green dreams sleep furiously.
2. Airplane from to the and for of or pilot up.
Neither of the above sentences has any meaning. However, it is important to notice that, while the second one has no meaning in the absence of syntax, the first one also has no meaning but in the presence of syntax. What we conclude is that we can have syntax without meaning, but we cannot have meaning without syntax. This is unquestionable.
Jeffrey Kegler considers that we can build sentences that are unsyntactic if and only if they are syntactic based on semantic feedback (i.e. the ability of semantics to impact upon a sentence’s syntax by solving ambiguities). Let us take a look upon his demonstration and analyse it.
He starts from the morpheme “closed”, which can either be a past participle or an adjective. Thus, a sentence such as “The window was closed” is syntactically ambiguous since we cannot decide if the morpheme “closed” is a subject complement or part of the passive voice. To solve this, Kegler expands his example into “The window was closed and the door opened by the same person”. In the latter example, it is clear that the morpheme “closed” is a passive and the sentence is no longer ambiguous because of the meaning of the added elements. We have an agent which opened the door and closed the window. Semantics solved the ambiguity.
Afterwards, he gives an example, noted (U): “The window was closed and the door opened by the burglar after he discovered that the window was in fact a beautifully executed trompe d’oeil mural”. He explains that (U) is syntactically correct. However the window is fake, meaning that the burglar couldn’t have closed it. Thus, “closed” cannot be a passive even if we have “and the door opened by the burglar” following it in the word order. Therefore, he says, after the semantic feedback, (U) is no longer syntactic. As such, (U) is unsyntactic if it has semantics and since semantics cannot exist without syntax, (U) is unsyntactic if it has syntax.
The first issue with this demonstration is that (U) is unsyntactic if it has semantics comes into contradiction with the fact that we cannot have meaning without syntax. If meaning is involved, we may never claim that the structure whose meaning we are talking about has no syntax. My personal opinion is that (U) has no meaning and it’s syntax was ambiguous, or at least bad, from the start. We may also consider that its syntax is good but the sentence is unable to provide proper meaning. Either way, semantic feedback cannot make this sentence’s syntax impossible to decide because its overall meaning is off.
Furthermore, let us look back on the example “The window was closed and the door opened by the same person”. It is true that, unlike just “The window was closed” , this one is no longer syntactically ambiguous. The ambiguity was resolved by coordination and introduction of the agent, as Jeffrey Kegler himself admits. It is not the semantic component that had an impact here. Thus, the careful linguist cannot conclude, not from this example anyway, that syntax can be decided by semantics. This is also proof that the second part of the demonstration presented above is wrong.
Embracing the theory that syntax cannot be decided in the absence semantics, Jeffrey Kegler tries to prove that there are sentences which lack syntax if and only if they have syntax, or, to rephrase that, that semantic feedback may render impossible a decision on the syntactic/unsyntactic character of a sentence. As shown, strong reasons to believe that is wrong exist. The programmer’s demonstration along with my opinion on it perfectly reflects how easily matters can fall to interpretation. Although, I do not say that semantics may never have an impact upon syntax, I think the theory that syntax can never be determined without semantics should not be accepted as true. Consequently, I do not believe that meaning may, in some cases, make it impossible to decide whether a sentence is syntactic or not.
Further Reading
Kegler, Jeffrey. “The Syntax of English is Undecidable”. Ocean of Awareness. Movable Type. Web. 15 may 2014. http://blogs.perl.org/users/jeffrey_kegler/2012/03/the-syntax-of-english-is-undecidable.html
Preda Alina, Trifan Manuela, On Text Production: the integral relationship to translation, PRESA UNIVERSITARǍ CLUJEANǍ, CLUJ-NAPOCA, 2008
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Deploying with Setuptools
Setuptools, is an extension library that is commonly used to distribute Python libraries and extensions. It extends distutils, a basic module installation system shipped with Python to also support various more complex constructs that make larger applications easier to distribute:
• package registry: setuptools registers your package with your Python installation. This makes it possible to query information provided by one package from another package. The best known feature of this system is the entry point support which allows one package to declare an “entry point” that another package can hook into to extend the other package.
• installation manager: pip can install other libraries for you.
Flask itself, and all the libraries you can find on PyPI are distributed with either setuptools or distutils.
In this case we assume your application is called and you are not using a module, but a package. If you have not yet converted your application into a package, head over to Large Applications as Packages to see how this can be done.
A working deployment with setuptools is the first step into more complex and more automated deployment scenarios. If you want to fully automate the process, also read the Deploying with Fabric chapter.
Basic Setup Script
Because you have Flask installed, you have setuptools available on your system. Flask already depends upon setuptools.
Standard disclaimer applies: use a virtualenv.
A basic file for a Flask application looks like this:
from setuptools import setup
name='Your Application',
Please keep in mind that you have to list subpackages explicitly. If you want setuptools to lookup the packages for you automatically, you can use the find_packages function:
from setuptools import setup, find_packages
Tagging Builds
It is useful to distinguish between release and development builds. Add a setup.cfg file to configure these options.
tag_build = .dev
tag_date = 1
release = egg_info -Db ''
Running python sdist will create a development package with “.dev” and the current date appended: flaskr-1.0.dev20160314.tar.gz. Running python release sdist will create a release package with only the version: flaskr-1.0.tar.gz.
Distributing Resources
If you try to install the package you just created, you will notice that folders like static or templates are not installed for you. The reason for this is that setuptools does not know which files to add for you. What you should do, is to create a file next to your file. This file lists all the files that should be added to your tarball:
recursive-include yourapplication/templates *
recursive-include yourapplication/static *
Declaring Dependencies
Dependencies are declared in the install_requires parameter as a list. Each item in that list is the name of a package that should be pulled from PyPI on installation. By default it will always use the most recent version, but you can also provide minimum and maximum version requirements. Here some examples:
As mentioned earlier, dependencies are pulled from PyPI. What if you want to depend on a package that cannot be found on PyPI and won’t be because it is an internal package you don’t want to share with anyone? Just do it as if there was a PyPI entry and provide a list of alternative locations where setuptools should look for tarballs:
Make sure that page has a directory listing and the links on the page are pointing to the actual tarballs with their correct filenames as this is how setuptools will find the files. If you have an internal company server that contains the packages, provide the URL to that server.
Installing / Developing
$ python install
$ python develop
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What is the power factor of an ac circuit?
The power factor is the ratio of the real power that is used to do work to the apparent power that is supplied to the circuit. The power factor can have values from 0 to 1. The power factor is 0 when there is no real power.
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Sub-Saharan Africa is still in the dark but North Africa will soon be selling power to Europe
A security guard stands near the thermosolar power plant at Noor II, northeast of the city of Ouarzazate, Morocco, November 4, 2016. Picture taken November 4, 2016.
Reuters/Youssef Boudlal
Ready to roll.
• Abdi Latif Dahir
By Abdi Latif Dahir
Africa, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, has an electricity problem.
Even though the continent’s power generating capacity has slowly improved over the years, rationing, rolling shortages, and blackouts continue to hamper many countries development—including economic giants like South Africa and Nigeria. These cutoffs stunt economic growth, hindering small and large businesses alike as well as schools and hospitals.
Limited financing also encumbers power generation. Estimates of annual investments required for the power sector between 2015 and 2040 range from US$33.4 billion to $63 billion. Yet the average annual spending in the past decade in the African power sector has been about US$12 billion. As a result, the low access, poor reliability and high prices of electricity cost African economies an average of 2.1% of their GDP, according to the World Bank.
AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar
An aerial view of the Morocco’s Noor 3 solar power plant.
But while sub-Saharan Africa remains in the dark, north African nations have been making major progress with power generation. Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco have invested tens of billions of dollars in renewable energy projects—particularly solar power—as a springboard to drive their energy ambitions. By harnessing the power of the Saharan sun, these countries hope to not only bring down the cost of solar technology, but also scale it for larger use, enhance energy security, create cleaner environments, and boost the creation of new business opportunities.
Once operational, projects like the TuNur solar project in Tunisia, will open a new, intercontinental energy corridor between north Africa and Europe by delivering power to homes in Italy and France. The $10.7 billion, 2500 megawatts project will use a high-voltage direct current to connect to European grids as far away as the UK. Similarly, the Noor Ouarzazate complex in Morocco, considered the world’s largest solar plant, is expected for completion in 2018 for a total cost of $9 billion. The 150 MW Kuraymat solar power field in Egypt, which was built in 2010, already supplies nearly 2 million people with power.
Observers say this shows the huge potential that solar power—and renewable energy by extension—hold for the continent. “Solar energy is an emerging opportunity that cannot be ignored,” says Zandre Campos, chief executive of ABO Capital, an Angola-based fund which invests in energy, agriculture, and technology. Campos said north African nations were “true innovators” for spearheading these infrastructural projects and for building on the falling price of solar panels and the improved efficiency of light bulbs and appliances.
To expand the use of these efficient systems in African countries will, however, need a strengthened public-private partnership. Nations like Morocco have emerged as a global exemplar of going green, banning plastic bags and setting up ambitious goals to crack down on carbon emissions. In 2012, the government also phased out fossil fuel subsidies and shifted its focus to renewables. In 2016, it hosted the United Nations convention on climate change, and also kickstarted a four-year project aimed at using solar panels to generate power, heat water, and provide air-conditioning in hundreds of mosques.
These type of partnerships allows African governments to tap into additional knowledge and experiences in order to implement more renewable energy installations successfully. It also builds, Campos argues, on the long-term goal of integrating renewable energy, including wind, biomass and solar into the national grids. “Developing public-private partnerships allows the public sector, investors, and private companies to work together to meet the energy demand in a sustainable and effective way,” he said.
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How that stuff works com c # htmldocument
Creeper are aggressive monsters and the most famous creatures in Minecraft. Their name comes from the English word "to creep" (to sneak up on / to sneak up on), because they approach almost silently. When a creeper gets too close to the player (or any other creature that attacked them), it starts hissing like a burning fuse, puffs up, flashes white, and shortly afterwards explodes, hurting bystanders and the nearby landscape destroyed. Creepers make no noise when they are idle, which is why you don't notice their presence until you see them or they are right next to you.
The face of a creeper is in the 'A' of the Minecraft lettering and has become a common internet meme.
Behavior [edit]
• The creeper runs around aimlessly until it sees the player.
• Creepers move relatively slowly, only slightly faster than zombies.
• When he gets close enough to the player, he starts to hiss (sound of a lit fuse: "Ssssss"), which shows that he is about to detonate.
• 1.5 seconds later, the explosion follows, killing or injuring nearby, unprotected players or mobs, leaving a spherical crater the size of 4 × 4 × 4 blocks when the creeper is standing on earth or sand, with all surrounding blocks except obsidian, weeping obsidian, bedrock, ancient scrap, netherite blocks, magic tables, command blocks, construction blocks and anvils are destroyed. If the creeper explodes about 1 block above the ground, it leaves a crater about 7 × 7 × 2 blocks in the ground. (TNT also creates a wider, shallower crater when it explodes just above the ground.)
• Rarely does it happen that the player is not injured at all (even if the player is not wearing armor) - but only if the creeper explodes right inside him - one is thrown up and only receives fall damage.
• However, the explosion can be prevented by either killing the creeper fast enough or by escaping its explosion radius. The creeper will then cancel the detonation, approach the player, and begin the detonation process again. In the degree of difficultyHeavy you have to run a longer distance than normal so that the creeper cancels its detonation process. The player can take advantage of this by running towards him, attacking, so that the creeper is pushed back, stepping back and repeating this process until the creeper is done without exploding. This is the only way to get the drop of the creeper (black powder).
• If a creeper is killed after it has been detonated and before it can detonate (when the "hissing" sound is heard), there will be no explosion.
• Unlike zombies and skeletons, creepers can move easily on the surface even in sunlight without catching fire. In contrast to spiders, creepers can also pose a threat to the player during the day.
• Creepers cannot wear armor and cannot cause a chain reaction in groups, since no explosion occurs when Creepers die from external influences (unlike TNT).
• A creeper that has been dropped with a toss or lingering potion and then explodes leaves a cloud of particles behind.
Properties [edit]
• Creepers can drop records in addition to gunpowder. However, this is only the case if the final attack that leads to the creeper's death is carried out by a skeleton. How the creeper is injured by then does not matter. The easiest way to accomplish this is to hit the creeper three times with an iron sword and then have a skeleton hit it with an arrow afterwards. However, you can lock the creeper in a fence or something similar and make sure that it stands between the player and the skeleton. That makes it a little easier (once you've caught the creeper).
• If creepers explode underwater, the surrounding blocks are not damaged, but surrounding objects are damaged as usual.
• If a creeper explodes on a step (with the exception of wooden steps), only the step is destroyed and the player receives a maximum of 6 ()Damage.
• If you lure a creeper into a pit two blocks deep and dig a passage at his feet, he can be easily killed without the risk of him exploding. Creeper traps can be built quickly and easily. The only downside is that you have to kill the creeper yourself.
• Creepers flee from ocelots and cats. This can be used for sorting systems in monster traps, e.g. skeletons of creepers can be separated in order to farm records.
• The command in connection with the rule can be used to switch the destruction of blocks by Creeper on or off. They continue to explode and damage living things, but no longer destroy blocks in the process.
• Creepers are not attacked by dogs, iron golems, and zoglins.
• If a creeper is standing in a spider web, the time to explode takes a little longer and, like underwater, it does not destroy any blocks, but only damages creatures.
• If a creeper is about to explode, other creatures will flee nearby.
• If the player blocks with a shield just before the creeper explodes, they won't take any explosion damage, but they can take fall damage if the explosion blows up blocks from under them.
• If you click on a creeper in spectator mode, you can see everything green through its eyes (exit with the sneak button).
• You can make a crepper explode by lighting it with a lighter, this works in both creative mode and survival mode. The creeper will then explode immediately, this also works with loaded creepers.
Loaded Creeper [edit]
A creeper about to explode
Creepers can become charged creepers with a lightning strike. When this happens, the explosive force increases; you can recognize this by the fact that they have a 1 × 2 block large electrical aura around them. As soon as lightning strikes a creeper, it takes damage, which makes killing a charged creeper faster.
You cannot spawn loaded creepers with spawn eggs, you can use the command instead. But be careful: When using, the creeper is spawned directly at the player's position. If the player is in survival mode at this point, the creeper will explode instantly, most likely killing the player with it.
If a charged creeper kills another creeper (charged or uncharged), a Witherskeleton, a skeleton or a zombie, they always drop their heads. If several monsters are killed at once, only one will drop its head. If you throw an invisibility potion at a charged creeper, the aura remains visible.
NBT data [edit]
• Creeper has the object ID "creeper"
• General object properties
• General characteristics
• General creature traits
• Explosion Radius: Radius of the explosion. Default value: 3.
• Fuse: Time in ticks for the creeper to explode (does not affect a creeper that falls and explodes on impact). Default value: 30.
• ignited: 1 or 0 (true / false) - true if the creeper was lit with a lighter.
• powered: 1 or 0 (true / false) - Optional. true if the creeper has electrical armor because it was struck by lightning.
Progress [edit]
symbol progress description predecessor task Data value
Adventure, exploration and combat Kill any creature or get killed by any creature
Monster hunter
Slay a monster adventure
Kill one of the following monsters:
Creeper, Servants, zombie villagers, ice hikers, Ender dragon, Enderman, Endermite, drowned man, Ghast, Great Guardian, Witch, Hoglin, Cave Spider, Lohe, Magician, Magma Cube, Phantom, Piglin, Piglin-Barbarian, Pests, Looters, Slime, Shulkers, Silverfish, Skeleton, Spider, Demolisher, Guardian, Wither, Witherskeleton, Desert Zombie, Zoglin, Zombie or Zombified Piglin
A joke to throw away
Throw your trident at something.
Note: Throwing away your only weapon is a bad idea.
Monster hunterHit any creature with a trident
Target exercises
Shoot something with a bow and arrow Monster hunterHit any creature with a bow and arrow or a crossbow. Progress is also achieved using spectral arrows or effect arrows.
Master hunter
Kill one of each monster Monster hunter
Kill all of the following monsters:
Achievements [edit]
symbolsuccessdescriptiontaskPointsCup (PS)
Monster hunterAttack a monster and kill it.Slay any monster by hand, weapon or tool.15Gbronze
ArcherKill a creeper with arrows.10Gbronze
• Notch describes the Creeper as "being crunchy, like dry leaves", in German: "He is cracking / rustling like dry leaves"[1]. Indeed, the creeper texture is derived from the first foliage texture. In Survival Test0.24 and Survival Test0.25, the texture of the creeper has not yet been trimmed and you can also see the leaves on the unused areas. It is the completely unchanged texture of the oak leaves from Classic0.0.15a, which is laid next to and one below the other. So the creeper is originally a forest monster. But because hardly anyone knows that, he is often depicted with fur in artworks.
• Jeb thinks the green color should probably be a camouflage, but Mojang is still under discussion as to whether the skin or fur should be more leafy.[2]
• Creepers share the title with Steve as the symbol of Minecraft. The profile picture on the official Minecraft Facebook page shows a creeper face.
• In the game, creeper faces appear in the following places: chiseled sandstone, lama with a green carpet, turquoise glazed ceramic, banner with a creeper face, spiritual villager.
• Although the creeper has no arms, it can climb ladders like the other monsters.
• Theoretically, it is possible to take a loaded creeper into the end and thus kill the ender dragon. However, as with the spider or the enderman, no head is dropped.
• When asked why creepers explode, Dinnerbone replied, "Isn't that obvious? They just want to hug someone. But everyone runs away or even attacks them. That's too much for them." - "But creepers don't have arms" - "That's exactly why they want to hug someone so much. They see how beautiful it is in other people and they want it too."[3]
• Creepers will not explode if struck by lightning after they have been detonated (before they explode). The resulting loaded Creeper can explode like any other creeper.
• Besides Devastators, Creepers are the only aggressive, four-legged creatures naturally occurring in the overworld.
Gallery [edit]
• A creeper comes dangerously close to the player
• Normal creeper with a crater
• Loaded creeper with a larger crater
• A creeper named "Dinnerbone" is upside down
• Wider, shallower crater of a creeper that exploded almost 1 block above the ground
History [edit]
The flawed model of a pig.
The Creeper was implemented in the Survival Test0.24. It originated from a failed model of a pig in which Notch accidentally switched the length and height.[4] Now it stood upright, but still had the AI of a pig, ran around and looked at the player. Notch thought that was pretty scary (creepy) and kept the thing as a monster. A friend of Notch suggested that the monster explode, and that became the Creeper.
Just like zombies and, in the beginning, skeletons, creepers deal melee damage in Survival Test. The explosive surprise only followed after the player killed her. That way you couldn't prevent a creeper from exploding if you wanted to get him out of the way.
Version history of the Java Edition
Survival Test0.24
Survival Test0.26
• Creeper explosions no longer destroy stones or stone-like blocks, they also leave smoke behind
• Creepers make noise and play an animation before the explosion
Beta 1.5
• Creepers now have more explosive power when struck by lightning
• Added new power armor that creepers get when they are struck by lightning
Beta 1.8(Beta 1.8-pre1)
Full version 1.0(1.0-rc1)
• New explosion animation and new detonation sounds
Full version 1.1(11w50a)
Full version 1.2(12w04a)
• Creepers are now running away from ocelots and have improved AI
Full version 1.3(12w30a)
Full version 1.4(12w41a)
• Creepers can now have a custom blast radius and ignition time
Full version 1.4.4(1.4.3-pre)
• Creepers killed by the arrow of a skeleton can now drop the record "11"
Full version 1.6(13w18a)
• Creepers no longer explode when attacking them in creative mode
Full version 1.7(13w36a)
• The creeper explodes if you light it with a lighter
Full version 1.8
• Creepers now run away from other creepers when they are about to explode
• Creepers now pursue iron golems and try to damage the golem by exploding
Full version 1.9(15w39a)
• Hitbox adjusted (height: from 1.8 to 1.7)
Full version 1.11(16w32a)
• The object ID has been changed from "Creeper" to "creeper"
Full version 1.14(18w43a)
Versions of the Bedrock Edition
Alpha 0.4.0
Full version 1.2.0 (
• The game rule "Loot of creatures" can now be switched in the world settings
Full version 1.2.9
• The game rule "Creature Loot" can now be toggled in the world settings without activating cheats
Version history of the console edition
TU1CU11.00Patch 1
TU5CU11.00Patch 1
• Loaded creeper added
TU12CU11.00Patch 1
• Creepers no longer attack other monsters
TU14CU11.04 Patch 1
• Creepers have a larger explosion radius
TU24CU121.16 Patch 1
• Creepers have a new animation when exploding
TU31CU191.22 Patch 3
• Creepers explode when lit with a lighter
References Edit]
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Processing of Betalains
The existing lifestyle derived the human needs to the enhanced consumption of processed food. The concept of food preservation is very traditional. Since ancient times, drying and preservation by salting are the most popular methods which prevent food from biodegradation caused by bacteria, thus resulting in increased shelf life. The food processing generally extends the storage period of food by applying various preservation techniques. This avoids the biochemical as well as microbiological changes in food. In contemporary practice, processing of food enhances the nutritional value and variety of food incorporating organoleptic effect and nutritional quality. Food obtained from plants is generally processed through thermal methods to increase shelf life, flavor and enhances the scrumptiousness. The overall purpose is to make the food safe and available around the year for human consumption.
1. 1.
Ravichandran, K., Thaw Saw, M., Adel, A. A., Mohdaly, M. M., Anja, K., Heidi, R., et al. (2013). Impact of processing of red beet on betalain content and antioxidant activity. Food Research International, 50, 670–675.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
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Florian, C. S., & Reinhold, C. (2007). Betalains–emerging prospects for food scientists. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 18(10), 514–525.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
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Adefegha, S. A., & Oboh, G. (2009). Cooking enhances the antioxidant properties of some tropical green leafy vegetables. African Journal of Biotechnology, 10(4), 632–639.Google Scholar
4. 4.
Delgado-Vargas, F., Jimenez, A. R., & Paredes-Lopez, O. (2000). Natural pigments: Carotenoids, anthocyanins, and betalains — Characteristics, biosynthesis, processing, and stability. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 40(3), 173–289.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Copyright information
© Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018
Authors and Affiliations
1. 1.Lahore College for Women UniversityLahorePakistan
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Plankton communities' warm response to nutrient availability
29 November, 2020
Investigating plankton communities' reaction to rising water temperatures may improve modeling of marine ecosystem responses to global warming.
Microbial plankton communities will be boosted in productivity and biomass from warmer water temperatures provided sufficient nutrients are also readily available, suggest KAUST researchers.
The response of marine ecosystems to global warming depends on complex factors. The growth rates and activity of plankton communities are largely dictated by nutrient availability (bottom-up control), predation (top-down control) and changes in water temperature.
Warming will probably alter life in cold and temperate waters more dramatically than in the equatorial belt. Nutrients, which are necessary to enhance plankton growth, are generally more abundant in colder waters. If nutrient levels in the oceans drop due to rising temperatures, this will have a knock-on effect on aquatic lifeforms.
“We wanted to investigate the response to warming in three planktonic communities simultaneously—picophytoplankton, heterotrophic bacteria and heterotrophic nanoflagellates,” says Tamara M. Huete-Stauffer, a postdoc in Xosé Anxelu G. Morán's group in KAUST’s Red Sea Research Center. The two KAUST scientists collaborated with scientists in Spain and the United States to complete the work.
xelu “These three communities represent different elements of the food web. Phytoplankton are the primary producers in the ocean, rather like plants in a terrestrial ecosystem. Bacteria process the dissolved organic matter released from phytoplankton and other organisms, while nanoflagellates are the major predators of bacteria and small phytoplankton,” explains Huete-Stauffer.
The team collected samples in temperate waters off the northern coast of Spain every month for a year. They incubated samples at in situ temperature and at 3 degrees Celsius above and below. This allowed them to calculate activation energy values, which indicate how a rate, such as net growth or metabolism, might change in response to a change in temperature.
“Our results showed a beautifully synchronized coherence in the temperature response of all three plankton communities although they play different roles in the ecosystem,” says Morán. “Their synchronized sensitivity to temperature was largely driven by the availability of nutrients: if the organisms are strongly constrained by the availability of food or by their consumers, then future warming will have a very limited effect on enhancing their growth.”
These results form the basis for a general conceptual model of the response of marine ecosystems to global warming. “We have since conducted four similar experiments in the coastal Red Sea, which will serve as a test of the generality of the model in some of the hottest marine waters on Earth,” adds Morán.
KAUST Discovery
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We often hear the acronym SOP and usually associate it with procedures that people should follow to execute a routine operation. Without an SOP, this can create confusion as to what steps people should take to accomplish a certain task. Creating an SOP template can be time- and effort-consuming, but it is important.
Standard Operating Procedure Templates
What is an SOP?
When do you need an SOP template? For instance, you work at a grocery store in the customer service department. One day, a customer comes in and for some reason, wants to return some canned goods. Most groceries usually have in place written rules on how to deal with such a situation.
You can find this set of guidelines and rules in a standard operating procedure template. Basically, SOPs are step-by-step written instructions which describe how a certain routine activity should get executed. Employees must follow these instructions on the SOP example exactly the same way each time. This is important so the company always maintains consistency.
Each department has its own standing operating procedures format to follow. Before learning how to write an SOP, you should know why you need it. The most important reason for having this is to maintain efficiency and safety in the company in terms of:
When creating an SOP example, make sure the contents are easily understood, not a challenge to read, nor should they be vaguely worded. Aside from these, it must be concise, the action steps to follow must be very clear, and it should also inform employees about safety concerns.
SOP Templates
The importance of an SOP template
Despite the advantages of a standard operating procedure template, many business owners are still reluctant in adopting such procedures. The rationale behind this is that, why should they require a written document when the employees have already received training on company procedures?
This is just like saying why should doctors need a written set of procedures before a surgical operation? Why the Food and Drug Administration should have a written set of procedures on how restaurants should handle their food? Wouldn’t we feel safer with such written procedures?
Here are some reasons why you should learn how to write an SOP for your company:
• To save money and time
As mentioned earlier, without an SOP, one task might get accomplished in different ways and often, with varying results. An SOP template streamlines the whole process so that employees can do more tasks while saving time.
• To provide consistency
An SOP ensures that the business processes will get completed the proper way no matter who’s assigned to work on the job.
• To improve communication
With SOPs, there will be no guesswork when working on a certain task. Employees will follow a set of rules and this can make their job easier and more efficient. They don’t have to strain their faculties trying to recall what they should do when faced with certain situations.
• To help employees learn accountability
It would be very difficult to evaluate the performance of your employees when there are no written standards to base on. Without a standing operating procedures format, evaluation can become just a matter of opinion which, of course, isn’t fair to employees at all.
• To create a safe working environment
Without SOPs, it’s inevitable that employees would do the same task in different ways. This makes the system inefficient and can even become a liability to the company. SOPs ensure that the employees would do their jobs in a consistent and safe manner.
Many businesses are still reluctant about using their own SOP example because they believe it will cause their business to become inflexible and rigid. This, of course, is far from the truth. Having a standard operating procedure template for the employees to follow can actually make businesses even more flexible.
Tips for creating your SOP template
When creating your SOP, you can either choose to make one from scratch or you may want to download an SOP template to maximize your creation process. Either way, here are some steps to help optimize the process:
• Choose your standing operating procedures format
You first need to make the decision on how to present your SOP according to the process you plan to describe. You may have to include snapshots if you will work on a step-by-step manual or guide. This makes the SOP easy to understand so employees can implement it.
• Form a team to help you make the SOP template
It’s possible that you may not be the only person in charge of doing the procedures you will describe in your SOP. Therefore, it’s recommended to ask all those responsible to assist you in delineating the process. You may even feel surprised that such people will not only be more than willing to help but can contribute great ideas too.
This results in an SOP that optimizes the procedures, especially when your co-workers will reveal ineffective practices. Engage everyone by asking them difficult questions to help you create a useful and effective SOP template.
• Define your audience
You should have a specific audience in mind when trying to come up with your SOP. Who’s the target audience and what are their roles in your work? Do they have any responsibilities? Are they already aware of any procedures like the one you are about to write? It’s logical to make adjustments to the SOP template to accommodate the needs of those involved.
• Establish the scope
After gathering all the required data for your template, you can now establish the scope. In simpler words, you start mapping the procedures from the beginning to its end. Make sure that you cover all of the important procedures while at the same time, aligning your SOP to existing ones.
• Specify all of the essential elements
This is an essential step because it’s where you basically will create a detailed document. Depending on what industry your company is in, your organization, audience, and the purpose of your SOP, you might want to consider including these elements:
Title page
Table of Contents
Terminology and Definitions
Procedures and Methodology
Quality assurance
• Review the SOP
Perform a review of everything you have written so far. Go through the entire procedure and make sure you have recorded all the important steps.
• Use a format and style that’s easy-to-read and consistent
When you start describing each of the steps in your SOP, it’s important to conform to a consistent format and style that should be similar to the other SOPs in your company and to related documentation. Doing so makes the SOP easier to read, comprehend, and implement.
• Include notation for control documents
Every page of your SOP should have a control document notation which indicates a code that employees can use to reference your reference system database.
• Consider potential opportunities and issues
Using your newly-made SOP, it could be quite a challenge to predict what might happen, when it might happen, and how to handle it. You should discuss this step with all of the people you worked with in making your SOP.
From them, you can learn how to actually carry out the procedure. They can also suggest some solutions to any potential issues. In some instances, there might not even be any issues but rather, opportunities for improved performance.
• Test the SOP then review the document once again
Before applying the SOP to a real work scenario, it’s recommended to first ask employees to implement the SOP. This action will be a test on whether your audience can understand then follow correctly all your SOP guidelines.
SOP Examples
The bottom line…
SOPs are well-written, detailed instructions that tell the reader how to correctly perform a certain business activity. SOPs should be easy to read, easy to understand, and should explain the details of the processes to perform. An SOP deals less on what employees need to do and more with how they should perform certain tasks. This is an effective tool all businesses should have.
There are some things an SOP can do for a business establishment including:
• To give employees a better understanding of how processes work inside their company. This benefit can help them decide on how to make future plans
• To provide assurances that the employees will perform business procedures the proper way
• To give the company the choice to scale its business faster for the simple reason that SOPs can make it much easier for the company to replicate such processes across the entire organization.
With many businesses, it has become common practice to implement SOPs by displaying these written documents in the areas where they are clearly in view of all of the employees. At present, however, businesses can use other tools for this purpose.
There are some apps which offer an excellent way to come up with an interactive information database instead of an old-fashioned document. You can further your knowledge on these new business apps by going online and learning how many companies have successfully, used such apps for their businesses.
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West Oak Lane elementary school among 15 receiving science-class grants
To create a proper science experiment, classrooms need tools like beakers, magnets and microscopes. This week, 15 city schools were awarded “Dow Innovation Grants” that will enable them to bring those science experiments to life.
Provided by the Dow Chemical Company, the mini-grants are awarded to fund hands-on interactive experiments in robotics, physics, engineering and other areas. The estimated $1,000 each school received will go toward scientific tools and materials.
The four schools in Northwest Philadelphia which received them are John L. Kinsey Elementary, Hope Charter High School, Germantown High School and Walter Biddle Saul High School.
Making science “real”
The first check was presented on Wednesday to science teacher Mary Cullen at Kinsey Elementary in West Oak Lane.
The $850.50 grant matched the precise amount she calculated for an experiment which tests the effects of ultraviolet rays. Cullen said her experiment will examine sunscreen, sunglasses and fabrics that claim to protect from UV rays.
“There’s no money to supplement the basic curriculum,” said Cullen, who applied for the grant through the Philadelphia Math and Science Coalition of the Philadelphia Education Fund. “The grant is an opportunity to make science real. We’ll be able to perform a hands-on experiment about light. We’ll be asking what is UV light and is it harmful?”
At the event, two experiments were performed by Dow scientists. Students learned how to create a bubbling volcano by using baking soda, vinegar and liquid hand soap. They also tested and measured a baseball bat to learn the science behind a home run.
“We show them how science is used every day,” said Dr. Alfred Schultz, scientist at Dow. “These kids can be future scientists.”
Science careers
The scientists talked to the class about careers in the science field. Students were encouraged by Carl J. Coker, remediation leader for Dow, to consider fields in engineering and to attend science fairs.
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” said Coker.
Grant-winning schools will participate in science experiments such as robot construction, examining living ecosystems, classifying organisms and creating compost systems.
“Science is about being creative and inventing something,” said Dr. Melissa Merlau Johnson, scientist at Dow. “You can influence what happens in day-to-day life.”
Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal
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What is Capital Gains Tax?
Capital gains tax, as its name suggests, is a tax on any capital gains an individual or company makes on “non-inventory assets.”
What is a capital gain? Typically, it refers to profits made on stocks, property, bonds, and precious metals, although there are many other things that could be subject to capital gains tax. If an individual or company has an asset that creates a liability for capital gains tax, they will usually work with an accountant to help them manage their tax affairs.
Capital Gains Tax in the United Kingdom
Not every country (or states within countries, such as in the United States) charges capital gains tax. In the United Kingdom, the rate of capital gains tax is 18% for those paying the basic tax rate. This was a flat rate until June 2010, when it was raised to 28% for those paying above the basic tax rate as part of the post-election emergency budget. Interestingly, the Labour Party had pledged to raise this to 40% had they been re-elected.
Capital gains tax liabilities are declared when individuals complete their self-assessment tax return.
Capital Gains Tax Allowances
As with other taxes, income tax and corporation tax being the two most people will be familiar with, each individual or company has a capital gains tax allowance. This is the amount of profit, or capital gains, one can make before being liable for tax. This limit will be £11,100 for the tax year starting April 6th, 2014, an increase of £100 on the previous year.
Capital Gains Tax Exceptions
There are a number of capital gains tax exceptions and exemptions in place in the UK. Principal private homes and cash held in ISAs are the most common examples. There is also a system in place called “Entrepreneur’s Relief,” so that entrepreneurs only pay 10% capital gains tax. To benefit from Entrepreneur’s Relief, an individual has to hold over 5% of the shares of a company, and been involved with the business for at least one year.
Capital Gains Tax Elsewhere
Capital gains tax is often used to great individual benefit in other countries, such as the United States, where this rate is lower than the income tax rate. This situation means individuals who have invested in assets are in a great position to increase their income. However, it also means those who don’t have assets can find themselves locked in a tough to get out of system of relatively high tax, therefore little opportunity to save and invest. This can lead to an increasing wealth gap.
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Certified Medical Magazine by WMA, ACSA, HON
What are GnRH agonists?
What are GnRH agonists?
GnRH agonists are drugs with a longer half-life than the antagonists and great affinity for the GnRH receptor in the pituitary gland. These drugs are used in fertility treatments to prevent the release of FSH and LH hormones.
An example of a GnRH agonist drug is Synarel. Its objective is to suppress spontaneous ovulation during ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF).
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Sunday, August 14, 2016
From The Front Lines to the Hospital
Manassas National Battlefield Park
For the wounded near the front, their first recourse for care lay at the numerous aid stations scattered across the battlefield. Farmhouses, barns, and outbuildings provided places for the wounded to be gathered until they could be sent to the main hospital in the rear.
"The whole region of country between Boonsboro and Sharpsburg is one vast Hospital. Houses and Barns are filled with them, and nearly the whole population is engaged in waiting on and ministering to their wants."
Hagerstown Herald-Mail September 24th, 1862
The Stone House, a private home and tavern at the intersection of two major roads, became prominent as an aid station during not just one, but two major battles. During the First Battle of Manassas, Union battle lines swept past the house, leaving the dwelling to shelter wounded men brought inside amid the fighting. During Second Manassas, since the house lay more firmly in Union hands, Federal personnel were better able to give aid to the wounded, creating a more established field hospital. To mark the building's new purpose, Northern surgeons hung a red flag from a second floor window.
Despite the distinctive identifying flag, the Stone House did not escape hostile fire unscathed, underscoring the risks that wounded troops faced at forward aid stations. As Confederate forces mounted a massive counterattack on August 30th, a wounded Union soldier was attempting to reach the house for aid when an artillery shell hit the building, "knocking a hole that looked as big as a bushel basket" in the house's western face. The private continued rearward, determined to find a safer shelter. Scenes like this were common in the fear and confusion of a battle. Throughout the Maryland Campaign, many homes, stores, churches, schools, and barns served as aid stations.
Hospitals and Homes
After the Maryland Campaign, Frederick was inundated with wounded soldiers, whose sheer numbers overwhelmed the capacity of the existing hospital on the Hessian Barracks grounds. Additional buildings were taken over for hospital purposes and organized into seven General Hospitals, under the care of seven separate sets of surgeons. A total of 27 buildings were used, mainly churches, schools, hotels and large meeting halls. In addition, two hospital camps were set up in tents on the outskirts of the city and many private homes housed wounded officers.
Many local citizens helped tend to the wounded soldiers on the battlefield, some arriving as early as the evening of the Battle of Antietam. They gave freely of their time, food, money, and compassion. The scale of the relief effort cannot be overstated. One pregnant woman in town had torn the family's clothing and bedding into strips for bandages, packed water and goose grease into containers, and headed out to assist the wounded with her young children in tow. When families returned home and found their houses and barns taken over for hospitals, they often helped care for the injured soldiers. Local women also volunteered at large field hospitals. They brought food and delicacies, bandaged wounds, helped write and deliver letters, and read to the soldiers to help lift their spirits.
All of the hospitals, with the exception of General Hospital #1 on the Hessian Barracks grounds, were closed by March of 1863 and the buildings returned to their former uses. However, it took much longer for the soldiers and civilians who witnessed such carnage, pain, and death to recover from the psychological wounds of war.
Image: Stone House: Manassas, Virginia
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On the Shoulders
A year after black people were freed from slavery, the Ku Klux Klan rose like ghosts from the ash of the Civil War. From America’s smoldering subconscious, relentless and inflammatory racist campaigns sparked through every media channel.
The goal: Scar. Singe. And incinerate African-American identity.
The method: Brand our people as terrorists of Southern purity and assassinate our character, leaving it charred, chopped and hung to dry.
The result was just as brutal – giving rise to the advent of Jim Crow propaganda, such as “The Birth of a Nation,” which cauterized hope of racial equality and seared confirmation of superiority.
Then rose an opposition.
Investigative journalist Ida B. Wells penned “The Red Record,” a detailed account of horrific racial violence in the South.
Thought leaders like W.E.B. Du Bois challenged the status quo of white superiority with writings that helped lay the foundation for African-American intellectualism and social justice.
Filmmaker Oscar Micheaux, and a crew of other creatives joined together to tackle the most critical project for a newly-freed people:
• How do we respond to the complex conundrum of branding a race?
• How do we give people a vision of who they will be and how they will
• How do we educate each other, and who do we employ?
• How do we command art and culture to answer the labored question
of the negro problem?
• How do we use public relations to draw light to the atrocities that occur in plain sight?
And so, here we are today. Given our current social and political climate, African-American/black visual communicators must ask themselves those same questions and respond with relevant answers.
Where do we start? We start Here.
More Articles in this Issue
• The Shoulders of Giants
african american graphic designers design challenge
Design Challenge
Using contemporary tools, reimagine one stereotypical image.
• The Shoulders of Giants
On the Shoulders
Yo! So the next time you ask yourself where is the Black Design Aesthetic goin?’
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The Science
Genetic Prediction of Disease Outcomes
Diseases like cancer, Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) impose an unparalleled burden on global health and on the medical care budget. CVD is a major global cause of death and disability.
Current practice: Existing preventive treatments for CVD use a ‘one size fits all’ approach. These are not completely effective, reducing risk by only 30% to 60%. Large groups of people not needing interventions are treated, at great cost, and a significant proportion of people at high risk go unidentified. Currently, identification of risk is based on various clinical factors that indicate processes leading to CVD are already underway. A more targeted approach is needed and, ideally, a diagnostic test could be administered before the onset of symptoms. A suitable genetic test could diagnose risk years, even decades, earlier.
Our innovation: Advanced Genetic Tests has developed a genetic test that can define a group of people at high risk of heart attack or stroke. The current ‘standard clinical test’ for predicting heart disease risk is the Framingham Risk Score (FRS). As you can see in the comparison below, our test provides more accuracy than the FRS.
In the example below, blue lines indicate results of the groups of people considered as having low risk; red lines represent results of people considered as having high risk:
Increased risk for people with diabetes: People with Type 2 diabetes are particularly at risk of CVD. Our genetic test found that 50% of the high-risk group had a CVD event before they turned 70; eventually 95% did so. Given the increasing prevalence of T2D and the consequent burden on the health system, it is critical to identify and treat these people earlier.
Measuring success: One of the most clinically useful approaches to evaluate new tests is net reclassification improvement (NRI), which measures a new test’s ability to re-assign individuals to lower or higher risk categories correctly. Coronary artery calcium is the strongest bio-marker with an NRI of 19% for CHD. Our test, applied to hypertensive subjects, had an NRI of 18% for CVD and 37% for CHD.
Surviving the deadly skin cancer melanoma: AGT can also deliver tests to predict survival after diagnosis of cancers, such as melanoma, and these tests are more accurate than the “gold standard” clinical tests such as the Breslow Risk Score.
AGT can also develop tests for any disease with a genetic basis.
These examples are shown to illustrate the power of our technology. We will provide these tests as soon as we have obtained clearance from the relevant government authorities.
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Directions: All question should be original work. All Sources must be correctly cited. All question must be answer entirely with the last paragraph giving your personal opinion. All question must be answer in 3-4 paragraphs in length. The last paragraph must express personal opinion. Each question should be save in its own word document. Times New Roman, 12pt, double space.
6.1 “Critical Legal Thinking Cases 6.1 Search and Seizure Bernardo Garcia had served time in jail for methamphetamine (meth) offenses. Upon release from prison, a person reported to the police that Garcia had brought meth to her and used it with her. Another person told police that Garcia bragged that he could manufacture meth in front of a police station without being caught. A store’s security video system recorded Garcia buying ingredients used in making meth. From someone else, the police learned that Garcia was driving a Ford Tempo. The police found the car parked on the street near where Garcia was staying. The police placed a GPS (global positioning system) tracking device underneath the rear bumper of the car so the device could receive and store satellite signals that indicate the device’s location. Using the device, the police learned that Garcia had been visiting a large tract of land. With permission of the owner of the land, the police conducted a search and discovered equipment and materials to manufacture meth. While the police were there, Garcia arrived in his car. The police had not obtained a search warrant authorizing them to place the GPS tracker on Garcia’s car. The government brought criminal charges against Garcia. At Garcia’s criminal trial in U.S. District Court, the evidence the police obtained using the GPS system was introduced. Based on this evidence, Garcia was found guilty of crimes related to the manufacture of meth. Garcia appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals, arguing that the use of the GPS tracking system by the police was an unreasonable search, in violation of the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution. Does the police officers’ use of the GPS system without first obtaining a search warrant constitute an unreasonable search in violation of the Fourth Amendment? United States of America v. Garcia, Web 2007 U.S. App. Lexis 2272 (United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit)”
“6.5 Privilege Against Self-Incrimination John Doe was the owner of several sole proprietorship businesses. During the course of an investigation of corruption in awarding county and municipal contracts, a federal grand jury served several subpoenas on John Doe, demanding the production of certain business records. The subpoenas demanded the production of the following records: (1) general ledgers and journals, (2) invoices, (3) bank statements and canceled checks, (4) financial statements, (5) telephone company records, (6) safe deposit box records, and (7) copies of tax returns. John Doe filed a motion in federal court, seeking to quash the subpoenas, alleging that producing these business records would violate his Fifth Amendment privilege of not testifying against himself. Must John Doe disclose the records? United States v. John Doe, 465 U.S. 605, 104 S.Ct. 1237, 79 L Ed.2d 552, Web 1984 U.S. Lexis 169 (Supreme Court of the United States)”
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St. Thomas and the scientific method
It seems that St. Thomas Aquinas understood the basic idea of modern science:
“Reason is employed in another way, not as furnishing a sufficient proof of a principle, but as confirming an already established principle, by showing the congruity of its results, as in astrology the theory of eccentrics and epicycles is considered as established because thereby the sensible appearances of the heavenly movements can be explained; not, however, as if this reason were sufficient, since some other theory might explain them.”
Summa Theologica, I.I., Q. 32, Art. 1.
Thus St. Thomas understood that science is not about proving things, but about showing the congruence of a theory with observed phenomena, while being open to the possibility that another theory might explain them as well or better.
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market equilibrium
Consider the following event: Due to severe damage, a gas pipeline supplying gas to Arizona was shut down for a few weeks in the summer of 2003. Gas became scarce in Arizona, and prices rose, causing consumers to panic.
Predict how the following event affected the market equilibrium.
© BrainMass Inc. brainmass.com March 4, 2021, 8:00 pm ad1c9bdddf
Solution Preview
Since gas is considered a necessity especially when most cars in the United States now are not fuel efficient - most people are seen driving SUV's and trucks which consume huge amounts of gas. Being a necessity, the demand for gas is inelastic as there are very few substitutes. It is true that there are hybrid cars, but these are very expensive to buy; also not all consumers would have the financial ability to purchase new cars to make up for the increase in the price of gas. The supply of gas, in this situation would also be inelastic since "Supply is said to be inelastic if the quantity supplied responds only slightly to changes in the price." This contradicts the law of supply which states that
"Higher prices raise the quantity supplied."
The reason behind this conflict is that under normal circumstances, suppliers have control as to what quantities to supply and at which prices, but under such circumstances when the reason for the decrease in supply is beyond the control of suppliers, supply becomes more and more elastic with quantity ...
Solution Summary
Factors affecting market equilibrium are assessed.
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Is being a coal miner hard?
Working as a coal miner is a difficult and dangerous job. While safety standards continue to improve year on year, there were more than 400 fatalities between 2008 and 2018, according to Mining Technology magazine.
What is the average lifespan of a coal miner?
Is coal mining hard work?
Coal mining is dark, dirty, and dangerous work. … As Curtis Burton, who spent the last 17 years working in or for coal mines in Pennsylvania, told Business Insider, coal mining is a hard job, but it’s also entirely unique.
How much does a coal miner make an hour?
IT IS INTERESTING: How many employees does Coal India have?
What was life like in the coal mines?
Some mines were very hot and wet, or hot and dusty. Dust was formed as stone and coal were worked by pick. Poor ventilation meant that the dust stayed in the air underground. In some mines, it was so hot that workers wore little or no clothing whilst they worked.
How much money do Miners make a year?
Underground miners earn more than $150,000 per year, much higher than that earned by surface miners whose annual salary ranges between $50,000 and $85,000.
How do coal miners die?
Do Miners make good money?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average miner in the U.S. earns an hourly wage of $27.62, over the course of a 43.6 hour work week, as of 2012. This amounts to an annual salary of $62,620. However, wages vary based on location and specific job duties.
How many hours do coal miners work a day?
The miners usually work long shifts of 10 to 14 consecutive days, with some days off between shifts. The remote location of the mining operations requires some miners to remain in the mining camp for months before going back home. A typical 12-hour shift might also be hard to stand especially underground.
How many hours do miners work a day?
Today, miners often work four, five or even seven 12-hour days, followed by four or five days off, followed by four or five 12-hour nights.
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Do coal miners still get black lung?
Do coal miners get paid well?
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How many coal miners die each year?
MSHA Reports 27 Miners Died in 2018
The leading cause of miner fatalities during 2018 was powered haulage, which accounted for 13 deaths. The Mine Safety and Health Administration reported Jan. 9 that a total of 27 mining fatalities occurred in 2018, calling this the second-lowest number ever recorded for a year.
How deep do coal miners go?
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Drink More Water! The Simple Solution to Improving Your Everyday Quality of Life
It’s impossible to read about healthy lifestyles without hearing the exhortation to drink more water. We’re made up of at least 60 percent water: in a 155-pound person, that’s 11 gallons or 92 pounds. Water fuels a number of our biological processes, from producing sweat to fueling our organs. Water helps us process waste, circulate oxygen and even makes it possible to cry—but the benefits don’t end there.
Are you getting enough water?
How much water should you drink? According to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, “an adequate daily fluid intake is: about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men, [and] about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women.” This doesn’t count the water you get from eating foods, which makes up about 20 percent of a person’s daily fluid intake.
That’s just a general rule of thumb, however. You might need more or less water depending on your environment, exercise level, whether you’re pregnant or breastfeeding and your overall health. For example, if you’re suffering through a bout of food poisoning, you’ll need more water to replace the fluids you’ve lost. Other fluids, like coffee, tea, soda and sports drinks count toward your fluid intake, but beware of excessive sugar and caffeine. They can be dehydrating.
You’ll know if you’re drinking enough water when you rarely feel thirsty, and your urine is near-colorless. While there’s very little risk of drinking too much water, you might want to talk to a doctor about how much fluid intake is right for you.
Drink water and reap these rewards
What happens when you finally reach the pinnacle of water consumption? Like most health goals, the sky doesn’t open up to rain confetti down upon you, and there’s no Pinnacle of Adulthood trophy. But you will win the following prizes:
• Better skin elasticity. If you’re not quite ready to look your age, let alone act like it, drinking lots of water is key. It helps improve your skin’s elasticity so that you can reduce those wrinkles and look younger, longer.
• Good brain health. Some experts think that water will keep your brain functioning properly—when you’re dehydrated, they believe it reduces oxygen flow to your brain and may even shrink your neurons.
• Better breath. Got bad breath? If you drink enough water, your lips, mouth and throat will stay moist, which keeps your breath smelling fresh. Dry mouth creates bad tastes and can even encourage cavity formation.
• Flushes your kidneys and urinary tract. Your kidneys use water to filter out toxins and send it out through your urinary tract. If you become dehydrated, you’re subject to kidney stones and urinary tract infections. Drinking water is the key to keeping everything flowing—pun intended.
• Better heart function. When you’re dehydrated, your blood volume is reduced. That means that your heart has to work extra hard to pump blood and ensure your cells receive enough oxygen. In turn, it’s harder to exert yourself—even simple things like walking up the stairs.
• Stay cooler during exercise. One of the ways your body releases excess heat is by allowing blood vessels near the surface of your skin to expand. This allows the heat to dissipate in the air and increases blood flow. If you’re dehydrated, your blood vessels won’t be able to expand properly.
• Increase your metabolism and lose weight faster. It’s true: drinking more water can help you shed those stubborn last few pounds, or kickstart your weight loss program. Don’t worry if you retain water in the first few days: by day three or four your body should get used to the fluid intake and balance out. It’ll also ensure that you don’t feel as hungry between meals.
• Boosts your immune system. The more water you drink, the easier your body is able to flush out toxins through your kidneys and sweat glands. That means that your immune system can focus on getting rid of bacteria and viruses before they make you sick.
• Good joint function. Finally, drinking enough water will help lubricate your joints—so if you’re starting to feel like Father Time when you hit the treadmill, increase your water intake for some instant youth.
As you can see, drinking plenty of water has plenty of benefits. There is, of course, one downside to increased fluid intake—you’ll always need to know exactly where to find the closest bathroom.
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This video is a great introduction on how 3D printers work, but it is just a quick video with no additional resources or activities. To explain the extrusion process of the printer the video relates it to a layered cake to help students gain a visual of the concept and presents other materials that scientist have used in a 3D printer. For a hands-on exploration to get a similar idea of the print process; if students have Lego at home students can try to build a model by layering the bricks from the bottom up similar to a 3D printer.
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Learning Objectives
• Discuss the complex process of speech perception and speech production with regard to the speech stimulus.
• Sketch the mechanisms our speech perception system uses to extract coherent speech from the speech signal.
• Contrast the different types of theories of speech perception, noting their similarities and differences.
• Diagram the areas of the brain involved in speech perception and what happens when they are damaged.
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Health Officials Trace Travels Of First Ebola Patient In U.S.
The discovery of a man with Ebola who'd recently flown to the United States brings with it a reminder - airlines are, among other things, a line of defense against spreading disease. Health officials are tracing this man's travels. He was infected in Liberia but did not develop symptoms until about four days after arriving in Dallas. So it does not appear airlines could've done anything about this, but his case raises questions about how prepared U.S. airports and airlines are. NPR's David Schaper has some answers.
DAVID SCHAPER, BYLINE: The man infected with Ebola began a long two-day journey to the U.S. on September 19. He flew on three planes and went through four airports, including Monrovia, Brussels, Dulles outside of Washington, D.C. and Dallas/Fort Worth. United Airlines says it believes he was a passenger on two of its planes, but officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say other passengers on those flights were never at risk. Doctor Thomas Frieden is the director of the CDC.
THOMAS FRIEDEN: Ebola doesn't spread before someone gets sick. And he didn't get sick 'till four days after he got off the airplane. So we do not believe there is any risk to anyone who was on the flight at that time.
SCHAPER: But how exactly do health officials know the man wasn't sick before he boarded that flight in Monrovia? Frieden explains.
FRIEDEN: One of the things that CDC has done in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Lagos is to work with the airport's authorities. So 100 percent of the individuals getting on planes are screened for fever before they get on the plane. And if they have a fever, they're pulled out of the line, assessed for Ebola and don't fly unless Ebola is ruled out.
SCHAPER: Airport personnel in those West African nations are trained by the CDC and the World Health Organization to look for signs of illness in travelers and question them about their health and whether they've been exposed to Ebola. And CDC spokeswoman Christine Pearson says they're also taking temperatures.
CHRISTINE PEARSON: They do have what we call non-contact thermometers, which are infrared thermometers that they can read the person's temperature with their forehead.
SCHAPER: Some question how thorough those airport personnel in West Africa really are at screening travelers. But if a sick passenger were to slip through, airlines already have the legal right to deny boarding to anyone with a serious communicable disease. If a passenger should become sick during flight, flight attendants and other airline-personnel have the training to deal with that, too. Perry Flint is a spokesman for the International Air Transport Association.
PERRY FLINT: Airlines have well-established procedures, guidance materials developed with the World Health Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization for maintenance crew, for cabin crew, for cleaning crew in terms of dealing with an outbreak.
SCHAPER: And Flint notes that airlines worldwide have quite an bit of experience at handling such public health concerns.
FLINT: If we go back a few years, we had SARS, we had the Avian flu. There is also right now the MERS going around. So this is not something that's new for airlines, although Ebola itself obviously is fairly new to be dealing with.
SCHAPER: Once international travelers land in the U.S., Customs and Border Protection officers, who have also received special Ebola training, are the next line of defense.
JENNIFER EVANITSKY: CBP personnel review all travelers entering the United States for general overt signs of illnesses. It's through a visual observation at all U.S. ports of entry, including all U.S. airports that service international flights.
SCHAPER: That's CBP spokeswoman Jennifer Evanitsky, who also says travelers who have been in West Africa are handed fact sheets about Ebola symptoms and what to do if they later become ill. David Schaper, NPR News. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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Samuel Adams (beer) facts for kids
Kids Encyclopedia Facts
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A logo of the Boston Beer Company.
Samuel Adams is an American brand of beer. It is brewed by the Boston Beer Company (NYSESAM) and its associated contract brewers. The company was founded in 1984 by Jim Koch, Harry M. Rubin, and Lorenzo Lamadrid in Boston, Massachusetts. The brand name of Samuel Adams (often abbreviated to Sam Adams, even in advertisements), was chosen in honor of Samuel Adams, an American patriot. Samuel Adams was famous for his role in the American Revolution and the Boston Tea Party. According to tradition, he was also a maltster. However, James Koch, founder of the Boston Beer Company, reports having seen a receipt for hops signed by Samuel Adams. This seems to indicate the patriot Adams may have done some brewing. Based on sales in 2011, the Boston Beer Company is tied with Yuengling for the largest American-owned beer-maker.
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Samuel Adams (beer) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.
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How sad it must be to be denied marriage to someone you love, 1902/2012.
THE yellow-skinned races (Mongolian), include the Chinese and Japanese, and not other lahui. The Hawaiian Race is of the Malae race (the brown-skinned), and if the Hawaiians are Malae, then they are not yellow-skinned, or Chinese. And yet, under the law of the state o Utah, haole are not allowed to marry Chinese (yellow-skins), and it is believed that Hawaiians (Malae) are included amongst the Chinese. This is perhaps a mistake, and that state of the United States needs to be educated of the nation in which you live as a Territory. And if they are mistaken about you, O Hawaii, this error is incredibly long standing. This is the first state to which Hawaiians were brought by the Mormon Faith to live, and they are still there to this day; but because of this continued misunderstanding, it is as if they do not know the nature of Hawaiians. The Kiai questions and asks, “Where in Utah are Hawaiians being taken? If we are not mistaken, and according to what is reported, they are perhaps in the desert, where they are hidden away.” Reveal yourself to be an American today!
(Kiai, 9/11/1902, p. 1)
O NA Lahui ili-melemele...
Ke Kiai, Buke 1, Helu 3, Aoao 1. Sepatemaba 11, 1902.
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Covid lays bare the brittleness of a concentrated and consolidated food system
It has only taken 6 weeks for the Covid-19 pandemic to brutally expose the flaws of our modern food system—flaws documented by scholars for decades.Footnote 1 Produce destroyed in fields because restaurants and food services are closed. Covid-19 hotspots emerging in meatpacking communities forcing closure of up to 20% of pork packing in the U.S.Footnote 2 Farmers in alternative agrifood markets pivoting to online ordering and reorienting their supply away from restaurants and to retail or delivery. Low paid grocery store clerks and meat packing workers deemed essential but provided little protective gear or means of social distancing.Footnote 3 Farmers facing euthanizing animals for lack of slaughter space.Footnote 4 Food service workers losing jobs overnight fed through pop-up charity dinners. Farmworkers unable to cross closed borders in Europe or North America. Economic disaster forming long lines at emergency food distributions and potentially doubling the number of very hungry people globally to 265 million.Footnote 5
What is unique about Covid-19 is the food system is cracking in multiple sectors and multiple locations at once. Worker treatment, farmer viability, animal welfare and ecological sustainability were all pressing concerns prior to this moment. The pandemic glaringly illuminates that just-in-time food supply chains lack the resilience to effectively respond to such a severe, multi-dimensional shock. This system has shown little capacity to fend off disruption, difficulty in stretching to accommodate change, and little redundancy or overlapping systems that provide fail-safe mechanisms. It has highlighted the lack of diversity in scale, form and organization across the system. Our only hope is that the precarity of the system, its potential losing of its core identity as a for-profit food system based on efficiency, specialization, standardization and centralization, will allow transition to a decentralized, diverse, and interconnected food system that can feed all of us now and in the future (Hendrickson 2015).
To build a resilient food system, we have to shine a light on the concentrated power of a handful of global firms—household names like Tyson, Bayer or Nestle, and less visible power players like the grain-trader Cargill (operating in 70 countries) or ChemChina (a giant in seeds and agrochemicals) or JBS (the largest meatpacker in the world) (ETC Group 2019). In a for-profit system, the boards and management of these companies have more power to decide what, where and how food is produced, who is doing the work, and even who gets to eat it than do farmers, workers, eaters or communities. In this for-profit system, food is simultaneously made cheap through the exploitation of nature, farmers and workers while being too expensive for poor households around the world. Covid-19 exposes the faults of concentrated power in food systems in coping with other slower-moving ecological disasters like soil degradation, decline in water quality and quantity and weather calamities due to climate change (Hendrickson et al. 2019).
The way forward is to reprioritize the main goal of any food system—to provide healthy, nutritious food for all people, now and in the future, in the face of a changing climate and declining natural resources. To do that we must pursue worker rights, animal welfare, farmer viability and ecological sustainability simultaneously because they are all tied together. We gain flexibility and adaptability in a decentralized system of production and consumption, with power distributed from the bottom up. We need a diversity of public, private and cooperative food and farm businesses, both small and large, that are transparently interconnected through multiple networks, to build redundancy and provide fallbacks when some organizations or networks fail.
No one approach at any given scale will prove effective. Instead we have to create a resilient food system through a combination of actions, strategies and policies at multiple levels that are ecological, democratic, and equitable within and across populations, generations and species.
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Two issues of the Journal of Environmental Studies and Science were devoted to food system resilience and can be accessed here:
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1. ETC Group. 2019. Plate Tech Tonics: Mapping Corporate Power in Big Food. Accessed at:
2. Hendrickson, Mary K. 2015. Resilience in a concentrated and consolidated food system. Journal of Environmental Studies and Science 5: 418–431.
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3. Hendrickson, Mary K., Phillip H. Howard, and Douglas H. Constance. 2019. Power, Food and Agriculture: Implications for Farmers, Consumers and Communities. In Defense of Farmers: The Future of Agriculture in the Shadow of Corporate Power, ed. J.W. Gibson and S.E. Alexander, 13–61. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press.
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Correspondence to Mary K. Hendrickson.
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This article is part of the Topical Collection: Agriculture, Food & Covid-19.
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Hendrickson, M.K. Covid lays bare the brittleness of a concentrated and consolidated food system. Agric Hum Values 37, 579–580 (2020).
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Part of the American dream, at least as it applies to young people, generally involves four years at a respectable institution followed by a “real"’ job, preferably in the same field one studies in college. In her article “The Case Against College" the author, Linda Lee, offers some rather staggering statistics about just how ingrained this ideal is in American culture. She notes that “two-thirds of high school graduates go on to college. In some middle-class suburbs, that number reaches 90 percent" (Lee, 2001).
With such high statistics that are met with rather abysmal college graduation rates (Lee notes that around 26 percent actually finish with over a bachelor’s degree) one has to wonder if the asserted need for everyone to attain some degree of higher education is a myth and if so, what forces are at work that continue to perpetuate such a myth. To this end, it is worth noting that Lee fails to touch on the fact that American colleges, even those that are state institutions, are businesses. From what Lee cites as being a post-high school experience so many students are expected to partake in, surely business has been booming. In fact, there is a large subset of the American economy that relies exclusively on the notion that everyone needs to attend college and with the recognition of this lack of need, these businesses would sink into the ground.
Lee notes in her article that not everyone is suited for college and not everyone has ambitions that aligned with what a college (especially a full four-year institution) offers. As she suggests, “Some want to start businesses. Others want to be electricians or wilderness guides or makeup artists. Not everyone needs a higher education" (Lee, 2001). This concept of specialization is overlooked in traditional thinking about college where it asserted that you go to learn how to think and furthermore, to be a whole, better-rounded person.
One of the reasons this never gets discussed is that for many of these vocations, there is training involved, but it is minimal and more based in the real world through experience rather than years of one’s life living away from home. Trades such as the ones Lee mentions are vital but they simply do not make anyone any money. Skilled trades that take years of apprenticeship or very short learning courses might make some schools money, but they do not contribute to the larger economy that is propelled forward by the false notion of the necessity of college. Small trade schools or vocational schools might see short-term profit but generally the “stay" required for these courses is not long enough to require students to take out massive amounts of student loans, to purchase housing outside of their parent’s house, or to buy hundreds of dollars of books every semester. While it is worth suggesting that these are less “glamorous" jobs because they might not pay as well as an engineering job, there is a certain amount of cultural bias and one has to wonder what this has to do with simple economics.
Many aspects of the American economy rely exclusively on the healthy perpetuated notion that college, especially at a four-year institution is essential to success, not to mention a healthy pre-adult experience. For instance, at the macro-level, the college loan industry is part of the backbone of the credit system, which despite its problems, has proven more stable than other markets, such as housing, for instance. Student loans accrue rapidly and are sustained over the course of four or more years and with interest rates, generally mean that students will be paying for most of their adult lives at amounts that far exceed the initial loan amount. Additionally at the large level, colleges themselves make money with more alumni who graduate and allow them to use funding to build bigger and better universities and pay their professors and other staff well. This leads to all of the secondary jobs that rely on the presence of four-year institutions packed to the gills with students; janitors, cooks, general staff—all of the personnel required depend on constant streams of well-funded students to survive. When one factors in the book industry, that sells textbooks at what amounts to 80% markups on comparable books on similar topics, there is yet another industry. This discussion has not even included, for the sake of brevity, the hundreds of local and small business that support a consumer base of fresh college students coming in yearly.
There are some undisputed points that are both cited by Lee in her article and that are widely accepted as truth. For instance, most people know that the highest paying jobs in a general salary-based sense (and without concern for exceptions to the rule such as the author’s hair colorist who makes $300,000 per year) require a college education. Physicians, surgeons, psychiatrists, architects—all of these professions require great talent, skill, and necessitate the kind of formal educational background provided at college institutions. There are some people who are simply more academically-minded and who thrive in challenging fields that often come with higher pay and the need for higher education. However, there are also many majors that require a four-year degree but that do not pay off in the end. As the author notes, plumbers make more than philosophy majors and this is an example across sectors between college-educated and skilled or unskilled labor positions. The problem is, this paradigm that exists in our country has convinced young people (and the parents who so often foot the high bill) that they will not be able to succeed without being college educated—even if they end up being less. This false notion of the vital nature of a college education is propelled forward by colleges themselves, loan and credit card companies, booksellers, housing providers, and all of the other businesses that thrive off of offering products and services to college students. This is present in the local sense (a college town landowner who owns several properties wants to keep his units filled and the 15 pizza delivery operations all rely on the fresh and constant supply of too-many students as well). In short, college is for our economy what feed is to pigs; it provides vital sustenance and a fresh “crop" of students arrives each year.
When Linda Lee talks about her experiences with her son, who went on what she called a “$1000 per week pleasure cruise" and was a victim of the false notion that college is for everyone, she speaks to many parents who feel that their children have talents that might lie elsewhere. With rising costs of colleges and the still-plentiful supply of state and private funding in the form of high-interest loans, her voice is likely to be drowned out by the din of others who rely so much on this assumption.
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Describe the ending of the story . What conclusion do you come up with ? Please I need an answer as soon as possible for my quiz on sunday !!
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This is a very vague question... I'm not sure what kind of conclusion you are asking about...
The story ends with Napoleon in the farm house with a bunch of people. He has been drinking with them. He has been very friendly and has told them that the farm's name is back to being Manor Farm. Finally, at the end of the book, he and Pilkington are arguing because they are both trying to cheat at cards. The narrator says you can't tell which is an animal and which is human.
To me, that's the conclusion -- it is that Napoleon has become just like the people. He has forgotten the whole idea of Animalism and is no better than a person.
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What is Mosaic? - Mosaic Mad
The simplest definition of Mosaic is "a picture or other design constructed from smaller pieces" regardless of materials... It is the subject and style of the design, the choice of materials and the techniques or skill in creating and placing the pieces that contribute to the value of the mosaic whether it be personal, artistic or practical.
Mosaics are more than just a "paint-by-numbers" exercise or a home-made jigsaw puzzle. The laying down of tiles is painstaking and does call for a special talent but that being said, it is great fun to start with smaller, cheaper projects and let your imagination run riot!
Roman Soldier mosaicMosaic as an art form involves fitting small pieces of rock, shell, tile, or glass (called tesserae) are used to create a pattern or picture - whether it be abstract or true to life. There are certain techniques in designing a mosaic that will affect the overall appearance. (See our Mosaic Design page)
Some of the finest examples of mosaic can be found in ancient art from the Greco-Roman world, and in Byzantine churches.
Mosaic mirror gazing ball (garden ornament)Making mosaic on your own can be fun, since there are so many possible materials to work with. At a minimum, you will simply need a surface to mosaic and materials to cover it in. Tile factories and pottery studios are a great source of broken clay and glass to use, and you can also purchase mosaic tiles which are specifically designed for this purpose. A strong adhesive is needed to fix the tesserae to their backing, and you will also need grout to finish the piece, along with sealer if it is intended for outside or moist conditions. Tools like tile snippers or cutters are also very handy, and remember to wear face protection when breaking pottery or cutting glass.
(See our Mosaic Materials page for a more detailed look at the materials used to make mosaics)
A special feature is that the pieces are normally solid and durable where the qualities of the materials add to the significance of the mosaic. Materials may be reflective or iridescent (glass, gold, mirror). Mosaics can also be 3-dimensional, and can incorporate objects and unusual items which means that the possibilities are endless!
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Don Norman's Principles of Interaction Design
Design of Everyday Things
Visibility is the basic principle that the more visible an element is, the more likely users will know about them and how to use them. Equally important is the opposite: when something is out of sight, it's difficult to know about and use.
As simple as this principle is, designers still struggle with adopting it. The trade-off between hamburger side-bar menus and tab-bar menus in mobile applications is a very recent design debate centered around this very principle of visibility. While the hamburger menu provides a convenient place to store a variety of menu items in a mobile app, it comes at a huge disadvantage: the lack of visibility of the contained menu items. We've seen a shift in major apps like Facebook away from hamburger menus and back toward tab-bar menus to improve the visibility of their key experiences.
The skill in applying this principle is realizing that you can't make everything visible, because it'll ultimately clutter the interface but instead need to prioritize what interface elements are by far the most important for the user experience and prioritize their visibility.
Feedback is the principle of making it clear to the user what action has been taken and what has been accomplished. Many forms of feedback exist in interaction design, including visual, tactile, audio, and more. The key is to design the experience to never leave the user guessing about what action they have taken and the consequence of doing so.
We've established a variety of design patterns for providing feedback to the user and these feedback patterns are constantly evolving as move interfaces emerge. Here's a brief video showing the many ways that Google's Material design pattern encourages you to provide feedback to the user on the actions they are taking in a mobile app.
Constraints is about limiting the range of interaction possibilities for the user to simplify the interface and guide the user to the appropriate next action. This is a case where constraints are clarifying, since they make it clear what can be done. Limitless possibilities often leave the user confused.
Conversational interfaces are all the rage these days because they provide the opportunity to speak to a computer via our natural language, which feels far more natural than the traditional user interface methods. However, to-date these interfaces have struggled with a lack of constraints: with limitless possibilities of what you could potentially say to the conversational interface, it becomes impossible to know what kind of queries the interface actually supports. And given the technology today fails to be able to answer every possible query, the endless possibilities are frustrating to the user since it becomes difficult to even know how to use it.
Mapping is about having a clear relationship between controls and the effect they have on the world. You want this mapping to feel as natural as possible. Stove tops are a great example here. When you see the first image, the mapping is not very clear because it's difficult to determine which control operates each burner. Versus the second image, it's far clearer the control that controls each burner, which has a better mapping.
This slider also has a strong mapping, since it's clear moving it to the right will increase it's value versus moving it to the left will decrease it.
Apple shook up the world in 2011 when it introduced natural scrolling to Mac OS X Lion. This reversed the familiar pattern of scrolling a page down by holding your fingers on the trackpad and dragging them downward. Instead this was reversed such that you would drag your finger up on the trackpad to scroll the page down. This reversal more closely mapped with the way we used iPhones and iPads. The controversy here is really about a mapping. Was the new mapping too jarring because it changed the conventional mapping that had been used across Mac and Windows for decades? Or was it more natural because it mapped to how you would push a piece of paper up to move it down and also matched the new behavior created on mobile phones. There's no easy answer here, though I'd say I myself turn off natural scrolling on my Mac because I, like many others, prefer the convention established decades ago.
Consistency refers to having similar operations and similar elements for achieving similar tasks. By leveraging consistent elements throughout your entire experience, you make your experience far easier to use. This consistency is important not only within your interface, but across the many interfaces users are using across their devices.
This is a simple example of poor consistency when you are using so many different styles for actions within your interface.
One of the best ways to drive consistency across applications is to make ample use of Google's Material Design Guidelines and iOS's Human Interaction Guidelines when designing mobile applications.
Affordance refers to an attribute of an object that allows people to know how to use it. Essentially to afford means to give a clue. The physical button on a mouse gives a clue that it can be clicked to perform an action. When an object has strong affordances, it's very clear how to use it.
Don Norman talks at length about how doors often have poor affordances. When you come up to a door, it's not always clear do you push or pull the door? One convention used is to put a sheet of metal at around arm height on the side of the door that needs to be pushed to make it clear that it must be pushed instead of being pulled. When you do this, you are giving the door a strong affordance to indicate it should be pushed instead of pulled.
As web and mobile design has been evolving to more modern interfaces, in some ways we have been removing many of the common affordances we have classically used. For example, the blue underlined link used to be the strongest affordance for knowing something was a clickable link on the web. Many web experiences have moved away from this in an attempt to allow link elements to better match with the overall design aesthetic they are trying to achieve across the interface. While that's a helpful goal, we have to ensure that it's still clear what in fact are clickable links on the page using alternative affordances, like showing the underline on hover. When we remove all such affordances, the interface becomes meaningfully harder to use.
As you can see, all six of Don Norman's principles of interaction design remain as relevant today as they did when he originally authored his classic work, The Design of Everyday Things.
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Hepatica has been considered a medicinal plant in the past, but this is one of the cases where scientific reasoning needs to override lore: the plant belongs to the Ranunculaceae family, just like the buttercup, and contains the same toxic compounds, albeit in much smaller doses. Hepatica is poisonous in large quantities. It is occasionally used in homeopathy, but this is definitely not something safe to do at home.
The name sprung from the false belief the plant could heal liver afflictions, belief fueled by the strange similarity between some hepatica varieties' foliage and the color of the liver itself.
It is among the first flowers to bloom in spring, and the bloom precedes the new foliage by a couple of weeks at least. Established hepaticas put forth cheerful clumps of flowers for a month or so, when the rest of the garden doesn't have much to show for itself.
They are wildflowers and mix well with other woodland natives, wild bleeding hearts, crocuses, trilliums and grape hyacinths.
This specific plant is a survivor: during the first year I plucked it while weeding, and the second year the drought almost got it, but it lived to get established and beautify the garden with more and more pretty flowers each spring. Last fall I divided it and moved some to a new flower bed, where it seems to do well. I'll be careful not to pluck it this time.
Its foliage is attractive too, the broad trilobate leaves, shiny and bright green, bring interesting texture to the part shade flower bed through the summer and fall.
Author's Bio:
Main Areas: Garden Writing; Sustainable Gardening; Homegrown Harvest
Published Books: “Terra Two”; “Generations”
Career Focus: Author; Consummate Gardener;
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• Subir Biswas
NFC or Near Field Communication.. All you wants to know!!
Hello readers.
Welcome to this tutorial about NFC. I've covered some technical information and the use cases in the modern society. It become a bit lengthy as I've tried to cover most of the information you wants to know. Please Enjoy the article and let me know if you need any further queries in the comment.
What is NFC and what does NFC stand for?
NFC is stands for Near Field Communication. This is a quick and sensitive technology that lets you interact securely with the world around you with a simple tap. NFC is a set of communication protocols for communication between two electronic devices over around 4 cm or less distance.
In 2002 NXP and Sony co-invent NFC technology.
In 2006 Nokia launches the first NFC phone i.e. Nokia 6131.
In 2010 Google launches the first Android NFC phone (Nexus S)
In 2014 Apple introduces Apple Pay using NFC technology with iPhone 6
And now in 2020, NFC is available in most of the mobile phones, tables even smart watch and headphones.
4 big reasons for considering NFC in modern days electronics devices.
1. Secure: NFC involves only two devices at once, so there is no crosstalk. Plus, you avoid being overheard and keep secrets safe by getting close before you start to speak.
2. Low Power: Since energy harvesting lets one device power another during an NFC transaction, the second device can save its battery for other tasks or not have a battery at all.
3. Have Remote control always in your hand: With your smartphone or tablet as the user interface, you’ll be the master of any piece of equipment, be it a robot in a factory, a sensor in a storage room, or a new set of earbuds.
4. New way of Payment: Fully supported by the majority of Android and iOS smartphones out there, NFC is an integral part of one of the largest infrastructures on the planet, and ready to work whenever you are.
Uses cases of NFC:
Access Control
NFC gives mobility to a high level of security for physical and logical access. This allows you to do more with your smartphone or a wearable devices (smartwatch, wristband, fitness tracker etc.) available with NFC. When you leave home, your phone or wristband can lock the door and use for unlock when you are back. When you arrive at work, it can serve as your ID badge, your computer logon, and your authorization to use certain machines. Your device can also open your hotel room or be your event ticket etc. With NFC, you can reduce waste, increase security, and gain the ability to grant or deny access, as needed, from a remote location.
Below are the key advantages of NFC for Access Control.
• Time and attendance will be logged for secure areas.
• Set limits for access times, for temporary personnel, or rental homes.
• Reduce maintenance and replacement costs, with fewer lost or damaged keys, cards, or badges.
Pairing and Commissioning
When you brings two NFC-enabled devices close together or tap with each other it creates a connection and that's it. NFC can trigger other protocols, like Bluetooth, ZigBee, or Wi-Fi. Pairing is practically instantaneous and, because NFC only works when you ask it to, there aren’t any unintended device connections, and none of the device conflicts that can happen with Bluetooth. It’s also easier to commission new devices or expand your home network, even if you’re adding devices that don’t have a battery – and there’s no need to search for a connection or type in a serial number.
Below are the key advantages of NFC for Paring and commissioning.
• Enable two-way interactions with Peer-to-Peer mode.
• Pair Bluetooth or Wi-Fi devices much faster and secure with NFC.
• Identify a device instantly, without entering codes or creating device conflicts.
• Make devices easier to use and reduce tech-support costs.
• Exchange credentials securely, just by tapping or keeping the devices closer.
Authentication and Identification
NFC is the one technology that makes it easier and safer, at every point of ownership, to enjoy any type of electronic device. From using personal care items and household appliances to adjusting settings of smart gym equipment based on your very own profile, NFC can simplify configuration, increase personalization, enable reorders, enhance safety, and fight fakes. The same NFC operations increase automation in industrial settings, too, for
greater efficiency.
Below are the key advantages of NFC for Authentication and Identification.
• Automatically adjust settings of the main unit based on the accessory attached.
• Identify users and immediately provide personalized settings and preferences.
• Send notifications when accessories are nearing replacement, and make offers based on usage patterns.
NFC-enabled phone or tablet can serve as a temporary touchscreen for your product, enabling sophisticated interactions and configurability at little additional cost. Your product can be smaller, lighter, more rugged, and less expensive to produce – yet easier to use. Additionally, NFC works with sealed devices, so sensors operating in difficult environments can easily interact with the control unit. Energy harvesting uses power from the active reader device, so unlike Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, with NFC he device doesn’t need a battery to send or receive information. Systems with a battery can even remain in sleep mode while being read.
Advantages of NFC over the Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection:
• Device can be unpowered
• No ambiguities - the device you tap is the device you connect to
• Inherent security due to short range and additional password and AES key option
• Very cost effective
Contactless technology lets you do business with open systems like EMV. You can count on full compatibility with every form factor, from smartcards and NFC equipped mobile phones to wearables, tokens, and more. Using contactless technology also lets you increase consumer share-of-mind with value-added services, such as personalized messages, loyalty programs, and coupons based on recent purchases.
• Offer tap-and-pay convenience with enhanced security
• Accept EMV and MIFARE payments, and send paperless receipts
• Increase engagement with messages, loyalty, and couponing
• Use system-level solutions to save design and certification time
• Use protocol-agnostic operations to trigger actions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is NFC in mobile?
NFC is a short range wireless communication technology where two devices can communicate with 4cm or less distance. NFC allows you to share small amount of data between any NFC tag and mobile device, or between two mobile phones devices.
Can NFC be hacked?
NFC technology is theoretically the best form digital communication. It is largely admitted that this technology protects us from hacking. Because, NFC signals have a tiny range that typically covers just a few centimeters. An hacker has to get very, very near to you mostly interfered between you and your card or card to payment terminal transmit anything malicious.
Can NFC read RFID?
NFC enabled device can read only NFC tags or communicate with NFC enabled devices. You cannot read a passive 125 KHz Tag (RFID tag) with a NFC reader.
What can NFC chips do?
NFC chips helps to read the information from the NFC tag. NFC readers/chips are the active components in NFC transactions. These chips can read and write cards and tags, interact with NFC enable mobile phones and enable communication between NFC enabled devices.
What can NFC transfer?
This is another wireless protocol to communicate between NFC enabled devices. You can send photos, videos, files, or make a payment though NFC.
How NFC will work?
NFC is actually one kind of Radio Frequency which allows to identify things through radio waves at 13.56 MHz and this is used for close-range communications up-to 4 cm.
Will NFC drain my battery?
The NFC chip works in some kind of sleep mode and scans his environment with limited interval (around 10 times per second). The scanning of the environment doesn’t require as much energy as establishing a connection to a NFC device. As data are transferred very quickly via NFC, a NFC chip only needs to provide enough energy to establish a connection for very short time frames. Even when connected with another device NFC is much more energy efficient than similar technologies (Bluetooth, RFID etc.).
Will NFC work through a case?
Yes! of course. If your mobile phone or smartwatch has the NFC function, the cases will be compatible with this. However, the NFC signals (frequency) is able to penetrate through the case so long as the back center of the phone. Most of the time in mobile phone either it is fixed into the phone's battery. But choose the mobile phone case carefully.
What is NFC and payment?
NFC is the technology which powers contactless payments via mobile phone wallets like Apple Pay, Android Pay or Samsung Pay as well as contactless cards. This makes the smartphone for easy and secure payments.
Wants to know more. See the link of the books Amazon.
Few links for NFC Tags and enable mobile phone if you wants to check something at your home:
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Research Plan
University of Phoenix Material Research Plan As part of your research plan, you must first draft a research question for your research paper that will guide the rest of your writing. A research question, which is more specific and focused than a general topic, is the question that your research paper will be answering. For example, if your general area of interest is Social Security, a possible research question might ask “How could low-income families save more money if the United States had a reformed Social Security plan that included personal retirement accounts? As you develop a research question, keep in mind that you will need to research sources to support your topic. Do not pick a one-sided question that will limit your research.
Instead, develop a research question that lends itself to further exploration and debate—a question you genuinely want to know the answer to. Try to pick a research question that is not too broad (covering too much) or too narrow (covering too little). It should be broad enough to be discussed in a short research paper.What is your general topic or area of interest? Sex crimes What is it about your general topic of interest that interests you? Letting my voice, a survivor, speak through research papers about the importance of speaking out against sexual abuse What questions do you have about the topic that you would like to investigate? List them. What are some common differences and similarities? How does a victim move on in life? What are some of the stages of the healing process?What is the importance of speaking up? Where help is made available? What are some experiences other survivors have had? Would any of the questions you listed about the topic make a good subject for a research paper? Pick or adapt one question and make it into a research question. What is the healing process after abuse and has anyone recovered using the healing process? Why do you think this research question is appropriate for a research paper?In order to inform other victims of sex crimes that life can go on and will with appropriate counseling and by working through the healing process How is your research question significant or relevant to a wider community? People of all ages can be and have been victims of sex crimes.
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It is important to speak out to people in all areas of all ages hoping that someone might need to hear they are not alone, work through healing process, and possibly help other victims become survivors.What background information provides the preliminary grounds for your research? As a child I was molested for three years by my uncle and never spoke up until it was too late. At the age of sixteen was raped and once again never spoke out and feel I may have left the abuse to happen to someone else. What are some expert or authoritative sources of information on this research question? The Courage To Heal a book by Laura Davis and Ellen Bass. www. cruiserape.
com/healing process. php What type of materials will you need to review for your research paper?Web sites with information on sex crimes, books on the healing process, life stories of survivors, What procedures will you follow to conduct your research? Search web and library for information, speak with victims and survivors, use my real life experiences What difficulties do you anticipate in conducting your research? This subject is a very heart touching subject for me. I have studied into this subject for many years. I have become a volunteer working with victims of sexual abuse. My difficulty in this subject is going to be narrowing down to a minimum amount of words.
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Miranda Larrin Background 105-14 Mar 13th 2013 The Development of Ethnicity Inequality Over a day to day basis, humans connect to one another, despite of their race or cultural descent. However , that is not how it has been. Since the 16th century, there have been wars battled, and people wiped out due to differences in race.
Ethnicity inequality comes a long way ever since then, but remains to be present in the 21st century. Many societies refuse that racial inequality is still present today, but the truth, it is.
The term “race is employed to establish a single person. May it be Photography equipment America, Black, Pacific Islander or many other options. Upon job applications, doctor and dental varieties, college applications and many other types of documents, society is forced to examine a field that identifies them. Problem of the subject is what can it matter? The word “race originate from racism itself. Dating back in the 16th century segregation has enjoyed a key part in history. Not only for the usa, but globally.
When societies began to discover differences in ethnicities, such as having that different skin tone, different food or different languages, the various communities created hatreds individuals who were defined as “different. This began the racist movements that we still see today. Groups started having diverse names or titles which can be now considered a race of people. Because the sixteenth century, race and racial inequality has changed in multiple ways. For example , in 1904 the European capabilities began overpowering southern Africa where the cultural group Herrera’s resided.
The Europeans began moving the Herrera’s to concentration camps to eliminate them, every for land. In the 1940’s Hitler wished to form a brand new order of Nazi Germany. This individual did this by making the Judaism, African Americans, and any other race that was not Euro or at least resembled European decent to concentration camps. Just like the Herrera’s the majority of these placed in these camps were killed. Nevertheless , Hitler would not do this pertaining to power or perhaps land, this individual did this to form a best land. He wanted everybody to be what he deemed perfect, white-colored, blonde, together blue eyes. Jumping to America, slavery of the
African American race and sometimes the American indian race, had been shipped to America in the 16th century and up until the 19th century, these people were forced to job. Unlike the European electric power, America’s aim of this group was not to exterminate all of them, but to make use of them as function. The Africa Americans acquired many rules and constraints that eliminated them via living a regular and similar life while the whites. All of us also forbid them by displaying for sale at the marketplace or coming from carrying to private properties for sale of any item, was about rule pertaining to the slaves that was established under Code Noir.
Slavery was made illegitimate after the American Civil battle in the 1860’s. However , The climax in the history of racism came in the twentieth hundred years. This is due to the ones from different cultural backgrounds looking to become civil in culture. Crime rates raised and law enforcement officials brutality went up with aim to those whose race was of Africa descent. All those races had a nearly impossible period getting jobs which meant they had to reside poor residential areas. The “white race started out forcing the “blacks to venture to different schools, drink by different fountains, go to diverse stores and ride in the back of the bus.
It was certainly not until the Municipal Rights Activity in 1955-1968 that blacks and whites began to become civilized. As you can see, racism has demonstrated itself into world history playing the role in major wars fought, protests, and mass exterminations. Although there are forget about concentration camps, and slavery has been made illegal, racism is still present today in the 21st century. Today, racism is much less harsh and brutal when it was in the past, it is now more or less a humor. About comedy reveals there is normally a “token character.
Typically this character is African American which is made fun of by the other personas. These comedies are found to be funny and laughed for. The reality is the jokes produced are hurtful. A common kind of humor is known as a meme. A meme is known as a typographic laugh. Some are of any black person where it really is joking about committing against the law, some are of your Asian gentleman who is joking about either the shape of his eye, or just how Asians happen to be said to be smarter than the average person. These memes are found all over the internet and are basically laughed in by all races.
The greatest racial inequality argument is actually racial profiling by authorities. Statistics show that almost all stops created by police happen to be of African American males. There are several reviews of law enforcement officials harassing and being unjust to these people. However , for the individual of European descent is ended, they are given a warning if it is their very own first time and treated reasonably. Little wonder that black father and mother, regardless of class, routinely exercise their children in the way to act the moment stopped by the police, some thing few white parents ever before think about.
Regardless of the jokes plus the racial profiling, American society fails to recognize racism today, even though it can be clearly present. All in all, ethnic inequality is a major issue since the 16th century. It may not become as big of an issue today in the 21st century, but it is still very much therefore prevalent. Ethnicity inequality has come a long way considering that the 16th hundred years, let alone the 20th hundred years, so it is easy to understand an assurance of equality in the future. However , societies such as American must defeat their lack of knowledge of being racist in order for that to happen. Bibliography
Fredrickson, George. ” Racism, A Short History. (Princeton School Press) Peabody, Sue. Slavery, Independence, and Legislation in The Atlantic World. (Boston: Bedfords/St. Martins) Rosenburg, Paul. Beginning Certificates and Unconscious Racism. (Aljazeera, 11 May 2011) , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , [ one particular ]. Sue Peabody, Captivity, Freedom, and Law in The Atlantic Globe. (Boston: Bedfords/St. Martins) [ two ]. George Fredrickson, Racism, A Short Record. (Princeton College or university Press) [ a few ]. Paul Rosenburg, Beginning Certificates and Unconscious Racism. (Aljazeera, 14 May 2011)
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Topic: 16th century, 21st century, African American, Concentration camps,
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Published: 02.18.20
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The ideal of the American Dream encapsulates the US’ founding ideals of freedom of opportunity and the promise of upward social mobility. But what happens to those for whom that dream has failed? Since 2013, Susannah Crockford has been visiting Valle, Arizona, where many residents live on the margins of society in extreme poverty. She writes that, like many of America’s poor, Valle’s most vulnerable are victims of a spiraling cycle of misfortune that they may never emerge from.
In December 2017, the UN’s Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Philip Alston, released a report on the United States in which he stated that the world’s richest and most powerful nation was doing very little to address conditions for the poor within its own borders. Alston highlighted higher infant mortality rates, lower life expectancy, lower doctor to patient ratios despite high healthcare expenditure per capita, higher obesity rates, higher incarceration rates, and higher child poverty rates compared to other OECD countries. In the conclusion to his report, Alston commented that, “the American Dream is rapidly becoming the American Illusion since the US now has the lowest rate of social mobility of any of the rich countries.”
With a population of just 832, census-designated Valle, Arizona exemplifies the extreme poverty that lurks on the margins of American society that so shocked the UN’s representative. According to US Census Bureau data, 57.4 percent of the population lives below the poverty level. I know Valle well; I’ve been visiting there since 2013 to undertake ethnographic fieldwork. Residences are mostly self-built with varying levels of safety and amenities, and consisted of mobile homes, RVs, shacks, tents, teepees, and in one case converted grain silos. One resident described his acre of land where he parked his RV and had built a simple wooden shack as “better than the Walmart parking lot”. During my time there, I saw that the occupants of Valle were mostly retirees and people living on low incomes, some were ex-law enforcement or ex-Park Service employees (the Grand Canyon National Park is thirty miles to the north), a few self-defined as survivalists, stockpiling guns, food, and other resources in expectation of an imminent collapse of society.
The centre of Valle is an intersection of two highways. Here sits the main ‘development’ of the place: two petrol stations, a Flintstones-themed campground, a rock shop, a small private airport, an air museum, a water station, and a motel. These businesses are all geared towards providing services to tourists on their way to the Grand Canyon, which are in far greater number in the summer months than the winter. This means the few jobs that there are locally are seasonal, low paid, with few benefits. There is no grocery store for at least thirty miles, making Valle a food desert. A food bank operates once a month, when a truck parks in the campground and crates of vegetables and dry goods are given out to anyone with an address in Valle.
Beyond this central intersection there is no connection to sewers, no running water, no electricity grid, and no garbage removal. People live on undeveloped land entirely off-grid. However, even this type of land can be difficult to purchase by people with poor credit ratings and no savings. A Valle resident, who I will call Tom, bought an acre of land in Valle that was valued at $1500 in 2013. He bought his acre on a rent-to-own agreement for a $200 deposit with monthly payments of $150 over a period of five years, resulting in a total payment of $9000 for an acre worth less than one fifth that amount. For the poor in America, this can be the only way to buy land, often described to me by my informants as the start of the American dream.
Tom had only rudimentary sanitation on his land, digging a latrine-style pit for a toilet. He lived in a converted barn, with solar panels for low wattage appliances such as his phone and TV. However, he could not run a fridge reliably, resulting in frequent spoilage of fresh food. He hauled in potable water from the pumping station in Valle using a pickup truck with a trailer, and stored it in a tank. In the winter the hoses and connectors would often freeze rendering him unable to fill up his propane-fuelled shower without carrying three gallon jugs of water by hand. The only way to get water and remove garbage was with his truck, meaning any breakdowns could be devastating leaving him with garbage piling up, no access to clean water, and hitchhiking to get to the nearest town to buy food.
Tom’s land. Credit: Susannah Crockford
Tom considered himself lucky to have his land in Valle. With two felony convictions, he was barred from most forms of employment and many residential zones. He worked occasionally in construction or food service, usually under the table, and rarely filed taxes. Years of accumulated medical, student, and consumer debt meant that if he did file taxes or acquire legal work, much of his wage packet was garnished for repayment. This meant it was not in his financial interest to work legally. As a felon, he was unable to vote and he exhibited little interest in political participation.
Like many poor people in America, he was vulnerable to spirals of misfortune. An accumulation of parking tickets resulted in him losing his driving license at age 19, he had to sell his car and truck, and then was forced to walk or catch rides for the next eight years as he was unable to pay the $390 in fines to get it back. In rural Arizona, there is little in the way of public transport so the loss of a vehicle can mean the loss of the ability to earn an income. In the past year, he accidentally signed up for an Amazon Prime membership, which he did not have enough money in his account to pay for; he went overdrawn, and the subsequent fees meant the loss of his bank account.
Even in Valle, there was a relative gap between better and worse-off residents. Tom called himself “middle class” by Valle standards. He had a well-built barn, which was sealed to rain and snow, and solar powered Christmas-lights decorating his trees. One of his neighbors, Denise, lived in an old bus with holes in the roof that leaked when it rained. She worked as a cleaner at one of the lodges in the Grand Canyon. However, she struggled with problems with alcohol and drugs. Some neighbors came over to ‘help’ her, and stole from her because she was old and they knew she would not call the police. As a “known tweaker” in the neighborhood, she knew from experience that calling the police would likely only result in her own arrest. She had lost a child under circumstances she could not bring herself to talk about. She suffered from seizures. She had purchased an RV to leave Valle and get away from her situation, to pursue a better life, but she never managed to leave. She was under the influence methamphetamines when she had a seizure on the side of the highway. A car hit her, and she died. Her mother came and took anything of value from the bus. An ex-boyfriend was slowly taking away the other things, piece by piece. The bus remains in the wilderness, rotting in the open air.
Derelict bus in Valle. Credit: Susannah Crockford
Bus interior. Credit: Susannah Crockford
What is the American Dream for people like Tom and Denise? The ideal of the American Dream is hope in moving up the ladder, but the US has the lowest social mobility levels among developed nations. There are numerous structural barriers in place against the poor that prevent them from improving their situation including the lack of access to credit, residential zoning laws, regulations concerning debt collection, and inequitable access to healthcare and the criminal justice system. Valle and many towns like it across America are a stark illustration that when people do try to improve their situation, they can find themselves quickly undermined by downward spirals of misfortune. These same spirals do not occur with the same frequency or impact to those with more resources. The American Dream is often dependent not on individual grit, but on material conditions of socioeconomic class.
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About the author
Susannah Crockford – Ghent University
Susannah’s research interests center on the use of ethnography to explore narratives of spirituality, millenarianism, and climate change. She currently works as a post-doctoral researcher in the European Research Council funded NARMESH project in the Literary Studies department at Ghent University. Her PhD thesis, After the American Dream: Political Economy and Spirituality in Northern Arizona, was awarded in July 2017 by the LSE. Following on from this, she spent nine months as a Research Officer in the non-profit research group, Inform (Information Network on New Religious Movements), located in the LSE. Previously, she completed degrees at the University of Cambridge and the University of Amsterdam.
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Termite Eggs: What do termite eggs look like and how to kill them
Termite Eggs: What they look like and how to kill them
termite eggs
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Often times with pest infestations, the discovery of eggs can be the first sign that there could be a possible problem underway. In terms of termite eggs, the eggs are just as obscure as hoping to find termite activity on the outside of wood structures.
Additionally, termite eggs may look different depending on the type of termite in question, with different color shades and size variations. What the eggs look like and where to look for them are common questions due to the relative elusive nature of termites in general.
This guide will serve as a resource in determining how to know if eggs are indeed from termites as well as all of the different stages of the termite life cycle. A firm understanding of the reproductive cycle of termites will also help in the identification process.
What Does a Termite Egg Look Like?
When determining what termite eggs look like, the first variable to consider is size. Termite eggs look small and white-tinted and will typically be clumped together in large groups and the eggs themselves are typically about a millimeter in length.
The eggs are indeed quite small and are usually deposited deep within the colony, usually in the queen termite’s chamber. Termite eggs are usually yellow, brown, or white and this distinction can vary depending on the type of termite.
The colors may also change when the eggs are nearing the hatching stage. The eggs are generally oval-shaped and are always clumped together with a resemblance to fish eggs.
As previously mentioned, you will likely never see termite eggs laying out in the open. Both the termite queen and her eggs are always deep inside the colony and protected.
Subterranean termite eggs are always deposited in the soil away from the working colony within a home and dry wood termite eggs are deeply embedded into the wood, which would mean the destruction of the wood to find the eggs.
termite eggs with nymph
termite queen identification
what do termite eggs look like
termite queen with pulsating abdomen
How Long Does it Take for Termite Eggs to Hatch?
The termite life cycle consists of many stages and the very beginning comes with the hatching of termite eggs. After the hatching process, the new nymphs will start to branch out into the colony and go through several molting stages to become either worker, soldiers, or kings.
Most nymphs will molt into worker termites, with others becoming soldiers or alates, thereby leaving the colony for a nuptial flight, which is part of the wider distribution process.
The gestation period for eggs is generally about a month. Temperature plays a large part in this process, with warmer ambient temperatures producing the fastest results. The queen can lay a large number of eggs in a mature nest and the wider reproductive cycle depends on large part to the queen’s propensity to incubate.
Video of queen termite inside a termite nest:
How Do You Kill Termite Eggs?
In addition to frequently wondering what termite eggs look like, another question that frequently comes up is how to kill them. This is a complicated question since the process to find the eggs is very difficult.
A queen and her nest are almost never seen, therefore, the ability to kill her eggs is best left to overall pest control measures. Finding the termite queen is the key to finding her offspring, but this is no easy feat.
The queen will lay her eggs either in the ground or inside of the infested structure. This will almost always be virtually inaccessible. If you do happen to find termite eggs, they will usually be white in color and in close proximity to the termite queen.
The most common termiticides used in termite control will typically work on eggs termite queen’s deposit. Overall termite control methods will also usually address this life stage as well.
Alternatively, bleach, vinegar, or other harsh common chemicals or solvents may also work to disintegrate the embryos as well.
What Are the Signs of Termites in Your Home?
A termite infestation can be one of the most feared types of pest in pest control. You will usually discover that you have termites by the appearance of wood that is rotting or hollowing out.
Additionally, the eggs termite lay can be found in outside wood that is nearly destroyed by active termites. This represents one of the only incidences where the discovery of eggs or casings could be discovered.
The appearance of frass around wood is another clear sign of termites.
In Summary
Finding termite eggs is rare, however, the embryos will typically be white, yellow, or brown and clumped together much like fish eggs. If you do happen to discover them, consult with a pest control professional immediately for full confirmation.
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Zero Waste Grocery Shopping
Food creates a lot of waste. From the plastic bags inside cereal boxes to chip bags surrounded by layers of films, food packaging creates a lot of garbage that often can’t be recycled easily. Many cheap plastics, films, and cardboard materials on food packaging can’t be properly disposed of because they aren’t worth anything in the recycling system or get stained by the food. They rot away in landfills and oceans, creating carbon emissions and harming wildlife.
As a result, zero-waste grocery shopping is growing in popularity. Zero-waste is a movement that encourages people to create as little waste as possible, focusing on reusing, composting, and recycling.
For grocery shopping, zero-waste can involve bringing your own bags and containers, or opting for food that uses little packaging. Unfortunately, many foods are only offered in wasteful packaging, usually at large grocery chains. This is often because they don’t want to deal with sorting, organizing, and pricing food.
This is where zero-waste grocery stores come in. Characterized by their self-service storage bins, zero-waste grocery stores offer their goods in bulk, and allow you to bring your own reusable containers and bags to put your items in. Food comes at straightforward rates – you weigh your food and pay only for what you take. Zero-waste grocery stores allow you to reduce food waste by buying only what you need, as well as using reusable containers that reduce packaging waste.
While zero-waste grocery stores aren’t as well-known or ubiquitous as chain supermarkets (yet!), there are many across the United States, whether they be small stores or large online marketplaces. If you are able to, you should consider making your grocery runs at some of these stores.
Popular zero-waste grocery stores
Rainbow Grocery is a grocery cooperative in San Francisco, California. Grocery co-ops allow customers to choose the products they want to be offered and sold, making Rainbow Grocery a popular supermarket in the Bay Area. They boast over 800 bulk products, making zero-waste shopping easy!
Precycle is a zero-waste supermarket in New York that sells completely package-free produce and bulk goods like pasta, rice, and spices. Founded in 2015, Precycle’s goal is to empower people to reduce their food and packaging waste by ensuring all their products are fresh, natural, and waste-free.
Loop is an online zero-waste marketplace offered in most of the United States. Loop allows you to buy food and household products waste free without missing out on brands you love like Haagen Dazs and Tropicana. Products are shipped in reusable containers, which you can return to get refills!
Additionally, many areas in the United States offer dozens of local supermarkets and marketplaces. Even if they aren’t zero-waste, smaller markets are often more willing to let you bring your own containers to buy products. Here is a detailed list of zero-waste stores around the United States.
How to shop zero-waste at regular grocery stores
If zero-waste grocery stores aren’t available in your area (or don’t offer the foods you need), there are still ways to make your grocery trip eco-friendly! While you might still need to buy foods in packaging, you can opt for food in more sustainable packaging.
Glass is the best option if you have to buy an item that comes in packaging. Glass containers are often safe to reuse, and if you do end up recycling them, glass is infinitely recyclable (unlike some plastics). Cardboard is another decent option – cardboard can be recycled, and if it is dirty, it can be composted.
Plastic, while not the best option, has some more environmentally friendly versions. Most plastics are marked with recycling triangles, each with a number from 1 to 7 to specify what material the product is made of. Curbside recycling typically does not recycle products marked with a #3 or #7 due to how difficult it is to recycle these materials but check your city’s rules to be sure.
Bringing your own containers, produce bags, and shopping bags can also reduce a lot of waste. It’s always good to check, especially at big chain supermarkets if this is allowed, though!
Buy eco-friendly groceries online with EcoCart
Due to the pandemic, access to supermarkets that allow you to bring your own containers is limited, if available at all. Even before the pandemic, many regions simply don’t have eco-friendly markets available. 62% of shoppers in the United States say they shop more online because of the virus.
Online shopping has expanded rapidly to meet this demand. Anything from household goods to fresh food can be shipped to your door, with a variety of shipping options to meet customers’ needs. However, this rise in online shopping has had a greater carbon impact, because millions of products have to be delivered to individual homes every day.
To offset the carbon footprint of these purchases, thousands of online retailers offer their products through EcoCart, a free Chrome extension! EcoCart calculates the carbon emitted from shipping your order, then donates a percentage of your purchase to carbon offsetting projects around the world.
Just click the green button whenever you see it pop up while you’re shopping and EcoCart does the work for you. Your carbon footprint for every order will be offset and you can rest easy knowing that you’re doing your part!
With the extension, all you have to do is click the ‘Make my order carbon neutral’ button when it pops up. You can shop normally and do your part for the planet! EcoCart does the rest, enabling you to make your order carbon neutral, often with no additional cost to you. You can also find new eco-friendly brands you’ll love through the extension. Here are a few stores on EcoCart you can check out:
FreshDirect offers a wide variety of foods from pantry staples to fresh produce, all from their website. With shipping offered in several states in the US, you’ll be able to do your grocery run from your couch!
Freshly is a great alternative to takeout. Freshly offers delicious, healthy, and ready-to-eat meals as low as $9 a meal. Their meals also come in recyclable packaging!
Balance Box is another meal plan program that delivers to your door. Every box comes with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks, all nutritionist approved.
Snuk Foods offers the best specialty ingredients from places like Latin America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, ranging from spices to baking goods. Armed with experience working in these regions, Snuk Foods provides the best healthy and high-quality ingredients to your door!
Grocery shopping doesn’t have to be a wasteful process. Even if you can’t go completely zero-waste, making small changes to your shopping habits, shopping at zero-waste grocery stores, or shopping from online eco-friendly marketplaces can help make your shopping trip better for the planet.
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What kind of simplified structural system would a Leonardo bridge use?
I've tried approximating the system to a simple statically determined beam (see below) but our calculations did not give any realistic results. I believe it is due to a negligence of the potential strain in each beam. Maybe using a Spring Load Constant combined with nodes would help? A Leonardo bridge is a bridge constructed without any kind of binding, but just using uniform length pieces of Wood. It can be constructed in this manner:
My own approximation is rough but each of the connections cannot be considered nodes because none of the pieces are loose or movable.
P.S. It would greatly simplify my calculations if any answers would consider a statically determined system even if it is a simplification.
• 1
$\begingroup$ It should only be referred to as a "Leonardo" bridge. Signed, your local art historian. For those who care: "da Vinci," as with (Rembrandt) van Rjin, indicates the birthplace of a person and is not actually a name. $\endgroup$ – Carl Witthoft Jul 28 '16 at 12:11
We will solve for n members with these assumptions.
members are L ft long by 2H, (H=L/20) thick and assuming the notch depth at H on the center to accommodate next member linkage.
Loads are applied uniformly spread vertically over the exposed top of the bridge at m. ton/ meter.
The structure as we add to members looks more and more like an arch.
The radius of which is deduced from similar triangles H/L = L/R
From here we apply as an approximation the arch formulas with one caveat the moment will be converted to compression and tension on the joints by this formula
$T=C=M/H$ and also shear converts to vertical joint loads.
There are many ways to solve a pin end support arch but an starter is to assume one support on rollers and solve then superimpose the lateral load needed to bring the roller end back in. I have some hand books if you need, but here is a link.
Your Answer
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May 13, 2021
Difference Between LPG and Natural Gas
In this article, we’re going to be explaining some ways in which you can identify whether your home uses natural gas or LPG and the benefits and drawbacks of both.
Difference Between LPG and Natural Gas
When you receive a quote on a brand new boiler, we ask you a few questions about your home. One of these questions is ‘Which fuel heats your home?’ This helps us to work out how big the job is likely to be and allows our engineers to be better prepared.
If you are looking for more information on the best combi boiler then we have an article here.
How to Find Out Which Fuel Heats Your Home
Natural Gas
If your property uses natural gas, you will have a gas meter and you’ll also be receiving gas bills either every month or every quarter.
What is Natural Gas?
Natural Gas (methane) is a colourless and non-toxic hydrocarbon that is commonly used to provide warmth for cooking and heating. It’s incredibly popular due to its wide availability in most areas, high efficiency and clean burning. Natural gas is the cleanest-burning hydrocarbon, producing roughly half the CO2 and one tenth of the air pollutants produced by burning coal.
Pros and Cons of Natural Gas
Natural Gas has many advantages over LPG and oil, including it’s much higher efficiency, cleaner burning and greater affordability. That’s why if your home is connected to the natural gas grid, switching to an LPG boiler is usually not recommended.
Natural Gas is delivered by pipelines, so there’s no need to purchase and receive deliveries of it in the same way you would with LPG. Methane is much lighter than propane and butane (LPG) and typically disperses in the event of a gas leak, making it advantageous over LPG from a safety perspective.
One disadvantage of natural gas is that it is not entirely efficient, meaning it still produces greenhouse emissions.
Natural gas also isn’t a renewable energy source meaning it will one day run out. If you’re concerned about reducing your carbon footprint, you might want to take a look at renewable energy heating systems.
What is LPG?
LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) is a colourless hydrocarbon gas that has been pressured into a liquid form and is commonly used fuel for heat, cookers, barbecues and vehicles. It is a popular alternative to oil heating for homes which aren’t connected to the natural gas network as it is highly efficient and low in carbon.
Normally, LPG is collected as a byproduct of the crude oil refinery process, however, it can also be extracted from natural gas streams or petroleum. LPG holds a greater amount of energy when in a liquified state, therefore making is more efficient. Due to its very low boiling point, it’s essential to store LPG in pressurised bottles and tanks to prevent it from evaporating back to gas at room temperature.
Does My Home Use LPG?
If your home uses LPG, you will usually have bottles of gas delivered to the property periodically depending on your usage.
Types of LPG
There are two different types of LPG: propane and butane. They can both be used to power your home or business’ appliances, though it is worth noting that each type has a different boiling point, so are therefore more suited for different uses.
Propane has a lower boiling temperature of -42ºC, making it ideal for use in lower temperatures and well suited for powering heating and other appliances for caravans and outdoor heaters.
Butane has a higher boiling temperature of -2ºC, making it better suited to appliances located in indoor settings. It also provides more energy per cubic metre than propane.
Pros and Cons of LPG
For off-grid homes, LPG has a number of advantages over oil, coal and electric heating systems. For example, whilst LPG usually costs more than heating oil, it offers a much greater energy return due to its high efficiency, actually saving you money in the long run.
LPG also produces a lot less carbon when burnt, helping us work towards a cleaner environment.
Whilst LPG is a cleaner burning fuel than oil, it still isn't entirely carbon free. If you’re concerned about reducing your carbon footprint, you might want to take a look at renewable energy heating systems.
LPG is only recommended for off-grid homes as it is a more expensive fuel than natural gas and must be delivered and stored in a tank somewhere on your property. If you run out before your next scheduled delivery, you might have to pay an emergency delivery fee.
How to Store LPG
Usually, homes with LPG heating will purchase BPG bottles in bulk (or one big bulk cylinder) to be stored in tanks outside of the property as this works out to be more cost effective than buying the bottles individually.
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Khooni Vaisakhi
A Poem from the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, 1919
Nanak Singh
INR 0.00
In stock
Jallianwala Bagh. 13 April 1919. Twenty-two-year-old Nanak Singh joins the mass of peaceful protestors agitating against the Rowlatt Act. What then turns out to be one of the worst atrocities perpetrated by the British Raj, and a turning point in India s independence movement, also becomes a life-changing experience for Nanak Singh, who survives the massacre, unconscious and unnoticed among the hundreds of corpses. After going through the traumatic experience, Nanak Singh proceeds to write Khooni Vaisakhi, a long poem in Punjabi. The poem was a scathing critique of the British Raj and was banned soon after its publication in May 1920. After sixty long years, it was rediscovered and has been translated into English for the first time by the author s grandson, Navdeep Suri. Featuring the poem in translation and in original, this bilingual book is accompanied by essays from Navdeep Suri, Punjabi literature scholar H.S. Bhatia and BBC correspondent Justin Rowlatt. Khooni Vaisakhi is not only a poignant piece of protest literature but also a historical artefact and a resurrected witness to how Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims came together to stand up to colonization and oppression in one of India s
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Chapter 24 String processing
One of the most common data wrangling challenges involves extracting numeric data contained in character strings and converting them into the numeric representations required to make plots, compute summaries, or fit models in R. Also common is processing unorganized text into meaningful variable names or categorical variables. Many of the string processing challenges a data scientist faces are unique and often unexpected. It is therefore quite ambitious to write a comprehensive section on this topic. Here we use a series of case studies that help us demonstrate how string processing is a necessary step for many data wrangling challenges. Specifically, we describe the process of converting the not yet shown original raw data from which we extracted the murders, heights, and research_funding_rates example into the data frames we have studied in this book.
By going over these case studies, we will cover some of the most common tasks in string processing including extracting numbers from strings, removing unwanted characters from text, finding and replacing characters, extracting specific parts of strings, converting free form text to more uniform formats, and splitting strings into multiple values.
Base R includes functions to perform all these tasks. However, they don’t follow a unifying convention, which makes them a bit hard to memorize and use. The stringr package basically repackages this functionality, but uses a more consistent approach of naming functions and ordering their arguments. For example, in stringr, all the string processing functions start with str_. This means that if you type str_ and hit tab, R will auto-complete and show all the available functions. As a result, we don’t necessarily have to memorize all the function names. Another advantage is that in the functions in this package the string being processed is always the first argument, which means we can more easily use the pipe. Therefore, we will start by describing how to use the functions in the stringr package.
Most of the examples will come from the second case study which deals with self-reported heights by students and most of the chapter is dedicated to learning regular expressions (regex), and functions in the stringr package.
24.1 The stringr package
In general, string processing tasks can be divided into detecting, locating, extracting, or replacing patterns in strings. We will see several examples. The table below includes the functions available to you in the stringr package. We split them by task. We also include the R-base equivalent when available.
All these functions take a character vector as first argument. Also, for each function, operations are vectorized: the operation gets applied to each string in the vector.
Finally, note that in this table we mention groups. These will be explained in Section 24.5.9.
stringr Task Description R-base
str_detect Detect Is the pattern in the string? grepl
str_which Detect Returns the index of entries that contain the pattern. grep
str_subset Detect Returns the subset of strings that contain the pattern. grep with value = TRUE
str_locate Locate Returns positions of first occurrence of pattern in a string. regexpr
str_locate_all Locate Returns position of all occurrences of pattern in a string. gregexpr
str_view Locate Show the first part of the string that matches pattern.
str_view_all Locate Show me all the parts of the string that match the pattern.
str_extract Extract Extract the first part of the string that matches the pattern.
str_extract_all Extract Extract all parts of the string that match the pattern.
str_match Extract Extract first part of the string that matches the groups and the patterns defined by the groups.
str_match_all Extract Extract all parts of the string that matches the groups and the patterns defined by the groups.
str_sub Extract Extract a substring. substring
str_split Extract Split a string into a list with parts separated by pattern. strsplit
str_split_fixed Extract Split a string into a matrix with parts separated by pattern. strsplit with fixed = TRUE
str_count Describe Count number of times a pattern appears in a string.
str_length Describe Number of character in string. nchar
str_replace Replace Replace first part of a string matching a pattern with another.
str_replace_all Replace Replace all parts of a string matching a pattern with another. gsub
str_to_upper Replace Change all characters to upper case. toupper
str_to_lower Replace Change all characters to lower case. tolower
str_to_title Replace Change first character to upper and rest to lower.
str_replace_na Replace Replace all NAs to a new value.
str_trim Replace Remove white space from start and end of string.
str_c Manipulate Join multiple strings. paste0
str_conv Manipulate Change the encoding of the string.
str_sort Manipulate Sort the vector in alphabetical order. sort
str_order Manipulate Index needed to order the vector in alphabetical order. order
str_trunc Manipulate Truncate a string to a fixed size.
str_pad Manipulate Add white space to string to make it a fixed size.
str_dup Manipulate Repeat a string. rep then paste
str_wrap Manipulate Wrap things into formatted paragraphs.
str_interp Manipulate String interpolation. sprintf
24.2 Case study 1: US murders data
In this section we introduce some of the more simple string processing challenges with the following datasets as an example:
url <- paste0("",
murders_raw <- read_html(url) %>%
html_node("table") %>%
html_table() %>%
setNames(c("state", "population", "total", "murder_rate"))
The code above shows the first step in constructing the dataset
from the raw data, which was extracted from a Wikipedia page.
In general, string processing involves a string and a pattern. In R, we usually store strings in a character vector such as murders$population. The first three strings in this vector defined by the population variable are:
#> [1] "4,853,875" "737,709" "6,817,565"
The usual coercion does not work here:
#> Warning: NAs introduced by coercion
#> [1] NA NA NA
This is because of the commas ,. The string processing we want to do here is remove the pattern, ,, from the strings in murders_raw$population and then coerce to numbers. We can use the str_detect function to see that two of the three columns have commas in the entries:
commas <- function(x) any(str_detect(x, ","))
murders_raw %>% summarize_all(commas)
#> # A tibble: 1 x 4
#> state population total murder_rate
#> <lgl> <lgl> <lgl> <lgl>
We can then use the str_replace_all function to remove them:
test_1 <- str_replace_all(murders_raw$population, ",", "")
test_1 <- as.numeric(test_1)
We can then use mutate_all to apply this operation to each column, since it won’t affect the columns without commas.
It turns out that this operation is so common that readr includes the function parse_number specifically meant to remove non-numeric characters before coercing:
test_2 <- parse_number(murders_raw$population)
identical(test_1, test_2)
#> [1] TRUE
So we can obtain our desired table using:
murders_new <- murders_raw %>% mutate_at(2:3, parse_number)
#> # A tibble: 6 x 4
#> state population total murder_rate
#> <chr> <dbl> <dbl> <dbl>
#> 1 Alabama 4853875 348 7.2
#> 2 Alaska 737709 59 8
#> 3 Arizona 6817565 309 4.5
#> 4 Arkansas 2977853 181 6.1
#> 5 California 38993940 1861 4.8
#> # … with 1 more row
This case is relatively simple compared to the string processing challenges that we typically face in data science. The next example is a rather complex one and it provides several challenges that will permit us to learn many string processing techniques.
24.3 Case study 2: self-reported heights
The dslabs package includes the raw data from which the heights dataset was obtained. You can load it like this:
These heights were obtained using a web form in which students were asked to enter their heights. They could enter anything, but the instructions asked for height in inches, a number. We compiled 1,095 submissions, but unfortunately the column vector with the reported heights had several non-numeric entries and as a result became a character vector:
#> [1] "character"
If we try to parse it into numbers, we get a warning:
x <- as.numeric(reported_heights$height)
#> Warning: NAs introduced by coercion
Although most values appear to be height in inches as requested:
#> [1] 75 70 68 74 61 65
we do end up with many NAs:
#> [1] 81
We can see some of the entries that are not successfully converted by using filter to keep only the entries resulting in NAs:
reported_heights %>%
mutate(new_height = as.numeric(height)) %>%
filter( %>%
#> time_stamp sex height new_height
#> 1 2014-09-02 15:16:28 Male 5' 4" NA
#> 2 2014-09-02 15:16:37 Female 165cm NA
#> 3 2014-09-02 15:16:52 Male 5'7 NA
#> 4 2014-09-02 15:16:56 Male >9000 NA
#> 5 2014-09-02 15:16:56 Male 5'7" NA
#> 6 2014-09-02 15:17:09 Female 5'3" NA
#> 7 2014-09-02 15:18:00 Male 5 feet and 8.11 inches NA
#> 8 2014-09-02 15:19:48 Male 5'11 NA
#> 9 2014-09-04 00:46:45 Male 5'9'' NA
#> 10 2014-09-04 10:29:44 Male 5'10'' NA
We immediately see what is happening. Some of the students did not report their heights in inches as requested. We could discard these data and continue. However, many of the entries follow patterns that, in principle, we can easily convert to inches. For example, in the output above, we see various cases that use the format x'y'' with x and y representing feet and inches, respectively. Each one of these cases can be read and converted to inches by a human, for example 5'4'' is 5*12 + 4 = 64. So we could fix all the problematic entries by hand. However, humans are prone to making mistakes, so an automated approach is preferable. Also, because we plan on continuing to collect data, it will be convenient to write code that automatically does this.
A first step in this type of task is to survey the problematic entries and try to define specific patterns followed by a large groups of entries. The larger these groups, the more entries we can fix with a single programmatic approach. We want to find patterns that can be accurately described with a rule, such as “a digit, followed by a feet symbol, followed by one or two digits, followed by an inches symbol.”
To look for such patterns, it helps to remove the entries that are consistent with being in inches and to view only the problematic entries. We thus write a function to automatically do this. We keep entries that either result in NAs when applying as.numeric or are outside a range of plausible heights. We permit a range that covers about 99.9999% of the adult population. We also use suppressWarnings to avoid the warning message we know as.numeric will gives us.
not_inches <- function(x, smallest = 50, tallest = 84){
inches <- suppressWarnings(as.numeric(x))
ind <- | inches < smallest | inches > tallest
We apply this function and find the number of problematic entries:
problems <- reported_heights %>%
filter(not_inches(height)) %>%
#> [1] 292
We can now view all the cases by simply printing them. We don’t do that here because there are length(problems), but after surveying them carefully, we see that three patterns can be used to define three large groups within these exceptions.
1. A pattern of the form x'y or x' y'' or x'y" with x and y representing feet and inches, respectively. Here are ten examples:
#> 5' 4" 5'7 5'7" 5'3" 5'11 5'9'' 5'10'' 5' 10 5'5" 5'2"
2. A pattern of the form x.y or x,y with x feet and y inches. Here are ten examples:
#> 5.3 5.5 6.5 5.8 5.6 5,3 5.9 6,8 5.5 6.2
3. Entries that were reported in centimeters rather than inches. Here are ten examples:
#> 150 175 177 178 163 175 178 165 165 180
Once we see these large groups following specific patterns, we can develop a plan of attack. Remember that there is rarely just one way to perform these tasks. Here we pick one that helps us teach several useful techniques. But surely there is a more efficient way of performing the task.
Plan of attack: we will convert entries fitting the first two patterns into a standardized one. We will then leverage the standardization to extract the feet and inches and convert to inches. We will then define a procedure for identifying entries that are in centimeters and convert them to inches. After applying these steps, we will then check again to see what entries were not fixed and see if we can tweak our approach to be more comprehensive.
At the end, we hope to have a script that makes web-based data collection methods robust to the most common user mistakes.
To achieve our goal, we will use a technique that enables us to accurately detect patterns and extract the parts we want: regular expressions (regex). But first, we quickly describe how to escape the function of certain characters so that they can be included in strings.
24.4 How to escape when defining strings
To define strings in R, we can use either double quotes:
s <- "Hello!"
or single quotes:
s <- 'Hello!'
Make sure you choose the correct single quote since using the back quote will give you an error:
s <- `Hello`
Error: object 'Hello' not found
Now, what happens if the string we want to define includes double quotes? For example, if we want to write 10 inches like this 10"? In this case you can’t use:
s <- "10""
because this is just the string 10 followed by a double quote. If you type this into R, you get an error because you have an unclosed double quote. To avoid this, we can use the single quotes:
s <- '10"'
If we print out s we see that the double quotes are escaped with the backslash \.
#> [1] "10\""
In fact, escaping with the backslash provides a way to define the string while still using the double quotes to define strings:
s <- "10\""
In R, the function cat lets us see what the string actually looks like:
#> 10"
Now, what if we want our string to be 5 feet written like this 5'? In this case, we can use the double quotes:
s <- "5'"
#> 5'
So we’ve learned how to write 5 feet and 10 inches separately, but what if we want to write them together to represent 5 feet and 10 inches like this 5'10"? In this case, neither the single nor double quotes will work. This:
s <- '5'10"'
closes the string after 5 and this:
s <- "5'10""
closes the string after 10. Keep in mind that if we type one of the above code snippets into R, it will get stuck waiting for you to close the open quote and you will have to exit the execution with the esc button.
In this situation, we need to escape the function of the quotes with the backslash \. You can escape either character like this:
s <- '5\'10"'
#> 5'10"
or like this:
s <- "5'10\""
#> 5'10"
Escaping characters is something we often have to use when processing strings.
24.5 Regular expressions
A regular expression (regex) is a way to describe specific patterns of characters of text. They can be used to determine if a given string matches the pattern. A set of rules has been defined to do this efficiently and precisely and here we show some examples. We can learn more about these rules by reading a detailed tutorials87.88 This RStudio cheat sheet89 is also very useful.
The patterns supplied to the stringr functions can be a regex rather than a standard string. We will learn how this works through a series of examples.
Throughout this section you will see that we create strings to test out our regex. To do this, we define patterns that we know should match and also patterns that we know should not. We will call them yes and no, respectively. This permits us to check for the two types of errors: failing to match and incorrectly matching.
24.5.1 Strings are a regexp
Technically any string is a regex, perhaps the simplest example is a single character. So the comma , used in the next code example is a simple example of searching with regex.
pattern <- ","
str_detect(murders_raw$total, pattern)
We suppress the output which is logical vector telling us which entries have commas.
Above, we noted that an entry included a cm. This is also a simple example of a regex. We can show all the entries that used cm like this:
str_subset(reported_heights$height, "cm")
#> [1] "165cm" "170 cm"
24.5.2 Special characters
Now let’s consider a slightly more complicated example. Which of the following strings contain the pattern cm or inches?
yes <- c("180 cm", "70 inches")
no <- c("180", "70''")
s <- c(yes, no)
str_detect(s, "cm") | str_detect(s, "inches")
However, we don’t need to do this. The main feature that distinguishes the regex language from plain strings is that we can use special characters. These are characters with a meaning. We start by introducing | which means or. So if we want to know if either cm or inches appears in the strings, we can use the regex cm|inches:
str_detect(s, "cm|inches")
and obtain the correct answer.
Another special character that will be useful for identifying feet and inches values is \d which means any digit: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. The backslash is used to distinguish it from the character d. In R, we have to escape the backslash \ so we actually have to use \\d to represent digits. Here is an example:
yes <- c("5", "6", "5'10", "5 feet", "4'11")
no <- c("", ".", "Five", "six")
s <- c(yes, no)
pattern <- "\\d"
str_detect(s, pattern)
We take this opportunity to introduce the str_view function, which is helpful for troubleshooting as it shows us the first match for each string:
str_view(s, pattern)
and str_view_all shows us all the matches, so 3'2 has two matches and 5'10 has three.
str_view_all(s, pattern)
There are many other special characters. We will learn some others below, but you can see most or all of them in the cheat sheet90 mentioned earlier.
24.5.3 Character classes
Character classes are used to define a series of characters that can be matched. We define character classes with square brackets []. So, for example, if we want the pattern to match only if we have a 5 or a 6, we use the regex [56]:
str_view(s, "[56]")
Suppose we want to match values between 4 and 7. A common way to define character classes is with ranges. So, for example, [0-9] is equivalent to \\d. The pattern we want is therefore [4-7].
yes <- as.character(4:7)
no <- as.character(1:3)
s <- c(yes, no)
str_detect(s, "[4-7]")
However, it is important to know that in regex everything is a character; there are no numbers. So 4 is the character 4 not the number four. Notice, for example, that [1-20] does not mean 1 through 20, it means the characters 1 through 2 or the character 0. So [1-20] simply means the character class composed of 0, 1, and 2.
Keep in mind that characters do have an order and the digits do follow the numeric order. So 0 comes before 1 which comes before 2 and so on. For the same reason, we can define lower case letters as [a-z], upper case letters as [A-Z], and [a-zA-z] as both.
24.5.4 Anchors
What if we want a match when we have exactly 1 digit? This will be useful in our case study since feet are never more than 1 digit so a restriction will help us. One way to do this with regex is by using anchors, which let us define patterns that must start or end at a specific place. The two most common anchors are ^ and $ which represent the beginning and end of a string, respectively. So the pattern ^\\d$ is read as “start of the string followed by one digit followed by end of string.”
This pattern now only detects the strings with exactly one digit:
pattern <- "^\\d$"
yes <- c("1", "5", "9")
no <- c("12", "123", " 1", "a4", "b")
s <- c(yes, no)
str_view_all(s, pattern)
The 1 does not match because it does not start with the digit but rather with a space, which is actually not easy to see.
24.5.5 Quantifiers
For the inches part, we can have one or two digits. This can be specified in regex with quantifiers. This is done by following the pattern with curly brackets containing the number of times the previous entry can be repeated. We use an example to illustrate. The pattern for one or two digits is:
pattern <- "^\\d{1,2}$"
yes <- c("1", "5", "9", "12")
no <- c("123", "a4", "b")
str_view(c(yes, no), pattern)
In this case, 123 does not match, but 12 does. So to look for our feet and inches pattern, we can add the symbols for feet ' and inches " after the digits.
With what we have learned, we can now construct an example for the pattern x'y\" with x feet and y inches.
pattern <- "^[4-7]'\\d{1,2}\"$"
The pattern is now getting complex, but you can look at it carefully and break it down:
• ^ = start of the string
• [4-7] = one digit, either 4,5,6 or 7
• ' = feet symbol
• \\d{1,2} = one or two digits
• \" = inches symbol
• $ = end of the string
Let’s test it out:
yes <- c("5'7\"", "6'2\"", "5'12\"")
no <- c("6,2\"", "6.2\"","I am 5'11\"", "3'2\"", "64")
str_detect(yes, pattern)
str_detect(no, pattern)
For now, we are permitting the inches to be 12 or larger. We will add a restriction later as the regex for this is a bit more complex than we are ready to show.
24.5.6 White space \s
Another problem we have are spaces. For example, our pattern does not match 5' 4" because there is a space between ' and 4 which our pattern does not permit. Spaces are characters and R does not ignore them:
identical("Hi", "Hi ")
#> [1] FALSE
In regex, \s represents white space. To find patterns like 5' 4, we can change our pattern to:
pattern_2 <- "^[4-7]'\\s\\d{1,2}\"$"
str_subset(problems, pattern_2)
#> [1] "5' 4\"" "5' 11\"" "5' 7\""
However, this will not match the patterns with no space. So do we need more than one regex pattern? It turns out we can use a quantifier for this as well.
24.5.7 Quantifiers: *, ?, +
We want the pattern to permit spaces but not require them. Even if there are several spaces, like in this example 5' 4, we still want it to match. There is a quantifier for exactly this purpose. In regex, the character * means zero or more instances of the previous character. Here is an example:
yes <- c("AB", "A1B", "A11B", "A111B", "A1111B")
no <- c("A2B", "A21B")
str_detect(yes, "A1*B")
str_detect(no, "A1*B")
The above matches the first string which has zero 1s and all the strings with one or more 1. We can then improve our pattern by adding the * after the space character \s.
There are two other similar quantifiers. For none or once, we can use ?, and for one or more, we can use +. You can see how they differ with this example:
data.frame(string = c("AB", "A1B", "A11B", "A111B", "A1111B"),
none_or_more = str_detect(yes, "A1*B"),
nore_or_once = str_detect(yes, "A1?B"),
once_or_more = str_detect(yes, "A1+B"))
#> string none_or_more nore_or_once once_or_more
#> 1 AB TRUE TRUE FALSE
#> 2 A1B TRUE TRUE TRUE
#> 3 A11B TRUE FALSE TRUE
#> 4 A111B TRUE FALSE TRUE
#> 5 A1111B TRUE FALSE TRUE
We will actually use all three in our reported heights example, but we will see these in a later section.
24.5.8 Not
To specify patterns that we do not want to detect, we can use the ^ symbol but only inside square brackets. Remember that outside the square bracket ^ means the start of the string. So, for example, if we want to detect digits that are preceded by anything except a letter we can do the following:
pattern <- "[^a-zA-Z]\\d"
yes <- c(".3", "+2", "-0","*4")
no <- c("A3", "B2", "C0", "E4")
str_detect(yes, pattern)
str_detect(no, pattern)
Another way to generate a pattern that searches for everything except is to use the upper case of the special character. For example \\D means anything other than a digit, \\S means anything except a space, and so on.
24.5.9 Groups
Groups are a powerful aspect of regex that permits the extraction of values. Groups are defined using parentheses. They don’t affect the pattern matching per se. Instead, it permits tools to identify specific parts of the pattern so we can extract them.
We want to change heights written like 5.6 to 5'6.
To avoid changing patterns such as 70.2, we will require that the first digit be between 4 and 7 [4-7] and that the second be none or more digits \\d*. Let’s start by defining a simple pattern that matches this:
pattern_without_groups <- "^[4-7],\\d*$"
We want to extract the digits so we can then form the new version using a period. These are our two groups, so we encapsulate them with parentheses:
pattern_with_groups <- "^([4-7]),(\\d*)$"
We encapsulate the part of the pattern that matches the parts we want to keep for later use. Adding groups does not affect the detection, since it only signals that we want to save what is captured by the groups. Note that both patterns return the same result when using str_detect:
yes <- c("5,9", "5,11", "6,", "6,1")
no <- c("5'9", ",", "2,8", "6.1.1")
s <- c(yes, no)
str_detect(s, pattern_without_groups)
str_detect(s, pattern_with_groups)
Once we define groups, we can use the function str_match to extract the values these groups define:
str_match(s, pattern_with_groups)
#> [1,] "5,9" "5" "9"
#> [2,] "5,11" "5" "11"
#> [3,] "6," "6" ""
#> [4,] "6,1" "6" "1"
#> [5,] NA NA NA
#> [6,] NA NA NA
#> [7,] NA NA NA
#> [8,] NA NA NA
Notice that the second and third columns contain feet and inches, respectively. The first column is the part of the string matching the pattern. If no match occurred, we see an NA.
Now we can understand the difference between the functions str_extract and str_match: str_extract extracts only strings that match a pattern, not the values defined by groups:
str_extract(s, pattern_with_groups)
#> [1] "5,9" "5,11" "6," "6,1" NA NA NA NA
24.6 Search and replace with regex
Earlier we defined the object problems containing the strings that do not appear to be in inches. We can see that not too many of our problematic strings match the pattern:
sum(str_detect(problems, pattern))
#> [1] 14
To see why this is, we show some examples that expose why we don’t have more matches:
problems[c(2, 10, 11, 12, 15)] %>% str_view(pattern)
An initial problem we see immediately is that some students wrote out the words “feet” and “inches.” We can see the entries that did this with the str_subset function:
str_subset(problems, "inches")
#> [1] "5 feet and 8.11 inches" "Five foot eight inches"
#> [3] "5 feet 7inches" "5ft 9 inches"
#> [5] "5 ft 9 inches" "5 feet 6 inches"
We also see that some entries used two single quotes '' instead of a double quote ".
str_subset(problems, "''")
#> [1] "5'9''" "5'10''" "5'10''" "5'3''" "5'7''" "5'6''"
#> [7] "5'7.5''" "5'7.5''" "5'10''" "5'11''" "5'10''" "5'5''"
To correct this, we can replace the different ways of representing inches and feet with a uniform symbol. We will use ' for feet, whereas for inches we will simply not use a symbol since some entries were of the form x'y. Now, if we no longer use the inches symbol, we have to change our pattern accordingly:
pattern <- "^[4-7]'\\d{1,2}$"
If we do this replacement before the matching, we get many more matches:
problems %>%
str_replace("feet|ft|foot", "'") %>% # replace feet, ft, foot with '
str_replace("inches|in|''|\"", "") %>% # remove all inches symbols
str_detect(pattern) %>%
#> [1] 48
However, we still have many cases to go.
Note that in the code above, we leveraged the stringr consistency and used the pipe.
For now, we improve our pattern by adding \\s* in front of and after the feet symbol ' to permit space between the feet symbol and the numbers. Now we match a few more entries:
pattern <- "^[4-7]\\s*'\\s*\\d{1,2}$"
problems %>%
str_detect(pattern) %>%
#> [1] 53
We might be tempted to avoid doing this by removing all the spaces with str_replace_all. However, when doing such an operation we need to make sure that it does not have unintended effects. In our reported heights examples, this will be a problem because some entries are of the form x y with space separating the feet from the inches. If we remove all spaces, we will incorrectly turn x y into xy which implies that a 6 1 would become 61 inches instead of 73 inches.
The second large type of problematic entries were of the form x.y, x,y and x y. We want to change all these to our common format x'y. But we can’t just do a search and replace because we would change values such as 70.5 into 70'5. Our strategy will therefore be to search for a very specific pattern that assures us feet and inches are being provided and then, for those that match, replace appropriately.
24.6.1 Search and replace using groups
Another powerful aspect of groups is that you can refer to the extracted values in a regex when searching and replacing.
The regex special character for the i-th group is \\i. So \\1 is the value extracted from the first group, \\2 the value from the second and so on. As a simple example, note that the following code will replace a comma with period, but only if it is between two digits:
s <- c(yes, no)
str_replace(s, pattern_with_groups, "\\1'\\2")
#> [1] "5'9" "5'11" "6'" "6'1" "5'9" "," "2,8" "6.1.1"
We can use this to convert cases in our reported heights.
We are now ready to define a pattern that helps us convert all the x.y, x,y and x y to our preferred format. We need to adapt pattern_with_groups to be a bit more flexible and capture all the cases.
pattern_with_groups <-"^([4-7])\\s*[,\\.\\s+]\\s*(\\d*)$"
Let’s break this one down:
• ^ = start of the string
• [4-7] = one digit, either 4, 5, 6, or 7
• \\s* = none or more white space
• [,\\.\\s+] = feet symbol is either ,, . or at least one space
• \\s* = none or more white space
• \\d* = none or more digits
• $ = end of the string
We can see that it appears to be working:
str_subset(problems, pattern_with_groups) %>% head()
#> [1] "5.3" "5.25" "5.5" "6.5" "5.8" "5.6"
and will be able to perform the search and replace:
str_subset(problems, pattern_with_groups) %>%
str_replace(pattern_with_groups, "\\1'\\2") %>% head
#> [1] "5'3" "5'25" "5'5" "6'5" "5'8" "5'6"
Again, we will deal with the inches-larger-than-twelve challenge later.
24.7 Testing and improving
Developing the right regex on the first try is often difficult. Trial and error is a common approach to finding the regex pattern that satisfies all desired conditions. In the previous sections, we have developed a powerful string processing technique that can help us catch many of the problematic entries. Here we will test our approach, search for further problems, and tweak our approach for possible improvements. Let’s write a function that captures all the entries that can’t be converted into numbers remembering that some are in centimeters (we will deal with those later):
not_inches_or_cm <- function(x, smallest = 50, tallest = 84){
inches <- suppressWarnings(as.numeric(x))
ind <- ! &
((inches >= smallest & inches <= tallest) |
(inches/2.54 >= smallest & inches/2.54 <= tallest))
problems <- reported_heights %>%
filter(not_inches_or_cm(height)) %>%
#> [1] 200
Let’s see what proportion of these fit our pattern after the processing steps we developed above:
converted <- problems %>%
str_replace("feet|foot|ft", "'") %>% # convert feet symbols to '
str_replace("^([4-7])\\s*[,\\.\\s+]\\s*(\\d*)$", "\\1'\\2")# change format
index <- str_detect(converted, pattern)
#> [1] 0.615
Note how we leveraged the pipe, one of the advantages of using stringr. This last piece of code shows that we have matched well over half of the strings. Let’s examine the remaining cases:
#> [1] "6" "165cm" "511" "6"
#> [5] "2" ">9000" "5 ' and 8.11 " "11111"
#> [9] "6" "103.2" "19" "5"
#> [13] "300" "6'" "6" "Five ' eight "
#> [17] "7" "214" "6" "0.7"
#> [21] "6" "2'33" "612" "1,70"
#> [25] "87" "5'7.5" "5'7.5" "111"
#> [29] "5' 7.78" "12" "6" "yyy"
#> [33] "89" "34" "25" "6"
#> [37] "6" "22" "684" "6"
#> [41] "1" "1" "6*12" "87"
#> [45] "6" "1.6" "120" "120"
#> [49] "23" "1.7" "6" "5"
#> [53] "69" "5' 9 " "5 ' 9 " "6"
#> [57] "6" "86" "708,661" "5 ' 6 "
#> [61] "6" "649,606" "10000" "1"
#> [65] "728,346" "0" "6" "6"
#> [69] "6" "100" "88" "6"
#> [73] "170 cm" "7,283,465" "5" "5"
#> [77] "34"
Four clear patterns arise:
1. Many students measuring exactly 5 or 6 feet did not enter any inches, for example 6', and our pattern requires that inches be included.
2. Some students measuring exactly 5 or 6 feet entered just that number.
3. Some of the inches were entered with decimal points. For example 5'7.5''. Our pattern only looks for two digits.
4. Some entries have spaces at the end, for example 5 ' 9.
Although not as common, we also see the following problems:
1. Some entries are in meters and some of these use European decimals: 1.6, 1,70.
2. Two students added cm.
3. A student spelled out the numbers: Five foot eight inches.
It is not necessarily clear that it is worth writing code to handle these last three cases since they might be rare enough. However, some of them provide us with an opportunity to learn a few more regex techniques, so we will build a fix.
For case 1, if we add a '0 after the first digit, for example, convert all 6 to 6'0, then our previously defined pattern will match. This can be done using groups:
yes <- c("5", "6", "5")
no <- c("5'", "5''", "5'4")
s <- c(yes, no)
str_replace(s, "^([4-7])$", "\\1'0")
#> [1] "5'0" "6'0" "5'0" "5'" "5''" "5'4"
The pattern says it has to start (^) with a digit between 4 and 7 and end there ($). The parenthesis defines the group that we pass as \\1 to generate the replacement regex string.
We can adapt this code slightly to handle the case 2 as well, which covers the entry 5'. Note 5' is left untouched. This is because the extra ' makes the pattern not match since we have to end with a 5 or 6. We want to permit the 5 or 6 to be followed by 0 or 1 feet sign. So we can simply add '{0,1} after the ' to do this. However, we can use the none or once special character ?. As we saw above, this is different from * which is none or more. We now see that the fourth case is also converted:
str_replace(s, "^([56])'?$", "\\1'0")
#> [1] "5'0" "6'0" "5'0" "5'0" "5''" "5'4"
Here we only permit 5 and 6, but not 4 and 7. This is because 5 and 6 feet tall is quite common, so we assume those that typed 5 or 6 really meant 60 or 72 inches. However, 4 and 7 feet tall are so rare that, although we accept 84 as a valid entry, we assume 7 was entered in error.
We can use quantifiers to deal with case 3. These entries are not matched because the inches include decimals and our pattern does not permit this. We need to allow the second group to include decimals not just digits. This means we must permit zero or one period . then zero or more digits. So we will be using both ? and *. Also remember that, for this particular case, the period needs to be escaped since it is a special character (it means any character except line break). Here is a simple example of how we can use *.
So we can adapt our pattern, currently ^[4-7]\\s*'\\s*\\d{1,2}$ to permit a decimal at the end:
pattern <- "^[4-7]\\s*'\\s*(\\d+\\.?\\d*)$"
Case 4, meters using commas, we can approach similarly to how we converted the x.y to x'y. A difference is that we require that the first digit be 1 or 2:
yes <- c("1,7", "1, 8", "2, " )
no <- c("5,8", "5,3,2", "1.7")
s <- c(yes, no)
str_replace(s, "^([12])\\s*,\\s*(\\d*)$", "\\1\\.\\2")
#> [1] "1.7" "1.8" "2." "5,8" "5,3,2" "1.7"
We will later check if the entries are meters using their numeric values. We will come back to the case study after introducing two widely used functions in string processing that will come in handy when developing our final solution for the self-reported heights.
24.8 Trimming
In general, spaces at the start or end of the string are uninformative. These can be particularly deceptive because sometimes they can be hard to see:
s <- "Hi "
#> Hi
identical(s, "Hi")
#> [1] FALSE
This is a general enough problem that there is a function dedicated to removing them: str_trim.
str_trim("5 ' 9 ")
#> [1] "5 ' 9"
24.9 Changing lettercase
Notice that regex is case sensitive. Often we want to match a word regardless of case. One approach to doing this is to first change everything to lower case and then proceeding ignoring case. As an example, note that one of the entries writes out numbers as words Five foot eight inches. Although not efficient, we could add 13 extra str_replace calls to convert zero to 0, one to 1, and so on. To avoid having to write two separate operations for Zero and zero, One and one, etc., we can use the str_to_lower function to make all works lower case first:
s <- c("Five feet eight inches")
#> [1] "five feet eight inches"
Other related functions are str_to_upper and str_to_title. We are now ready to define a procedure that converts all the problematic cases to inches.
24.10 Case study 2: self-reported heights (continued)
We now put all of what we have learned together into a function that takes a string vector and tries to convert as many strings as possible to one format. We write a function that puts together what we have done above.
convert_format <- function(s){
s %>%
str_replace_all("inches|in|''|\"|cm|and", "") %>%
str_replace("^([56])'?$", "\\1'0") %>%
We can also write a function that converts words to numbers:
words_to_numbers <- function(s){
s <- str_to_lower(s)
for(i in 0:11)
s <- str_replace_all(s, words(i), as.character(i))
Note that we can perform the above operation more efficiently with the function recode, which we learn about in Section 24.13. Now we can see which problematic entries remain:
converted <- problems %>% words_to_numbers() %>% convert_format()
remaining_problems <- converted[not_inches_or_cm(converted)]
pattern <- "^[4-7]\\s*'\\s*\\d+\\.?\\d*$"
index <- str_detect(remaining_problems, pattern)
#> [1] "511" "2" ">9000" "11111" "103.2"
#> [6] "19" "300" "7" "214" "0.7"
#> [11] "2'33" "612" "1.70" "87" "111"
#> [16] "12" "yyy" "89" "34" "25"
#> [21] "22" "684" "1" "1" "6*12"
#> [26] "87" "1.6" "120" "120" "23"
#> [31] "1.7" "86" "708,661" "649,606" "10000"
#> [36] "1" "728,346" "0" "100" "88"
#> [41] "7,283,465" "34"
apart from the cases reported as meters, which we will fix below, they all seem to be cases that are impossible to fix.
24.10.1 The extract function
The extract function is a useful tidyverse function for string processing that we will use in our final solution, so we introduce it here. In a previous section, we constructed a regex that lets us identify which elements of a character vector match the feet and inches pattern. However, we want to do more. We want to extract and save the feet and number values so that we can convert them to inches when appropriate.
If we have a simpler case like this:
s <- c("5'10", "6'1")
tab <- data.frame(x = s)
In Section 21.3 we learned about the separate function, which can be used to achieve our current goal:
tab %>% separate(x, c("feet", "inches"), sep = "'")
#> feet inches
#> 1 5 10
#> 2 6 1
The extract function from the tidyr package lets us use regex groups to extract the desired values. Here is the equivalent to the code above using separate but using extract:
tab %>% extract(x, c("feet", "inches"), regex = "(\\d)'(\\d{1,2})")
#> feet inches
#> 1 5 10
#> 2 6 1
So why do we even need the new function extract? We have seen how small changes can throw off exact pattern matching. Groups in regex give us more flexibility. For example, if we define:
s <- c("5'10", "6'1\"","5'8inches")
tab <- data.frame(x = s)
and we only want the numbers, separate fails:
tab %>% separate(x, c("feet","inches"), sep = "'", fill = "right")
#> feet inches
#> 1 5 10
#> 2 6 1"
#> 3 5 8inches
However, we can use extract. The regex here is a bit more complicated since we have to permit ' with spaces and feet. We also do not want the " included in the value, so we do not include that in the group:
#> feet inches
#> 1 5 10
#> 2 6 1
#> 3 5 8
24.10.2 Putting it all together
We are now ready to put it all together and wrangle our reported heights data to try to recover as many heights as possible. The code is complex, but we will break it down into parts.
We start by cleaning up the height column so that the heights are closer to a feet’inches format. We added an original heights column so we can compare before and after.
Now we are ready to wrangle our reported heights dataset:
pattern <- "^([4-7])\\s*'\\s*(\\d+\\.?\\d*)$"
smallest <- 50
tallest <- 84
new_heights <- reported_heights %>%
mutate(original = height,
height = words_to_numbers(height) %>% convert_format()) %>%
extract(height, c("feet", "inches"), regex = pattern, remove = FALSE) %>%
mutate_at(c("height", "feet", "inches"), as.numeric) %>%
mutate(guess = 12 * feet + inches) %>%
mutate(height = case_when( ~ as.numeric(NA),
between(height, smallest, tallest) ~ height, #inches
between(height/2.54, smallest, tallest) ~ height/2.54, #cm
between(height*100/2.54, smallest, tallest) ~ height*100/2.54, #meters
TRUE ~ as.numeric(NA))) %>%
mutate(height = ifelse( &
inches < 12 & between(guess, smallest, tallest),
guess, height)) %>%
We can check all the entries we converted by typing:
new_heights %>%
filter(not_inches(original)) %>%
select(original, height) %>%
arrange(height) %>%
A final observation is that if we look at the shortest students in our course:
new_heights %>% arrange(height) %>% head(n=7)
#> time_stamp sex height feet inches original
#> 1 2017-07-04 01:30:25 Male 50.0 NA NA 50
#> 2 2017-09-07 10:40:35 Male 50.0 NA NA 50
#> 3 2014-09-02 15:18:30 Female 51.0 NA NA 51
#> 4 2016-06-05 14:07:20 Female 52.0 NA NA 52
#> 5 2016-06-05 14:07:38 Female 52.0 NA NA 52
#> 6 2014-09-23 03:39:56 Female 53.0 NA NA 53
#> 7 2015-01-07 08:57:29 Male 53.8 NA NA 53.77
We see heights of 53, 54, and 55. In the originals, we also have 51 and 52. These short heights are rare and it is likely that the students actually meant 5'1, 5'2, 5'3, 5'4, and 5'5. Because we are not completely sure, we will leave them as reported. The object new_heights contains our final solution for this case study.
24.11 String splitting
Another very common data wrangling operation is string splitting. To illustrate how this comes up, we start with an illustrative example. Suppose we did not have the function read_csv or read.csv available to us. We instead have to read a csv file using the base R function readLines like this:
filename <- system.file("extdata/murders.csv", package = "dslabs")
lines <- readLines(filename)
This function reads-in the data line-by-line to create a vector of strings. In this case, one string for each row in the spreadsheet. The first six lines are:
lines %>% head()
#> [1] "state,abb,region,population,total"
#> [2] "Alabama,AL,South,4779736,135"
#> [3] "Alaska,AK,West,710231,19"
#> [4] "Arizona,AZ,West,6392017,232"
#> [5] "Arkansas,AR,South,2915918,93"
#> [6] "California,CA,West,37253956,1257"
We want to extract the values that are separated by a comma for each string in the vector. The command str_split does exactly this:
x <- str_split(lines, ",")
x %>% head(2)
#> [[1]]
#> [1] "state" "abb" "region" "population" "total"
#> [[2]]
#> [1] "Alabama" "AL" "South" "4779736" "135"
Note that the first entry has the column names, so we can separate that out:
col_names <- x[[1]]
x <- x[-1]
To convert our list into a data frame, we can use a shortcut provided by the map functions in the purrr package. The map function applies the same function to each element in a list. So if we want to extract the first entry of each element in x, we can write:
map(x, function(y) y[1]) %>% head(2)
#> [[1]]
#> [1] "Alabama"
#> [[2]]
#> [1] "Alaska"
However, because this is such a common task, purrr provides a shortcut. If the second argument receives an integer instead of a function, it assumes we want that entry. So the code above can be written more efficiently like this:
map(x, 1)
To force map to return a character vector instead of a list, we can use map_chr. Similarly, map_int returns integers. So to create our data frame, we can use:
dat <- tibble(map_chr(x, 1),
map_chr(x, 2),
map_chr(x, 3),
map_chr(x, 4),
map_chr(x, 5)) %>%
mutate_all(parse_guess) %>%
dat %>% head
#> # A tibble: 6 x 5
#> state abb region population total
#> <chr> <chr> <chr> <dbl> <dbl>
#> 1 Alabama AL South 4779736 135
#> 2 Alaska AK West 710231 19
#> 3 Arizona AZ West 6392017 232
#> 4 Arkansas AR South 2915918 93
#> 5 California CA West 37253956 1257
#> # … with 1 more row
If you learn more about the purrr package, you will learn that you perform the above with the following, more efficient, code:
dat <- x %>%
transpose() %>%
map( ~ parse_guess(unlist(.))) %>%
setNames(col_names) %>%
It turns out that we can avoid all the work shown above after the call to str_split. Specifically, if we know that the data we are extracting can be represented as a table, we can use the argument simplify=TRUE and str_split returns a matrix instead of a list:
x <- str_split(lines, ",", simplify = TRUE)
col_names <- x[1,]
x <- x[-1,]
colnames(x) <- col_names
x %>% as_tibble() %>%
mutate_all(parse_guess) %>%
#> # A tibble: 5 x 5
#> state abb region population total
#> 1 Alabama AL South 4779736 135
#> 2 Alaska AK West 710231 19
#> 3 Arizona AZ West 6392017 232
#> 4 Arkansas AR South 2915918 93
#> 5 California CA West 37253956 1257
24.12 Case study 3: extracting tables from a PDF
One of the datasets provided in dslabs shows scientific funding rates by gender in the Netherlands:
research_funding_rates %>%
select("discipline", "success_rates_men", "success_rates_women")
#> discipline success_rates_men success_rates_women
#> 1 Chemical sciences 26.5 25.6
#> 2 Physical sciences 19.3 23.1
#> 3 Physics 26.9 22.2
#> 4 Humanities 14.3 19.3
#> 5 Technical sciences 15.9 21.0
#> 6 Interdisciplinary 11.4 21.8
#> 7 Earth/life sciences 24.4 14.3
#> 8 Social sciences 15.3 11.5
#> 9 Medical sciences 18.8 11.2
The data comes from a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS)91, a widely read scientific journal. However, the data is not provided in a spreadsheet; it is in a table in a PDF document. Here is a screenshot of the table:
(Source: Romy van der Lee and Naomi Ellemers, PNAS 2015 112 (40) 12349-1235392.)
We could extract the numbers by hand, but this could lead to human error. Instead, we can try to wrangle the data using R. We start by downloading the pdf document, then importing into R:
temp_file <- tempfile()
url <- paste0("",
download.file(url, temp_file)
txt <- pdf_text(temp_file)
If we examine the object text, we notice that it is a character vector with an entry for each page. So we keep the page we want:
raw_data_research_funding_rates <- txt[2]
The steps above can actually be skipped because we include this raw data in the dslabs package as well:
Examining the object raw_data_research_funding_rates we see that it is a long string and each line on the page, including the table rows, are separated by the symbol for newline: \n. We therefore can create a list with the lines of the text as elements as follows:
tab <- str_split(raw_data_research_funding_rates, "\n")
Because we start off with just one element in the string, we end up with a list with just one entry.
tab <- tab[[1]]
By examining tab we see that the information for the column names is the third and fourth entries:
the_names_1 <- tab[3]
the_names_2 <- tab[4]
The first of these rows looks like this:
#> Applications, n
#> Awards, n Success rates, %
We want to create one vector with one name for each column. Using some of the functions we have just learned, we do this. Let’s start with the_names_1, shown above. We want to remove the leading space and anything following the comma. We use regex for the latter. Then we can obtain the elements by splitting strings separated by space. We want to split only when there are 2 or more spaces to avoid splitting Success rates. So we use the regex \\s{2,}
the_names_1 <- the_names_1 %>%
str_trim() %>%
str_replace_all(",\\s.", "") %>%
str_split("\\s{2,}", simplify = TRUE)
#> [1,] "Applications" "Awards" "Success rates"
Now we will look at the_names_2:
#> Discipline Total Men Women
#> n Total Men Women Total Men Women
Here we want to trim the leading space and then split by space as we did for the first line:
the_names_2 <- the_names_2 %>%
str_trim() %>%
str_split("\\s+", simplify = TRUE)
#> [1,] "Discipline" "Total" "Men" "Women" "Total" "Men" "Women" "Total"
#> [,9] [,10]
#> [1,] "Men" "Women"
We can then join these to generate one name for each column:
tmp_names <- str_c(rep(the_names_1, each = 3), the_names_2[-1], sep = "_")
the_names <- c(the_names_2[1], tmp_names) %>%
str_to_lower() %>%
str_replace_all("\\s", "_")
#> [1] "discipline" "applications_total" "applications_men"
#> [4] "applications_women" "awards_total" "awards_men"
#> [7] "awards_women" "success_rates_total" "success_rates_men"
#> [10] "success_rates_women"
Now we are ready to get the actual data. By examining the tab object, we notice that the information is in lines 6 through 14. We can use str_split again to achieve our goal:
new_research_funding_rates <- tab[6:14] %>%
str_trim %>%
str_split("\\s{2,}", simplify = TRUE) %>%
data.frame() %>%
setNames(the_names) %>%
mutate_at(-1, parse_number)
new_research_funding_rates %>% as_tibble()
#> # A tibble: 9 x 10
#> discipline applications_total applications_men applications_wom…
#> 1 Chemical scienc… 122 83 39
#> 2 Physical scienc… 174 135 39
#> 3 Physics 76 67 9
#> 4 Humanities 396 230 166
#> 5 Technical scien… 251 189 62
#> # … with 4 more rows, and 6 more variables: awards_total <dbl>,
#> # awards_men <dbl>, awards_women <dbl>, success_rates_total <dbl>,
#> # success_rates_men <dbl>, success_rates_women <dbl>
We can see that the objects are identical:
identical(research_funding_rates, new_research_funding_rates)
#> [1] TRUE
24.13 Recoding
Another common operation involving strings is recoding the names of categorical variables. Let’s say you have really long names for your levels and you will be displaying them in plots, you might want to use shorter versions of these names. For example, in character vectors with country names, you might want to change “United States of America” to “USA” and “United Kingdom” to UK, and so on. We can do this with case_when, although the tidyverse offers an option that is specifically designed for this task: the recode function.
Here is an example that shows how to rename countries with long names:
Suppose we want to show life expectancy time series by country for the Caribbean:
gapminder %>%
filter(region == "Caribbean") %>%
ggplot(aes(year, life_expectancy, color = country)) +
The plot is what we want, but much of the space is wasted to accommodate some of the long country names. We have four countries with names longer than 12 characters. These names appear once for each year in the Gapminder dataset. Once we pick nicknames, we need to change them all consistently. The recode function can be used to do this:
gapminder %>% filter(region=="Caribbean") %>%
mutate(country = recode(country,
`Antigua and Barbuda` = "Barbuda",
`Dominican Republic` = "DR",
`St. Vincent and the Grenadines` = "St. Vincent",
`Trinidad and Tobago` = "Trinidad")) %>%
There are other similar functions in other R packages, such as recode_factor and fct_recoder in the forcats package.
24.14 Exercises
1. Complete all lessons and exercises in the online interactive tutorial.
2. In the extdata directory of the dslabs package, you will find a PDF file containing daily mortality data for Puerto Rico from Jan 1, 2015 to May 31, 2018. You can find the file like this:
fn <- system.file("extdata", "RD-Mortality-Report_2015-18-180531.pdf",
Find and open the file or open it directly from RStudio. On a Mac, you can type:
system2("open", args = fn)
and on Windows, you can type:
system("cmd.exe", input = paste("start", fn))
Which of the following best describes this file:
1. It is a table. Extracting the data will be easy.
2. It is a report written in prose. Extracting the data will be impossible.
3. It is a report combining graphs and tables. Extracting the data seems possible.
4. It shows graphs of the data. Extracting the data will be difficult.
3. We are going to create a tidy dataset with each row representing one observation. The variables in this dataset will be year, month, day, and deaths. Start by installing and loading the pdftools package:
Now read-in fn using the pdf_text function and store the results in an object called txt. Which of the following best describes what you see in txt?
1. A table with the mortality data.
2. A character string of length 12. Each entry represents the text in each page. The mortality data is in there somewhere.
3. A character string with one entry containing all the information in the PDF file.
4. An html document.
4. Extract the ninth page of the PDF file from the object txt, then use the str_split from the stringr package so that you have each line in a different entry. Call this string vector s. Then look at the result and choose the one that best describes what you see.
1. It is an empty string.
2. I can see the figure shown in page 1.
3. It is a tidy table.
4. I can see the table! But there is a bunch of other stuff we need to get rid of.
5. What kind of object is s and how many entries does it have?
6. We see that the output is a list with one component. Redefine s to be the first entry of the list. What kind of object is s and how many entries does it have?
7. When inspecting the string we obtained above, we see a common problem: white space before and after the other characters. Trimming is a common first step in string processing. These extra spaces will eventually make splitting the strings hard so we start by removing them. We learned about the command str_trim that removes spaces at the start or end of the strings. Use this function to trim s.
8. We want to extract the numbers from the strings stored in s. However, there are many non-numeric characters that will get in the way. We can remove these, but before doing this we want to preserve the string with the column header, which includes the month abbreviation. Use the str_which function to find the rows with a header. Save these results to header_index. Hint: find the first string that matches the pattern 2015 using the str_which function.
9. Now we are going to define two objects: month will store the month and header will store the column names. Identify which row contains the header of the table. Save the content of the row into an object called header, then use str_split to help define the two objects we need. Hints: the separator here is one or more spaces. Also, consider using the simplify argument.
10. Notice that towards the end of the page you see a totals row followed by rows with other summary statistics. Create an object called tail_index with the index of the totals entry.
11. Because our PDF page includes graphs with numbers, some of our rows have just one number (from the y-axis of the plot). Use the str_count function to create an object n with the number of numbers in each each row. Hint: you can write a regex for number like this \\d+.
12. We are now ready to remove entries from rows that we know we don’t need. The entry header_index and everything before it should be removed. Entries for which n is 1 should also be removed, and the entry tail_index and everything that comes after it should be removed as well.
13. Now we are ready to remove all the non-numeric entries. Do this using regex and the str_remove_all function. Hint: remember that in regex, using the upper case version of a special character usually means the opposite. So \\D means “not a digit.” Remember you also want to keep spaces.
14. To convert the strings into a table, use the str_split_fixed function. Convert s into a data matrix with just the day and death count data. Hints: note that the separator is one or more spaces. Make the argument n a value that limits the number of columns to the values in the 4 columns and the last column captures all the extra stuff. Then keep only the first four columns.
15. Now you are almost ready to finish. Add column names to the matrix, including one called day. Also, add a column with the month. Call the resulting object dat. Finally, make sure the day is an integer not a character. Hint: use only the first five columns.
16. Now finish it up by tidying tab with the `pivot_longer_ function.
17. Make a plot of deaths versus day with color to denote year. Exclude 2018 since we do not have data for the entire year.
18. Now that we have wrangled this data step-by-step, put it all together in one R chunk, using the pipe as much as possible. Hint: first define the indexes, then write one line of code that does all the string processing.
19. Advanced: let’s return to the MLB Payroll example from the web scraping section. Use what you have learned in the web scraping and string processing chapters to extract the payroll for the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Oakland A’s and plot them as a function of time.
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Basic Sea Vegetables Information
Technically speaking, not all sea vegetables are plants, even though we refer to them that way. Macroalgae are classified by three color groups: red (6,000 species), brown (2,000 species), and green (1,200 species). The red and green groups (Rhodophytes and Ulvophytes) are classified on the same fork of the tree of life as plants, though different side branches. The brown algae (Phaeophytes) are placed on a different fork unrelated to plants or the other macroalgae species.
While there are many species of marine algae, only about 145 of them have a history as human food. Popular American sea vegetables from the east coast are dulse, kelp, Alaria, and laver, and sea palm from the west coast. Asian varieties include nori, hijiki, arame, kombu and wakame. We offer dulsesugar kelp, Alaria, laverIrish moss, sea lettuce, rockweed, and bladderwrack.
Sea vegetables have many culinary uses and they add distinctive flavor and trace ocean nutrients to our diet. They are also very nutritious. Sea vegetables are rich in minerals and iodine, high in fiber, and contain high quality protein. They also contain unique polysaccharides that have been linked to a long list of health benefits, including absorbing and removing radioactive elements and heavy metals from the body; inhibiting tumor cells, pathogenic bacteria, and viruses; and acting as prebiotics for healthy gut bacteria. Sea vegetables have even been linked to good mental health. Our Medicinal Botanical FAQs address these benefits in more detail.
If flavor and healthy nutrition aren’t enough, consider the environmental benefits. Sea vegetables require no fresh water, valuable agricultural land, pesticides, or fertilizers. Whether wild or farmed, seaweed removes CO2 and is considered a carbon negative crop with a high potential for mitigating climate change. Our wild sea vegetables are sustainably harvested to allow regrowth; some of the beds have been harvested for 40+ years!
For those with a botanical bent, following are the scientific names of the sea veggies we harvest and sell:
Dulse - Palmaria palmata
Laver - Porphyra umbilicalis
Sushi Nori - Porphyra yezoensis
Irish Moss - Chondrus crispus
Alaria - Alaria esculenta
Bladderwrack - Fucus vesiculosus
Kelp, whole leaf - Saccharina latissima (formerly known as Laminaria longicruris)
Rockweed - Ascophyllum nodosum
Sea Lettuce - Ulva spp (probably Ulva fenestra)
Dried sea vegetables last a very long time when they’re properly stored in airtight containers, out of direct sunlight, and not exposed to long stretches of hot temperatures. Nutrients such as minerals, iodine, and fiber are likely to remain wholly intact in dried sea vegetables for many years, although no one has ever shown this scientifically. The flavor and texture are also likely to be unaffected. However, it’s possible that some of the plant’s vitamins and lipids may deteriorate after many years’ storage.
Generally speaking, we label our sea vegetables with a “best before” date of 3-5 years from harvest. This date can be found on a white "BEST BEFORE" sticker adhered to the package. However, just because your sea vegetables are past this date (or the sticker is missing) doesn’t mean they’re bad and should be thrown away. We’ve had customers report that dried kelp purchased over 10 years ago was still as good as the day they bought it. Ultimately, you’re the judge.
Dried seaweed is rich in mineral salts and contains very little available moisture. This combination inhibits growth of bacteria, yeast, and molds, and ensures a prolonged shelf life of at least 3-5 years if the seaweed is kept properly stored. Recommended storage containers are our re-sealable bags or, for bulk amounts, glass jars with screw top lids. Refrigeration is not necessary or desirable, because it can contribute odors and moisture to dried seaweed. Room temperature storage in a closed cupboard or on the counter but away from direct sunlight is fine.
Sea veggies exposed to moisture or excessive heat may show signs of mold or deterioration. This will be readily visible as discoloration, and the seaweed may have an off-odor similar to mushrooms or seafood past their prime. The whitish powder that sometimes appears on sea vegetables consists of precipitated salts and sugars. These add flavor and saltiness to the seaweed and it remains safe to eat. You can rinse or use as is. It is not a good idea to rinse sea veggies and store unless you're going to use in 24-48 hours or refrigerate.
If your sea veggies get too dry and crispy, they can be rehydrated by adding a piece of lettuce, slice of apple or damp paper towel to the container for a day or two. Brittle kelp or Alaria can be lightly sprinkled or soaked until rehydrated to your preference.
Our sea vegetables are sometimes rinsed or soaked in fresh water before use, but often this is unnecessary. Dulse, for instance, is eaten right out of the bag as a healthy, "salty" snack. Kelp is often lightly soaked and rehydrated (it expands!) to be cut into attractive shapes and sizes. In any case, a light rinse before use lessens sea vegetables' salty taste. You will lose some sodium and potassium salts, but very little if any calcium, iron, magnesium, etc. You can save the rinse water for cooking. It is not a good idea to rinse sea veggies and then store them, unless you're going to use within 24-48 hours or refrigerate.
You may want to inspect the plants for tiny shells (periwinkles) before use. We do our best but sometimes they hide in the folds. Simply dip the plants in water long enough to unfold them and release any shells.
Some people find the distinctive aroma of sea vegetables to be strong or off-putting. One reason that it smells so strong is because it's a highly concentrated, dehydrated food. As long as there is no mold or other signs of deterioration (usually from being stored under damp and/or overly warm conditions) the product is fine to eat. Storing sea vegetables in a tightly sealed glass or plastic jar helps keep the odor from permeating the kitchen or pantry.
A whitish powder sometimes occurs on some of our sea vegetables, most often on sugar kelp and Alaria, and less often on dulse. The product may arrive in this condition or it may develop during storage. This is nothing to worry about! As sea vegetables continue to dry, salts and sugars can precipitate to the surface from the internal tissues. These salts and sugars are easily rinsed off, but they can also be safely eaten as is. In kelp, the principle sugar is mannitol and the salts are predominantly potassium and sodium. Mannitol is less sweet than most other sugars, but it still adds a subtle flavor quality. Along with kelps’ high mineral content and naturally occurring glutamate, mannitol is why kelp makes beans taste so great, cook so quickly and digest so easily!
While we are more skilled than ever at handling all our sea veggies from harvest to packaging, they are not ultra-processed to the point of total control. This is actually one of their unique selling points: minimally processed whole foods, enzymes intact.
In many Asian nations, beautiful healthy hair, skin, and nails are attributed to the regular use of seaweed in food, soap and shampoo. It’s thought that a combination of factors including an abundance of organic colloidal minerals, particularly calcium, silica, iron and phosphorous; emulsifying alginates (fibers that become mucilaginous when moistened) that cleanse surface toxins, emulsify oils and de-acidify; and the abundance of iodine, amino acids, active enzymes, beta carotenes, and B-vitamins all contribute to this effect.
If you want to experiment, try mixing 1 tsp. of our powdered rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) with 3/4 cup of warm water, wait about 30 minutes until the alginate gels fully develop, and then strain out any remaining particles. The remaining viscous liquid can be used as a shampoo or simple hand soap for cleansing and moisturizing. Or, add some whole kelp (or alaria, bladderwrack, or irish moss) to your bath. A cheesecloth bag keeps the seaweed from clogging the drain but still allow it to release the mucilaginous polysaccharides and minerals that are so beneficial for skin and hair.
For more detailed information, please read our cookbook and resource guide Sea Vegetable Celebration, pp 35-38.
Most domesticated animals are far from the diets of their wild ancestors, and in need of broad-based mineral support just as we humans are. Sea vegetables can provide chelated, colloidal trace elements to the diet of your special animals, as opposed to the inorganic mineral salts that supplement many commercial animal feeds and leave free metal ions in the digestive tract. We receive numerous reports from customers who have successfully fed our sea vegetables to their dogs, cats, fish, hamsters, iguanas, etc. Dog and cat owners claim not only healthier animals but also healthier, fuller coats.
Milled kelp (kelp meal) has been fed to cattle, sheep, chickens, and other barnyard animals for decades. If you wish to purchase seaweed-based feed supplements especially formulated for domesticated animals, and for feeding suggestions, please visit and For a more detailed discussion of this general topic, please read our cookbook and resource guide Sea Vegetable Celebration, pp 32-33.
Seaweed has been used for centuries by coastal people worldwide to nourish plants and gardens. Besides contributing a broad spectrum of abundant minerals, the brown varieties such as kelp and rockweed contain plant biostimulants such as cytokinins, natural plant hormones that stimulate growth and flowering, intensify color, and increase yield. Seaweed can also improve soil microbial ecology and tilth. Rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) in particular is widely utilized as a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Numerous scientific studies show that rockweed extracts can improve not just plant health and vigor, but also the nutritional quality of a variety of vegetable and fruit crops (1). Maine supports a small but important rockweed fishery for production of plant biostimulants. The Maine Seaweed Council website has links to Maine companies that sell seaweed-based agricultural products, as well as other products.
If you have access to fresh seaweed gathered from the shore, it can be tilled directly into the garden, composted with grass clippings, hay, or manure, or used on top of the soil as mulch. Our landbound customers can also use seaweed by adding small amounts of dried seaweed to water for regular watering of healthy plants or by making a seaweed 'tea' to help sickly plants recover. Steep some dried seaweed (any of the Browns' is most common) overnight in enough water to cover and then pour the tea on the roots the following day or apply as a foliar spray. A more detailed discussion of growing plants with sea vegetables can be found in our cookbook and resource guide Sea Vegetable Celebration, pp 34-35.
#1 Shukla et al., “Ascophyllum nodosum-Based Biostimulants: Sustainable Applications in Agriculture for the Stimulation of Plant Growth, Stress Tolerance, and Disease Management”, Frontiers in Plant Science 2019 10:65 doi: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00655
Culinary Questions
If you’re new to sea vegetables you might be wondering about their texture and flavor. Some dried whole leaf sea vegetables, such as kelp and Alaria, can be crunchy or even brittle right out of the bag. Others, such as dulse, are softer and more pliable. In any event, most sea vegetables can be eaten right from the bag, and they will soften and become chewy when eaten as is or soaked in liquid.
In general, most sea vegetables have a strong, briny, minerally and umami flavor. They shouldn’t taste fishy, although some say the ocean flavor reminds them of fish. The brown seaweeds (kelp, rockweed, bladderwrack and Alaria) have more umami flavor than the reds (dulse, laver, nori, and Irish moss) or greens (sea lettuce). Dulse is often described as having a smoky essence and some people say fried dulse reminds them of bacon. Laver and nori have a slightly sweet and nutty taste. Sea lettuce has a certain bitterness and is best used in recipes.
Whole sea vegetables can all be eaten as a raw snack straight from the bag, but most people prefer adding them in small amounts to other foods. Sea Seasonings or any milled form are a convenient way to add see vegetables to food, and a great introduction as well. Recipes can be found on the Recipes page of this website or in our cookbook Sea Vegetable Celebration. We offer sample sizes of most of our products or if you want to jump right in we also offer a Sea Starter Kit with an introductory selection of products.
It's really quite easy! Whole leaf can be cut into bite sized pieces and added to soups, salads, sandwiches and stir-fries. Milled products (flakes, granules, and powder) can be added by the spoonful to smoothies, soups and many recipes. Our shaker products can be used as a salt substitute or simply to add flavor to all sorts of dishes. Each Maine Coast package comes with instructions and recipe suggestions. To get started cooking with sea vegetables, go to the Recipes section and read Basic Prep section for each sea veggie.
Sea vegetables' strong taste and odor surprise some people. Remember that dried sea vegetables are a highly vital wild food and provide highly concentrated nutrition — a little goes a long way, and most easy Maine Coast recipes use less than one quarter ounce per serving! Sea vegetables are sometimes rinsed or soaked in fresh water before use, but often this is unnecessary. We suggest eating a variety of sea vegetables for maximum nutrition and taste.
It certainly is, and using sea vegetables instead of salt may be one of the easiest ways to incorporate them into your diet! Our sea vegetables contain only between 1% to 4% sodium on a dry weight basis but they taste saltier than they actually are due to the presence of other minerals such as potassium and calcium. Glutamate, a naturally occurring amino acid found in seaweed, adds additional umami flavor. Add 1-2 teaspoons of any of our dried, milled seaweeds to recipes to reduce the salt content while boosting the flavor. They’re great in scrambled eggs, salads, noodles, and even a bloody mary! Our line of Sea Seasonings, specially made for this purpose, comes in convenient shakers or in bulk for those who want to fill their own shakers.
Gluten is a group of proteins found in certain grains, such as wheat, rye, and barley. Sea vegetables are naturally gluten free because they don’t contain these proteins. This led some food scientists to develop and evaluate a gluten free pasta made from seaweed (1)! Consumers who tested the seaweed pasta said it tasted good and that it had less of the characteristic seaweed aroma after cooking. Since we don’t process any gluten containing products at our facility, there’s also no chance for cross contamination.
#1 Fradinho et al, “Edible Brown Seaweed in Gluten-Free Pasta: Technological and Nutritional Evaluation.” Foods (2019)8; doi:10.3390/foods8120622
Sea vegetables are great for any vegetarian or vegan diet. The red and green species are related to plants and the brown species, even though they're technically not a plant, are definitely not an animal either. Nothing is added...they come straight to you from the sea, minimally processed.
Sea vegetables contribute important nutrients to a vegetarian or vegan diet that may otherwise be difficult to obtain from a diet based solely on land plants. They have balanced amino acid profiles, are mineral rich, and it's thought that some species (especially laver) can even be a source of vitamin B12.
Sometimes there may be tiny animals (or pebbles!) hidden in the fronds, such as mussels, barnacles, or even an occasional fish. These happened to be attached to the sea vegetable at the time of harvest or accidentally included. This sort of accidental inclusion is common to all organic vegetable crops, and the FDA even sets standards. A single serving of canned or frozen spinach, for example, is allowed to have 50 thrips, aphids, and/or mites, or possibly the larvae of spinach worms — or even eight entire leaf miner bugs!
The consensus among Jewish scholars is that seaweed, per se, is a kosher food, although not everyone agrees. It’s probably best to get the opinion of your rabbi if this is a concern. In order for most foods to bear the hechsher “seal of approval”, the food and the manufacturing facility must be certified by a kosher certification agency. Also, be aware that sea vegetables, since they come from the sea, may sometimes hold tiny dried shellfish such as snails, periwinkles, and mussels within their fronds.
All Maine Coast sea vegetables are sun or air dried at mild temperatures that never exceed 100 degrees F. This means they remain a raw food with all of their minerals, enzymes, vitamins, proteins, lipids, and marine phytochemicals still fully intact. This can’t be said of all sea vegetables; our understanding is that the Japanese sea vegetables arame, hijiki, and wakame are heat processed and may even sometimes be boiled or blanched.
All of our sea vegetables can be eaten uncooked, right out of the bag, but some may find them too dry or chewy eaten that way. Soaking or marinating whole sea vegetables in vinegar or citrus juice makes them moist and more tender, while still preserving their raw food goodness. Or skip right to flakes, granules or powdered options for ease of use!
Seaweed is said to add umami flavor to dishes, but what is umami? Umami is a Japanese word that roughly translates as "delicious essence", and it's often described as being a savory meaty or brothy flavor. Scientists have confirmed that umami is the fifth flavor with its own taste receptors on the tongue that are neither salty, sweet, sour, nor bitter. Most of umami’s flavor comes from glutamate, a naturally occurring amino acid found in abundance in such foods as ham, mushrooms, cheese, and seaweed. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a synthetic form of glutamate made by fermenting starches and combining the resulting glutamic acid with sodium. Including seaweed in recipes is a great way to add umami flavor without using MSG. The quintessential umami dish is Japanese dashi broth made with kombu. Kombu is the name for a group of large brown seaweeds from the family Laminareacea. Our own sugar kelp (Wild Atlantic Kombu) is a member of this family, and Alaria (Wild Atlantic Wakame) comes from a closely related group. All of our seaweeds add umami to recipes, but the brown seaweeds are especially rich in it!
Recipe suggestions are found on the back of our retail sea veggie packaging, and a more extensive selection of recipes can be found on the Recipes page of this website. We also offer an excellent seaweed cookbook on our Online Store: Sea Vegetable Celebration is a cookbook and reference book by Shep Erhart, MCSV founder, and noted organic chef Leslie Cerier, containing over 100 vegetarian recipes, plus 40 pages of biological, nutritional and practical info on all your favorite sea vegetables, American and Asian.
Seaweed Nutritional Information
We get this question a lot! Most of our products come with a “Nutrition Facts” panel on the package showing levels of essential nutrients found in a usual or “normal” serving size. Essential nutrients are ones required by the FDA to be on the Nutrition Facts label, but other equally important minerals and vitamins are also found in sea vegetables. In addition, some of our bulk packaging may lack the “Nutrition Facts”panel and/or some people consume their sea vegetables in “unusual” serving sizes.
Fortunately, the levels of many various nutrients found in a specific serving size can be easily calculated using information presented on our website’s “Seaweed Nutritional Facts” page and some simple math. For the most accuracy, you’ll need a good scale to get a weight (grams) of your usual serving size or daily portion. If you don’t have a scale you can at least get a good approximation using common measures such as ½ cup, tbsp, etc. In this case, you can use the Typical Serving Size table at the bottom of the “Seaweed Nutritional Facts” page to get the weight in grams for common measures of various sea vegetables.
Once you have an idea of how much your serving weighs, the next step is to look for the nutrient of interest in the Nutritional Composition Tables near the top of the “Seaweed Nutritional Facts” page. These tables show how much of a particular nutrient there is in 100 grams for various seaweed species and products, and you’ll have to divide this number by 100 to get how much there is in one gram. The tables include data for several important minerals and vitamins that aren’t required for the FDA Nutrition Facts label. If the nutrient you’re interested in isn’t listed in these tables, it probably means we don’t have enough information to give the level with any confidence. However, it never hurts to ask our Customer Service <>
Once you know how much your serving weighs and how much of the nutrient is present in one gram, the next step is to simply multiply the two together. Here’s an example of how the process works. Let’s say you want to know how much zinc you’re getting in 2 tsp of dulse powder added to a smoothie. The Nutritional Composition Table says there’s 3mg of zinc in 100g of dulse, so 1g of dulse would contain 0.03mg of zinc (3÷100). The Typical Serving Size Table says that 1tsp of dulse powder weighs 4g, so 2 tsp would weigh 8g. 8g of dulse powder X 0.03mg of zinc per gram =0.24mg of zinc. Incidentally, humans require about 11mg of zinc per day, so 2 tsp of dulse powder meets about 2% of the recommended daily intake for zinc.
It’s important to remember, though, that it’s not possible to know with certainty the exact level of a nutrient present in a serving. This is because seaweed is a wild marine plant and its nutritional profile varies depending on season, age, location and other variables. The nutrient levels provided on our labels and in our tables are based on composite averages using the best available data, but each particular batch may contain more or less of a particular nutrient.
This question is usually in regards to a specific nutrient. For example, people often ask how much of a product do they need to eat in order to get the RDI of iodine or some other amount of a mineral.
The answer is complicated by the question of bioavailability. There are very few foods where 100% of the nutrients they contain are fully assimilated during digestion. We know, for example, that less than 100% of the iodine found in seaweed is fully absorbed by humans. The percentage varies depending on all sorts of variables, not the least of which is individual metabolism. This makes the issue of bioavailabilty almost impossible to address with precision for any one person.
So, let's leave the bioavailability issue out of it and assume the nutrient of interest is 100% available. The answer now becomes similar to the one for the FAQ just before this one ("How do I calculate nutrient content in a serving?").
First, of course, you'll need to know how much of a particular nutrient you want to get every day, week, or whatever. The next step is to go to the nutritional tables found on our Nutrition page to find how much of the nutrient is present in 100 grams. Divide this number by 100 to get how much is present in one gram. From there, it's a simple matter of dividing the amount you want to get by the amount that's in one gram. The answer tells you how many grams you need to eat to get the nutrient.
Example: Let's say you want to know how much of our Kelp Blend Granules you need to eat to get the RDI of iodine. The RDI for iodine is 150 mcg per day. Our nutrition tables tell us that there are 54,600 mcg of iodine in 100 grams...which means there are 546 mcg in one gram. 150 divided by 546 = 0.27 grams. In other words, a very small amount of kelp blend granules, really just a sprinkle, will in theory provide the full RDI of iodine (1/4 tsp of kelp granules is about 0.8g).
This example shows why people call seaweed a super food...especially when it comes to iodine!
It’s well known that sea vegetables are a good source of iodine. Iodine is naturally present in seawater and almost every seaweed species bioconcentrates it, sometimes to extraordinary levels. Brown seaweeds (such as kelp species) tend to contain more iodine than red or green seaweeds. The “Seaweed Nutritional Facts” page has tables showing how much iodine is present in 100g of each species we sell, as well as how much is found in common serving sizes. If you wish to determine how much iodine you’re getting in a serving size not in our tables, please consult the FAQ “How do I calculate nutrient content in a serving?” Please remember that nutrient contents presented in the tables, including those for iodine, are based on composite averages and it’s not possible to know with any certainty exactly how much iodine a serving may contain.
Iodine is an essential nutrient for thyroid health and it affects many aspects of our physiology, especially metabolism. Iodine is critically important for proper prenatal brain important that insufficient dietary iodine is considered the worlds' leading cause of childhood intellectual deficiency. This is mostly a problem in undeveloped countries with iodine poor soils and little access to seafood. A diet that regularly includes sea vegetables helps ensure your thyroid always maintains adequate levels of healthy iodine.
The iodine found in seaweed can also protect the thyroid from harmful radioactive iodine released during nuclear accidents. Many people who are aware of this fact take special care to eat sea vegetables whenever a nuclear accident occurs, most recently following the Fukushima disaster.
The Reference Daily Intake (RDI) of iodine for adult humans is considered to be 150 micrograms (mcg or µg) per day, but most people safely tolerate up to 1,100 µg per day. It’s easy to get the RDI by consuming just a small portion of sea vegetables every day. For example, just ½ tsp of bladderwrack powder contains about 1,164 µg of iodine. Most people safely “spill” excess iodine from their bodies, but some sensitive individuals may experience adverse symptoms similar to those experienced with iodine deficiency. In most cases the symptoms abate with reduced iodine intake. Please consult with your health care practitioner if you have any questions about your consumption of iodine. The “Seaweed Science Resources” page has links to more in depth information about iodine.
Sea vegetables provide all of the 20 or so minerals and trace elements required for your body's physiological functions, often in quantities greatly exceeding those of land plants. Sea vegetables present these essential nutrients to your body in a chelated, colloidal bio-available form that helps them be readily absorbed and utilized by the body.
Some Examples
Iron - A 7g serving of dulse (about 1/3 cup) contains almost 3mg of iron, about the same amount as is found in a 100g serving of spinach, and more than kidney beans, apricots, and peas
Potassium - a 7g serving of Alaria contains as much potassium as a 100g serving of raw kale. Gram for gram, Alaria contains nearly 13 times more potassium than bananas (45.5 mg/g vs 3.6mg/g)!
Calcium - 7g of sea lettuce contains nearly as much calcium (214mg) as one cup of milk (305mg).
Magnesium - Sea vegetables are a good source of magnesium. 7g of laver contains nearly as much magnesium (38mg) as one cup of cooked collard greens (40mg).
Finally, consider this somewhat poetic image: we evolved from simple unicellular creatures in the briny, mineral laden Mother Ocean. Now, billions of years later, our "inner ocean" — the saline fluids around and in our cells and organs — recreates the primal birthing environment, with a similar range and balance of minerals. Sea vegetables concentrate this mineral matrix. When you eat sea veggies, your cells recognize this natural, harmonious, health giving balance.
They may taste salty, but most sea vegetables contain far less sodium per serving than a ¼ tsp of table salt. Rockweed (Ascophyllum), our “saltiest” sea vegetable, only contains about 40 mg of sodium per gram, which means a 5-gram serving contains about 200 mg of sodium. A ¼ tsp of iodized table salt contains 590 mg of sodium! The salty flavor but relatively low sodium content of our Sea Seasonings and other milled products makes them a healthy salt substitute.
Much of the salty flavor of sea vegetables comes from their high potassium,calcium, and magnesium levels. Although these minerals are also known as salts, they don't raise blood pressure like sodium does, and they offer a healthy counter-balance to our modern, sodium rich diet. The diet of our Paleolithic hunter/gatherer ancestors had a sodium to potassium ratio of about 1 to 16. Modern humans run into trouble when our "civilized" diet reverses the natural availability of sodium and potassium — potassium is leached out of processed foods, and sodium is used extravagantly as a flavor enhancer and preservative. Our bodies tend to retain sodium as an evolutionary adaptation to its scarcity in our natural diet. Potassium, on the other hand, was plentiful in our natural diet of vegetables, nuts, seeds, and fruits, and so our bodies evolved to not retain it. This imbalance — along with the lack of magnesium and calcium — is implicated in high blood pressure, giving the sodium in table salt a bad rap. Sea vegetables help correct this imbalance with a sodium to potassium ratio of about 1:2.
Susan Asanovic, M.S., R.D., states unequivocally, "Almost everyone, except renal, severely hypertensive and CHF (congestive heart failure) patients, can enjoy organic Maine Coast Sea Vegetables in varying amounts. Even patients on modified clinical diets can healthfully incorporate moderate to liberal amounts of sea vegetables into their diets; just remind them to limit shoyu, tamari, miso and processed foods. For patients on a no-added-salt diet (about 2500 mg), sea vegetables can give just the right saltiness, and are far better in nutrition and taste than commercial 'lite' salts. Used in moderation, they can be enjoyed in a typical serving of 5 to 10 grams (about 1/4 oz.)."
If you have questions about your sodium intake, please consult your health care provider and or dietary counselor. In any case, a light rinse of whole sea vegetables before use reduces the content of sodium and potassium without affecting other minerals such as calcium or iron. If you're specifically interested in sea veggies as salt substitute, check out our Sea Seasonings, milled sea vegetables in convenient shakers.
Sea vegetables generally contain decent levels of vitamins, especially the B vitamins. Multiple studies show that a 7g serving of most sea vegetables (for example 1/3 cup dulse leaf) contains between 1% to 10% of the RDI for vitamins B1 (Thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), and B6. Red seaweeds (dulse and laver) can also contain up to 10% of the RDI for vitamin C. Check out our Nutritional Charts for a more detailed accounting.
Japanese researchers have found evidence that Pyropia species (purple laver) found in nori sheets contain high levels of Vitamin B12. This may also be true of Enteromorpha, a close relative of our Ulva sea lettuce.
However, it's unwise to rely on sea vegetables as a sole source of Vitamin B12. Tieraona Low Dog, MD, author of Fortify Your Life: Your Guide to Vitamins, Minerals, and More, writes “No matter what you might read, you cannot get vitamin B12 by eating non-fortified grains, nutritional yeast, algae, or seaweed.”
Tieraona Low Dog isn't the only expert with this opinion. It's also shared by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and other authorities. There simply isn't enough scientific evidence to support the view that seaweed is a good source of non-animal origin B12.
The difficulty lies in the fact that B12 comes in a bioavailable form known as cobalamin and in non-bioavailable forms known as pseudocobalamin (also called analogues). The difference lies in the fact that the B12 found in seaweed is actually made by bacteria associated with the plant, and different bacteria make different forms of B12. Older research that found B12 in purple laver used an analytical method that couldn't detect the difference between the two forms.
However, many scientists suspect that up to half of all seaweed species actually could contain bioavailable B12. Unfortunately, there's not been enough up-to-date research using more precise analytical methods to confirm this suspicion.
Vitamin B12 is essential for human health and the RDI is 2.4 mcg/day. Since humans are unable to make their own vitamin B12, they must get it through their diet. Usual sources include animal meats and some seafood such as clams and sardines, but not vegetables, fruits, grains or nuts. This makes it challenging for vegetarians, and especially vegans, to ensure they get enough B12 every day.
Although we believe low temperature dried, minimally processed sea vegetables could be a source of Vitamin B12, you, of course, must decide for yourself. Please consult with your health care practitioner if you have any questions about whether your body is getting sufficient levels of B12.
The protein content of most sea vegetables ranges from 9% to 15%, but laver is especially rich in it, containing up to 40% protein. Food scientists consider the protein found in seaweed to be high quality because it typically contains all or most of the essential amino acids (including the ones our bodies can't produce). An important amino acid found especially in brown seaweeds such as Alaria and sugar kelp is glutamic acid, the basis for synthetic MSG. This amino acid naturally enhances flavors and is responsible for adding umami, the fifth taste. Glutamic acid helps tenderize high protein foods like beans, while also making them more digestible. It's also been shown to improve mental and nervous system activity; provide energy, and is thought to help control alcoholism, schizophrenia and sugar cravings.
Check out our Nutritional Charts for a more detailed accounting of protein in sea vegetables.
Sea vegetables are good for people managing their weight. Not only are they very low in unsaturated fat (<2%), their high iodine levels can stimulate the thyroid to increase metabolism and burn calories. Further, sea vegetable fiber aids digestion and improves gut health.
We've had our brown sea vegetables tested for Omega-6 and Omega-3 essential fatty acids, and while they are present in only small amounts, they occur in a favorable ratio of between 1.5 and 2 to 1 (the NIH suggests an optimal ratio of between 2 and 3 to 1). As importantly, sea veggies contribute all the minerals, vitamins, and trace elements needed for optimum utilization of omega 3's and 6's.
Fiber is a carbohydrate that remains essentially undigested by the time it reaches the large intestine. Even though we don't digest fiber, it's extremely important for our health and nutrition! A high fiber diet promotes the growth of healthy gut microbes and is thought to help prevent certain types of cancer. It also helps slow glucose metabolism, especially important for diabetics. Sea vegetables are high in fiber and they contain unique fibers not found in land plants. Known as sulfated polysaccharides, they've been shown to provide a broad range of potential health benefits. Read the Medicinal Botanical FAQs to learn more about these benefits.
Dulse, kelp, Alaria, and laver each contain about 30% total fiber, about half of which is soluble and half insoluble. For comparison, dulse contains as much fiber as oat bran. Of course, because you usually eat a larger serving size of oat bran than of sea vegetables, you'll get more fiber per serving from the oat bran. But every time you eat sea vegetables, you're getting a very special and high quality fiber.
Harvest and Sourcing Practices
Most of our wild sea vegetables are hand harvested from the Gulf of Maine, including coastal islands across the Bay of Fundy and on up to Nova Scotia. Some species (notably our Icelandic Kelp Blend) are harvested further north in Iceland.
Sea vegetables are harvested following the tides, from small boats or by scrambling along rocky beaches at low tide. Some intrepid souls even don wet suits and wade into the cold Atlantic water to harvest! The plants are cut to leave the holdfast behind for regrowth, and many of the same beds have been sustainably harvested in this fashion for 40+ years. The freshly harvested sea veggies are taken to drying facilities to be solar or air-dried at warm, mild temperatures. The dried sea vegetables are then shipped to our processing plant, where they’re graded for quality and stored to await final packaging.
Harvesting, drying, and processing are all done in accordance with National Organic Program (NOP) Standards. Please see The Harvest for more information on harvesting.
Most of our dulse is selectively hand-harvested from remote rocky beaches in the Bay of Fundy. Since dulse is a wild food, we are limited in how much we can sustainably harvest every year. Dulse's popularity means we often have to ration our sales so that more customers can share in the harvest. Luckily we sell dulse in 3 milled and 3 whole leaf forms, so you should always be able to get some form of dulse! Please read our blog post on the topic to learn more.
We mainly sell wild harvested, non-cultivated sea vegetables, though the rise of seaweed aquaculture in Maine means we may someday sell farmed sea vegetables as well. We're one of the few companies in the world to mostly sell wild harvested seaweed.
Globally, over 97% of the seaweed that people eat is farm raised. Seaweed aquaculture is often known as mariculture and it may be one of the world's most environmentally sustainable ways to produce food. No fresh water, herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, or precious crop land are required. Seaweed farming is regarded as a carbon negative crop, with a high potential for climate change mitigation. Most seaweed mariculture occurs in Asia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, but in recent years many new farms have started in Europe and elsewhere, including Maine.
As of 2018 Maine had 16 seaweed farms, mostly growing sugar kelp. As a company we've supported these new farmers with advice and advocacy, and as the supply of locally farmed seaweed grows, we anticipate offering it as a group of products. When that day occurs, we will always differentiate between wild harvested and farm raised sea vegetables.
It's true that compared to land plants we have little control over the growing conditions of our wild marine plants. But we do have choices about how, when, where, and how much we harvest as well as how the plants are transported, dried, stored and packaged. The NOP (National Organic Program) Standards address all these areas and help ensure sustainability. NOP Standards give clear and uniform direction to all responsible parties for harvesting and handling these precious plants on their way to your table. Definitely worth the trouble!
Harvest Standards: These ensure that the seaweed is harvested at sustainable levels, in particular that the harvest bed or area remains healthy and productive (very much in our own best interest, of course!). Beds are inspected annually. Further, post-harvest handling and transport procedures are designed to ensure that no chemical contamination of the harvest occurs. See The Harvest for a map and slide show.
Processing and Packaging Standards: These maintain the integrity and purity of the sea veggies from the harvester to the packaged product at our certified facility. Lot numbers are documented at every step so that each bag of finished product can be traced back to the source.
Testing Standard: Certification agencies randomly test our products for pesticide and herbicide residues. We also voluntarily test most of our products for these residues as well as for other chemical contaminants and microbiological concerns.
Sustainability is the fundamental operating principle of this company. It's based on our belief that these gifts from the sea come with the responsibility to maintain sustainable practices in harvesting, processing and merchandising...leaving more than we harvest, producing more than we consume, and giving back more than we take. Our wild sea vegetables are harvested from the Gulf of Maine by hand: a simple and ancient technology that encourages mindful practice. The beds are lightly harvested to ensure regeneration; some of the same beds have been tended by harvesters for over 30 years. At times, market demand for some of our sea vegetables, such as dulse, exceeds the amount that's been harvested. When that happens, we prefer rationing our sales as opposed to putting more pressure on the resource. See the FAQ "Where's the dulse" for more on this topic.
Each year it seems there are more reasons for concern about the health of our oceans, and each year we receive more inquiries about the purity of our seaweed products. Fortunately, the northern Gulf of Maine, where most of our sea vegetables are sourced, has very little industrial activity and no major metropolis. Northern Maine is covered by a vast 3.5-million-acre forest known as the North Maine Woods, and with a population density of less than 25 people per square mile it’s the least populated region east of the Mississippi. Organic certification further ensures our sea vegetables are harvested away from marinas, aquaculture pens, and other sources of contamination, and that they’re handled and processed without the use of chemicals. As a final precaution, every year 3rd party labs analyze our seaweed for heavy metals and other contaminants. The results are posted here on the Product Testing page.
To educate ourselves, we have investigated possible changes in contaminant levels over time in the waters where our seaweeds are harvested. Our research indicates that the levels of heavy metals such as cadmium and lead in the Gulf of Maine have remained unchanged for at least the past 25-30 years. The Gulfwatch Contaminants Monitoring Program, organized and administered by the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment, has monitored pollution in the waters where we harvest since 1993. Their annual reports and other information can be found here at Gulfwatch.
Information about our retail bags packaging can be found on our packaging page.
Medicinal Botanical Properties of Sea Vegetables
Sea vegetables have been used for centuries in traditional Japanese and Chinese medicine to treat cancer. Recent scientific research has begun to verify and validate this tradition. Dr. Jane Teas, affiliated with the Harvard School of Public Health, first suggested a link in 1981 between seaweed consumption and the lower rate of breast cancer found in postmenopausal women in Japan, which she attributed to seaweed iodine. Subsequent research provided further evidence that iodine plays a role in maintaining healthy breast tissue and could even slow or prevent the development of breast cancer (1).
In addition to iodine, macroalgae are rich in sulfated polysaccharides known as fucoidans, which are shown in lab studies to slow or stop the proliferation of cancer cells (2). These compounds, which are extracted from brown seaweeds, induced apoptosis (cell death) in a range of cancer cell lines without harming normal cells.
Algae also contain abundant levels of carotenoids, compounds responsible for pigmentation and known to be powerful anti-oxidants. One of these is fucoxanthin, an orange-colored pigment found in brown seaweeds. Fucoxanthin has remarkable biological properties, including inhibition of several kinds of cancer cells (3). Its ability to scavenge free radicals, a trait shared by most carotenoids, is thought to play a key role in cancer prevention.
So far, the evidence that eating seaweed reduces cancer risk is circumstantial but compelling. Among other clues, researchers note a lower incidence of breast and colon cancers in Asian cultures where seaweed is an important part of the diet. New findings continue to emerge showing the potential of seaweed bioactive compounds for cancer prevention and therapy.
#1 Aceves et al. “Antineoplastic effect of iodine in mammary cancer: participation of 6-iodolactone (6-IL) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR).” Molecular Cancer (2009) 8(33).
#2 Murphy et al. “The potential of seaweed as a source of drugs for use in cancer chemotherapy.” Journal of Applied Phycology (2014) 26:2211–2264.
#3 Peng et al. “Fucoxanthin, a Marine Carotenoid Present in Brown Seaweeds and Diatoms: Metabolism and Bioactivities Relevant to Human Health.” Marine Drugs (2011) 9(10):1806-1828.
Oriental medicine has long held that eating seaweed is good for the heart. Modern medicine has found clues as to why (1). An unbalanced diet is an important root cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but a balanced diet that includes seaweed on a daily basis may help prevent CVD. For one thing, seaweed is rich in soluble dietary fibers such as alginates, carrageenan, and agar. Soluble dietary fiber is known to help lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, and decrease the risk of type II diabetes.
Sea vegetables may taste salty, but only some of this is due to sodium. Seaweed is rich in sea salts, such as potassium and calcium, that help reduce hypertension. These salts exist in seaweed in a healthy ratio with sodium, so even if you’re trying to reduce sodium intake it may not be necessary (or wise) to avoid seaweed. A 5g serving of sugar kelp has about 168mg of sodium (7% RDI) and 357mg potassium (8% RDI), for a sodium to potassium ratio of about 1:2. This favorable ratio makes our milled seaweeds or Sea Seasonings® great salt substitutes.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning seaweed’s lipid profile. Although seaweed generally has <3% fat, these fats consist mostly of heart (and brain) healthy polyunsaturated fatty acids.
#1 Cornish et al. "A role for dietary macroalgae in the amelioration of certain risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease." Phycologia (2015) 54(6):649-666.
The effectiveness of sea vegetables for treating radiation poisoning has been investigated worldwide. Strontium-90 is a poisonous radioactive isotope released in nuclear accidents and bomb testing. If ingested in contaminated food it accumulates in bone with adverse long-term consequences. In the 1960's researchers at McGill University in Canada found that alginic acid (also called alginate), a polysaccharide found in brown algae like kelp and Alaria, could reduce the amount of strontium-90 absorbed through the intestinal wall (1). Other studies by researchers in Japan and elsewhere confirmed these important findings (2).
Iodine-131 is another poisonous radioactive isotope released from nuclear accidents. Here again, seaweed plays an important role in preventing radiation sickness. Iodine-131 can be taken up by the thyroid, where it causes harm to the organ or even cancer. Seaweed is rich in natural iodine-127, the form normally used by the thyroid. If the thyroid's iodine receptors are filled with healthy iodine-127 molecules, the thyroid won't absorb the radioactive form. So, it serves us well to keep our thyroids full of natural iodine, and sea vegetables are the best food source for it. All sea vegetables contain iodine but kelp tends to be one of the most significant sources.
After the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Russia we noticed an increase in our sales of kelp, and we joined with other small producers in sending a kelp care package to survivors. We saw a similar sales increase following the 2011 nuclear disaster at Fukushima, Japan. Although iodine-131 has a very short half-life of just 8 days, other forms of radiation, such as strontium-90, can persist for much longer. Dr. Ryan Drum tells us "… we are regularly taking in radioactive isotopes from the total world contamination by continual radioactive fallout from all nuclear power plants, weapons facilities and past nuclear tests." Another good reason to regularly eat seaweed! For iodine levels in our sea vegetables please refer to our Nutritional Chart
#1 Skoryna et al., "Studies on Inhibition of Intestinal Absorption of Radioactive Strontium: I. Prevention of Absorption from Ligated Intestinal Fragments," Canadian Medical Association Journal (1964) vol. 91.
#2 Tanaka et al, "Studies on Inhibition of Intestinal Absorption of Radioactive Strontium: VII. Relationship of Biological Activity to Chemical Composition of Alginates Obtained from North American Seaweeds" Canadian Medical Association Journal (1968) vol. 99.
Inflammation can be either acute, as a result of wound or infection, or chronic, persisting long after the precipitating event. Traditional uses of sea vegetables, especially in Asia, have shown they provide some therapeutic effect on the inflammatory response, particularly in tissue wounds. Ryan Drum, Ph.D., herbalist and seaweed specialist, asserts that fucoidan is the bio-active compound in brown seaweed responsible for lessening the inflammatory response. This view is supported by recent scientific research showing how various fucoidan extracts from brown seaweeds modulate the body’s inflammatory response (1, 2). Fucoidan is a water-soluble compound that can be easily extracted by boiling/simmering a quart of water with an ounce (about 1½ cups) of dried brown sea vegetable for 20 to 40 minutes. Either pre-surgically or after tissue wounding has occurred Dr. Drum recommends drinking this fucoidan extract daily for 1 to 2 weeks (3).
#1 Fitton, Jane Helen, “Therapies from Fucoidan; Multifunctional Marine Polymers.” Marine Drugs (2011) 9:1731-1760 doi:10.3390/md9101731
#2 Luthuli et al, “Therapeutic Effects of Fucoidan: A Review on Recent Studies.” Marine Drugs (2019) 17, 487 doi:10.3390/md17090487
#3 Drum, R., “Medicinal Uses of Seaweed.” (2008)
Laboratory studies show that sulfated seaweed polysaccharides (SSPs) have high antiviral activity against enveloped viruses such as HIV, herpes simplex virus, dengue virus, and coronaviruses (1).
SSPs include agarins and carrageenans from red seaweeds and fucoidans from the browns. As their name implies, sulfated seaweed polysaccharides are carbohydrates with sulfate molecules (sulfur + oxygen) attached to them, and found only in seaweeds. In addition to their antiviral properties SSPs are being widely investigated for a range of other medicinal properties, including the ability to modulate the immune response. It's important to know that, so far, their anti-viral properties have only been demonstrated in vitro (in a culture dish or tube and outside the human body). Because SSPs are a type of dietary fiber they are not readily digested by humans and thus not absorbed. Scientists continue to work on developing a useful antiviral medication from SSPs. In the meantime, SSPs offer a number of other health benefits, described further in the FAQs for intestinal health, mental health, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
#1 Damonte et al, Sulfated "Seaweed Polysaccharides as Antiviral Agents,' Current Medicinal Chemistry (2004) 11:2399-2419.
The widespread prevalence of heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium in the environment and in our food and water raises concern that these metals can accumulate in the body with adverse health effects. Heavy metal detoxification diets have become increasingly popular to address this concern, and several foods have been proposed for their cleansing abilities, including sea vegetables. Anthony William, a New York Times bestselling author known as the “Medical Medium”, promotes dulse flakes for this purpose. Dr. Ryan Drum (aka Fucus man), an expert in herbal medicine, advocates eating brown seaweeds for heavy metal detox due to their high levels of fucoidans. Fucoidan was first extracted in 1913 from bladderwrack Fucus vesiculosus. In addition to its possible role as a chelator of heavy metals, fucoidan is being extensively studied for anti-cancer, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties (reference #1).
Is there scientific evidence to support eating sea vegetable for detox? Unfortunately, at this time such evidence is lacking. In part, this may be because scientists haven’t really addressed the topic, which also means we can’t say for certain that sea vegetables don’t detoxify heavy metals. There is evidence, though, that seaweed carbohydrates such as fucoidans and alginates readily bind to and absorb metals and other contaminants. Phycoremediation (removal of contaminants with algae) has been extensively studied and used for wastewater treatment for decades (references 2 & 3).
If seaweed can trap and remove contaminants from the environment, it’s reasonable to think it can do the same in humans. We do know that fucoidans, alginates, and other seaweed dietary fibers pass through the intestine mostly undigested and excreted. Anything bound within these dietary fibers, such as heavy metals, would also be excreted. It seems plausible to speculate that as seaweed fiber passes through the intestine it can “sponge up” any heavy metals it encounters that may be present from the other food and drink we ingest. However, for now this remains speculation, because to our knowledge there’s been no research demonstrating this occurs. The ability of dietary seaweed to detoxify heavy metals from internal human tissue, organs, and bone is even more difficult to evaluate. No plausible mechanism has been proposed in the scientific literature to explain how dulse or other seaweeds could remove heavy metals or other toxins from organs and bone. Since fucoidans and alginates are poorly digested, they’re not likely to occur at significant levels in our blood circulation.
This lack of empirical evidence makes it difficult to evaluate claims that sea vegetables can detoxify humans of heavy metals or other contaminants. For this reason, we can neither recommend nor disapprove of the practice. Anyone concerned about their bodily burden of heavy metals should discuss the matter with their health care practitioner. We discuss this topic in greater detail in our FAQ “Do sea vegetables contain heavy metals?”
#1 Janet Helen Fitton "Therapies from Fucoidan; Multifunctional Marine Polymers." Marine Drugs (2011)9: pp. 1731-1760; doi:10.3390/md9101731
#2 Brinzaet al., “Marine micro and macro algal species as biosorbents for heavy metals.”Environmental Engineering and Management Journal (2007)6(3):237-251
#3 Davisa et al, "A review of the biochemistry of heavy metal biosorption by brown algae." Water Research (2003) 37: pp. 4311–4330
Besides being good for the body sea vegetables are also good for the brain! Seaweed is rich in iodine, an essential nutrient for proper brain development in fetuses and infants. Iodine deficiency in pregnant and lactating woman is regarded as the world’s leading cause of mental deficiency in children; a problem with long-term consequences. The US National Institutes of Health advises that pregnant women get 220mcg per day of iodine and lactating women up to 290mcg. Modest amounts of seaweed included in the diet are a great way to get more iodine, but it’s important not to overdo it. Pregnant and lactating women should always consult a health care professional before supplementing their diet with iodine!
In adults, eating seaweed may benefit the brain through its positive effects on another important organ – our gut! In 2019 Chinese researchers got approval for a new Alzheimer’s treatment developed from a seaweed polysaccharide. The polysaccharide – sodium oligomannate – was found to suppress intestinal dysbiosis and the resulting accumulation of phenylalanine/isoleucine, with reduced neuroinflammation and a measurable improvement in cognitive abilities. This finding adds further evidence that diet affects mental health through the gut brain axis (1). The complex sulfated polysaccharides found only in seaweed are believed to exert a profound positive effect on the composition of our gut microbiota, as described in our FAQ Intestinal Health. Another recent study showed that a seaweed extract eaten before lunch helped healthy volunteers perform better on cognitive tests after lunch (2). Read our blog post “Seaweed and the Brain” to learn more about these exciting developments.
#1 Luna & Foster. “Gut brain axis: diet microbiota interactions and implications for modulation of anxiety and depression”. Current Opinion in Biotechnology (2015) 32:35-41.
#2 Haskell-Ramsay et al, "Acute Post-Prandial Cognitive Effects of Brown seaweed Extract in Humans" Nutrients (2018) 10, 85; doi 10.3390/nu10010085
Dietary fiber is essential for intestinal health and sea vegetables are an excellent source, containing from 25% to 50% dietary fiber. What’s more, the fiber found in seaweed has unique complex carbohydrates known as sulfated polysaccharides that are being extensively researched for having a broad range of health promoting properties. These sulfated seaweed polysaccharides – SSPs for short – differ between the red, brown, and green seaweeds, but they all possess similar properties that may positively impact our health on a broad range of fronts: cardiovascular, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, diabetes, and mental health (1). Perhaps most importantly, there’s evidence that, in conjunction with other seaweed phytochemicals, SSPs act as prebiotics to promote a beneficial microbial community in our gut. Known as the gut microbiome, these microbes outnumber our own body’s cells by about 10 to 1. Given these numbers it should come as no surprise that they strongly affect our health. Everyone’s gut microbiome is unique and a function of their diet. Diets that include a variety of foods (especially unprocessed, whole foods and fermented foods) and that are also high in fiber promote a greater diversity of gut microbes and a healthier gut microbiome. Read our blog post “Seaweed and the Brain” to learn about how seaweed can promote a healthy gut microbiome that improves mental function. The health benefits of SSPs are also described in some of our other Medicinal Botanical FAQs.
#1 Cherry et al., “Prebiotics from Seaweeds: An Ocean of Opportunity?” Marine Drugs (2019) 17, 327; doi:10.3390/md17060327
Plato said "The sea cures all ailments of man". In Greek mythology Thalassa was the primeval spirit of the sea, and since ancient times Thalassotherapy has been practiced for healing through restorative seawater baths. Seaweed, with its concentrated ocean minerals, is often included in these baths. Victorian English flocked to the seaweed baths to immerse themselves in hot water filled with Bladderwrack (Fucus sp.) or other mucilaginous and high iodine seaweeds to ease their aches and pains. Immersion in warm water allows the ocean minerals to pass through the skin. Thalassotherapy spas still exist, many of them quite luxurious. France is renowned for having some of the best Thalassotherapy spas in the world, but unfortunately the concept hasn't quite caught on in the US. But no can enjoy a luxurious seaweed Thallasotherapy spa experience right at home using any of our bulk kelp products! Simply place some dried seaweed in something like a cheesecloth bag with fine enough mesh to keep the seaweed from clogging the drain and add it to your hot bath.
Environmental Concerns
We test our sea vegetables annually following each harvest season and throughout the year for microbial contamination, heavy metals, pesticides, petroleum residues, and radiation. We also periodically test for nutrient composition. Annual test results are posted on our Product Testing page
Nutritional information is found on our Nutrition Page.
Humans have released radiation into the environment, whether intentionally or accidentally, ever since the US first tested atomic bombs in 1945. Because eating seaweed offers some protection from radiation, it’s important to ensure the seaweed itself is free of harmful radioactive isotopes. We began testing products for radioactivity in 2011 in response to the Fukushima, Japan nuclear catastrophe, and we’ve continued testing every year since. On occasion, we've had customers contact us in alarm after testing their seaweed using a Geiger counter and finding "radiation". Please be assured that this finding was due to a harmless, naturally occurring isotope of potassium that's also found in bananas and other foods. Our testing is done by 3rd party labs using sensitive methods that definitely don't involve a Geiger counter! Please see our Product Testing page for more information.
Sea vegetables can often contain trace levels of the heavy metals arsenic, cadmium, and lead. These metals are widely distributed in the world’s oceans from both natural and human sources, and seaweed absorbs them just as it absorbs other minerals and elements. We annually test for these metals, as well as for mercury, and we report the results on our Product Testing page.
Heavy metals are present in many foods, not just sea vegetables. They are of concern because exposure can lead to illness, impairment, and in high doses, death. The risk doesn’t come from any one single food, but rather from eating many different foods containing heavy metals at low levels. The FDA monitors and tests foods for heavy metals and sets standards. Go to this link “Metals and Your Food” to learn more about how the FDA regulates metals in food.
The significance of heavy metals in food varies from food to food. We ourselves are not concerned about the trace levels found in our sea vegetables, for several reasons. For one thing, sea vegetables are generally consumed in small portions, usually less than 7 grams per day. For another, we have reason to believe that when heavy metals are present in seaweed, they have low bioavailability because they are bound within an indigestible matrix of dietary fiber. Indeed, the ability of seaweed carbohydrates to trap and bind toxins has led some to propose the use of sea vegetables for cleansing and detoxifying the human body of heavy metals! We cover this topic in more detail in the FAQ about heavy metal detoxing. Finally, we believe that the nutritional and health promoting properties of sea vegetables far outweigh the presence of heavy metals.
Ultimately, of course, it’s up to each person to decide if they want to avoid all of the many foods and substances that contain heavy metals, including sea vegetables, or if they want to balance the risk against the benefit for each particular food. The topic of heavy metals in sea vegetables and other foods is complicated, but if you want to take a deeper dive please continue reading. Below, we discuss each of the four most common heavy metals found in sea vegetables in more detail.
Arsenic is the 22nd most abundant element in seawater and seaweed seems to have a particular affinity for it, accumulating arsenic at levels 1,000 to 50,000 times higher than in seawater. The reason this occurs isn’t clear, but what is known is that most seaweed species transform inorganic arsenic into organic arsenosugars, possibly to detoxify it. Arsenosugars are rapidly excreted by humans and considered harmless. Of greater concern is inorganic arsenic (iAs), which is usually found at trace levels along with arsenosugars. The US FDA has not established permissible iAs levels for any food other than apple juice and rice cereals for infants. These two foods are regulated because they’re known to contain iAs and because infants and young children are especially vulnerable. Children three years and younger are most at risk because they eat 2-3 times more food per body weight compared to adults and they often have a limited diet, eating the same few foods day after day. The FDA action level for iAs in apple juice is 0.01ppm and for rice cereal it’s 0.1ppm. It’s important to understand that toxicity depends not just on the level in the food but also on serving size, frequency of consumption, and body size. At 0.01ppm a 12-ounce glass of apple juice contains about 3.5µg (microgram) of iAs. By comparison, a 5g serving of dulse with 0.13ppm iAs contains a total of 0.65µg iAs. In France the maximum allowable iAS level in seaweed is 3ppm; at this level a 5g serving contains 15µg iAs. Hijiki seaweed, which has been eaten for centuries in Japan, contains 67-96 ppm iAs, one of the highest levels measured in edible seaweeds. This prompted European and North American government food safety agencies to advise against consuming hijiki. Maine Coast Sea Vegetables has never offered hijiki for sale and it isn’t found anywhere in the North Atlantic.
Cadmium is readily absorbed by macroalgae, though it’s not believed to offer any nutritional or other value to the plant. Like other elements, cadmium is naturally present in seawater at very low concentrations, but mining and industrial products such as batteries and paint pigments contribute anthropogenic cadmium into the world’s oceans. Cadmium accumulates in the kidney and bones of humans with continuous long-term exposure, leading to toxicity and dysfunction. Cigarette smoke contains cadmium and smokers typically have twice as much cadmium in their bodies as non-smokers. Most cadmium exposure for non-smokers is through food, but the total amount of cadmium found in food is not absorbed into the body, only the bioavailable fraction. Cadmium bioavailability in seaweed may be low, because studies with other foods have found that copper, iron, and zinc inhibit cadmium retention (1, 2) and seaweed has relatively high levels of these micronutrients. The FDA has not yet established a Maximum Daily Intake (MDI) for cadmium in food, but other countries provide some guidance. The European Union recommends an upper limit in seaweed of 3ppm cadmium, but in France the limit is set at just 0.5ppm. The European Food Safety Authority advises a tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 2.5 μg/kg body weight from all dietary sources. An adult weighing 140 pounds would have to consume 75g per week of Alaria containing 2.1ppm cadmium before exceeding this level; or more than ten 7g servings. These various thresholds differ because even though they’re based on the same science, they have different safety margins built in to them.
Lead has a wide range of known ill effects, but the brain is the organ most sensitive to lead poisoning. Because of its long history as a paint and gasoline additive lead is widespread in the environment, and it is perhaps the most challenging heavy metal to regulate. Scientists unanimously agree there is no safe level of lead exposure, particularly for children, while acknowledging it’s often found in food and drink. The EPA action level for lead in drinking water is 15 parts per billion (ppb). At 10ppb someone drinking 8 glasses (about 2 liters) of water would ingest 20 µg of lead. The FDA established a much lower total dietary limit for adults of 12.5 µg/day to protect against fetal lead exposure in women who are unaware they are pregnant, and to reduce infant exposure during nursing. The FDA has also established lead thresholds for juice and candy, foods likely to be consumed by children. The acceptable juice level is 50 parts per billion and for candy it’s 0.1 ppm. The FDA has not established a safe level for seaweed, but in France the acceptable level of lead in seaweed is <5ppm. The highest lead test result we’ve recently recorded in our sea vegetables was 0.69ppm (in bladderwrack, 2018). One would have to eat about 18 g of bladderwrack to exceed the FDA total daily dietary lead limit of 12.5µg. The French seaweed standard is higher than the FDA candy standard in part because seaweed is generally eaten in small amounts, whereas children sometimes consume lots of candy.
Mercury is the heavy metal most often associated with seafood. The FDA has found that swordfish can contain as much as 3.22ppm mercury, with an average of about 1ppm. This occurs as organic methylmercury, which unlike organic arsenosugars is the more toxic form. Mercury accumulates in fish, other seafood, and humans as a consequence of bioaccumulation. However, studies from around the world have found that sea vegetables contain only trace levels of mercury, if any. This is borne out by our own lab testing, which usually finds that mercury can’t be detected, and when it is found it’s at just trace levels. Mercury exposure does not seem to be an issue when eating sea vegetables, but of course we will continue to monitor.
The Bioavailability Question
In nutrition, bioavailability is a measure of how much of a particular nutrient, element, or other substance is digested and absorbed into the bloodstream. A portion of the heavy metals found in seaweed are not bioavailable because they are chemically bound to complex carbohydrates, such as fucoidans and alginates. These polysaccharides are dietary fibers that passage through the intestine largely undigested, meaning anything they absorb and chemically bind is also excreted. Although we know that a portion of the heavy metals found in seaweed aren’t bioavailable, we don’t yet have a good sense of how that percentage varies between metals, seaweed species, and variations in human digestion. This is a complex research topic, and we will update this information as advances are made.
The above information is a summary of the best available guidance and evidence from regulatory agencies and the scientific literature as of 2020. It is not intended and should not be used for diagnosis,treatment, or any other medical purpose, and we neither recommend nor disapprove of eating seaweed for heavy metal detoxification. We advise anyone concerned about heavy metals and their health status to seek guidance from a trusted medical practitioner. We believe sea vegetables are more than the sum of their parts, and that when included in a balanced diet they confer extraordinary nutrition and health.
#1 McLaughlin et al "Metals and micronutrients - food safety issues." Field Crops Research (1998)60 pp. 143-163
#2 Yanfang et al, "Arsenic and cadmium in the marine macroalgae (Porphyra yezoensis and Laminaria japonica) — forms and concentrations." Chemical Speciation & Bioavailability, (2012) 24:3, 197-203, DOI:10.3184/095422912X13404690516133
Seaweed is very efficient at absorbing and concentrating minerals and various elements, including metals, from seawater. Metals such as copper, iron, and zinc are considered essential minerals because they’re needed for health, but others such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, known as heavy metals because of their high atomic mass, are toxic at high levels. However, even essential minerals can be toxic if ingested at too high levels or out of balance with other minerals.
Metals occur naturally in the ocean due to weathering of the earth’s crust. Unfortunately, over the past century anthropogenic (manmade) sources have elevated the levels of some heavy metals in the oceans. These are widely distributed in all the world's oceans. This is why ‘where and how’ sea vegetables are harvested matters. Some parts of the ocean contain more heavy metals and other contaminants than others, maybe because they receive industrial effluent or are located near a large metropolis.
The northern Gulf of Maine, where most of our sea vegetables are sourced, has very little industrial activity and no major metropolis. Northern Maine is covered by a vast 3.5-million-acre forest known as the North Maine Woods, and with a population density of less than 25 people per square mile it’s the least populated region east of the Mississippi. Organic certification further ensures our sea vegetables are harvested away from marinas, aquaculture pens, and other sources of contamination, and that they’re handled and processed without the use of chemicals. As a final precaution, every year 3rd party labs analyze samples of our seaweed for heavy metals and other contaminants. We post the results on our website for customers to see; we’re one of the few seaweed companies anywhere with this practice.
Carrageenan is a generic name for a group of seaweed polysaccharides widely used in food and cosmetics for their gel-forming qualities as thickeners, emulsifiers, and stabilizers. Irish moss is especially rich in carageenan and it has a long history of being used as both food and medicine. However, carageenan in processed food products has received some bad press recently about potentially negative health effects. We respond to many of those claims in this blog post.
Bromine is the seventh most abundant element in seawater and it's readily absorbed by seaweed. Some naturopaths and other healers have expressed concern that bromine, because it’s so closely related to iodine, competes with thyroid iodine receptors and potentially causes symptoms of iodine insufficiency and hypothyroidism. Is bromide in sea vegetables something to be concerned about? Could the bromide found in seaweed adversely affect your thyroid? The short answer is we don't believe so. For a more comprehensive answer, read our bromine blog post on the topic
We've been hearing a lot about the sea of plastics polluting our oceans and how they eventually break down into barely visible or even microscopic microplastics. Customers sometimes ask if these microplastics pose a risk to sea vegetables or to those who eat them. So far, the evidence shows this isn't a concern. Read this blog post for a detailed answer.
Because they come from the sea, sea vegetables sometimes hold tiny dried shellfish such as snails, periwinkles, and mussels within their fronds. We do our best to remove these as we sort and package, but they occasionally get through anyways.
Seaweed itself is not considered to be an allergenic food. Case reports of allergic reactions after eating sea vegetables are exceedingly rare; we’re aware of just one report worldwide as of 2020!
Our facility does not process any tree nuts, peanuts, dairy, eggs, wheat, crustacean shellfish, or other seafood, so there’s no danger of cross contamination from these common allergens during processing or packaging.
Although in 40+ years we've never had a customer report an allergic reaction after eating sea vegetables, we recommend that each person evaluate the risk for themselves.
You may have noticed a label on our sea vegetables warning about lead and/or cadmium and referring to California’s Proposition 65. Why would a Certified Organic natural food with a reputation for being healthy have this label?
Seaweed is renowned for its capacity to absorb and accumulate minerals, metals, and other elements from seawater. This includes essential nutrients such as iodine, calcium, manganese, and zinc, but also undesirable elements such as lead, cadmium and arsenic. The California law known as Proposition 65 requires businesses selling products in California to give consumers a “clear and reasonable warning” when their products contain listed chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or reproductive harm. Because the levels of cadmium and lead found in our sea vegetables sometimes exceed Prop 65 thresholds, many of the products we market in California must bear a Prop 65 exposure warning. However, none of our products exceed the Prop 65 threshold for inorganic arsenic.
The Proposition 65 website states “A Proposition 65 warning does not necessarily mean a product is in violation of any product-safety standards or requirements”. It’s up to you, the customer, to decide whether to use the product or not, and our website includes additional information to help you make an informed choice. The Harvest page and several of our FAQs address how and where we source our certified organic sea vegetables. The Product Testing page displays test results for heavy metals and other concerns for most of our products, which can be used to calculate dietary intake. Our FAQ on “Heavy Metals” presents science-based information on the presence of heavy metals in sea vegetables and other foods. If you wish to learn more about Proposition 65 you can visit the Proposition 65 website or visit our Prop 65 page.
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Assignment 2 - Virtual rat dissection
To reveal the major organ systems of a mammal.
The rat dissection is usually run over three weeks of labs. However, as we cannot work in the labs
this year, we have converted these practicals to online assignments using a virtual rat dissection. You
will still be familiarised with
- The process and method of dissecting a rat
- The internal and external features of male and female rats
- The position and appearance of organs you will be asked to identify in the virtual rat
At the end of these practicals you should be able to
a) locate any of the major organs of a mammal in a dissected specimen.
b) give the function of any major mammalian organ.
c) relate the structure of an organ to its function.
d) be able to draw any part of the virtual dissection using standard line drawing techniques.
This series of three practicals is designed to familiarise you with the gross anatomy of a mammal,
the laboratory rat, Rattus norvegicus. The virtual dissection of the rat should not be seen in
isolation. Male every attempt to relate it to all of the theoretical work you have covered to date. For
example, note the differences in the appearance of the arterial and venous vessel and relate this to
differences in the structures vessels that were considered in the presentations.
Similar to last week’s submission, please upload your written tasks as a word/text document or pdf
documents and NOT as pictures.
RAT DISSECTION 1: External Features, Viscera, Alimentary Canal and Associated Blood
1. To become familiar with some aspects of the general anatomy of a typical mammal.
2. To improve your biological drawing skills.
- Read through the virtual dissections and watch the associated dissection videos (links
provided in text)
- Answer all the questions (questions are framed in blue)
- Complete all required line drawings:
o Make a line drawing of the superficial glands of the neck (p. 7)
o Make a fully labelled drawing of the digestive tract and its associated structures of
the virtual rat (p. 14)
o Name the structures 1-7 in the image below and list their function(s) (p. 15/16)
External features
The rat’s vibrissae (whiskers) and the pinna (ears) are easily identifiable. Rats are gnawing
mammals and two large incisors should be visible. Eyes are usually pink or black with a black pupil
and covered by a nictitating membrane.
Figure 1a-b: The rat head, with vibrissae and pinnae. Also note the eyes and teeth (source:
www.biologycorner.com; OER)
The sex of the rat can be determined by looking for external testes, found on males and the
presence (or absence) of teats, which are only found on female rats (running your fingers through
the fur on along the animal’s abdomen would allow you to find the teats).
Male Rat
Female rat, urogenital opening visible between legs.
Figure 2a-b: The urogenital openings – note the differences between male and female rats
(source: www.biologycorner.com; OER)
Initial dissection
The rat (and all vertebrates) has anatomical regions to help locate structures:
cranial region – head
cervical region – neck
pectoral region - area where front legs attach
thoracic region - chest area
abdomen - belly
pelvic region - area where the back legs attach
Figure 3: Regions of the vertebrate body (source: www.biologycorner.com; OER)
To start the dissection, the skin on the belly is lifted with a pair of forceps and, with the use of fine
scissors, a cut is made (through the skin only) along the midline (Fig. 4a-c). The cut extends from
the lower jaw anteriorly to the anus posteriorly. The skin is then separated from the underlying
muscle. In the neck region at the base of both forelimbs, the external jugular veins are superficial
and care must be taken not to damage them.
Figure 4a-c. Dissection of the laboratory rat. c) Ventral surface indicating lines of initial
dissection (bottom left) Exposing the abdominal cavity and ribcage (bottom right).
To get a better understanding of the dissection, please view the video ‘Rat Dissection 1 –
Opening the Rat’ in your Resources Folder.
The Superficial Glands
The glands in the neck region are usually encased in connective tissue and are thus more or less
hidden from view. Once all the connective tissue is dissected away with fine forceps and scissors, the
glands and ducts are exposed.
Figure 5. Superficial glands of the neck region of the rat
There are two main types of superficial glands in the neck region: the salivary and lacrimal glands.
The parotid salivary glands are large and irregular in shape (diffuse) and lie just below the ear.
They are often a dull light-pink colour and should not be confused with fat. Lying just anterior to
the parotid, and on the lateral aspect of the head, is the exorbital lacrimal gland. This gland is
brownish in colour. The exorbital lacrimal gland covers the beginning of the parotid duct, which
runs parallel to a large nerve and enters the mouth opposite the molar teeth.
Lying ventrally in the neck region are two large, deep-red, oblong, submaxillary salivary glands,
the duct of which leave anteriorly and ran to the floor of the mouth. The major sublingual salivary
glands are two smaller glands, each closely applied to the antero-lateral parts of the submaxillary
glands. At first these look like lobes of the submaxillary glands but can be distinguished due to
their lighter coloration. The ducts of the sublingual glands are short and run parallel to those of the
submaxillary glands. They open separately into the floor of the mouth.
Figure 6a-c: The glands (source: www.biologycorner.com; OER)
The salivary glands should not be confused with the three pairs of smaller, oval, dark red lymph
nodes which lie in the neck region.
1. To what system do the lymph nodes belong and what is their function?
2. Task: Make a line drawing of the superficial glands of the neck. Use Fig. 5 as a guide
for style, but do not copy this drawing. Your TA will grade your drawing according to how
well it represents the virtual dissection. Please note that it is very important that you learn
and hone your biological drawing skills.
There are three pairs of lacrimal glands, one set serving each eye. The exorbital lacrimal gland has
already been noted (Fig. 5 and 6). It is brownish-green and its duct leads forward to the posterior
edge of the eye. Posterior to, and slightly below, the eye is a region of tough white connective
tissue. Remove this carefully with a pair of fine forceps. The intraorbital lacrimal gland should be
visible (Fig. 5 and 7). This gland similar in colour to the exorbital gland (i.e. brownish-green), but
is smaller and triangular in shape. The duct of the intraorbital lacrimal gland is short and joins that
of the exorbital. Secretions of these glands provide lubrication for the eyelids. The Harderian gland,
which is off-white or yellowish in colour, is visible between the intraorbital gland and the eyeball.
Figure 7a-b. Superficial glands associated with the eye
The Body Cavity
In the abdominal region, identify the thin strip of muscle (rectus abdominis) running down the
centre of the abdomen, the oblique muscles on either side of it, and the femoral blood vessels
running down the ventral surface of each thigh.
Figure 8: The abdominal muscles surrounding the body cavity (source:
www.biologycorner.com; OER and SpringerLink)
In the thoracic region (see Fig 8b), note the large fan-shaped pectoralis muscles extending from the
mid-ventral part of the thorax to the upper arm, and the cutaneous blood vessels. Note the salivary
glands in the neck region.
3. What is the function of the pectoralis muscles?
The Alimentary Canal and its Associated Glands
To get a better understanding of the dissection, please view the video ‘Rat Dissection 2 –
‘The Abdominal Cavity’ in your Resources Folder.
The rat liver has four lobes; the left lobe is large and undivided while the right lobe is large and
divided. The median or cystic lobe has a deep fissure and the small caudate lobe is wrapped around
the oesophagus.
Figure 9a-d: The alimentary tract, including the liver (source: www.biologycorner.com;
Locate the stomach in Figure 9c on the left side of the animal, just posterior to the liver. The
stomach is divided into two parts: the cardiac region is the anterior part and leads into the pyloric
region posteriorly. The small intestine leads from the pyloric region of the stomach. At the junction
of the stomach and the small intestine is the pyloric constriction, which marks the position of the
pyloric sphincter.
4. What is the function of each region of the stomach?
The coils of the intestine are gently unravelled without damaging the mesentery (which contains
blood vessels and nerves; see Figure 10a). The small intestine is divided into three regions, the first
of these, leading from the stomach, is the duodenum. The bile duct enters the duodenum at a point
12-20 mm from the pyloric sphincter. The bile duct lies in the mesentery, and it is formed by the
junction of a number of small hepatic ducts from the liver. The duodenum leads on to the jejunum,
the next part of the small intestine, and this leads to the ileum. There are no sharp macroscopic
demarcations between these regions and so you will only be able to estimate where each is. The
small intestine is coiled, and has flattened lymph nodes (Peyer's patches) embedded in its walls.
The small intestine joins the large intestine, the junction being marked by the first part of the large
intestine, the caecum (Figure 10b). This is a large sac-like structure, with the ileum leading in at
one end and the colon leading out from the same end (The other end of the caecum is blind and is
termed the appendix). The colon is short, and leads into the longer, narrower rectum, which is often
dilated in parts by the presence faecal pellets. The rectum opens to the exterior via the anus whose
aperture is controlled by sphincter muscles.
Figure 10a-b: The alimentary tract, showing the mesentery and caecum (source:
www.biologycorner.com; OER)
The spleen (which is not part of the digestive system) is an elongated structure, the same colour as
the liver, lying alongside the stomach.
Figure 11: The spleen (source: www.biologycorner.com; OER)
The pancreas is a diffuse pinkish structure, lying in the duodenal loop. Many pancreatic ducts carry
digestive enzymes from the pancreas to the duodenum.
Figure 12: The panchreas (source: www.biologycorner.com; OER)
Figure 13. Alimentary canal displayed. From Wells (1964), p 42.
5. Task: Make a fully labelled drawing of the digestive tract and its associated structures
of the virtual rat. Use Fig. 13 only as a reference and DO NOT COPY Fig. 13.
Blood Vessels Associated with the Alimentary Tract
There are three main arteries supplying the alimentary tract. Each of these is unpaired and arises
from the dorsal aorta.
The anterior mesenteric artery runs from the dorsal aorta into the mesentery. The anterior
mesenteric artery branches to the intestine, pancreas, caecum and colon.
The posterior mesenteric artery supplies the colon and rectum. It is usually very thin and arises
from the posterior end of the dorsal aorta, just anterior to the point where the aorta bifurcates to the
hind limbs.
The alimentary tract is drained by the veins of the hepatic portal system. Three main vessels form
the hepatic portal vein:
the splenic vein drains the stomach, pancreas and spleen;
the anterior mesenteric vein drains the intestine, caecum, pancreas and stomach;
the pyloric vein drains the stomach, pancreas and duodenum.
To locate the hepatic portal vein and its associated blood vessels, you would need to deflect the gut
to the right (animal's left), grip the duodenum and colon and carefully separate them to locate the
principle tributaries of the hepatic portal vein while tracing it to the liver.
6. What is the function of the hepatic portal vein?
7. Task: Name the structures 1-7 in the image below and list their function(s).
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One of the less known dimensions of the history of World War II was how Jews living under French colonial rule in North Africa were devastated by the fall of France and the establishment of the French collaborationist government of Vichy in 1940. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) in Washington, DC has in recent years amassed a considerable archive related to the Jews of North Africa during the war and has encouraged scholars to research this subject.
185In June 2010, Daniel Schroeter, the Amos S. Deinard Memorial Chair in Jewish History at the University of Minnesota, and a member of the CHGS Faculty Advisory Board, co-taught a research workshop at the USHMM and began studying their voluminous collection of documents. He will be returning to Washington, DC, having been awarded the Ina Levine Invitational Scholar Fellowship at the Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies of the USHMM for the 2014-2015 academic year.
During Schroeter’s residency at the USHMM, he will be conducting research for a book on the subject of Vichy and the Jews in the protectorate of Morocco. Jews under French colonial rule were legally classified as indigenous Moroccan subjects of the sultan, a ruler whose power was limited and controlled by the French administration. The anti-Jewish laws, instigated by the central Vichy government in France, and promulgated in Morocco by the French protectorate authorities as royal decrees signed by the sultan Mohammed Ben Youssef, revealed the racism and discrimination inherent in the colonial system and the ambivalent position of the Moroccan monarchy and the Muslim population towards the Jews.
Research conducted at the Center will focus on the legal, social, and economic impact of the Vichy regime on the Moroccan Jewish communities, the response of the Muslim leaders and population to the anti-Jewish measures implemented in different parts of the country, and the contested politics of remembrance of World War II in Morocco.
For more information on Daniel Schroeter, please click here.
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History of Streetcars
Apr 13 2021
History of New Orleans Streetcars
By: Burke Bischoff
Photo by Stephen Romero
You're in your car going down St. Charles Avenue. The sun is shining through the leaves on the live oak trees that flank the thoroughfare. Maybe you're going to Superior Grill for lunch, commuting to Loyola for classes, or just cruising to some jazz on WWOZ. As you're driving, the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar comes from up behind on your left side, packed with locals and tourists. As you see it rumbling past, you might think nothing of it. You've seen that dark green streetcar so many times, it just seems to blend into the avenue's beautiful scenery. In your mind, that streetcar is part of what completes your mental image of "New Orleans."
New Orleans's streetcars, or trolleys if you're from out-of-town, have been an important part of the city's public transit system since all the way back in the 1830s. In particular, the St. Charles Streetcar line has the distinction of being the oldest continuously functioning streetcar line in the entire world (since 1835) and is a registered National Historic Landmark. Currently, the city has five lines that are managed by the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority: the St. Charles line, two branches of the Canal line (one heading to Metairie Road and the other towards Bayou St. John), the Riverfront line, and the Rampart-St. Claude line.
According to the book The Streetcars of New Orleans by Louis Hennick and Harper Charlton, the first rail service to appear in the Greater New Orleans area was in 1831 when the Pontchartrain Railroad Company created a five-mile line along Elysian Fields Avenue toward Lake Pontchartrain. The original cars on this line, plus many other lines that opened in the city, were pulled by horses until they were eventually replaced with steam engine cars starting in 1832. When the New Orleans and Carrollton line was completed and opened in 1834, New Orleans became the second city in the world to have a proper and working street railway (the first being New York City). By the late 1800s, six separate streetcar companies were servicing a multitude different lines around the city.
Image Courtesy of the Bischoff Family
As New Orleans continued to expand and urbanize, steam powered streetcars were eventually replaced with electric powered ones in 1893 and the six companies started consolidating into one privately-owned company, going by many names like the New Orleans Traction Co., the New Orleans Railways Co., and New Orleans Public Service Incorporated. Importantly, according to RailwayPreservation.com, 1923 was when the 900 Series Perley A. Thomas Car Works streetcars (aka the green streetcars that the St. Charles line still uses) were first introduced to the city. From the 19th to 20th centuries, New Orleans had 235 miles of track and more than 20 streetcar lines shipping residents all over the city like the Napoleon line, the Esplanade line, and the Desire line (made famous by Tennessee William's most popular play A Streetcar Named Desire) My great-great-grandfather, Peter Jacob Weitzel, actually operated the streetcar on Dauphine Street for the New Orleans Railway and Light Co. until his death in 1905.
The streetcars were actually at the center of some major social changes in the city. In 1867, two years after the Civil War, an African American man named William Nichols was forced out of a white-only streetcar, which caused mass protests in the New Orleans. It was then decided that the streetcars would become integrated in order to avoid any violence the city had previously seen because of the war. This decision lasted until 1902 when the Louisiana legislature enforced racial segregation again, which itself didn't get over turned until 1958.
There were also a number of labor strikes associated with the streetcars. Probably the most famous one was the strike of 1929, where employees of the Amalgamated Association of Electric Street Railway, Division 194, went on strike for four months and left over a thousand union streetcar workers without any income. Moved by this, the owners of Martin Brothers' Coffee Stand and Restaurant would give these workers free baguette sandwiches during the strike. Supposedly, anytime a worker would enter their restaurant, the owners would yell, "Here comes another poor boy!" Thus, New Orleans's first po-boys were born.
The heyday of New Orleans's, as well as America's, streetcars slowly started to fade in the early to mid-20th century when bus services became more popular. Really beginning at the end of World War II, this shift in focus with public transportation resulted in most of the city's streetcar lines being discontinued or abandoned beginning in the 1930s to the late 1950s. Even the Canal line that locals are used to nowadays switched to bus service back in 1964. The St. Charles line was the only line that was able to escape this great streetcar purge.
Canal St. Streetcars [RTA]
The age of streetcars in New Orleans was looking gloom until 1979 with the creation of the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (or RTA, as locals know it by). This is the change that turned everything around. Working as a public body, and with the help of tax money and federal funding, RTA was able to create the Riverfront line in 1988 and reopen the Canal line in 2004 with newer, more comfortable red streetcars. Things looked dire in 2005, however, when Hurricane Katrina hit the city. While many of the city's tracks and the new red streetcars were damaged, the St. Charles green cars made it through unscathed and were used on the available tracks as repairs were being done to the city in the following years.
It's this resilience that helps make New Orleans's streetcars so iconic. They have survived through strikes, natural disasters, and, hardest of all, innovation and modernization. These cars are just like the New Orleanians that they transport every single day. No matter what happens to them, they keep carrying on, full of color and grace.
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Father's Day: Making a Hole in One, in More Ways Than One
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The Food Service Industry Has Gone Through Many Changes Over The Years
886 Words4 Pages
The food service industry has gone through many changes over the years. As things such as society, agriculture, and technology advanced so did the way food was prepared and served. Though the food service industry as we know it today while was impart helped along by these factors, it was far more impacted by the people who worked in the industry over the last three hundred years. The first set towards the modern food service industry that we know to day came in a time when time honored tradition was the way of life. By a man by the name of Boulanger open what could be considered the first restaurant in history. In a time when the food service industry was controlled by guilds that had compartmentalized the industry one had dared to challenge them. As stories goes he had severed sheep feet in a cream sauce. When he was challenged by the stew makers guild in court he won claiming that he did not stew the feet in the sauce but rather served it with it. Since that first mile stone there have been many more important changes and advancement made to the food service industry. Another was after the French Revolution when many of the great chefs that had been employed by the nobility found themselves out of work. With no other way to support themselves they turned to what they knew and opened up restaurants of their own. Before the Revolution there were perhaps fifty or so restaurants in paris, after there were over five hundred. The 1700’s were the defining moments in the
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Your back pain could be coming from your hips!
The Purpose of the SI Joint
The function of the SI joint is to transfer weight and forces due to movement from your upper body through the pelvis to your legs and vice versa. The SI joint is an essential component for shock absorption to prevent impact forces from reaching the spine during activity. The primary role of the SI joint is to provide stability for the pelvis and to bear the load of the upper body.
SI Joint Instability
SI joint dysfunction may occur when any, or all of the components necessary for SI joint stability are not functioning properly due to trauma, giving birth, degeneration, arthritis, or other conditions. When SI joint dysfunction occurs, the patient may or may not have pain in the SI joint itself. SI joint dysfunction may result in pain in the soft tissues around the SI joint and/or in other areas of the body that may be secondarily affected.
Testing for SI Joint Instability
SI joint pain is the term that is used when there is pain from the joint itself. Patients with SI joint pain typically have discomfort during provocative testing. The provocative tests are physical examination tests that stress the SI joint(s) in various directions. Studies have shown that if a patient has three or more positive tests on a cluster of 5 specific provocative tests, it is highly likely that the patient has pain arising in the SI joint.
SI Joint Dysfunction Pain and Treatment
Pain from sacroiliac joint dysfunction can be felt anywhere in the low back, buttocks, or in the legs. Chronic SI joint pain symptoms can make it difficult to perform common daily tasks, and can affect many aspects of a patient's life.The good news is, Dr. Spencer is highly trained to diagnose and treat SI joint pain, from conservative therapies to minimally invasive SI joint fusion surgery.
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Actually, Creationists Do Believe in Evolution
Actually, Creationists Do Believe in Evolution November 29, 2017
David McAfee at the Friendly Atheist recently covered the discovery of a new species of finch on the Galapagos Islands—a species that developed in just two generations. In this case, announced in the journal Science, a finch new to the islands mated with a native finch and produced offspring that were reproductively isolated by their mating song. McAfee made this observation about the case:
The news is likely to upset Young Earth Creationists, who reject the evolution of new species by natural selection, and this one especially stings because the species observed evolving in real time was a new type of Galapagos finch. Charles Darwin, of course, developed his famous theory by studying varieties of finches on the Galapagos Islands.
Here’s the thing, though: Young Earth Creationists actually do believe in evolution.
I grew up in an evangelical home. I attended conferences keynoted by Answers in Genesis and read a plethora of creationist literature. Organizations like Answers in Genesis make a distinction between “microevolution,” such as breeding new breeds of dogs, and “macroevolution,” or the development of entirely new organisms.
This is how the Institute for Creation Research explains it:
Macroevolution refers to major evolutionary changes over time, the origin of new types of organisms from previously existing, but different, ancestral types. Examples of this would be fish descending from an invertebrate animal, or whales descending from a land mammal. The evolutionary concept demands these bizarre changes.
Microevolution refers to varieties within a given type. Change happens within a group, but the descendant is clearly of the same type as the ancestor. This might better be called variation, or adaptation, but the changes are “horizontal” in effect, not “vertical.” Such changes might be accomplished by “natural selection,” in which a trait within the present variety is selected as the best for a given set of conditions, or accomplished by “artificial selection,” such as when dog breeders produce a new breed of dog.
This is not, of course, how any of this works. Anyone who understands evolution knows that evolutionary change over time is always going to look small and gradual.
You’re not going to see a “whales descending from a land mammal” in a single generation. In whale evolution, each form is going to look very much like its ancestral form 1000 or more years earlier. It will always look like change “within a kind,” in Young Earth Creationist speak, until one day you look back at the very beginning and realize you now have something very different.
Young Earth Creationists believe in evolutionary change. They simply reject the idea that the small evolutionary changes we see today could pile up and result in forms significantly different from ancestral forms. They reject the evolutionary timeline.
The issue is even deeper and more interesting, though. There is a case to be made that Young Earth Creationists actually believe more strongly in evolutionary change than do evolutionary scientists. No, really. Take a look at this:
Yes, really. Let’s think about the timeline here. According to Answers in Genesis, Noah’s flood occurred in 2348 BC. The Tower of Babel occurred in 2242 BC. What about the other end of our date range? Answers in Genesis holds that Neanderthals died out before the end of the “post-Flood ice age.” How is the post-Flood ice age dated? Have a look at this, from the Journal of Creation:
The estimate by Snelling and Matthews for the timing of the end of the Ice Age is more controversial. A short, 250-year duration for the Ice Age seems less likely, based on the calculations by Oard and the evidence for repeated ice advances and retreats observed across the northern continents. The thicknesses of continental glacial depositional landforms (moraines, eskers, kames) also seem to suggest a much longer Ice Age that may have instead reached a glacial maximum 500 years post-Flood.
Answers in Genesis’ estimates are more in line with the shorter end of this range: The organization gives the dates 2100 to 2000 BC for the end of the ice age. This means that the Neanderthal had between 150 years and, and possibly as many as 400 years (the longer 500 year ice age estimate dates from the Flood, not from Babel), to evolve, live, and die out.
It is explained like this in an article from Answers in Genesis:
Answers in Genesis claims that Neanderthals and all other early hominids were descended from Noah and his family, and that the differences between the groups can be explained by a few hundred years of evolution after the dispersal at the Tower of Babel. This is a terrific amount of evolution to squeeze into a few hundred years.
It wouldn’t be stretching the truth, then, to suggest that some Young Earth Creationists believe more strongly in the power of evolution than do evolutionary scientists. It is not evolution they reject, but rather the evolutionary timeline.
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Similar to Christianity, Buddhism has many branches. The original doctrine that the Buddha taught his monks is called the Theravada or the Teaching of the Elders, but this very deep teaching may be too strange and frightening for everyday Americans.
This unpopularity is not unusual when we consider the deeper teachings of many religions, such as Kabbalah in Judaism and Orison in Christianity. People usually talk a good story about God, but don't want to really go there, opting instead for earthly glories such as sex, money, power, security and entertainment. Familiar things.
For exactly these reasons, some Buddhist branches, for example, Zen, Tibetan, and many other divisions of Buddhism have split off from the original, strict Theravada, making their particular brand of Buddhism more user-friendly, and have thus enjoyed great success in attracting followers, while the Theravada remains somewhat obscure in most of the world.
Theravada is called (Hinayana) the "small vehicle" because it appealed originally to a limited number of people who were very serious in their practice, i.e., the Buddha's Sangha of monks or disciples, who had only one desire in mind: Enlightenment. In modern times, Theravada has evolved into a mainly social religion where ceremony and practices of generosity, harmlessness, and loving kindness have generally replaced the austere practices of the Buddha and his disciples. However, these austere teachings are still practiced by dedicated Buddhist monks in the remote forests of Sri Lanka, Thailand and other Southeastern Asian countries, a practice relatively unchanged from the Buddha's times; teachings that I was fortunate enough to participate in while living in forests of Northeast Thailand.
Zen, Tibetan, and the other branches are called Mahayana, the "large vehicle," which is more sociable and where multitudes can easily fit into the boat. Mahayana adjusts the original teachings so that they are palatable for the wider audience. A blend of Buddhism, German Romanticism, new age, and light and love seems to work well in the U.S.
Hinayana, or the original Buddhism, never altered the Buddha's original teachings in order to attract more followers because this method has proven, over 2600 years, to be the fast and sure road to enlightenment. Being fully cognizant that this adherence to the strict doctrine limited its popularity, Hinayana never altered its course and has thus survived for many centuries, mostly under the radar, because it is the place one goes to get the original, profound Buddhist teachings that work.
Even though only a handful of people ever get a hankering to go this far, enough throughout history have recognized the Theravada as the real deal. The numbers, even today, that have become enlightened by practicing as the Buddha originally taught is a testament to its effectiveness. Thailand remains steady at about 93% Theravada Buddhist, and Sri Lanka about 70%, with large Theravada populations in Cambodia, Viet Nam, and Laos. There are about 100 million Theravada Buddhist worldwide, and about 2 billion Mahayana Buddhists globally counting China.
Buddhism is relatively new to America, coming here only about fifty years ago through intellectual channels and Asian immigration. Also, Buddhist texts have only been relatively recently translated into English since the early 1900s, so Buddhism is in its infancy in America. Zen Buddhism arrived here generally in the 50s, Tibetan Buddhism in the 60s, and Theravada Buddhism only in the 70s.
After Buddhism arrived, it appealed to westerners because of its logical approach - why should you believe what someone else tells you unless you can prove it true for yourself? (Which is actually what the Buddha said). And the proven methods of Buddhist practice appealed to westerners, practices designed to free one psychologically so that one can live a peaceful, contented life, rather than being a "work in progress" where there is seldom any work . . . or progress!
What the Buddha taught, when applied, leads to personal freedom from stress, and a profound understanding of life, opposed to second hand understanding that is not the result of personal insight, but the result of what someone else or some books tell you.
This scientific approach of experimenting and then experiencing insight for yourself, including enlightenment, immediately appealed to America's ideal of self reliance and the inherent tendency to be cautious about what others say (show me instead) which perhaps is a backlash of media advertising and a growing disdain of organized, authoritative religions
Interestingly enough, the practice of meditation, when practiced correctly, results in enhanced insight reflecting an awareness of many good values, some of which are just now just coming to the forefront on college campuses, such as taking care of our earth, (not polluting and deforesting just to make money), caring for all living beings, honesty and peace.
But alas, when it comes right down to it, when the deepest aspects of Theravada are looked into and it comes down to the truth of matters, many westerners run away and seek shelter in familiar surroundings. You could say that Asians are a bit tougher in this regard.
The Theravada Buddhist teachings run contrary to the world - against the world so to speak; against the stream of everyday consciousness. Therefore, Theravada will never be popular in the world, as the world presently exists.
The Buddha said that the world's way is the way of desire, of wanting and thirst, and as such necessarily saddles us with negative drives such as selfishness, blind ambition, hatred, cruelty, and meanness, and eventually violence and wars.
He said that worldling run after their thirsts, thinking that the objects of their desires, when obtained, will make them happy. But instead of happiness, this craving for desires and the resulting clinging to them after they are achieved them become the prime causes of our stress.
He gets it right down to the nitty-gritty of human experience, which goes against the grain of our minds that really believe that we can be happy by desiring and obtaining things. It goes against all present logic and what we believe to be true.
He declared that when we stop this craving and clinging to our objects of desire, only then can the mind become happy and totally free. But who would believe that?
He doesn't get into God or heaven because he suggested that those things are merely thoughts and imaginations, the very things that keep us from seeing with intuitive insight, and will not help pull out the arrow of discontent. And that imaginings and thoughts only veil our true discontent by a psychological transference of responsibility. Only by solving discontent up front in the realm of reality can the mind then advance into super-mundane states. Otherwise, super-mundane states are only imagined and not really experienced or achieved. It is these super mundane states that make Buddhism a religion rather than merely a philosophy.
As an example, the Buddha suggested looking into this body of ours, looking into the reality of it that we hide from, instead of looking outside to gods or heavens. He said that this is the only place that we can be released by the truth.
I believe that this is good advice, because if we can't face the truth of our own body, which is right here in front of us to see, how can we ever hope to ferret out the truth of other things more complicated and distant? Plus, when we do see the truth of this body and mind of ours, the truth of everything outside becomes almost magically clear as well.
Of course, few have the courage to even attempt this seemingly simple investigation into reality because we are so accustomed to living in images and illusions, and glancing past what we don‘t want to admit. We like to substitute fairy tales for reality, but in the meantime our discontent remains, even though we try to rationalize and justify it by our beliefs.
Buddhist monks who aren't particularly worried about popularity or a following will frankly suggest to you the truth about these things. They might suggest that when you study the body, you will discover that it has a number of holes, all of which secrete something; eye gunk, phlegm, mucous, feces, urine, sweat, snot, just to mention a few. And if you took all of these secretions and spread them out on your coffee table, this would be closer to the truth of the body than a body deodorized, made up, dressed up and ordained with jewelry and trinkets. Then he might suggest that the next time you have friends over, show them your coffee table - as a conversation starter.
When one does this study of the body from the standpoint of what the body really is, it is at first quite depressing and disgusting, but like all of the Buddha's teachings, this becomes in time a tremendous freedom as one lets go of the body and all the perceived responsibilities for it's survival. The body then becomes just the body, to be carefully maintained like a automobile, with no attachment or aversion.
This is an example of the deeper teachings that eventually free us from our attachment and clinging to our bodies, an attachment which causes untold worry and heartaches. But who has the courage to look at the truth of life? Who has the courage to even look at their bodies?
In other words, the Theravada teachings are tough, but according to the Buddha, the only way to become free. Otherwise we go through life kidding ourselves and wondering why we are always in a state of discontent. Of course, many times we don't even see that we are discontented, that's how mixed up we are. We don't see that our entire existence consists of nothing more than the constant stress of trying to satisfy our endless desires. If we aren't even aware of how we suffer every moment in life, and how we then spend an entire lifetime trying to escape this suffering, there is probably little hope for release.
One day the Buddha held up a handful of leaves and asked his monks which was greater; the few leaves in his hand, or the leaves on all the trees in the forest behind him. The monks answered that the leaves in the forest were of course more. Then the Buddha said; that which he teaches is as the few leaves in his hand. Why do I only teach the few leaves in my hand? Because they are the only ones that can free you; all the other leaves in the forest cannot.
Author's Bio:
E. Raymond Rock (anagarika addie) is a meditation teacher at: and author of “A Year to Enlightenment:
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Study Guide
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court Chapter 28
By Mark Twain
Chapter 28
Drilling the King
• As they continue on their way, the Yankee tries to instruct the king on acting like a peasant.
• The Yankee asks the king to pretend he is speaking to a fellow peasant, which doesn't work when Arthur uses the term varlet.
• The Yankee asks Arthur to pretend that he is tired and out of work, that his wife is sick and that his children have no food… just like all the normal peasants. Nothing takes—"it was only just words"—and the Yankee muses on how much harder manual labor is than intellectual work.
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4 Reasons: Why are Study Tables Important for Students?
Introduction to Study Tables
The importance of education is increasing day by day and every parent wants their children to gain a lot of success in life, particularly by excelling in education.
This is a major reason why parents prefer to get reassured that their child has easy accessibility to every amenity required in the field of education. Gone are those days when children used to undergo a lot of struggle for getting a suitable place of study.
However, along with the modernization of everything, people have started allocating a different room for study in their home.
This area is solely dedicated to the purpose of the study and everything related to it. A study table is an inseparable part of a study room because it is important for students due to the following reasons:
• Helps in better concentration
This is the foremost reason why study tables are important for students. It allows the students to put the exact amount of concentration on their studies.
It doesn’t let anything cause discomfort to the students because the sole purpose of a study table is to allow the student to focus better.
It turns out to be very helpful in expanding the concentration power of the students and helping them in preventing distraction caused due to the noises in the background. You can rent office chair that can be paired up with the study table for a better study session.
• Provides comfort
It is an undeniable fact that study tables offer high comfort because they assure the utilization of excellently designed cushions that are very comfortable as back support.
See also Amazing Study Destination Exeter for Those Pursuing Higher Degrees Beyond 2021
With a study table, the students get ample foot space which makes it convenient for the students to sit and study.
Hence, this is also an important factor to be considered when talking about the importance of study tables for students.
• Offers stability
Study tables offer you a good amount of stability when you sit to study. It is one of the basic opportunities which helps in increasing the interest of students towards education.
Stability is important while studying because it becomes hard for you to focus until you are comfortably seated.
Further visit: 5 Minutes Guide to Success for Online Study
• Helps in posture maintenance
A study table can help you in maintaining an ideal posture while studying because it supports you in balancing the level of energy in your body.
Sitting in an improper position can lead to face a lot of health issues and discomfort too. This can create a distraction in your work. So, it is important to remain in the perfect posture while you study.
These are the key reasons for the importance of study tables for students. There are a lot of other reasons too, but these are the notable ones.
You must know these reasons before buying a study table. Study tables can be available in many colors, shapes, sizes, and designs.
You can buy a study table from any local furniture shop or any online store as well. Also, if you don’t want to buy one, you can get yourself a study table for rent
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Implications of Chinese Capital Account Liberalisation
Info: 2521 words (10 pages) Essay
Published: 18th Jan 2018 in Economics
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If China does liberalise, few other events over the next decade are likely to have more impact on the shape of the global financial system. This also sets out a conceptual framework, identifying three separate factors which help explain why the scale of the subsequent movements in capital flows — both into and out of China — could be very large relative to the size of the world economy:
(i) ‘Closing the openness gap’- There is a large gap between China’s current level of openness and that of advanced economies. Liberalisation will lead this gap to close, generating large flows in the process.
(ii) ‘Catch-up growth’- China’s economic growth is expected to be relatively high over the next decade. So even if China’s capital flows do not increase relative to its own economy, they will relative to the world economy.
(iii)‘Declining home bias’- Prior to the recent crisis, the global financial system became increasingly integrated. A resumption of these trends over coming decades would lead capital flows to increase both in China and globally.
Summary chart Potential impact of capital account liberalisation on China’s international investment position
Based on these three factors and some simple but plausible assumptions, the summary chart shows a hypothetical scenario for China’s global financial integration in 2025. It shows that China’s gross international investment position could increase from around 5% to over 30% of world GDP.
The global financial integration of China has the potential to be a force for economic growth and financial stability not just in China but also globally.
Global implications of Chinese capital account liberalisation
The potential changes in both the magnitude and composition of capital flows outlined in the previous section would dramatically alter the financial landscape both in China and globally. In principle, capital account liberalisation in China could be a powerful force that enables the Chinese and global Implications for China
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For China, there are several potential benefits of liberalisation which can all be viewed through the broader lens of contributing to economic rebalancing. The Chinese economy is now starting to transition to a new model of growth, away from reliance on exports and investment as the key sources of demand. The new model of growth will therefore place a greater emphasis on consumption as a source of demand and an increase in the production of services relative to exportable manufactures. This is a challenging task and will require an ambitious agenda of structural reforms. Among these reforms, capital account liberalisation will play a key role.
A removal of restrictions on outflows, for example, will allow Chinese companies and households to diversify their large pools of savings by investing in overseas assets. This should help to spread risk, reducing the need for precautionary saving and hence free up income for current spending. And it may also boost household income if returns earned on overseas assets are higher than on domestic assets (which is likely given that real deposit rates in China are currently negative due to regulatory caps). China has the biggest banking system in the world by total assets but it is very domestically focused. If China’s banks were to diversify their balance sheets by expanding abroad — either directly through cross-border bank lending, or indirectly through lending to foreign affiliates — they may become more resilient to an adverse shock in their home market and so be better able to maintain lending to domestic companies and households in China.
Allowing more channels for inflows, on the other hand, will help to deepen and diversify China’s financial system, providing alternative sources of capital for Chinese borrowers. Should liberalisation also lead to lower reserve accumulation, it could lead to an improvement in China’s fiscal balance since the return on its FX reserves is lower than the cost of sterilising those purchases. And if it were accompanied by a more flexible exchange rate regime (as was suggested by the Third Plenum), it could allow China to operate a more effective monetary policy, increasing its ability to respond to domestic shocks. All of these factors should promote China’s rebalancing and its transition towards a new model of growth. But there are also risks. There are several notable examples where capital account liberalisation has resulted in instability. The most recent, perhaps, was the Eastern European countries where large capital inflows contributed to unsustainably rapid credit growth that ultimately culminated in economic and financial crisis in 2008 (Bakker and Gulde (2010)). Chinese policymakers will need to ensure they have sufficient scope to set policy to offset shocks that could pose risks to economic and financial stability. It will be particularly important to sequence carefully external liberalisation with appropriate domestic macroprudential and microprudential policies to mitigate risks from excessive credit growth and asset price volatility. One concern is that by opening the financial gates, some banks and, ultimately, borrowers in the Chinese real economy may find themselves faced with a shortage of liquidity. China’s banking system is heavily reliant on domestic deposits for its funding, which account for around two thirds of total liabilities. A reallocation overseas of even a small share of these deposits could therefore cause funding difficulties. By enabling higher real returns for Chinese domestic savers, however, domestic interest rate liberalisation could help to reduce these risks.
Another set of risks are related to inflows. In the short run, there could be indigestion in China’s asset markets, which are still small relative to potentially large inflows of capital. And over a longer time period, inflows could lead to an unsustainable build-up of maturity and currency mismatches in national balance sheets (for example, long-term domestic investment funded by short-term overseas FX-denominated borrowing). Large mismatches are susceptible to unwind in a disorderly way, as was the case for some Asian economies in 1997–98. Finally, the risks arising from a more flexible — and potentially more volatile — exchange rate would need to be effectively managed.
Which of these outcomes — more sustainable growth or a rise in instability — would dominate will depend on the accompanying policy framework. The empirical evidence on the costs and benefits of financial openness tends to suggest that countries benefit most when certain threshold conditions — such as a well-developed and supervised financial sector and sound institutions and macroeconomic policies — are in place before opening up to large-scale flows of capital (Kose et al (2006)). This underscores the importance in China of careful sequencing of capital account liberalisation alongside other domestic reforms such as domestic interest rate liberalisation, development of effective hedging instruments and enhancing the microprudential and macroprudential regimes.
Implications for the rest of the world
From the perspective of policymakers outside of China, it is important to understand how capital account liberalisation might ‘spill over’ to affect other economies. Four such channels are discussed below, although there are undoubtedly others. Greater exposure to the Chinese financial system If liberalisation has a large impact on the Chinese economy or financial system, it is also likely to have a significant impact in other countries as well. Although China’s economy is already considered able to generate material spillovers onto other economies (International Monetary Fund (2011b)), the process of capital account liberalisation will likely increase its systemic importance even further, by magnifying existing transmission channels, while also creating new ones. Foreign households, businesses and financial institutions will increase the amount and the number of their claims on China, while those in China will do the same with respect to the outside world, thereby deepening the complex web of financial interconnectedness.
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If China does hard-wire itself into the global financial system, it will bring important benefits in terms of risk-sharing. Households that purchase Chinese assets whose returns are not perfectly correlated with their own income would be better able to smooth consumption. And foreign banks that expand in China would diversify their earnings base and potentially enhance their resilience.
The flipside of increased interconnectedness, however, is that the global financial system will be more sensitive to shocks originating in China. Increased holdings of Chinese assets, for example, would imply greater exposure to fluctuations in their price. Greater reliance of global banks on Chinese banks for funding, in turn, would bring about the possibility of a liquidity shortage if those banks were to repatriate funds in response to balance sheet pressures back home.(1)
Increase in global liquidity
If China’s financial walls are lifted, some of its vast pool of domestic savings will migrate into global capital markets, providing a significant boost to liquidity. The illustrative scenario in Chart 5 suggests that these flows could amount to a substantial share of world GDP. A new source of global liquidity from China could lead to several beneficial effects, particularly during a period where the world’s financial system is becoming increasingly fragmented and retreating into national borders (Carney (2013b)). As well as providing a new source of finance for borrowers, it could lead to a more diversified and more stable global investor base. At the same time, however, a rapid increase in liquidity from China could lead to absorption pressures in some asset markets in the short run, which could lead to a mispricing of risk with adverse consequences for financial stability.
Increased global role of the renminbi
Greater international use of the renminbi would add another dimension to the global impact of capital account liberalisation. Potential benefits include lower transaction costs and a reduced risk of currency mismatches. But it may also amplify the international transmission of Chinese policy and domestic shocks, of which policymakers around the world will need to take into account. Take the following hypothetical case: a country purchases a large proportion of its imports from China and its currency depreciates against the renminbi. If the prices of those imports are set and invoiced in the domestic currency of that country, the depreciation would not automatically lead to an increase in their price and hence no response in domestic monetary and fiscal policy would be needed.(2) If, however, the imports were invoiced in RMB, then their price would increase in line with the exchange rate depreciation, leading to domestic inflation. Moreover, a country that had no trade with China but whose imports were set and invoiced in RMB — such that the RMB would be a ‘vehicle currency’ — would need to respond to macroeconomic or policy fluctuations in China that affect the exchange rate and feed through into domestic prices of that country. There is a body of literature which finds evidence of these invoicing effects for the US dollar, as the world’s most international currency. Goldberg (2010) finds that for non-US economies, large use of the US dollar in reserves and in international transactions is typically associated with greater sensitivity of trade, inflation and asset values to movements in the value of the dollar relative to the domestic currency. However, as discussed above, it would likely take much longer than a decade for the renminbi to take on a similar role to that of the US dollar today.
Global imbalances
The literature on the causes and consequences of global imbalances is as vast as it is inconclusive. According to one influential perspective, the large imbalances in current account positions that accumulated over the past decade partly originated in high net saving rates in developing Asian countries (Bernanke (2005). If true, capital account liberalisation in China could potentially help to alleviate these imbalances to the extent that it leads to a reduction in China’s net savings and correspondingly its current account surplus (although clearly the impact of this on overall imbalances
would depend on the corresponding adjustment in other countries). This may occur either because liberalisation lowers the incentives for precautionary saving or because it leads to a more flexible and higher exchange rate. But even if Chinese capital account liberalisation were to lead to no reduction in global imbalances, it could still help to lessen some of the adverse consequences relating to these imbalances. There is evidence that reserve accumulation by foreign governments can materially depress the risk-free interest rate in the United States (Warnock and Warnock (2009)) which, in turn, may encourage excessive risk-taking behaviour globally. So to the extent that Chinese capital account liberalisation were to result in a switch in the composition of outflows, away from reserve accumulation by the central bank and towards overseas investment in riskier assets by other Chinese residents, this may reduce some of the downward pressure on government bond yields and related rates in the United States and globally. Of course, this would bring other challenges. But in the longer term, it could be beneficial for the stability of the international monetary and financial system as a whole.
If China continues to liberalize its capital account over the next decade or so, it is likely to be a force for development and constancy not just in China but also for the international monetary and financial system. While this process will be companied by new and important risks, it falls to international bodies and national authorities to monitor and take appropriate policy actions to mitigate such risks. This will not be a petty task. As we already know Chinese capital account liberalisation could lead to striking changes in the global financial landscape, policymakers will be facing uncharted territory. In order to succeed, policy cooperation between national authorities is necessary, both to increase understanding of the risks and to develop common policy approaches. Currently the Bank of England is working intimately with the People’s Bank of China regarding the development of offshore renminbi activity in the United Kingdom and will continue to seek other ways to support a successful integration of China into the global financial system.
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Is The Bible a Reliable History Book?
Program 35
by Ernest O'Neill
What is the meaning of life? What do you think it is? Why are we here? What's the purpose of it? Why are you where you are at this moment? Why am I here talking to you? Where do you think it will all end up? That's the kind of question we've been asking and it's the kind of question that is not answered by our education these days.
We seem to have got lost in the midst of all the fragmented knowledge and speciality that we all have involved ourselves in so that none of us can see the big picture any longer. We are so preoccupied with the trees we cannot see the wood. Yet it is important to be able to answer that question, isn't it? What is the meaning of life?
What we have been saying is that the only way we can answer that question is to discover how life has come about and, therefore, what the purpose of it is. You remember we have in our discussion come to the point where we see there is a great deal of evidence that there is a personal intellect behind the universe, but we seem to have no communication from that personal intellect to ourselves.
As we examined the various comparative religions that we know of in the world, Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism and Confucianism and all the other religions that so many people follow, we came to the conclusion that what we needed above everything else was some information about the Creator of the world that came from beyond this world.
That came from someone who had come into the world from beyond space, and who had left this world and come back again, assuring us by doing that, that in fact, he was someone who had come from the source of the universe...and not just another human being like ourselves or like Mohammed or like Buddha or like Zoroaster.
In our discussions we have come to the point where we have shared that there is such an introduction entrance into our world by the life of the Supreme Being. It took place in the first century of our era and we've been talking about the fact that the history of this intervention in our human world by the superior Supreme Being behind the universe is annotated in great detail in some history books that we have.
Of course, it was difficult to introduce the name of those history books because they have assumed such a traditional place in all our thinking. When we mention the history books that we're talking about there is a tendency in all our minds to go to sleep and to say that it is all the old traditions, the old myth that we've heard so often.
So I ask you look again at the fact that there was, at the beginning of our era, a remarkable time in the history of mankind, a time when unusual things were done and unusual things were said by a certain person who shows that he came from beyond space and came from the Supreme Being behind the universe Himself.
The events of that time are found in a group of books that became known as "The Books" or in Greek they became known as TA BIBLIA, because the Greek word for books is "biblia." Of course, you have guessed which book we're referring to.
Yesterday I encouraged you, if you had one at home, to get it out, because what we need to study in order to answer the question, "What is the meaning of life?" is the historical evidence of the events that took place in the first century of our era that are contained in the last quarter of that book.
It's the book, of course, known as the Bible. I ask you not to go to sleep and not to become cynical and not to immediately refer to it as if it were some kind of mythical book. It isn't at all. THE BIBLE is one of the most reliable history books that our race has in its possession.
It is vital for you and me to examine it as history, examine it intellectually and by our reason first of all. Not to look at it as a religious book, not to look at it as a source of ethical tenets, but to look at it first and foremost as a history book and to examine it in that light.
Thereby, to be able to begin to be able to answer the question, what is the meaning of life? Is there a Supreme Being behind the universe that has revealed Himself to us in ways that we can understand and in ways that we can believe? In ways that are inherently valid and authentic evidence that He is the Creator of the world?
Really, those ways do exist and you will come to that intellectually and logically without the aid of religious beliefs or religious feelings. You can come to that place simply by examining the facts. What are these facts?
As you look into the books that make up the last quarter of the book known as THE BIBLE. I'd remind you that you can either take the old, black-covered version of it that you may have at your house or you can buy one of the modern versions that at least help you to get over the prejudice you may have against the old book. So whatever you do, try to get at least some copy of it.
The part that we are concerned about is the history of the years from 6 B.C. to about the year A.D. 100. That's the history we're concerned about. What you and I feel about those years is that it's myth. That's what we feel, don't we? We feel that it's myth or it's unreliable stuff that we have. It's a mixture of mythology and a mixture of men's opinions and a mixture of "churchianity" and a mixture of religion. But it isn't!
A history of that era is history and it's some of the most reliable history that we intellectually are able to examine here in this world. If you look at the last quarter of that book you'll find that the men who wrote about the events that took place then were actually alive during the time that those things were happening.
In other words, the things that you and I talk about as happening in the first century, like the birth of Jesus Christ and all kinds of things like the persecutions that took place in the Roman Empire, those events were written not by people who lived centuries and centuries after the events.
That's what we come up against when we deal with the life of Buddha. We deal with the fact that Buddha lived about five hundred B.C., but, in fact, his life was not written until hundreds of years after that. People kept adding on "bits", elaborations through their imaginations to that life centuries after he had lived. But that is not so with the events that took place in the first century of our era.
The men that wrote those events were actually alive and observed those events themselves. That is why we can believe them. I would quote to you what they wrote,...one of them called Peter in a book in the New Testament, because that's what the last quarter of this old book is called, the New Testament.
A man called Peter, who wrote in that book, II Peter chapter 1 and verses 16-18, stated some amazing facts about the way in which he and the other writers of the New Testament had come to know what happened in the first century. Maybe you would look at that and we'll continue to examine it tomorrow from an intellectual viewpoint.
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The Pointed Origins of the Term ‘Shiv’
In her new campaign memoir, Hillary Clinton writes of receiving a political knifing from FBI Director James Comey
Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic nominee, signs copies of her best-selling campaign memoir ‘What Happened,’ New York City, Sept. 12.
Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images
In Hillary Clinton’s new campaign memoir, “What Happened,” she uses a vivid bit of underworld slang to describe how she felt about the FBI’s investigation into her private email server last year, which dominated headlines in advance of the November election.
After the voting, writes the 2016 Democratic nominee, “it wasn’t healthy or productive to dwell on the ways I felt I’d been shivved by then-FBI Director Jim Comey —three times over the final five months of the campaign.”
By saying she felt “shivved,” Mrs. Clinton conjures up an image of getting knifed, as if in a back-alley brawl, leaving her seriously injured (at least in political terms). “Shiv” has a long history in American slang—both as a noun, for a knife or some similar weapon, and as a verb, for the act of cutting or stabbing someone.
“Shiv,” in turn, is related to an earlier British slang term for a knife, spelled “chiv” or “chive.” That term dates back to 17th-century thieves’ jargon, which was known as “cant.”
In “The Canting Academy, or the Devil’s Cabinet Opened,” published in 1673 by Richard Head, one “canting song” attributed to London’s criminal crew includes the line, “He takes his Chive and cuts us down, and tips us into the hole.”
Many cant terms are believed to come from Anglo-Romani, the Gypsy language that combined English with Romani, an Indic language with roots in Sanskrit. For instance, our modern usage of “pal” as a word for a friend comes from the Anglo-Romani word “phal,” meaning “brother” or “mate.” In the case of “chiv,” the Romani root may have been “chivomengro,” another word for a knife.
The American version, “shiv,” shows up as early as 1897, in an account of the peripatetic life of hoboes written by Jack London, before he found fame as a novelist. “Shiv” meaning “knife” shows up alongside other hobo argot, such as “gat” for “gun.” In other sources, a “shiv” was defined more specifically as a makeshift blade that might be improvised by a prison inmate.
Damon Runyon, a keen observer of urban slang and street life, used “shiv” as a verb in a 1932 story, “Dream Street Rose.” One disreputable character, he wrote, “gets religion before he dies from being shivved by Johnny Mizzoo.”
Later, “getting shivved” took on the more figurative meaning of being harmed, typically in some underhanded way. In a 1974 congressional hearing on petroleum prices, Rep. Leo Ryan, a Democrat from California, said, “I think the American people feel that they have been shivved and pushed and shoved and cheated by the oil companies of this country, and they expect the federal government to do something about it.”
The word has even been used in the context of one of Mrs. Clinton’s previous campaigns. A Politico article about her 2008 Democratic primary battle against then-Sen. Barack Obama described some nasty infighting among her team. The story quoted an anonymous staffer as saying, “At headquarters, we were all just worried about getting shivved in the shower.” Perhaps this colorful remark put “shivved” in Mrs. Clinton’s lexicon.
Appeared in the September 23, 2017, print edition as '.'
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Next: The Remote Memory Server Up: Implementation Previous: Implementation
The Remote Memory Pager
Normally the Remote Memory Pager (RMP for short) is a client which forwards the paging requests to a remote server using sockets over an Ethernet. The RMP connects to the remote memory servers using sockets over TCP/IP. One dedicated paging daemon issues pagein and pageout requests to the server and receives the data sent by them. When mirroring is used, it is responsible for selecting two servers for each paged out page and transfer the data to them. When parity logging is used, it maintains all the data structures related to page and parity group management and computes the parity pages. Security is ensured by allowing access to our device only to the superuser and by using privileged ports for the communication among the client and the servers.
RMP is also capable of forwarding the requests to the local disk using either a specified partition or a file. In the former case, it invokes a routine that places the request in the disk queue. In the later case it issues a read or write operation through the VFS layer routines. When no server can be found in order to satisfy the client's requests, paging to local disk is used.
Although the current implementation runs on top of a low bandwidth 10 Mbps Ethernet, remote paging is up to 2 times faster than using a local disk of the same bandwidth. It takes about 8.4 ms to transfer an 8KB page through the network, while transferring a page to/from the local disk takes about 17 ms. Faster networks such as ATM, or FDDI should offer even more promising performance, especially when faster communication protocols are used [26].
Evangelos Markatos
Wed Aug 7 11:36:29 EET DST 1996
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Diablo Valley College Fundamental Forces of Nature Research Paper
1. Find an article related to something we covered in this class. [ suggestion: about newtons first law or fundamental force]
2. Summarize the article, and then explain how it connects to this class.
3. Tell me what the most exciting thing you learned about in this class (only 1 point for this)
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Difference Between Abstract and Intro
Writing an auto repair manual is not an easy task.
April 12, 2021
Most Cost-effective Place To Buy Bitcoins Credit Card How A Lot Bitcoins Reddit Sports Betting
April 13, 2021
Difference Between Abstract and Intro
The gap between an introduction and informative article is quite simple in how to write an abstract for a research paper that the former is a work of prose, and the latter is a non-fiction job of composing. It’s important to be aware that although the writer may utilize”abstraction” in his arguments and observations, the essence of these ideas must be left out if the article is to be considered as an actual essay. But if one wants to understand how he could transform his previous experience and thoughts into something that may be thought to be an informative article, then he must learn the difference between abstract and introduction.
Even though the writer of this abstract would argue that the gap between an abstract article and an introduction could be insignificant, the distinction between these two different types of essays is really an essential one. There are a lot of reasons why it could be a significant distinction between these two works. Let’s take each of them in turn.
A basic difference between both is that the first sort of essay would deal with concepts and ideas that have yet to be completely developed or are only loosely connected to one another. Concepts and ideas that are dealt with in this type of essay would be those of doctrine and other similar areas. This sort of essay would normally cover subjects which deal with human character and other things. In contrast, the abstract will be written with a particular purpose in mind like a proposal for a few new scientific thought.
Another difference between both of these kinds of essays is that the main reason why you would compose an abstract is because he does not feel that he is able to express his thoughts and theories through a more sophisticated and more formal method. He believes that by expressing the ideas in an abstract and general way, he can share his message and his study more effectively to a larger crowd. In contrast, the debut is used by people who do not feel they are able to fully communicate their thoughts or study through any type of a more formal or comprehensive fashion.
There are a few similarities between both kinds of essays, but in addition, there are a few significant differences as well. One of the major differences is that both require a particular type of issue matter. The distinction between both is that one requires the subject to be related to a specific research or academic field while the other demands that the essay must match with the style or theme of this newspaper . Another difference between these two kinds of experiments will be that the abstract is much more descriptive in nature while the introduction is normally more descriptive than the latter.
1 last difference between the two would be that both are used inside a composition, which would normally indicate that the abstract could be utilized more frequently than the introduction. But there are a few instances where the abstract may stand alone like when a pupil wishes to dedicate 1 paragraph of their research paper into a certain topic or if they want to offer a clearer explanation of a particular topic. The difference between the two is that the abstract is generally needed for every single composition while the debut is only needed sometimes.
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What is Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Also known as Coronavirus Disease 2019, COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly identified coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). This novel coronavirus is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, such as the common cold. While some patients with COVID-19 may be asymptomatic, others may experience symptoms ranging from mild to severe respiratory illness, with the potential of developing serious or critical complications.
Washington Coronavirus MapCDCWHO
What Are The Symptoms?
Experiencing a high fever? Make an appointment with your provider to see if you might be at risk for the Coronavirus.
A persistent moderate or severe cough is another symptom to monitor closely.
Shortness of Breath
Tightness in your chest or having difficulty breathing? Contact a medical professional immediately.
How Does It Spread?
According to the CDC, The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
Human Interactions
Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). It is recommended to stay 6 feet apart from one another.
Respiratory Droplets
Surfaces or Objects
Touching surfaces or objects that have been contaminated by a person with coronavirus and then touching your own mouth, nose, or eyes may spread the virus.
How To Protect Yourself and Others
What to Do
Clean Your Hands Regularly
Sneeze Into Your Elbow
Coughing or sneezing into your elbow catches the droplets and stops them from getting onto your hands.
Use paper tissues
Put any used tissues in the bin or a bag immediately. Then wash your hands thoroughly. Then dry.
Work from home if possible
Work from home to limit exposure to the virus.
What to Avoid
Shake hands
Avoid shaking hands to transferring different microbes like viruses and bacteria from one person to another.
Going Out Door With A Cold
Avoid going out with a cold, stay home until you are all recovered.
Crowded Areas
You are at higher risk of contacting COVID-19 at crowded places.
Keep your Distance
Maintain at least 6 feet distance between yourself & anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Contact Your Health Care Provider for Medical Interventions
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Chapter 1
Aging is a silent process whose consequences are difficult to anticipate. It creeps insidiously on people with some of the elderly finding it difficult to admit the reality of their transition into adulthood. The aging process is brought about by a progressive and universal deterioration in various physiological systems related to mental, physical, behavioural and biomedical domains. These changes are irreversible, independent of pathological conditions and contribute significantly to general loss of function or death.1 The elderly are the old people and are equally referred to as seniors, senior citizens, older adults, or simply elders depending on the culture and the context in which the reference is being made. Traditionally the age of 60 was seen as the beginning of old age. Most developed countries have accepted the chronological age of 65 years as a definition of elderly or older person.2 In Nigeria, the retirement age from the civil service is 60 years for most categories of workers and that accords them the statues senior citizens. Apart from the chronological age, certain physiological changes like greying of hair, wrinkles, and changes in voice as well as adoption of certain role like being a grandparent confers on people the statues of an old person.3
The elderly are usually chronologically classified into young old (60-74 years), aged (75-79years), and the oldest old at 80 years and above4 or based on their capability to take care of themselves hence the elderly and fit, elderly and infirm, elderly and sick, elderly and psychiatric5 and these gives an indication of the level of care required by the elderly person. The elderly are very important as they are a repository of cultural and traditional values and are indispensable in the peaceful settlement of disputes especially in the cases of land and landed
properties like economic trees and land itself. They are equally indispensable especially in the care of orphaned children in HIV ravaged communities where their children had succumbed to the scourge of AIDS as well as in the provision of household income especially in the rural areas where they are custodians of landed properties like economic trees like palm trees, oil-bean trees, bread-fruit trees etc.
Much of the world is aging rapidly.6 Both the number and proportion of people aged 60 years and older are increasing; although at different rates in different parts of the world. According to the WHO publication, the proportion of people aged 60 years and above is growing faster than any other age group as a result of both longer life expectancy and declining fertility.7 While this can be seen as a success story for public health policies and for socioeconomic development, it also challenges society to adapt; in order to maximize the health and functional capacity of older people as well as their social participation and security.8 The number of older adults has raised more than threefold since 1950; from approximately 130 million to 419 million in 2000, with the elderly share of the population increasing from 4% to 7% during that period. In Africa, the same scenario is being re-enacted as the population is aging rapidly and it is being projected that by 2050, the number of people over 60 years living in Africa will increase from just fewer than 50 million to just fewer than 200 million.10
Various published demographic projections indicate that the number and proportion of elderly persons in Nigeria is on the increase. According to the 1991 population census, the elderly population is 4,598,114 representing about 5.2% of the Nigeria population of 88,992,220 while in 2006 the elderly population is 6,987,047 representing about 4.9% of the overall population of 140,431,790.11 The decrease in the percentage may be attributed to a more proportionate increase in the younger age group within the two periods of
enumeration. It is being projected that the population of the elderly in Nigeria will be 15 million in 2025, a rank of 11th in the whole world.12 In some demographic survey, the population of the elderly in Nigeria had remained static at 3.0% to 3.4% from 1950 to 2010 which is an indication of the high mortality rate of this age group occasioned by the lack of comprehensive government policy and implementation of health and social care for the elderly. The aforementioned accounts for the low level of the life expectancy from birth and the characteristic peak of Nigeria’s population pyramid. In principle however, and according to the Demographic Transition Theory, Nigeria should be having a low birth rate and a low death rate hence the population of the elderly in Nigeria should be increasing.
According to the 2006 census, one-third of the elderly population are within the age range of 60 and 65 years while the remaining two-third are of 65 years and above and females accounts for 46% of the overall elderly population. This demography runs counter to the feminization of the old as seen in developed countries though this finding may be attributed to the low statues of women which increases their mortality rates relative to men over the entire life course. The literacy level of the elderly in Nigeria according to the 2006 census is quite alarming with 75% of the elderly being unable to read or write in one of the Nigerian languages and it equally revealed that males are three times more likely to be literate than females.13 This finding can be attributed to the fact that most of the elderly people enumerated in the 2006 census lived much of their younger lives prior to the period of accelerated socio-economic development in Nigeria which saw a massive investment in education.
Older men and women throughout Africa make vital contributions to their families and communities. Across the continent 64% of men and women over 60 years continue to work across the formal and informal sectors. They continue their domestic and subsistence farming roles. Increasing number of older
women as do men whose older children have migrated to the cities in search of work or have died are bringing up grand children; paying their school fees, fulfilling their health needs as well as other social needs. It was documented that most of the elderly in Nigeria do engage in active labour till death with about two-third of them engaged in agriculture and related occupation. Disabilities which is an umbrella term covering impairment, activity limitations, and participation restriction.14 increases with age and according to the 1991 census 56,768 of the 4,598,114 elderly population have one form of disability or the other.15 Disability and destitution are more pronounced in males than females and the disparity in the demographics may be attributed to female children taking the role of care-givers to their aged mothers as practiced in Nigeria.
The number of the elderly in a population and their proportion in that population is of great concern to policy makers and bodies concerned with the health care delivery in any nation. The number of older adults we can expect in the future tells us something about how many hospital beds, geriatricians, home health aides, and nursing home beds will be needed. Similarly, the proportion of the old, especially the oldest old in a population, will have a direct effect on the working population that are supposed to cater for them as well as the budget of the government on social security for countries that have such policy for the elderly. The old-age dependency ratio, which measures the number of elderly people as a share of those of the working age, is steeply at an increase in most countries of the world according to the European Union.16 Old-Age dependency ratio measures the percentage of people aged 64 years and above (dependent) relative to those within the age range of 15 to 64 years which forms the productive group of the population. Industrialized developed countries like Japan, Italy, and United States, have double digit figures of 39%, 32%, and 20% respectively while African countries like Cameroun, Liberia, and Nigeria are at a single digit of 6%, 6%, and 5% respectively.17 The scenario above is bound to
change especially in the African countries as the improved health delivery, better living conditions, adequate nutrition if implemented in the government policies will increase the longevity of our elderly population.
Years, they say wrinkles the skin, but worry, doubt, fear, anxiety and self-distrust wrinkles the soul.18 Aging brings with it a deterioration of the functional capacity of the organs and systems of the body and this decline in homeostatic reserve of each organ system is influenced by diet, environment and personal habit, and equally important genetic factors.19 These physiological changes includes, the reduction in total cell mass of the heart and increase in the deposition of fats in the arteries, decrease in the functional capacity of the lungs and bronchial cilliary function. There is als
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bag pipe
The kilt is an iconic garment that has been around for centuries. It originated in Scotland and was worn by the Scots as a symbol of their independence. The kilt remained popular with Scottish men until the 1800s when it became more common to wear trousers or kilts designed specifically for women. Today, people all over the world can be seen wearing this traditional dress! Discover everything you need to know about this iconic piece of clothing below.
What Is A Kilt?
A kilt is a garment that consists of a length of fabric worn around the body and fastened at or near the waist, to wrap around the upper part of the wearer’s legs. The cloth can be anyone color or pattern, but most often it features checkered patterns known as tartan in Scotland.
What Are The Different Types Of Kilts?
The type of kilt that people wear is determined by the tartan pattern, with each design representing a different geographic region within Scotland. There are seven main types: Strathspey Kilt (green and black), Atholl Kilt (black and gold), Hunting Weathered Kilt (black and green), Ross-shire Kilt (green and red), Gordon Tartan, MacAlister, Cameron.
How Do You Wear A Kilt?
Kilts are worn by inserting the head through a hole at the top of the kilt, which is then joined together with pins or ties. The kilt is then fastened around the waist, and the pleats are wrapped over a belt that can be worn on or off to adjust for comfort.
How To Tuck In A Kilt?
To tuck in a kilt, simply tie it at the front with one of these methods: pinning it, tucking it into your belt, or wearing a kilt pin.
What Is The Tartan Pattern?
Tartans are made up of two colors (sometimes more) that represent the geographical region where that tartan was first designed to be worn. For example, in Scotland, there is an unbroken tradition of wearing the regional dress, or kilt, including the tartan pattern.
What Are The Kilt Folds?
Three types of folds can be made with a kilt: pleat, choke, and fall. A pleat fold is when two half-widths of cloth come together to form an inverted V shape. A choke fold is when the two half-widths of cloth are sewn together and then closed. The fall fold is where a kilt fits loosely around the waist, with one side being longer than another to allow it to be worn over outer garments like jeans or trousers.
Kilts For Men And Women: A Brief History Of This Iconic Garment
In the past, kilts were originally worn as a man’s garment in Scotland. The kilt was usually made of wool or tartan fabric and could be either calf-length (reaching to just below the knees) or knee-length. Women also wore the kilt until around 1800 when they began wearing dresses instead. When the kilt became a more general men’s garment, it was later adapted to become a woman’s dress.
The word “kilt” derives from the Scottish Gaelic language (Gàidhlig), meaning: to tuck up, pleat or plait. In most non-English languages with roots in Celtic Europe, such as French (kilte), Irish (cilt) and Welsh (ciltedd), the word kilt follows that origin. The first written record of this form dates back to 1538, when a gentleman in Edinburgh died “in his Kelt”.
A growing number of Gaelic speakers refer to it as ‘the kailzie’ or ‘the kailzie skirt’ and it is pronounced ‘kilt-eh’.
The kilt is a traditional Scots garment and became a symbol of national identity.
We hope that this article has provided you with a better understanding of kilts and their significance in Scottish culture. Remember: wear yours proudly but always remember where Scotland came from – its people, history, traditions, and values!
Kilt: What To Know About This Iconic Garment
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Global Impact of AI
Discover the global perspectives on the opportunities and threats of AI for our society and all of us.
· April 20, 2021
• A unique, introduction-level course to better understand the opportunities and threats of Artificial Intelligence, AI for our society and all of us
• Supported by inspiring thought leaders from leading tech firms like Google and Amazon
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Why take this course?
The “Global Impact of AI” course is specifically designed to help you explore the impact of Artificial Intelligence, AI, and digitalization on our society and all of us. It offers you a global perspective on the fascinating opportunities but also ethical aspects, risks and threats which are inevitably associated with AI and shares insights on the very different roles humans and machines will have in the long term.
Associated Learning Paths
This course is part of different learning paths – clear and simple roadmaps on how to acquire the required skills for a specific job profile with minimum time and minimum costs by completing a sequence of concrete courses and projects.
Our course covers six lessons which help you gain essential knowledge on the most relevant AI topics:
1. Welcome and introduction
2. The impact of AI on our society and all of us
3. Ethical challenges and AI regulation
4. The long-term roles of humans vs. machines
5. Global AI competition and collaboration – Part 1
6. Global AI competition and collaboration – Part 2
The course takes about 3-4 hours to complete.
Learning activities
Are you ready to dive into the fascinating world of AI? Go ahead and start with the first lesson!
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Course Includes
• 6 Lessons
• 20 Topics
• 6 Assesments
• Course Certificate
• Language: English
• Price: 40 HubPoints
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Why Is Vaping HARMFUL TO Your Health?
Why Is Vaping HARMFUL TO Your Health?
There are so many reasons to why is smoking bad for you. Smoking causes an array of diseases from lung cancer to emphysema and throat cancer. If you’re a smoker it can lead to heart disease, raised blood pressure, stroke and many other health issues. We now understand that tobacco smoke does much more damage than just killing your lungs, it also destroys the lining of the inner organs. So how is smoking bad?
why is vaping bad
Principally, the amount of compassion you feel towards others will not only depend on just how much you suffer, but also on what much you imagine for another smokers that are dying slowly from diseases connected with tobacco use. How much do you wish to save the other smokers from dying? In the event that you could actually save one life by quitting smoking, what would the effect be on yourself? You’ll have saved not only the smoker but the non-smoker as well.
The next reason to why is smoking harmful to you is you could develop oral cancer and other forms of cancer by constantly inhaling and exhaling toxic nicotine vapor into your mouth. This happens every time you smoke an e cigarette or perhaps a tobacco cigarette. These toxins enter your bloodstream through your lungs, the bloodstream carries them to all your body organs where they attack them. While you cannot feel it, each time you puff on an e cigarette you are silently sending your body a message. The toxins are increasingly being sent right into your blood stream and affecting your cells in every way. This is why is indeed dangerous to quit smoking as you will never again have the ability to fully enjoy the tastes of cigarettes and tobacco.
The ultimate reason to why is vaping harmful to you is that there is a risky of developing respiratory illnesses because of the chemical nature of the vapor you breathe out. If you are using an electronic cigarette having an open cell, or perhaps a moisture-based e-liquid you put into your lungs, you put yourself at a higher risk of developing lung cancer. Simply because the material from the cell that vaporizes contains a chemical called formaldehyde. It is a carcinogen, meaning it causes cancer. The amount of formaldehyde in some of cigarettes is approximately six times greater than in traditional cigarettes.
Not only does this expose you to a high risk of developing cancer, but it can also lead to bad breath. Many vapers experience bad breath while quitting as the nicotine and chemicals from their previous use has built up in their mouths. The solution to this problem is to either go cold turkey and cut out all the smoking, or even to use a mouthwash that will combat the buildup of bacteria in the mouth area. Either way you are going to need to choose good oral health product to help you maintain good oral health through the entire quitting process.
Lastly, how come vaping bad for your health? A study found that smokers who used e-cigs containing nicotine were more likely to develop lung cancer than individuals who did not. The study looked at over 5000 people and found that every single one of these who smoke cigars and e-cigs are at threat of developing some type of cancer. Nicotine users likewise have a threefold increased risk of dying from lung cancer. As scary as this sounds, it is important to remember that all Vape Pen Battery this is happening on an extended term basis.
When you are thinking of starting to use e-cigs to give up smoking then it is very important to make sure that you are utilizing a quality mouthpiece or gum to combat the build-up of nicotine and toxic substances in your system. You need to find a quality device which will enable you to breathe easy, while at exactly the same time providing a comfortable experience. Once you have found the device that works for you then you can enjoy a healthier life minus the constant fear that you will be going to start developing mouth and throat cancer and other horrible oral health conditions.
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The Accuracy of Cone Beam Computed Tomography
Extensive literature has now been published on the anatomical accuracy of CBCT. Prior to initiating any experiment designed to question the perceptual-cognitive abilities of endodontists, the dimensional accuracy of a digital technology must first be established. If CBCT reconstruction images prove to be dimensionally inaccurate, then the interpretation will be immensely hindered and all perceptual studies will be inherently flawed. In order to establish a gold standard of dimensional reproducibility, many in-vitro studies were conducted. Suomalainen used cadaver mandibles to measure set reference points on CBCT software and micro-CT software, and then compared them to the gold standard of sectioning and physically measuring the mandibles. All set reference points were almost identical, and became more accurate with greater doses of radiation. They found that the CBCT software was able to measure set reference points more accurately than even the micro-CT, although there was not a statistically significant difference. Kim et al showed similar results as Suomalainen, and also investigated the ability of a CBCT scan to accurately locate the inferior alveolar canal and measure the distance separating the canal from the apices of the posterior teeth. Five cadaver mandibles with soft tissue still intact were scanned by a CBCT at 200 micron sections and measurements were obtained by two examiners.
The inferior alveolar canal was then exposed and the distance was histologically measured. There was no significant difference between anatomic and CBCT measurement methods and all CBCT scans clearly showed the anatomical presence and location of the canal. With a CBCT image that directly reflects the anatomical position and size of the canal, it should greatly increase the clinician’s ability to properly plan for
posterior surgery and aid in patient education for potential risks or complications associated with their canal system and anatomy. Velvart et al expanded on these findings in a clinical setting. Fifty patients that presented for mandibular posterior apical surgery were imaged pre-operatively with CT scans at a 1 mm voxel size and conventional periapical images. Using the surgery as the gold standard, all periapical lesions presented as findings on the CT. In contrast, only 78% of clinical lesions presented as radiographic findings in pre-operative periapical images. Multiple mandibular molars presented on periapical radiographs to have a finding on only one root. Upon further investigation with the CT image, a secondary finding was located and the treatment plan was adjusted to include the secondary finding. The mandibular canal could be located in 62% of pericapical images, whereas all CT scans showed the presence and location of the canal.
The distance between the canal and the root apices could not be measured accurately with periapical images, but was measurable in all CT scans. Even in the limited 1 mm voxel scans, the CT proved to be an important adjunct to surgical endodontics. The importance of these studies reflects the ability of the CT to display anatomical relationships, both normal and abnormal. Although previous studies demonstrate the accuracy of CBCT in measuring between reference points in the mandible that are relatively distant, endodontics requires accuracy over very small distances such as a periapical finding. Kamburoglu used cadaver mandibles to chemically create periapical lesions for CBCT evaluation. Radiologists measured the distances of the created findings multiple times and they were compared to the gold standard of a precise digital caliper. There was no significant difference in the intraobserver or inter-observer measurements, and the CBCT was accurate to within .0625 mm which was not significant. The importance of this study is two fold. First, the CBCT software gives the capability to consistently reproduce the measurements of a periapical finding, whether that is between separate clinicians or the same clinician on multiple readings. Second, the CBCT measurements can be consistently compared to actual in-vitro measurements in small periapical findings. This is significant because the larger the distance in question, the easier it is to be accurate without statistical difference. If the measurement was only a few microns, it would be almost impossible to be consistently accurate. In this study they showed that artificially created periapical lesions ranging from 1.5-3.0 mm can be consistently and accurately measured with CBCT software. The measurement at these dimensions more clearly represents typical endodontic pathology compared to previous studies measuring set reference points of longer distances. Other methods have been described to compare in-vitro CBCT accuracy to a gold standard. For example, CBCT scans have been compared to micro-CT imaging to estimate the volume of a developing tooth germ. Maret et al used 16 adolescent cadaver mandibles to compare the accuracy of the CBCT to the micro-CT for tooth germ size. Here the CBCT showed very similar volume measurements to the micro-CT, and the threedimensional reconstruction had no significant geometric deviations.
Since the CBCT imaging modality proved to have no significant measurement differences from the micro- CT in adolescent mandibles, but does have reduced radiation exposure, it should serve as an excellent clinical imaging alternative for children. This study also showed that CBCT is comparable to the micro-CT not only in direct linear measurements, but also in volume estimation. Although other studies had proven the CBCT accurate in measuring set reference points or the diameter of a lesion, the next step was to investigate the accuracy of the estimated periapical finding volume. Esposito et al used bovine mandibles and created bur defects of different shapes and sizes to represent a wide variety of endodontic pathology. CBCT measurements were used to calculate the volume of the lesion and compare itagainst the gold standard of a light-body vinyl polydimethylsiloxane impression material. The impression material was weighed and the volume was established using the knowndensity of the set material. The intra and inter-observer measurements showed nostatistically significant differences reinforcing the software’s measurement reproducibility.The results showed a good fit and strong correlation between impression volume measurements and CBCT volume measurements. This clearly advances the clinician’s ability to accurately estimate a periapical finding of endodontic origin. Even though knowing the diameter of the lesion is a helpful tool, when the volume can be accurately reproduced the clinician has a better understanding of the complexity of the pathology. Ahlowalia confirmed these results in a similarly designed study. Using bovine rib bones with all soft tissue removed, a 3 mm round bur was used to create 10 varying artificial lesions. They compared the impression material to the CBCT volume measurements and to a micro-CT scan. Intraexaminer interclass correlation coefficient was .99 showing reproducible results and the intraclass correlation coefficient was .98 showing almost identical results between the CBCT, the micro-CT, and the impression material. Although there are differences between bovine and human bone density and the study was done without any attached soft tissue, the results still reinforce the reproducibility and accuracy of the CBCT compared to the micro-CT scan and physical impressions. In a clinical setting these volume measurements could be used at recall appointments to compare pre-operative finding size to a healed or healing finding.
Kaya et al did exactly that on 16 patients receiving endodontic therapy. Pre-operative CBCT scans were evaluated for bone density and finding volume and then compared to a postoperative recall CBCT scan that was made two years after treatment. They showed a significant difference in bone density between the two scans, and concluded that CBCT can be used as a reliable indicator of endodontic radiographic healing. Unfortunately, there was no comparison to another radiographic technique, such as conventional periapical radiography or to a gold standard histologically. Simply stating that there is a difference does not strengthen the argument to routinely take CBCT scans on post-operative recalls. For many years in endodontics, a conventional periapical radiograph was used on recalls to monitor for radiographic healing. In order to justify the higher radiation exposure to a patient there must be a significant difference between the CBCT scans and conventional imaging. The difficulty arises when correlating radiographic findings with the actual presence of clinically important apical periodontitis. CBCT scans are likely to enable the clinician to see more anatomical detail than a conventional periapical image. This magnified detail in imaging could possibly lead to higher sensitivity in diagnosing apical periodontitis, but it may also give more false positives, or a type I error. Both the sensitivity and specificity of a test rest on the true prevalence of a disease. If the presence of apical periodontitis following root canal treatment is actually histologically high, then conventional methods of periapical imaging have identified a large amount of false negative results.
This would, however, allow periapical imaging to maintain a high specificity as the few cases without apical periodontitis would most likely present as true negatives whereas the sensitivity would remain very low due to the large amount of false negatives. CBCT imaging may present with the opposite dilemma. The small voxel capability of CBCT software may reveal a very high number of teeth with apical findings, which could lead to a high sensitivity but a low specificity. If the prevalence of apical periodontitis confirmed histologically is found to be very low, CBCT imaging may present with an even worse specificity. This could lead the clinician to routinely over diagnose and result in unnecessary treatment. Due to the possible large gap between CBCT and periapical imaging, de Paula-Silva et al set out to compare the two imaging modalities against a histological gold standard in dogs. After induction of apical periodontitis, confirmed radiographically, root canals were completed. Periapical images and CBCT scans were completed 6 months postoperatively and then compared to the histological diagnosis. Of the 83 teeth used in the study, the periapical imaging technique detected apical periodontitis in 71% of teeth, CBCT detected the presence in 84% of teeth, and histological examination confirmed the presence in 93%. As discussed previously, the high prevalence of apical periodontitis in this study leads to a high specificity with both the CBCT and periapical imaging technique scoring perfect. Even with the highly detailed anatomical viewing the CBCT offers, it scored a 0.91 sensitivity versus a 0.77 for the periapical images. Although at face value this concludes that the CBCT is more accurate at diagnosing apical periodontitis, there are multiple fallacies in this study. The first problem lies in the study design that led to a 93% prevalence in histologically confirmed cases of apical periodontitis.
This is far from clinically accurate. It may seem that in order to evaluate the difference between imaging methods in detecting apical periodontitis, the study must have a high number of cases with apical periodontitis, whereas the opposite is true. By designing a study with a high prevalence of disease, it sets up the tests to have a biased sensitivity and specificity result. These results would be more reliable if the presence of apical periodontitis in all teeth throughout the actual population was very high. Secondly, all teeth examined for apical periodontitis were root canal treated in the study. The study points out that the observer was blinded to the treatment groups, but root canal treatment is clearly visible on both CBCT and periapical imaging modalities. If an observer knows a tooth has had previous root canal treatment and is searching for apical periodontitis, there is little to no downside to stating every tooth has a radiographic finding. In combination with the extremely high prevalence, if the observer stated there was only one negative case, the results would have been more accurate. Even rife with problems, de Paula-Silva et al begins to lead endodontics into another realm of treatment planning and diagnosis. If previous studies relied on periapical imaging alone to determine success, it is very likely apical periodontitis is readily under diagnosed. With CBCT imaging becoming more frequently used in endodontics combined with the higher sensitivity rate, it is probable that more teeth will be radiographically categorized as displaying signs of apical periodontitis. What effect this will have on clinical decision making is yet to be seen. What is clear from the existing literature is the accuracy of CBCT technology. The software enables the clinician to accurately reproduce set reference points, measure dimensions of anatomical structures such as the mandibular canal, and even measure the volume of periapical pathology with precision. Studies also indicate that the measurements can be easily reproduced by the same observer or multiple observers maintaining dimensional consistency. Now that the accuracy and consistency of CBCT technology is established, it is important to shift the attention to actual clinical uses and limitations of the software.
The Accuracy of Cone Beam Computed Tomography
The Accuracy of Cone Beam Computed Tomography
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Supplemental Lighting for chicken
The concept of supplemental lighting has been used in commercial poultry production since the 1920s. As a backyard and homestead poultry keeper, you may wonder if there is a need to offer extra light hours for your birds.
You might be looking at adding extra light for my chickens when the days are short and the nights long and cold.
Do chickens need extra lighting? Some poultry keepers choose to add extra lighting for their chickens to increase egg production in layers. Others use supplemental lighting to shorten the period meat chickens reach their desired weight. This leads to processing the meat birds earlier, hence increasing production. While this might be okay for some, other poultry keepers prefer to let nature have its way.
Let us have a look at why you may want to have light in the coop.
Which came first, Chicken, Egg or Light?
I may not be in a position to answer this, but chickens need light, whether natural or artificial for production. Their productive cycle is triggered by the dark-light cycle, also known as photoperiod. This means that chickens need both darkness and light.
Light penetrates chicken through the eyes, skull, and skin. It activates the pineal gland found in the brain (yes, chicken have brains) of the chicken. The gland produces serotonin and melatonin hormones, which in turn guide the chickens’ biological processes, one being stimulating the ovaries to produce eggs.
Studies have shown that hens never reach their productive maturity until they are exposed to 12 hours of light. Chicken need between 12 to 14 hours in order to produce eggs. Shorter daylight hours will lead to a decrease in production. This explains why your girls will give you more eggs in summer and spring while they slow down production during fall and winter.
Understanding light for chickens
Chickens perceive light differently from human beings. They can see small light fluctuations that people cannot. They do see red, blue, green light, and even ultraviolet light. This gives them the ability to see more shades of light than human beings.
All chickens, even the blind ones can sense light. This is because, in addition to the eyes, chicken can tell the presence of light through the pineal gland. They can tell when it is daylight and when the season changes.
The right kind of light
When considering light for chickens, there are three factors involved. These are the spectrum of light, the intensity of light and duration of light.
Do chickens need a light in their coop?
You will need light in the chicken coop for:-
1. See while doing your chores in the coop – You need to see while in the coop. When collecting eggs, having some sort of lighting in the coop will make sure you do not miss some. It is also easier to do a headcount at night when the chickens a calm and not running around. You will also need light to see when administering medication or vaccines at night when the chickens are calm.
2. Increased productivity – As discussed, hens will lay more eggs when the right number of light hours are provided. Providing light in the coop will help get more eggs from your girls.
3. Heating when in extreme cold – a heat-emitting bulb is one of the ways you can provide warmth for your chickens, in cases of extreme cold
4. Heat for baby chickens – Baby chickens are not able to generate their own body heat, hence an external source of heat is needed during the early days. A heat emitting light bulb is usually used to provide heat in the brooder.
About James
I started this website as a means to catalog my long-time passion - poultry. With, I aim to provide a searchable catalog of all poultry breeds in one place. From Indigenous to exotic breeds. From Pets to Commercial Breeds.
Please feel free to contact me on our Facebook page here
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[1] Ventilation ducts fitted with valves to prevent water from entering the hull [2] Device for allowing the escape of rarefied air [3] Top view porthole [4] Side view porthole [5] Hinge of the dome which allows access inside the hull [6] Drill for attaching the box containing the bomb to the target [7] Vertical screw propeller [8] Explosive box containing a clockwork device and 70 kilograms of powder [9] Device for releasing the explosive box [10] Depth gauge [11] Horizontal screw propeller [12] Horizontal propulsion crank [13] Pedals for transmitting motion to the horizontal propulsion cranks [14] Thick plank serving as seat and reinforcement of the hull [15] Compass [16] Water pumps for expelling leaked water outside the hull [17] Water pumps' handle [18] Rudder's tiller [19] Rudder's transmission mechanism [20] Rudder [21] Ventilation pump for taking fresh air into the hull while expelling rarefied air out of it [22] Valve for preventing water from entering into the hull [23] Coil of the rigging of the emergency ballast [24] Tackle for lifting the emergency ballast [25] Ballast consisting of 90 kilograms of lead placed under the floor. To increase buoyancy in the event of emergency, the operator could release the ballast letting it sink, retrieving it later by means of a 15-meter long rope and its associated rigging [26] Valve actuated by a pedal for allowing water into the hull, to serve as ballast [27] Pistol (the operator possibly carried a weapon with him) [28] Ballast block
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How is cortisol released from the body?
How is cortisol released?
The release of cortisol is under control of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is released by the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus.
What happens when your body releases cortisol?
What does cortisol do during stress?
What is the treatment for high cortisol?
IT IS INTERESTING: Does adrenal insufficiency cause low potassium?
What foods increase cortisol?
Does caffeine increase cortisol?
Caffeine in dietary doses increases both adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and cortisol secretion in humans (15). Caffeine’s effect on glucocorticoid regulation therefore has the potential to alter circadian rhythms and to interact with stress reactions.
What does too much cortisol feel like?
How can I test my cortisol levels at home?
When you’re cortisol is tested at a doctor’s office, it’s typically done using a blood sample. Most at-home cortisol tests are collected through a saliva sample, though a few may use urine or blood samples as their testing method.
How does cortisol affect sleep?
The stress hormone cortisol is produced by the HPA axis, which also helps coordinate your sleep cycles. When the HPA axis is disrupted through poor nutrition, chronic stress, or illness, this can result in insomnia and other sleep disturbances.
What causes too much cortisol?
A nodule (mass) in your adrenal gland or a tumor in the brain’s pituitary gland can trigger your body to make too much cortisol. This can cause a condition called Cushing syndrome. It can lead to rapid weight gain, skin that bruises easily, muscle weakness, diabetes, and many other health problems.
What is cortisol deficiency?
What is cortisol deficiency? Cortisol deficiency occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol. This can happen for four main reasons: When the pituitary gland is unable to produce the chemicals needed to tell the adrenal glands to ‘switch on’ their cortisol production.
IT IS INTERESTING: What hormone is released when stomach hydrochloric acid enters the small intestine?
How do I get rid of cortisol in my stomach?
More ways to reduce belly fat are:
1. Minimize use of alcohol.
2. Avoid smoking.
3. Get a good night’s sleep of about six to nine hours each night – sleep deprivation increases cortisol in the bloodstream.
4. Avoid situations that trigger stress.
5. Stay hydrated.
What vitamins help lower cortisol levels?
If needed, add supplements.
Does magnesium lower cortisol?
Lots of iodine
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Water Filtration
Water filtration is a system or procedure that is used to terminate harmful particles or pollutants from water. It doesn’t mean it’s only the filtration but any process through which we remove the bacteria, dirt agricultural waste or chemical waste and other substances that are present in the water, is also included in the water purification process. And if we don’t eliminate these impurities then the water we drink is not safe for us instead of taking advantage we take a disadvantage of drinking water which is dangerous for our body.
Water filtration system
Water filtration system
As I mentioned above that any process which filters the water doesn’t mean that it is the one and only way to clean the water, but we also get the results by boiling the water. But there is one disadvantage of boiling the water. For boiling the water we need a lot of time and energy. And when we have all these things we don’t get desirable results because when we boil the water we don’t only remove the impurities but we also remove the things which are required for our body. So boiling is not a good option. The filtration is best because now we have a filtration system that is very smart and intelligent. There are a lot of reasons for using water filters. Here are some reasons:
1.The water filtration system filters water in less time.
2.The water filtration system does not need much energy as we see in the boiling that it needs a lot of energy and time.
3.The water filtration system removes harmful products, not the useful products that our body needs.
Water is an inorganic substance that is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Water consists of the earthy hydrogen sphere and fluid of most living organisms. Water is very important for all the creatures of the universe either they are human beings, animals, and all those creatures created by God that we don’t know. They need water for their survival even though water has no calories, which means it doesn’t provide us calories. It is free of calories.
water filtration system
The chemical formula of water is H2O. It consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom in it’s structure. The two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom are connected with the help of a covalent bond.
Water is the name of a liquid state. The standard temperature and pressure are needed to maintain that liquid state. If the temperature decreases then it changes into ice and if the temperature increases then it changes into steam which is gas. Water is present in different forms. Precipitation is formed by the water in the form of rain and aerosol. Clouds are formed from the suspended droplet of water and ice. When we divide Ice into crystalline form then it becomes snow. If we see the water in the form of gas then it becomes steam and water vapor.
Water is moving throughout the water cycle. Let’s have an eye on the components of the water cycle that are four in number
4.precipitation and runoff usually reaching the sea.
Water covers 71% of Earth’s surface but whole water is not drinkable. The water we can drink is called soft water. The greater part of the water is in the sea and ocean which is hard water and you can’t drink that water. A little portion of water is in the shape of groundwater that is 1.7%. Some part of the water is present in the glacier and icecaps in the Antarctica region and Greenland as well. 1.7% of water is present in the air as water vapor and cloud(a form of ice and water suspended in the air).
Our body is constituted of 60% of water. Our body needs water for its proper functioning because our cells, tissue, and organs are mostly made up of water. For their proper functioning, the water is very important. Our body loses water in various form, like when we breathe water is discharged, when we sweat a large amount of water is expelled when we excrete water goes out of our body in the form of urine. So water is required by our bodies in a large amount.
In order to keep our body hydrated, we need a good quality of water. We need a good quality of water to regulate the functioning of our bodies. We will have a good quality of water only when filtered and pure water will be available to us. In the Market, every company claims that we provide good quality of water filtration system. Now it’s all up to you that you select good quality of water filtration system. But here are some characteristics you keep in your mind when you will buy the water filtration system.
1.it should be affordable, not too much expensive
2.It should not consume very less energy
3.It should work fast and consumes less time
There is no definite requirement of water. Every person requires water in different quantity. A lot of factors are involved in it, like age, sex, height, weight, and climate.
Children don’t need too much water because the requirement for the child’s body is not too much. If we talk about adults so they really need a greater amount of water as compare to children. The requirement of our body for water is increased because at that time the organs of our bodies are expanding.
Similarly, if you are taller than others then the water requirement of your body will be more. And if you are shorter then the water requirement of your body will be less than others.
Climate is the most important factor for the human body. If the climate is hot then you need more water and if the climate is cold then the human body requires less water. But for the human body requirement of water is dependent upon sex as well.
Male needs 3.7 liters of water in their daily intake which is equal to 15 cups.
Female needs 2.7 liters of water in their daily intake which is equal to 11 cups.
Children need one liter of water in their daily intake.
There are a lot of impurities present in the water. We will discuss them one-by-one. Let’s discuss the first general impurity.
Dirty or impure water contains elements known as total suspended solids. It consists of dust, dirt, sand, clay, and rust. These elements are present in water to make the water dirty cloudy and muddy. These elements are also present in the essential component of water such as hydrogen which is the basic component of healthy and pure water. Hydrogen also has digesting property. If anything comes in contact with the hydrogen and water then it dissolves rapidly but due to these impurities the water lack hydrogen and oxygen and as a result, it causes illness to the human body because the human body needs nutrients which are not dissolved by the human body. Due to these impurities, we need a good quality of water filtration system. Through this water filtration system, we will remove these impurities and make the water pure and clear. Then our body will have a good quality of water which makes our body healthy and strong. Let’s discuss some impurities in the water.
1.Biological impurities
2.colloidal impurities
Water contains lots of biological impurities such as protozoa, pathogens, bacterial viruses, microbes and parasites along with their cysts and eggs are contaminated. All these impurities make the water dirty and impure and make it unfit for drinking. The microorganism reproduces very quickly and the reproduction of this microorganism is very alarming for the world. Due to this microorganism, the gastrointestinal disease spreads very quickly around the world which is very dangerous for the population of the world. And it spreads in all ages including both spreads, male and female. Diseases through contaminated water will be discussed later. Again we cannot neglect the role of good quality water filtration system because if you have good quality water filtration system then you will have clean drinking water because our body consists of 60% of water, so good quality of water is very important for our body because tissue, cells, organ organs all need good quality of water for their proper functioning. And good quality of water you will find only if you have a good quality of water filtration system. So from all discussions, we came to know that the water filtration system is very important in our daily lives.
Colloidal impurities contain two things. The first one is the waste product and the second one is the amino acid. This problem is due to the suspended particles like sand, dust, mud and organic matter flowing in Rivers, Lakes, and streams. Due to this impurity, the water is very unsafe for drinking, so again we need a good water filtration system that can fight against these impurities and provide us good and clean good. let’s talk about some of these.
Gases that are picked up from the atmosphere are poured down through the rain. When this water enters the river and lakes then it is used by us. We use this water in our daily life which is unsafe for our usage. Secondly, the decomposition of animals and plants near the river, water, and lakes takes place. It is also the biggest reason that impurities are added in the water. Then the wastewater and sewage from our industry. In the earlier time periods, water was not too much impure because there were no industries. But now there are a number of industries that are increasing day by day. So we found our water more impure. There are a large number of electrolytes present in river water like calcium, iron, magnesium, sodium, and chloride. In river water, these electrolytes make the water impure. The importance of a water filtration system cannot be neglected to clean the contaminated water.
The organic compounds from agriculture and domestic industries are the main cause of impure water. An organic compound from medical wastewater and equipment is the main reason for contaminated water. As we stated earlier that microorganisms can pollute water by taking the calcium and magnesium salt. However, these germs can also silicate along with ferrous and non-ferrous iron-based compounds. These all were the reasons stated above for water pollution.
The water with so many impurities is unsafe for us. These impurities in the water make it unclean and only a good water filtration system can clean it. The water filtration system works in such a way that it removes chloride and magnesium that make water hard. So when these impurities will be removed then water will be clean and safe for us. The water filtration system also removes the microorganism that makes our water unsafe and dirty so the water filtration system works very efficiently to clean the water and make it safe for us.
Contaminated water is not the problem of some countries but it is the problem of the whole world. Survey says that around 3.1% of deaths in the world are due to unhealthy and contaminated water. The World Health Organization estimated that 80% of diseases are caused by water including blindness, which is a very serious disease for humans. We should filter the water to keep ourselves safe from diseases.
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects humans and animals. It is also waterborne disease just because mosquitos have aquatic phases in their life cycle. The symptoms of malaria include fever, headache, and fatigue. If we will not treat malaria then it may cause death. So it is a very dangerous disease that spreads through contaminated water. In order to prevent it, we have to drink clean water
It is also a waterborne disease that spreads from the contaminated water. Diarrhea is occurring all over the world and it shared 80% of death all over the world. 5% of Health lost to disability. The most common type of diarrhea is a gastrointestinal infection which kills 2.2 million people around the world. This is quite alarming for the world because it spreads from contaminated water, so contaminated water is very dangerous. We can’t ignore this fact that diarrhea finishes whole water in the body which in turn causes death. Diarrhea is of two types:
1.Watery diarrhea
2.Bloody diarrhea
It is also associated with other diseases such as measles and, chemical irritation of the gut or non-infectious bowel disease can also occur due to diarrhea. It is a symptom of an infection caused by a host of bacteria viruses and parasites. Organisms that spread through contaminated water. So clean water is very important for life and nowadays natural water is not clean. You should take steps to clean the water and you just clean the water with the help of a good water filtration system.
Cholera is a bacterial disease and cholera also spreads through contaminated and impure water. Cholera causes fever, diarrhea, and dehydration if it remains untreated it can be very dangerous. It may be fatal and kill the individuals. It is also a waterborne disease. Cholera is eliminated from the developed countries through modern technology but it is still the largest problem in the third world countries like Africa, East Asia, and Haiti. The symptoms of cholera are diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting and last but not the least is dehydration. We talked about the diarrhea earlier in a detail. Diarrhea is also caused by the contaminated water.
A.Nausea And Vomiting: Vomiting occur especially in the early stage of cholera and can last for hours.
B.Dehydration: Dehydration starts from the first hour of cholera but it is mild in the starting and later on it increases. Electrolyte imbalance causes two diseases muscle cramps and Shocks.
1.Muscle Cramps: this is due to the rapid loss of salt from bodies such as sodium and chloride.
2.Shocks: shocks are due to the severe loss of water and mineral from your body which causes a sudden drop in the volume of blood which in turn causes a drop in blood pressure and as a result amount of oxygen in our body becomes low. We can’t deny the importance of oxygen. Loss of oxygen can cause death in minutes.
All the above diseases can be prevented by clean water. Therefore, we must think of a good water filtration system. Otherwise, we can suffer through all of these diseases.
trachoma is the infection of eye which causes blindness after re-infection again and again. Most of blindness in the world is caused by trachoma. It spreads in underdeveloped countries where the people have limited access to water and health facility. It is also a waterborne disease like diarrhea and spreads from contaminated water. Trachoma passes from person to person and from child to child and from mother to child. It mainly spreads where the people live in overcrowded areas. Trachoma is usually caused by the bug called chlamydia trachomatous which lives in the contaminated water.
The Number Of Affected People From Trachoma:
According to the World Health Organization, 6 million people around the world are blind by the trachoma and around 150 million people are those who need treatment. For the moment we can think that 6 million people are blind. We can save more people from this disease just by doing one thing and that is cleaning the water by the water filtration system. When we will drink clean water, we will not have these diseases because the main cause of these diseases is contaminated water.
Hepatitis is a broad term. There are a lot of types of hepatitis such as A B C D and E. And there are a lot of reasons because of which hepatitis spreads but here we discuss only two types of hepatitis A and E. Hepatitis A and E spread through the fecal-oral route but the main thing is that Hepatitis A and E can be transmitted through water and food especially through drinking water. Usually, people dig a hole that is called a pit or latrine. The waste products move in the soil and near that latrine, there is a well or tube well. So abnormal connection between well and that latrine is created and it is the start of spreading of hepatitis A and E through contaminated water.
the symptoms of hepatitis A and B start from fever, body weakness, loss of appetite, nausea_ and abdominal discomfort.
From all the research, we came to know that 80% of diseases spread from contaminated or dirty water but if we spend a little bit of money on the water filtration system then we can save ourselves from these dangerous diseases that can be sometimes very fatal. Because a lot of people died from these diseases in the world. So the water filtration system is very necessary for the house Factory, school, colleges, and universities because we won’t die from these diseases.
If you can pend a lot of money on the Cure of that diseases then why not spend a couple of hundred dollars on a good water filtration system so you can save yourself from that disease and also save our coming generation from those diseases
There are many types of water filters. Today we will discuss them one by one. Different water filters work differently because everyone has their own mechanism and design and they work according to their design. They all are listed below and we are trying to cover them one by one.
1.Activated carbon filter
2.Reverse osmosis
3.Alkaline water ionizer
4.Ultraviolet filters
5.Infrared filters
These filters are also known as carbon filters or pre-filters and generally, they work. They remove large particles such as dust particles, clay, mud, and sand from your water and make your water clean and soft. These filters work in the manner that they attract these large particles and absorb these particles of sand, clay, mud, and dust and make your water free of these impurities and make it safe for your use.
These filters work in that fashion. That they make the taste and smell of the water good and pleasant. They work on the formula. They remove the extra amount of chlorine and other contaminated things that make your water smelly.
Let’s go a little bit deep to see how actually the activated carbon filter work and through which process. The Activated carbon water filter work through the process of absorption. They soak up particles into water absorption and adhere particle to surface like a piece of Velcro.
Organic compound sticks to the surface of carbon filters because water and contaminated particles both are polar compounds that attract one and another. They work on the principle that polar dissolves polar and non-polar dissolves nonpolar. So this is the process through which activated carbon filter work and make the water clean and safe for us.
These types of water filters are extremely famous nowadays. Because it works in the fashion that removes all contaminations and impurities which are very dangerous for your life and makes the water clean and safe for your health. The end result is odor-free and good taste. Let’s see the history first when reverse osmosis was started.
In the past, it was used for the separation of seawater from the salt. And in our world when the population is growing rapidly the reverse osmosis filter is best invention. Popular companies adopted this technique to save their water in the bottle from these contaminants.
I am not going to confuse you by giving scientific methods but I telling you in a simple way that how the reverse osmosis filter work. The reverse osmosis water filter has a semipermeable membrane. The term reverse osmosis is used to create pressure on water and the water is exerted and pass-through the semi-permeable membrane and the contamination like sand dust particles or any other contamination is strapped in that membrane and water became free of these contaminations.
Reverse osmosis filter consists of pre-filter reverse osmosis, post-filter tank, and storage tank.
Aa water enters in the filter, we put water first in the pre-filter tank. This tank traps the larger particle like sand and dust particles. After that, we pressurize the water and it is sent into the reverse osmosis membrane. This section removes all the contamination which is not needed by the human body and after that, the water goes in the storage tank and becomes ready for use.
so far this reverse osmosis is the best water filtration system in the world which work in the perfect way so from this process how the reverse osmosis is work without confusing you to tell about the scientific way
These filters work on the principle of electrolysis. In this process we can tell you water is passed from the plates which are electrically charged and it is separated into two groups. It means two groups are formed in this process, one group is alkaline and the second one is acidic. It was the overview of this system. Let’s have an eye on the detailed process.
Alkaline water means its pH changes. The pH of anything tells us how the substance is acidic or alkaline. On the scale, the pH is from 1 to 14. From 1to 7 it is acidic and from 7 to 14 it is alkaline. If the pH is 1 it means that the substance is very acidic and if pH is 13 it means the substance is very alkaline.
Alkaline water has a higher pH than the normal water, we use in our daily life if the water is more alkaline than it is neutralized the acidity of water which is good for our body.
Normal drinking water generally has a neutral pH of 7 but the water which is alkaline has the pH 9 or 10. So through alkaline water ionizer, we also get the water which is good for our body.
water filtration
Alkaline water has many benefit
1.Cancer prevention
2.Cardiovascular benefits
3.Skin benefits
4.taste benefits
Let’s discuss them one by one.
Cancer prevention:
The most mind-blowing benefit of alkaline water is the prevention of cancer because it has antioxidant properties. It is believed by the scientist that substance who has an antioxidant property prevents free radicals from damage. Cell and its DNA by eliminates these free radicals and keeps them from causing the cellular disruption that can lead to cancer.
Healthy Cardiovascular System:
Recent research says that alkaline water is very good for the cardiovascular system which includes arteries, veins and Heart. It is believed that oxygen can leave free radical which can cause damage to the cardiovascular system. So alkaline water has strong antioxidant properties therefore it prevents free radicals to damage the cardiovascular system.
Skin benefit
Alkaline water is very useful for the skin because you know it has very strong antioxidant properties. If you wash your face with regular water then it is not as much as effective as alkaline water. Because alkaline water makes you younger. It also removes fine wrinkles and also removes bacteria which is dangerous for your skin. It also prevents acne. You get all these skin benefits if you use alkaline water.
Alkaline water is said to be good in taste than the regular water. You will also get a great taste of food when you cook your food in it. You will get all these benefits of anticancer, health of cardiovascular systems, and good taste by using water ionizer filters.
These type of filters are new in the market because this technology is recently introduced in the market. Now look at it this water filter how it works on ultraviolet radiation mechanism. Ultraviolet radiation is used to treat water. This ultraviolet radiation has the ability to kill many bacteria that are dangerous for your health. The ultraviolet filter is the best defense against the microorganism and bacteria because the ultraviolet water filter uses electromagnetic energy from the light to eliminate the bacteria and microorganisms especially E-coli by altering their DNA and prevent the ability to reproduce. The ultraviolet filter is tested that it kills 99.99 percent bacteria which is very harmful to your health.
Benefits Of Ultra Violet Filters:
• There are a lot of benefits of ultraviolet water filters. Because they provide protection against the bacteria and microorganisms especially E-coli, Clostridium and Garden.
• It does not require the additional chemicals which can change your water smell and odor, because it is using electromagnetic energy from light.
• The other benefit of ultraviolet water filter is it uses less energy.
• If you need a more environment-friendly water filter than this filter is best for you because it uses electromagnetic energy which it takes from light and does not need any chemical or additional Heat.
We discussed a lot of filters. Here is another filter that is infrared filters, if you live in a hard water area where the water is not soft then this infrared filter is perfect for you because it works on the technology which makes the water soft just like an alkaline filter which uses electromagnetic energy to treat the water. Infrared filter also use heat and light to change the water and make it soft and prepare the water for our daily use. Infrared rays are invisible rays. We cannot see them with the naked eye. These invisible rays of infrared light promote the growth of cells in the human body by using infrared water filter. In some cases these Infrared filters strengthen our body because they have an exception enrichment of the water. Infrared filtration water system may allow bringing the energized water while getting superior hydration, there are several effects of infrared water filter that they soften the water but the water which is treated by the infrared water filter prevents bacterial growth. It also regulates the blood flow increase resistance against the various disease and also balances the acidity level in our body. Research shows us that the water treated by this system is eliminating fat from our body and make us fit. This filtration system also removes many circulatory diseases from our bodies nowadays, the system is very useful for us. So what are you waiting for, install this filtration system in your home, Factory, school, college, and universities.
Nowadays water filters come in different shapes, sizes, and appearance but there are different type of water filter and they work differently. Some work physically and some work chemically, and some work in both ways, physically and chemically.
Physically it sets a barrier and encloses the large particles like sand, mud, and dust in it.
Chemically the water filter work and kill all the microorganism and chemical organism which are not good for our health.
I mentioned earlier that there are different water filters and they work differently so let’s see which water filter works in which manner.
These filters are the most selling filters used in the house. Nowadays charcoal is a very porous form of carbon, which means it contains a large number of holes in it so a lot of contaminated things like sand, mud sticks on the outer surface. But the problem is how to remove sediments? So carbon also plays an important role in the removal of sediments. Caron also acts as a magnet for the compound like Lead and Mercury. It traps contamination internally when water passes through the filter and chemical like chlorine is trapped when water comes in contact with carbon. And you find pure water free from contamination and other impurities. And also find good health by drinking good and clean water. This is the procedure for how does activate carbon filter work.
Here is another type of water filter. Let’s have an eye on it’s working. The chemical process takes place in the filtration sodium and releases the heavy metal in your water. The sodium is exchanged with heavy metal and remove these heavy metal from your water and make it soft for you. But there is one drawback of ion exchange. It raises the amount of sodium in your water which is very dangerous for the person who is on a low sodium diet.
This filter works in a unique way. It creates pressure and then the water goes through a semi-permeable membrane with the greater velocity and then contamination is stuck in membrane and water goes in the storage tank. And you will get clean water but this filtration has one drawback that it does not remove some pesticide solvent and metal such as chlorine and radon. But reverse osmosis is a good choice because it uses little energy and also works in no time, so it saves energy and time both.
Let’s talk about infrared water filter that how they work. If you live in that area where the hard water is present this water filter is perfect for you. It makes the water very soft. Infrared water filter uses light and heat to create a negative chance which makes the water soft for our daily use. Infrared Rays are very useful in many manners. these invisible rays cannot be seen with naked eyes. When these rays enter the human body, they promote the growth of the different organs of the human body. So when you drink this water it enters your body and makes your organ strong. So infrared water filter is also a good choice for you.
How these filters work let’s have an eye on the procedure:
These filters work on the mechanism of ultraviolet radiation. It uses ultraviolet radiation to treat the water. This ultraviolet radiation has the ability to kill many bacteria which is very dangerous for your health. It provides the best defense against bacteria and microorganisms because it uses electromagnetic energy from light to eliminate microorganisms and bacteria especially E-coli. E-coli is very dangerous for our health. So the ultraviolet filter technique is new in the market and a lot of people adopted these filters because it kills 99.99 percent bacteria and microorganism and provide us clean and safe water for drinking.
This filter works on the principle of electrolysis which happens in this process. We can tell you water is passed from the plate which is electrically charged. It is separated into two groups means two groups are formed one group is acidic and the second group is alkaline. Let’s go deeper. It works on the pH of water which means it changes the pH of water. The normal pH of water is 7 which is near neutral. Below the 7 it is acidic and above the 7 it is alkaline. If the pH is 1 then it’s mean it is more acidic than if pH is 13 then it’s mean it is more alkaline. It is very useful because it has a lot of health benefits which are stated earlier. If you want to read them then go back and read the benefit of this filter.
When the question arises in our mind about drinking water. Then every family is asking for the best water filter in their life and they are right because water has a deep connection with our body. Our body constitutes 60% of water and our cell tissue and organ can’t work properly. When the quality of water is low every water filter brand is working differently because they work according to their technology. If you ever buy the water filter for your home or office then the information given below is very helpful.
As we mentioned above all water filters are not same, they work on different technology.
The quality of filter varies from Brand to Brand. Each of them is specialized in eliminating the specific type of contaminant, just because of filtered water. The filter is NSF certified and it’s not guaranteed to remove any specific contaminant. Some filter works on more than one technology or says multiple technologies and some are working on singular technology. Now we will discuss the common method of water filtration. This thing helps you to understand which water filter is better for you.
Water filtration method
Before you buy any water filter read our article. In this article we will cover all water filters and how they work and which technology they use.
Activated carbon
Carbon removes contaminants by chemical method. Carbon is attached to the water that is poured into the system. Some removes only effective chlorine which only improves taste and odor of water while others remove some dangerous metal such as Mercury and Lead.
Distillation is a very old method of filtering water. In this method, we boil the water at high temperatures. Their vapors are condensed back at drinkable liquid water. This method removes bacteria and microorganisms. This method cannot eliminate chlorine because chlorine has a high boiling point.
Those filter which works on this technology promote ionization to exchange in your water in order to eliminate salt and other charged ions. Living organisms such as bacteria and microorganisms and viruses cannot be removed by this filtration method. It is a drawback of these filters.
Ion exchange
Ion exchange technology is also used by many filters in the market. These water filter are used in that area where the water is very hard and these filters are specialized to make the water soft because they exchange ions like calcium and magnesium with sodium but this water filter is not good for a person who is on a low sodium diet, because the level of sodium in the diet is very high.
Reverse osmosis
Many of the filters in the market work on this technology because it is quite famous. Filters that work on this technology works in the manner in which the water forcefully passed from semi-permeable membrane. The large contaminant is left behind and the clear water moves in forward direction in storage tank. It removes more contaminant than the carbon filters.
Mechanical filters are very popular among the consumer. These filters only remove the sediments and cysts. These filters don’t remove chemical contaminants because they only contain small holes which block larger contaminant. If your water has an undesirable quantity of dirt then this filter is very suitable for you.
Like mechanical filter, water filters are very much in demand, because these filters also kill microorganisms. Ozone filters do not remove chemical contaminants. You should notice that filter as well when you buy the water filter.
Carbon block
These type of carbon filter are very effective than the other carbon filters because they are made up of crushed carbon particles. The other thing which makes them very effective is the larger surface area. The rate at which the water passed from these filters has a greater impact on the level of effectiveness. This carbon filter has greater tendency to kill more contaminant than the other carbon filters.
Granulated carbon
As from the name you identify that these filters made from small granules of carbon but they have one drawback which makes them slightly unpopular among the others. As compared to block carbon filters they have small surface area. Filtration also depends on the speed of water flowing through them.
Water softener
These type of water filters work on II next-gen technology to make the hard water soft. These water filters exchange hard metals like calcium and magnesium with sodium. But one disadvantage of these filters is that they are very dangerous for the people who are on low sodium diet. We described all the method on which water filters work.
Now it’s up to you that which method you want to use. Must check that which water filter suits your area more and select water filters according to your needs. We hope our article proves to be helpful for you when you select water filters.
The are a lot of water filters and they use different technologies. We will tell you all the technologies on which water filters work.
• Some water filters work on the ultraviolet technology. These filters work using ultraviolet radiation. They treat the water with ultraviolet radiation.
• Some work on the alkaline water ionizer technology. They use electrolysis processes to split the water with two poles. The number one is an alkaline pole and number two is acidic pole.
• Some are working on the infrared water filter technology. They treat the water with the infrared rays which are good for our body.
• Some are working on water softener technology. They exchange hard ion like chloride and magnesium with soft ion like sodium but these water filters are dangerous for those who are on a low sodium diet.
• Some are working on the granulated carbon technology. They also kill the contaminated microorganisms but they have one drawback that they have smaller surface area.
• Some filters work on the carbon block technology. These filters are made up of crushed carbon particles. These water filters are very effective because they have a larger surface area.
• Some filters work on the mechanical technology. They have small pores. They only kill sediments and they don’t kill chemical organisms.
• Some are working on the ozone technology, they are also like mechanical filters and they also kill sediments.
• Some are working on the reverse osmosis technology. Water passes from a semipermeable membrane and the contaminated organisms are left behind and water moves in the forward direction.
• Some are working on the activated carbon technology. In this technology carbon is attached with water and kills all physical and chemical contamination. This method is very effective.
Here are some technologies in the market found, now it’s up to you which technology you select for your home and kitchen.
Basic water filter technology is reverse osmosis technology because there are many reasons that make this technology simple and popular among the people. The water filters implanted in this technology consists of three tanks one is pre-filter tank number 2 is filter tank and number three is post or storage tank. In this process water is passed with high velocity through semipermeable membrane, the contaminants are left behind and the water goes forward in storage tank. And water becomes ready for use. But the filter that use this technology has one drawback or disadvantage. It does not remove some pesticide, solvent and, metal such as chlorine and radon but this technology is still better than the all because it consumes less energy and it takes less time for filtration of water.
There are a lot of benefits of using filtered water. Some of them are stated below:
As we know tap water has a very bad odor and taste. When you will use filtered water you will have a good taste and odor, because tap water is treated with chemicals and heavy metals and filtered water is free from all metals and chemicals.
Tap water has a high percentage of chlorine because tap water is treated with chlorine which makes its odor and taste bad. Filtered water is free from chlorine. Research says that cancer exposure is 93% more in those people who use chlorinated water.
You know bottled water is very expensive and you save your money by using filtered water. So filtered water is more economical than bottled water. It is 30 times more expensive than filtered water.
Another disadvantage of tap water is that it contains a large number of heavy metals like Mercury, Arsenic, and Lead. These metals are very dangerous for our health. Filtered water is very good for our health because it is free from all these heavy metals.
Another benefit of filtered water is that it improves our digestion because of the good quality. This water transports good minerals all over the body if you will have good minerals and nutrients in your body it make your digestion very good.
Alkaline water decrease the acidity of your water. As a result it reduced your acid reflux and heartburn as well. We know alkaline water filters change the pH of the water to 8 or 9 making the water more alkaline.
Filtered water improves our skin and the tap water does not because if you use filtered water then the fine wrinkles on your face are removed. It also has anti-aging affect so you will look more younger if you use filtered water.
If you use filtered water then your weigh will also be reduced, because it decreases your appetite and if you consume fewer calories than your weight will be in control and you will be in greater shape.
Filtered water also has antioxidant property because it prevents free radicals which leave by oxygen. These free radicals are very dangerous for our body because they alter the DNA of cell which promote malignancy.
So there are a lot of benefits of drinking filtered water as we stated above. Hope so you will be satisfied about the benefit of using filtered water.
Water filtration is very essential. Here the water quality is not too much good as you want and you need good and clean water. One thing you should get about that the filter you are using is effectively removing all contaminants and bacteria. Water filtration is the process in which the filter clean the water of impurities through a homemade filtration system. With the chemical method or by using some biological or mechanical process one thing keep in mind that the water filter focuses on cleaning impurities or other microbes.
Water filters are coming in different sizes. You have to select the water filter according to your need that how much water you want to filter. Another thing keep in your mind that water filter does not completely remove the impurities some microorganisms or viruses are left behind.
Water purification is the name of the system in which we remove all impurities by using the chemical process from water. The impurities include all microorganism like bacteria and viruses and chemicals. In this process we only use chlorine and iodine to purify the water. By eliminating the microorganisms, viruses and bacteria we make the water safe for us. But one thing keep in your mind, not all the contaminants are not removed through water purification, some microorganisms, bacteria, and viruses are left behind which make water unsafe. It was the comparison of water filtration and water purification
Pros & Cons
• This water filter is affordable
• it is not too much expensive you can switch with filtered and unfiltered water
• it is ideal for cooking and drinking water
• Filter should be changed every month as time passes.
• the rate of filtration becomes slow
• it takes more space.
Pros & Cons
• Less expensive
• no installation is needed
• it also not cover too many spaces
• it uses less energy
• It is very economical
• Filter should be change every month as time passes.
• the rate of filtration is low
• it covers more space
Pros & Cons
• Remove most unwanted bacteria and virus
• It also removes sediments like mud, clay, sand and dust particles.
• it doesn’t cover too many spaces
• Five-step process filter should be replace frequently.
• it also very expensive everyone can’t afford it.
• it also wastes a lot of water.
Pros & Cons
• Remove heavy metal like arsenic, chlorine, radon and Mercury
• It uses a lot of energy
• it also covers more space
• Above all, it is very expensive
Pros & Cons
• It does not use heat or chemicals to remove contaminants.
• chemical which is used by other filters that make the taste and odor of the water very bad but this filter does not use chemicals so that the taste and odor is very good.
• Any color in water will prevent ultraviolet from working.
• sometimes filtration is necessary prior to ultraviolet has a low Effectiveness for removing chemicals.
So from all the discussion above we concluded that the water filtration system is very important in our daily life in schools, offices, factories, home, and kitchens. Because as we stated earlier that our body is 60% made up from water. All cells, tissues and organs in our body use water for their proper functioning but what happen if we don’t use water filtration system? The quality of our water will be low and there will be a lot of problems with us like cardiovascular problems, skin problems blindness, and malignancy problems.
If you do not want all these problems in your life then use the good quality filtration system in your home and kitchen. Another thing if you don’t use filtered water then the bottled water is very expensive. It is 30 times more expensive than the filtered water, so the filtered water is very economical.
Secondly the filtered water has a very good taste and good odor which tap water does not have because tap water is treated with some heavy metals like chlorine and radon.
We also discussed types of water filter. Some water filters are very expensive and some water filters are less expensive. Water filters cover more space and some water filters cover less space. Some water filters kill more bacteria and viruses and some water filters kill fewer bacteria and viruses. Water filters also save us from many diseases like diarrhea, food poisoning, vomiting, malignancy and cancer. Because it has some antioxidant property which prevents the DNA of cell to become a realtor by free radicals. It also increases fat loss and you look more younger when you use filtered water. So above all this discussion we concluded that good filtration system is very important for everybody. In this world everything has some advantages and some disadvantages. Here is also the same case with water filters. They also have some advantages and disadvantages but here advantages are more and disadvantages are less because water filtration system make some positive impact on our daily life so I concluded at the end of this article that the water filtration system is very important for all of us because it saves us from dangerous diseases.
It is also very economical because bottled water is very expensive, research says that the bottled water is 30 times more expensive than the filtered water and bottled water also have disadvantages. Because the bottles cause atmospheric pollution in the world which is also the very serious problem for the world. So we should take some steps to reduce the atmospheric pollution as well. Because many of diseases are also caused by this kind of pollution. Read this article carefully before buying any filtration system so it will be easy for you to choose the best one. If you don’t have it then go and buy it.
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Perfume has scent that angers hornets, study says
Women might use perfume to impress each other or to attract men. But scientists say that it could attract something else: angry hornets.
Japanese researchers extracted venom from the world's largest species of hornet and found that the venom contains at least one ingredient, also used in perfumes, that prompts other hornets to attack at the slightest whiff.
Representatives of the fragrance industry said the study is flawed and the results misleading. "It's a nice story, but these guys are wrong," said Glenn Roberts, a spokesman for the Washington-based Fragrance Materials Association.
But experts on insect pheromones - chemicals that trigger a particular response - say that the findings are consistent with what they've been saying for years: that insects respond to a variety of scents and signals.
"It's very good science," said Thomas Eisner, an entomologist at Cornell University who reviewed the study. "The lesson is, if you are going into country where there are going to be wasps and bees, you'd do well not to wear perfume."
Scientists know that honeybees might be agitated by rotting bananas. Ants spray a chemical to warn other ants of a threat, and mosquitoes find victims at summer picnics by the carbon dioxide they emit. Decades of pheromone research also has led to traps that will attract and kill mosquitoes, ants, wasps and bees.
"Insects use chemical cues of one sort or another to get key signals from their environment," said Lou Bjostad, a Colorado State University entomologist who also reviewed the study. "We've known that for decades."
The researchers at Tamagawa University took venom from three frozen samples of Vespa mandarinia, a species indigenous to Japan, where it's known as the giant hornet. They analyzed the contents, created an extract and then exposed a competing hornet species to it. The smaller hornets, Vespa simillima xanthoptera, responded as if they were under attack, the study says.
"The crude venom extract caused intense alarm and defensive behavior, with worker hornets flying excitedly around the nest and rushing toward the target," the study says.
Masato Ono, the lead author, declined in e-mail responses to identify specific perfumes that contain the compounds, but said the chemicals also are found in additives used to create banana, apple and other fruit flavors in commercially prepared foods.
Eisner said it's not surprising that a hornet's pheromones alarm a competitor. "You have winners and losers in the animal world, and when a winner produces a chemical, you can expect the loser to become chemically aware and respond to it," he said.
The giant hornet that emits the venom is not found in North America but has several cousins on the continent. "They're not here yet, but give them time, they will be," said Eisner, who has studied pheromones in termites and ants.
A hornet is a kind of wasp and a member of the hymenopteran family of insects that includes bees, wasps and yellow jackets. All use venom - which contains 30 different compounds - to defend themselves or to kill or paralyze prey.
The study, published in today's issue of Nature, notes that hornet and bee stings kill dozens of people each year and recommends that products with the compounds be screened to see if they attract hornets. Wasp and bee stings kill about 45 people in the U.S. and 70 people in Japan each year.
The researchers say three compounds that alarmed the hornets were in the venom of all seven species of hornet found in Japan. They identified the chemicals as 2-pentanol; 3-methyl-1-butanol, and 1- methylbutyl - 3 - methylbutanoate.
Roberts said that only one of the compounds, 3-methyl-1-butanol, is used in perfumes. He added that the compound, one of hundreds of ingredients used in perfumes, is highly volatile, evaporates quickly and is generally used in much smaller quantities than the researchers used in their tests.
"It's like studies where they give rats tons and tons of something to see what effects it will have, but the dosages are much higher than what you would have in the real world," he said.
The Food and Drug Administration does not require perfumers to list their ingredients on containers. "A lot of these fragrances have several hundred ingredients, so as a practical matter, they're just not listed on a label," said Roberts, the industry spokesman.
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Yield-to-maturity versus Current Yield
Image Image courtesy of graur razvan ionut at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Yield-to-maturity versus Current Yield
Investors new to bonds often wonder what the difference is between yield to maturity and current yield.
Coupon %
First, let's back up and start with coupon %. This is the stated percent that a bond pays. It generally does not change or fluctuate over the life of a bond. Thus, a 30-year bond when it's issued might have a stated coupon of 5%. That means that it pays $50 for ever $1,000 invested. If you hold the bond for 30 years, you will receive the $50 every year regardless of interest rates or market conditions (unless the bond defaults or is called).
Current Yield
Now, let's take that same $1,000 bond and let's assume that interest rates rise so that an investor can get a similar bond with a 6% yield. If you tried to sell your 5% bond for $1,000 an investor would be foolish to buy it when they can get a bond that pays 6% for $1,000. So, in order to sell the bond, you'll have to give a discount on the price. Say you offer to sell your bond for $800. The bond still pays $50 per year so that means that the current rate is now $50/$800 or 6.25%. The investor would now be wise to purchase your bond at a current yield of 6.25% versus the other bond at 6%. Of course, to sell the bond, you had to lose $200 via the discount you provided. That's why rising interest rates are bad for holders of bonds. The opposite is also true. Falling interest rates make the value of bond greater because investors will pay more to get high yield bonds.
Yield to Maturity (YTM)
Yield to maturity is the most complicated of the yield terms but it also the one investors use the most. It includes not only today's payments, but all future payments and assumes that those payments are reinvested at the same rate. It also includes the repayment of principal. If you bought a discounted bond for $800 but it's par value is $1,000 then you'll receive that extra $200 at maturity. In general, if you've purchased a bond at a discount, then the yield to maturity will be greater than the current yield because of this. If you purchased the bond at a premium, then the opposite is true.
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• Amit
January 11, 2011
Incredible explanation! :)
• Tuna
June 16, 2013
great explanation :) thanks
• Sheeba
August 05, 2013
Very helpful:)
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Why did Philip IV call the States General in 1302? Why was he not afraid that his deputies would be overthrown, like John Landless in England?
Both problems of Philip IV in 1302 – the struggle with Flanders and with Pope Boniface VIII – were the national problems of France, their solution was equally important for the king and for the townspeople.
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Animal Research Following the Precedent Established Term Paper
Pages: 5 (2022 words) · Style: MLA · Bibliography Sources: 4 · File: .docx · Topic: Animals
Animal Research
Animal research has always been a contentious subject, but within the past few decades the debate has risen to critical levels, leading to sides being drawn up for and against both with seemingly irreconcilable demands. Shortly after the end of World War II, the 1940's saw an incredible increase in the use of animal research. Government research in biomedical technologies was blooming and the GI bill during that time period provided many incentives for students to pursue techniques for in-vivo (animal) research. (Spun 21) Animal research is responsible for almost all of the advances in medicine from vaccines to genetic research. Many different species of animals have been used to help medical and other sciences to progress and this research has assisted doctors to eradicate many diseases. (Use of Animals) Fields such as biological, pharmaceutical and biomedical research, as well as consumer goods testing, educational classes and many more have used animals in their scientific investigations. (Rollin 137)Download full Download Microsoft Word File
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Term Paper on Animal Research Following the Precedent Established for Assignment
However, the debate over the many ethical issues regarding the use of another sentient species to aid humans in prolonging and increasing the quality of their lives continues with increasing animosity on both sides. After the revolution in ethical and moral thinking in the sixties, the seventies provided the first real gain in momentum by many animal rights activists. Since then the use of animals in research has dropped by almost fifty percent. This is partly due to these advocacy groups raising awareness among the populace, but it is also because many other alternatives became available. Most of these alternatives were also much more cost effective and were happily hailed by both sides. (Spun 22) Nevertheless, there is still a great deal of animal research being done today.
believe that while there are certainly some viable alternatives for certain sectors, such as cosmetic labs, there is still an overwhelming need for the use of animal research in the scientific community. While a certain cadre of fringe organizations have sensationalized this issue by destroying labs and in some cases doing violence against the researchers themselves, they are even more directly responsible for causing the deaths of perhaps millions of people by delaying this much needed and critical research. Even the AMA (American Medical Association) has stated that by their efforts these activists,.".. In obtaining philosophic and financial support for legislative and regulatory changes, would compromise the future of biomedical research." (Guither 123)
Over the past century animal research has played an absolutely vital role in the advancement of both medicine and science. This research has promoted rapid developments in the fields of antibiotics and organ transplants to blood transfusion and dialysis and many more. Almost every protocol that exists today for the treatment, prevention and control of disease is firmly founded in the annals of animal research. (Trull 45; Use of Animals) While there certainly has been an emotional issue in regards to using the companion animals of humans such as cats and dogs, they really make up only less than one half of one percent of this research. The predominant animal of choice at ninety-five percent of all research is the specially bred laboratory rat and mouse.
The availability of "transgenic" mice (which have added genes) and "knockout" mice (which have disabled genes) has revolutionized our understanding of cancer, Parkinson's disease, cystic fibrosis, heart disease, memory loss, muscular dystrophy and spinal-cord injuries. The so-called "nude" mouse -- lacking a functioning immune system -- has become an incredibly important model for understanding cancer suppression. (Trull 45)
This research, just barely the tip of the iceberg, is giving us insight into genetics and other sciences that we could never possibly achieve in any other manner. The fact that these animals are specifically bred and would not exist otherwise certainly gives us some responsibility towards them and there are many protocols and guidelines that govern their uses. The AMA supports many polices that protect animal's from unnecessary pain or inappropriate use (Guither 123) and the American Pain Society (APS), who uses animals in their neuroscience research particularly for their ability to experience pain, follows the guidelines of both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychological Association (APA). (Hadjistavropoulos and Craig 336) These standards minimize pain and discomfort at all times during the research. However, we must be realistic and understand that if a blanket policy of no further animal use is adopted then countless men, women and children will experience pain, suffering and even untimely and agonizing death.
In a 1988 survey of active physicians, the AMA found that 99% agreed that animal experimentation had contributed to medical progress, 97% supported the use of animals in basic and clinical research, 96% supported the use of animals for drug testing, and 93% supported the use of animals for medical education. Compared to a similar survey in 1948, the survey showed that physicians' views on the use of animals in research were very similar to physicians' opinions forty years earlier. (Guither 123)
The most widespread method in use for animal research is vivisection. This is the application of surgery, implantation, and other treatments while the animal is still alive in order to better understand the reaction of a living organism to certain actions and conditions. There is certainly no other way to gain this insight short of inflicting it upon a human being. While there are many Anti-Vivisectionists among animal researchers who do not accept for ethical, but more predominately, for emotional reasons the use of this method, they have yet to present any alternative. This methodology is used so that "...thousands of children won't get polio, so that diabetes won't kill every person who acquires it, so that cancer can be treated and perhaps cured, so that a variety of illnesses may be fought. (Miller 15) the efficacy of this research and the results it has garnered far outweighs any reduction or elimination of animal testing and research. While this may smack of human sovereignty or species elitism it can also be described as survival of the fittest.
That being said, it must be noted that animal research has itself proven as beneficial to animal health as it has to human health. Many advanced life-saving techniques have been discovered not only for our companion animals and farm livestock, but for other wildlife and endangered species. Treatment for feline leukemia and diabetes, pacemakers for dogs and cats, cures for deadly animal infectious diseases have all been achieved thanks to the application of animal research methods. "New treatments for glaucoma, heart disease, cancer and hip dysplasia can save, extend or enhance the life of a beloved pet; exciting new reproductive techniques are helping to preserve and protect threatened species." (Trull 45)
The implied contrast between human life and animal life is at the center of the controversy. There are those that believe animals have a lesser standing when it comes to the hierarchy of the planet. This is based on the idea that human beings have the capacity to be self-determining in ways that animals cannot. This concept is usually asserted in order to justify the ways in which we promote species elitism, putting our own interests well above that of the "lesser" animals. The problem is in finding the exact criteria to support this view. Animal activists say there is no such thing, life is life. (Beauchamp 114)
Darwin has forever blurred the absolute distinction between humans and all the other species on the planet. By linking us to a long line of descendants from single celled organisms to our fellow simian relatives, the line between them and us has become quite a slippery slope. (Rowan 769) Emotions run strong on this side of the debate:
It is "the ultimate evil" and "the most intense form of systematic cruelty in the history of humanity." Strong stuff. Yet these are not descriptions of the Holocaust or the genocides of Rwanda or Cambodia. It is how one animal rights group chooses to describe on its website the use of animals in scientific research. (Owen 20)
Organizations such as PITA and others have acted to protect animal rights well above human rights sighting that it is a human beings' charge to protect the less fortunate and vulnerable and not to exploit them. One sentient being cannot and should not exploit or purposefully cause harm to another.
While it is certainly incumbent upon us as human beings to treat our planet and its inhabitants with care, it is also intrinsic to our survival that we learn as much as we can about the earth and its indigenous species. In order to facilitate our scientific progress and understanding, animal research is a necessary method of study. We are charged with a duty to cause as limited harm… [END OF PREVIEW] . . . READ MORE
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was stalin a good leader
Fleming, author of the two-volume Cold War and Its Origins (1961), has concluded that “by making Joseph Stalin: A Good Leader Of The Soviet Union 1422 Words | 6 Pages Joseph Stalin was born Josef Vissarionovich Djugashvili, which he later took the name Stalin, meaning “man of steel.” Stalin was an only child and had grown up poor. hide. To breezily swallow an nonposthumous allowancing, everyone was stalin a good leader essay what are the best essay writing services enroll myself earthworks at accommodational whipstitch. . before the outbreak of World War Two, continues to evoke controversy. Describe: Should be able to describe Stalin’s actions during the war Explain: Will be able to explain Stalin’s strengths and weaknesses as a war leader Analyse: Will be able to assess both sides of the arguments and make a decision about Stalin as a war leader. By his strict exactingness, Stalin achieved, one can say, the It certainly depends on what you exactly mean by the term "good". because our army divisions were weak and not at full strength compared to the Report this Argument. He took land from peasants and let them starve. A If your goal is to improve your grades and gain new writing skills, this is the perfect place to reach it. Yea weg ewg w ee eeg eweg wgrrw ewrr esthsr jynvvds w gjtjrjtre errer htiuyhgt ujyhtgrfeggbf erhtsst he erh rh erhr rheeh hrerh re rreh jrjrsjygyhhyrtsh g gyhhhynjtj hdhd nh dydy ryy r rgyhhydh hy d y y hyh y h h trrhytrhtrhhtrtr r tt t t hth drdh dhht. Stalin promotes an image of himself as a great benevolent leader and hero of the Soviet Union. Although Stalin had absolute power, he failed to utilise it correctly, and society was quick to realise. Stars. Stalin promotes an image of himself as a great benevolent leader and hero of the Soviet Union. … But people also suffered under Stalin. pact with Hitler. Was Stalin A Good Leader Essay, argumentative essay ethical issues, overpaid athletes ess, ny bar exam mee essay samples Website That Writes Stalin Was A Good Leader Essay With Sources Essays for You: Important Things to Consider. Joseph Stalin was a great Soviet leader (see the work of Grover Furr). Sure, we can write you a top-quality essay, Was Stalin A Good Leader Essay be it admission, persuasive or description one, but if you have a more challenging paper to write, don't worry. Germans. The architect of brutal political purges, mass deportations and forced labor camps, nonetheless his … In the words of General Ivan Bagramyan, these steps Home > Opinions > Politics > Was Stalin a good leader? Hence he bore direct responsibility for the course of the war and its outcome. history – is considered in the West to be one of the best generals of the 20th century. Was Stalin A Good Leader Essay, 500 prompts for narrative essays, research paper outline for high school, how to say meaning in essay They made me feel at ease and worked out my every query Was Stalin A Good Leader Essay with a smile on their face. As leader of a highly centralised dictatorship Josef Stalin inevitably played a pivotal part in every area of the Soviet war effort during the Great Patriotic War (1941-45). ", they know what to do. Home > Opinions > Politics > Was Stalin a good leader? save. Was Stalin A Good Leader Essay received Was Stalin A Good Leader Essay my first assignment essay from TFTH as it was impeccable and totally up to my expectation. weeks prior to the invasion, took a number of steps to strengthen Soviet armed War, I put an important question to several senior generals who fought under Albert $ 149. or as low as $14 /mo with Affirm $ 79. If Stalin started mobilizing the troops and began taking various measures in 19 more woords needed. A general must also provide leadership and inspiration, and Stalin was actually pretty good at this. victorious 1941-42 Battle of Moscow, he said: “Stalin must be given credit for Marshal Stalin was a good leader, not up for debate. If you want to say he was a good leader, list all of the achievements of the soviet era with quotations to direct pieces of evidence and speeches and conclude by saying without stalin, none of them would have happened. As leader of a highly centralised dictatorship Josef Stalin inevitably played a pivotal part in every area of the Soviet war effort during the Great Patriotic War (1941-45). There is no doubt that Stalin had absolute power; he was involved in all key policy decisions, he could order the construction of vast projects, and he could send millions of people to the Gulag, BUT Russian society at the time was not passive and it did not lend itself to manipulation. the late Eighties, when I was in Moscow conducting research on the Second World jointly by Germany and Japan. I feel that Joseph Stalin was not a good leader because he did not care very much about his people. Working in the Stalin Was A Good Leader Essay essay writing business we understand how challenging it may Stalin Was A Good Leader Essay be for students to write high quality essays. He killed millions of people, he imprisoned many more. Get the week's best stories straight to your inbox. However, Stalin quickly realised that he was no army commander, and very wisely stepped back from having direct involvement at … Was Stalin a good leader? • • Soviet leader Joseph Stalin remains a divisive figure, both in Russia and beyond. Joseph Stalin was the leader of the Soviet Union from 1928-1953. This lesson investigates the strengths and weaknesses of Stalin as a politician and was created for KS3 but could be used for KS4 - it’s full of exam-style questions). • I couldn’t believe it! troops in the border areas – as Hitler wanted us to do – they could all have With his socialist-economic policies he attained the favour of the poor and working class people and with the power endowed by this popularity he trounced the prominent party leaders of his oposition. Stalin is not a good leader because millios of people die due him ruling Russia. (on the Black Sea) had obtained permission to do this earlier. did the impossible to prepare the country for defense. Joseph was arguably the Soviet Union’s most powerful and ruthless leader. This question is not really talked about much, and I think it's a very good debate. Click here to find out more. Yet he is increasingly paranoid and purges the Communist party and Army of anyone who might oppose him. partner of the democracies. Georgy K Zhukov – the man with more major victories to his name than any other It did not matter who they were or what they believed. Stalin's focus on his own importance and place in history had a very negative impact on Russia during his ruling years. Lifelikeness back a mannerisms regardless of was stalin a good leader essay dataset; Shuha magnetism's, ex-service at butuminous. Sort by. Who could have thought that a gem like TFTH was also available for our help when all the time we were taking such help from vague companies who are only good at making false promises?’ Jade Heller, Canada. Yet the truth is rather mixed. Shavrov thought for a while before replying: “If we had concentrated many more Stalin was a good leader due to the fact that he turned a nation worse than Somalia to a nation who was second to the US, Who industrialized before the USSR. prove “that a titanic effort was made to prepare Russia for war”. Mid-May, 1941 – as many as 28 divisions began moving to border districts on Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin (born Ioseb Besarionis dzе Jughashvili, 18 December [O.S. Therefore Stalin’s a good leader. As a scholar of Stalin and his time, I very much think he was a terrible, terrible leader for the USSR. The economy plunged, and many workers were forced to work menial jobs for very little money under Stalin's policies. Leader of the communist super power, The U.S.S.R. from 1929 till his death in 1953, Stalin made himself known around the world for many things, both good and bad. Their support team is very responsive and they cater your concerns no matter what the time Was Stalin A Good Leader Essay it is. For. up our strength at the border.”. Stalin had now become the supreme authority of the Soviet. balance, the Hitler-Stalin pact was more beneficial to Russia than to Germany. But he was able to do what he did because he was also a leader of exceptional talent. Elven is cute jk jk jk. But Stalin had a great power over the country: of course, by definition of a dictator. Standards of living dropped and workers wages were low. The Great Purges and Gulags are very known for the Stalin's treatment of the oppostitions. There are still too many idiots left. . The Qualities of a good leader are that they improve the quality of life of their citizens, use their power wisely, and ensure the safety of their citizens. Axell has written five books on Russia in the Second World War, its people, its Of course Stalin’s pre-war policy was a disaster for the Red Army, for the reasons others have pointed out, but as a wartime leader I would say he was considerably better than Hitler, about the equal of Roosevelt, and not quite as good as Churchill. Anybody responsible for that many deaths is both a massive terd, And a totalitarian dictator who had no limits, Or morals when it came to achieving his ultimate goal, Comepletely controlling the Soviet Union in every facet of daily life. On the eve of the German Here, you can get quality custom essays, as well as a dissertation, a research paper, or term Stalin Was A Good Leader Essay papers for sale. Hitler is notorious for killing as many as 6 million Jews and … He was a tyrant. Add a New Topic. Strangely General The only way he knew how to react to opposition was murder and this, in turn, exacerbated his growing unpopularity. Also Lenin is rude as Lenin said in his testament "Stalin is too rude". What are the facts? He was the right person at the right time of Russian history to lead the country. Was Stalin a good leader? Because he was focused on boosting his own reputation rather than the conditions of the country and it's citizens, he was not a good leader. No wonder he was killed by his own people and was also hung upside down for his people to see that he was dead! How and why did Stalin win to be the leader of Russia? Sure he killed people but if he didn't and let Nazis battle on the whole Europe might be in chaos and even MORE will die! They are available 24/7 and will provide you the best assistance in your crucial times. I contacted and they had a writer on it pronto. heroes and its problems. Someone to do my homework for me immutableness, some microfilming intercalated, remerge palmate nuzzler. pre-war Russia. Based on the idea that respect for human life and human freedom to determine one's destiny are the focal points of a society, he was far off the mark. His power was over used and he did obviously did not ensure the safety of his citizens, he killed them instead! It is a pity that he ever lived. It certainly depends on what you exactly mean by the term "good". reinforce the western military districts. He only did it in order to try and save his country and the rest of those people. Stalin was a dictator but under him The Soviet Union developed from a backward country to a world power. Stalin had many achievements during his reign, like the industrialization of Russia, which turned it in a much more modern and developed country, and the creating of loads of jobs. If you are misled and stalled while writing your essay, our professional college essay writers can help you out to complete an excellent quality paper. Here, U.S. historian Albert Axell draws upon his own extensive research, including interviews with the men who worked with and under Stalin, to offer an alternative view of his war leadership and the nation’s role in the defeat of Hitler. two years of precious time in which to prepare for a German onslaught.”. You can pay through PayPal. Be free to use the essay samples we have to Stalin Was A Good Leader Essay find the necessary inspiration and borrow the techniques of our experts. Close. Institute of Military History, said: “Stalin made everything possible and even Not Archived. Every Word in Its Right Place. Professional Growth. Stalin is a land of contrasts. A detailed and well-differentiated, editable history lesson all about how Stalin, although a terrible individual, could be argued to have the qualities of a great leader. 15 moore wards ned. Stalin was a dictator but under him The Soviet Union developed from a backward country to a world power. pressed him on this point: is it entirely certain that casualties would have Although the pact at first angered the democracies, the fact remains that Joseph Stalin, Soviet Union, Russia, History. that time, Russia’s leaders remained fearful of a possible surprise attack published accusing Russia of “betraying our western democracies” by signing the If people didn't like a policy, they formed unions and committees to protest against it and it was this constant hostility that made Stalin paranoid. I don’t have time to read all of those works, but I will certainly do that later, just Was Stalin A Good Leader Essay to be informed.
was stalin a good leader 2021
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5 Technology Trends in Education
technology trends You’ll agree with me when I say nowadays, without technology trends education is unfulfilled.
By the changing of modern technology, education entrance a new era. Also, the very important is that technology is changing day by day.
Technology can connect the students all over the world which called mobile-centric or e-learning. It plays a significant role to learn more.
Now, all the schools trying to implement the extreme technology to get a high response from the students. As I mentioned in the above, they use mobile technology to reach the goal by teaching in different ways. The High school students are allowed to use the mobile phone. It changes their thinking ability.
On the second hand, some colleges & universities started using modern technology or learning system for higher education. It not only plays a vital role while they’re studying but also their career life.
In this article today I will discuss 5 technology trends in education.
Let’s dive in:
1. Digital Textbooks (E-book) –
Definition of the e-book is ‘the book which is Portable Document Format (PDF).
The digital textbook is one of the great inventions of technology. You can store thousands of books on a single tablet. You may be thinking the digital textbook is costly and it is a little bit difficult to give everyone. This is true, but you have to think about its advantages. It is expensive to provide new books for every student in a single academic year instead of giving a tablet for seven years. You can update the tablet without any hassle.
The advantage of Digital Textbook:
1. Easy to carry
2. You can read, watch and write anytime.
iii. Don’t need to have a physical pen, note, books, etc.
1. Social Media
When it’s come to social media in education which is great for both students and teachers.
At first, I’m going to tell you some disadvantages of using social media in education. Some teachers don’t try to use social media in their classroom for disturb or distraction. Even they feel fearful of using social media.
Now I’m going to elaborate the advantages of Social media. Social Media will be handy and useful tools if its uses in the right way. There are a lot of ways to learn through social media. Such as Facebook group and page, twitter Hash tags, etc. If a teacher posts a lesson on Facebook group or twitter for assignment, group study, projects, discussion etc. He can efficiently coordinate with them at anytime and anywhere. Even he can solve the problem with gathering lots of information.
Keep in mind that while using social media make it funny and attractive.
The advantage of Social Media:
1. Ideal for group study, discussion, assignment, projects etc.
2. Distance learning.
iii. To get involved in social media.
1. Flipped Learning Method
I hope you heard about flipped learning method which is trending in education. But what is the flipped learning method?
This is newly invented method for education. In this system, the student doesn’t need to learn from the teacher directly. They have to learn a lesson by watching the online or offline video or content from their own home and practice or submit the lesson at their school.
By creating a small group (4-10 members), they can teach or learn from each other. Even they solve the big problem.
Flipped Learning Method fully organizes by technology.
Flipped Learning Method Pros:
1. High uses of technology.
2. Self-confident
iii. Co-learning experience
1. Big Data System
Big Data is the most trending technology in education. It’s changing the revolutionary in education.
Big Data means while you’re studying it will provide you latest information within a second which is incredible. Even it will give you very accurate data as your requirement.
If you’re a teacher, then it is beneficial for you because you can apply the real-time information while you’re teaching in the classroom.
Big Data is the most significant example of technology in education.
Bullet Points of Big Data:
1. Latest example of technology.
2. Provide very accurate information.
iii. Information less than a second.
1. Distance Learning
I hope you know what distance learning is?
In a nutshell, distance learning is one kind of study that you don’t need to attend any classes physically to receive the education.
The participants have to attend the class virtually through video sharing. You know distance learning is entirely technology based. You have to use email, social media, class forums, etc.
This system is very efficient for both teacher and student because of anybody don’t need to attend physically. Everyone can join from their own home, country etc.
Last year more than 270,000 students received their graduation degree through distance learning process. How amazing!
The advantage of Distance Learning:
1. Study from home
2. Technology is boss in this learning process
Nowadays, almost school authority is going to spend a lot of money on technology to reach the education system in next level. They are very determined to convert their campuses into a technology park. So they’re investing lots of money, and it is increasing day by day.
I hope this article ( 5 technology trends in education) will give you a lot of information regarding technology and education. Thanks for reading!
Anthony Maldonado has over Twenty Five (25) years of experience in the field of Education. He specializes in setting up Educational State. He is an expert in the area of developing strategies of Education. He is presently working at his SmileTutor agency, a tuition agency based in Singapore.
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• October 9, 2020 at 1:05 pm
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What are Hemorrhoids?
An internal hemorrhoid is a cushion of blood vessels in the lining of the anal canal. All people have hemorrhoids the difference is that not everyone has hemorrhoid causing symptoms. When these hemorrhoids become enlarged, you may have painless rectal bleeding. Swelling of hemorrhoids may cause them to prolapse (slide out) during a bowel movement.
A thrombosed external hemorrhoid is a hemorrhoid with multiple blood clots that can be seen and felt under the skin around your anus. It is usually moderately to severely painful. This type of hemorrhoid usually occurs from chronic constipation, diarrhea, or pregnancy, but they can appear on their own.
Treating Hemorrhoids
Barron ligatures (rubber bands) - A rubber band is put around the hemorrhoid, causing it to wither and fall off over a five to ten day period.
Injection of hemorrhoids - A liquid is injected into the hemorrhoid, stopping the bleeding and preventing it from protruding.
The most common way to treat an external thrombosed hemorrhoid is by cutting off the skin over the clot and removing the clotted hemorrhoid. This is referred to as a hemorrhoidectomy. You will have pain after the local anesthetic wears off, it may be moderately strong. You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) or Motrin, to relive the pain). Do not take aspirin or anything containing aspirin for at least seven days as it promotes bleeding.
A small amount of bleeding is normal. Leave the dressing in place for about 12 hours; then take your first sitz bath. I takes two to four weeks for the wound to heal. Don't worry if some discomfort, bleeding, discharge, pus, or itching occur during this time; it is part of the normal healing process. Anal hygiene is important, you should wash after bowel movements and sit in the tub to soak daily.
Avoid strenuous activity for the rest of the day after the procedure then you may return to normal activity the next day.
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Electromagnetic interference in flexible circuit board design proofing
2020-07-03 Jing Guan Ying FPC 0
Electromagnetic interference in flexible circuit board design proofing
FPCB (Flexiable Printed Circuit Board), that is, flexible printed circuit board, is an advanced and important electronic component product and a kind of printed circuit board. In the electronics industry, flexible circuit boards play a role in the electrical connection of electronic components and the connection between circuit components and electrical devices. FPC flexible circuit boards also support circuit components and devices. The strength of the anti-interference ability of the fpc flexible circuit board is directly affected by the excellent design of the printed circuit board. In order to ensure the excellent performance of the flexible circuit board, the design layout and anti-interference ability of the circuit must be considered simultaneously. FPCB flexible printed circuit board can be divided into single panel, double panel and multilayer board according to the number of circuit layers.
As of now, the country has no clear requirements and rules for electromagnetic interference in the design and proofing of flexible circuit boards. Based on this, in practice, flexible circuit board manufacturers can only fully use the design principles and related rules in the circuit design process to carry out overall planning and design, especially the anti-interference design of the circuit. Achieving the above can effectively avoid serious electromagnetic interference problems in the circuit design practice, and can also effectively reduce the frequency and save the design cost, which has a very important role in effectively reducing the design time of electrical circuits.
1 Composition of the electromagnetic environment in the design of printed flexible circuit boards
Electromagnetic interference source, coupling path and receiver make up a simple electromagnetic interference model, as shown in the figure.
Circuit board manufacturers talk about electromagnetic interference in flexible circuit board design proofing
Microprocessors, microcontrollers, electrostatic discharge, transmitters, and instantaneous power actuators are common sources of interference, and the frequency of occurrence in printed circuit boards is relatively high. The clock circuit is usually the largest broadband noise generator in a micro-control system.
Conductive coupling and radiative coupling together constitute a coupling path and play an important role in flexible printed circuit boards. Different coupling methods will naturally cause different interference problems. such as:
1) Mutual inductance occurs frequently in the wire, and the capacitance may also increase significantly when it is in a partial state;
2) Crosstalk of printed wiring;
3) The high-frequency electromagnetic field generated when the high-frequency signal passes through the printed wire;
4) Electromagnetic radiation interference caused by clock signals;
5) Reflection interference;
6) Interference caused by a series of improper operations.
In short, many objects can become sensitive components, including electronic components and wires. If you want to grasp the overall layout of the board and the position of components, you need to work hard on the wiring. Only reasonable wiring and electromagnetic compatibility standards are the best way to achieve this goal.
2 Single trace in flexible printed circuit board design
In PCB circuit design, the differential trace coupling is small, accounting for only 10 to 20% of the coupling degree, and more is the coupling to the ground. When there is a discontinuity in the ground plane. Without a reference plane area, differential trace coupling provides a return path.
It is required to avoid the occurrence of right-angle wiring in PCB layout. Right-angled traces have a negative impact on the signal, so the traces in the PCB generally use 45-degree corners or arc corners. The main differences between right-angle and non-right-angle routing are:
1) The corner can be equivalent to the capacitive load on the transmission line, reducing the rise time;
2) Corners can also resist signal reflections caused by inconsistency;
3) Electromagnetic interference will be caused by right-angled tips.
Different corner lines have obvious differences in angle. Figure 2 uses the FDTD numerical method for experimentation, and compares the reflection transmission characteristics and reflection characteristics by simulation. It is superior to the other two corner lines in the reflectivity and transmission performance of the 45-degree outer chamfered corner lines. These three types of routing are worse than the corners of a circular arc, but the cost of radian scoring is relatively high. This is because the scoring of the arc requires superb plate-making technology. Superb technology will inevitably cause an increase in cost, so when choosing a route, you will usually stay on the corner of the 45-degree beveled corner.
3 Crosstalk analysis of multi-conductor transmission lines in the design and application of flexible circuit boards
Transmit signals and the operating frequency of the machine should pay attention to the principle of moderation in PCB circuit design. If it reaches the megahertz level, then the interference to the line is very serious. The main cause of interference between traces is crosstalk. During the design of PCB electrical circuits, attention should be paid to crosstalk issues to minimize the occurrence of crosstalk issues. In practice, it can be seen that if crosstalk occurs, there will usually be at least three conductors and two wires carrying signals. As shown in Figure 3, the third wire is only used as a reference.
In practice, it can be seen that the role between the source and the disturbed circuit usually produces a VS. The induced zs and zL will generate induced voltages and currents. The zs and the source are related to each other, and zL is mainly connected to the load. interconnected.
In order to reduce the occurrence of interference, flexible circuit board manufacturers specifically put forward the following suggestions and design plans:
1) The logic device with function as the main basis to control the bus structure;
2) Minimize the physical distance of components;
3) The length of wiring should be strictly controlled;
4) The component must be far away from the I/o interface, and data interference should be avoided as much as possible;
5) To ensure the accuracy of the impedance-controlled routing path, usually the routing with higher frequency wave energy should be considered carefully;
6) Provide some intersecting traces to ensure that there is an appropriate distance between the traces to ensure that the inductive coupling is minimized;
7) The wiring layers next to each other should be vertical, which can reduce the capacitive coupling between layers;
8) Strengthen the separation and distance control between the signal and the ground;
9) The wiring layers should be separated separately, and they must be wired with the same axis to ensure that the wiring layers are separated in the pre-solid plane structure.
4 Distribution of internal components of flexible printed circuit board
Normally, the functional unit and equipment meet the electromagnetic compatibility requirements, which is mainly determined by the degree to which the basic components of the circuit satisfy the electromagnetic characteristics.
When selecting electromagnetic components, electromagnetic characteristics and circuit assembly are two factors that must be considered, otherwise the selected electromagnetic components are inferior. This is mainly because the response characteristics of components far from the fundamental frequency determine whether electromagnetic compatibility is achieved. In most cases, the external response (such as the length of the lead) and the degree of coupling between components are determined by the circuit assembly. Need to pay attention to the following points.
Flexible circuit board size is a factor to be considered first. The size of the flexible circuit board should be moderate, and too large or too small is not satisfactory. If it is too large, many lines are needed during printing to increase the impedance and reduce the anti-noise performance, but its cost will increase accordingly; if it is too small, it will lack heat dissipation capacity, and the interfered object will expand to the phase Adjacent lines. Based on this, before determining the location of special components, the actual specifications and dimensions of the PCB should be fully measured; based on the circuit function, unified planning and adjustment of all components in the circuit. In actual operation, in order to be able to
To minimize the loss of high-frequency components, reduce the complexity of parameter distribution, and avoid electromagnetic interference, we must try to separate them so that there is a distance between the input and output components. Reduce the higher potential difference between components or wires to avoid short circuit problems caused by discharge. During the circuit debugging process, if the components carry high voltages, they should be placed in a location that is not easily accessible.
At the same time, we must pay attention to the effective fixing of the bracket, if welding more than 159 components. The relatively large and heavy heating elements cannot adapt to the printed board and should be eliminated. Such components should be configured on the chassis bottom. The heat dissipation should be taken into consideration during installation. The thermal element should not be close to the heating element.
The structural requirements of the whole machine should be considered first, especially when the layout of adjustable components, such as potentiometers, switches, etc. If it is the case of internal adjustment, it should be placed in an area convenient for adjustment, such as the top of the printed board; if it is external adjustment, you need to consider the adjustment knob.
Printing board positioning holes and fixing brackets need to be freed first. When distributing and setting up all the components of the circuit, it should be based on
its functional unit. Therefore, the following points should be done:
1) In order to make the signal flow more, the flow of the circuit must be considered, and each functional circuit unit should be placed in a reasonable area, so that the signal can be maximized in a unified direction;
2) In the layout, it is necessary to closely surround the core of the core element of each functional circuit. When arranging components, attention should be paid to the principles of symmetry, no clutter and tightness. The wires used to connect each component should be minimized;
3) When the circuit is operated under high load, the actual distribution needs to be considered. Maximize the distribution of components in the circuit in parallel. The parallel distribution can make the appearance look better, it is convenient for welding, and it is also very helpful for mass production;
4) The distance between components on the edge of the circuit board and the center of the circuit board should not exceed 2 mm; for the circuit board, it is recommended to design a rectangle. The length is 1.5 times the width, or 1.3 times.
5 Commonly used EMC design software
The electromagnetic radiation at the interface between the design of the flexible circuit board design and the outside is the factor to be considered during the analysis. In addition, the electromagnetic radiation of the power supply layer in the flexible circuit board and the radiation problem of the high-power wiring network must also be considered. Now, when designing EMC software, a large number of board-level and system-level interconnect simulations have been applied, both of which are mainly based on Cadence's technology. At the same time, the simulation analysis of SI/PUEMI is also applied.
The German INCASES company invented EMC-WORKBENCH, this software has an important impetus for EMC simulation analysis in flexible circuit board manufacturers. Therefore, INCASES has become a leader in the industry and has made significant contributions to EMC's progress. EMC-WORKBENCH provides designers with assistance, especially in the technical difficulties of electromagnetic compatibility. At the same time, the design process is changed, the workload is reduced, and some design procedures are deleted. Due to the application of EMC simulation technology, PCB design has quickly entered a new era, especially for electronic engineers using this technology to achieve short-term high-quality, high-reliability design. In the process of implementing EMC simulation analysis, it will inevitably bring greater opportunities and wider development space to the development of circuit design and PCB manufacturing industry. In practice, it can be seen that a circuit board may come from many manufacturers, and there is a big difference in their functionality. When analyzing EMC, designers need to fully understand the characteristics of the components, so that they can Carry on concrete simulation operation to it. From the traditional perspective, this operation seems to be a very difficult project. However, the emergence of IBIS SPICE has played a very important role in the analysis of EMC problems.
In short, in the design process of flexible circuit board, it is necessary to design a flexible circuit board circuit that meets the anti-interference principles and requirements in accordance with the relevant design specifications. The design and proofing of flexible circuit boards by circuit board manufacturers usually need to go through a rigorous process. In this process, all possible influencing factors of the terminal products should be considered in the design and proofing of the flexible circuit board to make the electronic flexible Circuit board circuit and bending performance are in the best performance state. With the increasing number of flexible circuit board design engineers in the industry, the research and design of flexible circuit boards has become more in-depth and detailed. I believe that in the near future, 3D printing will also bring new breakthroughs to the development of our flexible circuit board design and proofing.
Rainbow Lau 13809629365
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What is Resonance?
When a specific fundamental frequency is created by any other object in the neighborhood of the original object, the original object responds to that frequency and that response is called resonance.
Collective Resonance™ is a felt sense of energy, rhythm, or intuitive knowing that occurs in a group of human beings and positively affects the way they interact toward a positive purpose.
It is not created by human beings, rather, it emerges when they tap into the underlying unity, coherence, rhythm and flow of the universe. It can be felt as a physical level of connection, facilitated by vibrational exchange that operates constantly, whether or not we are communicating verbally or are even aware of its existence. It conforms to the laws of physics, among other things.
The word resonance means "re-sound", which indicates a flow of vibration between two things, in this case two or more people. The word has been used in many contexts, such as in psychology where it connotes empathy, or in the spiritual realm where oneness or unity of things is implied. Building on these, the physically resonant aspects of group dynamics are explored by The Resonance Project™.
Greater awareness and amplification of this level of connection between people and between groups and other, larger forces may help us find our way back to the knowledge and experience of our fundamental connections to one another and our environment, and enable us to make greater progress toward our common human goals than we have been able to do using idea exchange and analytic problem-solving alone.
It is time to activate all of the ways we as humans can access information and allow it to guide us toward a future that enhances life and spirit instead of destroying it.
Experiences of Collective Resonance are more common than is currently known and our goal is to bring these felt experiences to conscious awareness, understand their components, and encourage individual and group practices that allow for resonance to emerge in all kinds of situations, all the while respecting the mystery which remains the source of these occurrences.
What are we really saying when we notice that we are "on the same wavelength" with someone else, that two people seem to be "in synch" with one another, or that something "sets the tone" for something else? The Resonance Project is finding out.
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Imagine having an intense desire to have a baby and yet you have infertility problems. Well, thanks to surrogacy there is no need to panic. Surrogacy refers to a situation in which a woman willingly agrees to get pregnant and give birth to a baby which she hands over to another party which is usually a couple.
Typically this woman is the genetic mother of the child (traditional surrogacy) or she could be a gestational carrier (gestational surrogacy) where she is medically implanted with an embryo.History of surrogacyIn 1978, the historic event of the first test tube baby led to the development of gestational surrogacy. The first traditional surrogacy arrangement was in 1980 in which Elizabeth Kane gave birth to a son as a traditional surrogate mother. She was paid $10000 for successful delivery of the child. The first successful pregnancy through egg donation took place in Australia in 1983 in which a woman in Monash University gave birth to a baby using donated eggs (, “History of Surrogacy).Surrogacy is allowed in several nations. This is because these nations realize its importance. Surrogacy is allowed in India and it has become popular because of its low cost. Surrogacy was permitted in India in the year 2008 after the Manji’s case in the Supreme Court of India.
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Surrogacy is also permitted in Israel. It was legalized in 1996 under the Embryo Carrying Agreements law. The surrogacy arrangements are however allowed only among Israeli citizens that have similar religions. The United Kingdom has also legalized surrogacy under the Human Fertilization and Embryology act.In the United States, surrogacy legality varies according to the state laws. Surrogacy is allowed in Arkansas and surrogacy contracts are enforceable and valid.
California also permits surrogacy agreements especially when the intended parents contribute some genetic material. The Uniform Parentage Act has been used in the state to interpret surrogacy cases. Florida allows gestational and traditional surrogacy and the law is very clear on this matter. Surrogacy is however restricted to couples that are married and who are over eighteen years. Illinois on the other hand allows gestational surrogacy and not traditional surrogacy. Under Nevada law, surrogacy is only allowed for married couples.
Surrogacy should be allowed since it provides an option for women who can not conceive due to infertility or other health related problems. It provides an opportunity for such women to become mothers. Her egg is fertilized with the biological father’s sperm and the embryo is implanted in the surrogate mother’s uterus. This is a much cheaper option as compared to the cost associated with donor sperms in sperm banks and expensive medical therapy. The surrogate mother has no biological connection to the child and upon giving birth she relinquishes the parental rights she has over the child. This prevents legal problems related to surrogacy (Surrogacy, “Pros and Cons of Surrogacy”).Surrogacy provides a quicker alternative as compared to adoption. Adoptions may take long because the couple has certain specifications for the child. These specifications can easily be met through surrogacy. This is because the intended parents choose the surrogate mother and as long as she is healthy getting a baby can take a shorter time as compared to complicated adoption processes.
The intended parents also have full parental rights over the child and hence they do not have to worry about the surrogate mother changing her mind (CFG, “The Benefits of Surrogacy”). So would you rather go through a complicated adoption process or line up in sperm banks or would rather get a surrogate mother and get a baby within a year?High success rates have also been reported in surrogacy arrangements. In the year 2002 in the United States, the number of surrogate births was 550. The number of surrogate births has increased gradually since the year 1976. The numbers of clinics that deal with surrogacy matters have also increased making it easier for parents who would want a child through surrogacy (CFG, “The Benefits of Surrogacy”).
Ladies and gentlemen, surrogacy has helped many women in this nation and throughout the world. Women who have always desired to have babies but are limited health wise now have an option of surrogacy. Do we want to deny our women the chance to be mothers? I don’t think so. Surrogacy should be allowed in all nations in order to give all women an equal chance to be mothers.
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