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#104604. Asked by madkeen4. (Apr 11 09 6:01 AM) It is based on the tradition of giving gifts (a "Christmas box") to the less fortunate members of society. The name derives from the fact that the day is traditionally marked by the giving of Christmas boxes, or gifts, to service workers (such as service staff, postal workers and trades people) in the United Kingdom. "Ask FunTrivia" is for entertainment purposes only, and answers offered are unverified and unchecked by FunTrivia. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or veracity of ANY statement posted. Feel free to post an updated if you feel that an answer is inadequate or incorrect. Please thoroughly research items where accuracy is important to you using multiple reliable sources. By accessing our website, you agree to be bound by our terms of service.

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Garden Talk: August 25, 2011 From NGA Editors Native Bee Basics Native bees are important and often under-appreciated pollinators. If you'd like to find out more about these helpful insects and what you can do to conserve and protect them on your property and in your community, start by reading about them in Bee Basics: An Introduction to Our Native Bees by Dr. Beatriz Moisset and Dr. Stephen Buchmann. This forty-four page booklet, published by the USDA Forest Service and Pollinator Partnership, is available as a free download from the Pollinator Info website or can be ordered in a print version. With information on bee anatomy, nesting, and foraging needs, along with profiles of native bees and an extensive section on conservation and what you can do to help keep native bee populations healthy, the booklet provides a wealth of information written in an accessible manner. For those who want to delve deeper, there is a helpful resource section. The Pollinator Info website that is offering the free download contains an interview with one of the co-authors of Bee Basics, along with extensive information on all kinds of pollinators. To download Bee Basics and find out more about pollinators, go to: Pollinators Info. Lingering Effects of Invasive Species The ecological disruption caused by invasive plants species is a worldwide problem. The cost of the environmental and economic impact of these invaders is estimated to be in the neighborhood of $1.4 trillion annually! Much research is being done to come up with strategies to control the spread of undesirable plants and minimize their impact on natural ecosystems. Now new research suggests that simply removing invasive species may not return plant communities to their pre-invasion condition. Part of developing control strategies for invasive plants involves understanding the characteristics that allow certain species to become invasive in the first place, factors such as freedom from natural enemies, disturbance in the environment, and the ability of plants to release substances that prevent competing plants from growing. To study how the interactions between all of these factors affect the success of an invasive species, investigators from the University of California and the University of Wisconsin studied invasive velvetgrass, Holcus lanatus,(illustrated) and its effect on a native daisy, Erigeron glaucus, in California. As described in an article in Science Daily on August 10, 2011, they found that direct competition between velvetgrass and the daisy accounted for much of its initial success due to the dense growth of the grass and its abundant propagules. But they also found that velvetgrass altered the structure of the native community of soil organisms, specifically the mycorrhizal fungi in the soil. This change reduced the benefits of the mycorrhizae to the native daisy without having any negative impact on the velvetgrass. And the changes in the soil community persisted even after the velvetgrass was removed, potentially affecting the reestablishment of the native plants. These findings suggest that studying the negative effects invasive species have on the ecology of the soil has important implications for researchers who are looking at ways to mitigate their effects. To read more about the effects of invasive plants even after removal, go to: Science Daily. Move Gypsy Moth Free The gypsy moth is an introduced insect that is one of the most destructive pests of trees and shrubs ever to reach our shores. Its immature stage, a dark, hairy caterpillar with rows of red and blue spots on its back, is a general feeder that devours more than 450 species of plants! The caterpillars feast on leaves, leaving defoliated plants weakened and perhaps even killed. This pest overwinters as inch-and-a-half long egg masses that look like a clumps of tan or buff-colored hairs on tree trunks, outdoor furniture, or the sides of buildings. Native to Europe and Asia, the gypsy moth was accidentally introduced in the Boston area in the 1860's and has since spread to much of the eastern United States. There have also been some infestations on the West Coast that came from Asia. In an effort to keep this pest from spreading further, the USDA requires homeowners to inspect and remove gypsy moth egg masses from household goods prior to moving from an infested to a non-infested area. If you have a move planned, first find out if you are in a gypsy moth-quarantined area by checking out the Your Move Gypsy Moth Free website. There you can also learn how to inspect your outdoor household articles such as lawn furniture, yard equipment, outdoor toys, and the like, for gypsy moth egg masses and remove them. Without checking, you can unwittingly bring the moth with you and risk harm to the landscape trees and shrubs and natural forests in your new community. Print out a handy self-inspection checklist or download a brochure with all the information you need to move safely and comply with federal law. To hone your detection skills, you can even play the fun, on-line Bust-a-Moth game. For more information, go to: Your Move Gypsy Moth Free. Landscape Problem Solver We all probably wish we had an experienced gardener we could call on for advice whenever problems arise in the garden. For those of us without such a fount of knowledge, the Landscape Problem Solver from the University of Maryland's Home Garden Information Center may be the next best thing. This site offers photographic keys to help diagnose and solve plant problems, using integrated pest management principles. Choose from a list of broad categories, such as shade trees, vegetables, or houseplants. Then select the affected plant part from the drop-down menu. This brings up a photographic selection of symptoms. Choose the one that seems to fit and you get a page of information on the problem, its cause, and environmentally responsible ways to treat it. There is also information on how to look at a plant to best assess its symptoms, beneficial insects, and emerging pest threats. The information has been put together with the Mid-Atlantic region as its focus, but there is lots of good information that will be of use to gardeners in other parts of the country. To check out this great resource, go to Plant Diagnostics.

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Few things spark up a dull winter landscape like the glowing red-orange stems of coral bark willow. This hardy, fast-growing plant grows naturally as a large tree, but it can easily be turned into a multi-stemmed shrub by annual coppicing (cutting stems back nearly to the ground). The brightest stem color occurs only on young stems, so coppicing keeps the plant small and leads to the best bark display. Coral bark willow has narrow, medium green leaves that turn yellow in the fall. It can be grown singly or, for real punch, in groups or as hedges. Common name: Coral bark willow Botanical name: Salix alba subsp. vitellina ‘Britzensis’ (syn. S. alba ‘Britzensis’) Plant type: Deciduous tree Zones: 3 to 8 Height: 40 to 60 feet (6 to 10 feet if grown as a coppiced shrub) • Sun: Full sun • Soil: Adaptable to most soil types • Moisture: Average to moist • Mulch: 2 to 3 inches of wood chips or other organic mulch • Pruning: To grow as a shrub, cut all stems back to within a few inches from the ground in early spring each year. For tree form, just prune lightly to improve form and remove any damaged branches. • Fertilizer: None, or apply compost or balanced fertilizer as needed Pests and diseases • Susceptible to some insects (willow leaf beetle, stem borer, aphids) and diseases (cankers, leaf blights) • As with most willows, coral bark willow prefers moist soil and does especially well near ponds or streams. • The colorful stems look great in winter arrangements outdoors or indoors. All in the family • Coral bark willow is a member of the willow family (Salicaceae), which also includes poplars and aspens (Populus spp.). • There are about 400 species of willow (Salix) ranging from trees 80+ feet tall to creeping alpine plants less than 6 inches tall. • Willow bark extract has been used as an anti-inflammatory for centuries; it contains salicylic acid, which was a key ingredient in the first forms of modern aspirin. Where to buy • Bluestem Nursery, Christina Lake, BC; 250-447-6363; www.bluestem.ca • Joy Creek Nursery, Scappoose, OR; 503-543-7474; www.joycreek.com

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Tombs of the sacrificers? A few tombs share the characteristic of containing a few very specific objects : full warrior equipment including a sword in its sheath, spear, shield and also a knife or cleaver (butcher's blade) and an axe with an eye handle, together with one or more small buckets, a bronze pan, a toolbox, and fragments of amphorae. One or other of these objects may be missing, depending on the chronology, but the assembly is still remarkable . The trilogy of weapon(s)-small bucket(s)-axe/cleaver is always found and the general destruction of the weapons is reminiscent of the Gauls' sacred sites. One of the axes fits perfectly into the wound in the skull of the murdered man discovered at the settlement and this similarity, together with the specific sets of metal objects, could indicate the tombs of sacrificers . The replacement of the axe with the butcher's cleaver, at a time when hundreds of ewes were ritually slaughtered at the settlement, is another argument for viewing these remains as those of men of religion.

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14 October 2005 GSA Release No. 05-37 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Mars' Climate in Flux: Mid-Latitude Glaciers New high-resolution images of mid-latitude Mars are revealing glacier-formed landscapes far from the Martian poles, says a leading Mars researcher. Conspicuous trains of debris in valleys, arcs of debris on steep slopes and other features far from the polar ice caps bear striking similarities to glacial landscapes of Earth, says Brown University's James Head III. When combined with the latest climate models and orbital calculation for Mars, the geological features make a compelling case for Mars having ongoing climate shifts that allow ice to leave the poles and accumulate at lower latitudes. "The exciting thing is a real convergence of these things," said Head, who will present the latest Mars climate discoveries on Sunday, 16 October, at the Annual Meeting of the Geological Society of America in Salt Lake City (specific time and location provided below). "For decades people have been saying that deposits at mid and equatorial latitudes look like they are ice-created," said Head. But without better images, elevation data and some way of explaining it, ice outside of Mars' polar regions was a hard sell. Now high-resolution images from the Mars Odyssey spacecraft's Thermal Emission Imaging System combined with images from the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft's Mars Orbiter Camera and Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter can be compared directly with glacier features in mountain and polar regions of Earth. The likenesses are hard to ignore. For instance, consider what Head calls "lineated valley fill." These are lines of debris on valley floors that run downhill and parallel to the valley walls, as if they mark some sort of past flow. The same sorts of lines of debris are seen in aerial images of Earth glaciers. The difference is that on Mars the water ice sublimes away (goes directly from solid ice to gas, without any liquid phase between) and leaves the debris lines intact. On Earth the lines of debris are usually washed away as a glacier melts. The lines of debris on Mars continue down valleys and converges with other lines of debris - again, just like what's seen on Earth where glaciers converge. "There's so much topography and the debris is so thick (on Mars) that it's possible some of the ice might still be there," said Head. The evidence for present day ice includes unusually degraded recent impact craters in these areas - just what you'd expect to see if a lot of the material ejected from the impact was ice that quickly sublimed away. Another peculiarly glacier-like feature seen in Martian mid-latitudes are concentric arcs of debris breaking away from steep mountain alcoves - just as they do at the heads of glaciers on Earth. As for how ice could reach Mars lower latitudes, orbital calculations indicate that Mars may slowly wobble on its spin axis far more than Earth does (the Moon minimizes Earth's wobble). This means that as Mars' axis tilted to the extremes - up to 60 degrees from the plane of Mars' orbit - the Martian poles get a whole lot more sunshine in the summertime than they do now. That extra sun would likely sublime water from the polar ice caps, explains Head. "When you do that you are mobilizing a lot of ice and redistributing it to the equator," Head said. "The climate models are saying it's possible." It's pure chance that we happen to be exploring Mars when its axis is at a lesser, more Earth-like tilt. This has led to the false impression of Mars being a place that's geologically and climatically dead. In fact, says Head, Mars is turning out to be a place that is constantly changing. WHEN AND WHERE Lineated Valley Fill at the Dichotomy Boundary on Mars: Evidence for Regional Mid-Latitude Glaciation Sunday, 16 October, 3:15 p.m. MDT, Salt Palace Convention Center Room 257 View abstract: http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2005AM/finalprogram/abstract_94125.htm Click photo for larger image with caption. During the Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, 16-19 October, contact Ann Cairns at the GSA Newsroom, Salt Palace Convention Center, for assistance and to arrange for interviews: +1-801-534-4770. - After the meeting contact: - James Head III - Department of Geological Sciences - Brown University, Providence, RI - Phone: +1-401-863-2526 - E-mail: James_Head_III@brown.edu

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The clock Command The clock command has facilities for getting the current time, formatting time values, and scanning printed time strings to get an integer time value. The clock command was added in Tcl 7.5. Table 13-1 summarizes the clock command: Table 13-1. The clock command. |clock clicks||A system-dependent high resolution counter.| |clock format value ?-format str?||Formats a clock value according to str.| |clock scan string ?-base clock? ?-gmt boolean?||Parses date string and return seconds value. The clock value determines the date.| |clock seconds||Returns the current time in seconds.| The following command prints the current time: clock format [clock seconds] => Sun Nov 24 14:57:04 1996 The clock seconds command returns the current time, in seconds since a starting epoch. The clock format command formats an integer value into a date string. It takes an optional argument that controls the format. The format strings contains % keywords that are replaced with the year, month, day, date, hours, minutes, and seconds, in various formats. The default string is: %a %b %d %H:%M:%S %Z %Y Tables 13-2 and 13-3 summarize the clock formatting strings: Table 13-2. Clock formatting keywords. |%%||Inserts a %. | |%a||Abbreviated weekday name (Mon, Tue, etc.). | |%A||Full weekday name (Monday, Tuesday, etc.). | |%b||Abbreviated month name (Jan, Feb, etc.). | |%B||Full month name. | |%c||Locale specific date and time (e.g., Nov 24 16:00:59 1996).| |%d||Day of month (01 ?31). | |%H||Hour in 24-hour format (00 ?23). | |%I||Hour in 12-hour format (01 ?12). | |%j||Day of year (001 ?366). | |%m||Month number (01 ?12). | |%M||Minute (00 ?59). | |%p||AM/PM indicator. | |%S||Seconds (00 ?59). | |%U||Week of year (00 ?52) when Sunday starts the week.| |%w||Weekday number (Sunday = 0). | |%W||Week of year (01 ?52) when Monday starts the week. | |%x||Locale specific date format (e.g., Feb 19 1997).| |%X||Locale specific time format (e.g., 20:10:13).| |%y||Year without century (00 ?99).| |%Y||Year with century (e.g. 1997).| |%Z||Time zone name.| Table 13-3. UNIX-specific clock formatting keywords. |%D||Date as %m/%d/%y (e.g., 02/19/97).| |%e||Day of month (1 ?31), no leading zeros. | |%h||Abbreviated month name. | |%n||Inserts a newline. | |%r||Time as %I:%M:%S %p (e.g., 02:39:29 PM).| |%R||Time as %H:%M (e.g., 14:39).| |%t||Inserts a tab. | |%T||Time as %H:%M:%S (e.g., 14:34:29).| The clock clicks command returns the value of the system's highest resolution clock. The units of the clicks are not defined. The main use of this command is to measure the relative time of different performance tuning trials. The following command counts the clicks per second over 10 seconds, which will vary from system to system: Example 13-1 Calculating clicks per second. set t1 [clock clicks] after 10000 ;# See page 218 set t2 [clock clicks] puts "[expr ($t2 - $t1)/10] Clicks/second" => 1001313 Clicks/second The clock scan command parses a date string and returns a seconds value. The command handles a variety of date formats. If you leave off the year, the current year is assumed. Year 2000 Compliance Tcl implements the standard interpretation of two-digit year values, which is that 70?9 are 1970?999, 00?9 are 2000?069. Versions of Tcl before 8.0 did not properly deal with two-digit years in all cases. Note, however, that Tcl is limited by your system's time epoch and the number of bits in an integer. On Windows, Macintosh, and most UNIX systems, the clock epoch is January 1, 1970. A 32-bit integer can count enough seconds to reach forward into the year 2037, and backward to the year 1903. If you try to clock scan a date outside that range, Tcl will raise an error because the seconds counter will overflow or underflow. In this case, Tcl is just reflecting limitations of the underlying system. If you leave out a date, clock scan assumes the current date. You can also use the -base option to specify a date. The following example uses the current time as the base, which is redundant: clock scan "10:30:44 PM" -base [clock seconds] The date parser allows these modifiers: year, month, fortnight (two weeks), week, day, hour, minute, second. You can put a positive or negative number in front of a modifier as a multiplier. For example: clock format [clock scan "10:30:44 PM 1 week"] => Sun Dec 01 22:30:44 1996 clock format [clock scan "10:30:44 PM -1 week"] Sun Nov 17 22:30:44 1996 You can also use tomorrow, yesterday, today, now, last, this, next, and ago, as modifiers. clock format [clock scan "3 years ago"] => Wed Nov 24 17:06:46 1993 Both clock format and clock scan take a -gmt option that uses Greenwich Mean Time. Otherwise, the local time zone is used. clock format [clock seconds] -gmt true => Sun Nov 24 09:25:29 1996 clock format [clock seconds] -gmt false => Sun Nov 24 17:25:34 1996

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The data on species level is structured in four areas (see picture below): 1. At the top in light yellow, the species' name is shown together with, when applicable, its IUCN code (click on the code and you will be redirected to IUCN's webpage with detailed information about this threatened species) and, if you have ticked the species, a green tick to the right 2. In the rich yellow field you also have the species name and a scroll function up (left) or down (right) the sequence of the chosen checklist (click on Filter if you want to change the active checklist). 3. Below the yellow field, the taxonomic tree down to the chosen level is shown (click on any higher level to get a new selection of species groups). 4. The submenu in black shows the information sets available: * Info - species info including a distribution map, a photo and, if applicable, subspecific information and taxonomic notes * Names [# of] - shows the species' name in different languages (recommended as well as optional names) and within brackets # of names * Photo [# of] - all photos on the GT Network of this species and within brackets # of photos * Distribution - a distribution map and countries where this particular species/subspecies has been recorded and also its status * Who X - list of GT members that have ticked the species and in which countries * My ticks [# of] - my own ticks on country level and within brackets # of ticks * My notes [*]- a free text field where you can save your personal notes related to this species; if you have saved information you will have a [*] marker * Literature - in which book and on which plate is the taxon depicted (this is work-in-progress so not many references so far...) * xeno-canto - click and you will be redirected to xeno-canto's website to hear voice recordings of the species * Wikipedia - click on the icon and you will be redirected to Wikipedia's website * Google images - click on the icon and you will be redirected to Google's website

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A recursive function typically contains a conditional expression which has three parts: Recursive functions can be much simpler than any other kind of function. Indeed, when people first start to use them, they often look so mysteriously simple as to be incomprehensible. Like riding a bicycle, reading a recursive function definition takes a certain knack which is hard at first but then seems simple. There are several different common recursive patterns. A very simple pattern looks like this: (defun name-of-recursive-function (argument-list) "documentation..." (if do-again-test body... (name-of-recursive-function next-step-expression))) Each time a recursive function is evaluated, a new instance of it is created and told what to do. The arguments tell the instance what to do. An argument is bound to the value of the next-step-expression. Each instance runs with a different value of the next-step-expression. The value in the next-step-expression is used in the do-again-test. The value returned by the next-step-expression is passed to the new instance of the function, which evaluates it (or some transmogrification of it) to determine whether to continue or stop. The next-step-expression is designed so that the do-again-test returns false when the function should no longer be repeated. The do-again-test is sometimes called the stop condition, since it stops the repetitions when it tests false.

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Scientists at the UCL Institute of Child Health (ICH) have developed a new gene therapy that could have the potential to save the lives of children with a life threatening tumour called neuroblastoma. The technique, which uses novel tumour-homing nanoparticles has proved to be effective in a first stage trial in which researchers successfully targeted the tumours in a mouse model. The details of the study are published online today in the international journal Biomaterials. Stephen Hart, reader in molecular genetics at the ICH, explains: “It has long been a major technical challenge for medical researchers to use gene therapy to target this type of tumour, particularly when the cancer has spread. Now with the development of these novel nanoparticles in our laboratory, we’ve been able to deliver the genes to where they are needed, via an intravenous injection.” Neuroblastoma is one of the most aggressive malignancies, affecting around 100 children each year in Britain. New treatments are urgently needed to tackle the disease, which is often fatal. Two thirds of children have widespread disease at diagnosis, making treatment even more challenging for specialist clinicians. “In the mouse tumour model we have demonstrated that the nanoparticles can home in on tumours after injection into the blood stream, avoiding the liver, lung and spleen, organs that might otherwise remove the particles from the circulation. We have then used the nanoparticles to deliver a cargo of anti-tumour genes, which in turn stimulated the mouse’s immune cells to attack and destroy the tumour. We observed that tumour growth was slowed significantly and in a third of mice, tumours were eradicated completely, surviving long-term.” “These nanoparticles are composed of peptides (small pieces of protein) and liposomes (fatty globules), as well as the therapeutic genes. Although similar to artificial viruses, the nanoparticles are safe and non-infectious.” Dr Penelope Brock, consultant oncologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital said: “This is an extremely exciting breakthrough with enormous promise for improving clinical care of children and adolescents suffering from a very aggressive disease. I look forward to seeing results of early phase clinical trials.” Dr Hart continues, “We now need to study the efficacy, safety and side-effects of the nanoparticles and hope that in the future our findings will translate into a viable treatment for some of the most challenging cases.” For further information please contact Hayley Dodman, Great Ormond Street Hospital press office on 020 7239 3126 or email firstname.lastname@example.org For genuine and urgent out of hours call speak to switchboard on 020 7405 9200

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With predictions of polar bears being extinct in 50 years, On Thin Ice follows bears as they emerge from their dens and navigate their rapidly changing environment. On Thin Ice shows how the frozen expanses of the Arctic are shrinking at an unprecedented rate, with the very survival of the polar bear literally on thin ice. Over the last year, producer/presenter Greg Grainger has mounted a series of expeditions across the Arctic to document the plight of the polar bear. * Researcher Nick Lunn tranquillises polar bears from his helicopter, cataloguing the diminishing health of the Western Hudson Bay bear population and finding the remains of a bear thought to have died from starvation. * Close and wild encounters with rangers from the Polar Bear Alert team as they chase bears out of the township of Churchill, built in the middle of the bears’ migration route. Follow one family of bears that have to be darted after they attempt to break into a building food for food, while another bold bear becomes trapped inside a garbage truck. * Hungry bears and husky dogs fighting one another at an isolated weather station north of Norway. * Polar bears in the wild as they capture seals and devour whale carcasses. There is no more iconic symbol of strength and adaptation to survival than the polar bear.... an animal so superbly suited to its environment that it thrives in the most hostile corners of the planet – until now. On Thin Ice - A moving account of Polar bears struggling to survive as climate change melts their summer hunting ground - the Arctic sea ice.

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I refuse to believe that rainbows are the result of light refracting through air-borne water droplets. Is this the thread where be refuse to believe facts just because? Somebody Else's Problem wrote: Well no, I'm not a geneticist. And I don't think there'll be adequate DNA evidence from 40,000 years ago to make such a comparison in the first place. See: Neanderthal Genome Project Alvin Flummux wrote: Harry Bizzle wrote: I've read that lactose tolerance developed within the last 10,000 years or so. Interesting, I'd like to know more about this. Unsurprising, considering the Neolithic Revolution occurred around 10,000 years ago. Up until that point, lactase production stopped once individuals surpassed the weaning age and were no longer drinking milk. Domestication of cattle, goats and camels allowed neolithic humans to continue to drink milk without having to suck on their mothers teats their entire lives. So lactase (the enzyme that breaks lactose into glucose and galactose) production continued into adulthood. Lactose intolerance by population of people correlates with the access to domesticated mammals that neolithic humans living in that area had.

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"They tell me that isn't right," Harding said. Judy Ellinghausen, archivist at The History Museum in Great Falls, agreed, calling such an account "unlikely." In all the reading she has done on the 1908 flood, she has seen no references to serious flooding in the center of town. Great Falls was not the only community affected by the precipitation in June 1908. Lewis and Clark County commissioners estimated the Helena area lost $100,000 worth of its roads and bridges, while the Tribune quoted a Fort Benton resident as saying the water had never been as high in that historic town along the Missouri as it was in 1908. Great Falls still sports one clear public reference to the Flood of 1908 — a plaque located on a railroad overpass pier next to 6th Street North between Park Drive and River Drive North. The plaque on the east pier shows the peak water level of the June 1908 flood. Based on that high-water mark, floodwaters would have intruded only a short distance into the Lower North Side residential area. However, the West Side was inundated with water in 1908, just as it was in 1964, another disastrous flood year for west Great Falls. Harding said the worst recorded flooding on the Sun River, which runs through the West Side and connects to the Missouri River near the Meadow Lark Country Club area, occurred in 1964. "The 1908 (flood) always was the granddaddy of them all until '64," Harding said. Along the Sun River, water levels were higher in 1964 "by about a foot and a half," than they were in 1908, he added. Other notable floods in Great Falls occurred in 1953 and 1975, which gave rise to a theory that big floods took place in Great Falls every 11 years. Before 1986 rolled around, much of west Great Falls formed a flood district, and contractors built a thick earthen dike to keep out any flooding. Sun River dikes in Great Falls have yet to be seriously tested. Reach Tribune Staff Writer Richard Ecke at firstname.lastname@example.org, or at 406-791-1467 or 800-438-6600.

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Saving energy: California clamps down on ‘vampire’ chargers Wasteful battery chargers for smartphones, tablet computers, laptops, etc., will be subject to new, stricter rules in the US state of California. ‘Vampire’ battery chargers can waste up to 60% of the energy they take from electrical outlets. California is the first US state to confront this problem, with the California Energy Commission voting unanimously to improve efficiency standards, which will cover some 170 million chargers. The manufacturers of consumer appliances of course strongly objected to the new regulations, despite projections that the improved energy standards would save $306 million per year on commercial and residential electricity bills. From the Los Angeles Times: This means that we can have the devices that we like in our lives and that make our lives easier. But by taking a few relatively simple steps to improve battery chargers, we can save so much electricity, take care of the environment and save ratepayers money. –Commissioner Karen Douglas, California Energy Commissioner California’s energy plan has a tradition of placing a priority on energy efficiency, above the development of renewable power, starting with air conditioner regulations back in 1977. This strategy has helped keep the state’s per capita energy consumption the same over the past 30 years, as opposed to the US as a whole, which saw consumption increase by 50% over the same period. The chargers are called vampires because they continue to suck energy from the wall if plugged in, even when they are not charging their battery-powered devices. (Tip: don’t leave your laptop, smartphone, tablet charger, etc., plugged into the wall!).

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Saturdays: Feburary 2, 9, 16 and 23, 2013 Family Resource Library, 1st floor Children's Medical Center $30 per child 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. This course is developed for teenagers to learn site signs in American Sign Language. Students will learn the alphabet in ASL and the production of numbers used in sign language. The course is designed for students between the ages of thirteen (13) and seventeen (17) years old. It will consist of four (4) consecutive classes for one (1) hour each week. The students will receive weekly handouts and will have opportunities to practice their skills. The instructor will provide activities and games to support the concepts taught. To register or for more information, please contact Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) 706-721-6929.

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High selection pressure on domestic cattle has led to an undesirable increase in inbreeding, as well as to the deterioration of some functional traits which are indirectly selected. Semen stored in a cryobank may be a useful way to redirect selection or limit the loss of genetic diversity in a selected breed. The purpose of this study was to analyse the efficiency of current cryobank sampling methods, by investigating the benefits of using cryopreserved semen in a selection scheme several generations after the semen was collected. The theoretical impact of using cryopreserved semen in a selection scheme of a dairy cattle breed was investigated by simulating various scenarios involving two negatively correlated traits and a change in genetic variability of the breed. Our results indicate that using cryopreserved semen to redirect selection will have an impact on negatively selected traits only if it is combined with major changes in selection objectives or practices. If the purpose is to increase genetic diversity in the breed, it can be a viable option. Using cryopreserved semen to redirect selection or to improve genetic diversity should be carried out with caution, by considering the pros and cons of prospective changes in genetic diversity and the value of the selected traits. However, the use of genomic information should lead to more interesting perspectives to choose which animals to store in a cryobank and to increase the value of cryobank collections for selected breeds. Within the context of farm animal biotechnologies, cryopreservation is one of the most useful tools for selection improvement, dissemination of genetic progress and ex situ conservation. In its Global Plan of Action, the FAO recommended the implementation of ex situ programmes to complement in situ conservation of animal genetic resources. It was also suggested that cryopreserved bio-specimens could be used as a backup material to redirect the selection scheme of a given breed, if needed [2,3]. Consequently, several gene banks have been created with different strategies and policies that vary with the breed, species, and country concerned [4,5] and methods have been proposed to use ex situ genetic resources to optimise the management of genetic diversity in endangered breeds . Breeds with large populations are subject to high selection pressures and have rates of inbreeding greater than the desired values . In these cases, the use of stored semen from male ancestors has seldom been investigated, although breeding organisations could be interested in doing so. For instance, in the dairy cattle breed Abondance (a local selected breed in the French Northern Alps), the semen of a bull born in 1977 (called Naif), which was rarely used in the 1980's, was used from 2004 to 2007, to produce 20 young bulls in order to reintroduce some genetic variability in the breed. Depending on the country, different strategies have been implemented to sample individuals for national collections. In the Netherlands, most of the tested bulls are sampled for preservation in the gene bank , while in the USA, the selection of animals for cryopreservation is aimed at optimizing genetic diversity within the collection, by sampling animals from clusters determined through computed genealogical relationships . In France, based on the idea that individuals sampled for a cryobank should be as diverse as possible and carry special genotypes , regulations have been implemented to conserve frozen sperm from three main origins: (I) animals from endangered breeds, (II) original animals from non-endangered breeds (with either extreme positive or negative Estimated Breeding Values (EBV), carrying rare alleles or representing rare pedigree lines), and (III) representative animals from non-endangered breeds . The purpose of this study was to analyse the efficiency of current cryobank sampling methods by investigating the benefits of using cryopreserved semen in a selection scheme several generations after the semen was collected. Based on simulations, we examined two situations in which cryopreserved sperm was used (1) to redirect the selection goal, by including a trait which, in the past, had shown a negative correlated selection response (e.g. fertility in dairy cattle), and (2) to limit the loss of genetic diversity in the breed. The impact of using cryopreserved sperm was measured by estimating the evolution of two negatively correlated traits and the evolution of the breed's genetic diversity, assessed through pedigree information. A simplified cattle breed was simulated with 13 discrete generations, each consisting of 100 males and 10000 females. In each generation, 10 bulls and 50 cows were chosen as parents of the male progeny, and 20 bulls and 10000 cows were chosen as parents of the female progeny (with no selection on the dam to dam path). Mating was random resulting in random variation of progeny size among parents, i.e. the sire and dam of a given newborn were randomly chosen in the corresponding lists of parents. Simulation of genetic values and EBV We considered two traits A and B. Trait A corresponded to a production trait which had been recently and intensively selected and improved (such as milk production in dairy cattle). Trait B corresponded to a functional trait which had deteriorated because of a negative correlation with trait A (e.g. fertility or longevity). The genetic standard deviation of each trait (σA and σB, respectively) was set to 1 and the correlation between traits (ρ) was set to -0.3. For each trait, an additive polygenic model was assumed and the simulation of correlated genetic values was based on the bivariate normal distribution (see, e.g. ). At generation 0 (base population), genetic values for trait A were randomly and independently drawn from a N (0, 1) distribution. For a given individual (i), the genetic value for trait B (Bi) was generated from its value for trait A (Ai): where βi is a N (0, 1) random number independent of Ai. In the following generations, genetic values of individual i were simulated from the genetic values of its sire (Ap and Bp) and its dam (Am and Bm), taking into account the parent's coefficients of inbreeding (Fp and Fm, resp.) [12,13]: In these equations, γi and δi are two numbers randomly drawn from a N (0, 1) bivariate normal distribution with a correlation equal to ρ. EBV were directly simulated from genetic values, assuming an evaluation procedure leading to an accuracy (CD = square of the correlation between the EBV and the true genetic value) equal to 0.6 for bulls and 0.4 for cows, whatever the trait and the generation considered. Therefore, the EBV of a given individual for trait A (EBVAi) and for trait B (EBVBi) were computed as follows: where εi and ϕi are two independent numbers drawn from a N(0, 1) distribution. Finally, a Total Merit Index (TMIi) was computed, weighting the two EBV by wA and wB = 1 - wA, respectively: Sampling and use of cryopreserved semen Simulations comprised two stages. During stage 1 (generations 0 to 8), the lists of parents were selected based on their EBV for trait A only, without considering the evolution of the genetic mean for trait B or the average coefficient of inbreeding. During stage 2 (generations 9 to 12), the bulls were also used to improve trait B or to introduce genetic diversity in the breed. During stage 1, the semen of some bulls was sampled and cryopreserved if the animals fulfilled one of the three following conditions, which correspond to the current sampling rules of the French National Cryobank for type "II" (original bulls) : - (i) EBVA is three standard deviations above or below the mean of the generation, - (ii) EBVB is two standard deviations above the mean of the generation (trait B is considered as a functional trait and for functional traits, only animals above the average are considered), - (iii) the bull is a sire of sires with no male offspring selected after the evaluation process (these bulls were actually selected with one generation lag). To check the validity of this elaborate sampling method, we tested a simpler sampling method (similar to the one used in the Netherlands), where the semen of all young bulls is stored in the cryobank. In the simulations performed here, we investigated the impact of a one-time use (i.e. during a single generation) of cryopreserved semen. At generation 9, four bulls with cryopreserved semen were selected (hereafter referred to as 'cryobank bulls'), these bulls fulfilling one of the following conditions either (i) they are the best cryobank bulls for the TMIi or (ii) they have the lowest average kinship with the existing population (males and females taken together). We studied the impact of various selection orientations (use of cryopreserved semen, conservation of male lines, etc.) only on the male path, because applying the above conditions on the female path would be much more restrictive, less effective, and would require a larger amount of semen, all the more since the number of doses is generally limited in cryobanks (200, in France) . For these reasons, we considered that cryobank bulls were used only to procreate young bulls for progeny testing. The 9th generation of young bulls was then generated using either the bulls from the cryobank or the group of 10 sires selected as described in previous sections. Depending on the scenario (see following section), 0, 40 or 80 individuals (among the 100 newborn bull calves) were sired randomly by one of the four selected cryobank bulls. Simulation scenarios and results Six simulation scenarios were completed with two main options (Table 1). Table 1. Description of simulation scenarios Firstly, in scenario "b", emphasis was put on the selection of both traits B and A. To achieve this goal, three methods were compared: - b1: at generation 9, the four bulls with the highest TMI (wB = 0.5) were used to sire 40% of the young bulls, while the selection criterion during stage 2 remained unchanged (improving EBVA). The other young bulls were sired by bulls randomly sampled within the group of 10 sires; - b2: at generation 9, no cryobank bull was used, and during stage 2, TMI (wB = 0.5) was used as the selection criterion instead of EBVA; - b3: at generation 9, the four cryobank bulls with the highest TMI were used to sire 40% of the young bulls, and during stage 2, TMI was used as the selection criterion instead of EBVA. To test more or less drastic selection changes, scenario b3 was tested with an increasing weight given to trait B (wB increasing from 0.5 to 1). Secondly, in scenarios "d", emphasis was put on genetic variability while trait A remained the breeding goal. Three methods were also compared: - d1: at generation 9, the four cryobank bulls having the lowest kinship with the existing population (scenario b1) were used to sire 40% of the young bulls; - d2: at generation 9, no cryobank bull was used, while during stage 2, the progenies on the sire to sire path were given the same size i.e. for each sire of sires, 10 male offspring were created among which those with the two best EBVA became the sires of dams and that with the best EBVA became a sire of sires; - d3: at generation 9, the four cryobank bulls having the lowest kinship with the existing population (scenario b1) were used to sire 40% of the young bulls, while during stage 2, selection was used to equalise progeny sizes on the sire to sire path. Simulations were performed with 1000 runs for each scenario. For each generation, individual inbreeding coefficients and genetic values were computed and averaged for the entire male and female populations. The individual coefficients of kinship were also computed and averaged over males only and over the entire populations. The proportion of genes originating from cryobank bulls was computed on the basis of the gene dropping procedure (one locus averaged over the 1000 runs). Stage 1: evolution of selected traits, diversity loss, and sampling of cryobank bulls As expected, the results of the different scenarios did not differ significantly for generations 0 to 8 given that in stage 1, the conditions were the same whatever the option chosen, (here we present results averaged over the 1000 runs of one scenario only). With the parameters chosen for the simulation, each sire of sires had on average 10 male offspring (across sires standard deviation s.d. = 2.9) and each sire of dams had on average 500 female offspring (across sires s.d. = 21.6). As expected (see Figure 1), selection on trait A during stage 1 led to a major increase in the mean of this trait (+ 6.7 initial genetic standard deviation) from generation 0 to 8, while at the same time, the mean of B decreased to a lesser extent (-2 initial genetic standard deviation). The average coefficient of inbreeding increased simultaneously. Young bulls were slightly more inbred than cows, as they originated from a smaller number of sires and dams. In parallel (generation 0 to 8), the average coefficient of kinship among the young bulls and among the entire population increased to 8.1% and 6.9%, respectively. Figure 1. Changes in genetic values (a) and in genetic diversity (b) (scenario b1). Dotted lines: young bulls; solid lines: whole population; red: trait A, blue: trait B; green: average between A and B; purple: inbreeding F; pink: kinship Φ. An average of 31 cryobank bulls was sampled per replicate, 58% being sampled because of outstanding EBVB (see Table 2). Table 2 shows that cryobank bulls chosen for their genetic diversity were generally born earlier than others, which can be explained by the fact that they were chosen with one generation lag compared to other sampling procedures. Table 2. Average number and birth generation of bulls selected for conservation Stage 2 in scenarios b: change in breeding goals As shown in Figure 1, introducing cryobank bulls with exceptional TMI without changing the selection criterion during stage 2 (scenario b1) had a temporary impact on traits A and B as well as on the diversity indicators of the young bulls. At the whole population level, the impact was negligible, since young bulls sired by cryobank bulls were rarely subsequently selected as sires: three generations after introduction (generation 12), the cryobank contribution to genetic diversity was less than 3% (Table 3). Table 3. Origin and impact of cryobank bulls used in the different scenarios When TMI was used as a selection criterion (considering wB = 0.5), without using cryobank bulls (scenario b2), there was a per generation increase in the mean of trait B from generation 9 on (b1: -0.3 vs b2: +0.4), while the genetic gain for trait A decreased (b1: +1.0 vs b2: +0.4, see additional file 1). The change in breeding goals had no impact on diversity indicators. Additional file 1. Changes in genetic values (a) and in genetic diversity (b) (scenario b2). The data represent the simulation results for scenario b2. Dotted lines: young bulls; solid lines: whole population; red: trait A; blue: trait B; green: average between A and B; purple: inbreeding F; pink: kinship Φ. Format: PDF Size: 58KB Download file This file can be viewed with: Adobe Acrobat Reader Combining the use of cryobank bulls and TMI as a selection criterion (scenario b3 for wB = 0.5) resulted in a slight but significant (P < 0.001) reduction in average kinship (-0.3% between scenario b2 and b3, with 40% of the males from generation 9 sired by cryobank bulls, see additional file 2). Concerning the selected traits, the genetic gain for trait A decreased slightly when cryobank bulls were used (-0.12 between scenarios b2 and b3, P < 0.001), while the genetic gain for trait B increased slightly (+0.06 between scenarios b2 and b3, P = 0.02). These tendencies increased slightly when 80% of the males from generation 9 were sired by cryobank bulls (see additional file 2). According to the results from Table 3, cryobank bulls contributed to 6.5% of the diversity three generations after their introduction. It should be noted that the cryobank bulls used were generally sampled in recent generations, their average birth generation being 6.6 (Table 3). Additional file 2. Changes in genetic values (a) and in average kinship (b) when trait B was added to selection goals. The data represent the simulation results when selection is redirected with a new trait accounting for 50% of the total merit index and when the use of semen from cryobank bulls is increased. Scenario b3 and whole population are considered with the weight wB given to trait B accounting for 50% of the total merit index and an increased use of the semen from cryobank bulls. Brown: no cryobank bull is used (scenario b2); red: cryobank bulls are used to produce 40% of sons (scenario b3); yellow: cryobank bulls are used to produce 80% of sons; o: genetic value for trait A; ♦: genetic value for trait B; dotted line: average genetic value between A and B; x: kinship Φ. Format: PDF Size: 57KB Download file This file can be viewed with: Adobe Acrobat Reader As a result of the increased weight of trait B within TMI (see Figure 2), there was a per generation increase in genetic gain for trait B, while there was a slightly lower increase or even a decrease in genetic gain for trait A, as well as in average kinship, when trait B accounted for more than 80% of EBV. When only trait B was taken into account for TMI, the genetic value of traits A and B reached 4.7 and 1.37, respectively at generation 12 (versus 8.4 and -0.41 respectively when wB = 0.5), while average kinship reached 8.9% at generation 12 (versus 11.9% when wB = 0.5). Figure 2. Changes in genetic values (a) and in average kinship (b), when trait B was added to selection goals. Scenario b3 and whole population are considered with the weight wB of trait B increasing for computation of the total merit index. Black: wB = 0 (scenario b1); brown: wB = 0.5; red: wB = 0.6; orange: wB = 0.7; green: wB = 0.8; light blue: wB = 0.9; dark blue: wB = 1; o: genetic value for trait A; ♦: genetic value for trait B; x: kinship Φ. Stage 2 in scenarios d: improvement in genetic diversity As shown in Figure 3, the use of cryobank bulls with a minimised kinship with the current generation (scenario d1), had no impact if the selection policy was not modified, since none of the offspring of the cryobank bulls were selected as sires. Equalising progeny sizes on the sire to sire path alone (scenario d2) decreased diversity a little less (in generation 12, Φ = 12% for scenario d1 and Φ = 11% for scenario d2), with an almost negligible impact on genetic progress. Combining this option with the introgression of cryobank bulls (scenario d3) resulted in a significant reduction in average kinship (-2% in comparison to d1). Under such a scenario, the genetic mean of trait B also increased slightly (+0.3 between scenario d1 and d3, P < 0.001), while that of trait A and the average of both traits decreased slightly (-0.08 and -0.02 respectively, between scenarios d1 and d3, P < 0.001). It should be noted that most of the cryobank bulls used originated from the founder population, their average birth generation being 0.3 (Table 3). Figure 3. Changes in genetic values (a) and in average kinship (b), when the aim was to manage genetic diversity. The whole population is considered Brown: no change in selection; cryobank bulls used to produce 40% of male offspring (scenario d1); red: conservation of male lines (scenario d2) (curve overlapping the preceding one); yellow: conservation of male lines and cryobank bulls used to produce 40% of male offspring (scenario d3); o: genetic value for trait A; ♦: genetic value for trait B; dotted line: average genetic value between A and B; x: kinship Φ. Modifying which bulls entered the cryobank by preserving semen for all the young bulls did not significantly alter the results of scenarios b3 and d3, either for the selected traits or for kinship evolution (data not shown). It should be noted that in this case, the average birth generation of the cryobank bulls used was 7, in scenario b3 (instead of 6.6, in the first cryobank sampling method), and 0, in scenario d3 (instead of 0.3, in the first cryobank sampling method). In this study, we assessed the impacts of using cryopreserved bull semen either to redirect selection or to improve the genetic variability of a selected cattle breed. Simulation parameters were chosen as a compromise between realism in the scenarios, their applicability, and the simplicity of the model. For instance, with respect to the choice of population size, a breed with 20 breeding males and 10000 potential dams could be considered quite small, especially with reference to the FAO endangerment status . In our simulation, sires and dams were randomly chosen from lists of reproducers. This differs significantly from what occurs in real breeds, in which an unbalanced use of reproducers is frequently the case, leading to a reduced size of the effective population. In terms of effective size, our breed would correspond to a much larger population with a similar inbreeding rate per generation (1.07%) to that found in real dairy cattle breeds e.g. . Concerning sampling conditions in the simulations, as mentioned above, the procedure chosen to select bulls for cryopreservation is similar to that currently applied in France. This choice was made to test if bulls selected this way could be effectively used in a selected breed. Compared to the case in which all young bulls are sampled for cryopreservation (which corresponds more or less to the current procedure in the Netherlands), the results were basically the same. This shows that the French sampling procedure is reasonably efficient to select useful bulls, and could be applied in situations when only a limited number of semen samples can be stored in a cryobank (for financial reasons, for instance). One of the main conclusions of this study is that using cryopreserved semen is relevant for a breed for which major changes in selection objectives or practices are considered. Since genetic progress is rapid in dairy cattle breeds (e.g. ), a bull for which semen has been stored for a few generations, is likely to have a lower genetic value than current bulls, if the selection goals remain the same. Thus the latter's offspring may not be used, as illustrated by scenarios b1 and d1, and using cryobank bulls is then meaningless. The results of scenario b3 demonstrate that using cryobank bulls has a significant impact on the selected traits and on genetic diversity only if a relatively large change is implemented in the selection programme (i.e. introducing a new trait formerly negatively selected but subsequently accounting for more than 50% of EBV). Under that scenario, when trait B accounted for less than 70% of EBV, the cryobank bulls selected were those more recently collected, since they generally had a higher value for trait A than older cryobank bulls, which compensated for a slightly lower value for trait B. When trait B accounted for 80% or more of EBV, most of the cryobank bulls finally used, originated from generation 0 (data not shown), which explains the sudden decrease in average kinship after introgression of the cryobank bulls (see Figure 2). Therefore if managers of a selection scheme want to redirect breeding goals, using cryobank bulls is viable only if the breeding goals are subjected to a major modification (i.e. if the weight of the new trait accounts for more than 50% of EBV). Our results also indicate that cryobank bulls that have been sampled for functional traits with high EBV will tend to be used more frequently than other cryobank bulls, independently of the aim. If the objective is to introduce genetic diversity into the breed, using cryobank bulls appears to be a valid choice. However, it is imperative that other measures are also taken to guaranty that genes are spread within the breed i.e. either conserving male lines (scenario d3), when their use is promoted among breeders, or setting up more restrictive and effective breeding schemes. Several methods of varying complexity have been proposed to minimise kinship , or to maximise breeding values for a predefined inbreeding rate , or to minimise average kinship for a desired average EBV , usually by optimising the contribution of reproducers. On the one hand, decreasing inbreeding in a selected breed may improve selected traits; for instance, it has been shown that in Holstein cattle, milk production (over 305 days) can decrease by about 20 litres per 1% inbreeding increase . On the other hand, using semen from cryobank bulls has a negative impact on previously selected traits, as illustrated by our simulations. In the case of local breeds, in which genetic progress is not as effective as in breeds with a larger population size, the difference in EBV between current bulls and bulls from earlier generations should be minimised. This could lead to an effective use of cryobank bulls to reintroduce diversity without overly affecting selected traits. As an illustration in the Abondance breed, one of the male offspring of the bull born in 1977 was found to have quite a high EBV (Vaccin, born in 2003, ), and was therefore recently confirmed as a sire of dams. Among all the sires of dams, this bull shared the lowest average kinship with the 2004-2007 female cohorts (4.6% vs. 6.5% on average, personal communication). The impact of using this bull on the genetic variability of the breed remains to be assessed. Based on our results, using semen from cryobank bulls should be useful either to introduce drastic changes in selection goals or to reintroduce genetic diversity within a given population. However, it is important to carefully assess the pros and cons of the potential changes in genetic diversity and values of the selected traits. Our simulations were based on a classic quantitative selection scheme. Recent progress in genomic tools should make it possible to identify semen from cryobank bulls that share specific alleles or QTL of interest for selection. This could then be taken into account when choosing cryobank bulls as well as how they will be used. Using such reproducers should be investigated in further studies, which opens exciting perspectives for an improved exploitation of cryobank collections. The authors declare that they have no competing interests. EV, CDB and GL jointly conceived the design of the study and discussed the results. GL wrote and checked the simulation program. GL wrote the first draft of the manuscript, which was then modified by CDB and EV. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. This study was funded by the Bureau des Ressources Génétiques (BRG) (Contract 2007-14 "CryoSitu"). The authors wish to thank Emilie Setlakwe, Daphne Goodfellow and Hélène Hayes for linguistic revision. Verrier E, Danchin-Burge C, Moureaux S, Ollivier L, Tixier-Boichard M, Boichard D, Maignel MJ, Bidanel JP, Clement F: What should be preserved: genetic goals and collection protocols for the French National Cryobank. In Proceedings of the Workshop on Cryopreservation of Animal Genetic Resources in Europe: 23 February 2003; Paris. Edited by Planchenault D. Bureau des Ressources Génétiques; 2003:79-89. Gandini G, Oldenbroek K: Strategies for moving from conservation to utilisation. In Utilisation and conservation of farm animal genetic resources. Edited by Oldenbroek K. Wageningen: Wageningen Academic Publishers; 2007:29-54. Genet Res 2002, 80:27-30. PubMed Abstract Danchin-Burge C, Hiemstra SJ: Cryo-preservation of domestic animal species in France and the Netherlands: Experience, similarities and differences. In Proceedings of the Workshop on Cryopreservation of Animal Genetic Resources in Europe: 23 February 2003; Paris. Edited by Planchenault D. Bureau des Ressources Génétiques; 2003:15-28. Livest Sci 2009, 120:196-203. Publisher Full Text Livest Prod Sci 1984, 11:37-48. Publisher Full Text Theor Appl Genet 1989, 77:142-148. Publisher Full Text Philipsson J, Forabosco F, Jakobsen JH: Monitoring sustainability of international dairy breeds. [http://www-interbull.slu.se/bulletins/bulletin40/Philipsson.pdf] webcite Coopérative d'élevage et d'insémination animale de Haute-Savoie [http://www.ceia74.fr/Index/GenetiqueLait.php?Race=12] webcite

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Amid doubt, disappointment and division, the world's governments came together in Rio on Friday to declare "a pathway for a sustainable century". At the close of the Rio+20 Earth Summit, heads of state and ministers from more than 190 nations signed off on a plan to set global sustainable development goals and other measures to strengthen global environmental management, tighten protection the oceans, improve food security and promote a "green economy". After more than a year of negotiations and a 10-day mega-conference involving 45,000 people, the wide-ranging outcome document – The Future We Want – was lambasted by environmentalists and anti-poverty campaigners for lacking the detail and ambition needed to address the challenges posed by a deteriorating environment, worsening inequality and a global population expected to rise from 7bn to 9bn by 2050. But the UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon said the document would guide the world on to a more sustainable path: "Our job now is to create a critical mass. The road ahead is long and hard." US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said it was a time to be optimistic. "A more prosperous future is within our reach, a future where all people benefit from sustainable development no matter who they are or where they live." However, civil society groups and scientists were scathing about the outcome. Greenpeace International Executive Director Kumi Naidoo called the summit a failure of epic proportions. "We didn't get the Future We Want in Rio, because we do not have the leaders we need. The leaders of the most powerful countries supported business as usual, shamefully putting private profit before people and the planet." Rio+20 was intended as a follow up on the 1992 Earth Summit, which put in place landmark conventions on climate change and biodiversity, as well as commitments on poverty eradication and social justice. Since then, however, global emissions have risen by 48%, 300m hectares of forest have been cleared and the population has increased by 1.6bn people. Despite a reduction in poverty, one in six people are malnourished. While the problems have grown, the ability of nations to deal with them has diminished because the EU is distracted by economic crisis, the US is diverted by a presidential election, and government power has declined relative to that of corporations and civil society. With Barack Obama, Angela Merkel and David Cameron absent, the BRICS nations dominated proceedings. Brazil artfully – and, according to some delegates, aggressively – pushed through the compromise text, thereby avoiding the conflict and chaos that marked the Copenhagen climate conference in 2009. But that also left heads of state and ministers with little but a ceremonial function, wasting an opportunity for political leaders to press for a more ambitious outcome. "Our final document is an opportunity that has been missed. It contributes almost nothing to our struggle to survive as a species," the Nicaraguan representative Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann at the conference. "We now face a future of increasing natural disasters." Other delegates expressed disappointed, but said the agreement could be built upon. "The document does not entirely match our ambition or meet the challenge the world faces. But it's an important step forward … That's why we support it. That's why we must engage with it," said Janez Potočnik, European commissioner for environment. The main outcome of the conference is a plan to set sustainable development goals (SDGs), which Brazil described as the "crown jewels" of the conference. But the gems have not yet been chosen, let alone cut, polished and set. Negotiators at Rio were unable to agree on themes, which will now be left to an "open working group" of 30 nations to decide upon by September 2013. Two years later, they will be blended with Millennium Development Goals. The new goals look set to be the focus of tussles between rich and poor nations over the coming years. The G77 group of developing countries is adamant that the goals must include strong social and economic elements, including financing and technology transfer. "When the EU, US say land, water – they usually emphasise environment. The G77 insist that it also has strong economic and social pillars. It needs to be better and bolder than the millennium development goals," said Bhumika Muchhala, of the Third World Network. The 49-page document contained many other – mostly loosely defined – steps. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP), long a poor relation of other UN organisations, will get a more secure budget, a broader membership and strong powers to initiate scientific research and coordinate global environment strategies. Rio+20 also established a "high-level" forum to coordinate global sustainable development, though its format is still to be defined. Achim Steiner, head of UNEP, said it was an agenda for change: "World leaders and governments have today agreed that a transition to a green economy – backed by strong social provisions – offers a key pathway towards a sustainable 21st century." Hopes that Rio would commit the world to move towards a green economy were diluted by suspicions among some developing nations that this was another way for wealthy nations to impose a "one-model-fits-all" approach. Instead, the green economy was merely named as an "important tool" that countries could use if they wished. Nations agreed to think about ways to place a higher value on nature, including alternatives to GDP as a measure of wealth that account more for environmental and social factors, and efforts to assess and pay for "environmental services" provided by nature, such as carbon sequestration and habitat protection. Among the many vague, but potentially promising developments, was a recognition by all 192 governments that "fundamental changes in the way societies consume and produce are indispensable for achieving global sustainable development". This appeared to mean different things to different people. EU officials suggests it could lead to a shift of taxes so workers pay less and polluters and landfill operators pay more. Hillary Clinton said it should be reflected in the way products are advertised and packaged. All nations "reaffirmed" commitments to phase out harmful fossil fuel subsidies. Such changes will cost, but nobody wanted to put money on the table, which was cited by the G77 as a major cause of the weak outcome. Developing countries wanted a $30bn per year fund to help in the transition to sustainability, but in the midst of a financial crisis in Europe, nobody was willing to say how much money they would contribute. Instead, there was a promise to enhance funding, but by how much and by whom were left to future discussions. Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff said rich nations had not kept Copenhagen promises on "green funding" and so were in no position to criticise others for a lack of ambition: "All countries must take responsibility. Nobody can point the finger." There was frustration that Rio+20 did not do more to guarantee the reproductive rights of women or to protect the world's oceans. A plan to rescue the high seas – which are outside national jurisdictions – was blocked by the US, Nicaragua, Canada and Russia. Instead, leaders say they will do more to prevent over-fishing and ocean acidification. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature called the decision a "deep disappointment". The strongest initiatives were made outside the negotiating halls, where significant agreements have been struck on investing in public transport, commitments made to green accounting by corporations and strategies agreed by cities and judicial bodies on reducing environmental impacts. The dynamism has been found in a 10-day "People's Summit" and campaigns to reduce plastics in the ocean and create a new sanctuary in the Arctic. "There are real solutions to the problems governments have been unable to solve and those solutions have been on display all week in Rio, just not at the conference centre," said Lidy Nacpil, director of Jubilee South – Asia Pacific Movement on Debt and Development. The weak leadership shown in the conference halls has prompted many in civil society to rethink their strategies. Sharan Burrow, general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation, said a "red/green alliance was the only way forward". If the current development model doesn't change, "we are going to see economic dislocation greater than we're facing now," she said. "There will be more wars around water and energy, so we need labour and environment walking hand in hand."

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There was a brief warm spell around 9 September, on which date the highest September temperature for six years was recorded, but much of the rest of the month was cool. In fact it was the coolest September since 1993, and heavy rain during the third week caused floods. This was the result of a deep and slow-moving low pressure system delivering copious rain between 23 and 25 September. Prior to that it was dry in East Anglia and south-east England. The mean maximum temperature in September ranged from 20.2C at St James's Park, London, to 12C at Lerwick, Shetland. The Central England Temperature (CET) was 13.1C, which is 1 degree below average. Daytime temperatures were between 0.2 degrees above average in East Anglia and 1.3 degrees below in western Scotland. The highest recorded temperature was 29.3C at both Writtle in Essex and Cambridge on the afternoon of 9 September. The coldest night was that of 22/23 September, when Braemar, Aberdeenshire, recorded a minimum temperature of -4.1C. Across England and Wales there was 78mm of rain, which is 102% of the average. Scotland had 81mm, exactly on the average, while Northern Ireland had 98mm, or 123% of average. Much of that rain came from the slow-moving storm during the last week of September. Up to 22 September it was relatively dry, but the following three days had widespread heavy rainfall which led to significant floods. During that period 131mm of rain fell on Ravensworth, North Yorkshire. The wettest location through the month was Cluanie Inn, Wester Ross, which measured 325mm of rain, while Otterbourne in Hampshire was the driest with 24mm. England and Wales had an average 171 hours of sunshine, which is 116% of the mean. Only 11 Septembers have been sunnier in the last 100 years. Scotland had 127 hours, or 111% of its average, and Northern Ireland recorded 139 hours, which is 113% of the average. Manston in Kent was the sunniest location with 196 hours of sunshine, while Kinlochewe, Wester Ross, had the lowest sunshine total with only 62 hours.

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A Second Degree for Your Tech Career Think you want another degree? Join the club. Many techies decide to pursue graduate degrees as a way to advance their careers, hone an area of expertise or switch specialties. Years ago, graduate program choices were limited, with many students choosing between an MBA and a master's degree in computer science, depending on whether they wanted to seek a management job or maintain a technical career track. While those choices are still popular, the possibilities for extending education beyond a bachelor's degree have expanded as jobs for tech professionals have become more varied and multidimensional. This means game programmers are pursuing educational technology degrees to leverage their experience into a new industry, database pros are pursuing MBAs to show off their management acumen and network engineers are studying multimedia to make a wholesale switch in a technical specialty. So techies need to start thinking about an advanced degree by sorting through the options. The Old Standbys - Computer Science: Graduate programs in computer science offer a research-intensive environment for students to pursue specialties such as human-computer interaction and information networking. A master's may be required for top-notch positions at leading tech companies, while a PhD is usually required for academia. Graduate programs in computer science are known for being challenging and rigorous; a bachelor's degree in computer science is typically required. - Educational Technology: Master's degrees in educational technology offer students the chance to gain expertise in the use and theoretical foundations of technology to support learning - Electrical and Computer Engineering: Students seeking a master's in electrical and computer engineering delve into areas such as semiconductors, signal processing, microprocessors and digital system design. Students will typically need an undergraduate degree in the field. - Information Systems: Graduate programs in information systems (or sometimes information systems management or information technology) emphasize the use of IT to tackle business problems with coursework on topics such as e-commerce, information security and knowledge management. - Library Science and Information Studies: Though far from a traditional technology degree, techies are increasingly drawn to studies involving information architecture, knowledge management and content management. - MBA (Master of Business Administration): The MBA gives techies the chance to develop their business skills with coursework in areas such as entrepreneurship, finance, marketing and organizational behavior. With companies increasingly interested in well-rounded techies with business acumen, the degree is often a top choice among techies seeking to move beyond purely technical roles. The New Guard - Techno-MBA: The techno-MBA combines traditional MBA coursework with studies on the integration of IT in the corporate world. Techno-MBA students often take courses dealing with information systems, IT design and architecture and telecommunications. - Computer Animation, Graphics and Multimedia: These cutting-edge graduate programs typically focus on the skills and expertise required to work in areas such as film, TV and Web production. The programs may be offered in different settings; some may be part of a graduate school of arts and sciences, others might be in fine arts programs or film schools. - Telecommunications: Advanced degrees in telecommunications offer students the chance to explore areas bridging the business and regulatory realms by studying media policy, wireless networks, and communications systems and their development. Which Is Best for You? Before you decide on a program, consider your goals. Techies seeking another degree are often motivated by boosting their salaries, positioning to enter management, developing an area of technical expertise and/or switching from one specialty to another. Once you know what you want to achieve, you will have an easier time deciding what sort of program is for you. Unlike undergraduate programs, graduate programs don't usually give you much time, if any, to roam from one interest to another. You will likely get the most out of the program if you enter it with a clear sense of what you want from your studies -- and from your career after graduation.

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The house ranks architecturally with many of the great mansions built in the late Colonial period; however, it is the only house directly inspired from a plate in Palladio’s, I Quattro Libri dell’Architettura. It is arguably the most exquisite house remaining from the Colonial period in America. Architect William Buckland cleverly adapted Palladio's Villa Pisani design to satisfy the tastes of colonial Annapolis. He re-designed the plan to accommodate the tastes for asymmetrical regional preferences and modified the hyphens from Palladio's arched entries to more practical single storey connecting links. He also incorporated fashionable urban design by sinking the windows in the method mandated by the London Building Act of 1774. This device provided better protection from fire and gave the overall design a greater degree of visual solidity and three dimensionality (see image at right). This adaptation from Palladio's model marks his maturity as an architect and ranks him as one of America's first and finest architects. The initial design of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello was taken from the Villa Cornaro in Piombino Dese, Italy, in Book II, Chapter XV of I Quattro Libri dell’Architettura, but this façade was later covered up by Jefferson’s own expansions to his house. Thomas Jefferson made two drawings of the Hammond-Harwood House when he served the government in Annapolis in 1783-4. One could assume that Jefferson recognized the house as derived from Palladio because his knowledge of The Four Books of Architecture was extensive. He referred to the book as his architectural “bible” and the plate of the Villa Cornaro follows the Villa Pisani plate; and directly opposite the Villa Cornaro in some 18th century English transcriptions of the work.

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Most pet owners can tell you that the first few days with a puppy in the house can be a handful, but the job of being a good pet parent does not stop when your new pal sleeps through the night for the first time. After you finish guiding your pup through his earliest life stages, it is important to keep in mind that he will be going through his own version of the "teen" years and will rely on a guiding hand. The accelerated development of dogs may make it seem as though they move straight from puppy to adult, but just like people, they also have an adolescent stage. Although they may look grown up, they are still experiencing changes that can have a major impact on their behavior and health. "Many pet owners may not realize that dogs experience adolescence," says Jeff Werber, DVM, a nationally known veterinarian. "At this developmental stage, dogs are no longer puppies, but they are also not quite adults. Adolescent dogs have specific mental, social, physical and nutritional requirements that often go unmet, so it is important to make sure we are addressing all the aspects that are part of these 'teenage' years." When your dog goes through the "teen" life stage - from about 6 months to 2 years - keep these tips in mind. - Curb bad behaviors: Chewing shoes, soiling the carpet, surfing the counter for scraps of food - these are just some of the behaviors that come up as your still-young dog grows into his adult body. It is important to focus on training during this time to break bad habits - otherwise you could be dealing with them for life. Attending training classes not only helps your dog learn how to behave, it also helps owners discover solutions for unwanted behaviors. The added benefit of training is that it provides an opportunity to create a strong bond at one of the most impressionable periods of your dog's life. - Establish good eating habits: Just as kids have different nutritional needs than infants and adults, adolescent dogs need food uniquely tailored to their in-between needs. As your dog's body grows and changes, certain nutrients are particularly important for brain and skeletal development and digestive health. - Supervise socializing: Letting your dog interact with other animals is an essential part of responsible pet ownership. However, at the adolescent stage, it is important that you guide your dog's interactions carefully. As dogs' reproductive systems develop, both males and females can show signs of aggression. You may also find your male dog marking his territory and female dogs might try to flirt with males. When you start to see these behaviors frequently, it is probably time to discuss spaying or neutering with your vet. Not only can these procedures help correct some hormonally driven bad habits, they will also prevent unwanted litters of new puppies. GateHouse News Service

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Roman Catholic priests from the Order of the Sacred Hearts and led by Father Alexis Bachelot, first arrived from Europe in July of 1827. Three priests and three lay brothers celebrated the first mass of record on Hawaiian soil on July 14, 1827. Under pressure by American Protestant missionaries, who considered Catholic doctrine a damning religious error, Kamehameha III twice expelled the Catholics. When priests reappeared in 1837 and again faced expulsion, the Sandwich Island Gazette newspaper came to the defense of religious freedom. The French in 1839 also brought pressure upon the king, and in that year Kamehameha III proclaimed a Declaration of Rights and Edict of Toleration that granted religious toleration throughout the Islands. This was a period of fierce verbal attacks between Catholics and Protestants. The Catholic Mission wanted to have its own press. In 1841, it bought the Gazette’s old equipment and set up a print shop on the site of the present Our Lady of Peace Cathedral, but Father L. D. Maigret complained to his European superiors: “The Protestants have excellent presses of the new kind, while we have only a bad one, the characters of which do not work.” Maigret received a new press from Europe, and in 1852, the first Catholic newspaper appeared, He Mau Hana I Hanaia, Works Done, to begin a tradition of Catholic publication that continues to the present. By Helen G. Chapin

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Hemoglobin is a crystallizable, conjugated protein consisting of an iron-containing pigment (called heme or hematin) and a simple protein, globin. In the lungs, it combines readily with oxygen to form a loose, unstable compound called oxyhemoglobin, a process called oxygenation. In the tissues of the body, where oxygen tension is low and carbon dioxide tension is high, oxyhemoglobin liberates its oxygen in... A Swedish study has shown that teaching type 2 diabetes patients about their disease results in greater decreases in the hemoglobin A1c... Read more » You may have been told that you need to lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, and increase your HDL (good) cholesterol levels. While... Read more » So you don’t have diabetes. Should you still be worried about having an elevated risk of Alzheimer’s disease? A new study out of the... Read more » Diabetes is much more prevalent in African-Americans than other groups of people, and unfortunately if you already have diabetes you are... Read more » Source: ADAM Encyclopedia of ComplicationsHigh Blood Pressure and Heart DiseaseAll patients with diabetes and high blood pressure should adopt lifestyle changes. These include... Read more »

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THURSDAY, July 19 (HealthDay News) -- You may think of your birthday as only being important to your age and the possible presence of candles, cards and cake, but a new study suggests a link between your month of birth and longevity. Researchers found that those who were born between September and November from the years 1880 to 1895 were more likely to reach the 100-year mark than their siblings who were born in March. The study does not prove a cause-and-effect link, just an association. The meaning of the findings is unclear, and a researcher who studies lifespan called them mostly irrelevant to modern times. But, Leonid Gavrilov, from the Center on Aging at the University of Chicago, who wrote the study with his wife, Natalia Gavrilova, said the findings point to the importance of the environment in which a child is conceived and later grows. "We believe that avoiding any potential sources of damage to developing fetus and child may have significant effects on health in later life and longevity," Gavrilov said. "Childhood living conditions may have long-lasting consequences for health in later life and longevity." The researchers looked at 1,574 centenarians -- people who reached the age of 100 -- in the United States. They found that those people born between September and November had about a 40 percent higher chance of living to 100 than those born in March. Of course, the chances that people born in 1889-1895 would even reach the century mark was very low to begin with. Of those born in 1900 who were still alive at 50, just a third of 1 percent of men made it to 100, and just shy of 2 percent of women accomplished the feat, Gavrilov said. Why might month of birth -- or month of conception -- affect how long someone lives? One possibility is that seasonal diseases played a role, Gavrilov said. S. Jay Olshansky, a professor of public health at the University of Illinois at Chicago who's familiar with the findings, said the study is not newsworthy. "The results are probably valid, but largely irrelevant in our modern world since they apply to birth months from more than a century ago." Regardless of the month someone was born or conceived, the odds are slim that you'll live to be 100. "This prospect has been rising through the 20th century, but not dramatically," Olshansky said. At best, he said, "this research might offer a partial and extremely small explanation for a small fraction of why some people conceived and born more than a century ago lived for 100 years." What does all this mean for your chances of living to 100 if you were born around the fall or -- perhaps less luckily -- in March? Good question -- and one that won't be answered until people around your age start hitting the century mark. The study appeared in the Journal of Aging Research. For more about healthy aging, try the U.S. National Library of Medicine. SOURCES: Leonid Gavrilov, Ph.D., research associate, Center on Aging, University of Chicago; S. Jay Olshansky, Ph.D., professor, public health, University of Illinois at Chicago; 2011 Journal of Aging Research Copyright © 2013 HealthDay. All rights reserved. HealthDayNews articles are derived from various sources and do not reflect federal policy. healthfinder.gov does not endorse opinions, products, or services that may appear in news stories. For more information on health topics in the news, visit Health News on healthfinder.gov.

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|This is a measure of the brightness of a celestial object. The lower the value, the brighter the object, so magnitude -4 is brighter than magnitude 0, which is in turn brighter than magnitude +4. The scale is logarithmic, and a difference of 5 magnitudes means a brightness difference of exactly 100 times. A difference of one magnitude corresponds to a brightness difference of around 2.51 (the fifth root of 100). The system was started by the ancient Greeks, who divided the stars into one of six magnitude groups with stars of the first magnitude being the first ones to be visible after sunset. In modern times, the scale has been extended in both directions and more strictly defined. Examples of magnitude values for well-known objects are; |Sun||-26.7 (about 400 000 times brighter than full Moon!)| |Brightest Iridium flares||-8| |Venus (at brightest)||-4.4| |International Space Station||-2| |Sirius (brightest star)||-1.44| |Limit of human eye||+6 to +7| |Limit of 10x50 binoculars||+9| |Limit of Hubble Space Telescope||+30|

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- HHMI NEWS - SCIENTISTS & RESEARCH - JANELIA FARM - SCIENCE EDUCATION - RESOURCES & PUBLICATIONS noscripttags. Include a link to bypass the detection if you wish. Investigate the specks, flecks, and particles in the air—with airborne junk detectors you can easily make. Directions are in this activity from HHMI’s Cool Science for Curious Kids. Involve children in collecting leaves, rocks, and other natural items, and use the collections to teach children math and science skills. This resource from Oregon State University tells you what to do. Use the insect fact sheet in this middle school curriculum from Clemson University to help children identify and classify insects they might find outdoors. Taking a “virtual” field trip is almost as good as being outdoors. Explore a cove forest and a salt marsh with this program from Clemson University. The HHMI Bulletin is now available for your iPad—inspiring stories, beautiful art, and MORE. Read. Play. Listen. Learn about the innovative work of biomedical researchers and science educators worldwide supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Look for the FREE app in the iTunes App Store. What Is Cool Science? At Cool Science, we entertain questions of all kinds (Ask a Scientist). We encourage young scientists to get their hands dirty-virtually (Curious Kids). We offer high school and college students new approaches to cutting-edge science topics (BioInteractive). We provide educators with a host of innovative resources they can use in their classrooms (For Educators). We reveal what it takes to become a scientist (Becoming a Scientist). And we showcase an undergraduate science discovery project that may one day change the way science is taught (SEA). We invite you to explore the many cool features of Cool Science. Image: University of Washington Help children study plants and animals in local outdoor settings by adapting some of the activities from this curriculum developed by Oregon State University. Use these Yale University activities—which require simple, inexpensive, and easily obtainable materials—to help children learn about volcanoes, magnetism, and other topics. When it’s too hot to be outdoors, educators, older students, and parents can try their hand at this visual and motor test that involves learning a new motor skill. This activity is from HHMI’s Biointeractive.

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< Browse to Previous Essay | Browse to Next Essay > Seattle's Union Station re-opens as Sound Transit headquarters on October 16, 1999. HistoryLink.org Essay 7751 : Printer-Friendly Format On October 16, 1999, Seattle's historic Union Station is formally rededicated as the headquarters of the Sound Transit, the regional transit authority for King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. The building was restored and adapted as part of a larger project directed by Union Station Associates, LLC, a partnership between Paul Allen's Vulcan Inc. and Nitse-Stagen & Company, developer of the former Sears Building, among other projects. Union Station was built in 1911 as the Oregon & Washington Railroad Station to serve the Union Pacific Railroad and Milwaukee Road. Passenger rail service was consolidated in the nearby King Street Station by Amtrak in 1971, and Union Station was vacated except for occasional special events in its vast barrel-roofed waiting room. The facility was the subject of numerous studies for a possible "multi-modal" transportation center for rail, light rail, and bus services. This vision was partially realized with the opening of the adjacent International District Station of the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel in 1990. The voters of King, Pierce and Snohomish counties approved creation of a regional transportation agency, Sound Transit, and a $3.9 billion rail and bus plan on November 5, 1996. The board of Sound Transit agreed on June 19, 1998, to locate its executive offices in Union Station. Nitze-Stagen organized the $21-million project, which involved NBBJ as the interior architects, Ron Wright & Associates as the exterior architects, Baugh Construction Co. as the general contractor, Maria Barrientos as project manager for Sound Transit under ST Property Manager Jeri Cranney, and scores of artisans and craftspeople. The building re-opened on the evening of October 16, 1999, with a gala benefit for Historic Seattle and the release of a commemorative history prepared by History Ink. Shortly before the event, Sound Transit Board president Paul Miller commented, "We've asked how history will judge us. I see the restored Union Station as a symbol of the answer. We will be remembered by what we as an agency and we as a community can achieve. I believe that at the end of the next century, Union Station will stand as a tribute to a generation that stopped talking about the transportation problems that threaten our region and acted upon them." Walt Crowley and Heather MacIntosh, The Story of Union Station in Seattle (Seattle: History Ink for Sound Transit, 1999). Travel through time (chronological order): < Browse to Previous Essay Browse to Next Essay > Roads & Rails | Licensing: This essay is licensed under a Creative Commons license that encourages reproduction with attribution. Credit should be given to both HistoryLink.org and to the author, and sources must be included with any reproduction. Click the icon for more info. Please note that this Creative Commons license applies to text only, and not to images. For more information regarding individual photos or images, please contact the source noted in the image credit. Major Support for HistoryLink.org Provided By: The State of Washington | Patsy Bullitt Collins | Paul G. Allen Family Foundation | Museum Of History & Industry | 4Culture (King County Lodging Tax Revenue) | City of Seattle | City of Bellevue | City of Tacoma | King County | The Peach Foundation | Microsoft Corporation, Other Public and Private Sponsors and Visitors Like You

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The Battle of Noyon-Montdidier, 9-13 June 1918, was the fourth of General Erich von Ludendorff’s great offensives of the spring and summer of 1918 that came close to breaking the Allied lines on the western front, but instead critically damaged the fighting capacity of the German army. The first and third of those offensives (Second Battle of the Somme and Third Battle of the Aisne) had created two giant salients in the Allied lines. The Noyon-Montdidier offensive was designed to link these two saliants. This would straighten out the line and potentially threaten Paris. Two German armies – the Eighteenth under General Oskar von Hutier and the Seventh under General Max von Boehn were allocated to the attack. They were opposed by two French armies – the Third under General Georges Humbert and the Tenth under General Charles Mangin. The French also had access to American troops, who would play a part in defeating the offensive. The French had sufficient warning of the German attack. On 9 June the German Eighteenth Army attacked the French Third Army from the north. Its attack was disrupted by a French counter-bombardment, but was still able to make some progress, although not on the same scale as in the earlier offensives. The German Seventh Army joined the offensive on 10 June, attacking the French Tenth Army from the east. This attack failed to make any significant progress. The two armies were meant to meet at Compiègne, but only Hutier made any progress towards the rendezvous. On 11 June the French and Americans launched a counter attack which pushed the Germans back from their most advanced positions. On 13 June the battle came to an end. It was a clear German failure, and was a clear sign that the German army was wearing down. It would launch one more offensive, on the Marne in mid July, but that would soon be followed by the great Allied counterattacks that would push the German armies back towards the French border. ||Save this on Delicious| Help - F.A.Q. - Contact Us - Search - Recent - About Us - Subscribe in a reader |Subscribe to History of War| |Browse Archives at groups.google.co.uk|

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Standardized testing is a necessary part of admission to all types of pre-health programs. Each pre-health specialty has its own required examination. Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized, multiple-choice examination designed to assess the examinee's problem solving, critical thinking, writing skills, and knowledge of science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine. Scores are reported in Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences, Writing Sample, and Biological Sciences. Medical colleges consider MCAT scores as part of their admission process. Almost all U.S. medical schools require applicants to submit MCAT scores. Many schools do not accept MCAT scores that are more than three years old. Optometry Admission Test (OAT) The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) direct the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) for applicants seeking admission to schools and colleges of optometry. The testing program is designed to measure general academic ability and comprehension of scientific information. Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is a specialized test administered by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). The test helps identify qualified applicants to pharmacy colleges by measuring general academic ability and scientific knowledge necessary for the commencement of pharmaceutical education. Dental Admission Test (DAT) The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is conducted by the American Dental Association and has been in operation on a national basis since 1950. The DAT is administered on computer on almost any day of the year. The testing program is designed to measure general academic ability, comprehension of scientific information and perceptual ability. The GRE is the standardized exam required by most US veterinary schools and all masters in public health programs, physical therapy programs and occupational therapy programs. Most of these educational programs require only the general test, which is tailored to your performance level and provides precise information about your abilities using fewer test questions than traditional paper-based tests. The test measures verbal, quantitative and analytical reasoning skills that have been developed over a long period of time and are not necessarily related to any particular field. A few require the Writing assessment, which measures your proficiency in critical reasoning and writing. Additionally, a few veterinary schools require a subject test, which measures your achievement in specific subject areas and assume undergraduates have extensive background in those disciplines. Check the requirements for the schools to which you wish to apply. Test Preparation Links

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Analyzing Combustion Analyzers Just talking about CO can be confusing. Although the terms used in this article are defined in the sidebar (see “Terminology”), CO can be deadly, and so I want to emphasize the basic information. Test equipment can provide great information, but only if the operator understands what that information means. First, it is important to understand the difference between ambient carbon monoxide (CO) and CO air free or COAF (also known as CO undiluted and undiluted CO), which is a value calculated either manually or by the combustion analyzer. Ambient CO is the CO that is in the air that occupants breathe. Ambient CO should be measured and monitored during the entire building analysis in order to protect the health and safety of the occupants and the analysts. COAF is the CO that is present during the incomplete burning of the fuel in a combustion appliance. COAF comes from the combustion process and is generally measured before the exhaust gases have a chance to combine with dilution air introduced into the vent by a draft diverter. For most home assessments (including BPI), the probe of the analyzer must be inserted into the heating appliance exhaust air, before or upstream of the draft diverter, so that the CO will not have combined with dilution air. This will provide what BPI defines as an undiluted sample. The COAF value on the combustion analyzer should be used. Be certain to insert the probe in the correct location in the combustion appliance. Most of the product manuals describe how to accomplish this. Another serious issue that we should address is the effect of nitrogen oxides (primarily NO and NO2) on the COAF reading. The electrochemical sensors that are used in these devices are targeted for CO, but they can react with other gases, such as nitrogen oxides. This may generate an additive output, giving an elevated reading of CO. The Testo 327-1 described below has a nitrogen oxide filter built into it. Bacharach advises adding nitrogen oxide filter or NOx scrubber to the input, and one can be added to the UEI input hose as well. (See “Did This at Home” for more on the benefit of a NOx scrubber.) Combustion analyzers were developed for boiler and furnace technicians, who use the information to adjust the appliance properly, and the analyzers provide a great deal of information—most of which is not required by BPI, RESNET, or most weatherization protocols. This article focuses primarily on the COAF measurement capabilities of these analyzers. If you’re not a trained boiler or furnace technician, you should not be adjusting the performance of the appliance or passing information along to the homeowner that you don’t fully understand. Get the necessary COAF value and move on, and if you have doubts, record the CO, COAF, and oxygen values. A combustion analyzer represents a serious investment both in money and in the time it takes to learn how to use it. You can get a CO sample with a basic device like the Bacharach Monoxor III, which costs $515; and you can also get a CO sample with a combustion analyzer from Nova Analytical that costs $5,265 (a product not described here). Before you invest in any of these devices, you need to think about what information you need now, and what information you might need in the future. One other format note: I have used all upper case letters for control identification like ON/OFF or HOLD to differentiate control names from the article text. I have used italics for screen term identification like rEu X.XX or Adjust. (You can find a summary of information about each device I reviewed in Table 1.) Bacharach Monoxor III The Monoxor III is a simple device for measuring CO. It does not provide information on stack temperature, CO2, efficiency, or many of the other readings that are useful to a combustion appliance repair technician, but are not necessary for the majority of home assessment technicians. Unfortunately it does not provide an oxygen reading, so it cannot be used to calculate a COAF value. The Monoxor III is simple to set up. Install four AA batteries, connect the flue gas hose, check the water trap and filter assembly for pollutants, and turn the analyzer on (in fresh air). If the analyzer is set to Manual Zero, it takes 10 seconds to warm up (60 seconds if it’s set to Auto Zero). When the unit is turned on, the display screen will first read the software revision level as rEu X.XX, which is then replaced by a countdown, which is finally replaced by the CO screen reading in ppm. The ˆ (Up) and ˇ (Down) buttons are only used to calibrate the analyzer. The HOLD button freezes the display and stops the pump. The ENTER button restarts testing after the HOLD button has been pressed. The LIGHT button controls the backlight, and the I/O button turns the analyzer on and off. The Monoxor III will turn itself off after 20 minutes of keyboard inactivity unless the detected level of CO is above 50 ppm. The backlight automatically turns off after 10 minutes of keyboard inactivity. When the Monoxor III is used for testing ambient CO, the hose and probe assembly can be disconnected. Note that if the HOLD button has been pressed, there is no screen indication of the hold condition, but the pump will be off, saving the battery and making the unit quieter. But it won’t be taking readings. During a test, the analyzer should be held above the water trap and filter, keeping the trap in a vertical position to optimize its effectiveness. Flue gas condensate is acidic and very corrosive. It should remain in any of these analyzers for as short a time as possible. It is advisable to calibrate the Monoxor III every six months to ensure its accuracy. Cylinders of CO and a calibration kit can be purchased from Bacharach for this purpose, or the unit can be sent back to Bacharach. Note that calibration, CO sensor replacement, and pump replacement are all described in detail in the manual that comes with the analyzer. A NOx scrubber could (and in my opinion, should) be added to the hose to reduce elevated readings. This is a simple and basic unit that can provide an ambient CO value. Inserted in the proper place in the flue, it will provide a CO value but it will not be a COAF value. It is not ideal as a personal safety device because it has no alarms. But it may be a great starting place for a moderately priced way to take both required CO readings. An infrared printer is available from Bacharach, but the basic analyzer comes with a hard carrying case, hose, and manual. Bacharach Fyrite Tech60 The Tech60 measures these exhaust gas components: O2, stack temperature, ambient temperature, and CO. Then it uses that information to calculate steady-state combustion efficiency, CO2, excess air, and CO air free. It is a true starter combustion analyzer; it’s not meant to be used as an ambient CO monitor for personal safety. As the manual points out, “this analyzer does not have an audible alarm, and is not intended to be used as a safety device.” The input hose and the thermocouple connect to the bottom of the analyzer. On the front panel there are a two-line display and six control push buttons. These buttons turn the analyzer on and off, scroll up and down through the display screens, enter the run mode, toggle the backlight on and off, and hold or freeze the display. (The HOLD button will also turn off the pump.) For performing COAF analysis, the probe should be in fresh air when the analyzer is turned on, despite the confusing line in the instructions that says the “probe must be located in the area containing the burner’s combustion air supply,” by which they mean “fresh air.” If you choose to set the fuel, F1 displayed on the screen equals natural gas, F2 equals #2 oil, F3 equals propane, and F4 equals kerosene. After turning the analyzer on and allowing it to warm up in fresh air, insert the probe into the correct location on the combustion appliance to get the COAF reading. The accompanying manual provides graphics of a variety of appliances, showing where the probe should be inserted on each one. The display screen will display CO in ppm on the top line and percent O2 on the bottom line. Scrolling through the other display screens will provide stack temperature, efficiency, ambient temperature, and CO air free. When the test is finished, if the CO level is above 50 ppm, the analyzer will not turn off. The pump continues to run and the screen displays PUr6 CO (which looks sort of like purge CO) until the level drops below 50 ppm. The purging process can be bypassed by pressing the ON/OFF switch a second time. Like the Monoxor III, the Tech60 comes with complete instructions for calibrating and replacing the filter and sensors at the back of the manual. A NOx scrubber could be added to reduce elevated readings. Kits are available that include the infrared printer, hard case, and a protective rubber “boot” or sleeve. Did This at Home I tested the UEI C75 and the Testo 327-1 on my own oil-fired boiler. The majority of measurements from the two analyzers were very similar. The COAF readings differed, however. The Testo 327-1 measured 6 ppm and the UEI C75 measured 37 ppm CO. When I added a NOx scrubber to the UEI C75 hose, the CO reading dropped to 5 ppm, clearly indicating to me the need for the NOx scrubber. I have repeated these tests in other houses with the Bacharach combustion analyzer, and have had similar results. In my case, neither of the original readings posed a problem, but in other circumstances these variations could cause the appliance to be out of tolerance. At 26 ppm, for example, the BPI Building Analyst Standard states, “Recommend that the CO problem be fixed.” This might mean calling a service technician to service a problem that doesn’t exist, resulting in an unnecessary cost to the homeowner. The low additional cost of adding a NOx scrubber makes it prudent to do so. The UEI C75 combustion analyzer measures O2, CO, and flue temperature and uses that information to calculate CO2, steady-state combustion efficiency, CO air free, and the amount of excess air. The temperature sensor and the flue gas probe plug into sockets in the bottom of the analyzer. On the face of the unit, there are a two-line display, four buttons, and a selector dial. The buttons allow the operator to turn the unit on and off, toggle the backlight, use the optional printer, turn the internal pump on and off, and hold the readings. The analyzer in its protective covering is relatively heavy, and the pump is also somewhat noisy, but the pump can be shut off with the push of a button, although it won’t be taking readings when the pump is off. With the pump off, the C75 beeps occasionally to let you know that it is not able to do its job. Although this analyzer could be used to take ambient CO readings without its hose, it is a bit much to lug around. It does have strong magnets on the back of the covering that allow it to be attached to the side of most combustion appliances. An optional infrared printer is available. The selector dial allows the operator to read any of the parameters that the C75 can measure. In the case of basic energy audits, the dial can be set to O2/CO and the O2 and ambient CO or COAF can be clearly read. So charge up the batteries (or install four AAs), hook up the hose, check the particle filter and the water trap, turn the C75 on in ambient fresh air, select O2/CO on the dial, and take your readings. There are 20 memory slots in the software where the data can be stored. (Or you can just write it down!) Even though the information is not necessary for just measuring the CO level, it’s good practice to enter the type of fuel the appliance uses, so if the analyzer is being used for complete combustion analysis, it will be set up properly. Although the temperature sensor plug is polarized, it can easily be plugged in backward, which provides strange readings. Like the Bacharach units, the C75 could be fitted with a NOx scrubber to reduce elevated CO readings. As with any of these devices, it’s a good idea to become familiar with all the functions and controls and read the manuals before you get into a real testing situation. Standing in front of a roaring boiler and fumbling to turn the backlight on or off or storing the reading in one of the memory slots can be frustrating. The Testo 327 is a comprehensive combustion analyzer with a bundle of capabilities that must be understood to be appreciated. It will allow you to gather all the information necessary to perform diagnostic analysis on a combustion system. It’s an investment. It can measure draft pressure as well as CO. It can also provide stack temperature, percent CO2, percent efficiency, percent excess air, percent O2, ambient temperature, and delta temperature. The 327 is a solid-feeling device with strong magnets on the back of the case that allow it to be mounted on the side of most combustion appliances. The probes attach to connectors on the bottom of the analyzer. Along with the connectors there is a temperature sensor permanently mounted in a “cage,” and there are sockets for the flue gas probe, gas outlet, pressure input, and AC power input. The ON/OFF switch is on the top of the housing, and eight push buttons are located on the face. Three orange buttons have variable functions, with their functions displayed on different screens of the display. The ▲ (Up) and ▼ (Down) buttons scroll the display. There is a button to toggle the backlight on and off, a MENU button, and an ESC button to cancel an operation. With the analyzer fully charged, the probe needs to be connected before the 327 is switched on. The manual says, “Any connected probe must be in the open air during the zeroing phase! [emphasis theirs]” The zeroing or start-up process takes 30 seconds. Pushing the MENU button allows one to scroll through Measuring, Adjust, Setup, Mode, Fuel Select, and Diagnostic menus. Pushing the middle orange button under OK when Measuring is displayed moves to the next menu level, cycling through Flue Gas, Draft, CO-AirFree, Smoke/Oil, diff prs, Delta Temp, and Ambient CO. To measure the COAF, select Flue Gas and read the ppm CO-AF line. Here you can also choose the type of fuel; choices are Oil #2, Nat Gas, Bioheat5, Propane, Oil #5, Oil #6, Kerosene, or Wood. If you are only interested in COAF, you can use any of these fuels, because the CO level will be the same for any of them. The beauty of this is that if you are testing in a combustion appliance zone (CAZ) with a gas water heater and an oil-fired boiler, there is no need to change the settings. You can set up the display screen on the 327 so that the displays are in the sequence you want. For example, I have mine reading ºF T stac (stack temperature) first, then ppm CO, Pa draft, ppm CO-AF, %EFF, and then a bunch of other stuff. Performing a typical home energy assessment requires testing for CO in the ambient air and in the exhaust products of combustion. CO ambient is the CO that is present in the air that is not contained in the combustion equipment. It is the CO that the occupants are likely to be breathing. CO air free or CO-AF or COAF is a mathematical calculation of the amount of CO in a sample of air with the percent of oxygen removed. It is equal to CO ppm x ([20.9]/[20.9 – O2]) The combustion analyzers make that calculation after the operator takes a “clean-air” sample (generally outside). The COAF is the value that most combustion safety programs (including BPI) are looking for (along with the CO ambient value). An interesting feature of the 327 is the draft measurement process. A bar graph is displayed on the screen indicating the highest flue gas temperature corresponding to the highest draft rate. Moving the probe moves the line on the bar graph. The physical opening in the probe should be oriented across the flow to allow for maximum airflow across the sensor. All of this information can be printed out on the optional, infrared connected printer. The basic 327 comes with the analyzer, flue gas probe, and charger. Options include a hard case, IR printer, smoke pump, digital smoke spot meter, adapter for pressure readings, air temperature probe, flexible flue gas probe, and 9-foot hose extension. The Testo 327 is capable of providing a lot more information than just COAF. The instructions are based on German documents and don’t always clearly translate into English, but there is good information on the web, including instructional webinars from tool suppliers like TruTech Tools that specifically teach how to use the Testo 327. Testing for CO may be one of the most complicated tasks the building analyst faces. The four analyzers described in this article have been developed to do more complex things, like combustion analysis and system diagnostics and repair. The Monoxor III and the Fyrite Tech60 could also be used for ambient CO monitoring, but they don’t have alarms. The UEI C75 and the Testo 327 can also measure draft, supplementing the need for a second manometer. All of these devices work well and reliably (once you add the NOx scrubber to the ones that don’t have them). Just make sure that you understand the information they provide and how to use the equipment before you’re faced with a homeowner and a complicated combustion situation. Even the smartest equipment can provide useless information. - FIRST PAGE - PREVIOUS PAGE Enter your comments in the box below: (Please note that all comments are subject to review prior to posting.)

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Monsanto Canada recently reported that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has granted approval for its latest GM offering, the intriguingly named "refuge in a bag" Bt corn. With all the hype surrounding GM crops, it would be easy to dismiss this announcement as just another piece of press puff from the GM giant. But unfortunately this new development is actually something we need to keep a close eye on. As we have come to expect, the government has let the GM community police itself, leaving the companies that are peddling the new technology to regulate its use. First, it is important to understand what a "refuge" is when it comes to GM crops. Despite the fact that Animal Welfare Approved has blogged extensively on the many drawbacks and dangers of GM technology, the concept of "refuge" actually relates to a problem that we haven't covered in detail before -- namely the inevitable development of pest resistance to GM crops. The requirement for a "refuge" arose because it is widely accepted that pest insects will, over time, develop resistance to the crops that have been genetically modified to poison them. One would logically expect that if you expose a large number of pests to a single pesticide year after year, the survivors will eventually breed, leading in time to the emergence of a resistant population. This same process happens with GM crops -- it's simply that the GM crop has been genetically modified to express the thuringiensis (Bt) insecticide within its plant tissues, rather than the farmer spraying it on to the crops to control the pests. Indeed, the GM companies themselves admit that the development of resistance to their GM crops is inevitable, and the requirement for a "refuge" is promoted as an attempt to preserve the efficacy of the GM technology for as long as possible. So how does this "refuge" system work? Whenever farmers sow a field with GM crops they are required to plant a certain proportion of non-GM seeds of the same crop type in order to provide a safe place -- a so-called "refuge" -- so that some insects which are still susceptible to the insecticide can survive and breed. The idea is that these susceptible insects will breed with resistant insects, thereby slowing down the development of resistance among the pest population. If you don't plant the refuge area then the only insects that survive are those which have developed some resistance to the GM toxin expressed by the crops. If those resistant insects are the only ones that breed, then the entire population will quickly become resistant and the insect-resistant genetic modification will be worthless. Initially, farmers were required to sow 20 percent non-GM seed alongside 80 percent GM seed. But once the GM companies began "stacking" GM traits -- that is, incorporating more than one mode of insect protection and herbicide resistance together in the same crop -- the requirement dropped to 5 percent of non-GM crop to be grown with 95 percent GM. However, farmers were expected to follow strict guidelines on how the non-GM component was to be incorporated in their cropping plans. Farmers had the option of growing blocks of non-GM corn either within a particular field of GM crops or in an adjacent field. Alternatively, farmers could plant strips of non-GM seed within the GM crop, but the strips had to be at least four -- and preferably six -- rows wide. These blocks or strips then provided a clear non-GM "refuge" area. So what's the problem with Monsanto's "refuge in a bag" system? Well, the requirement for 5 percent non-GM corn is still there. But instead of the farmer having to buy different bags of GM and non-GM seed, and sow them separately, Monsanto has mixed the 5 percent non-GM seed in with the GM seed -- hence the "refuge in a bag." On the plus side, this means the farmer can't get out of planting the non-GM portion (which has been a problem in some states). But what happened to the block or strip of non-GM seed? Well, as the seeds are mixed up together, the non-GM plants now grow scattered throughout the crop, rather than in dedicated areas. So how will a significant population of non-resistant insects survive and breed over time on random single non-GM plants, rather than in dedicated areas? These thoughts have crossed the minds of others, too. Christian Krupke, an entomologist from the University of Purdue, has real concerns about Monsanto's "refuge in a bag" technology, namely that using such seed mixes can actually promote greater pest resistance. In a press release from Purdue Krupke says that: "The concern with refuge-in-a-bag, or seed mixes, has always been sub-lethal exposure with toxic plants and non-toxic plants standing side-by-side. You could have a young corn rootworm beetle larva emerge, feed on a toxic plant but not die, and then move over to a non-toxic plant and feed until reaching adulthood. The larva now has sub-lethal exposure to Bt. That's one of the ways that resistance can develop in an insect population more rapidly... It's that old adage that whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. We could be giving those larvae selective advantage in the long term. That was one of the reasons this technology wasn't embraced initially." Sub-lethal exposure works the other way, as well, Krupke explains. Larvae could feed on a refuge corn plant and become larger, then move to a Bt plant to continue eating. Because the larvae are larger, and it takes more Bt toxin to kill bigger insects, the larvae might not ingest enough toxin to die. Aside from Krupke, other published papers, such as Agi et al (2001) and Onstad et al (2011), also express reservations at the efficacy of "refuge in a bag" to ensure the survival of susceptible insects. Even the Environmental Protection Agency has released a report stating that it expects resistance to occur within 8.1 years for a 5 percent blended refuge, 11.3 years for a 10 percent blended refuge and 20.2 years for the 20 percent block refuge. So it would seem that Monsanto's "refuge in a bag" is also a "shot in the foot," as it will actually hasten the spread of resistance to Bt among the insect population. This obviously has huge implications for both GM and non-GM growers. Bt (or Bacillus thuringiensis) is a naturally occurring bacterium that produces proteins called endotoxins that act as a natural insecticide. As Bt is not a synthetic chemical product and it is very selective (it's only toxic to a very specific range of target pests) it is often used by organic growers. The spread of resistance to this natural pesticide -- a product that is selectively fatal to certain insects and non-toxic to just about everything else -- could cause real problems for growers who have never embraced GM technology, and certainly had no part in promoting resistance. So why would Monsanto promote a product that could actively reduce the efficacy of one of its GM seed lines? We've seen this time and again with other insecticide and pesticide products. Rather than encourage the sustainable use of pesticides, too often agrochemical companies seek only to maximize short-term sales and profits. Once insect or weed resistance begin to cause problems in the fields, the company can simply abandon it and roll out another "improved" product range -- and the whole process starts again. You can bet your bottom dollar that Monsanto will have the next GM crop with a built-in insecticide already in development. Besides, do you really think that Monsanto and the other Biotech companies are worried about creating problems for organic and other responsible growers, who rank among the most vociferous opponents of GM technology? Me neither. Agi, A. L., Mahaffey, J. S., Bradley, Jr. J. R., and Van Duyn, J.W. (2001) Efficacy of Seed Mixes of Transgenic Bt and Nontransgenic Cotton Against Bollworm, Helicoverpa zea Boddie. The Journal of Cotton Science 5:74-80 Onstad, D. W., Mitchell, P. D., Hurley, T. M., Lundgren, J. G., Porter, R. P., Krupke, C. H., Spencer, J. L., Difonzo, C. D., Baute, T. S., Hellmich, R. L., Buschman, L. L., Hutchison, W. D., and Tooker, J. F. (2011) Seeds of Change: Corn Seed Mixtures for Resistance Management and Integrated Pest Management. Journal of Economic Entomology 104(2)

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The age-old question of "What makes a good leader?" is making its latest debut on the education front in New York City. With all the recent developments regarding teacher evaluations, the discussion of principal evaluations has emerged. In order to improve education, every aspect of a school must be addressed -- including the principal. Principals, like any other type of leader, have a lot of responsibilities. The main job of a principal is to ensure that the students in their school are receiving an effective education, and they must do whatever it takes to ensure that that happens -- no excuses. What are the qualities of a great principal? 1) Providing constructive feedback to teachers At an event hosted by teacher group Educators 4 Excellence, 64 percent of teachers in the room said that their principals do not provide meaningful feedback. This is a scary statistic. As a student, I am constantly being evaluated and given feedback -- this is how I know where my weaknesses are, and how I can improve. Teachers need the same type of support from principals. 2) Accepting feedback from teachers, administrators, and students An effective leader must receive feedback from those they are leading -- and respect it. Being a principal should not be a solo job -- every part of the school community needs to speak up, and be heard. A principal needs to take both praise and criticism constructively. If something is going right, build on it. If something is going wrong, find out why, and fix it. 3) Being accessible and consistent A principal needs to be available to teachers, parents, and students as often as possible. A principal can't spend all their time cooped up in an office, or outside the school building, rather a balance of in the classrooms and in an office. A principal needs to be present to ensure that what is supposed to be happening is happening, and ready to address any concerns that may arise. 4) Facilitating meaningful communication and collaboration between teachers Communication is a fundamental concept across the board -- from personal things such as relationships to worldwide issues. A school is no exception -- the teachers and administrators must work together to improve classes, and the school as a whole. Students working together is no foreign concept. Group projects, peer tutoring, and other methods of student collaboration have existed for quite a while, and research has shown that this is beneficial for the students. Teachers can learn a lot from each other, even across the disciplines. Mr. Dimitri Saliani, principal of Eleanor Roosevelt High School, recognizes the importance of continued learning, even as an educator: "I pride myself on being a learner, not just an educator. Every teacher is a learner and has obviously enjoyed learning in their lifetime, hence their career choice, so I wondered how else we can learn from one another at ERHS." Mr. Saliani implemented a system that allowed teachers from all disciplines to attend his classroom visits with him -- regardless of the subject. I saw math teachers in my history class, history teachers in my science class, and so on. He concluded by stating, "It has invigorated the faculty and myself to learn from one another, to think about employing new teaching and learning strategies, and opened the door to new opportunities for collaboration." A great principal goes beyond the simple teacher meetings, and creatively develops innovative ways for teachers to collaborate. 5) A constant effort to innovate and improve A great principal knows that there is always room for improvement. A principal should wake up every morning and ask "How can I make my school better?" Principals need to be creative, and develop unique ways to engage the teachers and students. Principals must be willing to take risks sometimes -- a school cannot be run the same tried-and-true way forever. Evaluators: keep this in mind -- measure a principal not just using pre-established rubrics and methods -- but on creativity and innovation, two things that don't always end up on paper. A short, numbered list doesn't cover all the qualities of an effective principal -- a principal should have years of experience to complement the qualities I highlighted. In a release by Educators 4 Excellence, Evan Stone, Co-Founder and Co-CEO states, "As school leaders, principals play a key role in evaluating and supporting teachers and we need to make sure that they get fair and useful feedback that will ultimately benefit teachers and students." The bottom line is that in a school, everyone has a job to do, and everyone needs useful feedback in order to create the best learning environment possible. Principals are no exception. Everybody, speak up! Share your thoughts on what makes a great principal, and how principals should be evaluated.

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The tomato sector in Ghana has failed to reach its potential, in terms of attaining yields comparable to other countries, in terms of the ability to sustain processing plants, and in terms of improving the livelihoods of those households involved in tomato production and the tomato commodity chain. Despite government interventions that include the establishment of a number of tomato processing factories, tomatoes of the right quality and quantity for commercial agroprocessing are not being grown. Many farmers still prefer to plant local varieties, typically with a high water content, many seeds, poor color, and low brix. Land husbandry practices are often suboptimal. Average yields remain low, typically under ten tons per hectare. Because of production seasonality, high perishability, poor market access, and competition from imports, some farmers are unable to sell their tomatoes, which are left to rot in their fields. Yet other farmers in Ghana have achieved higher tomato yields, production is profitable, and many farmers in Ghana continue to choose to grow tomatoes over other crops. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

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Vol. 17 No. 25 SUMMARY OF THE NINTH MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE CONTRACTING PARTIES TO THE RAMSAR CONVENTION ON WETLANDS: 8-15 NOVEMBER 2005 The ninth meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP9) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was held from 8-15 November 2005, at the Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, Uganda. The theme of the Conference was “Wetlands and water: supporting life, sustaining livelihoods.” Nearly 1000 participants representing 120 Contracting Parties, as well as a number of observer states, UN agencies and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, attended the meeting. COP9, the first Ramsar COP held in Africa, adopted 25 resolutions on a wide range of policy, programme and budgetary matters, including: additional scientific and technical guidance for the implementation of the Ramsar wise use concept; engagement of the Convention in ongoing multilateral processes dealing with water; the Convention’s role in natural disaster prevention, mitigation and adaptation; wetlands and poverty reduction; cultural values of wetlands; and the emergence of avian flu. The COP also adopted the Convention’s budget and Work Plan for the 2006-2008 triennium, and reviewed its Strategic Plan 2003-2008. During COP9, there were two technical sessions on the wise use of wetlands in integrated water management and culture and knowledge in wetland management as well as an informal Ministerial Dialogue, organized by the Government of Uganda. Participating ministers adopted the Kampala Declaration, which emphasizes the role of the Convention in arresting continuing loss and degradation of wetland ecosystems. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE RAMSAR CONVENTION The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (also known as the Ramsar Convention) was signed in Ramsar, Iran, on 2 February 1971, and came into force on 21 December 1975. The Convention provides a framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. Originally emphasizing the conservation and wise use of wetlands primarily to provide a habitat for waterbirds, the Convention has subsequently broadened its scope to address all aspects of wetland conservation and wise use. This shift in focus reflects the increasing recognition of the importance of wetlands as ecosystems that contribute to both biodiversity conservation and human well-being. Wetlands cover an estimated nine percent of the Earth’s land surface, and contribute significantly to the global economy in terms of water supply, fisheries, agriculture, forestry and tourism. The Ramsar Convention is the only environmental treaty dealing with a particular ecosystem, and currently has 147 Parties. A total of 1524 wetland sites covering 129.2 million hectares are included in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. Parties to the Convention commit themselves to: designate at least one site that meets the Ramsar Criteria for inclusion in the Ramsar List and ensure maintenance of the ecological character of each Ramsar site; include wetland conservation within national land-use planning in order to promote the wise use of all wetlands within their territory; establish nature reserves on wetlands and promote training in wetland research and management; and consult with other Parties about Convention implementation, especially with regard to transboundary wetlands, shared water systems, shared species and development projects affecting wetlands. Contracting Parties meet every three years to assess progress in implementing the Convention and wetland conservation, share knowledge and experience on technical issues, and plan for the next triennium. In addition to the COP, the Convention’s work is supported by a Standing Committee, a Scientific and Technical Review Panel, and the Ramsar Bureau, which carries out the functions of a Secretariat. There have been eight meetings of the COP since the Convention’s entry into force: COP1 in Cagliari, Italy (24-29 November 1980); COP2 in Gröningen, the Netherlands (7-12 May 1984); COP3 in Regina, Canada (27 May-5 June 1987); COP4 in Montreux, Switzerland (27 June-4 July 1990); COP5 in Kushiro, Japan (9-16 June 1993); COP6 in Brisbane, Australia (19-27 March 1996); COP7 in San José, Costa Rica (10-18 May 1999); and COP8 in Valencia, Spain (18-26 November 2002). COP7: At COP7, delegates focused on the interrelations between human societies and wetland habitats. They considered the Convention’s implementation in each region and adopted 30 resolutions and four recommendations on policy, programme and budgetary issues. In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ramsar Bureau and the UNESCO World Heritage Center. COP8: With over 1000 participants, COP8 was the largest COP in the Convention’s history. Focusing on “Water, wetlands, life and culture,” delegates adopted more than 40 resolutions addressing policy, technical, programme and budgetary matters, including wetlands and agriculture, climate change, cultural issues, mangroves, water allocation and management, and the Report of the World Commission on Dams. They also approved the Convention’s budget and Work Plan for 2003-2005, and its Strategic Plan for 2003-2008. The opening ceremonies for the ninth Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP9) to the Ramsar Convention were held on Tuesday evening, 8 November 2005. Antonio Fernandez de Tejada, representing Spain, COP8’s host country, handed over the Ramsar flag to Kahinda Otafiire, the Ugandan Minister of Lands, Water and the Environment. Commending the Government of Uganda for hosting the first Ramsar COP in Africa, Fernandez de Tejada drew delegates’ attention to new challenges facing the Convention and called for boosting international cooperation for the conservation of wetland ecosystems. Otafiire outlined Uganda’s progress towards conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, and assured delegates that the theme of COP9 and the aims of the Convention would be upheld during the Conference. Highlighting the findings of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA), Ramsar Secretary General Peter Bridgewater noted that the rate of wetland degradation surpasses that of other ecosystems, and outlined two major tasks for the Conference: identifying problems and promoting the Convention. He stressed the need to balance the desire to add more sites to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance with ensuring their representativeness and effective management. He called for synergies among biodiversity-related conventions, better environmental governance frameworks and capacity building. Bakary Kante, Director, Division of Environmental Conventions, UNEP, delivered an address on behalf of UNEP Executive Director Klaus Töpfer. He highlighted: enhanced cooperation between UNEP and the Ramsar Convention; wetlands’ contribution to poverty reduction, disaster prevention and mitigation; and opportunities created by market approaches to ecosystem services. Speaking on behalf of Ramsar’s International Organization Partners (IOPs), Achim Steiner, Director General, the World Conservation Union (IUCN), congratulated Uganda on its achievements in wetland conservation and called for greater coherence among multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) and broader stakeholder engagement. A civil society representative reported on the Civil Society Forum held on 4 November 2005. She stressed the importance of wetlands for poverty reduction and their ability to provide support services for sustaining livelihoods. She also proposed developing legally binding mechanisms to hold Parties responsible for arrears in annual dues payments, and called on Parties to make information accessible to civil society organizations and local communities. Speaking on behalf of donor countries, Kathelyne Craenen (Belgium) noted that wetland conservation continues to be a lower priority on the donor agenda. She requested that wetlands be put on national and international investment agendas and called on Parties to advocate for the wise use of wetlands and their resources. Youth representatives presented their concerns and proposals, asking delegates to ensure that information is easy to understand and to remember that youth will be impacted by COP9 decisions. Philippe Jacob, Secretary General, Danone Group, presented the triennial Ramsar Wetland Conservation Awards in the categories of science, management, and education, respectively to: Shuming Cai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China; SH. A. Nezami Baloochi, Department of Environment, Province of Gilan, Iran; and a shared award between Reiko Nakamura, Ramsar Centre, Japan and the Wetlands Centre, Australia. On Wednesday morning, 9 November, Antonio Fernandez de Tejada, Spain, officially opened COP9, inviting delegates to consider the agenda and other organizational matters. Delegates elected Kahinda Otafiire (Uganda) as COP9 President, and Tony Slatyer (Australia) and Flavio Cházaro (Mexico) as Vice-Presidents. Delegates adopted the agenda without amendment (COP9 Doc. 1, Rev. 2), and the rules of procedure (COP9 Doc. 2), with minor amendments. The COP then established a Credentials Committee comprised of delegates from each of the six Ramsar regions, namely: Benin (Africa), Thailand (Asia), Switzerland (Europe), Peru (the Neotropics), Canada (North America), and New Zealand (Oceania). Delegates also established a Finance Committee, chaired by Trevor Swerdfager (Canada), with, Albania, Algeria, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, China, Colombia, Japan, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, the Russian Federation, Switzerland, the UK, and the US designated as members. The Secretariat noted that the Committee is open to all Parties and observers. President Otafiire presented the list of registered observers (COP9 Doc. 31), stating this list would remain open as new observers are registering daily. Argentina objected to registering the UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum as UK-based, as this non-governmental organization (NGO) relates to the Falkland/Malvinas, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and rejected all references to these as UK territories. The UK reiterated its position on the sovereignty of the Islands. REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE AND THE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL REVIEW PANEL On Wednesday, Gordana Beltram (Slovenia), Standing Committee Chair, presented the report on the Committee’s work during the 2003-2005 triennium (COP9 Doc. 3), highlighting work related to: preparation for COP9; review of work by the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP); financial matters relating to the implementation of the Convention; and creating synergies between the Convention and other MEAs. She called for greater attention to social and economic considerations related to wetland ecosystems in the Committee’s future work. The report was adopted with minor amendments. Max Finlayson (Australia), STRP Chair, presented the report on the STRP’s work during the 2003-2005 triennium (COP9 Doc. 4). In providing technical advice for COP9, Finlayson highlighted the Panel’s work in preparing the following documents: additional scientific and technical guidance for implementing the Ramsar wise use concept (COP9 DR1); a Conceptual Framework for Ramsar’s wise use concept (Annex A); a revised Strategic Framework and Guidelines for further development of the List of Wetlands of International Importance (Annex B); an Integrated Framework for Ramsar’s water-related guidance (Annex C); ecological “outcome-oriented” indicators for assessing the Convention’s implementation effectiveness (Annex D); and an Integrated Framework for wetland inventory, assessment and monitoring (Annex E). During the ensuing discussions, countries expressed general support for the frameworks prepared by the STRP. They also agreed to establish a contact group to consider Annexes A and B of the resolution on additional scientific and technical guidance for implementing the Ramsar wise use concept (COP9 DR1). REPORT OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL On Wednesday, Secretary General Bridgewater reported on the implementation of the Convention at the global level over the 2003-2005 triennium (COP9 Doc. 5 and Doc. 6) and highlighted the prospect of reaching 160 Contracting Parties by COP10. Bridgewater noted that the Secretariat has managed to balance the Convention’s budget since COP8, but underscored the need to work “smarter, not harder” in the 2006-2008 triennium. Noting that 110 Parties had submitted national reports, a smaller number than desired, he stressed the need to simplify the national reporting format and continue regular communication between the Secretariat and Parties. On the Strategic Plan 2003-2008, Bridgewater highlighted the need to focus on key issues in order to increase the percentage of attainable targets. He also highlighted six imperatives extracted from Parties’ national reports: understanding new international institutional frameworks and how Ramsar fits into them; reinforcing and developing the Convention’s strong scientific basis; effectively managing the List of Wetlands of International Importance; promoting integrated management approaches; developing a communication, education and public awareness (CEPA) programme that responds to the needs of local people; and ensuring the Convention is effectively managed intersessionally through the Standing Committee and the Secretariat. REGIONAL OVERVIEWS OF IMPLEMENTATION Delegates reviewed implementation of the Convention and draft resolutions on the COP9 agenda in regional group meetings held on Thursday, 10 November. On Friday evening, 11 November, the groups met to approve appointments to the Standing Committee. AFRICA: Chaired by Fanuel A. Demas (Namibia), the Africa Regional Group’s discussions focused on making the most of the first Ramsar COP held in Africa. Ghana urged Parties to strengthen the region’s position and representation by fulfilling their credential requirements and paying their dues, as the region has the largest outstanding portion, and participating in the STRP and other Committees. On the draft resolutions, delegates called for inclusion of Africa-focused proposals in several resolutions, including on: engagement in multilateral processes on water; natural disaster prevention; and the Ramsar Endowment Fund. Regarding Ramsar sites no longer meeting criteria for listing, the Secretariat noted that, as drafted, more than half of the African Ramsar sites may be removed from the List with possible contractual ramifications for Parties. THE AMERICAS: The Americas Regional Group, chaired by John Bowleg (Bahamas), reviewed regional positions on several draft resolutions. On scientific and technical aspects, Peru, supported by Canada, opposed language on water rights. Several delegates expressed concern with the draft resolution on [transboundary] [transnational] Ramsar sites, citing, inter alia, sovereignty issues. On natural disaster prevention, Cuba suggested language referring to the impact of extreme climactic events and the US emphasized pre-disaster management and prevention. The group opposed the draft resolution on wetlands of the Antarctic proposed by Switzerland. ASIA: The Asia Regional Group, co-chaired by Yasaman Rajabkhah Shalmany (Iran) and Djismun Kasri (Indonesia) considered various draft resolutions. On the revised Strategic Framework and guidelines for future development of the List of Wetlands of International Importance, one delegate noted that the guidelines should not deviate from national laws. The group approved the suggested amendments concerning ecological indicators. On designation and management of [transboundary] [transnational] Ramsar sites, delegates could not form a common position on use of terms “transboundary” or “transnational.” On streamlining the implementation of the Strategic Plan, many countries said its targets are unrealistic. Regarding the revised modus operandi of the STRP, several Parties suggested country rotation in selecting experts. Many countries supported the Convention’s work on wetlands and poverty reduction and natural disaster prevention. Regarding an information text on managing wetlands and waterbirds in response to avian flu, some countries said the focus should be on waterbirds only, while others noted that some of the recommendations in the text are beyond the scope of the Convention. On Friday morning, 11 November, the group considered financial and budgetary matters. Several Parties underscored the need for a strong Secretariat and adequate budget to implement the Strategic Plan. Parties also highlighted the need for mechanisms to resource the Small Grants Fund (SGF) and to fund regional projects. EUROPE: Europe Regional Group Chair Gordana Beltram (Slovenia) opened the discussions on draft resolutions. On cultural values of wetlands, delegates favored recognizing cultural values in addition to the already established ecological character in identifying Wetlands of International Importance. The group supported the draft resolution on natural disaster prevention. Delegates also discussed priorities for the STRP’s programme of work for 2006-2008, noting that immediate priority tasks should be covered by the STRP’s core budget. The group also supported the revised draft resolution proposed by Switzerland on synergies between the Convention and the Antarctic Treaty, welcoming its extension to address the Arctic region. OCEANIA: Navu Kwapena (Papua New Guinea) chaired the Oceania Regional Group, represented by Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji as an observer. Parties’ discussions included cultural criteria, national reporting, avian flu, and the wetlands of the Antarctic. Two technical sessions were held in parallel on Saturday afternoon, 12 November, to share experiences and views on the wise use of wetlands in integrated water management and culture and knowledge in wetland management. On Monday, 14 November, delegates heard reports of the technical sessions presented by Kemi Awoyinka, Wetlands International, and Tobias Salathé, Ramsar Secretariat. WISE USE OF WETLANDS IN INTEGRATED WATER MANAGEMENT: Deputy Secretary General Nick Davidson briefed participants on Ramsar-related outcomes of the 13th session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-13). Steve Mitchell, South Africa, presented Southern and Eastern Africa’s experience in integrated water resources management (IWRM). Mamoru Shigemoto, Japan, described actions to rehabilitate wetlands in the Tokyo Bay through application of IWRM and integrated coastal zone management approaches. On the EU Water Framework Directive, Bart Fokkens (the Netherlands) highlighted its complementarity and mutual supportiveness with Ramsar, while Gerhard Sigmund (Austria) outlined the situation in Austria and the Danube River basin. On managing water for wetlands and agriculture, David Molden, International Water Management Institute (IWMI) highlighted food security and water resources linkages and the challenges faced in achieving poverty alleviation targets. Ger Bergkamp (IUCN) outlined research on determining values of wetland ecosystems and how to incorporate these values into decision making. CULTURE AND KNOWLEDGE IN WETLAND MANAGEMENT: Secretary General Bridgewater stressed that it is more important to use culture in the management and wise use of wetlands than to use it as a criterion for site designation. Thymio Papayannis, Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Anthropos, reviewed activities of the Mediterranean Wetlands (MedWet) Cultural Working Group and, discussing changing cultural landscapes, noted loss of traditional activities. He emphasized incorporating cultural aspects into wetland management, while respecting social specificity of culture. Traditional elders from the Paroo River area in Australia highlighted aboriginal values identified in a cultural mapping project and the importance of building relationships among relevant stakeholders. Sansanee Choowaew, Thailand, emphasized a culture-based approach to managing wetlands, and highlighted, inter alia, joint efforts between temples and local communities, and marking temples as wildlife refuges. Mónica Herzig, Mexico, highlighted local community involvement in the planning process, and said culture is a broad term and a systematic approach has yet to be developed. Maria José Viñals, Spain, discussed progress made in the Mediterranean region for incorporating cultural values in wetland management through: restoring cultural heritage; increasing wetland awareness; conserving cultural landscapes; and valuing cultural tradition. During the course of COP9, delegates heard several special presentations on wetland-related issues and activities. ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF UGANDA: Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni addressed the COP on Monday afternoon, 14 November. President Museveni highlighted threats to wetland ecosystems, which cover 13 percent of the country’s land area and include the headwaters of the River Nile, and outlined possible solutions. He identified as threats: deforestation and silting of wetland ecosystems; conversion of wetlands into agricultural lands, including pastures, farms and rice paddies; international environmental NGOs for their opposition to energy plans, which he said leads to over-reliance on firewood; and predominance of the rural population and agriculture in Uganda. He noted as solutions: universal education; reafforestation programmes, which generate income for local communities; electrification through hydro, geothermal and solar energy projects; and industrialization. MILLENNIUM ECOSYSTEM ASSESSMENT: On Saturday, 12 November, Rebecca D’Cruz, Synthesis Team Co-Chair, presented the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) synthesis report on “Ecosystems and Human Well-Being: Wetlands and Water.” She stressed that ecosystem services are vital to human well-being, lamenting that many of these services are overused, mismanaged or degraded, and highlighted policy choices available to reduce wetland degradation while maintaining benefits. Distinguishing between free and economically valued services, she said many of the social and economic benefits have not been taken into account by decision makers. She said economic instruments promote conservation and wise use, and noted difficulties in valuation due to differing cultural values. Noting accelerated wetland degradation, D’Cruz highlighted a reduction of human well-being, especially in developing countries, coupled with an increased demand for wetland services. She said policy decisions must address trade offs between current and future use, and emphasized cross sectoral and ecosystem approaches. She noted the report would help set the future agenda for Ramsar, and could be used to raise awareness on wetlands. WETLAND CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE IN UGANDA: On Wednesday, 9 November, Paul Mafabi, Uganda National Wetlands Programme, provided an overview of wetland conservation and sustainable use over the last 15 years in Uganda, noting that wetland management began with a ban on wetland drainage. He said that wetland issues were incorporated into a poverty eradication plan in 2000, and that a wetlands sector strategic plan was created in 2001. In describing current achievements, Mafabi highlighted: an increased level of awareness; best use practices; creation of policy and legal frameworks; and the creation of inventories, which have provided vital information for decision making. Mafabi also highlighted specific challenges for wetland policy, including the need to improve enforcement mechanisms. He underscored the need to: develop a solid knowledge base; create political and public interest by using the right arguments; build capacity at all levels for implementation; and adopt realistic policies and laws. Mafabi closed by highlighting the importance of ensuring institutional sustainability, and stressed that wetland ecosystems can play a vital role in peoples’ livelihoods and contribute to their income, and that wetland ecosystem services can “pay their own way.” COP9 delegates considered 27 draft resolutions beginning on Wednesday, 9 November. These resolutions were submitted by Parties or prepared in advance by the Standing Committee and the STRP. Twenty-five draft resolutions were adopted by the conclusion of the meeting on Tuesday, 15 November. The draft resolution on wetlands of the Antarctic was withdrawn, and the draft resolution on [transnational] [transboundary] Ramsar sites was deferred to COP10. The following is a summary of the resolutions, including highlights of the negotiations and substantive amendments. Unless otherwise mentioned, the resolutions were adopted during the closing plenary on Tuesday, 15 November. ADDITIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL GUIDANCE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE RAMSAR WISE USE CONCEPT: On Wednesday, 9 November, STRP Chair Max Finlayson (Australia), introduced the Panel’s main outputs contained in the draft resolution on additional scientific and technical guidance for implementing the Ramsar wise-use concept and its Annexes A-E (COP9 DR1, Annexes A-E), concerning various aspects of this guidance. Following extensive discussions in plenary, a contact group on Annexes A and B was established, and informal consultations were held on Annexes C, D and E. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin’s coverage of these discussions can be found at: http://www.iisd.ca/vol17/enb1720e.html; http://www.iisd.ca/vol17/enb1722e.html; http://www.iisd.ca/vol17/enb1723e.html; and http://www.iisd.ca/vol17/enb1724e.html. Conceptual Framework for the wise use of wetlands and their ecological character: The COP considered Annex A of the draft resolution in plenary on Wednesday, establishing a contact group, which convened throughout the COP to reach consensus on the issue of ecological character. On Saturday, 13 November, in the contact group, delegates discussed ecosystem services and whether to refer to ecosystem “services” or “benefits.” The contact group updated definitions of “ecological character,” “change in ecological character of wetlands,” and “wise use.” Delegates reached consensus on these definitions. The COP considered and adopted Annex A with amendments to wetland ecosystem terminology including “ecosystem benefits/services,” as well as the deletion of the MA table on ecosystem benefits. Strategic Framework and guidelines for the list of Wetlands of International Importance: The COP considered Annex B on Wednesday, and a contact group was established. In the contact group on Friday, several Parties examined Criterion 1 for designating Ramsar sites, and debated whether to add a new criterion on cultural values, with most opposing. On Saturday, delegates suggested using the term “near” instead of “most” natural wetlands, and on Monday, after lengthy debates, delegates reached compromise text regarding artificial wetlands. An integrated framework for the Ramsar Convention’s water-related guidance: On Tuesday, 15 November, the Secretariat introduced Annexes C, Ci and Cii, which contain an integrated framework and guidelines for the Convention’s water-related ecosystems. The COP adopted the annexes with minor amendments. Ecological “outcome-oriented” indicators for assessing the implementation effectiveness of the Ramsar Convention: On Tuesday, 15 November, the Secretariat introduced Annex D, containing suggested amendments following informal discussions with interested Parties raised in the plenary session under Agenda item IX (Report of the STRP Chair). The COP adopted the annex as amended. An integrated framework for wetland inventory assessment and monitoring: On Tuesday, 15 November, the Secretariat introduced Annexes E and Ei containing a framework and guidelines for the rapid assessment of inland, coastal and marine wetland biodiversity. The COP adopted the annexes without amendment. Final Resolution: In this final resolution, the COP: The final text of Annex A requests the STRP to report to COP10 on the harmonization of definitions and terms related to ecosystem benefits/services. The definition of ecological character, including the phrase “at a given point in time,” underscores that the concerned Party provide the ecological character of a site at the time of designation to the List. A change in ecological character of a listed site should be assessed against the baseline status presented in the Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS) and the time of designation for the List. “Ecological character” is defined as the human-induced adverse alteration of any ecosystem component, process and/or ecosystem benefit/service. Annex B defines wetlands using Article 1.1 of the Convention, which includes artificial ones. It highlights artificial Ramsar sites as having international importance for biodiversity. It notes, however, this should not justify the destruction or modification of “near-natural” wetlands. The annex also states that a wetland should be considered of international importance if it has a unique example of a “near” natural wetland type or if it regularly supports one percent of the population of a wetland-dependent non-avian animal species. Annex C and its appendices contain an Integrated Framework for the Convention’s water-related guidance, with additional guidance on the analysis of case studies in river basin management and guidelines for the management of groundwater to maintain the ecological character of wetlands. Annex D contains seven initial ecological “outcome-oriented” indicators for assessing the implementation effectiveness of selected aspects of the Convention. The approach is outlined as part of the integrated updating of monitoring and reporting processes under the Convention, including the intention to simplify the National Report Format for COP10. The initial indicators are: The annex also outlines indicators recommended for further consideration by the STRP. Annex E outlines an Integrated Framework for wetland inventory assessment and monitoring and Guidelines for the rapid assessment of inland, coastal and marine wetland biodiversity, and were prepared by the STRP and the Secretariat, and developed jointly for the Convention and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) under the CBD/Ramsar Third Joint Work Plan and in response to the Ramsar Strategic Plan 2003-2008 and CBD COP6 Decisions VI/5 on inland waters and VI/6 on marine and coastal biological diversity. FUTURE IMPLEMENTATION OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THE CONVENTION: This draft resolution (COP9 DR2) was first considered in plenary on Thursday, 10 November. The Secretariat introduced the draft resolution, noting that the STRP has identified its immediate and high priority tasks as contained in Annex 1, explaining that all tasks would be consolidated with those agreed under the revised Strategic Plan 2003-2008 into the Work Plan for 2006-2008. The EU requested inclusion of inland waterways in Annex 1. Regarding Annex 2 on a schedule of actions for scientific and technical implementation of the Convention 2006-2011, Argentina requested removing reference to the defense and military sector. Delegates debated whether the task on wetlands and agriculture should be made an immediate priority. Final Resolution: In this final resolution (COP9 DR2 Rev.1), the COP approves the immediate and high priority actions for the STRP for 2006-2008 and the schedule of actions for scientific and technical implementation of the Convention for 2006-2011. The COP requests the Secretariat to consolidate these actions and the schedule with the annex to the revised Strategic Plan 2003-2008 to form the Convention’s Work Plan 2006-2008. The COP also urges Parties, donors, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), IOPs, national NGOs, and others to use this programme in deciding priorities for their financial and other support towards the future scientific and technical implementation of the Convention. ENGAGEMENT OF THE CONVENTION IN ONGOING MULTILATERAL PROCESSES DEALING WITH WATER: On Thursday, Bridgewater introduced the draft resolution (COP9 DR3), stressing that it does not seek to transform Ramsar into a Convention on water but rather a Convention that understands its role in addressing water issues. He also noted the relevance of Ramsar’s work to the ongoing implementation cycle on water, sanitation and human settlements under the CSD, and the upcoming Fourth World Water Forum. In the ensuing discussions, the resolution received broad support. Japan cautioned against exceeding the scope of the Convention. A reference to the Global Water Partnership in the preamble was proposed, and lack of data on wetland ecosystems’ demand for water was highlighted. The COP considered and adopted the draft resolution on Tuesday with several editorial amendments and the addition of reference to “an ecosystem approach” in IWRM. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin’s coverage of these discussions can be found at: http://www.iisd.ca/vol17/enb1721e.html. Final Resolution: In the final resolution (COP9 DR3 Rev.2), the COP affirms that the conservation and wise use of wetlands is critical for the provision of water for people and nature, and that wetlands are a source of, and depend on, water. It calls on Parties to bring Ramsar’s water-related resolutions and guidelines to the attention of water management authorities for their integration into national IWRM plans. The resolution instructs the Ramsar Secretariat to cooperate with the Fourth World Water Forum Secretariat and other relevant global and regional water initiatives to ensure that wetland ecosystems goods and services are recognized as a key element for effective management of water resources while maintaining the ecosystem functioning of wetlands. It further instructs the Secretariat to provide input to the CSD at its session in 2008, and report thereon to COP10. CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF FISH RESOURCES: During informal consultations on this issue (COP9 DR4) on Thursday and Friday, several Parties requested amendments to references concerning ecologically damaging fishing gear and practices. Some delegates highlighted the lack of accurate data on fisheries in wetland ecosystems and others urged greater assistance of IOPs in such data collection. The contact group agreed on a revised resolution, which was presented during the closing plenary on Tuesday and adopted by the COP. Final Resolution: In this final resolution (COP9 DR4 Rev.1), the COP acknowledges that “fisheries resources” instead of “fish” are a vital source of food and income and can assist in the further reduction of poverty. This term was replaced throughout the text of the resolution. It confirms that this resolution covers issues in inland, coastal, and marine wetland fisheries within the scope of Article 1 and Ramsar sites within the scope of Articles 1 and 2.1 of the Convention. It further: SYNERGIES WITH OTHER BIODIVERSITY-RELATED PROCESSES: On Friday, the Secretary General introduced the draft resolution (COP9 DR5). Many delegates welcomed national reporting synergies, some proposing common modules and formats, and one urging synergies for indicators, data collection and information sharing. Delegates debated which international processes and institutions the Secretariat should collaborate with. An informal group was established to consolidate amendments. On Tuesday, the Secretariat outlined the amendments to the revised draft resolution, explaining that its annex had been changed to an information document (COP9 Doc. 32). The US stipulated harmonization of national reporting should be subject to the mandate of each individual Convention, and Parties agreed that the Secretariat liaise with the UNFCCC and UNCCD Joint Liaison Group. The COP adopted the resolution with these amendments. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin’s coverage of these discussions can be found at: http://www.iisd.ca/vol17/enb1722e.html. Final Resolution: In this final resolution (COP9 DR5 Rev.1), the COP requests the Secretary General to: It further urges Parties to develop means at the national level of improving the liaison between the Convention’s administrative authorities and focal points for other related conventions and agreements and to report to the Secretariat on progress in harmonizing information management and reporting. [TRANSBOUNDARY] [TRANSNATIONAL] RAMSAR SITES: On Friday, the Secretariat introduced the draft resolution (COP9 DR6), noting that historically it has been the Parties’ prerogative to designate Wetlands of International Importance in their territories only. Delegates could not reach consensus on use of terms “transboundary” versus “transnational,” and agreed during the plenary session on Monday to further consider the issue at COP10 and, in the meantime, consult with IUCN on legal, immigration and other implications of establishing transboundary sites. GUIDANCE FOR ADDRESSING RAMSAR SITES OR PARTS OF SITES WHICH NO LONGER MEET THE CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATION: This agenda item (COP9 Doc. 15) was introduced on Friday, 11 November, with a draft resolution (COP9 DR7) prepared by the Secretariat. Malawi called for assistance and measures to rehabilitate sites, rather than simply deleting them. On Monday, delegates considered the revised draft resolution and adopted it with a reservation by India that the resolution’s guidance should not impinge on the sovereign rights of a Contracting Party. Final Resolution: In the final resolution (COP9 DR7 Rev.1), the COP adopts the guidance contained in the annex to the resolution on addressing issues of Ramsar sites or parts of sites that cease to fulfill or never fulfilled the criteria for designation. The COP requests Contracting Parties to apply the guidance and procedures set out in the annex when contemplating the deletion of a site from the List of Wetlands of International Importance. The resolution urges Contracting Parties to provide developing countries with assistance, including capacity building, in order to help reverse the factors leading to consideration of deletion or restriction of a site. It also instructs the Secretariat, with the advice of the STRP, to report to COP10 on these matters, and urges Parties to provide the Secretariat with information on their experiences and lessons learned in their application of this resolution. REGIONAL INITIATIVES IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE RAMSAR CONVENTION: On Wednesday, several Parties highlighted the importance of regional initiatives in the implementation of the Convention (COP9 DR8). Iran highlighted the role of the newly established Central and West Asia Regional Center. On Friday, the Secretariat introduced a revised draft resolution, amended with comments received from Parties. Several Parties requested references to specific initiatives, inter alia: the Plata Basin Initiative, the High Andean Initiative, the Nile Basin Initiative, and the Black Sea Wetlands Initiative. Nepal requested the Secretariat to further develop the Himalayan Initiative for COP10. On financial implications, the EU requested clarification on the purpose of funding, India called for additional financial and budgetary support, and the Secretariat expressed concern over lack of resources for new initiatives, noting core budget funds could “kick start” some initiatives. On Tuesday, the plenary adopted the resolution with several amendments. Final Resolution: In the final resolution (COP9 DR8 Rev.2), the COP endorses seven regional initiatives listed in Annex I.A, and recognizes the potential of four others contained in Annex I.B, which are subject to further development and consideration by COP10. It agrees to contribute financial support for seven regional initiatives listed in Annex I.C in the 2006-2008 triennium, and authorizes the Standing Committee to approve intersessionally qualifying initiatives that have zero implications for the Convention’s core budget. The resolution also renews its cooperation with the Government of Greece on its hosting the MedWet Coordination Unit in Athens, and adopts the budget for the operation of the MedWet Committee and Coordination Unit, as contained in Annex II of the resolution. STREAMLINING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN OF THE CONVENTION 2003-2008: On Thursday, the Secretary General introduced the draft resolution (COP9 DR9), noting it provides a basis for the Secretariat and the Standing Committee to test a new approach in setting up priorities for the 2006-2008 Work Plan. Delegates stressed targets should be realistic and recognize Parties’ abilities and limited resources. They highlighted: the need to simplify the Plan for better monitoring at regional and national levels; setting clear directions for all organizations working on wetland conservation; new ways to develop future strategic plans; and use of the Plan as guidance for prioritizing implementation at the national level. On Tuesday, the Secretariat introduced the revised draft, noting the annexed Framework will undergo review, editing and change during the 2006-2008 triennium. The EU proposed language specifying the Framework is a “working tool” and that the Standing Committee will carry out the review. New Zealand called for design of a simplified COP10 national reporting format harmonized with other relevant conventions and agreements. Delegates debated including as a Key Result Area assessment of the UNFCCC implementation on wetlands, agreeing this would be considered by the Standing Committee. The COP adopted the resolution with these amendments. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin’s coverage of these discussions can be found at: http://www.iisd.ca/vol17/enb1721e.html. Final Resolution: In the final resolution (COP9 DR9 Rev.1), the COP accepts the annexed Framework for the implementation of the Convention’s Strategic Plan 2003-2008 in the 2006-2008 period. The resolution instructs the Standing Committee to: develop and implement a comprehensive, inclusive process for development of the 2009-2014 Strategic Plan for COP10; use the Framework to design a simplified COP10 National Report Framework, taking into account the resolution on synergies with other conventions and collaboration and harmonization of national reporting, and urges Parties, the Standing and STRP Committees, the Secretariat and IOPs to use the 2003-2008 Strategic Plan and its appendices as a renewed challenge to promote, implement and monitor the Convention’s performance, including through the application of “outcome-oriented” indicators for the Convention’s implementation. The Framework outlines the Convention’s goals and the Key Result Areas and Key Performance Indicators. THE ROLE OF THE CONVENTION IN NATURAL DISASTER PREVENTION, MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION: On Friday, Bridgewater noted the relevance of this draft resolution (COP9 DR10) following the Asian tsunami and recent hurricanes. Proposals included: paragraphs on impacts of extreme climatic events and mobilizing resources to restore affected wetlands; renaming the resolution to reflect the role of Ramsar in mitigating impacts associated with natural phenomena; reference to “affected people” instead of “local communities and indigenous people”; and paragraphs emphasizing pre-disaster planning. On Tuesday, delegates reviewed the revised draft resolution. Wetlands International, supported by Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Costa Rica and the Netherlands, proposed changing the resolution’s title to reflect natural phenomena induced or exacerbated by human activities. Japan supported deleting a paragraph on establishing mechanisms for emergency assessment. Switzerland, supported by Belgium and Albania, proposed reference to ecosystem “services” instead of “benefits.” Suriname suggested including both services and benefits. Armenia proposed a separate clause specifying the human activity of drainage as exacerbating natural phenomena. With the amendments by Wetlands International, Japan and Armenia, the resolution was adopted. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin’s coverage of these discussions can be found at: http://www.iisd.ca/vol17/enb1722e.html. Final Resolution: In this final resolution (COP9 CR10 Rev.1), the COP recognizes the important role of Ramsar in disaster avoidance and mitigation and post-disaster restoration, and the significance of synergies with other MEAs and agencies focusing on natural disasters. It also bears in mind the impacts on wetlands of extreme climatic events and the need for financial resources for, inter alia, prevention and early warning. USE OF THE TERM AND STATUS OF THE “RAMSAR SECRETARIAT”: The COP considered the draft resolution concerning the use of the term “Ramsar Secretariat” (COP9 DR11) in plenary on Friday. Many Parties recognized that the resolution would harmonize terminology with similar MEAs. The COP considered and adopted amendments on the recognition of the Ramsar Convention as an IGO and on reporting outcomes of consultations with appropriate bodies to the Standing Committee. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin’s coverage of these discussions can be found at: http://www.iisd.ca/vol17/enb1722e.html. Final Resolution: In the final resolution (COP9 DR11 Rev.2), the COP decides that in its external relations the Bureau may use the descriptor “the Ramsar Secretariat” in its official statements and documents. It reaffirms that use of “Secretariat” shall not affect the Bureau’s functions provided for in the Convention text. It further instructs the Secretary General to consult with appropriate bodies regarding transformation of the status of the Secretariat to an IGO, while still maintaining its links with IUCN and the host country. Finally, it requests the Secretary General to report on the outcome of these consultations at the 34th meeting of the Standing Committee. REVISED MODUS OPERANDI OF THE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL REVIEW PANEL: The COP considered the draft resolution on revising the modus operandi of the STRP (COP9 DR12) on Friday. STRP Chair Finlayson introduced the draft resolution, which received general support, with several Parties stressing stronger national focal point’s engagement. Parties debated appointment of experts, several delegates saying nominees should not be limited to “globally-recognized” experts and urging equitable regional representation. One urged allowing Parties to propose high priority thematic work areas and another suggested the Panel identify capacity needs for the 2006-2008 triennium. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin’s coverage of these discussions can be found at: http://www.iisd.ca/vol17/enb1722e.html. Final Resolution: In the final resolution (COP9 DR12 Rev.1), the COP reaffirms the critical importance of the work and advice of the STRP to the Convention. It approves the annexed revised STRP modus operandi and establishes an STRP Oversight Committee, reporting to the Standing Committee and comprised of the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee, the Chair and Vice-Chair of the STRP and the Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General. It also agrees that the Standing Committee will continue to have overall responsibility for STRP work, with the STRP Chair reporting to each Standing Committee meeting on the Panel’s progress and advising on adjustments to the programme. The COP further: The annexed revised modus operandi includes: the establishment and responsibilities of the STRP Oversight Panel; criteria and characteristics of candidate STRP members and the composition of the Panel; the procedure for identification and appointment of candidates, Chair and Vice-Chair; rules in relation to observer organizations; and ensuring continuing national and regional applicability and continuity of Panel membership. FINANCIAL AND BUDGETARY MATTERS: Delegates heard the financial report and proposed budget for the 2006-2008 triennium (COP9 DR13) in plenary, submitted by the Chair of the Subgroup on Finance of the Standing Committee and the Finance Committee Trevor Swerdfager (Canada). On issues for the 2006-2008 triennium, Swerdfager underscored the need to further discuss budget allocations, including the proposed four percent increase. Delegates requested the budget be maintained with zero increase in the next triennium, with others noting their flexibilities. On Friday, the Finance Committee met in the afternoon to further consider the budget for 2006-2008. The EU proposed balancing budget lines, particularly between regional initiatives and the STRP, stressing the need for more scientific and technical services to the Convention. Several Parties expressed flexibility with a budget increase of less than four percent, and others supported an increase but opposed shifting budget lines between regional initiatives and the STRP. On Monday, the Finance Committee Chair Swerdfager reported to plenary on progress made in discussing financial and budgetary matters. He noted that there is a shortfall in each fiscal year’s budget. Discussions focused on identifying reductions to balance the budget in areas, including the Ramsar sites database, communication, regional initiatives and CEPA operating costs. During the closing plenary on Tuesday, Swerdfager presented the resolution on financial and budgetary matters for adoption. He outlined the resolution as well as the newly attached annexes, noting that Annex II contains the core budget for 2006-2008, based on the COP agreeing to a four percent increase. Argentina, with Brazil, accepted the budget but requested to record their concerns over the increase in the report of the meeting. Delegates agreed to remove Annex III (Annual Contribution Arrears) from the draft resolution, and make it an information document for the COP. The African Group supported the budget and said the reallocation of the funds would allow the STRP to fulfill its tasks. One Party requested reflecting in the report that STRP funds allocated in the budget shall not be cut in the future. The Secretary General said that elements of STRP funds are combined and they do not indicate any cut. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin’s coverage of these discussions can be found at: http://www.iisd.ca/vol17/enb1722e.html, http://www.iisd.ca/vol17/enb1723e.html, http://www.iisd.ca/vol17/enb1724e.html and http://www.iisd.ca/vol17/enb1725e.html. Final Resolution: In the final resolution (COP9 DR13 Rev.2), the COP approves the budget for the 2006-2008 triennium as attached in Annex I to enable the implementation of the Strategic Plan of the Convention. The forecast income for 2006-2008 represents a four percent increase per year, based on the COP9 budgeted Party allocations for 2005. The total incomes for the three years are: 4,054,390 Swiss francs for 2006; 4,206,277 Swiss francs for 2007; and 4,365,094 Swiss francs for 2008. The COP decides that the Terms of Reference for the Financial Administration of the Convention shall be applied in toto to the 2006-2008 triennium. The COP also: EVALUATION OF THE RAMSAR ENDOWMENT FUND AS A MECHANISM TO RESOURCE THE SMALL GRANTS FUND: In plenary on Friday delegates considered the draft resolution on evaluation of the Ramsar Endowment Fund (COP9 DR14). During plenary on Monday, the Secretariat introduced a revised draft resolution. Highlighting funding constraints, Iran, supported by Israel, requested that the decision mention the Asia region specifically. Bridgewater said that the region’s concerns would be recorded in the COP9 report, and the draft resolution was adopted without amendment. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin’s coverage of these discussions can be found at: http://www.iisd.ca/vol17/enb1724e.html. Final Resolution: In the final resolution (COP9 DR14 Rev.1), the COP rescinds its decision in Resolution VIII.29 to establish a Ramsar Endowment Fund to resource the Small Grants Fund (SGF), and urges the Standing Committee to actively pursue alternative funding mechanisms. The COP further instructs the Secretary General to submit proposals to the Standing Committee at its 34th meeting for improving the status and resourcing of the SGF, with a focus on ensuring that dedicated sources of funding are developed, and calls on development assistance agencies and other organizations within the Asia region to support the establishment of such a mechanism. The COP also requests the Standing Committee to bring to COP10 new proposals for establishing a more vigorous mechanism to support the SGF, including the possible development of regional support funds. WETLANDS AND POVERTY REDUCTION: On Friday, the Secretariat introduced the draft resolution on wetlands and poverty reduction (COP9 DR15), which received strong support from Parties. During the plenary on Tuesday, Bridgewater introduced a revised resolution. One Party suggested, opposed by several developing countries, including the term “extreme” before poverty. Ghana, Sudan, Nepal and Indonesia supported the words “poverty reduction” for the title of the resolution. Wetlands International, supported by the Netherlands and Switzerland, recommended new text concerning reviewing and improving existing finance mechanisms as well as encouraging new thinking in finance institutions for wetland management to help address poverty reduction. Bridgewater suggested this term be solved in DR1 Annex A, which will then set precedent for all other resolutions. The draft resolution was adopted as amended. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin’s coverage of these discussions can be found at: http://www.iisd.ca/vol17/enb1722e.html. Final Resolution: In the final resolution (COP9 DR15 Rev.1), the COP urges Parties to take action to contribute to poverty reduction, especially in the following areas: human life and safety; access to resources; ecological sustainability; governance; and economics. It further urges Parties to take or support action to: The COP also encourages Parties to work with UNEP, UNDP, the UN Department of Social and Economic Affairs, the IOPs, national and international NGOs and others to enhance sustainable livelihoods utilizing a wise use approach towards wetlands and build capacity for communities in relation to activities designed to increase food security, diversify economies and add value to wetland products. THE STATUS OF SITES IN THE RAMSAR LIST OF WETLANDS OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE: On Friday, Bridgewater introduced this draft resolution (COP9 DR16), noting a considerable increase in the quality and number of sites and highlighting a greater diversity in the types of designated wetlands. Parties provided updated information concerning Ramsar site designations since COP8, planned extensions to existing Ramsar sites, and future designations of new or extended sites. The Africa region requested the Secretary General to consider options for assisting and encouraging Parties in their actions in response to threatened changes in the ecological character of Ramsar sites. Following a proposal by WWF, supported by several Parties, delegates agreed to request that Greece provide information on its efforts to restore the ecological character of seven Ramsar sites included in the Montreux Record of Ramsar sites, where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur, with a view to removing these sites from the Record. On Monday, the Secretariat introduced various amendments to the draft resolution. Delegates agreed to a suggestion by Portugal to include a table on missing information from RIS in the annex. A paragraph expressing concern over the number of third party reports received by the Secretariat was deleted, following a suggestion by Argentina. The resolution was adopted with these amendments. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin’s coverage of these discussions can be found at: http://www.iisd.ca/vol17/enb1722e.html and http://www.iisd.ca/vol17/enb1724e.html. Final Resolution: In the final resolution (COP9 DR16 Rev.1), the COP notes an almost 20 percent increase in the number of Ramsar sites since COP8, but highlights concern that updated RIS are missing for 41 percent of sites. It encourages Parties to report changes in the status of sites in a timely manner, including their possible inclusion in the Montreux Record, and requests the STRP to prepare a set of measures to, inter alia, using the revised RIS format. The resolution congratulates several Parties for reporting on changes in ecological character and boundary issues, and recommends that Parties listed in the annex do so as a matter of priority. It further instructs the Secretariat to consider options for assisting and encouraging Parties in their actions in response to change or likely change in ecological character of Ramsar sites. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION PARTNERS: On Saturday, 12 November, Parties welcomed inclusion of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) as a new IOP, and encouraged extending the listing to other organizations, especially those specializing in water management. The draft resolution (COP9 DR17) was adopted without amendment. Final Resolution: In the final resolution (COP9 DR17), the COP reconfirms IOP status for Birdlife International, IUCN, Wetlands International and WWF, and formally confirms IOP status for the IWMI. It also encourages other organizations to consider applying for IOP status and requests the Standing Committee to review IOP performance in supporting Convention implementation and to report back to the COP. REVIEW OF COP DECISIONS: The COP considered the draft resolution on the review of COP decisions (COP9 DR18) on Saturday, 12 November. On Monday, a revised resolution was introduced by the Secretariat. One delegate stressed the review should be restricted to COP decisions only, not to Convention text, and urged Terms of Reference be developed and a timetable set to complete the review before COP10. Another suggested STRP’s participation in the review, while another said it should be reflected in the budget. The COP adopted the revised resolution with these amendments. Final Resolution: In the final resolution (COP9 DR18 Rev.1), the COP instructs the Secretariat, the Standing Committee and the STRP to review the decisions taken since COP1 to identify areas of conflicting advice or policy, redundancy and differing interpretation or conflict, and for the Standing Committee to present the review results to COP10. It also instructs the Secretariat to develop Terms of Reference and, if appropriate, identify potential service providers for review by the Standing Committee at its 34th session. It further agrees that the review should focus on COP resolutions and recommendations and not on the text of the Convention. CEPA OVERSIGHT PANEL: On Saturday, delegates addressed the draft resolution on establishing an oversight panel for communication, education and public awareness (CEPA) activities of the Convention (COP9 DR19) in plenary. Iran, supported by many, proposed setting priorities on communication, education and capacity building, and adding language to the terms of reference on identifying gaps between capacity-building opportunities and needs for wetland professionals and stakeholders. Canada expressed concern over budget implications. On Monday, Mexico requested an explicit reference to the Panel reporting to the Standing Committee. The resolution was adopted as amended. Final Resolution: In the final resolution (COP9 DR19 Rev.1), the COP recognizes that financial restrictions have inhibited full implementation of CEPA. The COP: instructs the Standing Committee at its 34th meeting to establish an Oversight Panel to monitor and report on CEPA Programme implementation and to set priorities for communication, education and capacity building in collaboration with the Wetlands International CEPA Specialist Group and the Ramsar Advisory Board on Capacity Building, and to report to COP10 on the Panel’s activities; and requests the Secretariat to liaise with the Institut de l’energie et de l’environnement de la Francophonie in order to share all relevant information on the Ramsar Convention. An attached annex includes the Terms of Reference for the Panel, which outlines its functions, composition and modus operandi. The functions state that the Panel will clarify the broad role of the two national CEPA focal points, identify gaps between capacity building opportunities and needs for the range of wetland stakeholders, and advise the Standing Committee on the form and function of the next CEPA Programme for 2009-2014. The modus operandi states that the Panel will play a liaison role with other MEAs and operate as much as possible through electronic means, and that CEPA focal point representatives should seek input from government and NGO CEPA focal points. REGIONAL WETLAND SYMPOSIA: The COP considered the draft resolution on importance of regional wetland symposia in implementing the Convention (COP9 DR20) in plenary on Saturday. Several Parties advocated using the Asian Wetland Symposia (AWS) as a model for other regions, with others proposing the organization of subregional meetings to prepare for regional fora, with one Party supporting the resolution as long as there were no financial implications. The COP adopted the revised resolution on Monday morning in plenary with minor amendments. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin’s coverage of these discussions can be found at: http://www.iisd.ca/vol17/enb1723e.html and http://www.iisd.ca/vol17/enb1724e.html. Final Resolution: In the final resolution (COP9 DR20 Rev.1) the COP encourages all Contracting and non-Contracting Parties in the Asia Region to give full recognition to the effectiveness of the AWS. It endorses the continuation of the periodic AWS; requests Parties to facilitate participation in the AWS by a wide range of stakeholders, noting that this will not have any financial implications for the core budget; requests the Secretariat and Standing Committee to encourage linkages between Ramsar regional meetings, including subregional meetings; and recommends that Parties, international NGOs, and other relevant scientific and technical organizations consider the usefulness of establishing similar periodic regional scientific and technical fora where they do not already exist. INTEGRATED, CROSS-BIOME PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF WETLANDS, ESPECIALLY IN SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES: On Saturday, Samoa, with the endorsement of the Oceania region, introduced the draft resolution (COP9 DR21), noting it would assist small island developing states (SIDS) in fulfilling obligations under various agreements. Cuba noted reservations regarding use of the term “cross-biome.” On Monday, the resolution was adopted without minor editorial amendments. Final Resolution: In the final resolution (COP9 DR21 Rev.1), the COP notes the ecosystem approach adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), is mindful of resource constraints of developing countries, and SIDS in particular, notes WWF’s development of a prototype cross-biome programme integrating the CBD’s work programmes, and acknowledges the related work of UNEP’s “Hilltops to the Oceans” initiative and Pacific-Asia Biodiversity Transect (PABRITA). The resolution welcomes the initiatives of WWF, UNEP and PABRITA as tools to assist Parties to take a holistic, cross-biome approach to wetlands management, instructs the STRP to consider the relevance and applicability of the tools and approaches, and invites WWF to prepare an information paper on the subject and, if appropriate, for the CBD Secretariat, to submit this paper to CDB COP-8 as a contribution towards achieving greater harmonization between the two Conventions. It also reiterates efforts and capacity-building requirements of Parties, particularly SIDS, with implementing integrated management approaches, and requests donors to give priority to training and capacity building in the field. Finally, it encourages Parties to include within planning the development of site networks of protected areas, to ensure that the ecosystem services/benefits delivered by various biomes are recognized and incorporated into management regimes and land- and water-use activities. TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE CULTURAL VALUES OF WETLANDS: First introduced to plenary in conjunction with the resolution on additional scientific and technical guidance for implementing the Ramsar wise use concept, the COP formally considered the draft resolution (COP9 DR22) on Tuesday. However, the issue had been addressed in regional meetings and a contact group, which met throughout the COP. During contact group discussions on Saturday, delegates agreed that cultural values should be considered when designating Ramsar sites, while some supported the addition of a criterion on cultural values. On Monday, delegates agreed to language on measures being consistent with rights and obligations under other international agreements. The COP considered and adopted the resolution on Tuesday, with amendments on local communities and indigenous peoples, and relevant cultural characteristics for designation of sites, and the deletion of a complementary criterion taking into account cultural values. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin’s coverage of these discussions can be found at: http://www.iisd.ca/vol17/enb1721e.html; http://www.iisd.ca/vol17/enb1723e.html and http://www.iisd.ca/vol17/enb1724e.html. Final Resolution: In the final resolution (COP9 DR22 Rev.2), the COP: RAMSAR SITES AND SYSTEMS OF PROTECTED AREAS: On Saturday, Nigeria introduced its proposed resolution (COP9 DR24), noting it represents an example of harmonization between Ramsar and CBD reporting requirements. Delegates disagreed on the issue of references to the IUCN protected area categories, with the US and others proposing them, and Brazil opposing. An informal contact group was established on Saturday, and a compromise was reached on Monday evening. On Tuesday, the Secretariat submitted the draft resolution for adoption by the COP. The US requested, and delegates agreed to, deleting two bracketed preambular paragraphs referring to the outcomes of the Vth World Parks Congress. The draft resolution was adopted as amended. Final Resolution: In the final resolution (COP9 DR24 Rev.1), the COP agrees to include as extra data fields in the approved RIS protected area categories, if any, for the site, as established by each Contracting Party, and/or IUCN categories (1994 version), if appropriate, and any other relevant designations. It calls upon Parties to integrate efforts aimed at broader protected areas system development in designating future Ramsar sites, including through World Heritage sites nominations and identification of Biosphere Reserves. It further encourages coordinating approaches with the CBD, through, inter alia, criteria for identifying Wetlands of International Importance, and implementing the CBD’s programmes of work on marine and coastal biodiversity and protected areas. MANAGING WETLANDS AND WATERBIRDS IN RESPONSE TO HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA (HPAI): On Thursday, the Secretariat circulated an information text on avian flu for consultations. Delegates discussed this issue in regional meetings on Thursday. On Saturday afternoon, the contact group, chaired by David Stroud (UK), met to further consider a draft resolution (COP9 DR25). Participants agreed to add a new operative paragraph underlining the importance of developing and implementing national contingency or action plans. In deleting the paragraph on developing guidelines for landscape planning, the group added paragraphs requesting the STRP to provide relevant input related to practical measures to reduce the risk of disease transmission between wild and domesticated birds to agencies developing contingency and wetland management plans and to assist in sharing information. On Monday, the contact group met in the evening to consider the resolution’s first revision. Several amendments were suggested, including: adding the word “captive” before the word “birds;” deleting a paragraph on providing information on instances of waterbird mortality to national authorities; and requesting a report on the Secretariat and STRP’s work with relevant agencies at COP10. During the closing plenary on Tuesday afternoon, Chair Stroud submitted a second revision for consideration by the COP. In response to the Russian Federation’s concern about the phrase “considerable misinformation” regarding the risks posed by avian flu, the Secretary General suggested to replace it with “misunderstanding in some countries.” The Convention on Migratory Species praised the COP’s work on avian flu. In response to Peru’s intervention, delegates agreed to change the title of the draft resolution to “HPAI and its consequences for wetlands and waterbirds and their management and conservation for the benefit of human well-being.” The draft resolution was adopted as amended. Final Resolution: In the final resolution (COP9 DR25 Rev.2), the COP calls for fully integrated approaches to address avian flu, and requests the Convention’s continued participation in the Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza. The COP also: underlines the importance of developing and implementing national contingency or action plans related to the potential risk of disease transmission, and the need for national preparedness to instances of detection of HPAI in birds in wetlands; requests the Secretary General to explore possibilities of establishing partnerships to support the development of long-term funding for monitoring schemes; and urges the STRP, with the Task Force, to provide relevant input on practical measures to reduce the risk of disease transmission between wild, captive and domesticated birds, to those agencies developing contingency and wetland management plans related to avian flu. IMPROVING MANAGEMENT OF THE RAMSAR CONVENTION: On Monday, Canada introduced a proposed draft resolution (COP9 DR26), noting it seeks to establish a Management Working Group to review the Convention’s decision-making mechanisms and generate recommendations for COP10. Several Parties stressed the need for the group to be small-scale, self-financing and time-bound, and have equitable regional representation. Delegates discussed the composition of the group and its status, as well as specific tasks assigned to it. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin’s coverage of these discussions can be found at: http://www.iisd.ca/vol17/enb1724e.html. Final Resolution: In the final resolution (COP9 DR26 Rev.1), the COP establishes an ad hoc Management Working Group to examine and review the Convention’s various management structures and systems, and report to COP10 its recommendations on: It also identifies the composition of the Management Working Group as follows: Chairs and Vice Chairs of the Standing Committee and the STRP established at COP8 and COP9; Chairs of the Subgroup on Finance for COP8 and COP9; Secretary General ex officio; any other interested Parties or IOPs, and an appropriate expert on organizational review, to be determined by the Working Group, subject to there being no implications for the Convention’s budget. THANKS TO THE HOST COUNTRY: On Tuesday, 15 November, delegates adopted a resolution (COP9 DR28) thanking the host country. In this resolution, the COP congratulates Uganda for its pioneering efforts in wetland wise use and conservation and sustainable natural resources management, draws attention to the Kampala Declaration, expresses gratitude to the Government and people of Uganda, NGOs and the private sector and local staff. DATE AND VENUE OF COP10 On Tuesday, 15 November, Bridgewater introduced the agenda item on the date and venue of the next COP (COP9 Doc.27), noting the Republic of Korea had offered to host Ramsar COP10. The Republic of Korea’s Environment Minister Lee Jaeyong and Tae Ho Kim, Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do Province, extended the country’s invitation to host COP10 in the city of Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, in 2008. Supporting the bid, Japan noted currently 17 out of 43 Asian countries are not signatories to the Ramsar Convention, representing the largest gap in the world, and that hosting COP10 in Asia will offer an opportunity to further promote the Convention in the region. The COP accepted Republic of Korea’s bid by acclamation. ELECTION OF PARTIES TO THE STANDING COMMITTEE On Monday, 14 November, the COP elected Parties to the Ramsar Standing Committee. The following countries were selected to represent Ramsar’s six regions in the Committee: Samoa for Oceania; US for North America; Bahamas, El Salvador and Ecuador for the Neotropics; Austria, Czech Republic, Georgia and Slovenia for Europe; Benin, Gabon, Kenya and Malawi for Africa; and China, Iran and Thailand for Asia. Uganda and the Republic of Korea will serve on the Standing Committee as the COP9 and COP10 host countries. MINISTERIAL DIALOGUE: On Saturday, 12 November, COP9 President Otafiire chaired an informal Ministerial Dialogue on the sidelines of COP9, attended by ministers and high-level representatives from 19 countries. The meeting: endorsed the outcomes of CSD-13 and the 2005-2015 “Water for Life” Decade; focused on Convention implementation; urged support of regional initiatives; and considered and agreed the Kampala Declaration. THE KAMPALA DECLARATION: In the Declaration, the ministers, inter alia, emphasize: active community participation in wetlands supporting livelihoods, calling on the private sector and civil society to promote and sustain the wise use concept; innovative economic incentives in promoting wetland wise use and conservation; and further research and exchange of information on avian flu in relation to wetlands. They also: undertake to address the World Summit on Sustainable Development’s (WSSD) Johannesburg Plan of Implementation’s 2010 biodiversity loss goal and to strengthen the List of Wetlands of International Importance as a contribution to the global network of protected areas initiated at the WSSD; affirm the need for synergies between the Ramsar Convention and other relevant conventions; call for cross agency and cross donor cooperation; urge development and implementation of transboundary and cross national systems and approaches to wetland ecosystems; and urge the Secretariat and IOPs to liaise with development partners and multilateral organizations to identify sustainable funding mechanisms for the implementation of the Convention in Africa. Delegates convened for the closing plenary on Tuesday evening, 15 November, adopting the report of the meeting without amendment. Noting COP9 was a “Children’s COP” because of the presence of youth throughout the meeting, Secretary General Bridgewater said his expectations for the COP had been fulfilled and that he was satisfied with the meeting’s outcomes. He thanked the Standing Committee, the Secretariat, the Government of Uganda and particularly the Ministry of Water, Land and the Environment, and finally, the delegates. Iraq announced its intention to become a Ramsar Contracting Party before COP10, and to designate the eastern part of the Mesopotamian marshes as its first Ramsar site. Grenada said it also hopes to join the Ramsar Convention before COP10. Romania submitted its bid to host Ramsar COP11. Ghana congratulated Uganda on successfully hosting COP9, and encouraged other African countries to follow its lead in hosting a Ramsar COP. An NGO representative urged Parties to engage NGOs at the national level in order to achieve the shared objective of ensuring the conservation and wise use of wetlands. An indigenous peoples representative expressed concern over low participation by indigenous peoples at COP9, highlighting their important role in conserving wetlands. He also stressed the need to ensure their full participation in law and policy making for wetlands. Birdlife International, on behalf of the IOPs, commended the COP’s attention to tackling poverty, the Convention’s governance, and rapid responses to avian flu and natural phenomena. He highlighted identified priorities for action before COP10, including IWRM, dealing with changing ecological character and outreach. He called for raising awareness about the Convention at all levels to achieve a greater political impact. He said that Ramsar was legitimate in the eyes of the world and that, while IOPs are global, they act locally as well, through distributed networks, technical programmes and civil society engagement. COP9 President Otafiire congratulated participants on a successful COP and noted additional Ramsar sites recently designated by Uganda. The meeting was gaveled to a close at 7:20 pm. A BRIEF ANALYSIS OF COP9 “The times they are a changin’” Bob Dylan Opening the COP with this 1960s song by Bob Dylan seemed fitting for a Convention that has undergone a remarkable transformation in its 34-year-long history. From a North-centric convention focused on the technical and scientific aspects of the conservation of wetlands and waterfowl, the Ramsar Convention has become one that actively addresses a broad range of often political issues related to conservation and wise use of wetlands throughout the world, from cultural diversity to water management to ecosystem services. COP9, the first Ramsar COP held in Africa, is indicative of this evolution to accommodate broader concerns such as poverty alleviation. In addition, COP9 served to underscore Ramsar’s drive to become a more active player in the international agenda, reflected in the adopted resolutions addressing avian flu, natural disasters and water issues. This brief analysis focuses on the key theme of COP9, that of streamlining the Convention, highlighting its most hotly debated issues, and looks ahead to the Convention’s future. STREAMLINING THE CONVENTION In his opening statement, Ramsar Secretary General Peter Bridgewater referred to “quality, not quantity,” a theme that was echoed throughout the conference. While the Convention’s Strategic Plan includes listing 2,500 Ramsar sites by the year 2010, many believe that the rush to list too many sites may take energy away from the management of already existing sites, which could result in many listed sites lacking adequate management plans, and becoming less attractive to donors. COP9 attempted to find a way to expand the number of Ramsar sites without compromising their effective management. The Secretariat also attempted to streamline the organization of the COP itself. COP9 was two days shorter than COP8 and adopted far fewer resolutions, 25 rather than 45. The number of resolutions at this COP was partly due to preparatory work by the Secretariat to consolidate submissions by Parties, but some delegates felt that the “streamlining” was superficial, noting that this consolidation resulted in a “mega-resolution” on additional scientific and technical guidance, which ended up consuming a great deal of time. Unlike COPs for other conventions, where budget issues plague debates and often stall progress, budget discussions at COP9 were relatively straightforward with no late-night negotiating sessions. For instance, currency conversion issues, which have posed problems for some other Conventions, were not a problem here as contributions are paid in Swiss francs. Instead, the budget debate focused on how to allocate funds, with regional initiatives coming into play. The functioning of the Convention is being streamlined and decentralized through regional initiatives and national focal points, which have become more prominent. Ramsar has a historically small and centralized Secretariat with a narrow mandate, so addressing issues at the regional level frees up some of the burdens on the Secretariat and allows for more focus on specific issues and needs of different regions. The recent opening of the Ramsar Regional Center for Training and Research on Wetlands Western and Central Asia shows that Ramsar is mature and robust enough to incorporate this evolution and that Parties are serious about decentralization. Many other initiatives are formally recognized by the COP as having potential, such as the Himalayan Initiative and the Nordic-Baltic Wetlands Initiative, and others were proposed for future consideration. EMERGING ISSUES: RISING TIDES Ramsar’s broadening scope has resulted in increased calls to include emerging issues on the agenda. This was particularly prominent at COP9, as demonstrated by the emergency resolution on avian flu and Ramsar’s active involvement in the recently established Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza, under the auspices of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). One delegate pointed out that the avian flu resolution would give more prominence to Ramsar’s bird experts who might be able to access funding to study links between migratory patterns of birds and avian flu. He suggested that while billions of dollars are being put into developing drugs to combat human strains of avian flu before it has even reached humans, much more could be done stop the flu at its source. In a gesture of support, the CMS Executive Director Robert Hepworth dropped in on his way to the CMS COP to be held next week in Nairobi. In a year marked by tsunamis, hurricanes and droughts, a draft resolution on natural phenomena and the acknowledgement of wetlands as buffers against flooding and mitigation against other natural disasters indicated Ramsar’s broadening agenda and increasing importance. Investing in conservation, management and wise use of wetlands can save millions of dollars in rebuilding efforts. For example, according to scientific estimates, had the wetlands surrounding New Orleans not been degraded, the city itself would not have flooded to the extent it did during Hurricane Katrina, and millions of dollars would have been saved in reconstruction. In addition, there is a greater acknowledgement of the “benefits/services” that wetlands provide and that investing in them makes sense. In COP9’s host city Kampala, for example, officials have saved money by investing in wetlands to provide water purification services rather than building an expensive water purification plant. Another local example of an ecosystem service provided by wetland biodiversity is the iconic African bird, the Marabou stork, which acts as a Kampala street cleaner. The fact that more delegates from water ministries are attending Ramsar COPs and that the International Water Management Institute was added to the list of International Organization Partners, highlights Ramsar’s role in addressing water issues in that water supplies are dependent upon the protection and sustainable use of wetland and related ecosystems. Another emerging issue that was hotly debated in the corridors, and eventually dropped, was a Swiss proposal to extend the effects and benefits of Ramsar to the wetlands of the Arctic and the Antarctic, in the hope that it would lead to increased coherence in international action on Polar wetlands. The Consultative Parties to the Antarctic Treaty strongly opposed this proposal, feeling the Consultative Group on the Antarctic was still in its infancy, and that the international community has not been effective in managing the region. The issue will likely emerge again at future COPs now that attention has been called to the fact that wetlands not only exist in these areas, but may be in need of greater international attention. CULTURE: ROUGH WATERS COP9 was the first COP where everyone agreed that culture must be discussed. This resulted in an agreement to establish a multi-disciplinary working group on cultural values of wetlands. Prior to the adoption of this resolution, however, delegates debated the role culture should play in determining site designation. Politicized issues such as trade and conflict with national interests crept into the debate on whether culture should be a separate criterion for designating a site, with a number of European delegates strongly supporting this proposal, and others advocating that Ramsar is primarily an ecologically-based convention. Officials from Ministries of Foreign Affairs, who wished they had been in Valencia to help stop the Convention from going into “dangerous waters” and to “steer the culture issue in the right direction,” showed up in Uganda, mainly to avoid the subsidization in agriculture and fisheries that they felt the culture-related protectionist measures by governments could bring about. In the end, delegates concerned with trade implications insisted on adding language on consistency with obligations under other international agreements to the resolution on culture, an implicit reference to the WTO which takes into account concerns that protecting culture could have impacts on trade. NAVIGATING RAMSAR’S FUTURE BEFORE DOCKING AT COP10 COP9 proved to be less contentious than COP8, where delegates debated at length such issues as agriculture, invasive species and the report of the World Commission on Dams and negotiated the Convention’s Strategic Plan. This time, COP9 addressed a broad range of issues that show the increased ability of Ramsar to respond to broader sustainable development goals and targets. It was noted for example that, at COP9, there was less talk of waterfowl than at any other COP. Ramsar’s contributions to achieving Millennium Development Goal 7 on environmental sustainability, the upcoming 4th World Water Forum, achievement of the 2010 biodiversity target, and implementation of decisions from the thirteenth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development on water and sanitation were recognized in the Framework for Implementing the Strategic Plan. Since it is not a UN convention, Ramsar avoids some of the bureaucratic red tape that often bogs down other conventions, with one impressed delegate pointing out that COP9 participants refrained from “engaging in endless dialectic” much to the chagrin of “contact groupies.” This should hopefully enable the Convention to continue to address broader issues and link wetland ecosystems with human well-being – an issue that will no doubt be examined in more depth at COP10. The fact that some contentious issues were not discussed or were deferred to COP10 does not mean that these issues will continue to be sidelined in the future. History shows that emerging issues may need to “simmer,” allowing Parties to warm up to them. For instance, water issues were first addressed at COP6, but have only now gained the full attention of all delegates at COP9. One likely issue to rise again to the surface is transboundary Ramsar sites, which was deferred to COP10. Culture was more comprehensively addressed during this COP than at previous ones, so while progress may seem slow at times, there is no doubt that Ramsar’s methodical and scientific approach has proven to be effective. Now that a Ramsar COP has been held in Africa, the impetus may exist for more countries in the region to further engage in the Convention. The Oceania Region is diving deeper into the process, and Asia is gearing up to host COP10. At COP9, several developing countries announced that they will soon ratify the Convention. As noted by the Secretary General, there could very well be 160 Ramsar Contracting Parties by the next COP. This not only signals the increasing importance of the Convention, but also demonstrates developing countries’ recognition of the role of wetlands, and their desire to play a more integral role in the process. With this steady growth in the number of Parties and sites as well as its geographical, cultural and topical diversification, the Convention’s transformation into a modern and mainstream sustainable development agreement seems to have “whet” the appetite of the Parties. EIGHTH CONFERENCE OF PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ON MIGRATORY SPECIES (CMS): The eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CMS will convene from 16-25 November 2005, in Nairobi, Kenya, with the theme “On the Move to 2010.” For more information, contact: UNEP/CMS Secretariat; tel: +49-228-815-2401; fax: +49-228-815-2449; e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.org; internet: http://www.cms.int/bodies/COP/cop8/cop8_mainpage.htm SEVENTH GULF WATER CONFERENCE: This meeting will be held from 19-23 November 2005, in Kuwait City, Kuwait. This conference aims to review and assess the progress made in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries towards the adoption and implementation of comprehensive policies and strategies for integrated water resources management and their active implementation. For more information, contact: Muhammad Al-Rashed, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research and Water Sciences; tel: +965-483-6100; fax: +965-483-4712; e-mail: email@example.com; internet: http://www.kisr.edu.kw/conference_details.asp?ID=29 INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS ON WETLAND MANAGEMENT: This workshop will take place from 21-23 November 2005, in Venice, Italy, with focus on practical implications of international conventions on wetland management. For more information, contact: Dwight Peck, Ramsar Secretariat; tel: +41-22-999-0170; fax: +41-22-999-0169; e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.org; internet: http://ramsar.org/wn/w.n.italy_servolo.htm XII WORLD WATER CONGRESS: This conference will be held from 22-25 November 2005, in New Delhi, India. The theme is “Water for sustainable development – towards innovative solutions.” For more information, contact: G.N. Mathur, Member Secretary, Adhering Committee of International Water Resources Association; tel: +91-11-2611-5984; fax: +91-11-2611-6347; e-mail: email@example.com; internet: http://www.worldwatercongress.org INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON RECENT ADVANCES IN WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT (RAWRDM-2005): This meeting will take place from 23-25 November 2005, in Roorkee, Uttaranchal, India. For more information, contact: Deepak Khare, Indian Institute of Technology; tel: +91-1332-285393; fax: +91-1332-271073; e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.org; internet: http://www.iitr.ernet.in/departments/WRT/rawdrm.pdf FIRST INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE ON THE WORLDWIDE WATER CRISIS: This meeting will take place from 24-25 November 2005, in Seville, Spain. This dialogue will address water management and armed conflicts, and water as a fundamental human right. For more information, contact: Green Cross Spain; tel: +34-91-399-0501; fax: +34-91-399-0865; e-mail: central@greencrossspain; internet: http://www.greencrossspain.org/doc/Crisismundialagua.pdf INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT OF THE MEKONG RIVER BASIN: This conference will be held from 29-30 November 2005, in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Participants will address how inter alia: sufficient cooperation can be obtained to yield sustainable water resources development; and IWRM can be successfully implemented to yield clear sustainable development outcomes. For more information, contact: Secretariat, Mekong River Commission; tel: +856-21-263-263; fax: +856-21-263-264 e-mail: email@example.com; internet: http://www.mrcmekong.org/waterforum.htm SECOND MEETING OF THE UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE�S (UNECE) WORKING GROUP ON INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: This meeting will take place from 8-9 December 2005, in Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting will meet to discuss flood protection, prevention and mitigation and implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive. For more information, contact: UNECE; tel: +41-22-917-2373; fax: +41-22-917-0107; e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.org; internet: http://www.unece.org/env/water/welcome.html FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WATER RESOURCES IN THE 21ST CENTURY: This conference will occur from 26-28 December 2005, in Alexandria, Egypt. Participants will discuss: water supply and demand, river basin management, droughts, flood hazards and disasters, scarcity, security and sufficiency, ecology and ecosystem assessment, and management and planning of regional water resources. For more information, contact: Conference Secretariat; tel/fax: +20-50-2255566; e-mail: email@example.com; internet: http://www.ewra.com/pages/2005/contents.htm FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE IN LAKES, LAGOONS AND WETLANDS OF THE SOUTHERN MEDITERRANEAN REGION: This conference will be held from 4-7 January 2006 in Cairo, Egypt. For more information, contact: Conference Organizers; Dr Mahmoud H. Ahmed, National Authority for Remote Sensing & Space Sciences; tel: +20 (0) 2622 5815; fax: +20 (0) 2622 5800; or Dr. Roger Flower and Caroline Chambers, University College London, tel: +44 207 679 5545; fax: +44 207 679 4293; e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.org; internet: http://www.geog.ucl.ac.uk/melmarina/ecollaw2006/ THIRD GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON OCEANS, COASTS AND ISLANDS: This conference will meet from 23-27 January 2006, in Paris, France. The Forum also seeks to improve global, regional, and national policies related to oceans, coasts and islands. For more information, contact: Global Forum Secretariat; tel: +1-302-831-8086; fax: +1-302-831-3668; e-mail: email@example.com; internet: http://www.globaloceans.org/ WETLANDS, WATER AND LIVELIHOODS WORKSHOP: This workshop will meet from 30 January - 2 February 2006, in St. Lucia, South Africa. This workshop hopes to strengthen partnerships among government, non-government, academic and private environment and development/aid agencies in sharing knowledge and experiences in the integration of livelihoods, poverty and environment issues. For more information, contact: Maria Stolk, Wetlands, Water and Livelihoods Workshop Secretariat, Wetlands International; tel: +31-317-478854; fax: +31-317-478850; e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.org; internet: http://www.wetlands.org/news&/NewsItems/WWLWorkshop_files/second_ann.htm SHARING THE FISH CONFERENCE 2006: This conference will be held from 23 February - 2 March 2006, in Perth, Australia. This conference will focus on resource allocation and the sustainability of fisheries and will provide a neutral forum for the multi-disciplinary discussion of the elements of effective allocation of fisheries resources to ensure their sustainability. For more information, contact: Conference Secretariat; tel: +61-8-9387-1488; fax: +61-8-9387-1499; e-mail: email@example.com; internet: http://www.fishallocation.com.au/ FOURTH WORLD WATER FORUM: LOCAL ACTIONS FOR A GLOBAL CHALLENGE: The Fourth World Water Forum will take place from 16-22 March 2006, in Mexico City, Mexico. This conference aims to raise awareness on water issues all over the world. For more information, contact: Secretariat of the 4th World Water Forum; tel: +52-55-5174-4480; fax: +52-55-5174-4722; e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.org; internet: http://www.worldwaterforum4.org.mx EIGHTH CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES OF THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY: COP-8 will take place from 20-31 March 2006, in Curitiba, Brazil. For more information, contact: the CBD Secretariat; tel: +1-514-288-2220; fax: +1-514-288-6588; e-mail: email@example.com; internet: http://www.biodiv.org INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON WATER AND LAND MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE: This symposium will meet from 4-8 April 2006, in Adana, Turkey. The symposium will seek to identify best management practices to harmonize the sustainable use of water for agricultural production and livelihoods with well-functioning ecosystems. For more information, contact: Attila Yazar, Cukurova University; tel: +90-322-3386516; fax: +90-322-3386386; e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.org; internet: http://symp2006.cu.edu.tr/ 22ND INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON WORLD DAMS CONGRESS: This meeting will be held from 18-23 June 2006, in Barcelona, Spain. This meeting will address: technical solutions to reduce time and costs in dam design and construction; management of the downstream impacts of dam operation; and flood and drought evaluation and management. For more information, contact: ICOLD Secretariat; tel: +34-93-4016-478; fax: +34-93-4017-357; e-mail: email@example.com; internet: http://www.icold-barcelona2006.org TENTH CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE RAMSAR CONVENTION: COP10 will be held in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, South Korea in 2008. For more information, please contact: Ramsar Secretariat; tel +41 22 999 0170; fax: +41 22 999 0169; e-mail:

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One of the basic tenets of teaching is that the student must learn the basics and foundation of a subject in order for them to master it eventually and reach full human potential. New research from the University of Missouri supports this notion, revealing that kids who understood numbers and quantity in the first grade were more likely to get good grades in math when they hit fifth grade. “This study reinforces the idea that math knowledge is incremental, and without a good foundation, a student won’t do well because the math gets more complex,” said researcher David Geary. “The kids that can go back and forth easily and quickly in translating numerals, the number five, for example, into quantities and in breaking complex problems into smaller parts had a very good head start.” The study involved 177 elementary school students from kindergarten. Researchers hope to follow the group until they reach 10th grade algebra classes in an attempt to gain a deeper understanding of how kids learn, especially when it comes to math. Additionally, the findings may help educators discover better methods of teaching. Personal growth activities such as studying, doing homework and attending school are integral to a young person's development and can even set them on the right path toward a fulfilled life. Philosopher, educator and trailblazer Ilchi Lee believes that human potential is limitless and that individuals can push the boundaries of their abilities with practice and hard work. Results of this study support such thoughts, providing further proof that the brain works gradually. Students may want to consider ridding their minds of distractions and negativity before engaging in study sessions or attending class in order to reap the full benefits of education.

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Leaf Characteristics (PK1) This set introduces simple vocabulary to describe the physical features of 40 North American tree, garden, and house plant leaves. First - The child sorts 9 leaf characteristics cards (3" x 4") onto 3 control cards (10-3/8” x 5¼”) that identify characteristics of Leaf Types, Leaf Veins, and Leaf Margins. Second - After learning the 9 characteristics of leaves, it is time to describe the 3 characteristics of just one leaf. A leaf card is selected from the 40 leaf cards provided (3" x 4"). The child selects the 3 characteristics cards (type, venation, margin) that describe that leaf, and places them on the blank Leaf Identification card (10-3/8” x 5¼”). Real leaves can be used in this exercise as well. Background information is included for the teacher. Leaves (PK1C) This set consists of 40 DUPLICATE leaf cards (80 cards total). One group of 20 cards illustrates familiar leaves such as dandelion, marigold, and ivy. The second group illustrates common North American tree leaves such as oak, maple, and cottonwood. These are the same leaf cards found in In-Print for Children's “Leaf Characteristics” activity. Flowers (FL1) This set is designed to help children recognize and to name 20 common flowers, many of which are commercially available throughout the year. This duplicate set of picture cards can be used in simple matching exercises, or in 3-part matching activities if one set is cut apart. The 40 photocards (3¼” x 4") are in full-color and laminated. Flower background information is included for the teacher. Nuts (PK3) Nuts are nourishing snacks and learning how they grow will make eating them all the more fun! This set of 22 two-color cards (5½” x 3½”) of plant and nut illustrations represents eleven edible nuts/seeds. The child pairs the illustration cards of the nuts in their growing stage to the cards of the nuts in and out of their shells. Make the activity even more successful by bringing the real nuts into the classroom. Kitchen Herbs & Spices (PK5) This set help children to learn about 20 plants that give us herbs and spices. The delicately drawn, 2-color illustrations clearly show the parts of the plants that give us edible leaves, seeds, stems, bark, bulbs, and berries. Create an aromatic and tasty exercise by having the children pair real herbs and spices with these cards (4½” x 6¼”). Plants We Eat (PK9) Learn more about food plants and their different edible parts. This set classifies 18 plant foods into six groups: roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds. A duplicate set of 18 labeled picture/definition cards (6" x 6") shows plants in their growing stage with only their “food” portion in color. One set of picture/ definition cards is spiral bound into 6 control booklets that include definitions of the root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit, and seed. The other set of picture/ definition cards are to be cut apart for 2 or 3-part matching exercises. Plant description cards can be used for “Who am I?” games with our plant picture cards or with real foods. Both cards and booklets are laminated. Plants We Eat Replicards (PK9w) Six replicards are photocopied to produce worksheets for an extension exercise using our set Plants We Eat (PK9). Children color and label the worksheets, which illustrate three plant examples for each of the following groups: roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds. The Plants We Eat booklets serve as controls. After worksheets (8½” x 11") are colored and labeled, they can be cut apart, stapled together, and made into six take-home booklets. These booklets may generate lively family dinner-table discussions: “A potato is a what?” Plants - Who am I? (WP) This beginning activity for lower elementary strengthens both reading and listening skills, and provides children with simple facts about 10 plants. The set consists of duplicate, labeled picture cards with descriptive text and features plants different from those in the First Knowledge: Plant Stories (see below). The set of cards with text ending in “Who am I?” is cut apart into 10 picture cards, 10 plant name cards, and 10 text cards. The other set is left whole. Cards are used for picture-to-text card matching exercises and for playing the “Who am I” game. Cards measure 6½” x 4" and are in full color and laminated. First Knowledge: Plant Stories (PK7) This set consists of 19 duplicate plant picture/text cards. One set is cut apart for 3-part matching activities, and the other set is placed in the green, 6-ring mini-binder labeled Plants. The teacher has the option of changing the cards in the binder as needed. The children can match the 3-part cards (6" x 3¾”) to the cards in the binder, practice reading, learn about the diverse characteristics of these plants, and then play “Who am I?” The eight angiosperms picture cards can be sorted beneath two cards that name and define Monocots and Dicots. These activities prepare children for later work with our Plant Kingdom Chart & Cards (see below), which illustrates the same plants. Plant Kingdom Chart and Cards (PK6) Our 4-color plastic paper chart and cards represents the current classification of the plant kingdom (not illustrated here) – the same as is used in secondary and college level biology courses. This classification organizes the plant kingdom in a straightforward manner with simple definitions and examples under each heading. Firs the plants are categorized as either Nonvascular Plants (Bryophytes) or Vascular Plants. Then the Vascular plants are divided into two groups: Seedless Plants or Seed Plants. Seed Plants are divided into two groups: Gymnosperms and Angiosperms with sub-categories. Nineteen picture cards (2¼” x 3") illustrate the currently recognized phyla of the plant kingdom. Children match the 19 plant picture cards to the pictures on the chart (18" x 32"). Text on the back of the picture cards describes each plant. Advanced students can recreate the chart with the title cards provided, using the chart as a control of error. Background information is provided. Parts of a Mushroom Parts of a gilled mushroom are highlighted and labeled on six 2-color cards (3" x 5"). Photocopy the Replicard (8½” x 11") to make quarter page worksheets. The child colors and labels the worksheets, using the picture cards as a guide. Completed worksheets can be stapled together to make a booklet for “Parts of a Mushroom”. (In-Print product code FK1) Fungi (FK4) Members of the Fungus Kingdom have a wide variety of forms. Children see fungi everywhere, such as mold on food, or mushrooms on the lawn. This duplicate set of labeled picture cards shows 12 common fungi found indoors and out. Fungi illustrated: blue cheese fungus, bolete, coral fungus, cup fungus, jelly fungus, lichens, mildew, milky mushrooms, mold, and morel. Background information is included. Pictures cards (3½” x 4½”) are in full color and laminated. Classification of the Fungus KingdomChart and Cards (FK3) This classification of the Fungus Kingdom organizes 18 representative fungi into four major groups and two important fungal partnerships: Chytrids, Yoke Fungi, Sac Fungi, Club Fungi, Lichens, Mycorrhizae. Children match the 18 picture cards (2-7/8” x 2-3/8”) to the pictures on the 2-color chart (18" x 16"). After this activity, they can sort the picture cards under the label cards for the 5 fungus groups, using the chart as the control. Description of each fungus type is printed on the back of the picture cards. Background information is included for the teacher. This chart is printed on vinyl and does not need to be laminated.

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Education for Sustainable Diversity (ESD), as defined by the Office for Inclusion, is the practice of acquiring knowledge about and becoming aware of ways in which our beliefs and biases impact the quality of relationships among people from different cultural groups around the world. The goal of the Office for Inclusion is to support a campus community that understands how to fully integrate the University’s core values of diversity and inclusion into campus work and learning environments. ESD serves to provide opportunities for people to better understand the complexities of and synergies between, the issues threatening our intercultural sustainability and assess their own values and those of the society in which they live in. ESD seeks to engage people in negotiating a sustainable future, making decisions and acting on them. To do this effectively, the following skills are essential to ESD: - Envisioning -- being able to imagine a better future. The premise is if we recognize and begin to understand the issues that obstruct intercultural respect, we will be better able to work through issues and find ways to respect each other. - Critical thinking and reflection -- learning to question our current belief systems and to recognize the assumptions underlying our knowledge, perspective and opinions. Critical thinking skills help people learn to examine social and cultural structures in the context of sustainable intercultural development. - Systemic thinking -- acknowledging complexities and looking for links and synergies when trying to find solutions to problems. - Building partnerships -- promoting dialogue and negotiation, learning to work together. - Participation in decision-making -- empowering people. - Interactive theatre uses customized and uniquely designed sketches performed by actors to address specific issues, and allow for open and guided discussion between the audience and actors to find solutions to issues. - Customized small-group workshops, large-group presentations, and symposia featuring themes around diversity, inclusion and social justice. - e-learning tools custom designed for large audiences on specific topics - Topics include: MSU's anti-discrimination policies, diversity/inclusion, best practices For more information or to request a service, please contact the main office at 517-353-3922.

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Eggs are an excellent source of choline, a little-known but essential nutrient that contributes to fetal brain development and helps prevent birth defects. The National Academy of Sciences recommends increased choline intake for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Two eggs - including the yolks - contain about 250 milligrams of choline, or roughly half the recommended daily amount. The National Academy of Sciences recommends that pregnant women consume 450 milligrams of choline per day and that breastfeeding women consume 550 milligrams per day. In addition to choline, eggs have varying amounts of three other nutrients that pregnant women need most. Eggs are a good source of the highest quality protein, which helps to support fetal growth. Eggs also have a B vitamin that is important for normal development of nerve tissue and can help reduce the risk of serious birth defects that affect the baby's brain and spinal cord development. The type of iron in eggs (a healthy mixture of heme and non-heme iron) is particularly well-absorbed, making eggs a good choice for pregnant and breastfeeding women who are at higher risk for anemia. To learn more about choline and stay up-to-date on the latest research visit, www.cholineinfo.org.

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There is perhaps no sound so recognizable as the first drone of a bagpipe. That sustained note acts as harmony to the melody, which is fingered by the piper on the chanter. These days, bagpipes are most commonly connected with the Scots, but pipes have a long history in Ireland, as well. The Great Irish Warpipes, which are nearly identical to Scottish Highland bagpipes, appear in historical reference as early as the 1400s. As the name implies, the instrument was played by Irish soldiers as they marched into battle. In 1581, the Italian music theorist Vincenzo Galilei — Galileo’s father — described the bagpipe as “much used by the Irish: to its sound this unconquered fierce and warlike people march their armies and encourage each other to deeds of valor. With it they also accompany the dead to the grave making such sorrowful sounds as to invite, nay to compel the bystander to weep.” While the Warpipes continued to be used in battle, by the 1700s, a new kind of pipe appeared in Ireland—the Uilleann Pipe (“pipes of the elbow”). An ancestor of the Pastoral Pipes, the Uilleann Pipe is smaller; its bellow is filled with air by pumping the elbow rather than blowing with the mouth; it can produce many notes thanks to its two-octave range; it is quieter and sweeter sounding than its warrior kin; and it is played sitting down. Its dulcet tones make it a lovely ensemble instrument and so it can be heard quite a lot in traditional Irish music. Perhaps the best known Uilleann piper of today is Paddy Moloney of The Chieftains, who performed to a sold-out crowd last month in Santa Barbara. Although the Uilleann pipe is the national pipe of Ireland, its makeup doesn’t lend itself to leading the charge — or parades. Therefore, it is the Great Irish Warpipes or generally the more common Scottish bagpipe that folks see and hear in St. Patrick’s Day parades. In fact, this Paddy’s Day, several area bagpipers will be leading the annual Santa Barbara Independent St. Paddy’s Day Stroll down State Street.

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Everybody has heard the rumor: alcohol kills brain cells (just the weak ones, joked a comedian). And if the rumor were true, surely the effect would show up after decades of drinking. With the same large group of twins that they are using in the Duke Alzheimer's disease study (see article), Joe Christian and his colleagues recently studied the connection between long-term alcohol intake and cognitive functioning in aging men. They divided the twins up into nondrinkers, past drinkers (those who had quit drinking), and five categories of social drinkers, from light to heavy. It turns out that moderate drinkers (eight to sixteen drinks per week) scored higher on a test of mental acuity than everyone else. What's more, if one of a pair of identical twins was a moderate drinker and the other a light drinker, the moderately drinking twin scored higher. "No evidence was found," writes Christian, "for negative effects on cognitive function related to the consumption of moderate amounts of alcohol." This is not to downplay the risks of heavy drinking, Christian warned. Subjects in his study who drank more than sixteen drinks per week scored significantly lower than moderate drinkers. What's more, the other physical problems associated with heavy drinking--cirrhosis, high blood pressure, and strokes--are well known. Still, this study should reassure the millions of moderate drinkers in America that an occasional cold beer will not impair their ability to think as they grow older. See additional sidebar on twins

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The water runs low at Lake Harbor park in Norton Shores, Mich. Lake Michigan's water levels set record lows in January. / Kimberly P. Mitchell, Detroit Free Press NEW BUFFALO, Mich. - This town has 1,884 residents and almost 1,000 boat slips filled by summer visitors, so low water levels in Lake Michigan threaten its economic stability and its identity as "the heart of harbor country." No wonder Jim Oselka, who runs Oselka Marina, a family business founded here in 1957,says, "Every time I see it raining, I'm like 'Yes!' " The water lapping against the marina's 150 boat slips is 15 inches lower than it was a year ago, forcing Oselka to consider dredging for the first time since the 1960s. He has to have enough clearance to accommodate sailboats with 5-foot keels. "I'm anticipating a good season. And I'm hoping and praying that water levels have hit their low, and they're going to go back the other way," Oselka says. That wish is shared by communities and businesses all along the coasts of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, which set record lows in January and are expected to stay 2 feet below long-term averages at least through August. Blame the extended drought and hot weather that speeds evaporation, says Keith Kompoltowicz, chief of watershed hydrology for the Army Corps of Engineers' Detroit district. The mean water level in January was 576.02 feet above sea level, he says, breaking the previous record of 576.05 in March 1964. The corps started keeping records in 1918. Declining lake levels are causing problems across the region, says Chuck May of the Great Lakes Small Harbors Coalition, which represents small harbors authorized and maintained by the federal government. Michigan has 56 of the 112 Great Lakes small harbors. "It gives me chills just to think about what will happen if we don't do something about it," he says. "Harbor after harbor is in danger of shutting down this summer." Inaccessible harbors mean trouble for marinas, restaurants, resorts and almost every other business in waterfront towns, May says, and commercial shippers must lighten their loads, increasing costs for their customers and consumers. A lack of Army Corps of Engineers funding means communities must rely on state and local money for dredging, he says. The organization supports pending federal legislation that would require the corps to spend the $1.5 billion raised annually through harbor maintenance taxes on harbors; much of the money now goes into the treasury. The problem extends beyond lakes Michigan and Huron. Mike Waterhouse, sportfishing coordinator for Orleans County Tourism in New York state, says its Lake Ontario harbor has less than half its usual 8-foot depth and there's little chance of dredging this year. That endangers the area's 33 charter boats and a fishing fleet that contributes $7 million annually to the local economy, he says. "Last year we had 12 reported incidents of boats either going aground coming into our harbor or doing damage to their drive structures," he says, "and that was just the reported incidents. Something has to be done." New Buffalo used to get federal funds for dredging its harbor, but this year's project - which could cost more than $1 million - is being paid for by state money, a city emergency dredging fund, local businesses and the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, which operates the Four Winds Casino here. The city is seeking bids now for dredging the waterway from the city boat launch through a channel by April 30, says Ryan Fellows, assistant to the city manager. The Michigan Legislature is considering bills that would cut costs for dredging permit fees and allocate $21 million for emergency dredging of 49 public harbors. Fellows says dredging alone won't fix New Buffalo's problems: In a few years, dredging could expose the bottom of the seawall, allowing water to flow beneath it. New Buffalo harbor master Robin Abshire says this spring's dredging is essential. Sailboats with 5-foot keels would be unable to access the city marina now. Some slips were unusable last fall because low water left a stretch of lake bottom exposed, she says, and some vehicles were damaged by a gap between the city boat launch and the water. Abshire says a long-term plan to keep harbors open and the money to pay for maintenance are essential. The harbor generates $7.7 million in annual revenue for the area and supports 130 jobs that produce $2.5 million in labor income every year. "If this harbor were closed," she says, "New Buffalo would be a ghost town." Oselka, who has 12 full-time employees and hires more workers in the summer, is rooting for state legislation that would give private marina owners low-interest loans for dredging, and he's grateful New Buffalo's harbor will be dredged. "We're in better shape than a lot of harbors," he says. Copyright 2013 USATODAY.com Read the original story: Low water levels bedevil Great Lakes harbors

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|Primary Immunodeficiency (PI) affects as many as 1 million Americans and 10 million worldwide. Yet, it is just beginning to receive widespread attention. When a defect in the immune system is carried through the genes, it is called a Primary Immunodeficiency. More than 150 Primary Immunodeficiency diseases have been identified to date. They range widely in severity. Primary Immunodeficiency diseases are characterized by infections that can often be recurring, persistent, debilitating, and chronic. Everyone should know the following vital facts about PI: The result of research in this area of immunology is that our progress is quickly yielding positive benefits for victims of cancer, AIDS, asthma, autoimmunity and a wide range of pulmonary and allergic conditions. - Primary Immunodeficiency diseases can go undetected because they do not have unique symptoms of their own. Rather, they appear as "ordinary" infections, often of the sinuses, ears, or lungs. They can also cause gastrointestinal problems or inflammation of the joints. Families and doctors are often unaware that the troubling conditions they are dealing with are actually rooted in a defect of the immune system. - The infections can be chronic. This means they keep coming back, sometimes frequently, and can be severe. They tend to require prolonged recovery, and the patient may respond poorly to a conventional course of antibiotics. - The diseases can strike males and females of all ages, though they frequently present themselves early in life. The more severe immunodeficiency diseases are detected most frequently in children. - Early diagnosis and treatment of Primary Immunodeficiency disease is essential to preventing the infections from causing permanent damage. - Research in Primary Immunodeficiency is central to progress in immunology. As medical science further illuminates the complexities of the immune system, patients are benefiting from a host of cutting-edge diagnostic tools and treatments. The problems presented by genetic immunodeficiency disease have challenged researchers and immunologists to reach improved diagnoses, treatments, and innovative new therapies. Promising results are being reported for immunodeficient patients using intravenous gamma globulin, bone marrow transplantation, enzyme replacement and genetically engineered proteins such as gamma interferon. How is Primary Immunodeficiency diagnosed? Correct diagnosis of a PI disease begins with awareness of the 10 Warning Signs and the first step in diagnosing a Primary Immunodeficiency disease is a good evaluation. An immune system specialist (immunologist) can help with diagnosis and treatment. If you need help finding an immunologist, the Find an Expert section of this website can help you locate a physician or medical center in your area. Evaluation of the immune system may include: At the time of the evaluation, your doctor will ask questions about your health. Frequent or unusual infections, prolonged diarrhea, and poor childhood growth are some symptoms of a possible Primary Immunodeficiency. Because some Primary Immunodeficiencies run in families, you may also be asked questions about your family history. - Detailed medical history - Physical exam - Blood tests - Vaccines to test the immune response If a Primary Immunodeficiency is suspected, a series of blood tests and vaccines may be required. Blood tests will show if any part of the immune system is missing or not working properly. Vaccines may be given to test the immune system's response, i.e. its ability to fight invaders. See the 4 Stages of Immunologic Testing for more on this process. How is PI treated? There are a variety of treatment choices for immunodeficient patients. At a minimum, the recurring infections can be treated with antibiotics. These can help prevent damage caused by chronic illness, improving a patient's chances for long-term survival while enhancing the quality of life. Another important treatment intervention is antibody replacement therapy, often referred to as IVIG therapy. IVIG works by replacing the antibodies that the body cannot make on its own. IVIG is now an accepted treatment protocol for a range of Primary Immunodeficiency diseases. Individuals can learn more about antibody replacement therapy or IVIG, by visiting the following websites: Baxter Healthcare, CSL Behring, Grifols, and Octapharma. In other cases, bone marrow transplants, gene therapy, or other alternative treatments may be appropriate. What are the goals of treatment? Doctors believe people with a Primary Immunodeficiency can lead active and full lives. A guiding objective of the Jeffrey Modell Foundation is to help people with PI regain or maintain control of their lives by: Additional Information on PI - Participating in work, school, family, and social activities; - Decreasing the number and severity of infections; - Having few, if any, side effects from medications and other treatments; - Feeling good about themselves and their treatment program. If you have been diagnosed with a PI disease, learn more about Living with PI. Learn more about our PI Awareness Campaign and view or download posters, brochures, videos and other educational information on PI. Kids can visit our Kids Korner to learn more about PI. Still have questions? Visit our FAQ section for valuable answers to your most frequently asked questions about PI, or get more information about Specific Defects. You may also want to view our Related Links to other websites involved with PI. In addition, you or someone you know can access information and resources in English and Spanish through our toll-free hotline at 1-866-INFO-4-PI.

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Capital: Honolulu (on Oahu) State abbreviation/Postal code: Hawaii/HI Governor: Neil Abercrombie, D (to Dec. 2014) Lieut. Governor: Shan Tsutsui (to Dec. 2014) Senators: Mazie Hirono (D) (to Jan. 2019); Brian Schatz, D (to Dec. 2014) U.S. Representatives: 2 Historical biographies of Congressional members Atty. General: David M. Louie, D (appt'd. by gov.) Organized as territory: 1900 Entered Union (rank): Aug. 21, 1959 (50) Motto: Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono (The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness) |flower||hibiscus (yellow) (1988)| |song||“Hawaii Ponoi” (1967)| |bird||nene (Hawaiian goose) (1957)| |tree||kukui (candlenut) (1959)| Nickname: Aloha State (1959) Origin of name: Uncertain. The islands may have been named by Hawaii Loa, their traditional discoverer. Or they may have been named after Hawaii or Hawaiki, the traditional home of the Polynesians. 10 largest cities1 (2010): Honolulu, 387,170; Pearl City, 47,698; Hilo, 43,263; Kailua, 38,635; Waipahu, 38,216; Kaneohe, 34,597; Mililani Town, 27,629; Kahului, 26,337; Kihei, 20,881; Wahiawa, 17,821. Land area: 6,423 sq mi. (16,637 sq km) Geographic center: Between islands of Hawaii and Maui Number of counties: 5 (Kalawao non-functioning) Largest county by population and area: Honolulu, 953,207 (2010); Hawaii, 4,028 sq mi. State forests: 19 natural area reserves (over 109,000 ac.) State park: 52 (25,000 ac.) Residents: Hawaiian, also kamaaina (native-born nonethnic Hawaiian), malihini (newcomer) 2010 resident population: 1,360,301 2010 resident census population (rank): 1,360,301 (40). Male: 681,243 (50.1%); Female: 679,058 (49.9%). White: 336,599 (24.7%); Black: 21,424 (1.6%); American Indian: 4,164 (0.3%); Asian: 525,078 (38.6%); Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 135,422 (10.0%); Other race: 16,985 (1.3%); Two or more races: 320,629 (23.6%); Hispanic/Latino: 120,842 (8.9%). 2010 population 18 and over: 1,056,483; 65 and over: 195,138 (14.3%); median age: 38.6. See additional census data 1. Census Designated Places. First settled by Polynesians sailing from other Pacific islands between A.D. 300 and 600, Hawaii was visited in 1778 by British captain James Cook, who called the group the Sandwich Islands. Hawaii was a native kingdom throughout most of the 19th century, when the expansion of the sugar industry (pineapple came after 1898) meant increasing U.S. business and political involvement. In 1893, Queen Liliuokalani was deposed, and a year later the Republic of Hawaii was established with Sanford B. Dole as president. Following annexation (1898), Hawaii became a U.S. territory in 1900. The Japanese attack on the naval base at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, was directly responsible for U.S. entry into World War II. Hawaii, 2,397 mi west-southwest of San Francisco, is a 1,523-mile chain of islets and eight main islands—Hawaii, Kahoolawe, Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, other than Midway, are administratively part of Hawaii. The temperature is mild, and cane sugar, pineapple, and flowers and nursery products are the chief products. Hawaii also grows coffee beans, bananas, and macadamia nuts. The tourist business is Hawaii's largest source of outside income. Hawaii's highest peak is Mauna Kea (13,796 ft). Mauna Loa (13,679 ft) is the largest volcanic mountain in the world by volume. Among the major points of interest are Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Hawaii), Haleakala National Park (Maui), Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park (Hawaii), Polynesian Cultural Center (Oahu), the USS Arizona and USS Missouri Memorial at Pearl Harbor, The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Oahu), and Iolani Palace (the only royal palace in the U.S.), Bishop Museum, and Waikiki Beach (all in Honolulu). Hawaii-born Barack Obama was elected president of the United States. See more on Hawaii: Monthly Temperature Extremes All U.S. States: Geography & Climate Printable Outline Maps Record Highest Temperatures Record Lowest Temperatures Highest, Lowest, and Mean Elevations Land and Water Area All U.S. States: Population & Economy Historical Population Statistics, 1790–Present Per Capita Personal Income Minimum Wage Rates Federal Government Expenditure Percent of People in Poverty Births and Birth Rates Percentage of Uninsured by State All U.S. States: Society & Culture: Most Livable States Most Dangerous States Residency Requirements for Voting Compulsory School Attendance Laws National Public Radio Stations Information Please® Database, © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. More on Hawaii from Infoplease: - Alaska-Hawaii time: meaning and definitions - Alaska-Hawaii time: Definition and Pronunciation - University of Hawaii - Hawaii, University of Hawaii, University of, at Honolulu (Manoa Campus), Hilo, and Pearl City (West ... - Hawaii, island, United States - Hawaii Hawaii, island (1990 pop. 120,217), 4,037 sq mi (10,456 sq km), largest and southernmost ... - Hawaii: Temperature Extremes - Hawaii: Temperature Extremes Month Maximum °F Year Place Minimum °F Year Place Jan. 93 1963 ... - Hawaii: meaning and definitions - Hawaii: Definition and Pronunciation 24 X 7 ||24 x 7 Tutor Availability ||Unlimited Online Tutoring

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Imagineyou’re at the helm of a 747 commercial airliner, cruising over the Rocky Mountains. Alone in the cockpit, you’re on your third cup of coffee, having long since resorted to taping your eyelids open to keep from falling asleep. You’re exhausted. Above your head, one of the vast constellation of instruments surrounding you begins to flash rhythmically. Looks kind of serious, doesn’t it? You try to slap yourself awake and think, think! Maybe that light knows something you don’t. Maybe those other silent instruments should be registering distress. Is there a dead fuse somewhere? Are we all going to die? In a panic, you bank hard left and smash into the mountains. This may be how the brain tends to malfunction when it hasn’t gotten enough sleep — it freaks out over the unimportant details. We believe this now because of research conducted by the team of Hans Van Dongen at Washington State University Spokane over the last three years — the results of which were published earlier this year. Granted, Van Dongen, the principal investigator in the study, wasn’t researching pilots, specifically. (And, yes, the FAA takes precautions to keep drowsy pilots away from the yoke — if not away from their laptops). But the work that Van Dongen and his crew of researchers and students conducted has overturned the common wisdom about sleeplessness — the old thinking that it impaired the brain’s ability to make decisions based on input, to strategize, to execute. The study introduced groups of four nominally paid volunteers at a time to the university’s sleep lab — an apartment-like space with couches and food and beds, but no natural light, television or Internet. Each volunteer was hooked up to a battery of electrodes that monitor brain waves and other vital signs. Then they were tucked into bed for the first two nights. Following the second night, they were kept awake for the next 62 hours. Throughout this time, the four volunteers were tested for various cognitive functions. In one task, subjects had to decode numbers and letters. Another was something like Scattergories, in which subjects had to name, for example, as many animals that begin with “b” as possible. A third tested their scanning working memory by having them memorize a series of letters and then asking if certain other letters were in that original series. What they found was surprising. While the sleepless subjects did lousy on most of the tasks, they did just as well on the executive function, or decision-making, aspects of the tasks when they were sleepy as they did when they first showed up to the lab. “Sleep deprivation did nothing to slow you down,” says Van Dongen. “That came as a complete surprise. Our prediction, based on the knowledge of the field, was that it would be affected. It turned out completely the opposite.” These results should shake up the sleep research community. But they also pose another question: Why, if our decision-making abilities are so intact when we’re sleep-deprived, do we still make bad decisions? “Something else in the chain of information processing must go wrong,” Van Dongen says. “We think you have trouble encoding the information. But that’s something we have yet to prove.” He says that the sleep-deprived brain does a lousy job of gathering the information needed to make a decision. Information that’s relevant to the decision may not get as much attention as data that are merely salient — in other words, the brain focuses more on the louder info than the correct info. That brings us back to our cockpit. Our drowsy pilot made a bad decision because he mistakenly perceived that big flashing light to be a really big deal, when in fact it was merely alerting him that it was time for the in-flight movie to begin. Clearly, that big screaming signal was more salient than relevant to the decisions needed to fly the plane. So what if, given our new understanding of the brain, we re-design the cockpit? Less important things get little tiny light indicators. Big game-changing information (altitude, airspeed, cabin pressure) gets a big display. Now the important things are both salient and relevant. That could take a huge load off the weary mind of our drooping pilot. Or, for that matter, anybody who runs long shifts with heavy responsibilities. “We know what that’s like,” Van Dongen says. “All the people who work here are really busy. Twenty-four-hour operations add to the complexity.” Asked what he does when he feels that 3 pm nap coming on, he shrugs and motions to the other side of his wall. “We have a sleep lab right there,” he says.

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A box girder bridge is a bridge in which the beams are made up of box shaped girders. The box girders consist of concrete, steel or a combination of both. Most of the modern elevated structures are built on the basis of the box girder bridge. Most of us have travel on the box girder bridges regularly. The most common examples are the flyovers and the structures built for light rail transport. They can sustain heavy weight and hence used in the construction of flyovers. These are used to construct crossways for pedestrians. Box girders are used on cable styled bridges and other forms but generally they are a form of Beam Bridges. The support beams of the girders are tightly coupled together to form a hollow box. This hollow box can have the shape of a rectangle, tightly coupled triangles or trapezium. The box girder bridges offer a stronger support for bridges constructed with an arch. The most famous Bay Bridge in California, connecting San Francisco and Oakland is a classic example of the Box girder bridge. The box girder bridges are made of prefabricated steel which are manufactured in the factory and assembled onsite. The girders can also be made up (EDIT : these are still being made so I think it should be are made of than can also be made of)of high performance, prestressed, reinforced concrete or a mixture of both concrete and steel. Both the girders and bridges can be manufactured elsewhere and installed at a different place as they are prefabricated. That is the beauty of this construction. The bridge can be installed in its position by incremental launching. Huge cranes are used to place the new segments onto the completed portions of the bridge until the whole structure is completely assembled. Box girder bridges have a number of key advantages when compared to the I- beam girders. Box girders offer better resistance to torsion. This is beneficial especially for a curved bridge. Larger girders and stronger flanges can be used as this allows for a longer span between the support posts that hold the bridge. The huge hollow boxes can be used to place the Water lines, telephone cables and other utility lines. Box girders are more expensive to fabricate and difficult to maintain because of the need of a confined space inside the box. There were major disasters that occurred when the West Gate Bridge of Australia and Cleddau Bridge of UK collapsed. But these disasters gave rise to a new design in the box girder bridges. Bridges being constructed these days are being designed keeping in mind the occurrences of earthquakes as well. They are designed to withstand even high magnitude earthquake. One of the major threats is the corrosion of steel cables inside the bridge. Recently in 2009, an inspection was conducted on the Cline Avenue Bridge over the Indiana harbor and the ship canal. This inspection revealed a serious corrosion of the steel cables and the steel within the girders of the box due to water seepage. It was so badly corroded that there was no solution to this and the bridge had to be closed down permanently. Therefore these bridges have to be checked regularly and serviced to prevent corrosion. Using high grade steel and corrosion free metals or alloys in the construction of box girder bridges can help in preventing the bridges from getting corroded.

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Scientists gets further evidence that Mars once had oceans Mars, our neighbor, once the dreams of science fiction writers and astronomers, one of which only wrote about the live that could have lived on Mars, and still might; while the other seeks to prove that there might actually have been life on that red planet eons ago. Part of proving that idea is being able to show that there was water on the surface of Mars, water that would have been the foundation of life, just as it is here on earth. To help find the facts behind whether there was, or even still is, water on Mars the European Space Agency (ESA) Mars Express space craft which houses the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionsphere Sounding (MARSIS) has detected sediment on the planet, the type of sediment that you would find on the floor of an ocean. It is within the boundaries of features tentatively identified in images from various spacecraft as shorelines that MARSIS detected sedimentary deposits reminiscent of an ocean floor. “MARSIS penetrates deep into the ground, revealing the first 60 – 80 meters (197 – 262 ft) of the planet’s subsurface,” says Wlodek Kofman, leader of the radar team at the Institut de Planétologie et d’Astrophysique de Grenoble (IPAG). “Throughout all of this depth, we see the evidence for sedimentary material and ice.” The sediments detected by MARSIS are areas of low radar reflectivity, which typically indicates low-density granular materials that have been eroded away by water and carried to their final resting place. Scientists are interpreting these sedimentary deposits, which may still be ice-rich, as another indication that there once an ocean in this spot. At this point scientists have proposed that there were two main oceans on the planet. One was aroun the 4 billion year ago range with the second at around 3 billion years ago. For the scientist the MARSIS findings provide some of the best evidence yet that Mars did have large bodies of water on its surface and that the water played a major role in the planet’s geological history.

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Its an interesting question. But since doctors dont really know the answer, youve caught the scientific community napping as well. Even so, several things come to mind. The first thing to consider is the possibility that you nap because you have daytime sleepiness. If so, then what might be the cause? - Do you take any medicine that might make you sleepy? Review your prescriptions with your pharmacist or next time you visit your doctor. - Have you started having problems sleeping at night? If you sleep well at night and wake up refreshed, dont worry. But if you feel groggy or have early morning headaches, you may have sleep apnea or some other cause of interrupted sleep. - Could you be depressed? Ask yourself if you no longer enjoy activities that previously gave you pleasure, and whether you are feeling low. It sounds as if your nap is voluntary and enjoyable. So it probably does not reflect an underlying sleep disturbance. If it refreshes your day without making it hard for you to sleep at night, snooze away. For most people, a 20- to 40-minute nap between noon and 4:00 p.m. is the best way to catch a few winks without disturbing the sleep-wake cycle. But remember to give yourself a good 10 minutes to wake up gently before you engage in mentally or physically demanding tasks. When NASA and the FAA studied napping in airline pilots, they found that napping improved mental alertness and performance. Many night shift workers are also perked up by naps as brief as 1520 minutes. Do naps improve overall health? Napping is the exception in America. But afternoon siestas are the rule in many Mediterranean and Latin American countries. Scientists have learned that blood pressure drops during a siesta. But it rises abruptly on awakening. Is this meaningful? Probably not, but we cant be sure. Until doctors dream up a way to resolve the contradiction, there is no reason for you to deprive yourself of a pleasurable nap.

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The Current Surface Analysis map shows current weather conditions , including frontal and high/low pressure positions, satellite infrared (IR) cloud cover , and areas of precipitation . A surface weather analysis is a special type of weather map that provides a view of weather elements over a geographical area at a specified time based on information from ground-based weather stations. Weather maps are created by plotting or tracing the values of relevant quantities such as sea level pressure, temperature , and cloud cover onto a geographical map to help find synoptic scale features such as weather fronts. The first weather maps in the 19th century were drawn well after the fact to help devise a theory on storm systems. After the advent of the telegraph, simultaneous surface weather observations became possible for the first time, and beginning in the late 1840s, the Smithsonian Institution became the first organization to draw real-time surface analyses. Use of surface analyses began first in the United States, spreading worldwide during the 1870s. Use of the Norwegian cyclone model for frontal analysis began in the late 1910s across Europe, with its use finally spreading to the United States during World War II. Surface weather analyses have special symbols which show frontal systems, cloud cover , or other important information. For example, an H may represent high pressure, implying good and fair weather. An L on the other hand may represent low pressure, which frequently accompanies precipitation . Various symbols are used not just for frontal zones and other surface boundaries on weather maps, but also to depict the present weather at various locations on the weather map. Areas of precipitation help determine the frontal type and location.

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The African continent has not benefited adequately from its vast natural resources, including water, due to lack of sound policy and governance frameworks to ensure sustainable and equitable allocation as well as use and management of the available resources. This was said yesterday by Zanzibar Second Vice-President Seif Ali Iddi on behalf of Zanzibar President Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein at the opening of the fourth International Hydrological Programme (IHP)-UNESCO Africa Water, Science, Policy and Management conference. “We must accept that not all countries in Africa have water policies and where they exist few of them address management issues adequately. I wish to stress that for sound management frameworks to function there is need for reliable and timely data and information. This is a prerequisite for informed decision making at the appropriate level,” he noted. He said data collection networks however are expensive to establish, operate and maintain, adding that even where such networks had been established, quite a number of them are not operational due to inadequate financial resources allocated for the purpose. Shein added that as water storage and structures and pipelines require heavy investments, there is now a need for consideration of water as an infrastructure issue and hence requiring investment financing by the private sector. However, he said in Tanzania, for instance, the shortfall in meeting the MDG's full access of water by rural communities needs great support. Currently, the coverage stands at 58.7 per cent for rural and 86 percent for urban areas, while the MDG’s targets are 65 per cent and 90 per cent for rural and urban areas, respectively. “There is need for allocating adequate financial resources to the water sector accompanied by good governance for Africa to make significant and sustainable socio-economic development. The moment of decision is now,” he insisted. Moreover, he said, unfortunately the freshwater situation in Africa was not encouraging. By 2025, about 18 African countries, including Tanzania, were experiencing water stress. Presently, it is estimated that more than 300 million people in Africa live in a water-scarcity environment. The amount of freshwater available for each person in Africa is about one-quarter of what it was in 1950. In many countries, requirements for domestic freshwater use, sanitation, industry and agriculture can’t be met. For his part, Minister for Education and Vocational Training Dr. Shukuru Kawambwa commended UNESCO and IHP for organizing the conference at a time when the whole world was yet to recover from the global financial crisis and rising food prices. “These and other challenges call for concerted efforts by African countries individually and collectively to address them so as to improve the social welfare of our people,” he said.

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EḴTĪĀRĀT (choices, elections), a term used in Islamic divination and astrology in at least four principle meanings: 1. It refers to hemerologies in which each of the thirty days of a month, either synodic or conventional (e.g., the Persian hemerology), is characterized as being good (saʿd) or bad (naḥs) for undertaking specified activities. 2. The goodness or badness of the time for activities depends on the lunar station (manzel al-qamar) occupied by the moon. 3. The goodness or badness of the time for activities depends on the zodiacal sign occupied by the moon. 4. The type of astrology usually denominated catarchic (ḥokm al-nojūm) is often associated with the word eḵtīārāt; in Islamic astrology, following a Sasanian precedent, this is confounded with interrogations (masāʾel). 1. The earliest hemerologies are those of Mesopotamia, in which each day of each month is usually given a religious significance as well as a number of activities to be undertaken or avoided (Labat, 1939). There also exists a far simpler form in which each day in each month is either favorable or unfavorable, or is associated with a single activity (Labat, 1943; for further Mesopotamian sources see Reiner, pp. 111-12). A Persian hemerology that may be related to this Mesopotamian tradition is found in the Andarz ī Ādurbād īMahraspandān (secs. 119-48, I, pp. 58-71, tr. in Zaehner, pp. 101-10). In this text the thirty days of a Persian month are identified by their associated deities, and one or two activities are advised to be engaged in or avoided on each. Perhaps related to a Persian tradition, though not to the Andarz of Ādurbād, is the Mandaean hemerology in chapter 8 of The Book of the Zodiac (Drower, pp. 88-92). This is a combination of three sources, excerpted for each of the thirty days of a month, and listing activities to be undertaken or avoided and prognostications for one who becomes ill and for one who is born on that day. Close to this is a Greek text published in Catalogus Codicum Astrologorum Graecorum (XI/1, pp. 134-44; this text cites Melampus, for whom see the lunarium conflated from Melampus and another “Egyptian” book in VIII/4, pp. 105-07). Reflecting to some extent the contents of the Andarz of Ādurbād is an Arabic bookattributed to Imam Jaʿfar al-Ṣādeq (see Sezgin, GAS VII, pp. 323-24, 373). It is also very close in content to the chapter of the Mandaean Book of the Zodiac referred to above; but in addition contains parts of the associations of the thirty days of the month with stories from the Old Testament found in many similar Byzantine hemerologies (Catalogus III, pp. 32-39, X, pp. 121-26, ascribed to David and Solomon, 196-200, 243-47, XI/2, pp. 157-62). The Mandaean and the Byzantine hemerologies along with Jaʿfar al-Ṣādeq’s Ketāb all share a common source. Also attributed to Jaʿfar al-Ṣādeq are the short hemerologies which, like the second Mesopotamian text (Labat, 1943), do little more than indicate that the day is favorable or unfavorable (see, e.g., Ruska,II, pp. 35-36; for similar works in Syriac and Greek, see Budge, II, pp. 557-59; CCAG 8/4, pp. 102-04). Ebied and Young (p. 296, n. 3) mention a long hemerology in Arabic attributed to Daniel, Salmān the Persian, and Jaʿfar al-Ṣādeq, which, they say, has a number of features reflecting Zoroastrian concepts. They state that they are preparing an edition; it seems not yet to have appeared. 2. The second type of elections originated in India, where it is the basic form of their science of catarchic astrology (muhūrtaśāstra); there the operative variable is the nakṣatra in which the moon is located (Pingree, Jyotiḥśāstra,chap. 6, pp. 101-09). In Sasanian Persia there seems to have been an adaptation of this methodology in which the nakṣatras were given Persian names (for these names, see Henning, esp. pp. 242-46). Later, they were identified with the Arabic manāzel al-qamar; and there exists in the Ketāb al-bāreʿfī aḥkām al-nojūm of ʿAlī b. Abi’l-Rejāl (Sezgin, GAS VII, pp. 186-87), a chapter (21 of book 7) in which for each manzel (station) occupied by the moon are given the elections according to the Indians, to Dorotheus (in part concocted from the fifth book of his work), and to the Persians, as well as the fates of male and female natives and a description of the manzel’s image for use in astral magic; there is a Byzantine translation of this astrological text (Catalogus IX/1, pp. 141-56). Such a text also appears in the Ḡāyat at al-ḥakīm ascribed to Abū Maslama Majrīṭī (ed. H. Ritter, Leipzig, 1933, bk. 1, chap. 4, pp. 14-26; Byzantine texts are found in Catalogus V/3, pp. 90-93, VIII/1, pp. 218-19). 3. The judgement that it is or it is not propitious to begin a specified activity when the moon is in a designated zodiacal sign occurs first in Akkadian texts of the Seleucid period (Reiner, pp.108-11). The principal Greek source of such teachings was the astrological poem of Dorotheus of Sidon (bk. 5 passim), which had been translated into Pahlavi in the third century, and from that language was translated into Arabic by ʿOmar b. Farroḵān Ṭabarī (Dorothei Sidonii Carmen Astrologicum, ed. D. Pingree, Leipzig, 1976) and, at least in part, by Māšāʾ-Allāh (D. Pingree, “Māshāʾallāh”). Other elements of this form of elections are found in the Apotelesmatica of Hephaestio of Thebes (ed. D. Pingree, Leipzig, 1973, bk. 3, chap. 5, pp. 240-51; cf. also Catalogus V/3, pp. 94-96). Hephaestio was read by Theophilus (Ṯawfīl b. Ṯūmā) of Edessa, and introduced by him to Māšāʾ-Allāh (both were at the ʿAbbasid court during the last half of the 8th century). From these Greek sources—Dorotheus and Hephaestio—, as filtered through Māšāʾ-Allāh, elections based on the zodiacal sign occupied by the moon became an integral part of astrology as practiced in the Islamic world. Thus, for example, Naṣīr-al-Dīn Ṭūsī came to write in Persian an Eḵtīārāt masīr al-qamar, otherwise known as the Eḵtīārāt-e qamar fī borūj-e eṯnay ʿašar (Storey, II, pp. 54-55). 4. Dorotheus of Sidon initiated a more complex method of practicing catarchic astrology in which the astrologer must search for the most propitious moment for undertaking an activity, basing his judgment on the full horoscope of that time. After this form of catarchic astrology reached India in the second century, it was paralleled by the Indian development of interrogational astrology (praśnajñāna), in which the judgment concerning an activity was based on the horoscope of the moment at which the question was posed to the astrologer. Both Indian muhūrtaśāstra and praśnajñāna were transmitted to Persia during the Sasanian era, and there blended with the Pahlavi translations of Dorotheus and Vettius Valens into an ambiguous science of elections, which was partly catarchic, partly interrogational. To the subject normally addressed by the Greek astrologers, the Indians added military astrology, by which kings and generals may be advised. To the subjects addressed by both Greek and Indian astrologers, the Persians added political astrology, by which both the governors and their potential or actual rivals may be advised (this dangerous aspect of astrology had long been banned in the Roman empire; see Cramer). The Pahlavi books on elections are now all lost, but we know of them through the Greek works of Theophilus of Edessa, the Arabic translations of Dorotheus and Valens (Wālīs), the writings attributed to Zoroaster and to Bozorgmehr (q.v.), and the Arabic works of a number of astrologers of Persian background who wrote in the late eighth and ninth centuries, notably Māšāʾ-Allāh, ʿOmar b. Farroḵān Ṭabarī, and Sahl b. Bešr (Ketāb al-eḵtīārāt ʿala’l-boyūt al-eṯnay ʿašar). Based on this early Arabic tradition are several treatises written in Persian. None of them has yet been published or studied, so that little more can be done here than to name them. The earliest is a Ketāb-e eḵtīārāt composed at the order of Sultan Sanjar Saljūqī (r. 511-52/1117-57; Storey, II, p. 46). In the first decade of the thirteenth century Faḵr-al-Dīn Moḥammad b. ʿOmar Rāzī (d. 606/1209) composed a Ketāb al-eḵtīārāt al-ʿalāʾīya fi’l-eḵtīārātal-samāʾīya for Sultan ʿAlāʾ-al-Dīn Moḥammad Ḵᵛārazmšāh (r. 596-617/1200-20). Rāzī himself later translated this into Arabic (Storey, II, p. 49). And on either 20 Rajab 663/8 May 1265 or 9 Jomādā I 670/13 December 1271 Naṣīr-al-Dīn Ṭūsī completed, at Marāḡa, a Persian translation of and commentary on the Ketāb al-ṯamara of pseudo-Ptolemy; he had undertaken this work at the request of Bahāʾ-al-Dīn Moḥammad Joveynī (Storey, II, pp. 36-37). Andarz ī Ādurbād īMahraspandān in J. M. Jamasp-Asana, ed., The Pahlavi Texts Contained in the Codex MX I, Bombay, 1897. E. A. W. Budge, The Syriac Book of Medicines, 2 vols., London, 1913. Catalogus Codicum Astrologorum Graecorum, 12 vols. in 20 parts, Brussels, 1898-1954. F. H. Cramer, Astrologyin Roman Law and Politics, Philadelphia, 1954. E. S. Drower, The Book of theZodiac, London, 1949. T. Fahd, “Ikhtiyārāt” in EI ² III, pp. 1063-64. W. B. Henning, “An Astrological Chapter of the Bundahishn,” JRAS, 1942, pp. 229-48. Imam Jaʿfar al-Ṣādeq, Ketāb eḵtīārāt ayyām al-šahr,ed. and tr. R. Y. Ebied and M. J. L. Young as A Treatise on Hemerology Ascribed to Ğaʿfar al-Ṣādiq, Arabica 23, 1976, pp. 296-307. R. Labat, Hémerologies et ménologies d’Assur, Paris, 1939. Idem, Un almanach babylonien (VR 48-49), Paris 1943. D. N. MacKenzie, “Zoroastrian Astrology in the Bundahišn,” BSO(A)S 27, 1964, pp. 511-29. D. Pingree, Jyotiḥśāstra, Wiesbaden, 1981. Idem, “Māshāʾallāh. Greek, Pahlavi, Arabic, and Latin Astrology,” forthcoming in Arabic Science and Philosophy. E. Reiner, Astral Magic in Babylonia, Philadelphia, 1995. J. Ruska, Arabische Al-chemisten II. Ğaʿfar al-Ṣādiq, der sechste Imām, Heidelberg, 1924, pp. 35-36. Sezgin, GAS VII, pp. 32-38, 49-50, 80-87, 125-28, 324-25. R. C. Zaehner, The Teachings of the Magi, London, 1956. Originally Published: December 15, 1998 Last Updated: December 9, 2011 This article is available in print. Vol. VIII, Fasc. 3, pp. 291-293

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Breakthroughs bring the next two major leaps in computing power into sight Breakthroughs might make quantum computing, replacement for silicon practical within a decade One of the best things about covering technology is that you're always on the edge of a completely new generation of stuff that will make everything completely different than it ever was before, even before the last generation made everything different. "Completely different" always seems pretty much the same, with a few more complications, higher costs and a couple of cool new capabilities, of course. Unless you look back a decade or two and see that everything is completely different from the way it was then… Must be some conceptual myopia that keeps us in happy suspense over the future, nostalgic wonder at the past and bored annoyance with the present. The next future to get excited about is going to be really cool, though. You know how long scientists have been working on quantum computers that will be incomparably more powerful than the ones we have now because don't have to be built on a "bit" that's either a 1 or a zero? They would use a piece of quantum data called a qubit (or qbit, consistent with everything in the quantum world, the spelling wants to be two things at once), that can exist in several states at the same time. That would turn the most basic function in computing from a toggle switch to a dial with many settings. Multiply the number of pieces of data in the lowest-level function of the computer and you increase its power logarithmically. Making it happen has been a trick; they've been under development for 20 years and probably won't show up for another 10. Teams of Austrian scientists may cut that time down a bit with a system they developed they say can create digital models of quantum-computing systems to make testing and development of both theory and manufacturing issues quicker and easier. They did it the same way Lord of the Rings brought Gollum to life: putting a living example in front of cameras and taking detailed pictures they could use to recreate the image in any other digital environment. Rather than an actor, the photo subject was a calcium atom, drastically cooled to slow its motion, then manipulated it using lasers, putting it through a set of paces predicted by quantum-mechanical theory, and recorded the results. Abstracting those results lets the computer model predict the behavior of almost any other quantum particle or environment, making it possible to use the quantum version of a CAD/CAM system to develop and test new approaches to the systems that will actually become quantum computers, according to a paper published in the journal Science by researchers from the University of Innsbruck and the Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information (IQOQI). Far sooner than quantum computers will blow our digitized minds, transistors made from grapheme rather than chunkier materials will allow designers to create processors far more dense – and therefore more potentially powerful – than anything theoretically possible using silicon and metallic alloys we rely on now. Graphene is a one-atom-thick layer of carbon that offers almost no resistance to electricity flowing through it, but doesn't naturally contain electrons at two energy levels, as silicon does. Silicon transistors flip on or off by shifting electrons from one energy level to another. Even silicon doesn't work that way naturally. It has to be "doped" with impurities to change its properties as a semiconductor. For graphene to work the same way, researchers have to add inverters that that mimic the dual energy levels of silicon. So far they only work at 320 degrees below zero Fahrenheit (77 degrees Kelvin). Researchers at Purdue's Birck Nanotechnology Center built a version that operates at room temperature, removing the main barrier to graphene as a practical option for computer systems design The researchers, led by doctoral candidate Hong-Yan Chen presented their paper at the Device Research Conference in Santa Barbara. Calif. in June to publicize their results with the inverter. Real application will have to wait for Chen or others to integrate the design into a working circuit based on graphene rather than silicon. Systems built on graphene have the potential to boost the computing power of current processors by orders of magnitude while reducing their size and energy use, but only if they operate in offices not cooled to 77 degrees Kelvin. It will still be a few years before graphene starts showing up in airline magazines, let alone in IT budgets. We'll probably be tired of them, too, by the time quantum computers show up, but there's just no satisfying some people. Read more of Kevin Fogarty's CoreIT blog and follow the latest IT news at ITworld. Follow Kevin on Twitter at @KevinFogarty. For the latest IT news, analysis and how-tos, follow ITworld on Twitter and Facebook.

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And Wallace was impetuous. While Darwin fully understood the implications of his theory, holding back publication because he knew he would upset believers, including his wife, Wallace plunged in, happy to upset society. He didn’t give a damn, said Jonathan Rosen, in an essay on Wallace in the New Yorker magazine last year. “This utter independence from public opinion is one of several reasons that he has all but vanished from popular consciousness.” In addition, Wallace believed in spiritualism (which Darwin and his friends detested) and later campaigned against vaccination. “Wallace was an admirable man and was almost saintly in his treatment of others,” says David Attenborough. “However, as a scientist, he was no match for Darwin. Wallace came up with the idea of natural selection in a couple of weeks in a malarial fever. Darwin not only worked out the theory, he amassed swathes of information to support it.” This point is backed by historian Jim Endersby. “Natural selection was a brilliant idea but it was the weight of evidence, provided by Darwin, that made it credible. That is why we remember Darwin as its principal author.” On his round-the-world voyage on the Beagle, between 1831 and 1836, he had filled countless notebooks with observations, particularly those of the closely related animals he saw on the different islands of the Galapagos. And then, in his vast garden at Downe, Darwin had crossbred orchids, grown passionflowers and on one occasion played a bassoon to earthworms to test their response to vibrations. He collected masses of data about plant and animal breeding to support his arguments in “The Origin of Species.” Wallace could provide nothing like this. This has not stopped accusations that Darwin and his supporters used some very dirty tricks indeed to scupper Wallace. According to these ideas, Darwin received Wallace’s paper from Ternate several weeks earlier than he later claimed, filched its contents and then used them as his own in “The Origin of Species.” This argument is outlined in two American books — by Arnold Brackman and by John Langdon Brooks — that were published 20 years ago and depict Darwin as an unscrupulous opportunist and intellectual thief. Neither book provides anything like a convincing case, however, and the vast majority of academics have since concluded their claims are neither fair nor credible. As Wallace’s own biographer Peter Raby concludes: “Never has an intriguing theory been built on slenderer evidence. As for the human factor, there is nothing in Darwin’s life to suggest that he was capable of such massive intellectual dishonesty, even if he was not especially generous in acknowledging his sources and debts.” Indeed, historians argue that had it not been for Darwin, the idea of natural selection would have suffered grievously. If he had not been the first to develop natural selection, and Wallace had been the one to get the kudos and attention, the theory would have made a very different impact. “In the end, Wallace came to believe evolution was sometimes guided by a higher power,” adds Endersby, who has edited the forthcoming Cambridge University Press edition of “The Origin of Species.” “He thought natural selection could not account for the nature of the human mind and claimed humanity was affected by forces that took it outside the animal kingdom.” This is perilously close to the idea of Intelligent Design, the notion — put forward by modern creationists — that a deity had a hand in directing the course of evolution. By contrast, Darwin’s vision was austere and indicated humanity as a mere “twig on the enormously arborescent bush of life which, if replanted from seed, would almost surely not grow this twig again,” as Stephen Jay Gould describes it. According to Darwin, there are no get-out clauses for humans. We are as bound to the laws of natural selection as a bacterium or a tortoise. The roots of this unforgiving doctrine have a very human face, however. Darwin meshed his life and career tightly together. He was a family man to his core and while he was grief-stricken by the death of baby Charles in 1858, he had been left utterly shattered by the death from tuberculosis of his 10-year-old daughter, Annie, in 1851, as his great-great grandson, Randal Keynes points out in his book “Annie’s Box: Charles Darwin, his daughter and human evolution.” Mustard poultices, brandy, chloride of lime and ammonia were all that medicine could then offer Annie when she started to sicken. None had any effect on her worsening bouts of vomiting and delirium until Annie “expired without a sigh” on April 23, 1851, Darwin recalled. “We have lost the joy of the household and the solace of our old age.” Keynes argues persuasively that Annie’s death had a considerable impact on Darwin’s thinking. “In her last days, he had watched as her face was changed beyond recognition by the emaciation of her fatal illness. You could only understand the true conditions of life if you held on to a sense of the true ruthlessness of natural forces.” Thus Darwin’s eyes had been opened to the unforgiving processes that drive evolution. “We behold the face of nature bright with gladness,” he wrote years later. “We do not see, or we forget, that the birds which are idly singing around us mostly live on insects or seeds, and are thus constantly destroying life, or we forget how largely these songsters, or their eggs, or their nestlings, are destroyed by birds or beasts of prey.” Or as he wrote elsewhere: “All Nature is war.” This pitiless vision — which stressed blind chance as the main determiner in the struggle for survival and the course of evolution — was upsetting for Victorians who put such faith in self-help and hard work. Nevertheless, this is the version of natural selection that has since been supported by a century and a half of observation and which is now accepted by virtually every scientist on Earth. I t has not been a happy process, of course. Even today, natural selection holds a special status among scientific theories as being the one that it is still routinely rejected and attacked by a significant — albeit small — segment of society, mainly fundamentalist Christians and Muslims. Such individuals tend to have few views on relativity, the Big Bang, or quantum mechanics, but adamantly reject the idea that humanity is linked to the rest of the animal world and descended from ape-like ancestors. “Twenty years ago, this was not a problem,” says Steve Jones, a professor of genetics at University College London. “Today, I get dozens of students who ask to be excused lectures on evolution because of their religious beliefs. They even accuse me of telling lies when I say natural selection is backed by the facts. So I ask if they believe in Mendel’s laws of genetics? They say yes, of course. And the existence of DNA? Again, yes. And genetic mutations? Yes. The spread of insecticide resistance? Yes. The divergence of isolated populations on islands? Yes. And do you accept that 98 percent of DNA is shared by humans and chimps? Again yes. So what is wrong with natural selection? It’s all lies, they say. It beats me, frankly.” This dismay is shared by Dawkins. “These people claim the world is less than 10,000 years old, which is wrong by a great many orders of magnitude. Earth is several billion years old. These individuals are not just silly, they are colossally, staggeringly ignorant. I am sure sense will prevail, however.” And Jones agrees. “It’s a passing phase. In 20 years, this nonsense will have gone.” Natural selection is simply too important for society to live without it, he argues. It is the grammar of the living world and provides biologists with the means to make sense of our planet’s myriad plants and animals, a view shared by Attenborough whose entire Life on Earth programs rests on the bed-rock of Darwinian thinking. “Opponents say natural selection is not a theory supported by observation or experiment; that it is not based on fact; and that it cannot be proved,” Attenborough says. “Well, no, you cannot prove the theory to people who won’t believe in it any more than you can prove that the Battle of Hastings took place in 1066. However, we know the battle happened then, just as we know the course of evolution on Earth unambiguously shows that Darwin was right.”

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No Holiday As Joyous Tu B’Av (The Fifteenth of Av) is no longer the well-known holiday on the Jewish calendar that it was in ancient times. In fact, in Talmudic times it was said: “There were no holidays so joyous for the Jewish People as the Fifteenth of Av…” (Ta’anit 26b). On Tu B’Av, the unmarried maidens of Jerusalem would go out to the vineyards to dance together under the gaze of the unmarried men (sort of a Sadie Hawkins Day!). Each young lady would be dressed in white clothing borrowed from her neighbor so that those who came from wealthy families would not stand out and none would be embarrassed. As they danced, the ladies would call out: “Young man, lift your eyes and choose wisely. Don’t look only at physical beauty–look rather at the family [values], ‘For charm is false, and beauty is deceitful. A God-fearing woman is the one to be praised…’” (Proverbs 31:30). While in ancient times the same ceremony also took place on Yom Kippur, the day of Tu B’Av was specifically set aside for this celebration because it was the anniversary of the date on which inter-tribal marriages were permitted after the Israelites had entered the Land of Israel. Today is Tu B’Av. Copyright © 2011 National Jewish Outreach Program. All rights reserved.Email this post

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ALEXANDER THE GREAT:(Redirected from GEBIHA B. PESISA.) - —In Jewish Legend: - Samaritan Intrigue. - The Ten Questions of Alexander to the Sages of the South (Tamid, 31b et seq.): - Alexander's Journey to the Regions of Darkness (Tamid, 32a): - The Amazons (Tamid, ibid.; PesiḲ. ix. 74. 74a etseq.; Lev. R. xxvii.; Tan., Emor, 6; Ḥibbur Ma'asiot): - The Gold Bread (ibid.): - King Kaẓia and His Judgment (Yer. B. M. ii. 8c; Gen. R. xxxiii.; PesiḲ.; Lev. R.; Tan., Emor, as above): - Alexander at the Gate of Paradise; the Eye: - Alexander's Ascent into the Air (Yer. 'Ab. Zarah, iii. 42c; Num. R. xiii.): - Alexander's Descent into the Sea (Ps. R. 103; compare Pseudo-Callisthenes, II. xxxviii.): The celebrated conqueror of the East, 356-323 The only historical event connecting Alexander the Great with the Jews is his visit to Jerusalem, which is recorded by Josephus in a somewhat fantastic manner. According to "Ant." xi. 8, §§ 4-6, Alexander went to Jerusalem after having taken Gaza. Jaddua, the high priest, had a warning from God received in a dream, in which he saw himself vested in a purple robe, with his miter—that had the golden plate on which the name of God was engraved—on his head. Accordingly he went to meet Alexander at Sapha ("View" [of the Temple]). Followed by the priests, all clothed in fine linen, and by a multitude of citizens, Jaddua awaited the coming of the king. When Alexander saw the high priest, he reverenced God (Lev. R. xiii., end), and saluted Jaddua; while the Jews with one voice greeted Alexander. When Parmenio, the general, gave expression to the army's surprise at Alexander's extraordinary act—that one who ought to be adored by all as king should adore the high priest of the Jews—Alexander replied: "I did not adore him, but the God who hath honored him with this high-priesthood; for I saw this very person in a dream, in this very habit, when I was at Dios in Macedonia, who, when I was considering with myself how I might obtain dominion of Asia, exhorted me to make no delay, but boldly to pass over the sea, promising that he would conduct my army, and would give me the dominion over the Persians." Alexander then gave the high priest his right hand, and went into the Temple and "offered sacrifice to God according to the high priest's direction," treating the whole priesthood magnificently. "And when the Book of Daniel was shown him [see Dan. vii. 6, viii. 5-8, 20-22, xi. 3-4], wherein Daniel declared that one of the Greeks [ All the accounts which the Talmud and Midrash give concerning Alexander MuḲdon (the Macedonian) are of a legendary character. Some of them pretend to be historical, as the following Baraita in Yoma, 69a (identical with Megillat Ta'anit, iii.): "When the Samaritans had obtained permission from Alexander to destroy the Temple in Jerusalem, the high priest Simon the Just, arrayed in his pontifical garments and followed by a number of distinguished Jews, went out to meet the conqueror, and joined him at Antipatris, on the northern frontier. At sight of Simon, Alexander fell prostrate at his feet, and explained to his astonished companions that the image of the Jewish high priest was always with him in battle, fighting for him and leading him to victory. Simon took the opportunity to justify the attitude of his countrymen, declaring that, far from being rebels, they offered prayers in the Temple for the welfare of the king and his dominions. So impressed was Alexander that he delivered up all the Samaritans in his train into the hands of the Jews, who tied them to the tails of horses and dragged them to the mountain of Gerizim; then the Jews plowed the mountain [demolished the Samaritan temple]." It is evident that this account wrongly assigns to the times of Alexander an event which occurred two centuries later, in the reign of John Hyrcanus I. It must therefore have been written at a late period, when the memory of historical incidents had become confused. The legend presents a striking resemblance to the narrative of Josephus ("Ant." xi. 8, § 1 et seq.). The point of the fable is the honor conferred by Alexander upon the high priest and the cause thereof; and, furthermore, the contrast between his good-will to the Jews and his hostility to the Samaritans. Both the narrative in the Talmud and that of Josephus are derived from an "Apology" of the Jews which aimed at discrediting the members of the Samaritan sect. It is even possible that this apology, as Büchler thinks ("Rev. Ét. Juives," lxxxvi. 1), had its origin in Alexandria, where the attitude of Alexander was of decisive importance in the eyes of the Greek public: "In Gen. R. (lxi., end) the Samaritans are accused of playing a rôle equally despicable with that imputed to them in the above legend. When Alexander advanced toward Jerusalem, they informed him that the Jews would forbid his entrance to the Holy of Holies. A Jew, Gebi'ah ben Kosem [identical with Gebia ben Pesisa, a legendary character], asked the king, on the hill of the Temple, to remove his shoes and to put on the slippers ornamented with precious stones that he had brought for him, lest he should slip on the pavement of the Temple. Alexander complied with the request, and thus avoided a violation of the rabbinic law. When they arrived at the Holy of Holies, Gebi'ah said to the king, 'We are not permitted to proceed farther' (neither we nor you). 'When I have left the Temple,' replied the king, 'I will straighten your hump' (Gebi'ah signifies humpback). 'If you do,' answered Gebi'ah, 'you are a great physician, and deserving of high remuneration.'" This anecdote is one of those naive inventions of which many are found in Midrash Ekah Rabbati, and which aim at exhibiting the ingenuity of the Jews in repartee. Alexander is made to play merely the part of a stage-king. The same Gebi'ah appears in a narrative of quite a different type. Alexander is here represented as the great conqueror to whom the nations appeal for arbitration of their differences: "The Arabs accuse the Jews of illegally withholding the heritage of their ancestor Ishmael; the Canaanites complain of having been wrongly deprived of their territory; and the Egyptians claim indemnity for the vessels that the Israelites had taken from them on leaving their country. Gebi'ah meets all these charges with great success: against the Egyptians he proves that it is they that are indebted to the Jews, whom they had exploited without paying them for their work, and Alexander was fully satisfied with the refutation" These pretended discussions, similar to those reported to have taken place between the Samaritans and the Jews before Ptolemy Philometor (Josephus, "Ant." xii. 1, § 10; xiii. 4, § 4), are the echo of the accusations against the Jews by pagan readers of the Bible at Alexandria. These imputations were taken up later by the Gnostics, who were the pupils of the Alexandrians, and especially by the Marcionites. Tertullian replied to Marcion, who had brought the same reproach against the Bible for the "larceny" committed by the Jews, by repeating the words of Gebi'ah; he even mentions the discussions between the Jews and the Egyptians ("nam et aiunt ita actum per legatos utrinque; Ægyptiorum quidem repetentium vasa; Judeorum vero reposcentium operas suas, et tandem vasis istis renuntiaverunt sibi Ægyptii"; "Adversus Marcionem," ii. 20). Another group of legends is of a more popular character; they have nothing specifically Jewish, and are connected with the general legendary tales of Alexander. They may be given as follows:The Ten Questions of Alexander to the Sages of the South (Tamid, 31b et seq.): This account is written in certain parts in a classical Aramaic, proving that it was borrowed from some written record; it is quite analogous to the conversations which, according to Plutarch ("Life of Alexander"), Alexander was reported to have had with ten gymnosophists who had rebelled against him; there the account continues with ten questions, some of which are identical with those of the Talmud. This episode seems, therefore, to be the fragment of a non-Jewish narrative, parallel with that of the Greek historian.Alexander's Journey to the Regions of Darkness (Tamid, 32a): Alexander makes a journey into the region of darkness riding on young Libyan asses. There he stops at a fountain, which reanimates a dead fish that he has dipped into it. The same story is found in Pseudo-Callisthenes, II. chaps. xxxix.-xli. (version B). The legend as reproduced in the Talmud is the popular altered form of a later period.The Amazons (Tamid, ibid.; PesiḲ. ix. 74. 74a etseq.; Lev. R. xxvii.; Tan., Emor, 6; Ḥibbur Ma'asiot): Alexander comes to a place which is inhabited only by women. They say to him: "If you kill us, people will accuse you of murdering women. If we kill you, people will say: Behold a king who was overcome by women!" This is the well-known story of the Amazons, but reduced to its simplest expression. In the PesiḲta the town inhabited by the women is called ḳartagene, derived by folk-ety-mology from the Aramaic Ḳarta (town) and the Greek γυνή (woman).The Gold Bread (ibid.): Alexander asked the Amazons for bread, and they brought him, on a golden table, a loaf of gold bread. "Do you eat gold bread?" the king then said. "Well, if your desire be for ordinary bread, could you not get it in your own country without coming hither?" answered the Amazons. This satire on the ambition of conquerors recurs frequently in Jewish legends. It does not appear in Pseudo-Callisthenes and in the accounts derived from it; but is found in Plutarch's essay on the virtuous deeds of women. Pythes, a rich Greek in the times of Xerxes, who forces his fellow citizens to work for him in a gold-mine, is served by his wife with gold bread to demonstrate the absurdity of his greed. This moral is connected with Alexander also in another form: instead of the Amazons it was the king Kaẓia who gave the lesson to Alexander.King Kaẓia and His Judgment (Yer. B. M. ii. 8c; Gen. R. xxxiii.; PesiḲ.; Lev. R.; Tan., Emor, as above): King Kaẓia (ruler of a country situated behind the "Dark" mountains) invited Alexander to hear a lawsuit. The plaintiff declared that he had bought a piece of land and found in it a treasure; he wanted to return the treasure to the original owner, since, he claimed, he had bought the field only. The defendant replied that he had sold the field with everything that it contained. Then the king inquired of one of them: "Have you a son?"; of the other, "Have you a daughter?" "Marry them, and let the treasure be theirs." Alexander laughed at this judgment. "Is my decision a wrong one?" inquired the king. "No; but in our country we would have put the two parties to death and confiscated the treasure." "Do you have rain in your country?" "Yes." "And have you animals also?" "Yes." "Then it is surely for their sake and not for yours that the rain falls and the sun shines upon you." This satirical account seems to be of Jewish origin, although it is, in part, based on a popular theme—marriage as the solution of a lawsuit (compare a Cambodian tale in "Revue des Traditions Populaires," xv. 133). The Jewish form of the fable was embodied in the "Dicta Philosophorum" of Abu al Wafa Mubashshir ibn FaḲih (1053-54), a work which was translated into Spanish, Latin, English, and French (see Knust, "Mittheilungen aus dem Eskurial," Tübingen, 1879). In other Arabic texts the trial takes place before David and Solomon (Weil, "Biblische Legenden," p. 215). The anecdote seems to have been brought to Europe by a priest in 1083 ("Chronique de l'Abbaye de St. Hubert"; Pertz, "Monumenta Germanica, Scriptores," viii. 599).Alexander at the Gate of Paradise; the Eye: The Talmud (Tamid, 32b) concludes with this narrative: Alexander arrived at the gate of paradise and asked that it be opened to him. "Only the just can enter here," came the reply. "I am a renowned king; present me with something." A little ball was given to him. He put it in a scale; and it outweighed all the gold and silver in his possession. In his astonishment he turned to the rabbis, who explained to him that it was an eyeball, which could never be satiated; but if covered with a handful of dust (buried) it would weigh nothing. This satire on greed, or the ambition to acquire wealth, seems likewise to be genuinely Jewish. This allegory, as it appears in the Talmud, is reproduced in better shape in "Alexandri Magni Iter ad Paradisum," a little work of the twelfth century, which has even preserved traces of its Jewish origin. In this it is an old Jew, of the name of Papas, who lectures the king. Both forms of the legend are evidently connected with a lost original.Alexander's Ascent into the Air (Yer. 'Ab. Zarah, iii. 42c; Num. R. xiii.): This appears to be a reminiscence of a narrative in Pseudo-Callisthenes (II. xli.).Alexander's Descent into the Sea (Ps. R. 103; compare Pseudo-Callisthenes, II. xxxviii.): In the Middle Ages the Jews confined themselves to translations of the romance of Alexander from the Arabic or the Latin, particularly in the form which it had received in the "Historia de Proeliis." A Hebrew translation of this work, made by an unknown writer after an Arabic version, was edited and published by Israel Lévi under the title "Toledot Alexander" (Life of Alexander), Paris, 1887. Another translation from a Latin text, by Immanuel ben Jacob de Tarascon, exists only in manuscript. A recension, the origin of which has not yet been clearly ascertained, was surreptitiously included in certain manuscripts of the Josippon (perhaps by Judah Mosconi). Another romance of Alexander, quite different from the rest, was written by a Jew in the west of Europe before the thirteenth century; it was published by Israel Lévi in Steinschneider's "Festschrift." Some portions of the legend were known to scholars by the Hebrew translation of "Sod ha-Sodot" (Secret of Secrets) and of "Musare ha-Filosofim" (Dicta of the Philosophers), containing whole chapters touching upon the legendary life of Alexander. - Rev. Ét. Juives, iii. 239 et seq., iv. 279; - Steinschneider, Hebr. Uebers. pp. 894-898; - Nöldeke, Beiträge zur Gesch. des Alexander-Romans, in Denkschriften der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Philosophisch-Historische Classe, xxxviii. ch. iv., Vienna, 1890; - Fränkel, in Z. D. M. G. liv. 322; - Jew. Quart. Rev. iv. 635; - Bacher, Nizami's Lehen und Werke und der Zweite Theil des Nizamischen Alexanderbuches, pp. 63 et seq., Leipsic, 1871.

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The Jewish Month By Chaim Issacson The world has two time measuring cycles, the sun and the moon. As all know, the sun takes some 365 and a quarter days to make a yearly cycle. The moon, on the other hand, makes a cycle every 29 and a half days. This means that it difficult to measure years using the lunar cycle. The world is divided as to how to use these two cycles. Whereas the western world uses the solar year, the Muslim world uses the lunar year. The Muslims add twelve months together and that is a year. Therefore it happens that a Muslim baby born in the winter will celebrate an adult birthday in the summer since the lunar year is some 354 days and the solar year is 365. Each year the Muslim calendar "loses" 11 days or his year "slips" back by 11 days in relation to the solar calendar. Whereas the Christian holidays always fall in the same date according to the solar calendar, they have no relation to the lunar influence. The Muslim holiday, on the other hand, Ramidan, for example, will move through the yearly cycle, but be fixed by the moon. We Jews, of course, have our own way of fixing the calendar. We use a combo of solar and lunar measurements. One of the first commandments that was given to the Jews, even before they left Egypt, was to fix the calendar to observe the month of the Passover in the appointed time, the spring. Thus, the requirement of having a monthly calendar that is adjusted to meet the solar cycle is a Biblical injunction. It should not be overlooked that two of the major Jewish festivals begin on the full moon, Passover and Succoth. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year is different, it is the first day of the seventh month. The Jewish month is based on the seeing the new moon. When two persons saw the new moon they would come to the Jewish High Court and give testimony that they had saw the moon. This did not mean that the court did not know when the moon was scheduled to appear, but rather that the sanctification of the moon had to be made according to eyewitness reports. The court would question the witnesses to ascertain that they indeed did see the moon. Afterwards, the court proclaimed that a new month had begun. Even if the court knew by its own calculations that the new moon was scheduled to appear on a certain day, but due to weather conditions it was not seen, they did not declare the new moon until the next day when witnesses arrived. It was conceivable that the new month would be delayed a day. Also the courts were empowered to add an extra month to the yearly cycle to insure that the holiday of Passover would be in the spring. For this purpose they would add another month to the yearly cycle. The year would then have thirteen months (as in this year 2000, or as we say, 5760). Since the spotting of the moon and declaration of the new month had ramifications as to when the Jewish holidays would be, many tried to thwart the actions of the courts in order to prevent the Jews from observing their holidays. Aside from dishonest 'witnesses', the ancient Greeks, during the time of Chanukah, tried to prevent the Jews from declaring new months through various decrees. This was in hopes to prevent the Jews from observing their holidays. In addition, during the time after the first exile, when many Jews still resided in Babylon, the courts set up a relay system of lighting fires on the tops of mountains. In this manner the declaration of the month was related quickly to the Jews in the Diaspora so that they could observe the festival of Passover and the holy fast of Yom Kippur in its proper time. The Samaritans, who inhabited the mountainous area, would lite fires in order to confuse the Jews in the Diaspora. The courts were then obligated to send out messengers to bring the news to those Jews who lived so far away. Although the new moon is not a 'religious' holiday, it does have religious significance. The day, during the time of the Holy Temple, was marked with an additional sacrifice. Today, a special prayer called "Hallel," or praise, is said and many have the custom to eat something special in honor of the new month. In olden times, we had a court that would declare the new month according to the sightings. This court was made up of judges who were empowered through a direct chain from Moses. This was a requirement. Today, no one has such authority to declare a new month. Thanks to the farsightedness of Rabbi Hillel the Prince, who was the last of the princes from the house of David, we have a calendar that has all of the months and holidays figured until the Jewish year 6000. According to the Jewish tradition, the Messiah will come by the year 6000 and the continuation of the calendar will be addressed then. Rabbi Hillel, who lived during the turbulent time of the destruction of the Temple, saw that the troubles of the Jewish people were increasing and the ability of the courts became diminished. Using the calculations that were known to the Jewish sages from the time of Moses, he publicized the calendar through his efforts it was accepted. This calendar is the one we use today. This calendar basically uses a 19-year cycle of twelve regular (12 month) years and seven intercalated (13 month) years. The order of the intercalated years in each cycle is the 3rd, 6th, 8th, 11th, 14th, 17th, and 19th years. The month that is added is the month of Adar (the month that precedes the month that has the Passover holiday). The year then has two Adars, Adar 1 and Adar 2. The holiday of Purim is then celebrated in the second Adar. The Jewish people are often compared in rabbinical literature to the moon. Just as the moon has periods of being full and being lacking, so do the Jewish people. Just as the moon receives its light from the sun, so the Jewish people receive their sustenance from G-d directly. from the February 2000 Edition of the Jewish Magazine

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Me and my mom are having an agrument about how to solve this problem. 27 / (5+4) * 19= she says the answer is 57 and I say the answer is 6 with a remainder of 9..can you please tell me who is right. Thank you. I need help labeling complements in my sentences. I am not sure if I am doing this correctly or not. Could you please check to see if I have the following parts of speech labeled correctly? I must identify the subject, verb and complements. I must determinit if the complement ... What is a vibration? What is the relationship between period and frequency? Summer Assignment: Would you say Do you know who will replace Erica and _I_ next week? Which word would you put in place if I is the wrong pronoun? me or myself, maybe? I have an English 10 Summer Assignment about grammar and such. One of the questions is: In the following sentence, which words are verbs? Melissa was worried about her job interview. a. was, worried b. worried c. worried, about I know that it's not c., and I don't thin... What is the kcalorie value of a meal supplying 110g of carbs, 25g of protein, 20g of fat, and 5g of alcohol? Please help show work Yes those are the answers I got too! I just wanted to see if I was right.. Thanks (Daddy Warbucks employs workers in his perfectly competitive factory. Mr. Smith employs workers in his monopolistic factory as the only producer of the thing you really want. Given the following information, determine how many workers each firm will employ: The weekly salary ... Chemical reaction formulas of: 1.)Fe + H2SO4 2.)FeS + H2SO4 3.)CS2 + S What happens if you heat jic and iron together? what happens if you heat jic and iron sulphide together/ For Further Reading

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Some school districts are returning to an old idea, AP reports. They’re grouping students by performance rather than age. The boldest experiment will start in Kansas City, Missouri schools this fall when 17,000 students will switch to the new system. Students — often of varying ages — work at their own pace, meeting with teachers to decide what part of the curriculum to tackle. Teachers still instruct students as a group if it’s needed, but often students are working individually or in small groups on projects that are tailored to their skill level. For instance, in a classroom learning about currency, one group could draw pictures of pennies and nickels. A student who has mastered that skill might use pretend money to practice making change. Students who progress quickly can finish high school material early and move forward with college coursework. Alternatively, in some districts, high-schoolers who need extra time can stick around for another year. Advocates say the approach cuts down on discipline problems because advanced students aren’t bored and struggling students aren’t frustrated. Kansas City’s traditional public schools have seen enrollment fall by half as students move to suburbs or enroll in charter or private schools; 40 percent of schools are closing. The district spent $2 billion in state desegregation case funds without raising test scores. Kansas City is desperate. Superintendent John Covington will start the new system in elementary schools. “This system precludes us from labeling children failures,” Covington said. “It’s not that you’ve failed, it’s just that at this point you haven’t mastered the competencies yet and when you do, you will move to the next level.” In a Marzano Research Laboratory study of 15 school districts in Alaska, Colorado and Florida, “researchers found that students who learned through the different approach were 2.5 times more likely to score at a level that shows they have a good grasp of the material on exams for reading, writing, and mathematics.” Greg Johnson, director of curriculum and instruction for the Bering Strait School District in Alaska, recalled that before the switch there were students who had been on honor roll throughout high school then failed a test the state requires for graduation. Now, he said if students are on pace to pass a class like Algebra I, the likelihood of them passing the state exam covering that material is more than 90 percent. Teachers love the new approach, Johnson says.

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The Library of Congress has recently digitalized a collection of over 10,000 photographs, taken by the "American Colony" in Jerusalem, a group of Christian utopians who lived in Jerusalem between 1881 and the 1940s. The photographers returned to the US, and bequeathed their massive collection to the Library of Congress in 1978. The collection includes Winston Churchill's visit to Jerusalem, Jewish expulsions from the Old City during riots, and the building of Tel Aviv. By some accounts, the Valero family arrived in Jerusalem in the 18th or 19th centuries from Turkey. Researchers have even suggested that the family were once Conversos - secret Jews who were forced to convert to Christianity in Spain. They later traveled to Turkey and returned to their Jewish faith. In Jerusalem, the family took up residence in the Old City of Jerusalem. According to a monograph by Hebrew University's Prof. Ruth Kark and Joseph Glass, Ya'akov Valero arrived in Jerusalem in 1835 from Istanbul. Originally a ritual slaughterer, Valero opened a private bank - the first in Palestine - in 1848, located inside Jaffa Gate in the Old City. When Ya'akov died in 1874, the banking and real estate enterprise was eventually taken over by his son Chaim Aharon. Among the Valeros' land holdings were tracts outside of the Old City on Jaffa Road, the area that eventually became the Mahane Yehuda market, the grounds of the Bikur Holim hospital, and several acres around Damascus Gate, a hub of commerce in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Prior to World War I Chaim Aharon built and leased stores at the entrance of Damascus Gate, seen in the pictures above. In the 1930s, the British authorities ruled that the area should be zoned for use as "open spaces" and they demolished the shops in 1937. The Valeros were not compensated. More photos can be viewed at http://www.israeldailypicture.com

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Ever promised yourself that this year you were definitely going to give that bad habit the flick, only to give into your vice again after only a couple of hours? Well, the good news is that ‘bad’ habit may not actually be as harmful as you think. Here are 10 common ‘bad’ habits that are actually good for your health. Most of us love a good gossip, whether we’re giggling over a colleague’s new romance or passing an opinion on someone’s outfit choice or behaviour, and the good news is that gossiping could actually be good for us. Not only does listening to gossip help us to learn more about the characters of those around us, bonding and having a laugh with your peers also releases feel-good hormones which help to relieve stress and anxiety. Although drinking too much coffee can be detrimental to your health, in smaller quantities the popular hot drink can actually be good for you. When drunk in moderation (no more than three cups per day), caffeine can speed up your metabolism, boost exercise endurance and reduce your risk of gallstones and kidney stones. A study by the Harvard Medical School has also found that women who drink two or more cups of coffee a day are less likely to be depressed, while separate research has shown that drinking three cups cuts risk of age-related diabetes. It’s the bane of school teachers everywhere, yet research suggests that fidgeting may be no bad thing – at least in us adults. Research suggests that fidgeting can burn up to 350 extra calories a day, helping you to keep off those excess pounds. To further increase your calorie burn, try to squeeze in more incidental exercise, such as getting up to change the channel rather than using the remote control. Swearing: it’s not big and it’s not clever… but studies suggest that in certain situations it may actually be good for you. According to a study by the University of East Anglia, swearing at work could help employees cope with stress and maintain solidarity. Meanwhile, researchers at Keele University’s School of Psychology found that swearing can provide effective short-term relief from pain. However, the study also notes that swearing should be reserved for crises only, as the higher the daily swearing frequency was for participants, the less pain relief they experienced. Skipping a shower OK, so repeatedly missing showers may not win you any friends, but if you are ever tempted to skip a shower here and there, research suggests that you could be doing your health (and the environment) a favour. Daily washing not only strips your skin of the natural oils that keep it hydrated and supple, it could also strip your skin of good bacteria that help to prevent disease. If you do decide to skip a shower, just try to do it on a day when you won’t be vigorously working out! Losing your temper Many of us have been brought up to believe that losing our temper is the ultimate social faux pas. To an extent this is true (nobody wants to hang out with that person who is always losing their cool and shouting their mouth off), however research has found that losing your temper could actually be good for your health. Venting your emotions is believed to reduce the effects of stress, while a Swedish study found that men who bottled up their anger when unfairly treated at work doubled their risk of having a heart attack. In recent years, official advice has been that we should cover up in the sun at all times to protect ourselves from skin cancer. However, more recently experts have stated that actually little and frequent sun exposure is good for us. In the UK, where vitamin D deficiency is common, seven leading health groups and charities have issued a statement advising everyone to spend 10 minutes in the midday sun without sunblock in order to avoid rickets. Meanwhile, a US study has stated that the vitamin D produced by the sun could help ward off colds and flu. However, experts have stressed that people should cover up after 10 minutes, and skin should never be red at the end of the day. Having a lie-in Feeling guilty about your weekend lie-in? Don’t be! Research has found that sleep can help you live longer, boost your memory and reduce stress, while not getting enough can lead to accidents, weight gain, and increased risk of heart disease. Furthermore, delaying your morning workout in favour of some shut-eye may have health benefits, as research from Brunel University found that heavy training sessions early in the morning can compromise the immune system. Giving in to your cravings Although constantly giving into junk food cravings is a sure-fire way to sabotage your healthy eating success, allowing yourself the odd treat will not only boost your happiness, it will also help you keep motivated to stay on track. Also, as many people crave the foods that they most attempt to resist, allowing yourself a little of what you fancy can actually help to reduce cravings. If you have imposed extreme restrictions on your diet and cut out entire food groups, cravings could also be a sign of a nutrient deficiency in your diet. Many of us view daydreaming as a sign of laziness or form of procrastination; however, researchers at the University of British Columbia have found that letting your mind wander can actually help boost your problem-solving abilities. The study found that when participants minds wandered, the parts of their brain associated with problem-solving became more active than when focused on routine tasks. So, while daydreaming can increase the time it takes to complete your present task, it can allow you to unconsciously sort through other important problems in your life. Realbuzz.com is a healthy lifestyle blog which will keep you informed on most aspects of a healthy lifestyle. You can visit their site or follow them on twitter here: http://twitter.com/#!/realbuzzcom

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When you are injected with the flu vaccine, your body reacts as if it has been infected with the actual living virus and makes antibodies that provide immunity against the real virus. These antibodies remain at high levels for only six to nine months. These waning antibody levels are one reason why you need to be revaccinated each year. The main reason you should be revaccinated yearly is the flu virus is constantly changing and evolving into new strains. Each year the CDC attempts to predict which flu strain will be predominant. The CDC works with vaccine manufacturers to produce the specific vaccine that will combat the predicted strain. If you are concerned about the cost of a flu immunization, check with your local health department for locations in your area where free flu shots are given. Treating yourself at home When you are exposed to the flu, the virus incubates for three to five days before symptoms begin. You probably have the flu if you come down with a high fever, sore throat, muscle aches, a runny or stuffy nose, and a cough (usually dry). The symptoms in children may also include vomiting, diarrhea and ear infections. Flu is usually self-treatable but has to run its course. You can treat symptoms by getting bed rest, drinking plenty of fluids, taking acetaminophen for aches and pains, and using a humidifier to keep nasal passages moist. Expect the flu to last about five days, which is the time it takes your body to produce the antibodies that finally beat the infection. You will be protected from that strain of influenza for the rest of the season. Some people continue to feel ill and cough for more than two weeks. In some cases, the flu can make health conditions such as asthma or diabetes worse or lead to complications such as bacterial pneumonia. Adults older than 65 and people with chronic health conditions have the greatest risk for complications from the flu, the CDC says. Antiviral medications are also recommended to treat the flu--amantadine, rimantadine, zanamivir and oseltamivir--but must be taken within the first two days of illness to be effective, the CDC says. They can reduce the length of time flu symptoms are present. These medications usually are used in hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions where people are at high risk for complications of the flu. Some side effects may result from taking these medications, such as nervousness, lightheadedness, or nausea. Individuals with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are cautioned about using zanamivir. Talk to your health care provider if you think you should take one of these medications. These medications are not meant as a substitute for vaccination.

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It's been nearly 10 years since Tropical Storm Allison devastated the Houston area with 40 inches of rain. The floodwaters shut down hospitals, destroyed thousands of homes and killed 23 people in Texas. The storm caused flooding the first time it passed over the bayou city on June 4, 2001. But the worst flooding came a few days later when it turned around and targeted Houston again. Allison caused $5.5 billion in damages and taught Houstonians that tropical storms can be even more dangerous than hurricanes. It remains the deadliest and costliest storm in U.S. history.

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'Huge' Gaps In Mental Health Care For Children, Experts Warn NBCNEWS.COM - The U.S. mental health system has huge gaps that prevent many children with psychological problems from receiving effective treatment that could prevent tragic consequences later in life, experts told U.S. lawmakers on Thursday. Just over a month after the shooting rampage in Newtown, Connecticut, mental health experts said psychological disorders usually emerge before people enter high school but that only one-quarter of children with problems see trained professionals and often the care is not "We see the results of insufficient mental health care in school failure and suicide. How do we do better?" Michael Hogan, head of the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, said in written testimony to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. "While the gaps in children's mental health care are huge, there is also reason for hope," he added. "In part, this is because we know more about what works, and what doesn't." Hogan, a former New York mental health commissioner, was scheduled to appear with two other experts Thursday at the Senate committee's first hearing on mental health issues since the presidency of Republican George W. Bush, who set up the commission Hogan now chairs. The hearing was scheduled in response to the shootings at Newtown's Sandy Hook Elementary School where Adam Lanza, a young man described as having mental issues, gunned down 26 people including 20 young children with an AR-15-type assault rifle on Dec. 14. The tragedy and other mass shootings in recent years have ignited a debate about gun control and mental health, including a push by President Barack Obama for stronger gun controls and better mental health training for schools and communities. Robert Vero, chief executive of a network of Tennessee clinics called Cornerstone, said mental health professionals who work with children also lack access to parents and other relatives whose problems may contribute to a child's troubles, sometimes due to inadequate insurance "We need to be able to teach parenting skills if we want the child's behavior to change," said Vero. "We need to be able to address the parent's depression or addiction." The experts credited Obama's healthcare reform law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, with making a step forward by requiring insurers including Medicaid to provide coverage for mental But they said the American social safety net still fails to provide adequate access for the poor and elderly, noting that state mental health funding declined $4 billion from 2009 to 2012 as a result of budget constraints posed by recession and the weak economic recovery. Monday, May 20 2013 11:47 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:47:27 GMT KHQ.COM - Time-lapsed video of a massive 2-mile-wide tornado rips through southern Oklahoma City on Monday. This footage has been sped up by 10X.>> KHQ.COM - Time-lapsed video of a massive 2-mile-wide tornado rips through southern Oklahoma City on Monday. This footage has been sped up by 10X. So far more than 50 people have died, including 20 children, following the tornado that tore through Moore, Oklahoma Monday. Officials say that number is expected rise as crews work through the night to find people buried in the rubble. >> Sunday, May 19 2013 7:54 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:54:08 GMT KHQ.COM - The 2013 Spokane Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade is in the books. >> KHQ.COM - The 2013 Spokane Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade is in the books. With tens of thousands of people in downtown Spokane watching the parade, the floats, the marching bands, we know you took plenty of pictures! Well, we want to see them!>>

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Our last blog post in which we discussed our favourite animated films prompted us to think back to animations we have enjoyed from childhood. Some of the best loved animations of all time date back to the 1920s where Walt Disney and Warner Brothers revolutionised the industry. The earliest version of Mickey Mouse was created in 1928 followed closely by the Warner Brothers Cartoons in 1930. But what about even earlier than that? Where did animation begin, when and how? So, we asked Kurobot to share his knowledge and teach us all about the origin of animation. Motion in art can date back as far as Paleolithic cave paintings, a very very long time ago! Paintings of animals with many legs in various positions is noted as the first attempt at conveying motion. Other pieces include sequences and phases of movement in both animals and people painted onto bowls, plates and murals. Animation before film dates back to the 1600s where numerous devices were used to display animated images. The magic lantern, invented 1650, used a translucent oil painting and a lamp to project images onto adjacent flat surfaces. It was often used to display monsters and demons to convince people they were witnessing supernatural events. (We have ours ready for Halloween) The Thaumatrope, invented 1824, was one of the first devices to demonstrate the Phi phenomenon, the human (and Kurobot) brains ability to persistently perceive an image. The device used a small circular piece of card with different images on each side, strung onto a central cord. When the cord is spun between the fingers the images appear to merge into one creating a moving image. Possibly the most well known origin of motion picture is the humble flip book. Invented 1868, a flip book features a sequence of animated images on the unbound edge of each page of the book. When bending the pages back and flicking through the book the images merge due to the rapid replacement of each image with the next, forming a short animation. The silent era of animation began in the late 1800s with the production of short stop motion animations, the most famous of which, produced in 1920 was Felix the cat. Felix was the first merchandised cartoon character and became a household name. 1923 marked the beginning of the golden age of animation when a small studio “Laugh-o-grams” went bankrupt, and its owner, Walt Disney opened a new studio in Los Angeles. This was possibly one of the most significant events in the history of animation. The first Disney productions include “The Alice Comedies” series, “Song Car Tunes” and “Dinner Time”, however the most notable breakthrough entitled “Steamboat Willie” featured an anthropomorphic mouse named “Mickey” neglecting his work on a steamboat to instead make music with the animals aboard the boat. This would mark the development of animation in our generation including TV, and CGI animation. Image sources: Silent London, Education Eastman House, The Local, Good Comics, Animation Connection

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Our district has created a process for the Response to Intervention which we call A4L (Assessment for Learning). Regardless of the name of the program, the work that happens to help support students is sound. Our teachers understand that the first two levels of intervention are done in class. When a student requires something other than the standard curriculum instruction, teachers are to start documenting what they are doing for that student and why. Teachers work in their Professional Learning Communities to get support with this work. Once every six weeks, the PLC is replaced by an A4L meeting where all of the specialists meet along with the team to make sure that all students are making progress. These meetings allow for all the players to be in the same place at the same time. Also, the group is able to draw from each others' strengths for strategies and ideas. The documentation for the students in the intervention process is kept in the grade level's team notebook so that all the data for the students is in the same place and is in a format that is accessible.

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Caster Semenya, the South African runner who won the women’s 800-meter race at the World Track Championships in Berlin last month, has been unofficially declared intersexed. If she is, it means that she was born with some discrepancy between her external genitals, internal sex anatomy (ovaries or testes and her hormones and chromosomes). The International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) will not make its official ruling as to whether it considers Semenya a woman until November, but an increasing number of news outlets around the world have reported that she’s “a hermaphrodite.” What does this mean, exactly? The media’s terminology itself reflects the ignorance and confusion surrounding intersex. Doctors and lay people no longer use the word hermaphrodite because it is vague, demeaning and sensationalistic. “Hermaphrodite” continues to conjure images of mythical creatures, perhaps even monsters and freaks. It’s thus not surprising that most have rejected the label. Historically, hermaphrodite has been one of the more neutral descriptors of those born with atypical sex development. Derogatory terms such as “freak of nature,” “hybrid,” “impostor,” “sexual pervert,” and “unfortunate creature” pervade early American medical literature. In one standard 19th-century text on malformations, one doctors referred to “these mortifying and disgusting imperfections.” Intersex bodies have always aroused suspicion. But many people’s distrust of them has not been limited to the playing fields, nor is it new. Throughout American history, doctors and lay people in authority have assumed that those born with atypical bodies were dishonest and fraudulent (say, in illegally voting when the franchise was limited to men), or were seeking illegal sexual relations. These authorities persistently tried to define ambiguous bodies as either male or female. Yet over the years doctors’ evaluations of intersex bodies have shifted. In the 1920s and 1930s, for example, a person with a female-appearing body would have been counseled to undergo surgery in order to appear more like a man because of her internal testes, particularly if doctors discovered that she was sexually attracted to women. In the 1940s, doctors turned to the new field of psychology to guide their decisions and determined that it was more sensible to let such an individual continue living as a woman, if she so chose. These “medical” decisions were informed by social anxieties and therapeutic trends, not scientific findings. From the 1950s onward, doctors have tried to intervene surgically at infancy, before patients had a chance to develop an identity as female or male. Doctors would decide an intersex baby’s gender primarily by how well they thought the external genitals could be surgically reshaped to appear “normal.” The thinking was that there was a window of opportunity in which a baby’s gender could go either way. All it took was the parents’ unwavering commitment toward raising either a boy or a girl, and this could only happen, doctors believed, if the baby’s genitals looked distinctly male or female. Nurture, they believed, trumped nature, particularly when nature seemed confused. In each era, attitudes toward intersex bodies have expressed the social norms of their time and place. Today, the response to Caster Semenya highlights the pervasive yet misguided insistence that the sexes are unambiguously distinct and easily distinguishable. As some declare Semenya too manly to compete, for example, a popular South African magazine features a glamorously feminine Semenya on its cover, as if she were Oprah. Real life is more complicated. If Semenya has female external anatomy but male internal anatomy, as the recent reports suggest, is she a woman or a man? Medical authorities have pondered such cases for years, and only one thing seems clear: interpretation of these findings is as much (or even more) social than scientific. Today authorities (like the IAAF) have spent much time trying to determine intersexed people’s “true sex.” Their efforts have been invasive and sometimes degrading and embarrassing to women like Caster Semenya. And what’s the point? Our two-gendered world forces all people to be classified as male or female even when the boundaries are more blurred than we imagine. We simply do not have a social category for intersex people, despite the fact that intersex occurs in one out of every 2000 births. We necessarily make social decisions about whether to raise an intersex baby as a boy or a girl. Once these decisions have been made, we should honor a family’s judgment. Caster Semenya was raised as a girl, considers herself a woman, and is regarded as a woman by her community. Yet now she has had to submit to a humiliating public inspection and deal with new knowledge about her body that casts doubt upon her identity as well as her integrity. Intersex people have endured such scrutiny for years because their bodies posed a threat to our assumption that the male and female are completely distinct categories. Perhaps Semenya’s test results with her public defense will challenge this notion. In recent years, the medical world has made strides in letting intersex bodies stay as they are by holding off on infant surgeries and by letting people decide for themselves about their own bodies when they are adults. This autonomy is a good thing; it gives credit to the person himself or herself. Let’s give Semenya some credit too and congratulate her on a good race. Elizabeth Reis is the author of Bodies in Doubt: An American History of Intersex (2009). She is an associate professor of women’s and gender studies and history at the University of Oregon in Eugene and a writer for the History News Service. Republished with permisson from the History News Service.

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Act Feb. 29, 1888, ch. 17, 25 Stat. 41 , which enacted sections of this title, is popularly known as the “Submarine Cable Act”. The protection of submarine cables was made the subject of an international convention between the United States and Germany, Argentine Confederation, Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Brazil, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Spain, United States of Columbia, France, Great Britain, Guatemala, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Netherlands, Persia, Portugal, Roumania, Russia, Salvador, Servia, Sweden and Norway, Uruguay, and the British Colonies. It was concluded Mar. 14, 1884, ratified Jan. 26, 1885, ratifications exchanged Apr. 16, 1885, proclaimed May 22, 1885, and entered into force for the United States May 1, 1888. Its provisions were set forth in 24 Stat. 989

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INTRODUCTION TO LAYOUT DESIGNING. Hello, & welcome back to Firewire, your friendly guide to the exciting world of web-design & web-solutions! While developing a website or any design we have to take some precautions of aesthetic aspect. Behind every good design there is a good layout. In case, we are wondering about how to move ahead we must know the basics of the layout. means arrangement of different objects in different media, which conveys your message easily to the viewer. Here are some basic points for designing a good layout. To create a good layout you must have a good observation: to see layouts around you, observe all the objects such as tress, flowers, mountains, animals, pets, childrens etc. minutely. Refer to magazines, books, advertisement etc. and try to understand how graphics are and What color schemes have been used? Why and which type of fonts have been used? Why and how do they give treatment to the images? lot of observation you come to know what is good and what is bad. To increase the power of observation you have to create an idea or mental picture of the object or the situation exactly as you want. This will help you in designing. Actually it is a never-ending process. SENSE: Many times good layouts get spoiled because of the wrong selection of color schemes. In real sense, color scheme is a good weapon to enhance a layout. If you use colors carefully you can make wonders out of it. a color depends on the viewability. In case, female related subjects the colors normally used are pink, lavender, light blue and peach. children related subjects the colors generally used is warm yellow, sky blue, orange, red, leaf green and violet. For medical related subjects the colors is sea green, turquoise blue, dull and grey shades. nature related subjects, cool color schemes are preferred as against that social institutes you can use warm color schemes like red, black, bright yellow etc. Color schemes may vary according to the subject. For ready availability of color schemes you can visit the Initially you can even start with color books, which are readily available in the market, as they contain various color schemes for various purposes. SENSE: After color schemes, the one and only tool to express your emotions perfectly and properly is the "FONT".

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September 5, 2008 Tracking Down the Menace in Mexico City Smog Contact: Paul Preuss, (510) 486-6249 BERKELEY, CA – A new report by scientists who are part of the international MILAGRO Campaign indicates that some of the most harmful air pollution in Mexico City may not come from motor vehicles but instead originates with industrial sources – and that the culprit may be garbage incineration. The MILAGRO Campaign (Megacity Initiative: Local and Global Research Observations) monitored air quality in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area throughout the month of March, 2006. Headed by the Molina Center for Energy and the Environment in La Jolla, California, MILAGRO – the acronym means "miracle" in Spanish – is an international scientific collaboration supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, NASA, and other agencies in the U.S., Mexico, and Europe. Five DOE labs contributed to the study, including Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Beamline 11.0.2 at Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source (ALS) was used for scanning transmission x-ray microscopy (STXM) of aerosol particles, in work led by Mary Gilles of the Lab's Chemical Sciences Division. Ryan Moffet, now a Seaborg Postdoctoral Fellow at Berkeley Lab, was a member of a team monitoring a rooftop collection station at the Mexican Institute of Petroleum in the northern part of Mexico City, a site designated T0 (T-zero); the evidence gathered there was among that analyzed by Gilles and her colleagues. "The T0 site is in the industrial heart of the city, but the neighborhood is also a densely populated residential area. Children who live here have 11 percent higher levels of lead in their blood than children from the opposite side of town," says Moffet, who was a doctoral student at the University of California at San Diego during the MILAGRO Campaign. Moffet is first author of a report in Environmental Science & Technology on the research at the T0 site. "Although researchers had noted the high levels of lead, no one before us had analyzed the aerosol compounds for clues to its origins." Airborne particles of varying size, shape, and chemical composition are an important constituent of the smog in Mexico City, one of the largest cities in the world and one of the most polluted. The aerosols come from motor vehicles, industries, and residences; their sources include the burning of fossil fuels and biomass, and industrial emissions. Because of the city's high elevation in a basin walled by mountains, air pollution in the metropolitan area is often trapped in the basin and chemically altered by ultraviolet radiation and other processes. Metal-containing aerosols in particular are implicated in adverse effects on health. Size and solubility affect their mobility in the body; for example, small particles with compact shapes penetrate deep into the lungs, where they are likely to stay. Soluble compounds readily enter the bloodstream. And a metal's oxidation state affects its toxicity. Measuring airborne particles Many different instruments were used to collect the aerosol samples at several sites: one, a Davis Rotating Drum, captured particles of three different sizes on Teflon tapes; another, a Time Resolved Aerosol Impactor, collected single particles. In situ measurements were made with an Aerosol Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (ATOFMS), which sucked particles into a vacuum chamber, determined their size, and analyzed the mass spectra of their constituent chemicals on the fly, by zapping each with a laser pulse. Spectra from tens of thousands of particles were stored for later analysis. The rotating drum and ATOFMS yielded time series, allowing the researchers to determine how size, shape, chemical composition, and the changing mix of chemicals in the aerosol particles varied with the time of day and other factors like weather. "When we started the study, we were interested in what fraction of the aerosols was from traffic, since many scientists believed that traffic was the worst source of the pollution," says Moffet. "But when I looked at the mass spectrometry data, the first thing that jumped at me was the lead spikes. We wondered what the source of the lead was. Lead has been completely banned in gasoline sold in the city since 1997, which meant the aerosols were coming from something else." Many anthropogenic (human caused) sources contribute to the metal-containing aerosols in Mexico City air. Nickel and vanadium are associated in particles from fossil-fuel burning. Smelting and other metallurgical processes produce emissions rich in heavy metals. Burning waste emits particles containing lead, zinc, and many other metals, plus chlorine. Activities like construction and traffic stir up dust and send large metal-containing particles into the atmosphere. All these sources can be identified by their characteristic compositions. "In many of the spikes the lead was associated with chlorine and zinc," Moffet says. "The nature of the chemical associations of these metals could give us valuable clues as to the origin of the particles and their subsequent processing." Mass spectrometry results were available on the spot, while additional informative data came from later laboratory analyses, including proton-induced x-ray emission and computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy directed by Alexander Laskin at the W. R. Wiley Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory at DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Washington State, the STXM studies by Mary Gilles at Berkeley Lab's ALS, and other researchers using additional techniques. Narrowing the suspects By comparing the mixing of lead, zinc, and chloride in the T0 particles to previous studies characterizing the sources of metal-containing aerosols, clues to the source of the Mexico City particles quickly emerged. Both nonferrous (non-iron) smelters and municipal waste incinerators emit particles that contain lead and zinc, and both have similar compositions – except that smelter particles do not contain phosphorus and chlorine, while incinerator particles do. The particles that contained lead and zinc in the T0 aerosols did contain phosphorus and chlorine, and had other species in common with incinerator samples, including soot. Particles from smelting typically have more iron; moreover, smelter emissions do not have large amounts of chlorine but do have high concentrations of sulfates, which were missing in the T0 samples. ALS beamline 11.0.2 helped further zero in on the chemical makeup of particles containing zinc. Incinerators produce metal chlorides, which in the atmosphere can react with acidic gases and become other species like nitrates: many of the zinc-containing particles from T0 were zinc nitrates, suggesting their origin in incinerator emissions. Zinc oxides were also among the particles collected at T0; nitrates, chlorides, and sulfates are partitioned on zinc oxide surfaces, and all are found in the lead and zinc-rich aerosols from T0. The occurrence of lead and zinc particles at different times of day – and even different days of the month – added more evidence for incineration as the principal source of the airborne metals. On most days, metal-rich particles at the T0 site peaked early in the morning, as early morning air masses from the northeastern part of the city carried them to other neighborhoods. The lag time of metal nitrates behind metal chlorides matched the time needed for reactions with nitric acid in the air. Perhaps most telling, during the month-long collection, the lowest concentration of metal-rich particles occurred on a holiday weekend when most industrial processes were shut down. The lead-bearing aerosol particles found in Mexico City are small, many of them needle-shaped, making them easy to inhale and likely to stay in the lungs. As time passes, the initial metal chlorides are converted to lead nitrates, which are soluble and readily enter the blood stream. Can garbage incineration be unequivocally identified as the source of the worst pollution in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area? Not quite yet, says Moffet. "At present the government is not keeping track of emissions from incinerators, and incineration is not even listed in the emissions inventory for the metropolitan area," he says, "although we saw garbage incinerators in the northern part of Mexico City. But even short of absolute proof of bad health effects, incineration – especially of discarded electronics, which are loaded with heavy metals and chlorine – is a dangerous process and a growing problem in developing countries." "Characterization of aerosols containing Zn, Pb, and Cl from an industrial region of Mexico City," by Ryan Moffet, Yuri Desyaterik, Rebecca Hopkins, Alexei Tivanski, Mary Gilles, Vaithiyalingam Shutthanandan, Luisa Molina, R. Gonzalez Abraham, Kenneth Johnson, Violeta Mugica, Mario Molina, Alexander Laskin, and Kimberly Prather, appears in Environmental Science & Technology and is available to subscribers at http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es7030483. Berkeley Lab is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory located in Berkeley, California. It conducts unclassified scientific research and is managed by the University of California. Visit our website at http://www.lbl.gov.

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Author and Audience: The book of 2 Thessalonians was written by Paul and addressed to the church at Thessalonica (see 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 3:17). Paul wrote this letter around A.D. 50–51 (see Bible Dictionary, (“Pauline Epistles,” p. 743). Historical Background: The similarities between this letter and 1 Thessalonians are so strong that many believe they were written within six months of each other. Paul wrote it soon after hearing the reports of Silas and Timothy when they returned from delivering his first letter. For more information see the introduction to the book of 1 Thessalonians (p. 208).

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Revelation on Church organization and government, given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at or near Fayette, New York. Portions of this revelation may have been given as early as summer 1829. The complete revelation, known at the time as the Articles and Covenants, was likely recorded soon after April 6, 1830 (the day the Church was organized). The Prophet wrote, “We obtained of Him [Jesus Christ] the following, by the spirit of prophecy and revelation; which not only gave us much information, but also pointed out to us the precise day upon which, according to His will and commandment, we should proceed to organize His Church once more here upon the earth.” 1 The a of the b of Christ in these last days, being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the c of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh, it being regularly d and established agreeable to the e of our country, by the will and commandments of God, in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month which is called April— 2 Which commandments were given to Joseph Smith, Jun., who was a of God, and b an c of Jesus Christ, to be the d e of this church; 3 And to Oliver Cowdery, who was also called of God, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the a elder of this church, and ordained under his hand; 4 And this according to the a of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom be all glory, both now and forever. Amen. 5 After it was truly manifested unto this first elder that he had received a a of his sins, he was b again in the c of the world; 6 But after a, and humbling himself sincerely, through faith, God ministered unto him by an holy b, whose c was as lightning, and whose garments were pure and white above all other whiteness; 7 And gave unto him a which inspired him; 8 And a him power from on high, by the b which were before prepared, to translate the Book of Mormon; 9 Which contains a a of a fallen people, and the b of the c of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and to the Jews also; 10 Which was given by inspiration, and is confirmed to a by the ministering of angels, and is b unto the world by them— 11 Proving to the world that the holy scriptures are a, and that God does b men and call them to his c work in this age and generation, as well as in generations of old; 12 Thereby showing that he is the a God yesterday, today, and b. Amen. 13 Therefore, having so great witnesses, by a shall the world be judged, even as many as shall hereafter come to a knowledge of this work. 14 And those who receive it in faith, and work a, shall receive a b of eternal life; 15 But those who a their hearts in b, and c it, it shall turn to their own d— 16 For the Lord God has spoken it; and we, the elders of the church, have heard and bear a to the words of the glorious Majesty on high, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. 17 By these things we a that there is a b in heaven, who is infinite and c, from everlasting to everlasting the same d God, the framer of heaven and earth, and all things which are in them; 18 And that he a man, male and female, after his own b and in his own likeness, created he them; 19 And gave unto them commandments that they should a and b him, the only c and true d, and that he should be the only being whom they should worship. 20 But by the a of these holy laws man became b and c, and became d man. 21 Wherefore, the Almighty God gave his a, as it is written in those scriptures which have been given of him. 22 He a b but gave no heed unto them. 23 He was a, b, and c again the third day; 24 And a into heaven, to sit down on the right hand of the b, to c with almighty power according to the will of the Father; 25 That as many as would a and be baptized in his holy name, and b in faith to the end, should be saved— 26 Not only those who believed after he came in the a, in the b, but all those from the beginning, even as many as were before he came, who believed in the words of the holy prophets, who c as they were inspired by the d of the Holy Ghost, who truly e of him in all things, should have eternal life, 27 As well as those who should come after, who should believe in the a and callings of God by the Holy Ghost, which b record of the Father and of the Son; 28 Which Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are a, infinite and eternal, without end. Amen. 29 And we know that all men must a and b on the name of Jesus Christ, and worship the Father in his name, and c in d on his name to the end, or they cannot be e in the kingdom of God. 30 And we know that a through the b of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true; 31 And we know also, that a through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true, to all those who b and serve God with all their c, minds, and strength. 32 But there is a possibility that man may a from b and depart from the living God; 33 Therefore let the church take heed and pray always, lest they fall into a; 34 Yea, and even let those who are a take heed also. 35 And we know that these things are true and according to the revelations of John, neither a to, nor diminishing from the prophecy of his book, the holy scriptures, or the revelations of God which shall come hereafter by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost, the b of God, or the ministering of angels. 36 And the Lord God has a it; and honor, power and glory be rendered to his holy b, both now and ever. Amen. 37 And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism—All those who a themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and b, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the c of Jesus Christ, having a d to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their e that they have received of the f unto the g of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church. 38 The a of the elders, priests, teachers, deacons, and members of the church of Christ—An b is an c, and it is his calling to d; 39 And to a other elders, priests, teachers, and deacons; 40 And to administer a—the b of the flesh and blood of Christ— 41 And to a those who are baptized into the church, by the laying on of b for the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, according to the scriptures; 42 And to teach, expound, exhort, baptize, and watch over the church; 43 And to confirm the church by the laying on of the hands, and the giving of the Holy Ghost; 44 And to take the a of all meetings. 45 The elders are to a the b as they are c by the Holy Ghost, according to the commandments and revelations of God. 46 The a duty is to preach, b, expound, exhort, and baptize, and administer the sacrament, 47 And visit the house of each member, and exhort them to a b and in secret and attend to all c duties. 48 And he may also a other priests, teachers, and deacons. 49 And he is to take the a of meetings when there is no elder present; 50 But when there is an elder present, he is only to preach, teach, expound, exhort, and baptize, 51 And visit the house of each member, exhorting them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties. 52 In all these duties the priest is to a the elder if occasion requires. 53 The a duty is to b over the c always, and be with and strengthen them; 54 And see that there is no iniquity in the church, neither a with each other, neither lying, b, nor c d; 55 And see that the church meet together often, and also see that all the members do their duty. 56 And he is to take the lead of meetings in the absence of the elder or priest— 57 And is to be assisted always, in all his duties in the church, by the a, if occasion requires. 58 But neither teachers nor deacons have authority to baptize, administer the a, or lay on b; 59 They are, however, to warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ. 60 Every a, b, teacher, or deacon is to be c d to the gifts and callings of God unto him; and he is to be e by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is in the one who ordains him. 61 The several elders composing this church of Christ are to a in conference once in three months, or from time to time as said conferences shall direct or appoint; 62 And said conferences are to do whatever church business is necessary to be done at the time. 63 The elders are to receive their licenses from other elders, by a of the church to which they belong, or from the conferences. 64 Each priest, teacher, or deacon, who is ordained by a priest, may take a certificate from him at the time, which a, when presented to an elder, shall entitle him to a license, which shall authorize him to perform the duties of his calling, or he may receive it from a conference. 65 No person is to be a to any office in this church, where there is a regularly organized branch of the same, without the b of that church; 66 But the presiding elders, traveling bishops, high councilors, high priests, and elders, may have the privilege of ordaining, where there is no branch of the church that a vote may be called. 67 Every president of the high priesthood (or presiding elder), a, high councilor, and b, is to be ordained by the direction of a c or general conference. 68 The a of the members after they are received by b—The elders or priests are to have a sufficient time to expound all things concerning the church of Christ to their c, previous to their partaking of the d and being confirmed by the laying on of the e of the elders, so that all things may be done in f. 69 And the members shall manifest before the church, and also before the elders, by a a walk and conversation, that they are worthy of it, that there may be works and b agreeable to the holy scriptures—walking in c before the Lord. 70 Every member of the church of Christ having a is to bring them unto the elders before the church, who are to lay their b upon them in the name of Jesus Christ, and bless them in his name. 71 No one can be received into the church of Christ unless he has arrived unto the years of a before God, and is capable of b. 72 a is to be administered in the following manner unto all those who repent— 73 The person who is called of God and has authority from Jesus Christ to baptize, shall go down into the water with the person who has presented himself or herself for baptism, and shall say, calling him or her by name: Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 74 Then shall he a him or her in the water, and come forth again out of the water. 75 It is expedient that the church a together often to b of c in the d of the Lord Jesus; 76 And the elder or priest shall administer it; and after this a shall he administer it—he shall kneel with the church and call upon the Father in solemn prayer, saying: 77 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this a to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and b unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his c which he has given them; that they may always have his d to be with them. Amen. 78 The a of administering the wine—he shall take the b also, and say: 79 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this a to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen. 80 Any member of the church of Christ a, or being b in a fault, shall be dealt with as the scriptures direct. 81 It shall be the duty of the several churches, composing the church of Christ, to send one or more of their teachers to attend the several conferences held by the elders of the church, 82 With a list of the a of the several members uniting themselves with the church since the last conference; or send by the hand of some priest; so that a regular list of all the names of the whole church may be kept in a book by one of the elders, whomsoever the other elders shall appoint from time to time; 83 And also, if any have been a from the church, so that their names may be blotted out of the general church b of names. 84 All members removing from the church where they reside, if going to a church where they are not known, may take a letter a that they are regular members and in good standing, which certificate may be signed by any elder or priest if the member receiving the letter is personally acquainted with the elder or priest, or it may be signed by the teachers or deacons of the church.

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Learning SuDocs Call Numbers This tutorial is designed to teach staff or student workers the SuDocs classification or call number system. The first section, SuDocs Basics, gives a brief overview of the system and focuses on the three most important things to remember. The second section is an interactive quiz with multiple choice and true/false questions, where even wrong answers teach a lesson. In the third section, you can arrange call numbers in shelving order in four different call number sequences. This interactive tutorial is sponsored by the Continuing Education Fund Working Group of the Education Committee of the American Library Association's Government Documents Round Table. Originally designed by Becky Fox, former staff member of the Michigan State University Libraries.

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William Faulkner was quite an incredible man as well as a talented and cutting edge writer of his era. By the time he wrote As I Lay Dying, he had published five others and was receiving much acclaim for his works. It is no wonder that such an incredible figure in American literature would feel a deep connection to the classical works of Homer. One intruiging passage from the Odyssey lends itself to the novel's name. Agamemnon speaks to Odysseus , " As I lay dying, the woman with the dog's eyes would not close my eyes as I descended into Hades . "Faulkner was known to recite this quote from memory throughout his entire life. I believe that he was drawn into the story of Odysseus, because it is an epic quest of incredible odds, set in a gothic tone of never-ending despair. Odysseus is trying to return to his wife and son after battle , while receiving a series of set backs caused by an angry array of Gods. It is possible that Faulkner took this idea of epic proportions and found the religious and almost magical tones to be easily displaced upon a Southern scene. Of course, As I Lay Dying is itself an epic quest. With keeping in the tradition of ?"journey stories?", it is told from 15 different perspectives. Trials and tribulations occur, as well as loss, suffering, and an active portrayal into the interior motives behind each traveler. Similar to Odysseus?'s betrayal by Poseidon , it feels as if God has abandoned this helpless rural family. A mother has been left for dead, never knowing the enjoyment of life because of the forced suffering of motherhood and wifedom. And with her death comes a pack of children, lost to the warmth of a mother?'s love. Other similarities between the two stories exist. For instance, both begin in the middle of the drama, using flashbacks or digressions to fill in the missing gaps for the reader. Both stories focus on exotic characters, with outlandish behavior to set a different scene than what might have been expected of a journey narrative . Both stories have an almost magical feeling. It seems that the children of As I Lay Dying could never really be, although they seem genuine with their eloquent and sometimes bizarre commentary. This same mystical quality occurs in the Odyssey, with Cyclopes, nymphs, and Gods, carrying human qualities, in an attempt to provide answers for the mysteries that plagued the world of antiquity. It is easy to say that Faulkner used the Odyssey as a model for his own epic journey narrative. He was able to create his own quest, where death is the primary motivator of all of the character?'s behaviors. ?"?As I descended into Hades?", can be read as Addie?'s return to her family cemetery, a literal final descent from the hill farm to the grave. The same quote also refers to the eyes of Agamemnon, open while being drug into Hades, keeping him conscience well into the after life. Addie is stuck in this same consciousness between death and life. Even in the beginning of the novel, she is not really living. It is as if she has already accepted her death, but through the punishment of a merciless god, is continually waiting to be let go.

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Fashion is defined as a prevailing type of expression. While individuals tend to think of clothing as the main field of fashion, fashion may applies to an wide variety of subjects, including etiquette, games, economics, dance, music, food, architecture, and politics. Fashion never ceases to change. It also changed at a rapid pace. Because of this change, fashion can indicate the difference between social groups.

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The Sonata in B-flat minor, Op. 35, was written in 1839 and published the following year. Unusually, Chopin initially approved the Sonata fùnebre title, but later took out the adjective in the 3rd French edition. He described the work in an August 1839 letter to Julian Fontana thus: “Here I am writing a Sonata in B-flat minor, containing the march that you know. There is an allegro, then a Scherzo in E-flat minor, the march and short finale, perhaps 3 of my pages; the left hand in unison with the right, gossiping after the march.” As is apparent from this remark, the Funeral March was composed earlier, probably in 1837, as witnessed by an album leaf containing the first eight bars of the Trio and dated “Paris, 28. September 1837”. This movement was orchestrated by Henri Reber to be played in the Madeleine’s Church in Paris at Chopin’s own funeral in October 1849. The other three movements were concluded in the summer of 1839, in George Sand’s manor house at Nohant, right after their return from Majorca. While quickly gaining popularity, the work was misunderstood by critics from the very beginning. Thus, while Anton Rubinstein called the piece “Death poem”, Robert Schumann was baffled by it, admitting it possessed beauty, but apparently misunderstanding its musical ideas and the structure, since he referred to it as “four of Chopin’s maddest children under the same roof” and to the last movement, devoid of melody and clear key, as “a jeer, but not music”. It has been suggested that this sonata was modelled on Beethoven’s Sonata Op. 26 in A-flat major, also known as the “Funeral march”, which Chopin often played and taught. Written five years after the Second Sonata and published in 1845, the Sonata in B minor, Op. 58, lies on the other side of the transition period that many see as pivotal in Chopin’s life. This work was completed a few months after the Berceuse, and was written in times of tranquillity and relatively good health. The largest of all of Chopin’s works for piano solo, it represents – together with the Fantasie and the 4th Ballade – the apotheosis of his creativity. Called “the most beautiful nocturne of all” by A. Hedley, “ravishing” by J. Rink, “messianic” by K. Stromenger and “stunning” by H. Leichentritt, Chopin’s Barcarolle was also greatly admired by artists such as von Bülow and was found by M. Ravel to be “the synthesis of the expressive and sumptuous art of this great Slav”, and to express “languor in excessive joy” by A. Gide. The Barcarolle represents a case in point of Chopin’s ornamental genius. Ravel wrote: “Chopin was not content merely to revolutionize piano technique. His figurations are inspired. Through his brilliant passages one perceives profound, enchanting harmonies. Always there is the hidden meaning which is translated into poetry of intense despair.” Chopin may have begun his work on the Barcarolle because he suddenly found himself with time on his hands, an idea of a trip to Italy in the autumn of 1845 having been cancelled due to the opposition of George Sand’s son, Maurice. The work carried over into the next year, which is when the piece was finalized and published. Originally the typical song of Venetian gondoliers, the barcarolle was often used in the Romantic period due to its exotic ambience and the 6/8 or 12/8 lilting rhythm. J. Chantavoine suggested that Chopin’s Barcarolle may have been a result of George Sand’s stories about Venice. Chopin constructed it formally as one of his nocturnes, in three sections, where the middle one draws particularly on the boat-song 12/8 rhythm and imagery. Harmonically, it is one of his most advanced works and it also explores trills in a way that Beethoven has done in his late sonatas. © 2005 Robert Andres Recorded at Potton Hall, UK, 17 - 24th June 2004 Produced by Philip Hobbs Engineered by Julia Thomas Post Production at Finesplice, UK Photographs of Artur Pizarro by Sven Arnstein

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Linux Bridge+Firewall Mini-HOWTO version 1.2.0 - 3.1 Software - 3.2 Prior Reading. - 3.3 Boot configuration - 3.4 Kernel configuration - 3.5 Network addresses - 3.6 Network routing - 3.7 Card configuration - 3.8 Additional routing - 3.9 Bridge Configuration - 3.10 Try it out - 3.11 Checks - 4.1 Software and reading - 4.2 Preliminary checks - 4.3 Default rule - 4.4 Holes per address - 4.5 Holes per protocol - 4.6 Checks A bridge is an intelligent connecting wire betwen two network cards. A firewall is an intelligent insulator. You might want a bridge if you have several computers: - to save the price of a new hub when you just happen to have an extra ethernet card available. - to save the bother of learning how to do IP-forwarding and other tricks when you _have_ two cards in your computer. - to avoid maintenance work in the future when things change around! ``Several computers'' might be as few as three if those are routing or bridging or just moving around the room from time to time! You also might want a bridge just for the fun of finding out what it does. 2 was what I wanted a bridge for. You want a firewall if - you are trying to protect your network from external accesses, or - you are trying to deny access to the world outside from your network. Curiously, I needed 2 here too. Policy at my university presently is that we should not act as internet service providers to undergraduates. I started out bridging the network cards in a firewalling machine and ended up firewalling without having cut the bridge. It seems to work and is more flexible than either configuration alone. I can take down the firewall and keep bridging or take down the bridge when I want to be more circumspect. I would guess that the bridge code lives just above the physical device layer and the firewalling code lives one layer higher up, so that the bridging and firewalling configurations effectively act as though they are running connected together ``in sequence'' and not ``in parallel'' (ouch!). Diagram: -> Bridge-in -> Firewall-in -> Kernel -> Firewall-out -> Bridge-out -> There is no other way to explain how one machine can be a ``conductor'' and an ``insulator'' at the same time. There are a few caveats but I'll come to those later. Basically you must route packets that you want to firewall. Anyway, it all seems to work together nicely for me. Here is what you do ... Get the bridge configuration utility from Alan Cox's home pages. This is the same reference as in Chris' document. I just didn't realize that it was an ftp and not an http URL ... Read the Multiple Ethernet HOWTO for some advice on getting more than one network card recognized and configured. Yet more details of the kind of boot magic that you may need are in the Boot Prompt HOWTO. You may be able to get away without the NET-2 HOWTO. It is a good long read and you will have to pick from it the details you need. The reading material above will tell you that you need to prepare the kernel to recognize a second ethernet device at boot up by adding this to your /etc/lilo.conf, and then re-run lilo: append = "ether=0,0,eth1" Note the "eth1". "eth0" is the first card. "eth1" is the second card. You can always add the boot parameters in your response to the line that lilo offers you. This is for three cards: linux ether=0,0,eth1 ether=0,0,eth2 I use loadlin to boot my kernel from DOS: loadlin.exe c:\vmlinuz root=/dev/hda3 ro ether=0,0,eth1 ether=0,0,eth2 Note that this trick makes the kernel probe at bootup. That will not happen if you load the ethernet drivers as modules (for safety since the probe order can't be determined) so if you use modules you will have to add the appropriate IRQ and port parameters for the driver in your /etc/conf.modules. I have at least alias eth0 3c509 alias eth1 de620 options 3c509 irq=5 io=0x210 options de620 irq=7 bnc=1 You can tell if you use modules by using ``ps -aux'' to see if kerneld is running and checking that there are .o files in a subdirectory of your /lib/modules directory. You want the directory named with what uname -r tells you. If you have kerneld and/or you have a foo.o then edit /etc/conf.modules and read the man page for depmod carefully. Note also that until recently (kernel 2.0.25) the 3c509 driver could not be used for more than one card if used as a module. I have seen a patch floating around that fixes the oversight. It may be in the kernel when you read this. Recompile the kernel with bridging enabled. I also compiled with firewalling and IP-forwarding and -masquerading and the rest enabled. Only if you want firewalling too ... CONFIG_FIREWALL=y CONFIG_NET_ALIAS=y CONFIG_INET=y CONFIG_IP_FORWARD=y CONFIG_IP_MULTICAST=y CONFIG_IP_FIREWALL=y CONFIG_IP_FIREWALL_VERBOSE=y CONFIG_IP_MASQUERADE=y You don't need all of this. What you do need apart from this is the standard net configuration: and I do not think you need worry about any of the other networking options. I have any options that I did not actually compile into the kernel available through kernel modules that I can add in later. Install the new kernel in place, rerun lilo and reboot with the new kernel. Nothing should have changed at this point! Chris says that a bridge should not have an IP address but that is not the setup to be described here. You are going to want to use the machine for connecting to the net so you need an address and you need to make sure that you have the loopback device configured in the normal way so that your software can talk to the places they expect to be able to talk to. If loopback is down the name resolver or other net sevices might fail. See the NET-2-HOWTO, but your standard configuration should already have done this bit: ifconfig lo 127.0.0.1 route add -net 127.0.0.0 You will have to give addresses to your network cards. I altered the /etc/rc.d/rc.inet1 file in my slackware (3.x) to setup two cards and you should also essentially just look for your net configuration file and double or treble the number of instructions in it. Suppose that you already have an address at (that is in the private net reserved address space, but never mind - it won't hurt anybody if you use this address by mistake) then you probably already have a line like ifconfig eth0 192.168.2.100 netmask 255.255.255.0 metric 1 in your configuration. The first thing you are going to probably want to do is cut the address space reached by this card in half so that you can eventually bridge or firewall the two halves. So add a line which reduces the mask to address a smaller number of machines: ifconfig eth0 netmask 255.255.255.128 Try it too. That restricts the card to at most the address space between .0 and .127. Now you can set your second card up in the other half of the local address space. Make sure that nobody already has the address. For symmetry I set it at 228=128+100 here. Any address will do so long as it is not in the other card's mask, and even then, well, maybe. Avoid special addresses like .0, .1, .128 etc. unless you really know what you are doing. ifconfig eth1 192.168.2.228 netmask 255.255.255.128 metric 1 That restricts the second card to addresses between .128 and .255. This is where I have to announce the caveats in the bridging + firewalling scheme: you cannot firewall packets which are not routed. No routes, no firewall. At least this appears to be true in the 2.0.30 and more recent kernels. The firewalling filters are closely involved with the ip-forwarding code. That does not mean that you cannot bridge. You can bridge between two cards and firewall them from a third. You can have only two cards and firewall both of them against an outside IP such as a nearby router, provided that the router is routed by you to exactly one of the cards. In other words, since I will be doing firewalling, so I want to precisely control the physical destination of some packets. I have the small net of machines attached to a hub hanging off eth0, so I configure a net there: route add -net 192.168.2.128 netmask 255.255.255.128 dev eth0 The 128 would be 0 if I had a full class C network there. I don't, by definition, since I just halved the address space. The "dev eth0" is not necessary here because the cards address falls within the mask, but it may be necessary for you. One might need more than one card holding up this subnet (127 machines on one segment, oh yeah) but those cards would be being bridged under the same netmask so that they appear as one to the routing code. On the other card I have a line going straight through to a big router that I trust. client 129 __ | __ client 1 \ .0 .128 | / net 1 client 2 --- Hub - eth0 - Kernel - eth1 - Hub - Router --- net 2 client 3 __/ .100 .228 .2 | \__ net 3 | client 254 I attach the address of the router to that card as a fixed ("static") route because it would otherwise fall within the first cards netmask and the kernel would be thinking wrongly about how to send packets to the big router. I will want to firewall these packets and that is another reason fow wanting to route them specifically. route add 192.168.2.2 dev eth1 I don't need it, since I don't have any more machines in that half of the address space, but I declare a net also on the second card. Separating my interfaces into two sets via routing will allow me to do very tight firewalling eventually , but you can get away with far less routing than this. route add -net 192.168.2.128 netmask 255.255.255.128 dev eth1 I also need to send all non-local packets out to the world so I tell the kernel to send them to the big router route add default gw 192.168.2.2 So much was standard networking setup, but we are bridging so we also have to listen on both (?) cards for packets that are not aimed at us. The following should go into the network configuration file. ifconfig promisc eth0 ifconfig promisc eth1 The man page says allmulti=promisc, but it didn't work for me. One thing that I noticed was that I had to put at least the second card into a mode where it would respond to the big router's questions about which machines I was hiding in my local net. ifconfig arp eth1 For good measure I did this to the other card too. ifconfig arp eth0. Put bridging enabling on and into your configuration file: You should have been trying this out in real time all along, of course! The bridge configure will bring up some numbers. You can experiment with turning on and off the ports one at a time brcfg -port 0 -disable/-enable brcfg -port 1 -disable/-enable You get status reports anytime by just running without any parameters. You will see that the bridge listens,learns, and then does forwarding. (I don't understand why the code repeats the same hardware addresses for both my cards, but never mind .. Chris' howto say that is OK) If you are still up and running as things are, try out your configuration script for real by taking down both cards and then executing it: ifconfig eth0 down ifconfig eth1 down /etc/rc.d/rc.inet1 With any luck the various subsystems (nfs, ypbind, etc.) won't notice. Do not try this unless you are sitting at the keyboard! If you want to be more careful than this, you should take down as many daemons as possible beforehand, and unmount nfs directories. The worst that can happen is that you have to reboot in single-user mode (the "single" parameter to lilo or loadlin), and take out your changes before rebooting with things the way they were before you started. Verify that there is different traffic on each interface: tcpdump -i eth0 (in one window) tcpdump -i eth1 (in another window) You should get used to using tcpdump to look for things that should not be happening or that are happening and should not. For instance look for packets that have gone through the bridge to the second card from the internal net. Here I am looking for packets from the machine with address .22: tcpdump -i eth1 -e host 192.168.2.22 Then send a ping from the .22 host to the router. You should see the packet reported by tcpdump. At this stage you should have a bridge ready that also has two network addreses. Test that you can ping them from outside and inside your local net, and that you can telnet and ftp around between inside and outside too. You should read the Firewall-HOWTO. That will tell you where to get ipfwadm if you don't already have it. There are other tools you can get but I made no progress until I tried ipfwadm. It is nice and low level! You can see exactly what it is doing. You have compiled IP-forwarding and masquerading into the kernel so you will want to check that the firewall is in its default (accepting) state with ipfwadm -I -l ipfwadm -O -l ipfwadm -F -l That is respectively, "display the rules affecting the .." incoming or outgoing or forwarding (masquerading) ".. sides of the firewall". The "-l" means "list". You might have compiled in accounting too: ipfwadm -A -l You should see that there are no rules defined and that the default is to accept every packet. You can get back to this working state anytime with ipfwadm -I -f ipfwadm -O -f ipfwadm -F -f The "-f" means "flush". You may need to use that. I want to cut the world off from my internal net and do nothing else, so I will want to give as a last (default) rule that the firewall should ignore any packets coming in from the internal net and directed to outside. I put all the rules (in this order) into /etc/rc.d/rc.firewall and execute it from /etc/rc.d/rc.local at bootup. ipfwadm -I -a reject -S 192.168.2.0/255.255.255.128 -D 0.0.0.0/0.0.0.0 The "-S" is the source address/mask. The "-D" is the destination address/mask. This format to is rather long-winded. Ipfwadm is intelligent about network names and some common abbreviations. Check the man pages. It is possibly more convenient to put some or all of these rules on the outgoing half of the firewall by using "-O" instead of "-I", but I'll state the rules here all formulated for the incoming half. Before that default rule, I have to place some rules that serve as exceptions to this general denial of external services to internal clients. I want to treat the firewall machines address on the internal net specially. I will stop people logging in to the firewall machine unless they have special permission, but once they are there they should be allowed to talk to the world. ipfwadm -I -i accept -S 192.168.2.100/255.255.255.255 \ -D 0.0.0.0/0.0.0.0 I also want the internal clients to be able to talk to the firewalling machine. Maybe they can persuade it to let them get out! ipfwadm -I -i accept -S 192.168.2.0/255.255.255.128 \ -D 192.168.2.100/255.255.255.255 Check at this point that you can get in to the clients from outside the firewall via telnet, but that you cannot get out. That should mean that you can just about make first contact, but the clients cannot send you any prompts. You should be able to get all the way in if you use the firewall machine as a staging post. Try rlogin and ping too, with tcpdump running on one card or the other. You should be able to make sense of what you see. I went on to relax the rules protocol by protocol. I want to allow pings from the outside to the inside to get an echo back, for instance, so I inserted the rule: ipfwadm -I -i accept -P icmp -S 192.168.2.0/255.255.255.128 \ -D 0.0.0.0/0.0.0.0 -P icmp" works the protocol-specific magic. Until I get hold of an ftp proxy I am also allowing ftp calls out with port-specific relaxations. This targets ports 20 21 and 115 on outside machines. ipfwadm -I -i accept -P tcp -S 192.168.2.0/255.255.255.128 \ -D 0.0.0.0/0.0.0.0 20 21 115 I could not make sendmail between the local clients work without a nameserver. Rather than set up a nameserver right then on the firewall, I just lifted the firewall for tcp domain service queries precisely aimed at the nearest existing nameserver and put its address in the clients /etc/resolv.conf nameserver 123.456.789.31" on a separate line). ipfwadm -I -i accept -P tcp -S 192.168.2.0/255.255.255.128 \ -D 123.456.789.31/255.255.255.255 54 You can find which port number and protocol a service requires with tcpdump. Trigger the service with a an ftp or a telnet or whatever to or from the internal machine and then watch for it on the input and output ports of the firewall with tcpdump: tcpdump -i eth1 -e host client04 for example. The /etc/services file is another important source of clues. To let telnet and ftp IN to the firewall from outside, you have to allow the local clients to call OUT on a specific port. I understand why this is necessary for ftp - it's the server that establishes the data stream in the end - but I am not sure why telnet also needs this. ipfwadm -I -i accept -P tcp -S 192.168.2.0/255.255.255.128 ftp telnet \ -D 0.0.0.0/0.0.0.0 There is a particular problem with some daemons that look up the hostname of the firewalling machine in order to decide what is their networking address. Rpc.yppasswdd is the one I had trouble with. It insists on broadcasting information that says it is outside the firewall (on the second card). That means the clients inside can't contact it. Rather than start IP aliasing or change the daemon code, I mapped the name to the inside card address on the clients in their /etc/hosts. You want to test that you can still telnet, rlogin and ping from the outside. From the inside you should be able to ping out. You should also be able to telnet to the firewall machine from the inside and the latter should be able to do anything. That is it. At this point you probably want to learn about rpc/Yellow Pages and the interaction with the password file. The firewalled network wants to run without its unprivileged users being able to log on to the firewall - and thus get out. Some other HOWTO!

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User management is a very basic administrative task on any operating system. Performing that task on Linux is just as simple as on any other OS. Experienced users already know how to do this, but if you are a new convert to Linux, and are using Zenwalk 6.2, the latest edition of Zenwalk, this tutorial provides a step-by-step guide on how to add a user on a running system. Unless you have granted user management rights to a regular user, adding a user on Zenwalk requires root privileges (Zenwalk uses the root account for access to performing admin tasks on the system). You can access the user management application from the Control Panel, itself accessible from Zenwalk menu > Settings > Control Panel. On the control panel, click on the User Profiles icon On the User Management screen, select Create user and click OK. Type in the username. The username is the name that the user will use to log into the system. By default, the user belongs to the users group. No need to change anything here. By default, the user’s home directory is /home/< username >. Again, no need to change anything here. Aside from the users default group, the user also belong to certain system groups. Membership in these additional groups allows the user to perform certain tasks on the system. Unless you know what you are doing, don’t change anything here. Bash, Bourne Again Shell, is the default shell interpreter on Linux. And the path to bash is usually /bin/bash. OK. Sometimes, you want to create a temporary account for a guest, or you are very security conscious and want to implement password aging. In such cases, you can set the password to expire. Select the desired password expiration date and click OK, or click on Never if you do not want to implement password aging.

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by Dave Phillips OpenAL, the Open Audio Library, is an initiative from Creative Labs and Loki Entertainment designed to provide a cross-platform open source solution for programming 2D and 3D audio. It is licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL), with current implementations supporting Windows, the Macintosh OS, Linux, FreeBSD, OS/2, and BeOS. The OpenAL API has been designed for portability of applications between supported platforms, particularly games and other multimedia applications using OpenGL for 3D graphics. As its name implies, OpenAL is analogous in many ways to SGI's OpenGL, a widely implemented standard for specifying high-quality 3D graphics (see Chris Halsall's article for more information regarding OpenGL). The analogy extends far beyond the name: Many of the design considerations for OpenAL are derived from similar considerations for the visual effects possible from OpenGL, particularly with regard to movement in three dimensions and proximity-dependent texture variance. Because the OpenAL API is so similar to OpenGL, programmers employing OpenGL for graphics can more easily bind sonic activity to visuals, leading to exciting possibilities for games and other graphics-intensive applications. As with OpenGL, a little OpenAL code does a lot. Developers can simply place their sounds into a scene and let OpenAL render the changes of the sounds relative to the positional changes of the listener. The programming interface is hardware-independent. It can be deployed on virtually any soundcard usable on the supported platforms, though of course its potential will be most fully realized on cards with multichannel audio output. The API is a relatively higher-level interface that provides a communication protocol with the sound card driver. For Linux users it should make no difference whether the card driver comes from the kernel sources, ALSA, or OSS/Linux. The OpenAL library is designed to act in coordination with the low-level routines of the driver. At this time the API and library focus only on PCM audio, although it is possible that future revisions will address CD audio and hardware MIDI synthesis. OpenAL also follows recommendations put forth by the Interactive Audio Special Interest Group (IASIG). The current API has been written to accommodate at least the following IASIG Level 1 guidelines: - Distance-based attenuation -- the strengthening or weakening of a sound's dynamic level as it approaches or leaves the listener. - Position-based panning -- the location of a sound is calculated relative to the listener, not merely shifting between speakers. - Doppler effects -- the perceived rise and fall of a sound's pitch as a source approaches and leaves the listener. - Sound radiation -- control of a sound's dispersion through the acoustic field. OpenAL Resources On-line The author would like to thank Joseph I. Valenzuela, Michael Vance, Bernd Kreimeier, Fotis Hadginikos, and Derrick Story for their vast assistance. This series of articles could not have been written without their help. The IASIG Level 2 guidelines specify a set of environment parameters for reverberation. Work has already begun to incorporate those parameters into the OpenAL API. The current OpenAL API reference can be found in the openal/docs directory, but it is in SGML format. You will need the DocBook tools to compile the API documentation into readable HTML. The reference documentation is also available on-line here. I should emphasize that the documentation is directed only to developers at this time. As an open source project with corporate blessings, OpenAL seems assured of widespread implementation. It offers an open source solution to the problem of highly portable cross-platform support for 3D audio in games and other multimedia applications, making it of great interest to developers and end-users alike. Even while the 1.0 specification is being ratified, some developers are already employing OpenAL's services. OpenAL is not without its contenders, but those solutions are proprietary or locked into a single architecture. OpenAL is already a working multi-platform interface for audio (especially 3D audio) services, and with hardware acceleration, OpenAL could revolutionize computer audio in the same way as OpenGL revolutionized computer graphics, an exciting prospect indeed. As a final reminder, please note that OpenAL is a community effort, and community involvement is encouraged. See the OpenAL Web site for complete details on getting involved in the project. In the last article we will take a deeper look at the internals of the API, but first we'll discuss 3D audio and then see what real-world applications have already employed the OpenAL specification. Discuss this article in the O'Reilly Network Linux Forum. Return to the Linux DevCenter.

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Having arrived back in India to take command of Fort St. David, south of Madras, in June 1756, on 16 October 1756 Clive led a British army force from in Madras to retake Calcutta from Siraj-ud-Daula. He recaptured Calcutta on 2 January 1757 and forced Siraj-ud-Daula to pay compensation and permit British fortification of the city. Editors. "British recapture Calcutta from Mogul forces". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 01 February 2010 [http://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=4183, accessed 21 May 2013.]

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Races start with heats, the number of which depends on the number of swimmers in the event. Swimmers are seeded in advance and these seedings are used to determine the heat each swimmer starts in – the top seeds will be placed in different heats. Seedings are also used to determine the lane each athlete will swim in – the higher the seeding the closer to the centre lanes of the pool. The top eight swimmers from the heats progress to the final. As in the heats, the swimmers’ seedings are used to decide which lane they are allocated. Swimming events need many officials including timekeepers, start and finish judges, stroke judges and an overall chief referee who is in charge of the competition.

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How To Start Rock Climbing When thinking about how to start rock climbing, many people assume that you need a physique of Sylvester Stallone in "Cliffhanger". But if you take the right steps in preparing yourself for this mentally and physically stimulating work out, you will surprise yourself with how good you can be. This work out can be incredibly challenging both physically and mentally. However, the end reward makes it all very worth it. To start rock climbing you will need the following items: - climbing shoes - climbing rope - a harness - a belay device - chalk (optional; used by some climbers to help with their grip) The number one lesson in beginning your adventure is that you can never stop learning. - Take a professional lesson in belaying, harness and rope safety, and the terminologies of rock climbing. If you go to any indoor rock climbing facility they should have the staff to provide you with such a lesson, they should also have equipment that you can rent. Be sure to wear comfortable but tighter clothing that you can move around in easily. You need to feel very comfortable at an indoor facility before you should attempt to rock climb in the outdoors. Rocks are much less forgiving on beginners mistakes and so are the elements of nature. - Learn how to do "top rope" climbing. This form of climbing is the safest form. The rope that is connected to you (the climber) goes up and through a hold at the very top of the wall and back down to your belayer (the person on the ground who holds the rope). Be sure to utilize the person you have belaying. They can instruct you on where to look for good holds and can be a great source of encouragement if you start to struggle. With this form of climbing it is very difficult for you to fall far and you can take breaks easier. Rock climbing, even in the elementary stages, is a very intense cardio work out as well as a mental challenge. But the more often you participate in rock climbing, the better you will be physically and at finding good holds for your hands and feet. - Start to challenge yourself by following precise routes After practicing the basics that you've learned from your lesson, its time to make it real. The wall at the indoor facility will have these routes marked off by coloured tape. Trying to stay on these routes will give you a better concept of climbing outdoors as there aren't options or cheats on the side of a rock face. The routes are also rated on a scale. Try to master a few of the easiest routes and then push yourself to the next level of the scale. The higher the number the higher the difficulty of the route. - Consider taking a course on "lead" climbing. Once you feel comfortable at the indoor facility on top rope, try this type of climbing. It requires you to hook the rope through caribbeaners as you, is a slightly more intense and much more skillful form of climbing. You need to absolutely feel secure in your abilities and the person you have handling your belay in order to participate in lead climbing. - Consider going to an outdoor rock face. After mastering lead climbing, try this. Be sure to research the location you're going to so you know some hints before trying to go on your own. Red River Gorge in Kentucky is a great location for a plethora of different types of routes. As with any new skill, practice makes perfect. You shouldn't expect to be Mr. Stallone within your first few attempts. Just continue trying and pushing yourself psychically and mentally at climbing. It's an incredibly rewarding activity in both sense.

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LOS ANGELES — Researchers have some new advice for high school students who want to improve their grades: Become friends with academically oriented classmates. It may sound obvious, but researchers went to considerable effort to prove it. They surveyed all members of the junior class at Maine-Endwell High School in Endwell, N.Y., and asked students to rate each of their classmates as either a "best friend," a "friend," an "acquaintance" or someone they didn't know. They got responses from 92 percent of students and used them to reconstruct the social networks among 158 11th-graders as of Jan. 11, 2011. The research team also obtained the grade point averages for all 158 students in January 2011 and January 2012, so they could track how their academic performance changed over time. For the analysis, those GPAs were converted into class rankings. Then they compared the rankings of each student to those of their best friends, friends and acquaintances. Sure enough, the researchers found a linear relationship between a student's grades and the academic environment of their social network. If a student's class ranking at the start of the study was higher than usual for her social network, it tended to fall over the course of the year. Conversely, if a student ranked below the rest of her group, her class ranking tended to rise. The most significant influence appeared to be the grades of those labeled as "friends." To explain this, the researchers hypothesized that the grades of "best friends" made little difference in the equation because they were probably very similar to start with. But the gaps between students and their "friends" were bigger, so there was more opportunity for influence. The findings were published recently in the journal PLOS ONE. The results are in line with other studies showing that happiness, obesity and other traits can spread through social networks. Of note: Six of the study authors are students at Maine-Endwell High. The senior author is Hiroki Sayama, director of the Collective Dynamics of Complex Systems research group at Binghamton University in Binghamton, N.Y.

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Send SCSI READ LONG command to DEVICE. The read buffer is output in hex and ASCII to stdout or placed in a file. Note that the data returned includes the logical block data (typically 512 bytes for a disk) plus ECC information (whose format is proprietary) plus optionally other proprietary Arguments to long options are mandatory for short options as well. uses a SCSI READ LONG(16) command. The default action is to use a SCSI READ LONG(10) command. The READ LONG(10) command has a 32 bit field for the lba while READ LONG(16) has a 64 bit field. sets the 'CORRCT' bit in the SCSI READ LONG command. When set the data is corrected by the ECC before being transferred back to this utility. The default is to leave the 'CORRCT' bit clear in which case the data is output the usage message then exit. where LBA is the logical block address of the sector to read. Assumed to be in decimal unless prefixed with '0x' (or has a trailing 'h'). Defaults to lba 0. If the lba is larger than can fit in 32 bits then the --16 option should be used. instead of outputting ASCII hex to stdout, send it in binary to the file called OF. If '-' is given for OF then the (binary) output is sent to stdout. Note that all informative and error output is sent to stderr. sets the 'PBLOCK' bit in the SCSI READ LONG command. When set the physical block (plus ECC data) containing the requested logical block address is read. The default is to leave the 'PBLOCK' bit clear in which case the logical block (plus any ECC data) is read. opens the DEVICE read-only rather than read-write which is the default. The Linux sg driver needs read-write access for the SCSI READ LONG command but other access methods may require read-only increase the level of verbosity, (i.e. debug output). print the version string and then exit. where BTL is the byte transfer length (default to 520). If the given value (or the default) does not match the "long" block size of the device, the appropriate BTL is deduced from the error response and printed (to stderr). The idea is that the user will retry this utility with the correct transfer length. If a defective block is found and its contents, if any, has been retrieved then "sg_reassign" could be used to map out the defective block. Associated with such an action the number of elements in the "grown" defect list could be monitored (with "sg_reassign --grown") as the disk could be nearing the end of its useful lifetime. Various numeric arguments (e.g. LBA) may include multiplicative suffixes or be given in hexadecimal. See the "NUMERIC ARGUMENTS" section in the sg3_utils(8) man page. As a data point, Fujitsu uses a 54 byte ECC (per block) which is capable of correcting up to a single burst error or 216 bits "on the fly". [Information obtained from MAV20xxrc product manual.] The exit status of sg_read_long is 0 when it is successful. Otherwise see the sg3_utils(8) man page.

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Description of How We Got the Bible by Neil Lightfoot How We Got the Bible provides factual, accessible answers to questions such as How and when did the books of the Bible originate? In what sense are these books different from other books? How have these books been preserved and transmitted to us? Why do we have so many different translations of the Bible? A popular guide for Bible students, it has sold more than 1 million copies during its forty years in print. This trade paper edition of the well-loved classic offers readers an even more affordable way to learn about the development of the most important book in history.

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Education That is Multicultural and Achievement (ETMA) The Maryland State Department of Education implements a State Regulation (COMAR 13A.04.05), expanded in 1995 and revised in 2005, that requires all local school systems to infuse Education That Is Multicultural into instruction, curriculum, staff development, instructional resources, and school climate. It also requires the Maryland State Department of Education to incorporate multicultural education into its programs, publications,and assessments. Education That Is Multicultural is defined as "a continuous, integrated, multicisciplinary process for educating all students about diversity and commonality. Diversity factors include, but a not limited to race, ethnicity, region , religion, gender, language, socioeconomic status, age, and individuals with disabilities. Education That is Multicultural prepares students to live, interact,and work creatively in an interdependent global society by focusing on mutual appreciation and respect. It is a process which is complemented by community and parent involvement in support of multicultural initiatives."

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The Patrick administration has been working to enhance its long-term financial planning based on best practices prescribed by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). Best practices include the use of a sound conceptual approach, ensuring that near-term decisions measure long-term impacts, and developing a solution framework that is aligned with policy goals. The Commonwealth has implemented a conceptual approach of “structural balance“ that is designed to delineate among different causes of fiscal imbalance. The application of this approach identifies three critical challenges facing the Commonwealth: a remaining structural deficit due to the significant reduction in tax revenue since the recession, cost inflation on safety net and health care programs, and the need to improve policy measures to address economic volatility. Each of these challenges is a central feature of our FY12 budget proposal as further described in the conclusion to this section. Structural Balance Approach and Analysis The goal of structural balance is to base spending on policy priorities and a predictable level of sustainable revenue. Our supporting analysis includes a five-year forecast for revenue and spending based on historical trends as well as the outlook for the state economy. The forecast includes a projection of tax revenue, based on input from local economists, that also provides the basis to develop an estimated long-term trend-line for tax revenue. The forecast indicates that the state economy will be below trend during a four year recovery period beginning in fiscal year 2012 before reaching a “steady-state” level of long-term tax revenue growth of approximately 5% in 2016. The imputed trend-line was developed using the tax revenue figures from 2016 and discounting revenue back by the estimated 5% annually. A similar approach was taken to develop a pre-recession revenue trend-line and select results of this analysis are highlighted in the exhibit below. (note: the time horizon in the exhibit has been truncated in order to emphasize the key findings discussed below). The results of this analysis provide three useful insights into our near-term fiscal challenges. First, tax revenue in FY07 (i.e. pre-recession) was approximately $2 billion greater than the then current trend-line. Second, the impact of the recession on this trend-line after FY09 was a significant downward shift of an additional $2 billion. Finally, the outlook for the economy suggests that recovery in tax revenue will be only modest: approximately $500 million based on the difference between the trend and forecast for tax revenue in FY12. The combined impact of these effects is that the FY12 budget will have approximately $5 billion less in available resource than we had in FY07 on an inflation adjusted basis, with an expectation that only 10% of this amount will be re-couped during the recovery. The estimates of tax revenue were done in tandem with trend based projections for spending that are largely influenced by health care cost inflation. Health care costs in the state have been growing at 8-9% which has had the effect of increasing the share of health care costs from 31% to 38% over the four year period ending with FY10 (Exhibit 2). The impact of this increase combined with the reduction in revenue sources described above, is that the Commonwealth will have approximately 25% less in resource available for non-health care spending in FY12 than was available in FY07. The growth rate of health care costs also suggests that there could be a further squeeze on other spending and a risk of increasing structural deficits if health care cost inflation cannot be addressed. If current trends continue, for example, the growth in total state spending by FY15 would be approximately 6% (driven by an 8-9% spending rate for health care and a 3% rate for most other programs) as compared to an estimated revenue growth rate of 5%. The 1% differential would result in additional structural deficits of nearly $400 million annually, providing a clear indication that the current levels of health care cost inflation are not sustainable. The Application of Long-Term Planning to Inform Near-Term Decisions The structural balance analysis has informed our understanding of the state’s fiscal imbalances and our recommendations to address these challenges in the FY12 budget. The revenue forecast and trend-line allows us to employ the $500million cyclical shortfall as a guideline on the maximum use of one time resources that are sustainable over time. Any spending in excess of this amount would continue to sustain a structural deficit or require budgetary spending that is not sustainable. The FY12 budget includes use of $385 million in one time resources, well within the sustainable level based on our cyclical shortfall. This is based in part on the assumption that the state would also restrain spending during a strong economy when tax revenue is above the then current trend-line (see Managing Economic Volatility in the solutions section below). A Solution Framework Aligned with Policy Goals The Governor’s House 1 proposal for fiscal year 2012 addresses the state’s key fiscal challenges through a series of reforms and initiatives that have been informed by our analysis of the state’s long-term fiscal outlook. They include:

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DefinitionBy Mayo Clinic staff CLICK TO ENLARGE A broken rib, or fractured rib, is a common injury that occurs when one of the bones in your rib cage breaks or cracks. The most common cause of broken ribs is trauma to the chest, such as from a fall, motor vehicle accident or impact during contact sports. Many broken ribs are merely cracked. While still painful, cracked ribs aren't as potentially dangerous as ribs that have been broken. In these situations, a jagged piece of bone could damage major blood vessels or internal organs, such as the lungs. In most cases, broken ribs heal on their own in one or two months. Adequate pain control is important, so you can continue to breathe deeply and avoid lung complications, such as pneumonia. - Karlson KA. Rib fractures. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 7, 2011. - Brunett PH, et al. Pulmonary trauma. In: Tintinalli JE, et al. Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2011. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=6389704. Accessed Feb. 5, 2011. - Fractures. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec21/ch309/ch309b.html#sec21-ch309-ch309b-141. Accessed Feb. 8, 2011. - Preventing falls and related fractures. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/Fracture/prevent_falls.asp. Accessed Feb. 8, 2011. - Laskowski ER (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 8, 2011.

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Range: Vancouver - Baja Calif. depth: 6-18 (38) m. Table of Contents The Sea Grape Commonly known as "sea grapes," Botryocladia (botryo=grape, cladia=branches) pseudodichotoma is an abundant member of the RHODOPHYTA (red algae). The following phylogeny consists of links to list of common characteristics which justify Botryocladia's inclusion: - thallus is 10-30 cm. tall - elongate, pyriform (pear-shaped), sacchate (sack-like) branches - sacchate branches are 4-7 cm long and 6-25 mm in diameter - branches contain a colorless, acidic, polysaccharide and protein mucilage which makes them bouyant and therefore better able to compete for light - 3 cell layers - pigmented cortical cells - unpigmented medium sized gelatinous cells - unpigmented large gelatinous medullar cells (& specialized gland cells cluster in groups of 10-20 on the inward facing surface of medullar cells which in pseudodichotoma are noticeably smaller than its neighbors. It is easy to view secretory cells under a microscope by making cross-sections with a razorblade. with all Florideophyceae, B.pseudodichotoma has a tri-phasic life cells of the diploid tetrasporophyte undergo meiosis to create cruciate tetraspores (3.88 million/day). Each of the 4 spores can grow into a haploid gametophyte (male or female). mature male gametophyte emits spermatia which fertilize cells on the female gametophyte. Where fertilization has succeeded, a diploid carposporophyte grows on the female gametophyte. carposporophyte has a pore opening to the outside through which it releases diploid carpospores. These carpospores settle and grow into

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Breaking the COX code Using the team approach Editor’s Note: This story, first published in 2004, has been updated. Prostaglandins, which were first isolated from the prostate gland in 1936, are very rapidly metabolized, or broken down, making measurement in the blood difficult. Researchers at Vanderbilt led by John Oates, M.D., developed methods for measuring levels of prostaglandin metabolites (breakdown products) in the urine using mass spectrometry. Using this technique, the research team—which by the late 1970s included L. Jackson Roberts, M.D.—identified prostaglandin D2 as a product of the human mast cell and demonstrated its release during allergic asthma. With colleagues including Garret A. FitzGerald, M.D., now chair of Pharmacology at the University of Pennsylvania, Oates and Roberts showed that low doses of aspirin blocked the production of thromboxane, a prostaglandin made by platelets that causes blood clotting and constriction of blood vessels. Their findings supported the use of low dose aspirin to prevent heart attacks. In the early 1990s, Vanderbilt researchers led by Ray DuBois, M.D., Ph.D., discovered a link between the COX-2 enzyme and colon cancer. That work helped lead to current tests of COX-2 inhibitors as a potential way to prevent cancer. In 2004 another group led by the late Jason Morrow, M.D., and David H. Johnson, M.D., director of the Hematology-Oncology division at Vanderbilt, reported that urine levels of a prostaglandin metabolite called PGE-M could predict the effectiveness of a COX-2 inhibitor in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. This suggests, Morrow said in 2004, “that the measurement of these inflammatory ‘mediators’ and their suppression may be useful in the treatment of lung cancer.” COX enzymes also may play a role in Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to prostaglandins, the COX pathway can lead to the production of highly reactive molecular compounds called levuglandins, which, in turn, can form “adducts,” or irreversible attachments to proteins that may be toxic to nerve cells. Also in 2004, Oates and his colleagues at Vanderbilt and Johns Hopkins University reported that they found a 12-fold increase in the level of adducts in the brains of patients who had Alzheimer’s disease compared to age-matched control brains. “These are the first clear data showing that COX products are elevated in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease,” says Oates, Thomas F. Frist Professor of Medicine and professor of Pharmacology. Vanderbilt currently is participating in a national trial to see if long-term use of COX inhibitors will reduce the incidence of the disease.

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Characteristics of First Urinary Tract Infection With Fever in Children: A Prospective Clinical and Imaging Study The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 04/18/2011 Ismaili Khalid et al. - Girls represent 63% of cases with first urinary tract infection (UTI). For 91% of UTIs, Escherichia coli is held responsible with a high rate of resistance to ampicillin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. US is an excellent screening tool that allows avoidance of unjustified voiding cystourethrography studies.Methods - The authors prospectively followed (median, 20 months) 209 children treated for first febrile UTI. - Renal ultrasound (US) and voiding cystourethrography examinations were performed in all patients. - Among the children, 63% were females and 37% were males, and 75% of them had their first UTI before the age of 2 years. - The most common causative agent was Escherichia coli (91% of cases) with high rate resistance to ampicillin (58%) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (38%). - Of these children, 25% had evidence of VUR (15 boys and 38 girls). VUR was of low grade in 85% of cases. - The overall performance of renal US as a diagnostic test to detect significant uropathies excluding low-grade vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) was excellent; the sensitivity attained 97% and the specificity 94%.

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Addison’s disease, also known as Adrenal Insufficiency or Hypocortisolism, is an endocrine disease that occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormone cortisol and sometimes, aldosterone. Discuss topics including symptoms and treatments for Addison’s disease. This site is huge. Chapter 7 has more info on antibodies I'v ever read. Very technical, medical terminology.

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Fragile X Syndrome (cont.) A variety of professionals can help individuals with Fragile X and their families deal with symptoms of the disorder. Such assistance is usually most effective when provided by health care professionals experienced with Fragile X. - Speech-language therapists can help people with Fragile X to improve their pronunciation of words and sentences, slow down speech, and use language more effectively. They may set up social or problem-solving situations to help a child practice using language in meaningful ways. For the minority of children who fail to develop functional speech, this type of specialist may work with other specialists to design and teach nonverbal ways of communication. For example, some children may prefer to use small picture cards arranged on a key ring to express themselves; or they may learn to use a hand-held computer that is programmed to "say" words and phrases when a single key is pressed. - Occupational therapists help find ways to adjust tasks and conditions to match a person's needs and abilities. For example, this type of therapist might teach parents to swaddle or massage their baby who has Fragile X to calm him or her. Or the therapist might find a specially designed computer mouse and keyboard or a pencil that is easier for a child with poor motor control to grip. At the high school level, an occupational therapist can help a teenager with Fragile X identify a job, career, or skill that matches his or her interests and individual capabilities.17 - Physical therapists design activities and exercises to build motor control and to improve posture and balance. They can teach parents ways to exercise their baby's muscles. At school, a physical therapist may help a child who is easily over-stimulated or who avoids body contact to participate in sports and games with other children. - Behavioral therapists try to identify why a child acts in negative ways and then seek ways to prevent these distressing situations, and to teach the child to cope with the distress. This type of specialist also works with parents and teachers to find useful responses to desirable and undesirable behavior. During puberty, rising and changing hormone levels can cause adolescents to become more aggressive. A behavioral therapist can help a teenager recognize his or her intense emotions and teach healthy ways to calm down. The services of these specialists may be available to pre-school and school-aged children, as well as to teens, through the local public school system. In a school setting, several specialists often work together to assess each child's particular strengths and weaknesses, and to plan a program that is specially tailored to meet the child's needs. These services are often free. More intense and individualized help is available through private clinics, but the family usually has to pay for private services, although some health insurance plans may help cover the cost. Viewers share their comments Fragile X Syndrome - Educational Options Question: Do you have a child with Fragile X? Please discuss the educational opportunities in which your child has participated. Fragile X Syndrome - Social and Emotional Issues Question: How does your child with Fragile X deal with social situations? Please share how you cope with your child's emotional issues. Fragile X Syndrome - Experience Question: Please describe your experience with fragile x syndrome. Fragile X Syndrome - Symptoms Question: What symptoms do you or your loved one experience from fragile X syndrome? How do you cope? Fragile X Syndrome - Carrier Question: Did you ever undergo genetic testing to see if you are a fragile X syndrome carrier?

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Weight Gain & Cancer Risk Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR Excess weight is a known risk factor for many chronic diseases, such as diabetesand heart disease. Obesityhas also been linked an increased risk for developing some cancers. To clarify the effects of weight gain on cancer risk, researchers in 2007 conducted an analysis of many studies reported in medical journals that describe 282,137 cases of cancer. The researchers wanted to see if weight gain had an effect on the risk for certain cancer types. In particular, the researchers looked at the risk of cancer associated with a weight gain corresponding to an increase of 5 kg/m2 in body mass index (BMI). In terms of actual pounds gained, a man with a normal-range BMI of 23 would need to gain 15 kg (33 lbs.) of weight, while a woman with a BMI of 23 would need to gain 13 kg (28.6 lbs.) to correspond to an increase of 5 in the BMI. The results, published in the Lancet in February 2008, revealed that weight gain is positively associated with the risk of developing a variety of types of cancer as described below. For women, a weight gain corresponding to an increase of 5 in the BMI resulted in a significant increase in risk for developing four cancer types: - esophageal adenocarcinoma(double the risk), - endometrial cancer(slightly more than double the risk), - gallbladder cancer (slightly more than double the risk), and - kidney (renal) cancer.

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Our Colchicine Main Article provides a comprehensive look at the who, what, when and how of Colchicine Definition of Colchicine Colchicine: A substance found in a plant that is used in clinical medicine for the treatment of gouty arthritis and in the laboratory to arrest cells during cell division (by disrupting the spindle) so their chromosomes can be visualized. The name colchicine is from the Greek kolchikon meaning autumn crocus or meadow saffron, the plant from which colchicine was originally isolated. Last Editorial Review: 4/27/2011 5:27:15 PM Back to MedTerms online medical dictionary A-Z List Need help identifying pills and medications? Get the latest health and medical information delivered direct to your inbox FREE!

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Improve community infrastructure, health, resiliency and economic opportunities in Indonesia’s most challenging urban and coastal areas. About half of all Indonesians live on less than a dollar a day. Employment growth has been slower than population growth. Public services remain inadequate by middle-income standards, and health indicators are poor. - Economic opportunity: Providing technical assistance, training and financial services to microfinance institutions throughout the country - Health: Raising awareness and supporting mothers to practice and promote exclusive breastfeeding - Children & Youth: Addressing childhood malnutrition through healthy, affordable food carts in Jakarta - Water: Improving sanitation and hygiene in crowded urban areas with a mobile sludge removal service - Disaster preparedness: Identifying and mapping areas at risk and helping those communities plan, train and practice how to respond when disasters occur - Emergency response: Maintaining a response team ready to quickly deploy and provide immediate relief to survivors during the critical first months after a disaster strikes All stories about Indonesia Indonesia: Mercy Corps Program in Indonesia Issues 500th Grant June 10, 2003 In May 2003, in Maluku Province, Indonesia Mercy Corps issued its 500th grant to Yayassan Ina Hasa Laut, a local NGO to rehabilitate a water system in Desa Paperu, Saparua Island. This project will improve the lives of over 249 conflict-affected families. Indonesia: A Glass of Hope April 30, 2003 Indonesia: Sewing a Brighter Future March 3, 2003 Indonesia: Reaching Her Dreams January 21, 2003 Indonesia: Where there is a Will, There is a Way December 16, 2002 Indonesia: When Mothers Speak, Milk Prices Come Down - And So Does a Government November 7, 2002 Traditionally, women in Indonesia are often not involved in decision making, even over everyday household and community issues. But in 1998, small groups of Indonesian women initiated protests that helped to change the history of the world's fifth most populous nation. Indonesia: Peaceful Water to Cool Conflict October 2, 2002 Indonesia: Microfinance for the Poor August 28, 2002 Microfinance is considered to be one of the most effective tools to combat poverty, but the question that one needs to ask is: "Do poor people get access to financial services through microfinance?" Indonesia: Making Peace In Maluku June 20, 2002 For over two years, Mercy Corps has been working in Maluku province in eastern Indonesia, where communal conflict has been ongoing since early 1999. Indonesia: Heavy Rains leave 300,000 homeless in Indonesia February 1, 2002 Torrential monsoon rains have caused widespread flooding in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta this week, forcing more than 300,000 residents to flee their homes in search of shelter in mosques, churches and schools.

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: the study of the conformation of the skull based on the belief that it is indicative of mental faculties and character Study of the shape of the skull as an indication of mental abilities and character traits. Franz Joseph Gall stated the principle that each of the innate mental faculties is based in a specific brain region (organ), whose size reflects the faculty's prominence in a person and is reflected by the skull's surface. He examined the skulls of persons with particular traits (including criminal traits) for a feature he could identify with it. His followers Johann Kaspar Spurzheim (1776–1832) and George Combe (1788–1858) divided the scalp into areas they labeled with traits such as combativeness, cautiousness, and form perception. Though popular well into the 20th century, phrenology has been wholly discredited.

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The power generation of solar systems is determined by the radiation. The high spatial resolution of the meteoblue models allows a very exact parameterization of clouds and atmospheric water. Therefore, exact radiation forecasting is possible. p☼intSOLAR forecasts the power generation of your individual solar system - in hourly intervals up to 6 days ahead, for every place on earth. gridSOLAR forecasts power generation of PV-Ensembles in high temporal resolution, for grid operators and other commercial clients.

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This later nineteenth-century tabernacle frame of ebony-veneered soft wood was designed to house reverse-painted glass. The technique of reverse painting on glass, often called "verre eglomisé", dates to the Roman era, and was widely practiced in Europe by the early sixteenth century. Essentially, an image is painted on the back of a transparent glass or polished rock crystal support and meant to be viewed through it, the substrate becoming an integral part of the painting. The Lehman glass panels were probably painted in Lombardy in the second half of the sixteenth century.This tabernacle house altar has a semicircular pediment and rock crystal columns with silver-gilt Corinthian capitals and bases. A cast silver-gilt relief of God the Father in Benediction fills the pediment, which is surmounted by an agate urn with silver-gilt mounts flanked by two pointed agate finials. Cast silver-gilt appliqués decorate the entablature, the columns and the predella. The reverse-painted central arched panel represents the Adoration of the Shepherds while below, a narrow frieze of smaller vertical plaques shows the Adoration of the Magi in the center, flanked by the Angel Gabriel and the Virgin of the Annunciation. The outer panels show the Eucharistic host, chalice, and paten on the left and the "Arma Christi" on the right.Although its style dates from the early seventeenth century, the wooden framework for this house altar was built in the nineteenth century, probably by Reinhold Vasters (1827-1909) or someone in his workshop. Vasters was a highly skilled German silversmith and goldsmith who for a time served as restorer at the Aachen Cathedral treasury. There, in the spirit of nineteenth-century historicism, he not only restored but also replaced worn or damaged liturgical objects. It is likely that the Lehman tabernacle house altar was made expressly to house a set of sixteenth-century reverse-painted panels. The unified program and the similarity of the style of the painting on the ten rock crystal panels suggest that they were scavenged from a single piece.

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1 significant figure 2 significant figures 3 significant figures 4 significant figures 5 significant figures 6 significant figures 7 significant figures 8 significant figures Note: Fractional results are rounded to the nearest 1/64. For a more accurate answer please select 'decimal' from the options above the result. Note: You can increase or decrease the accuracy of this answer by selecting the number of significant figures required from the options above the result. Note: For a pure decimal result please select 'decimal' from the options above the result. Before approximately the 14th century there were two hundredweights in England, one of 100 pounds, and one of 108 pounds. In 1340, King Edward III changed the value of the stone from 12 pounds to 14 pounds. Since a hundredweight is 8 stones, the 100-pound hundredweight became 112 pounds. A unit of mass equal to one-millionth of a gram. Long Hundredweights (UK) to Micrograms Mobile phone converter app Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the metric calculators and charts given on this site, we cannot make a guarantee or be held responsible for any errors that have been made. If you spot an error on this site, we would be grateful if you could report it to us by using the contact link at the top of this page and we will endeavour to correct it as soon as possible. Created:Fri 31 Oct 2003 this page last updated:: Wed 08 Feb 2013

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The Early Years In 1927, MFAH director James Chillman introduced the idea of building a library at the museum. He stated that "the purpose of the library was to furnish information for judging the arts." He reported that the library was "proving quite popular—particularly in view of the fact that it is not of a circulating character. Almost any bright day there may be found a generous sprinkling of readers—housewives, professionals and Rice Institute students." (Post Dispatch, January 22, 1928) The library was situated in the basement of the west wing of the museum, and furnished with Windsor chairs and a single reading table. A public fund drive for money for books started the library's collection; thereafter, a budget for the library was included within the museum's budget each year. In 1960, the MFAH hired its first professionally trained librarian. By the 1970s, the library's collection had outgrown its space, and in 1974 a new area for the library was created in the Ludwig Mies van der Rohe addition to the museum. The modern, spacious reading room adjacent to the Alice Pratt Brown sculpture garden was welcoming to the staff as well as the public. Maurice and Winifred Hirsch In September of 1981, an endowment was established for the library by two long-time museum supporters: General Maurice and Winifred Busby Hirsch. This generous bequest was designated to be used for, "the maintenance, repair, embellishment of the present or subsequently substituted premises of the museum library and for the purchase of fixtures, furnishings, books, manuscripts, book illustrations, periodicals, appropriate art objects and any other use pertinent to a museum library." (letter from Maurice Hirsch to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, dated September 23, 1981). The library was named the Hirsch Library that year, as a lasting tribute to these two museum patrons. The Hirsch family had been involved with the MFAH since it opened in 1924. General Maurice Hirsch's father, Jules Hirsch, was an early contributor to the museum building fund that year. In 1947 Maurice and Winifred were married, and became active participants as a couple in the city's cultural life. In the early 1950s they carried on the family's support of the museum with generous financial contributions and donations of works of art to the museum's collection. Maurice became a museum trustee in 1960. Winifred played an active role in the museum's auxiliary and volunteer groups, and from 1954 to 1955 she was the first chair of the "Art Cart" program that took works of art from the museum to Houston's Veterans Administration Hospital. The Hirsches traveled the world many times, and during a trip to Egypt in 1952, they bought several Egyptian art objects for the museum's collection. The most treasured of their gifts to the collection is an outstanding Greek vase, or Hydria (470–460 BC) by the Painter of the Yale Oinochoe. This lovely black vase depicts scenes of daily life painted in red. General Hirsch died while on a trip to Hong Kong on August 5, 1983, after a lifetime of work as a lawyer and philanthropist. Mrs. Hirsch continued to actively support the Hirsch Library until her death in 1990 aboard her yacht, Athena. Mrs. Hirsch bequeathed her jewelry collection to the Hirsch Library, and its sale at Christie's, New York, on April 25, 1991, added significantly to the library's endowment. Hirsch Library Renovation and Expansion By 1989, the library's stacks were overflowing. A renovation in September of that year added high-density compact shelving and reduced the number of periodicals in storage, enabling the library collection to double in size. This was a temporary measure, however, with a plan for an expansion of the library scheduled to coincide with the opening of the new Audrey Jones Beck building in 2000. In 1991, the library subscribed to its first online periodical index, Art Index, which greatly simplified searching for citations to art periodicals. Meanwhile, a plan for the library’s own online system was in the works. By 1998, the library established its first fully automated online catalog, which provided access to the library's holdings at your fingertips—both within the library and via the Internet. In the fall of 2000, a renovation of the Hirsch Library began that would significantly increase its physical size from 3,900 to 8,400 square feet. The library opened to the public in May of 2001 with an elegantly enlarged reading room on the main floor of the museum overlooking the Alice Pratt Brown Garden, and a downstairs area housing the main stacks, vertical files, rare book collection, and cataloging offices. The original space on the main floor was redesigned to incorporate an online resources room, an expanded current periodicals area, and work space for the library staff. Kitty King Powell Library and Study Center at Bayou Bend Shortly after the completion of Hirsch Library’s new facility in 2001, Tropical Storm Allison caused significant damage to the Bayou Bend Visitor Center, necessitating the temporary relocation of 5,000 books and periodicals from the Bayou Bend Library to the Hirsch Library at the MFAH, where it received full-time supervision and maintenance by library staff. In September of 2010, the completion of the Lora Jean Kilroy Visitor and Education Center and the establishment of the newly named Kitty King Powell Library and Study Center at Bayou Bend enabled the return of the Bayou Bend Library and Hogg Family Collections to their proper home. Now staffed with its own librarian and library assistant, the Powell Library and Study Center is available to the general public, docents, and staff in a location only a short walk from the actual artworks and artifacts on display at Bayou Bend. Kitty King Powell’s support of this new library facility reflects her love of libraries and her years of service as a Bayou Bend docent. Today, more than 7,000 patrons visit the Hirsch and Powell Libraries annually. The libraries provide reference assistance and bibliographic instruction to museum professional staff, docents, and members, as well as to college and university art history students, teachers, and the general public. Please contact us to arrange a tour of one of the libraries, or if you need research assistance.

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Up: Main article New Two polygons, PP Class 11, [cmm,d2,d1], IH Class 26. Statistics on this tiling: - Tiling has symmetry - Tiling has 2 polygons and 10 edges. - Edges are completely connected. - Tiling is edge-to-edge. - Tiling satisfies the two-polygon condition. - Contains 2 pointed star with vertex angle of 60°. - Contains one non-regular polygon which has reflective symmetry. - Tiling contains 170 polygons. Summary of images

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Featured in Exhibitions More about Environmentally Concerned Photography Environmentally Concerned Photography is a photographic examination of how the landscape has been altered by human incursion and the forces of nature. The course includes readings, research techniques, presentation forms, as well as group and individual projects. Students may work in black-and-white or color.

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