Most malaria endemic countries experience seasonal variation in transmission. Georeferenced time-series data from peer-reviewed articles and routine case reporting are collated and an inferential model constructed to relate transmission data to a suite of temporally dynamic environmental covariates (temperature, vegetation, humidity etc.) from the MODIS remote sensing platform.
The initial aim of this work is to be able to accurately predict seasonal malaria transmission patterns (onset, duration, magnitude) in locations where malaria survey data are sparse, using only the environmental covariate data which are available for all locations. The results from this endeavour will then be used to help model malaria prevalence an incidence at sub-annual scales such as monthly.
We are gathering data on seasonality to support this research.


Historically, wastewater treatment started as risk reduction for human health and welfare, migrated to environmental risk reduction, and has now matured into resource recovery and revenue generation. Technology and common practices are in place to treat water as a sustainable resource; we simply can no longer afford to use it once and "throw it in the ocean" nor can we afford the liability of not treating water to our best abilities to protect human health and the environment. Specifics, metrics, and detailed examples, not generalizations and platitudes, about recovery of the "water" from wastewater will be covered. It comes down to dollars and cents, a little math, and common sense.
Water / Stormwater Management
Health, Safety and Welfare
•Discuss how to manage the design of facilities to reduce environmental, personal, and public health risk from insufficiently treated potable and reuse water supplies.
•Compare and contrast the water quality specifics, operational reliability, environmental safeguards, and public safety risks for recycle and recovery of wastewater as a secondary water supply and alternative potable water supply.
•Calculate the reduced costs and decreased environmental risks of proper wastewater treatment.
•Identify different design and operational strategies claiming to improve safety, reduce public health or environmental risks, or reduce costs.
Gene Keyser, Ph.D.


When President Obama said “You didn’t build that,” millions of Americans objected. But since there are fewer business owners than those who work for a business owner, the President most likely scored some points with the electorate. Everything he says is calculated to appeal to his base.
Conservatives didn’t help when they conceded to the lie that governments build roads and bridges. There aren’t any government road and bridge building companies. Roads and bridges are built by private companies that must hire engineers, electricians, heavy equipment operators, concrete and stone specialists, welders, and a whole host of other occupations.
Roads and bridges get built because government has the power and authority to take property through the constitutional provision of “eminent domain.” The most common uses of property taken by eminent domain are for public utilities, highways, and railroads, land that ordinarily would not be given up for sale.
The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution reads in part —
No person . . . shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
The mandated “just compensation” demonstrates that like everything the government does, it doesn’t have until it first takes. In order to get the land to build a road, the government must go to a land owner, a person who purchased or inherited the land. The money that’s paid for the “taking” is paid for with money that was first taken from the citizens.
The government doesn’t have any money, but it can confiscate it at will at any percentage determined by a group of elected representatives. Any private group of citizens could do as well if they had the power to force people to sell their land.
Government can do this because the Constitution gives it the power to apply eminent domain. There is no benevolence in the State’s action. The action of eminent domain is forced compliance.
The government doesn’t have any road or bridge building companies, so it must go to the private sector and contract with business owners to build roads, bridges, waterways, dams, and railroads that are needed for commerce to thrive.
Without the private sector, our nation’s infrastructure would not exist.
That’s why we can say to President Obama and any president, “You didn’t build that . . . We did.”


CBSE board is an organization introduced by the government of India, which is designed to enhance and to support both central and state educational management. The main aim of this organization is to provide additional information about the subject through practical knowledge instead of theoretical.
The class 6 CBSE math notes are designed by the subject experts and are as per the NCERT guidelines. These notes are widely helpful for all students, as it provides the best explanation and important questions for better performance in their Exams. Apart from the questions, the CBSE class 6 maths notes also include multiple choice questions and other objective questions where students can practice by solving more number of problems. These CBSE notes are available on our website in pdf format which can be easily downloaded and can be used for their class assignments and also during their exam preparation.
Check the links given below for more information about each chapter given in the class 6 Maths syllabus
For more CBSE Class 6 Maths Notes, check the links given below:
Stay tuned with BYJU’S for more CBSE and NCERT notes along with its important questions and solutions.


The European Commission last week hosted a high-level conference on the relationship between soil and climate change, and the role of soil management in climate change mitigation and adaptation. Organic matter plays a fundamental role supporting soil fertility, retaining water, sustaining biodiversity and regulating the global carbon cycle. But organic matter is in decline, and the conference heard how large amounts of carbon have been lost to the atmosphere in recent years. The Commission states it is convinced of the need to act at EU level to protect soil
SOURCE: Jerusalem Post – EU Commission discusses soil degradation and climate change .


Study: Toxic Metals Found in E-Cigarette Liquids
Five metals, toxic and potentially carcinogenic when inhaled, found in liquid of leading first generation e-cigarette brands
A study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found high levels of toxic metals in the liquid that creates the aerosol that e-cigarette users inhale when they vape.
The study, believed to be the first to examine a cross-section of metals in multiple e-cigarette brands, analyzed the liquid in five brands of first generation e-cigarettes for cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese and nickel. The liquid is the component of e-cigarettes that, when heated, delivers ingredients, often including nicotine and flavors, to the user. In first generation e-cigarettes, the liquid is stored in the cartridge in close contact with the heating coil. The researchers found all five heavy metals – which can be toxic or carcinogenic when inhaled – in all five brands, though levels varied by brand. The main source of the metals, the researchers believe, is the coil that heats the liquid that creates the aerosol, which is often but erroneously referred to as vapor. The study did not look at the possible presence of metals in e-cigarette aerosol.
The findings appear in the January issue of the journal Environmental Research.
“We do not know if these levels are dangerous, but their presence is troubling and could mean that the metals end up in the aerosol that e-cigarette users inhale,” says study leader Ana María Rule, PhD, MHS, an assistant scientist in the Bloomberg School’s Department of Environmental Health and Engineering. “One of the things that is troubling is that the metals in e-cigarette coils, which heat the liquid that creates the aerosol, are toxic when inhaled, so perhaps regulators might want to look into an alternative material for e-cigarette heating coils.”
The Food and Drug Administration began regulating e-cigarettes last year, but has not yet issued warnings. E-cigarettes may be less harmful than cigarettes for current smokers who switch completely to electronic cigarettes. A serious concern is the appeal of e-cigarettes to young people who have never smoked, since e-cigarettes might be habit forming, and might not be totally safe as emerging research shows that nicotine can adversely affect the developing adolescent brain. Last fall, then-U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called e-cigarette use by young people a serious concern. E-cigarette use among high school students jumped 900 percent between 2011 and 2015.
For their study, the researchers selected five leading brands of so-called first generation e-cigarettes, which are referred to as cig-a-likes because they resemble traditional cigarettes. (Newer ones look like small cassette recorders with a mouthpiece. In the newer devices the liquid is added from a dispenser prior to use. In contrast, the liquid in first generation e-cigs is stored in the cartridge together with the coil, which increases the liquid’s exposure to the coil even in the absence of heating.) The five brands are sold across the United States in big-box retail stores, convenience stores and gas stations, as well as online. Three of the five brands constituted 71 percent of total market share in 2015. If a brand came in more than one flavor, the researchers chose one flavor for consistency’s sake.
To test the liquid for metal levels, the researchers extracted samples of the liquid; the liquid had not been heated by the coil prior to extraction. The liquid is a mixture of propylene glycol, glycerin, nicotine and flavorings. Because liquid volume varied considerably from brand to brand, the research team tested for concentrations of metals in micrograms per liter.
The five metals – cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese and nickel – were present in all five brands, with cadmium markedly lower than the other metals and with a considerable range of concentrations among the brands. For instance, one brand had a high concentration of all five metals. In that brand, the concentration of nickel, which is considered the most serious carcinogen when inhaled, was 22,600 micrograms per liter, 400 times that of the brand with the lowest concentration of nickel. In that same brand, the one with the highest concentration of all five metals, the concentration of manganese was 690 micrograms per liter, or 240 times that of the lowest concentration in yet another brand.
“It was striking, the varying degrees to which the metals were present in the liquid,” Rule says. “This suggests that the FDA should consider regulating the quality control of e-cigarette devices along with the ingredients found in e-cigarette liquids.”
For now, FDA regulations require e-cigarette makers to submit ingredient lists as well as information about potentially harmful ingredients, including four of the five metals analyzed in this study – nickel, lead, chromium and cadmium. The FDA has yet to issue proposed regulations on e-cigarette labeling. In addition to the coil, the researchers believe some of the metals may come from the components of the e-cigarette device or the manufacturing process.
“E-cigarettes as a source of toxic and potentially carcinogenic metals” was written by Catherine Ann Hess, Pablo Olmedo, Ana Navas-Acien, Walter Goessler, Joanna E. Cohen and Ana María Rule.
This study was funded by the Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health; National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Training Grant T32ES007141-31A1; National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Training Grant T32-AA014125 and the Alfonso Martín Escudero Foundation.
# # #


The Education Kit was developed for local teachers and schools to plan learning experiences for year 3-6 students. Information is locally relevant and will help young people learn more about the existing natural resources management (NRM) projects in the SA Arid Lands (SAAL) region involving our water resources, native vegetation, threatened species, weeds and feral pests. The kit can also help them develop their own NRM projects.
The kit has been compiled by primary school teachers now working in the field of natural resource management.
Supporting photos are available on CD. For copies of the photo CD or hard copies of the complete education kit, please contact the Natural Resources Centre.
Native species fact sheets for students
Andy the Ant
Andy the Ant’s Arid Adventures is a fun activity pad to help school-aged kids understand the natural resources of the amazing SAAL region. If you are travelling through the region it is particularly ideal for keeping the kids engaged – and occupied!
Follow Andy the Ant across the region and meet Robby the Rascally Rabbit, Camilla Camel, Barry the Bearded Dragon, Wanda the Wedge-Tailed Eagle, and Pete and Pam the Pastoralists, then test your knowledge with games, including sudoku, crosswords, dot-to-dot and find-a-word. And, while you're travelling through the region, keep your eyes peeled and tick off the plants and animals you see using the spot-o-cards.
Get your copy
You can download Andy the Ant's Arid Adventures or get hard copies at key visitor information centres in the region, or from the Natural Resources Centre.
How did you go?
So you've read Andy the Ant's Arid Adventures and completed all the games. Want to know how you went? Here's an answer sheet, but no cheating!


Irritable hip, also known as acute transient synovitis, is a common disorder of childhood characterized by onset of hip pain and limping. The term transient means that it does not usually last long. It usually occurs before puberty and affects only one hip. Boys aged between 4 to 10 years are most often affected 2 to 4 times more than girls.
A child with irritable hip will experience the following symptoms:
- Hip pain
- Pain may spread to the groin, thigh, and knee areas
- Abnormal crawling
- Abnormal crying
- A slight fever
The exact cause of irritable hip is unknown. But in some cases, the condition can occur because of viral infection (upper respiratory tract) or a fall or injury. Irritable hip can also occur because of Perthes disease, a condition where the head of the thigh bone deteriorates because of poor blood supply.
The diagnosis of irritable hip is made based on your child’s symptoms and physical examination. To rule out other possible causes of your child’s symptoms, the following diagnostic tests may be ordered:
- X-rays: To detect any problem with your child’s bone
- Blood tests: To determine a bone or joint infection
- An ultrasound scan: It creates an image of the affected hip joint and detects any fluid on the joint
The treatment of irritable hip includes medications and bed rest. Painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs (called NSAIDS) are prescribed to help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Your doctor may prescribe some specific medications depending on the type of infection detected in the child. Applying heat and massaging the affected hip may also help in reducing hip pain.
Swimming is a great exercise to strengthen and regain the movement of the hip joint.


Knowing ourselves is crucially important, but the road to genuine self-awareness is full of obstacles. We believe that asking our students to regularly reflect in writing makes that journey a bit easier on the adolescent mind. Middle School writing asks students to consider a range of modes, audiences, and occasions in their work. To achieve that, we provide students in seventh and eighth grade with intensive writing workshop periods that supplement their regular English classes. In their “Possibilities of Writing” workshops, students are given space to grow their writing talent through exploring what interests them.


Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 1918, Lieutenant Albert Neave Westlake MC (pictured - 4th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment, attached to 27th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps) and Second Lieutenant Keith Penicuik Ewart (27th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps) were listed as missing in action but later discovered to have been killed.
They had been flying over Denain, west of Valenciennes in France, when their aircraft, a Machine B.2074 de Haviland 4, crashed. The Red Cross issued a statement that the aircraft had been found, and that according to a doctor who attended the crash, death had occurred immediately on impact. Personal items were collected including identification tags, a watch, Lieutenant Westlake’s wallet and tobacco bag. Both Lieutenant Westlake and Second Lieutenant Ewart were buried in the Niergnies Communal Cemetery, 6 km south-south-east of Cambrai in the Department of the Nord, France.
Keith, from Ottawa in Canada, had just turned 25 on Boxing Day.
Albert, from Wareham in Dorset, was 24 years old. Before the outbreak of war he had attended New College, Oxford, and his is one of 268 names on a Great War memorial tablet in the college chapel.


Walking is good for your health and the planet. A pedometer or fitness tracker can be fun and help you stay accountable to yourself.
For our early ancestors, walking was an integral part of daily life and they walked everywhere. Getting from point A to point B contributed to staying fit and healthy and did not involve polluting the environment.
Nowadays, it seems like many people view walking as something to avoid if possible by driving places they could easily walk to in 10 or 15 minutes or sitting in idling cars waiting for the closest parking space. To compound matters, a lot of people work at sedentary jobs requiring sitting for long periods.
Fortunately, human beings are adaptable and we are able to learn new habits and renew previous ones. If you have gotten out of the habit of walking, you can choose to make walking part of your daily life, again.
A pedometer or fitness tracker can help you stay on track and give you a sense of accomplishment. Hopefully, the information below will help you determine if a pedometer or fitness tracker might be right for you and what type of product and features will help you fulfill your walking goals.
Pedometer Overview ($25 to $35)
The main function of a pedometer is to count your steps and estimate the distance you travel in a day. Most models will also estimate the number of aerobic (heartbeat-raising) minutes you walk and calories you burn, display the time, and hold seven days worth of memory.
Pedometer Set Up
Before setting up your pedometer, you will need to calculate your stride by walking 10 steps, measuring the distance with a tape measure, and dividing by 10. Repeat this process several times to make sure you are walking with your normal stride or it will skew your data. As an example, my normal walking stride is 210” divided by 10 = 21” or 1’-9.”
To set up your pedometer you enter the time and your height, weight, and stride. Then stick it in your pocket or clip it onto your waistband and start walking.
The mechanism a pedometer uses to track steps seems to work best when you mostly walk on level ground. They tend to undercount steps when you are walking up or down stairs or hiking up and down hills. Also, keep in mind that your calories burned figure is a ballpark estimate based on limited information.
Fitness Tracker Overview ($50 to $250)
Fitness trackers function as pedometers with a few or a lot of additional features, such as estimating the number of staircases you climb, monitoring your heart rate, tracking your sleep patterns, logging all types of exercise, keeping track of your food and water intake, and integrating into your social media accounts. Some have GPS, texting and email, and alerts, like vibrating to let you know you have been sitting too long.
Fitness trackers use wireless technology to communicate with your smartphone and/or computer. This makes it easy to store, compare, and share your data and achievements.
Important Note – your smartphone needs to be a certain version or above to integrate with your fitness tracker. However, you can just sync your fitness tracker with your computer and track your data online.
Fitness Tracker Set Up
To get started with setting up your fitness tracker, you download the appropriate smartphone and computer apps. Then you create a profile and enter the same information you would for a pedometer. If you choose, enter your exercise and weight goals. Some trackers do not require you enter your stride length, but it is more accurate if you do.
Depending on the product you purchased, put it in your pocket, clip it onto your waistband, or strap it to your wrist and start walking.
Fitness Tracker Accuracy
Fitness trackers usually have more advanced mechanisms and sensors than pedometers so they seem to track steps and calories burned more accurately.
Pedometer versus Fitness Tracker
I bought my first pedometer in January 2010 to help me accomplish my New Year’s resolution of incorporating more walking into my day with a goal of walking 10,000 steps each day. It worked!
Fast forward to early 2016. I was nearing the end of a grueling year of treatment for breast cancer and I was ready to undertake the challenge of regaining my pre-cancer fitness level. It was hard work and I wanted to get “credit” for every step, including walking up and down the stairs in my 2-story house, so I decided to switch to a more accurate step counting fitness tracker.
After conducting research online and reading user reviews, I bought two fitness trackers to try out. I chose the Microsoft Band 2 because it seemed to have the most sophisticated mechanisms for counting steps and I selected the Fitbit One because it is tiny.
Microsoft Band 2 Review
I wore the Band 2 on my wrist for over a year and I even wore it while I slept for a few months. It was interesting to know how many staircases I climbed each day, how many hours of deep sleep I got, and what my heart beat rate was after doing a strenuous task, but it was unnecessary. Wearing something on my wrist was uncomfortable while typing on a computer keyboard and while sleeping.
The Band 2 ($249.99) does count steps accurately but I wasted money on features I do not need or use. Microsoft has since discontinued this product.
Fit Bit One Review
I switched to the Fitbit One, which easily fits in my pocket. Although it will track sleep, I have not used the sleep wristband and do not intend to. I enjoy the little flower on the display screen that grows and shrinks depending on my activity level, but it is not necessary.
Like the Band 2, the FitBit One ($99.99) counts steps accurately and has features I do not need or use. However, being able to view my progress on my computer helps me stay motivated and earning badges is fun.
The Bottom Line
A pedometer is an inexpensive tool that can help you build more walking into your daily routine and then stick with it. If you do not walk up and down a lot of stairs or hills or are not that concerned with counting every step, a pedometer is a good choice.
Unless you are a professional athlete or a serious exercise enthusiast, many fitness tracker features might seem cool when you are reading about them but end up being unnecessary. If you want accurate step counting, data tracking, and/or like sharing on social media, a fitness tracker might work best for you.
Me, I am sticking with the Fitbit One because I want “credit” for every step.
Hopefully, the information above will help you decide whether to buy a pedometer or fitness tracker and what things to think about before you do buy one. The bottom line is that walking more and driving less is good for you and the planet.
- A Healthy Diet is Good for You and the Planet
- The Secret to Making Healthy Eating Easy
- New Year’s Resolutions for 2017 – Hit the Reset Button
- Walking – Good for the Planet and Good for You – Benefits
- Walking – Good for the Planet and Good for You – Getting Started
- Walking – Good for the Planet and Good for You – Do It
- Walking – Good for the Planet and Good for You – At Work


Tech moves fast! Stay ahead of the curve with Techopedia!
Join nearly 200,000 subscribers who receive actionable tech insights from Techopedia.
Cut and paste are two commands that are commonly used together in computer user interface interaction and provide a method of transferring data from one location to another. Unlike the copy and paste commands, which create a duplicate in the new location, cut and paste moves the entire contents to the new location.
Similar to copy and paste, the cut action selects the data and stores it in a temporary location often known as the clipboard, which is usually invisible to the user. When the paste command is issued, the data from the clipboard is moved to the specific location. The Apple Lisa had the first text editing system that introduced the concept of the clipboard. There are many applications which support cut and paste operations, often with key combinations, toolbar options, pull-down menus or pop-up menus. In Windows and Macintosh-based computers, The key combinations of Ctrl and "X" produces the cut effect whereas the key combination of Ctrl and "V" produces the paste effect. These actions can also be done with the help of a mouse.
However, unlike the copy and paste action, the cut and copy operation is destructive in nature and if not executed properly, could lead to data loss.


|Too bad this teacher hasn't read the latest research. Doodling in class actually helps students to better focus on the lesson and grasp abstract concepts.|
A doodle by Brock University professor Giulia Forsythe explaining how doodling helps with learning. Courtesy of Giulia Forsythe.
Here are some studies that show that doodling in class actually improves learning:
Four benefits of doodling:
1)Doodling improves your focus and concentration.
2) Doodling helps you see the big picture
3) Doodling increases creativity
4) Doodlers retain information better.
On a personal note, I have some rules that I made for myself that allowed me to be productive as an artist. I share them here because they include recognizing the importance of my own doodling:
1) finish every piece despite doubts or criticism.
2) Accept that no piece will be perfect but you will learn from each piece and then apply that knowledge to the next piece.
3) the piece you doubt the most is the piece that has the most to teach you.
4) go back and finish pieces that you abandoned years ago. Whatever they had to teach you, you didn't learn because you abandoned them.
5) if you need to stop working on a piece, because you are unsure how to finish it, that's okay. You can come back to it later. The piece itself will eventually tell you how it should be finished. Sometimes I rotate between several pieces and don't come back to a particular picture until months later.
6) keep your mess ups, failures and ugly works. Why? Not sure. Something will come of them. I've even cut mine up and used pieces of them.
7) Pay attention to the doodles in your sketchbook. These things you do 'just for fun' or because something catches your eye or because you get an idea. The stream of consciousness cartoons and doodles that you don't expect anyone to see, much less buy might hold the key to your next piece. Go through old sketchbooks and see what catches your eye.
Doodling in the art room:
Here are some doodling ideas that I have used in my classroom:
Some of my seventh grade students doing the above assignment:
Group Doodling, a great way to foster collaboration
From Clara Lieu, Rhode Island School of Design art professor and Huffington Post blogger ( posted with permission):


Participate in our survey.
Not all Memory Foam Is the Same
When a Swedish foam manufacturer, Fagerdala, introduced mattresses made with its Tempur Material to consumers over 25 years ago, it was the only memory foam on the market. Now when you shop for memory foam products, especially mattresses, different varieties of memory foam are featured in the offerings.
This is compounded by the many trade names used, and one may wonder, “Is ABC the same as XYZ?” Just reading the ads and sellers’ descriptions, it would be easy to think that there are literally dozens of types of memory foam. The actual number of basic varieties of memory foam is closer to half a dozen.
There are sub-varieties within memory foam varieties, but each memory foam used can be put into one of five categories: Traditional Memory Foam, Open-Cell Memory Foam, Aircool Memory Foam, Gel Memory Foam, and Plant-Based Memory Foam.
Traditional Memory Foam
This is the Tempur Material launched in Sweden, and used by Tempur-Pedic in the first mattresses they sold in the United States. It was quickly improved in its response and durability, and sparked a movement away from innerspring mattresses. However, this was a closed-cell foam with no breathability, and for many people it did become uncomfortably warm. This has to be taken into consideration when a manufacturer compares its memory foam to “ordinary” memory foam. Just translate “ordinary” or “regular” to “original” or “traditional.”
Open-Cell Memory Foam
A big improvement in the properties of memory foam was open-cell structure. This gave the foam two advantages.
First, it improved pressure relief. In closed-cell foam, each cell resisted compression to some degree, even when softened by heat. With open-cell foam, the compressed air is pushed into other cells. This means even support across the entire body of a sleeper.
Second, open cells allow air to filter through the foam, making it breathable. This lets both moisture and heat escape and dissipate. Of course they have to have some place to go. When the Tri-Pedic Mattress was designed by Dr. Swartzburg, it used open-cell memory foam.
Air-Cool Memory Foam
Air-cool (or airflow) memory foam takes a page from latex. Talalay latex is formed with vertical perforations through the foam. Now copied by Dunlop latex, this vertical ventilation has been applied to memory foam. It lets seven times more air flow through than open-cell foam without ventilation, and it is the key component of the Airflow Transfer System, as demonstrated in this video.
Gel Memory Foam
“Cool with Gel” seems to have become the mantra for much of the advertising of memory foam mattress. This is because gel quickly absorbs heat. Besides cooling, some companies cite gel as making their memory foam more supportive. The reason is that gel is semi-solid/semi-fluid, and a layer of gel would provide fluidic support. However, several mattress experts have called these claims – especially the one for cooling – into question (see our post on gel).
Yes, gel cools – initially, that is. But it can only absorb so much heat, and the sleeper’s body keeps making heat. Whether it reaches its limit depends on the type of gel, how much, how cool it initially is, and how much heat the sleeper generates. When gel is infused into air-cool memory foam, it can transfer some of the heat to air passing through and extend its effectiveness.
As to gel’s support, David Rosenberg of Healthy Foundations and Dr. Swartzburg of Memory Foam Mattress.Org say it compromises the feel of memory foam. Some even say it shortens the life of the memory foam.
Other ingredients, such as graphite and bamboo charcoal, are now being infused into memory foam to regulate temperature, modify support, wick moisture, or other purposes. How effective they are remains to be seen. Time will tell whether they are better than gel.
Plant-Based Memory Foam
Plant-based is a misnomer, but it has stuck, and now – thanks to the FTC – it is accompanied in mattress descriptions by the acknowledgement that plant oils replace only a portion of the petroleum derivatives in memory foam. In 2012, this was 5% to10% of the petro-polyols. Further innovation has raised this to 25% or 30% (depending whose numbers you use). Dr. Swartzburg says that 10% is the limit for effective memory foam. More would change the performance of the foam, compromising its benefits.
The use of plant-oils in memory foam does have some advantages. The most obvious is that it reduces the amount of petroleum used by the amount replaced. It also reduces the smell from new foam and reduces VOCs (volatile organic compounds). The most common plant oil used is soy oil, but aloe vera, green tea extract, and other botanical ingredients keep the foam fresher.
New Foam-Forming Technology
FXI (formerly Foamex International) has developed Variable Pressure Foaming (VPF). Their claims for this are (1) that it can make extreme open-cell foams, and (2) they can use more plant oils in the foam.
Currently, there are only five basic varieties of memory foam. More may be developed as research continues.


Size: Up to 13 mm (One of the largest Ants in the US)
Color: Black but some have reddish or yellowish coloration
Diet: Sweets and meats or other insects.
Habitat: Reside in both living and dead trees, stumps and rotting wood. Prefer to live in wood that is subjected to moisture. Found inside and outside of homes.
Nest: Created by cutting galleries into the wood grain to provide the passage way to a nest. They push out the wood chips to provide a clean and neat nesting area.
Signs of infestation:
- Wood shaving or dead parts or insects.
- Winged ant activity.
- Rustling sound resulting from activity inside of the wood.
*The most effective way to remove a carpenter ant colony is to call a professional.
If you would like more information on treatment options and carpenter ant control, please call 1-800-533-6330.


Alice Guss (Tsawaysia Spukwus) is a local powerhouse in the movement to relearn traditional knowledge, by any means necessary. The natural flow of traditional knowledge from elder to youth was interrupted by her mother’s stay at residential school. She has taught herself to weave from YouTube videos and uses social media to document her own experience as a cultural learner. She calls her Facebook posts her “digital smoke signals.” The best part? Her enthusiasm to share this knowledge with all. You can ask Alice anything and, if she knows, she’ll share.
On a Sunday walkabout, Alice and I discuss traditional plant use and the spring offerings on the Stawamus Village Reserve, a 12,000 year-old oceanfront community in Squamish.
Alice starts with a panoramic swoop of her finger, “So, what I tell the kids is ‘If you look 360 degrees around us, and that was our grocery store before we had Save On Foods. And again, if we go 360 degrees around us, we see our pharmacy before there was a Shoppers Drug Mart.’ A lot of people think the weeds are just weeds but those plants out there provide a lot of medicinal value.”
The stem of the stinging nettle plant was traditionally used by Squamish Nation to weave fishing nets.
As we walk, Alice shares her knowledge on the uses of in-season plants. She stoops to photograph nettles,“We usually harvest stinging nettles end of January or beginning of February and only take the top four leaves. It’s a good tea medicine. Even the actual stem itself is so strong–if we weave two strands together we can make rope and this is how our ancestors made their fishing nets. But actually, if the flowers come out, then it’s too late.”
Rosehips are full of Vitamin C when red and ripe. “Rose hips. These will turn bright red. You’ve got to cut it in half and take all the seeds out and let it dry and you can save it for tea. It’s equivalent to cranberries. Later on, it will turn bright red. The pink flowers just finished blossoming, though,” explains Guss.
Alice shares a major difference between modern and traditional medicines, “You know the beauty of it is, traditional medicine always teaches us patience. Teaches us respect. It teaches us to share and to care. It teaches patience because it takes us a while to make a medicine.” Harvested plants are placed in oil for thirty or more days to extract their medicinal properties. “Back in the day they probably would have used seal oil or bear grease, but right now we just use olive oil,” shares Guss.
She bubbles over with ethnobotanic joy, “There are traditional plant medicines for colds, headaches, bad stomachs, and sore joints. There are medicines that can clean your blood, your liver, your kidneys or help with depression, menopause, diabetes, and toothache. It’s just like a walking pharmacy.”
Tsawaysia uses modern tools to relearn traditional knowledge. She pulls out her iPhone and bends over to photograph red clover,
“This is medicine, too. But I’m not exactly sure what. I’m still learning. Want to see our sweathouse?”
Yes, yes I do. I’m learning, too.
Learn more at www.tsawaysia.com


Critical Thinking Issues Essay Structures And S
Critical thinking is just deliberately and systematically processing information so that you can make better decisions and generally understand things better. Without critical thinking, it’s easy for people to manipulate us and for all sorts of catastrophes to result.
The above definition includes so many words because critical thinking requires you to apply diverse intellectual tools to diverse information. Anywhere that some form of fundamentalism led to tragedy (the Holocaust is a textbook example), critical thinking was sorely lacking.
While I venture that a lot of us did learn it, I prefer to approach learning deliberately, and so I decided to investigate critical thinking for myself.
What is it, how do we do it, why is it important, and how can we get better at it? In addition to answering these questions, I’ll also offer seven ways that you can start thinking more critically today, both in and outside of class.“Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.”– The Foundation for Critical Thinking The above definition from the Foundation for Critical Thinking website is pretty wordy, but critical thinking, in essence, is not that complex. If we had to think deliberately about every single action (such as breathing, for instance), we wouldn’t have any cognitive energy left for the important stuff like D&D. We can run into problems, though, when we let our automatic mental processes govern important decisions.
A great way to get “unstuck” on a hard problem is to try reversing things.
It may seem obvious that X causes Y, but what if Y caused X?
Our brains naturally use heuristics (mental shortcuts) to explain what’s happening around us.Despite hearing so much about critical thinking all these years, I realized that I still couldn’t give a concrete definition of it, and I certainly couldn’t explain how to do it.It seemed like something that my teachers just expected us to pick up in the course of our studies.It’s a tool that musician Brian Eno and artist Peter Schmidt created to aid creative problem solving.Some of the “cards” are specific to music, but most work for any time you’re stuck on a problem.Here’s why: According to Andrew Roberts, author of , but it’s unlikely to be the place you desire.The value of critical thinking doesn’t stop with college, however. What they will expect, though, is for you to be able to think; to know how to make connections between ideas and evaluate information critically.And now that I’m in college, my professors often mention that the ability to think through and solve difficult problems matters more in the “real world” than specific content.There’s no reason to start solving a problem from scratch when someone has already laid the groundwork.It’s important, however, to evaluate this information critically, or else you can easily reach the wrong conclusion.


Security researchers show how a USB device can takeover your computer
The humble USB port has come a long way and has just about become the default interface for, well, everything really. External storage devices, input devices such as mice and keyboards, all rely on the USB interface to communicate with the system. However, two security researchers are adamant that the security of USB is "fundamentally broken" and are going to present their findings next week.
Karsten Nohl and Jakob Lell have a collection of proof-of-concept software that highlights why the USB interface has been compromised from the start. The pair have also created a malware called BadUSB, that can be installed to completely takeover a PC. And because BadUSB is implanted in the firmware that controls a USB device's basic functions, this malware could feasibly go undetected even if the drive is formatted. In other words, there is no easy fix for this.
Nohl said, "These problems can't be patched. We are exploiting the very way that USB is designed." He also added that this malware was not simply copied, and that they spent months to reverse engineer the firmware to implement and hide the attack code. Hence, the malware cannot be cleaned using off-the-shelf software and tools and requires someone with similar reverse engineering skills to look at the altered firmware to find the malicious codes.
Worse, this form of attack is not limited to just USB storage devices, but any USB device. The pair also managed to implant the code into a USB headset.
Since there is no quick fix to this, the two researchers are calling for a change in the way we use and view USB device, but they admit that this could be difficult.
Nohl said, "In this new way of thinking, you can’t trust a USB just because its storage doesn’t contain a virus. Trust must come from the fact that no one malicious has ever touched it. You have to consider a USB infected and throw it away as soon as it touches a non-trusted computer. And that’s incompatible with how we use USB devices right now.”


What is the meaning of the English word…
(verb) inhale suddenly with the mouth open – in pain or astonishment
- I gasped. The pain in my leg was almost too much to endure.
- When my sister walked into the party, I gasped. I hadn’t seen her for several years. What a great surprise!
Note: This vocabulary is used in the online English course below:


Conservation Status: IUCN Red List - Vulnerable
Threats to survival: Climate change-driven sea ice loss in the Arctic
Threat to Survival
Polar bears range across the circumpolar Arctic, and are uniquely adapted to life on the sea ice environment. In fact, they rely on the sea ice for hunting, migration, and reproduction. Due to feedback patterns in the atmosphere and sea ice, climate change is warming the Arctic twice as fast as the rest of the planet. As a result, sea ice is rapidly disappearing, with a 40% decline in summer sea ice since satellite measurements began in 1979. Sea ice loss has been correlated with declines in body condition, reproductive success, and survival of polar bears.
Studying polar bears requires collaboration and innovation. A single polar bear home range can be up to 500,000 square kilometers in size, and cover some of the most inaccessible areas and extreme environmental conditions our planet has to offer. To work effectively for the conservation of polar bears, our Population Sustainability team collaborates extensively with other non-governmental organizations, government agencies and research institutions. Working together, we can ensure that the crisis unfolding in the Arctic is met with the best science available.
Monitoring Impacts of Environmental Change
Rapidly changing habitat brings many challenges to polar bear survival. To properly assess strategies for the conservation management of the species, the Population Sustainability team is leading research in the field to understand how polar bears are affected by sea ice loss. Field research includes investigating how polar bears use scent to find mates, how changing ice conditions are affecting the prevalence of disease, monitoring maternal behaviour at den sites, as well as measuring sea ice habitat and polar bear movement ecology at a finer scale than previously achievable. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is also committed to minimally invasive approaches to polar bear research, working with outside partners to build ruggedized remote camera systems and unmanned aerial systems that can be deployed in the harsh Arctic ecosystem.
Utilizing Zoo Bears to Answer Fundamental Questions
The San Diego Zoo’s dedicated animal care team actively collaborates in research with Population Sustainability, allowing SDZWA to answer fundamental questions about polar bear physiology. Research includes a comprehensive account of polar bear hearing sensitivity and acoustical communication, validating tracking collar data of wild polar bears to describe activity patterns, measuring energetic output of polar bear movements, as well as verifying measurements related to the health and condition of wild polar bears. The data collected from zoo-based conservation work improves the interpretation of data collected in the wilderness, furthering our understanding of polar bears.


Life responds to our intention. When we really want something to occur, life tends to move toward us, fulfilling our aspiration. If our intention is full — if our energies are intensely directed toward the pursuit of a specific goal over time — life not only responds but does so rapidly, fulfilling that deepest aspiration.
For example, when Albert Einstein began to focus all parts of his being — mental, vital, and physical — toward the pursuit of his goal of finding work to overcome his utterly destitute state as a young man, the possibility of working at the Patent Office moved toward him. When his intention became full; that is, he crossed over a certain threshold of intensity demanded of life, the job became his.
From that new post, he not only overcame his current predicament of acute poverty and misery, but it served as the platform through which he would develop papers that would change the course of science and the history of the world. From this, we see that there may be no greater means for success and accomplishment in life than our intention
When we have a clear knowledge of what we want to accomplish, and our emotions fully support it, then our intention takes shape. If we then make a determined, persevering effort to carry out our heart’s desire, we generate an irresistible power that quickly attracts it. If we look around, we will see that life is always responding to our intentions.
In Jane Austin’s novel, ‘Pride and Prejudice’, Mrs Bennett intensely desired to marry off her daughters to avoid a pending eviction of her family; and within a year, that is precisely what occurred (for three of them).
When Erin Brockovich directed all of her energies to get out of her own desperate state of poverty, she quickly secured a job at a law office that not only lifted her out of misery, but it became the springboard through which she would win the largest victim rights settlement in history.
When we focus on accomplishing something, then our intention takes shape. When our intention is full, that is when we intensely want something to occur, and sustain that urge over time — life brings us what we want in spades. The Upanishads declare: “You are what your deepest desire is. As is your desire, so is your intention. As is your intention, so is your will. As is your will, so is your deed. As is your deed, so is your destiny.”
One interesting aspect of human aspiration or intention is that it can express itself at various levels, from a mild interest in a subject to a desire to accomplish something, to the intense need to bring about our heart’s desire. And yet, life can instantly respond to our intention at any of these levels: even to a passing fancy!
As we see, even a passing fancy will attract a corresponding response, as long as there is a modicum of interest is involved. You have just thought about a subject you hadn’t thought of for decades, and then two minutes later, there is a discussion on that very topic on television! That is dramatic enough, but when you have never seen that subject referred to in a lifetime of TV-watching, then you know something profound is at work!


In the Era of Fire Lookouts: Fire Suppression in the North Cascades
By Adam Bates, graduate student in the Institute’s 15th cohort.
Fire lookouts have captured the imagination of the American public for over seventy-five years. The notion that one could spend a summer atop a mountain in solitude and seclusion holds a certain romanticism that was perpetuated by numerous authors, poets, artists and backcountry enthusiasts. Therein lies my interest in and affinity for fire lookouts, the romance and challenge of mountaintop hermitage.
Retired National Park Service employee Gerry Cook spent three summers as a lookout, using his earnings to entirely pay his through his undergraduate degree at Washington State University. “You can revel in your time there (on lookout) for the rest of your life,” says Cook. “It’s romanticized in everyone’s imagination. So, once you’re done, you can go right into that fantasy world and live there forever.”
By the 1930’s, vast systems of fire lookouts were being constructed around Washington State. Over four hundred lookouts were built and manned over the coming decades, although many were soon found to be ineffective at spotting fire from their vantage points. The harsh winters in higher elevations wreaked havoc on the structures themselves, making them cost prohibitive to maintain.
Sketch by Adam Bates of a D-6 Cupola, the first standardized lookout style by the US Forest Service. It debuted in 1915 atop Mt. Hood, named after the USFS District where it first appeared, District-6.
Large swathes of land were being designated as forest reserves through executive order by late in the 19th century. President Grover Cleveland set aside a total of 21 million acres in 1893, including the Pacific Forest Reserve across much of Washington State, which had been granted statehood in 1889. Without the benefit of aircraft surveillance, transistor radios, heat systems, or a road system in wild lands, lookouts became the first line of defense for spotting fires and protecting public lands from large-scale wildfires. Miles upon miles of telephone wires were strung between lookouts in order to communicate the location of fires and the needs of those stationed as lookouts.
By the end of World War II, improvements in aircraft surveillance and radio communications were the end of an era for fire lookouts. As lookout stations became obsolete, they were decommissioned by whatever means necessary. Logging roads and highways were penetrating deeper and deeper into wilderness areas, making many lookouts more easily accessible.
Sketch by Adam Bates of a L-4 groundhouse. Characteristic of the 1930s, this model has either a hipped or standard roof and a catwalk around if elevated. Notable lookouts of this style include Sourdough Mountain, Desolation Peak, and Copper Mountain.
Constructing a network of fire lookouts allowed those working as lookouts to pinpoint the location of a fire from their own mountaintop, while another lookout did the same. They were then able to triangulate and corroborate the exact location of any fires that were spotted. Many lookouts in North Cascades National Park and the surrounding Forest Service lands have been decommissioned and some dismantled. Those that remain are listed on the National Historic Lookout Register, and some on the National Register of Historic Places. They remain as living history for the general public and can be still used in times of emergency or intense fire seasons.
Sketch by Adam Bates of a R-6 Flat Roof lookout. Typically elevated on stilts with a catwalk around the exterior with a flat roof, dimensions and height vary depending on location.
For over a century, wildfires and fire on any landscape has been viewed as destructive, dangerous, and unnecessary. For much of this time, it has been the official policy of the U.S. Forest Service that all backcountry and wild fires should be contained immediately. If this were not possible, plans should be made and set in motion to obtain complete control before ten o’clock the following morning. The 10 a.m. policy was officially adopted by the 1930’s with the overabundance of manpower and money available through the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and other such New Deal programs. The CCC was succeeded by smokejumpers, the first of which began operational testing in 1939 on the Chelan National Forest and was widely adopted in Washington State after World War II. By 1970 there was a great deal of information and research being done on the positive effects of fire ecology, which allowed the Forest Service to move away from total fire suppression.
Ultimately, the damage has already been done. By removing regular fire of mixed severity from a landscape, vegetation fuels that sustain fires have accumulated to unprecedented levels. There are catastrophic fires occurring with surprising frequency in recent years, the costs and effects of which are amplifying. To suggest that fire is always a good thing, especially when people’s lives and homes are at stake, would be glib and inappropriate. This project and my interest in fire lookouts and research of their history has led me to the much broader question and topic of fire and forest ecology, which involves both ethical and practical questions. A complex and polarizing topic about the place of wildfire in our lives as we struggle to cope with the effects of catastrophic fire seasons in the North Cascades and beyond.
For a deeper experience into firelookouts, check out Adam’s Audio Presentation on Fire Lookouts.
Music by Adam Bates. Readings by Emily Ford, Adam Bates, Aly Gourd, Joe Loviska, and Marcus Something of the words of Jack Kerouac, Edward Abbey and Gary Snyder. “Smokey the Bear” was written by Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins, performed by Eddy Arnold for a 1952 public service announcement.


"Women are the backbone of the development of rural and national economies. They comprise 43% of the world's agricultural labor force, which rises to 70% in some countries. In Africa, 80% of the agricultural production comes from small farmers, who are mostly rural women. Women comprise the largest percentage of the workforce in the agricultural sector, but do not have access and control over all land and productive resources. Realizing the importance of rural women in agriculture is an important aspect of gender relations. In many countries, the role of women in agriculture is considered just to be a 'help' and not an important economic contribution to agricultural production. Giving support to rural women is a way of breaking the vicious cycle that leads to rural poverty and to the expansion of slums in the cities, where the poor get poorer. Development strategies should consider rural women as the epicenter, paying special attention to their social skills both within and without agriculture sector."


A recent update from Harvard discussed the health benefits of getting outside and recommends going alfresco. Majority of Americans spend 90% of their time inside. But the jury is out and there are multiple benefits to getting out and soaking up some fresh air.
Being outside will increase your time exercising and moving. This means stronger muscles and improved flexibility with sustained outdoor activities. Adults may prefer more structured exercise of a gym, but any time walking, gardening, biking, or general movement outside is meaningful. Getting more exercise also means less time on electronic devices, televisions, video games, and computers. Tracking devices on children showed those who spent time outside were twice as active as those indoors.
Being outside increases your vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is one of the vitamins with disease fighting powers. It helps to prevent osteoporosis, cancer, depression, stroke and heart attack. Most Americans are vitamin D deficient. But good news if you spend 10-15 minutes outside, your body is able to produce a sufficient amount.
Light makes people happier, it elevates moods. University of Essex in England showed that people who participated in “green exercise” (exercise outside) have added mental health benefits and are more happy. It only takes five minutes of outside exercise to elevate mood and self-esteem.
Time outside will improve your concentration. The greener the space is, the better. Research has shown that children with ADHD did better with concentrating after walking through a park compared to those who walked through a downtown area or neighborhood.
The outdoors may also have healing powers. Post-operative spine patients who had natural light exposure had decreased stress, took fewer medications, and reported less pain.


Elderly Care: The Essential Guide (2018)
Ageing affects us all, and at some point, we have to consider its implications…
Whether that’s for ourselves, or for our family and friends.
While access to better healthcare has resulted in people living longer and healthier lives, those approaching old age may still need a helping hand.
Loved ones might be well placed to cover such needs, although, for those that don’t have such a support network, other services are accessible.
Although it can be stressful and confusing to discover what assistance is available, we hope this proves a useful introductory guide.
What Is Elderly Care?
Elderly care is a service provided to cater for physical and mental disabilities as people age.
It can include both short-term assistance to recover from a specific condition, or long-term intervention, and can include a range of services, tailored to the individual and their specific situation.
Elderly care can help people live their later years happy, healthy and with dignity.
Why Is It Important?
Getting older doesn’t always result in disability, although it’s certainly more likely.
Around 40% of over 65’s have a longstanding, limiting health condition, while the number of people in care in the UK is predicted to double by 2035.
With such an increase in demand, care services are becoming more important than ever.
They allow our loved ones to live independently, enjoying life, for longer.
Who Would Benefit From Elderly Care?
Anyone who’s struggling with activities of daily living as a result of a health condition as they grow older may benefit from elderly care.
There are many conditions which may cause someone to seek help:
– Complex medical conditions like Parkinson’s Disease
– Mobility issues
– Personal care problems
– Polypharmacy (taking more than one type of medication)
It’s important to note that an elderly person doesn’t always recognise when they need help. As a friend or family member, this can be difficult to see and requires sensitivity in its handling.
Some questions to consider before talking to your loved one may include:
– Can they move around the house safely?
– Can they leave the house alone to attend appointments and go shopping?
– Are they able to prepare their own food?
– Are they well nourished and hydrated?
– Can they hear the telephone and door?
– Can they keep the house tidy and free from hazards?
– Are they managing their personal care, such as toileting, washing and dressing?
– Are they becoming forgetful?
– Are they lonely?
If some of these questions raise concerns, it may be best to approach the conversation gently and openly.
Talking to health professionals with your loved one may give you both peace of mind that help is available if required.
What Services Are Available?
Numerous elderly care services exist to keep someone living an enjoyable life and make things easier for everyone involved.
Elderly care should aim to provide the recipient with confidence that their needs are met and families peace of mind that their loved ones are well attended.
Care services vary hugely by the individual and health condition, but here are a few examples:
– Help attending appointments
– Support for social engagements
– Help with shopping
– Food preparation
– Pet care
– Medication support, including prompting
– Transferring – for example, from the bed to the chair
– Nursing care for complex medical conditions
The exact services you can expect depend on a needs assessment and also where the support is delivered.
Where Is Elderly Care Delivered?
Elderly care doesn’t always mean care homes. Indeed, it’s often preferable for someone to continue living in their own home for as long as possible.
Maintaining well worn daily routines in familiar surroundings can help an older person remain psychologically and physically fit.
They may enjoy their community bonds and living in their local area, as well as having longstanding friends and neighbours close by. Removing an older person from this environment can be an intimidating change.
This is why home care or domiciliary care is often a great option. Numerous agencies exist to deliver services to a loved one at home. Trained staff can attend for a short 15-minute check, all the way up to overnight supervision or 24-hour care.
Although an individual may be fit enough to stay in their own home, sometimes they might benefit from a burst of social interaction. In this case, a day centre might provide access to activities promoting social health and wellbeing. Participating in an exercise class, listening to music, or simply connecting with others can be hugely effective in increasing engagement and happiness.
For those with greater needs, or who are more isolated in their home environment, alternative living options may be the preferred option. For example, sheltered housing can provide a safe environment and access to elderly care services in a purpose built complex.
Otherwise, a care home will be able to provide the services required. Vetted, trained staff can support a loved one with their normal activities in an environment set up for such needs, with care procedures and all the necessary equipment in place.
Although going into a care home is a daunting prospect for many, by researching the facilities in your area, you’ll be able to find an environment that’s a good social fit for your loved one.
How Can I Get Help?
Even if you’ve identified that a loved one might benefit from elderly care, this is where the process can get confusing.
While there’s a lot of information available, the care you ultimately receive depends on your specific situation.
That’s why it’s best to consult with the GP of the person requiring care. If they have a complex or unstable medical condition it will likely already have been identified and may result in an assessment for NHS Continuing Healthcare.
However, in most cases, those with lesser needs will undergo a care needs assessment by their local authority. This is a means-tested assessment, in that an individual may be responsible for some of the costs of their care, depending on their financial situation.
In addition to finances, the local authority will assess an individual’s care needs and eligibility for extra support. A few years ago, where you lived in the country may have dictated what this support included.
Since the Care Act was introduced in 2014, the assessment has supposedly been standardised, although individual interpretation of the guidelines may still vary.


1926 Subpart M
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
1926 Subpart M
Overview for Subpart M
What are the most frequently cited serious violations of the fall protection provisions?
- Failure to protect workers from falls of 6 feet or more off unprotected sides or edges, e.g. floors and roofs. (1926.501(b)(1); (b)(10); and (b)(11))
- Failure to protect workers from falling into or through holes and openings in floors and walls. (1926.501(b)(4) and (b)(14))
- Failure to provide guardrails on runways and ramps where workers are exposed to falls of 6 feet or more to a lower level. (1926.501(b)(6))
What are some effective control measures that can be used for the serious hazards for which OSHA has most frequently cited employers?
- Determine if any of the work (even a small portion) can be performed at ground level or if a crane can be used to lift assembled portions (e.g., sections of roofing) into place, eliminating or reducing the number of workers exposed to falling.
- Tether or restrain the worker so he or she cannot reach the edge thereby eliminating the fall hazard.
- Consider the use of aerial lifts or elevated platforms to provide better working surfaces rather than walking top plates or beams.
- Erect guardrail systems, warning lines, or control line systems to protect workers from falls off the edges of floors and roofs.
- Place covers over holes as soon as they are created if no work is being done at the hole.
- Use safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems (body harness).
What good work practices can be used to provide protection from falls when conventional systems are not feasible?
- Designate one of the workers as a safety monitor to observe employees and to alert employees of hazards that could cause them to trip or fall.
- Establish a designated area or control zone in which workers when conventional fall protection systems such as guardrails and personal fall arrest systems are not feasible or create a greater hazard.
- Store materials in an area away from where workers are exposed to fall hazards.


Its origin is the conception of socialism inherited from Stalinism, which was based on the concentration of ownership and decision-making, and the system of wage-labor for the State, with everything administered by the Communist Party continue reading
: a State-monopoly capitalism that sharpened all the conflicts of the exploitative wage system.
The lack of a solution to these problems has stalled the productive forces, the development of society, economic progress, modernity and improvements in the living conditions of the great majority of the population.
The solutions move to increase the participation of citizens in property, ownership of the results of their work, and decisions of all kinds: economic, political and social. Democratization of politics and socialization of the economy are also imposed.
But “state socialism” blocked these solutions, almost eliminating the small and medium proprietor, preventing the development of forms of free labor — unionized or otherwise — the free-management of production, the social economy, and restricting the democratic participation of citizens in political matters.
Now, with the normalization of relations with “the enemy,” there is no danger of military aggression, always used as a justification to postpone the empowerment of the people, and the Cuban government should not delay any further moving in this direction.
The solutions move to increase the participation of citizens in property, ownership of the results of their work, and decisions of all kinds
The return to power of groups of oligarchs allied to American capital would not resolve these contradictions – rather it would increase them – newly excluding workers and citizens in general from economic and political power, with concentrated ownership passing from the hands of the State to the huge capitalist entrepreneurs, and political power from the Communist Party to another party that could act at will without submitting itself to democracy.
The proposals made from the positions of Participatory and Democratic Socialism, since 1991 with the 4th Cuban Communist Party Congress, raise the need to advance this process of democratization and socialization of politics and the economy. Traditional opposition sectors have also presented similar demands.
In 2006, networks of the international left published “Urging the Cuban Revolution to Advance Entrepreneurial and Social Self-management” and sent it to the Cuban Communist Party (PCC) and the Government. The following year, they published “15 Concrete Proposals to Revitalize Socialism in Cuba.” In 2008, we publicly presented the document “Cuba Needs A Participative and Democratic Socialism, Programmatic Proposals,” and with the view of the 6th Congress of the PCC and the entire Cuban people, we announced our “Proposals to Advance Socialism In Cuba.” More recently, we published “14 Keys for the Padlocks that Depress the Cuban Economy.”
These and other documents of the broad democratic left argue the need to democratize the party and the society, free up self-employment and cooperatives, and especially to involve employees in the direction, management and profits of state enterprises, without ignoring the necessary spaces for state capital, domestic private capital, and foreign capital.
The neo-Stalinists have tried to prevent the people from having knowledge of these ideas and a part of the traditional opposition has tried to ignore them.
The “update of the model” did not resolve these conflicts — although it introduced dynamics and presented proposals concomitant with participative and democratic socialism — due to its limitations, state-centric origin, biased legislation and its application of the same traditional bureaucracy present in a State willing only to strengthen its total control and never disposed to transparently bend toward the essential.
In this scheme, the “update of the model” has not been able to accomplish substantial modifications in what continues to block the development of a socialized economy directly in the hands of the citizens.
The recent agreements between the governments of the United States and Cuba come when all the problems of Cuban society are aggravated and the insufficient “updating” is exhausted, unable to attenuate those problems.
The inability of the State-Government-Party to understand the urgent need to develop popular autonomous control of the economy and the political life of the country is worrying
Today, with the persistence of a high level of ownership concentration and centralization of decision-making and its respective mechanisms and laws, the economic and political structure of the country appears unprepared to absorb the impact represented by the new US policies.
The inability of the State-Government-Party to understand the urgent need to develop popular autonomous control of the economy and the political life of the country is worrying.
Bureaucratic obstructionism at all levels, at fault for the slow “updating of the model,” seems to be playing the same game with respect to the normalization of relations with the United States.
The democratic left is also concerned that the eventual increase in investment will be directed only to state enterprises, which will not resolve the already exposed internal contradictions of Cuban society and will lead to an alliance between monopolistic State capitalism and huge American capital which, logically, will results in greater exploitation of Cuban workers.
While there are American business sectors whose only interest is to do business in Cuba, the Obama administration is also interested in supporting “non-state” businesses, which they welcome.
The issues of democracy and human rights in the United States and Cuba are a matter for their people, not the governments of both countries, which should respect the Cuban people’s sovereignty and their capacity to decide their future. The role of the governments is to create conditions so that people can exercise their sovereignty.
Cuba should open a process of dialog and negotiations between all the visions and projects, political, social and economic, led by a new constituency, capable of harmonizing in democracy all the interests present in the country.
The enunciated American policies to economically and politically empower the citizens don’t hide their intentions to influence the internal politics of Cuba, which are being manipulated by the new-Stalinist mentality, the official press, the political structure and foreign “leftists,” like the “imperialist [intention] to overthrow the Revolution by other means.”
The US government may be making a mistake by stating that its new policy is designed to achieve the same strategic objectives of the previous failed
The US government could be making a mistake by stating that its new policy is intended to achieve the same strategic objectives as the prior, failed, policy. If the objectives continue to be to provoke political changes in Cuba, the American government should ask itself if it would like Cuba to propose the same objectives in its policies toward the United States.
The objectives of the new policy, if they don’t want it to backfire and be counterproductive, should be to live in peace with Cuba, to support its economic development and to facilitate, with the elimination of pressures on the Cuban government, the Cuban people being in a better condition to decide their destinies, without political changes imposed from outside.
For its part, the Cuban government must consider that methods (policies) must predominate over ends (strategy), so that the fact that the United States has changed its policy – from one of pressures and isolation to one of dialog and rapprochement – should influence what prevails in this latest approach.
There are those in the bureaucracy and in the opposition who believe that the problems of our country can only be resolved with the help of the United States. Those who think this way don’t seem to recognize the character of the internal contradictions nor their solutions, such that it will be difficult to find support for their plans among the great majority.
We appreciate the support of Obama and his administration for respect for the human rights of the Cuban people, and for their offer of assistance to non-state businesses and to facilitate people’s access to the Internet. But the democratization of the Cuban political system, the decision about the form of government, and the democratic election of our representatives, these are our tasks and the more the Cuban government feels that the United States is interfering in Cuba’s internal affairs, the more difficult is the situation of Cubans in Cuba and the more the current government will oppose this process.
The more the Cuban government feels that the United States is interfering in Cuba’s internal affairs, the more difficult is the situation of Cubans in Cuba
Accelerating all the transformations toward a greater democratization and socialization of political and economic life should be the priority in order to cushion the impact of the new dynamics generated by the “normalization” and to guarantee that internal changes are driven by citizen empowerment and not by external forces. Something that appears to be impossible as long as the go-slow bureaucracy continues to have sufficient power to block the necessary transformations.
The difference between changes being promoted from within versus from outside could mark aspects of the independence and sovereignty that would appear in the future, sooner rather than later.
The current contradictions could exacerbated, rather than resolved, and the call for normalization of relations with the United States could stalemate or fail through not achieving the dynamics a new US policy could generate, and through lack of respect by both governments for the interests of the Cuban people who, in their vast majority welcome the normalization, but who also – for the most part – reject outside interference.


A "Tower of Babel" device that gives the illusion of being bilingual is being developed by US scientists.
Users simply have to silently mouth a word in their own language for it to be translated and read out in another.
The researchers said the effect was like watching a television programme that had been dubbed.
The system, detailed in New Scientist, is not yet fully accurate, but experts said it showed the technology was "within reach".
The team currently has two prototypes: one that can translate Chinese into English and another that can translate English into Spanish or German.
Read it all here.


Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or human herpesvirus 4, is a B lymphotropic gamma-herpesvirus that infects more than 90% of the world’s population. The most common manifestation of primary infection with this organism is acute infectious mononucleosis, a self-limiting clinical syndrome that most frequently affects adolescents and young adults. Classic symptoms include sore throat, fever and lymphadenopathy that may, or may not, be accompanied by a faint generalized maculopapular rash. Humans are the only known reservoir of EBV.
To better understand the pathophysiology of EBV infection that is occurring in our case, the following series of graphics explains both the normal activation pathway of B cells when stimulated by antigen and the mechanism by which EBV drives naïve infected B cells to recapitulate this pathway.
We also explain the immunological events that occur in X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP), a rare primary immunodeficiency in which sufferers have a selective inability to control EBV infection and which we speculate is the likely cause of the patient’s condition in our case study.
The infection life cycle of Epstein Barr virus
After exposure, EBV establishes a persistent infection in the host and is intermittently shed in oropharyngeal secretions. In uncomplicated EBV infections the main target cells are B lymphocytes that express CD21 which, along with HLA class II molecules, serve as the viral entry receptor and co-receptor, respectively. The virus can also infect epithelial cells and may initially replicate in the oropharynx before infecting B cells. Naive B cells become infected in local lymphoid tissue, most often Waldeyer’s tonsillar ring, and establish latent infected memory B cell pools that migrate to other lymphoid tissues. Periodic reactivation of latently infected memory B cells are thought to facilitate infection of epithelial cells in the oropharynx that permits shedding of virus into saliva for transmission to new hosts. Latently infected memory B cells are long-lived and due to low levels of expression of viral proteins they escape detection by CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. Therefore persistance of EBV in the body is life-long.
The normal activation pathway of naive B cells takes place in the lymphoid follicles of secondary lymphoid organs where B cells contact antigens displayed on follicular dendritic cells. Recognition of antigen by the B cell receptor results in endocytosis of the antigen-receptor complex followed by antigen processing and display of EBV-derived peptides on HLA class II molecules. B cells then migrate to the edge of the follicle where they contact effector CD4+ T cells that provide activation signals. The activated B cell migrates back into the follicle and proliferates into centroblasts. Centroblasts interact with CD4+ follicular helper T cells that promotes affinity maturation and isotype-switching. Some of the B cells differentiate into long-lived memory cells while other become antibody-secreting plasma cells. Epstein-Barr virus uses this activation pathway to generate latently infected long-lived memory B cells that serve as a life-long reservoir for the virus. Take note in graphic 2 of the box insert. This shows the receptor-ligand interactions that occur between the B cell centroblast and the CD4+ T cell (which is a follicular helper T cell). There are many more interactions, not shown, but the two important ones are the TCR-peptide-HLA complex and the CD40-CD40 ligand (CD154) interaction.
Germinal centre EBV B cell transformation
Lets look a little closer at some of the molecular events occurring in a B cell once it becomes infected with EBV. After infection of naive B cells, EBV expresses a set of latency-associated genes. The function of these genes is to immortalize the infected cell. These genes encode for two key proteins: Latent Membrane Protein-1 (LMP1) and Latent Membrane Protein 2A (LMP2A). LMP1 is a viral homologue of CD40, which allows activation of B cells without the need to engage with CD40L on the CD4+ T cell. Thus, LMP-1 expression mimics CD40-CD40L signal transduction and bypasses the need for CD4+ T cell help.
LMP2A is a B cell receptor homologue. It mimics B cell receptor signaling and coupled to LMP1 signaling promotes the B cell to undergo affinity maturation, isotype switching and differentiation into memory and effector B cells. After initial expansion, EBV-infected B cells become quiescent memory cells and viral gene expression is kept to a minimum. In fact, healthy EBV-infected individuals carry a number of these memory cells for life, and they function as a reservoir from which virus can reactivate periodically and be shed in the oropharynx.
EBV infection of B cells generates a subset of cells that are actively producing infectious virus particles. This is the lytic cycle and these cells are readily killed by CD8+ T cells due to recognition of HLA class I receptors with bound viral peptides. This is shown in graphic 4, with the box insert. During infectious mononucleosis there is a large expansion of EBV-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes that eliminate virus producing B cells.
After the initial expansion of B cells, driven by LMP1 and LMP2A, latent infection of memory B cells is associated with a lack of expression of viral proteins and the ability to escape detection by CD8+ cytotoxic T lyphocytes and and hence these cells persist as a reservoir of EBV. The lytic cycle can be induced again in latently infected B cells by triggering of the B cell receptor. This occurs periodically to facilitate shedding of virus in saliva and allow transmission to new hosts.
Lets look still closer at the detail of the molecular events when CD40 is activated by CD40 ligand (CD154). This is an important step that allows B cells to differentiate into plasma cells and memory cells as well as promote affinity maturation and isotype switching. CD4+ T cells provide CD154 engagement following interaction with HLA class II molecules on the B cell surface. CD40 activation leads to signal transduction events that activate gene transcription. Signal transduction is mediated by adaptor molecules that bind to the intracellular tail of the CD40 receptor. These include JAK3 that initiates the STAT transcription factor activation and TRAF6 that facilitates NFkB activation and also the AP-1 activation pathway. These transcription factors migrate to the nucleus and initiate gene transcription. EBV hijacks this process by mimicking CD40. Lets see how this is done.
Epstein-Barr virus encodes a membrane protein called LMP1 that is a functional homologue of CD40. The cytoplasmic tail of LMP1 binds the same adaptor molecules as the CD40 cytoplasmic tail and allows signal transduction to take place in the same way as if CD40 engagement had occurred. The LMP1 molecule is constitutively active and does not require ligand binding. This molecule mimics the CD40-CD154 engagement normally provided by CD4+ T cells to activate B cells and allow differentiation into plasma cells and importantly memory cells that the virus uses as a reservoir.
As already described, naive B cells interact with antigen displayed on follicular dendritic cells in the germinal centres of secondary lymphoid organs via their B cell receptors. The B cell receptor mediates signal transduction events via another set of adaptor molecules that attach to the alpha and beta chains that associate with the B cell receptor. These adaptor molecules include LYN and SYK. SYK activation leads to activation of phospholipase C gamma-2 that generates IP3 and DAG. IP3 induces calcium influx that initiates gene transcription through a series of molecular interactions. Graphic 7 shows the details of this interaction.
The important point about EBV, is that it encodes a homologue of the B cell receptor: LMP2A.
Epstein-Barr virus encodes the membrane protein LMP2A that is a functional homologue of the B cell receptor. The cytoplasmic tail has binding sites for the same adaptor molecules that bind the alpha and beta molecules of the B cell receptor, including LYN and SYK. Activation of SYK provides the same down stream signaling processes that B cell receptor engagement by antigen binding provides. LMP2A is constitutively active and does not require ligand or antigen binding.
The LMP2A signal coupled with LMP1 signaling thus bypasses the need for antigen stimulation and CD4+ T cell help and permits the B cell to differentiate into memory B cells containing latent EBV.
LMP2A also blocks the B cell receptor from activation by antigen because this can initiate the lytic cycle and allow detection by the immune system. LMP2A achieves this by sequestering LYN and SYK adaptor molecules and additionally accelerating their destruction via the ubiquitin degradation pathway since the cytoplasmic tails also recruit ubiquitin enzyme complexes.
Responding CD8+ T cells, cytokine storm and clearance of EBV infected B cells
In the clinical work-up of our patient, the full blood count showed an elevated WBC and lymphocyte count indicating lymphocytosis, which possibly suggests proliferation of EBV-transformed B cells as well as clonal expansion of EBV-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. EBV viraemia, which was very high in the patient, can lead to an accumulation of immune complexes, which are associated with immune mediated rashes – seen in our patient as a faint, generalized maculopapular rash.
During acute infectious mononucleosis viral gene expression in both latently and lytically infected cells induces vigorous cell mediated immune responses, which can lead to increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and a cytokine storm. High levels of INF-g and TNF-a can induce excessive activation of macrophages and monocytes. In genetically predisposed individuals, the enhanced phagocytic ability of activated macrophages is often associated with destruction of haematopoietic cells or their precursors in bone marrow, spleen and lymph node(haemophagocytosis) causing cytopaenia. Activated macrophages also secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-a , that can cause fever, rash (increased vascular permeability) and multiple organ infiltration by immune cells. , Failure to control EBV infection can lead to death due to multiple organ failure – of which was seen in this case study. (see related case)
During acute infection, CD8+ T cells detect viral peptide antigens displayed on HLA class I on the surface of infected B cells. The interaction of the T cell receptor (TCR) with the EBV-derived peptide and HLA class I molecule leads to signal transduction in the CD8+ T cell. Additional activation signals are provided by signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM)-related membrane receptors NTB-A and 2B4 and their respective ligands NTB-A and CD48 when the membrane of the T and B cell make contact. Signal transduction is mediated by the SAP adaptor molecule that recruits FYNT and provides activation signals.
Boys with XLP often develop fatal massive hepatitis, haemophagocytosis, or a disseminated lymphoproliferative disorder triggered by primary EBV infection, but not by any other virus. The gene for classic XLP is located on the long arm of the X chromosome at Xq25. This locus is named SH2D1A and is also known as SAP. A deficiency of SAP thus blocks cytotoxic T cell responses to EBV-infected B cells. CD8+ T cells detect infected target cells by engagement of the TCR with HLA class I receptors on the cell surface. In EBV infection, because the target cell is a B cell, there are additional interactions of cell surface molecules such as the SLAM related receptors. B and T cells express many of these receptors, but NTB-A and 2B4 are important in mediating additional activation signals to the T cell when engaging with ligands NTB-A and CD48. Also, CD48 is upregulated on the surface of EBV-infected B cells. In XLP, the SAP adaptor protein that associates with the SLAM-related receptor is non-functional and fails to provide activation signals. It is thought that in the absence of SAP, the EAT-2 adaptor molecule associates with the SLAM-related receptors and this adaptor provides an inhibitory signal to the T cell and leads to dysfunctional CD8+ T cell killing of infected B cells.
Thus EBV infected B cells are not killed in the acute stage of infection. Virus replication and B cell proliferation then continues unchecked and multi-organ failure can occur following primary infection as a result of the ongoing cytokine storm.


Differentiate Protectorate vs Corporate republic History
When we are comparing Protectorate vs Corporate republic, history of these government types plays a significant role. You can differentiate Protectorate vs Corporate republic history to understand how these forms of government have evolved from their origins to their modern day theories. The factors that set apart Protectorate and Corporate republic history are its place of origin and period of origin. People who have developed theories and philosophies and have contributed towards the growth of these types of governments should also be considered. To know how these contributions have fared, you can compare Protectorate vs Corporate republic Characteristics!
Protectorate and Corporate republic Famous Leaders
The roots of any government characterize its history. A fact that one should never miss while studying governments is knowing the founders or advocates of these governments. Many Protectorate and Corporate republic famous leaders have a major share in establishing as well as improving them. The theories and practicalities may differ, but the intention of establishing or promoting a specific government has always been betterment of some entity. Protectorate famous leaders include Not Available. Some of the Corporate republic are Not Available.
Protectorate originated in Not Available around Not Available. Around 17th century AD Corporate republic was originated in England.


The problem is that in many cases, we are treating a symptom rather than the root issue.
Even the best educational strategies mean nothing to a child traumatized by sexual abuse.
So how does child sexual abuse relate to academic achievement? The answer might surprise you.
Research shows that children who are sexually abused perform at far lower levels than those who haven’t experienced abuse:
- Cognitive ability, academic achievement, and memory are lower among sexually abused children.
- Sexually abused children have higher rates of absenteeism, grade retention, and special education services.
- A 2009 study showed academic difficulties, grade repetition, remedial classes, below average grades, and lower overall cognitive ability to be common among sexually abused 7 to 12-year-old girls.
Education for adults is key to prevention.
Educators who receive training are better equipped to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Unfortunately, two-thirds of teachers do not receive child sexual abuse prevention training as part of their college coursework or professional development.
In fact, nearly a quarter of school personnel have never received any oral or written guidelines on their legally required reporting mandate. Consequently, most teachers report that they do not feel equipped to deal with child sexual abuse issues.
So how can we put into place changes that address this devastating root issue and make a potentially huge impact on academic achievement?
The answer is simple. Teachers need training.


Introduction to Hydroponics Nutrients:
Before you start growing hydroponically, you will need to take some time and learn a little bit about the nutrients that will be feeding your plants. This is considerably more complex than just putting a little miracle gro in some water and calling it a day. Hydroponic nutrients are specially designed to provide your plants with everything they need to grow up healthy, strong, and productive, and they come in many different types for different stages of your plants' life cycle.
What you need to understand about the hydroponics nutrients you will be using in your hydroponic systems is that they include a number of different substances that your plants will need, and the solution is the only means by which the plants will get them. So needless to say they are incredibly complex because they include the primary and secondary nutrients, as well as micro-nutrients, vitamins, and hormones. Everything a growing plant needs to survive from day to day.
Hydroponics Nutrients for each Growth Cycle:
One common misconception among beginning hydroponic growers is that you can just use a generic nutrient solution in your system and the plants will do well. The fact is there are countless solutions out there on the market to choose from and they are designed to work at different stages in the plant's life cycle. Nutrients for hydroponics are broken down into 3 basic categories, growth, micro, and blooming. The growth and micro nutrient solutions are used in the beginning stages of the plant's growth, to help it produce stems and leaves. The blooming nutrients are obviously used later in the cycle to help the plant produce flowers and vegetables if applicable.
The other thing you need to keep in mind about the hydroponics nutrients is that they are only effective if the entire nutrient solution is kept within a narrow range of pH. You are looking for an ideal pH range of 6.0 to 6.2, however most will tolerate a pH between 5.8 and 6.8. This is extremely important to hydroponic growing because if the pH is not kept at the proper levels, the plants will not absorb the nutrients efficiently and they you will see them start to suffer.
Choosing a Reservoir for your Hydroponics Nutrients:
Since the growing conditions of hydroponic systems are so carefully balanced, you will need to put a little bit of thought into how big of a system you would like to maintain. The number of plants you are growing, along with how big you want to start them determines how big of a growing tray you will need. Then, how big of a tray you are going to use will determine how many grow lights, or what size lights you will need. The number of plants will determine how big of a reservoir you need for the nutrient solution.
As you can see all of these factors are interrelated. If you do not have the right size equipment for the plants you are trying to grow, then your results will most likely be very poor and you will be left wondering where you went wrong. As far as the reservoir, a good rule of thumb is to have one half to 1 gallon of hydroponics nutrients solution for each plant you are growing. By having a large reservoir, it prevents the plants from affecting the pH level in the solution faster than you can adequately maintain it.
Maintaining Hydroponics Nutrients:
You will need to maintain your nutrient solution according to a few guidelines for optimum results. First off, you should strive to keep fresh water for your hydroponic system at room temperature and as free of chlorine as possible. These are two potentially big issues you will encounter when using your system. One way of achieving this is to maintain a second reservoir filled with water in advance of your next change of the hydroponics nutrients solution. While the first reservoir filled with your solution is feeding your crops, the second one is nearby normalizing.
As for the solution itself the process is fairly easy to maintain. You will want to check the EC or TDS of the solution. Too high, you simply add more water. If it is too low, then add more nutrients, mix the solution well, and then recheck your levels. You will also want to always maintain an acceptable pH. You can use the liquid pH Up or pH Down solutions to balance out your final nutrient solution. You will always want to make sure checking the pH is the last step in the process because any additions to the solution with either water or nutrients will change the last test you took.
Additives for Hydroponics Nutrients:
While you can have a perfectly successful hydroponics setup using just the basic 3 part core nutrients, there are several additives that you can add to your solution for various reasons, and you should familiarize yourself with them. There is broad acceptance among hydroponic growers that 3 additives you should always use are vitamin B1, silica, and liquid seaweed. Vitamin B1 is used to encourage cell division and root growth. You should notice a substantial growth difference with the use of B1, versus a nutrient solution without it.
Liquid seaweed is another great hydroponics nutrients additive that comes with over forty two micro-nutrients in a ready to use form. Liquid seaweed will keep your plants healthier and greener for much longer. It also comes with hormones that will help the plant grow and manage its use of some nutrients it absorbs.
The third additive silica is used to help your plants form a strong core of a crystalline matrix, not unlike the bone marrow we have. This matrix not only helps the plant have a stronger immune system, but it also makes its stems and branches stronger. Your hydroponic plants will prove to be more resistant to pests and certain diseases as a result. The added branch strength may also allow the plant to produce much bigger fruits and vegetables.
Copyright © 2010-2013 1001-Landscaping-Ideas.com All Rights Reserved.


This week we have continued with our addition and time in maths. In English we have focused on using expanded noun phrases to improve our descriptions. We also debated a dilemma in English, which was good fun - being able to argue in a controlled way! We finished our comic strips in computing and learnt about promises that are made during a wedding ceremony in RE. In French, we have been practising our numbers vocabulary, and in Science, continued to use classification keys.
This weeks spellings:
age 'j' sound spelt 'dge' and '-ge'
earn 'er' sound spelt 'ear'
irresponsible 'ir' prefix
Keep up the great work with your spelling practice!