Shri Jasnath Asan, Rajasthan, India
Photo © Shri Jasnath Asan, 2016
25 NOV 2016
On our trip to Guda Bishnoiyan we were lucky enough to see a small herd of blackbuck near a grassy pond. The near threatened, blackbuck also known as the Indian antelope, is an antelope found in India and Nepal. The males have long, ringed horns, 35–75 centimeters long and beautiful white fur on the chin and around the eyes that is in sharp contrast with the black stripes on his face, back and the outside of his legs. In contrast females and juveniles are usually hornless and a pale yellowish fawn to tan in color.
Built to run on the open plains, blackbuck can reach velocities of up to 90kms per hour with strides up to 6m long and leaps up to 2m in height, making them one of the fastest animals on earth, only surpassed by the African cheetah. They are the quickest species left on the Indian subcontinent now that the Asiatic Cheetah, once in India, is extinct. Their agility, lightning speed, and high leaps protects the adults against most predators, but does not ensure their survival.
The conservation story is unfortunately a familiar one. Formerly a widespread species, only small scattered herds are seen today and are largely confined to protected areas. During the 20th century, blackbuck numbers declined sharply due to excessive hunting, poaching, deforestation as well as habitat degradation and fragmentation. One of the most powerful activist voices for the protection of the Blackbuck comes from the fervently conservationist Bisnoi communities in the region. Shri Jasnath Asan also is working diligently as well to protect and restore blackbuck habitat through their revegetation efforts at Karmlai.
These antelopes have earned a place of sacred respect in Hindu culture and hold a honored place as a heraldry symbol of several princely states of India.
25 NOV 2016
We headed southwest of Jodhpur south toward the Guda Bishnoiyan, in search of demoiselle cranes. Stopping at a beautiful pond at dawn we found them, hundreds, and hundreds, and hundreds of cranes flying in the rising golden dawn. There a few things in this world more powerful or beautiful then watching, and listening, to wave after wave, after wave of cranes gracing the morning skies.
Though the demosielle is the smallest crane, they still are a large bird. The demoiselle is 85–100 cm long, 76 cm tall, and has a whopping 55–180 cm wingspan. They can live in a variety of environments, including desert areas and numerous types of grasslands, but are often within a few hundred meters of a stream or lake.
This species of crane is found in most of central Eurasia, from the Black Sea to Mongolia and North Eastern China with an additional small population in Turkey. These migratory cranes spend their winters in the more hospital climes of the south. Birds from western Eurasia will spend the winter in Africa while the birds from Asia, Mongolia and China will spend the winter here, in northwestern India.
I first met this species on a trip to Mongolia a few years ago. There on the high Mongolian steppe, in grassy marsh area, I saw a pair of cranes with two newly hatched, fragile, long-legged chicks following their parents through the marsh. These little ones had only a few months to feed, grow, and learn under the watchful eye of their parents. During the long days of the Mongolian spring and summer, they would gain their strength and prepare for one of the toughest migrations in the world.
In late August through September the cranes I saw in Mongolia would have gathered in flocks of up to 400 individuals and prepare for their migratory flight to their winter range. During their arduous flight south they had to cross the Himalayan mountains, often flying at altitudes of 4,900–7,900 meters (16,000–26,000 feet), to get to their wintering grounds in India. There they overwinter and prepare for their spring journey, in March and April, back to their northern nesting grounds.
It’s hard to imagine that those little tiny fuzzy new lives I saw in Mongolia, actually could be the same demoiselle cranes I saw today. Perhaps those chicks I saw are now parents and are leading their offspring in their first long migration to India and arrived in time for me to greet them at Guda Bishnoiyan.
Mehringarth Fort, Photo © Kaushal Tarikh
How do I describe the indescribable?
Rudyard Kipling described it as:
"A Palace that might have been built by Titans and colored by the morning sun."
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis said upon visiting it:
"I have just seen the eighth wonder of the world."
Picture a fort.
It's not just any run of the mill fort to be sure. It was a fort built in 1460 AD by Rao Jodha and is one of the largest forts in India, rising 125 meters (410 feet) above Jodhpur. Enclosed by rough stone walls, the fort still shows the imprints of cannonball hits by attacking armies of Jaipur on it’s Dedh Kamgra Pol gate. It's breathtaking.
Mehrangarh Fort is a massive fort located at the center of Jodhpur and spreading over 5 square kilometers on top of a high hill that rises from the center of the city. Its imposing walls, are up to 36 meters high and 21 meters thick. The palaces above are placed in the heart of the fort, secured by many levels of gates and walls.
The building materials were chiseled from the rock on which the fort stands so the structure merges with its rocky base and gives the appearance of haven risen up from the stone. Still run by the Jodhpur royal family, Mehrangarh is packed with history and legend, far too much to get across in a short blog post. To learn more visit : http://www.mehrangarh.org/
20 NOV 2016
One of my favorite people here is Ramuji Saran. As his bio on http://shrijasnathasan.org/our-team/ notes, he is ”a celebrated army veteran who has made the ashram the home of his Seva worship, Ramuji contributes dance to our nightly puja, takes care of both green yards as well as the vegetable garden. He is also responsible for serving guruji and his guests’ meals, and lovingly cares for the ashram’s animal inhabitants.”
Ramuji’s impressive vegetable garden supplies much of the fresh fruit and vegetable that we enjoy each day. Anything food served but not grown here is still local ingredients, from environmentally sustainable sources. Imagine having fresh organic vegetarian meals with all the veggies picked fresh daily, often only hours before it ends up on your plate. The incredible food will be discussed another time when I introduce you to another favorite person, Papu Sai, our amazing cook.
The garden is organic with no GMO or pesticides in sight. Instead of pesticides, our gardener mixes milkweed sap and cow urine together and lets it ferment in a large pot. Once applied, usually at the base of a plant or occasionally sprinkled on the leaves, no bug goes near it .. I were a bug I wouldn’t approach it.
The garden Ramuji cares for is large and soon to be larger. Walking through the garden in the early morning you often glimpse a pesky peacock sneaking in to sample the tender crops. The variety of vegetables and herbs is not found in your usual “garden variety” garden. He not only tends many things Americans would be familiar with; cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, cauliflower, American Lettuce, tomatoes, green onions, squash, mint, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, wheat grass, okra (but not prepared like any okra I’ve had in the states-its excellent), lemon tree, and American radish.
But Ramuji also cares for a few things not normally found in our North American gardens. There are a couple of coconut trees, tulsi (Indian Holy Bush – like a basil), ashwaganda (a plant used in healing), Indian eggplant (small, flavorful, and not seedy like our American eggplant), aloe (used both to eat and for skincare and healing), mooly (Indian radish - looks like a white carrot), Echinacea (marigolds – nice touch in salads), Sunflowers (both for seeds and extremely high protein sprouts), chilies either cooked while green or dried and used as a very hot spice), loki and tordu (both in the zucchini family), and a few pomegranate trees. In addition, there is a large off site orchard with many trees including 600 date palms, pomegranates, lemons, limes, apple, and much more.
If that were not enough Ramuji must also manage the garden to ensure he has seeds enough for the next crop.
Ramuji is my hero.
19 NOV 2016
Native to India, the peacock is unmistakable and unforgettable. More correctly, a peacock is a male peafowl and the female peafowl is called a peahen. Sure enough the cute little chicks are called peachicks, not to be confused with chick peas. A group of peafowls is known, depending on your source, as either a muster, pride, or ostentation. I personally think the term an “ostentation” is most befitting such a fabulous bird.
The female peafowl, the peahen, has dull coloration to help her blend into to her surrounding but the peacock is definitely on the ostentatious, flamboyant side and will not go unnoticed in a crowd of pigeons. Shimmering iridescent blue head and neck, scallops of iridescent green down their back, and then there are those magnificent, intricate, several foot long, tail coverts that cover an ordinary non-descript tail.
The adult male is definitely a flashy dresser, with some amazing courtship moves as well. When he really wants to impress a peahen, he props up the train of tail coverts with his shorter, stiffer tail feathers and unfolds it like a fan, into a broad semicircle 1.8 to 2.1 meters wide. There is a legend that says that the peacock’s creator gave it a horrible voice, lest its beauty make the bird overly conceited. Peafowl have 11 different calls, but the peacocks are the ones that really yell an ear splitting, teeth rattling “may-AWE, may-AWE, that can travel for incredibly long distances.
Only down side to all their glory is that they fly like a cinder block. Though heavy bodied, they can and do fly, but not with the glorious grace of an eagle. They jump from their perch and flutter or soar short distances to the ground, land with a thud, and run for safety. It seems like the energy expenditure of flying is not undertaken lightly and is definitely left for those “must get up into or down from a tree” or “must escape” scenarios.
15 NOV 2016
Each morning that I am not traveling I walk the ashram grounds. Out back, behind the palace, is 350 natural acres that is alive with birds. Every day I see new species or observe and amazing behavior. It is never dull … far from it. I know I am privileged. My job here is to discover the beauty and diversity of the natural world and share it with others through my images. I strive to reconnect and strengthen the connection between people and the natural world.
The green bee-eaters were in full force today. In the open country of the back acreage it seemed like every tree had one and each bird was systematically zooming out to catch insects, especially bees and wasps, then returning to their post.
Once back on their perch they smack the bee senseless on their branch, but it is more than just tenderizing or rendering the insect unconscious. The violent repeated expert thrashing of the bee or wasp on the perch actually removes the stinger and venom as well as breaking down the exoskeleton, thus rendering it a tasty morsel fit for consumption. Once the meal is properly prepared, the bee-eater then gulps it down whole. Without a moment of rest, it then immediately he starts scanning the air for another meal. They seem to have an insatiable appetite…much like a human teenager.
Today was the first time I saw purple sunbirds here. This nectar-sipping old world equivalent to hummingbirds is a mere 10 cm in size, delicate and graceful in both motion, form and coloration. This male sunbird was in eclipse plumage, looking much like a female would with yellow breast and dark upperparts but revealed his sex with a bold, broad black stripe down the center of the throat and breast. In breeding plumage, the male looks much different. His plumage is a stunning electric metallic blue-green-purple, almost black, throughout.
13 NOV 2016
The next morning after the infamous camel trek and Mamoo encounter, I had the privilege of visiting Shri Osiya Mataji. It was an amazing temple that dates back to the 12th century and has been in use ever since. For the past couple of days I was traveling with a small group of reflexologists from all over the world that are staying, working, and generously giving of their time at the ashram for 2 weeks. All of us were enthralled with the history and stunning beauty of the place.
I have included a quote from the temples webpage about the history and significance of the site. It’s no surprise they can explain it far better than I. This is their living history. For more information, go to http://www.shriosiyamataji.org/
FROM THE SHRI OSIYA MATAJI WEBSITE:
“A pilgrimage to the Holy Temple of Shri Osiya Mataji is the holiest pilgrimage for Oswals. It is said that Osiya is the beginning place for Oswals and Shri Osiya Mataji is kuldevi (lineage goddess) of Oswals. Shri Osiya Mataji resides in a temple located in Osiya near Jodhpur, Rajasthan. This temple is on a mountain. Several thousand of devotees visit Osiya for darshan, mannat, etc throughout the year. Oswals come here especially to give Jat (Jay-ti or Jwar) and Mundan. The volume of devotees is increasing day by day.
The temple was originally built in the 8th century. However, the temple complex that now stands dates back to the 12th century. The main temple, along with the other two temples - the Chandi Ka Mandir and the Amba Mata Mandir, was constructed around circa 1178.
To enter the Sachchiyay Mata temple complex, one can use a series of magnificently sculpted arches. The temple complex was built in several phases, rather than in one go. Inside are beautiful images and sculptures of Hindu deities. Located at the north-end of the complex is a sculpture of Varaha (boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu). And to the east is an image of Lord Vishnu with Goddess Lakshmi. Lying to the west is a stone slab coming out of the walls, full of
The latest additions to the temple were carried on in the 12th century. Since then the temple has remained unchanged. The temple is a beauty of architecture. It is an architectural splendor that can be compared to any other throughout India.”
16 NOV 2016
Note: I know spell check is supposed to be helpful and a useful tool of civilization but it kept correcting Owlet to Omelette. Go figure ...
I have seen more cute today than I can bear.
Had the pleasure of meeting a spotted owlet this morning during my morning walk behind the ashram. Up in the branches of a tree, standing at an unbelievably cute and diminutive, 21 centimeters, was the owelette. Through sheer abundance of quirk and character, this owl may surpass the hoopoe as my favorite Indian bird. This species is nocturnal but is sometimes seen in the day. When I disturbed it from its daytime site, he bobbed its head dramatically and furiously as a dashboard bobble-head doll on a washboard road. After that impressive feat it challenged me to a staring contest which it lost when it fell asleep during the competition. I loved it.
The tiny owl hunts a variety of insects and small vertebrates. In Pakistan they have been found to take mostly insect prey where around Jodhpur they favor mice. Here they take small rodents, bats, toads, large insects, and small snakes.
They nest in cavities often competing with other hole-nesters such as mynas and parakeets. Nesting season is just starting in Rajasthan and is generally November to April so I will be on the lookout for nesting owlettes and tiny bobble-head babies.
12 NOV 2016 - Part II
While atop my trusty Mamoo I was ever the observant naturalist. As we marched and swayed our way across the sandy soil I looked down and everywhere in the sandy sail near small bunch grasses and shrubs were the dimples and divots of the ant lion's bizarre little traps.
Ant lions are found around the world and most commonly occur in dry sandy habitats where the larvae can construct their ingenious traps. The antlion larva is a ferocious-looking animal with a robust body, huge abdomen, and a thorax bearing six walking legs. They have a flattened head with an enormous pair of sickle-like jaws with several sharp, hollow projections that fit perfectly with the lower mandible forming an enclosed canal for injecting venom to immobilize the victim, and enzymes to digest its victim’s soft parts. If that wasn’t enough, the larva is covered by forward-pointing bristles which help it to anchor itself in the loose soil and thus giving it great traction and enabling it to capture prey considerably larger than itself.
I’m just glad they are only about a centimeter or less in size. I would die of fright if I even saw one even the size of a house cat.
THE INGENIOUS TRAP
Since the steep sides of the pit consist of loose sand it affords an insecure foothold to any unfortunate small insect that happens to fall in. Slipping to the bottom, the prey is immediately seized by the lurking antlion. If the hapless insect attempts an escape up the pit walls, the ant lion throws sand at it from the bottom of the pit or undermines the sides of the pit, causing them to collapse and deliver the prey to the antlion.
The adult are dramatically different from the larvae and instead look much like a delicate lacewing or small damselfly.
You don’t have to come to India to see ant lions, take a walk in Red Rock canyon or any sandy arid region in the desert southwest, where there is very fine dry soils. Chances are you will find numerous pit traps of these fierce little predators dimpling the sandy soil.
1. Why are ant lions also called doodlebugs?
2.Get online and find photos of the larvae and the adults.
3. When you are on your field trips try and find an ant lion trap.
12 NOV 2016
CAMEL TREK 101
I am convinced that the camels is an animal made up from scrap and spare parts.
The camel's startlingly efficient big round feet are like big flexible dinner plates are perfect to walk across sand without sinking in. Long legs keep them away from the worst of the heat radiating from the desert sand, and the large single hump is a great place for storage of fat which, when needed, they can metabolize to produce water. Their not-to-be-forgotten face expresses a distinct, quirky personality, somewhere between fiercely frightening and bizarrely humorous.
The bad attitudes of camels have been exaggerated. I saw less spitting, biting and/or meanness from our camels then I saw in the presidential election we just survived. It is a proven fact that the IQ of camels also exceeded the majority of our candidates. (end of political commentary)
To ride a camel is an experience somewhere between fun and terror, with the terror part occurring mostly when they stand up or sit down. When I met my trusty steed, "Mamoo" the camel, and he eyed me with much suspicion and distrust. The apple I brought him overcame both. The camel was seated so I easily crawled aboard. He was given the order to rise. On the way up I had a swaying, lurching ride, then suddenly I found myself 12 feet above the ground.
My camel, for some unknown camel reason, kept stomping his front feet at random intervals, which seemed to be somewhat correlated to the appearance of pesky flies, and somewhat just camel weirdness. This unexpected stomping created an unnerving random abrupt swaying in 6 directions, plus if that weren’t enough, my dear Mamoo just kept sitting down on the job which gave me the huge opportunity to practice my skills of camera and water bottles juggling while hanging on for dear life during these up and down rides of 12 feet. My camel driver seemed to be amused … actually so was I. Not sure about the Mamoo.
About sitting down … Returning to terra firma is the same awkward process of standing up but in reverse. On the way down to the ground to sit, the front legs fold in first and suddenly I was leaning as far back on the camel as I could to counter balance the animals precipitous, butt high, 70 degree angle until the ungainly hind legs started folding in. Once both sets of legs were tucked in I was again safe and sound back on the ground and could hop off. My stomach joined me soon after. It all felt like a semi controlled car crash.
Our camel caravan wandered through the dunes for some 3 hours before we reached the tent camp Osiyan Camel Camp at sunset. The term “tent camp” doesn’t do it justice. It is a permanent camp with canvas tents, slab floors, electricity, and private bathrooms complete with hot and cold running water. No suffering going on here.
Next up was a beautiful night of traditional dancing, music, and dinner under the Indian sky.
The big bright moon was two days from full. It couldn’t be more perfect.
Panchla Siddha, India
Sharon K. Schafer
I paint, photograph, and speak about wild places in an act of reciprocity that is as vital to me as heartbeat or breath.
My interest in the magic and mystery of the natural world lies at the intersection of art and science.
Made possible through
the generosity of
Generous support and inspiration provided by
Shri Jasnath Asan


Obtaining a student loan is often a helpful way to help pay for college. Still, you must remember that loans are not simply given to you with no strings attached. You must pay it back. This article will detail how to deal with your debt responsibly.
Make sure you keep track of your loans. You should know who the lender is, what the balance is, and what its repayment options are. If you are missing this information, you can contact your lender or check the NSLDL website. If you have private loans that lack records, contact your school.
Student Loans Mastering This Topic
When it comes to student loans, make sure you only borrow what you need. Consider the amount you need by taking a look at your total expenses. Factor in items like the cost of living, the cost of college, your financial aid awards, your family’s contributions, etc. You’re not required to accept a loan’s entire amount.
Know your grace periods so you don’t miss your first student loan payments after graduating college. Stafford loans typically give you six months before starting payments, but Perkins loans might go nine. Private loans are going to have repayment grace periods of their own choosing, so read the fine print for each particular loan.
It is important for you to keep track of all of the pertinent loan information. The name of the lender, the full amount of the loan and the repayment schedule should become second nature to you. This will help keep you organized and prompt with all of the payments you make.
Consider using your field of work as a means of having your loans forgiven. A number of nonprofit professions have the federal benefit of student loan forgiveness after a certain number of years served in the field. Many states also have more local programs. The pay might be less in these fields, but the freedom from student loan payments makes up for that in many cases.
This article will help you to gain a better understanding of student loans. It’s tough to find the best deals out there, but it’s definitely possible. Remember these tips, take your time, and do the proper research.


This activityAn activity is any part of a lesson which involves students … More is based on an idea from Pronunciation Games by Mark Hancock which is a great resource for pronunciation activities. In this simple game, students have to listen to a word and decide which of two phonemes is being used.
PRE: Before the lesson, decide upon a pair of phonemes students commonly confuse (e.g. /b/and /p/ for Arabic speakers, /ɪ/ and /i:/ for Russians, etc.). Find or make a list of minimal pairs with these sounds, such as the lists found here. It is a good idea to use words which will be known to students at their level. For this explanation I will use the sounds /b/ and /p/.
1: Check students can distinguish the two sounds. If they can’t, this activityAn activity is any part of a lesson which involves students … More will not work. One way to check is to line students up in the middle of the classroom. Tell students to step left if they hear /b/, and right if they hear /p/. Say words from your list of minimal pairs (e.g. park) and check students move accordingly (students do not need to be 100% accurate at this stage).
Before saying the words it is a good idea (and often humourous) to check students know their left and right. Students may also find it helpful if the minimal pairs are displayed (i.e. on the board).
2: Show students the handout, tell them to find number one and put their finger on it. Give out the handout and check students have followed the instruction. Tell students if they hear /b/ to move their finger left to number two, but if they hear /p/ to move their finger right to number two. Say a word from your list, e.g. bin, and check students have moved. Repeat this step from number two to number three. Continue until students have reached one final option.
3: Repeat, but this time do not stop to check. After four words, check whether students arrived at the same option. If students are struggling, make your pronunciation as clear as possible, over-enunciating if necessary. Repeat several times. Students should make some improvement during this phase, with almost all students getting to the correct option each time.
4: Hand over to the students in pairs or small groups with one student saying the words while the others follow. Give students a number of turns they should take to ensure they practise several times. At this point you should monitor to check students are producing the sounds accurately.
T: bark… Ben… pen… ball. What did you get?
S1: Ice cream
S2: Ice cream
S3: Umm… ham?
1: If space does not allow for students to line up, you can still use the activityAn activity is any part of a lesson which involves students … More in step 1 by telling students to raise their left hand for /b/ and the right for /p/. Alternatively you could tell them to stand for /b/ and sit for /p/. The important thing is to check that students have heard the difference, and these activities give a clear, visual indication.
2: This activityAn activity is any part of a lesson which involves students … More can be made to involve vocabulary from any lexical set, although there will need to be 32 options. If students have sufficient vocabulary they could come up with their own set.
The list of minimal pairs used in this game can very easily be used to play bingo.
As this is largely a receptive activityAn activity is any part of a lesson which involves students … More, it is students will need productive pronunciation practice afterwards. This can be done by challenging students to make sentences with the words so that they can play a number of games such as broken telephone/Chinese whispers.
Example Minimal Pairs with /b/ and /p/:
bin, pin, Ben, pen, ball, Paul, (James) Bond, pond, Bill, pill, bark, park, bull, pull, boy, poi, beach, peach, black, plaque, bad, pad, bile, pile, breach, preach, blume, plume, bray, pray, brawn, prawn


Constantly reapplying sunscreen during a relaxing beach day is a tedious task that many people dread. Fortunately, scientists have been looking into developing a DNA-based sunscreen that will not only protect your skin, but also become more effective the longer it is worn.
How it works:
Studies have shown that excessive exposure to UV light can damage DNA. So, as Guy German expressed in a statement, he and his team thought, “let’s flip it. What happens instead if we actually used DNA as a sacrificial layer? So instead of damaging DNA within the skin, we damage a layer on top of the skin.”
Essentially, they took DNA from salmon sperm, a readily available source, and dried it into a film on a piece of glass. This process is similar to the way glue dries and becomes a thin film either on your fingers or a different surface. Once completed, this DNA film was exposed to UVA and UVB rays and was shown to reduce transmittance of UVB light by up to 90% and UVA light by up to 20%.
Even more astounding though, this DNA film becomes more light-resistant the longer it is exposed to light. The research team is not entirely sure why this happens, however, they have theorized, as German says, that there are “two possible mechanisms… one is called hypochromicity, that is the increased ability of DNA molecules to absorb UV light, but also we found that the results that we got suggest a crosslinking density of the cells themselves.” A denser crystalline structure of the film would then be better suited to absorb or reflect more light.
Where it stands:
To clarify, this DNA film tested is not actual sunscreen yet and you will not be able to find it on shelves. However, it may well be part of the future of a more effective sunscreen, as opposed to the current, chemical-filled sunscreen that needs many reapplications throughout the day.


Warm Up: Eco Poster Examples (15 min)
Look at the example poster gallery below and answer the questions on the form.
Project: Make your own Eco Awareness Poster (20 min)
After looking at the examples design and create your own poster. Try and make it simple and easy to understand. Try and think of a specific aspect of saving the planet and work with that. Use the organization from your homework last night for inspiration.
Time to Share (10 min)
Use the last 10 minutes of class to share your poster. Hold it up and see if the class can guess what the meaning of it is. If they can you've done a great job.
No Homework Tonight


Butterflies need salt for breeding. By sipping moisture from mud puddles, butterflies take in salts and minerals from the soil. ~ Create a salt lick in your garden and increase the butterfly population. How-to's and links included.
Like the idea of the green house over raised bed. Prolong season, start seed, protection from weather, ease of access as oppposed to diy hoop house? Think of the money you could save with your own green house.
The secret to growing the healthiest most beautiful plants is right in your backyard! Feed your soil! From Elizabeth Murphy, author of the book, Building Soil: A Down-to-Earth Approach: Natural Solutions for Better Gardens & Yards.


For those of you who are not up on Ohio history, Worthington was not only a prominent Ohio politico in its formative years, serving as Senator from 1803 to 1807 and again in 1810-14 as well as the 6th Governor from 1814 to 1818. He was scion of a Virginia planter family, who married into some money and moved his family to the free state of Ohio (manumitting his slaves in the process). Worthington made his fortune investing in land in Ohio, alongside such other real estate moguls as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Duncan McArthur (another Ohio kingpin who later became governor). Adena was the seat of a vast empire of tenant farmers along the Paint River near Chillicothe. Like the Tidewater plantations, it was a world onto itself, producing agricultural products which were shipped on flatboats down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans. From the world market (overland from Philadelphia, I suspect, rather than being poled upriver from the Gulf) came elegant manufactured goods and luxuries such as tea, coffee, opium, and Madeira.
Luminaries of the West, such as Tecumseh and William Henry Harrison came to stay here. Henry Clay was here so often that he has a room named after him.
Today one can get a good sense of what the estate must have been like by visiting the mansion and its reconstructed outbuildings. You can get more info about the site hours, special events, and admission prices here.
The front of the mansion, designed by Benjamin Latrobe.
A view of the summer kitchen.
The detached kitchen buildings. The house was considered ultra-modern in that it had a kitchen inside the house as well.
The Spring House, in a small gully near the house.
The fresh, cool waters of the spring kept dairy goods cold during the summer.
A Conestoga Wagon. Contrary to what most people think, this type of wagon was used pretty exclusively in the East, hauling freight across the Appalachian Divide. The "Prairie Schooners" of the Far West were smaller, square-built wagons.
Worthington's vast barn on an earlier visit. When we came, the upper levels were blocked off, but the lower stables held sheep and a curious barnyard cat.
A tenant house, reconstructed. Pretty fancy for an era when many people still lived in log-hewn cabins.


What You Need:
- 12 to 18 inch tall foam cone
- Bag of pine cones – or ones from around your yard
- Silver glitter
- Bag of pre-cut stem wire
- Butcher paper to cover work surface
- Paint brush (optional, for spreading glue)
What You Do:
- Invite your child to take a walk around your yard or community and hunt for pine cones. For creating the pine cone tree any sized cones can be used, but ones about 3-inches in diameter work best.
- Place the pine cones on a work surface that has been covered with a sheet of paper. Have her coat the pine cones with a brushing of glue and then sprinkle them with silver glitter. She can cover as many as she'd like with glitter, and leave some plain, too.
- Next have her give the foam cone a coating of glue and roll it in the glitter on the worktable, creating an even covering of glitter.
- While the pine cones and foam are drying, invite your child to draw a picture of a tree full of pine cones. You can research what types of trees have pine cones and what the purpose of pine cones are.
- Once everything's dry, have her take a length of stem wire and wrap it around the base of one of the pine cones, leaving an inch of wire for her to gently press into the foam cone to secure it in place.
- Encourage your child to continue wrapping and pressing pine cones into the foam cone until it is covered. It’s okay if some of the foam cone shows through, because it’s covered in glitter - it just adds to the finished tree!
- You can use a pretty plate to place the pine cone tree on and then display the finished project for others to see!
As the season gets colder and kids come inside keep things fun and festive with activites!


How does an enzyme accomplish its tremendous enhancement of a reaction's rate (as much as a billion‐fold)? There is an upper limit to the activity of an enzyme: It cannot operate faster than the rate at which it encounters the substrate. In solution, this rate is approximately 10 8 to 10 9 times per second (sec ‐1). In the cell, enzymes acting on similar pathways are often located next to one another so that substrates don't have to diffuse away from one enzyme to the next—a mechanism that allows the enzymes to be more efficient than the theoretical limit. Even in solution, however, enzymes are powerful catalysts, and a variety of mechanisms bring about that power.
When a chemical reaction occurs, the energy content of the reacting molecule or atom increases. This is why most chemical reactions, whether they release heat or absorb heat, happen faster as the temperature is raised. The high‐energy state of the reactants is called the transition state.
For example, in a bond‐breaking reaction, the transition state may be one where the reacting bond, although not completely broken, is vibrating at a frequency high enough that it is equally likely to split apart as to reform. Forming reactants or products results in the loss of energy from the transition state. This principle is shown in Figure , where the increased energy of the transition state is represented as a hill or barrier on the energy diagram. Catalysts reduce the height of the barrier for achieving the transition state.
What are the chemical mechanisms that enzymes use to make it easier to get to the transition state? Enzymologists have determined that a number of mechanisms seem to operate, including:
- Proximity. Enzymes can bring two molecules together in solution. For example, if a phosphate group is to be transferred from ATP to glucose, the probability of the two molecules coming close together is very low in free solution. After all, there are many other molecules that the ATP and the sugar could collide with. If the ATP and the sugar can bind separately and tightly to a third component—the enzyme's active site—the two components can react with each other more efficiently.
- Orientation. Even when two molecules collide with enough energy to cause a reaction, they don't necessarily form products. They have to be oriented so that the energy of the colliding molecules is transferred to the reactive bond. Enzymes bind substrates so that the reactive groups are steered to the direction that can lead to a reaction.
- Induced fit. Enzymes are flexible. In this regard, they are different from solid catalysts, like the metal catalysts used in chemical hydrogenation. After an enzyme binds its substrate(s), it changes conformation and forces the substrates into a strained or distorted structure that resembles the transition state. For example, the enzyme hexokinase closes like a clamshell when it binds glucose. In this conformation, the substrates are forced into a reactive state.
- Reactive amino acid groups. The side chains of amino acids contain a variety of reactive residues. For example, histidine can accept and/or donate a proton to or from a substrate. In hydrolysis reactions, an acyl group can be bound to a serine side chain before it reacts with water. Having enzymes with these catalytic functions close to a substrate increases the rate of the reactions that use them. For example, a proton bound to histidine can be donated directly to a basic group on a substrate.
- Coenzymes and metal ions. Besides their amino acid side chains, enzymes can provide other reactive groups. Coenyzmes are biomolecules that provide chemical groups that help catalysis. Like enzymes themselves, coenzymes are not changed during catalysis. This distinguishes them from other substrates, such as ATP, which are changed by enzyme action. Coenzymes, however, are not made of protein, as are most enzymes. Metal ions can also be found in the active sites of a number of enzymes, bound to the enzyme and sometimes to the substrate.
Coenzymes provide chemical functional groups that proteins lack. For example, only sulfhydryl groups on amino acids are able to participate in oxidation and reduction reactions, and the formation/breakage of disulfides does not provide enough reducing power to alter most biomolecules's functional groups. Electron transfer requires one of several coenzymes, usually either nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NAD, or flavin adenine dinucleotide, FAD, as electron acceptors and donors. Table shows some of these coenzymes.
Some coenzymes participate in group‐transfer reactions that are difficult to carry out with amino acid side chain chemistries alone. For example, none of the side chains of the normal 20 amino acids can accept an amino group easily. On the other hand, the coenzyme pyridoxal phosphate has a carbonyl group that is well adapted to accepting or donating amino groups.
Vitamins are organic compounds required for human and animal growth. Many microorganisms (although by no means all) can grow and reproduce in a simple medium of sugars and inorganic salts. Likewise, photosynthetic organisms can synthesize all the organic molecules needed for life. These organisms don't need vitamins because they can synthesize them from simpler chemicals.
Our species has lost the ability to make vitamins. Thus, deficiency of niacin (nicotinamide), the “N” in NAD, leads to the disease pellagra, a collection of skin, intestinal, and neurological symptoms. (Niacin can be synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan, so pellagra results from a deficiency of both niacin and tryptophan in the diet.)


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Beowulf and his Soldiers searching for Unferth and Grendel's mother.
Beowulf and his soldiers spot a pool full of blood-boiling.
Beowulf dives in. As he swims deeper and deeper he realizes he will drown, however, he finds blood bubbles that he can breathe with. They have a terrible taste but without them he would die. Suddenly he spots a light deep down. He continues swimming...
Suddenly, Beowulf falls into a seaweed trap. He struggles to kick free. But the grip only becomes tighter. The monster is pulling him down...
Beowulf realizes that he can breathe in the mother's den! Cain's wife drags Beowulf down further and further down into the heart of the cave. Beowulf breaks out in sheer panic. He remembers why he's down here and tightens his grip around one of the monster's tentacles. Before he tried swinging his blade at one of the humongous things but it jumped right off. "Her skin was too tough and scaly."
He speaks to her like he did with her son. Saying how he has power over her, she is powerless against his will. It takes away her strength. "There is a power you are powerless against. That power is within me." "You feel it creeping up your flesh, leaving you numb and cold." Her eyes don't live long. They close softly. Beowulf strangles her at the neck. "Her body was melting. She was dead."
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Klotho is a longevity-associated gene that has been under investigation for some years. Increasing its expression lengthens life in mice, while reducing it has the opposite effect. Here is an open access review on the topic with a focus on mechanisms relating to cardiovascular disease (CVD):
Klotho, a gene originally identified in 1997 codifying for a novel anti-aging protein, has been implicated in a multitude of biological processes, most of them related to human longevity. Mice lacking the Klotho gene develop a phenotype similar to premature human aging, which includes endothelial dysfunction, vascular calcification, progressive atherosclerosis and shortened lifespan. A reduction in Klotho levels is observed in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, similar to other premature vascular aging diseases, such as hypertension or diabetes mellitus. Even normal aging is associated with a reduction in serum and urine concentration of Klotho.
More recently, the involvement of Klotho in vascular protection through different mechanisms has been demonstrated. These mechanisms include inhibition of oxidative stress, modulation of inflammation or attenuation of vascular calcification. Therefore, Klotho has been suggested as a master regulator of CVD. The disruption in the homeostasis of this factor seems to be a key element in the development of CVD. The reduction of circulating levels of Klotho is associated with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) and is also an independent marker of some forms of vascular dysfunction such as arterial stiffness. Likewise, various genetic studies have shown the association between gene variants of human Klotho gene with CAD or stroke.


Julia Bachrach will give a presentation on the history of design response to changing recreational trends.
Julia Bachrach will present a history of Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair
Julia Bachrach will present this history of Jackson Park's 19th century transformations in conjunction with the Newbery Library's new exhibition entitled Pictures from the Exposition: Visualizing the 1893 World's Fair.
In conjunction with the Associates of the Art Institute’s theme “Inspired by the Past,” Julia Bachrach will present to the Southland Community Associations. This presentation explores Chicago’s collection of murals and paintings in park field houses during the Progressive Era.
During the early 20th century, Chicago’s renowned architects and planners Burnham and Bennett envisioned Grant Park as a magnificent French Renaissance landscape. That dream was finally realized in the 1920s, and since then Chicagoans have enjoyed a sense of Paris by visiting the city’s south lakefront.
In this presentation, Julia Bachrach will share her research, describe naming and other recent efforts to commemorate women’s contributions to Illinois history. She will illuminate the stories of many significant women who overcame great obstacles to achieve success.
Julia Bachrach will tell the inspiring story of how Perkins and Jensen refused to give up until they could be sure their vision for the Cook County Forest Preserves would become a reality.
As cycling enjoys a new Golden Age in our region, this session explores the history of bicycling in Chicago while also examining important contemporary questions. What should be done to assure that bicyclists have the appropriate infrastructure? How are cycling resources being distributed within our neighborhoods? Julia Bachrach will illuminate the evolution of bicycling in Chicago. Chicago Reader columnist John Greenfield and city planner Benet Haller will report on the city’s diverse and growing cycling community, and Maggie Melin of the Active Transportation Alliance will forecast the future of cycling in Chicago. This program is sponsored by the Chicago Architecture Foundation.
Cost: Public $35, CAF Members 28$ Beer and light refreshments (This event is open only to guests 21 years old or older.) Register at architecture.org.
Image: Veledrome in Humboldt Park, 1936, Chicago Park District Records: Photographs, Special Collections, Chicago Public Library.
Hear fascinating stories about Chicago’s influential women and the process of naming parks in their honor.
This event is sponsored by Park Rogers Park West Ridge Historical Society and will be held at Indian Boundary Park. It is free to the public, but RSVP will be required. More information to be announced.
(Photograph: Dr. Margaret Burroughs)
Elgin Alive Series, Gail Borden Library
(Photo: Considered Jens Jensen’s masterpiece, Columbus Park includes iconic waterfalls, ca. 1925, Chicago Park District Records: Photographs Special Collections, Chicago Public Library.)


We can’t leave dealing with waste entirely to the government, either. Fortunately, the Environmental Protection Agency website has a many pages devoted to Wastes. They provide a lot of useful information to help us make the best choices for our own waste management.
The index page has links to four major groups of articles as well as a “Wastes Quick Finder.” If you recognize the topic you want in the quick finder, click there.
Otherwise, finding the same articles requires a lot of clicking. The advantage to all that clicking, though, is that you will find topics grouped thematically, not just in alphabetical order.
“What you can do”
This link goes to another index page. It has its own quick finder at the top. The main area of the page has two main choices: by season and by subject. I can save you at least one click: the menu you obtain by clicking “by subject” duplicates the menu that’s in the bar just under the quick finder:
- At home and in the garden
- On the go
- At work
- At school
- In the community
- How do I recycle my . . .
That last item gives you choices of electronics, compact fluorescent lights, household hazardous waste, and medical/pharmaceutical waste. All of these require special handling. It is both illegal and dangerous to put them with your regular trash. (Dead batteries, by the way, are household hazardous waste.)
Besides the quick finder, this page looks different from the previous one. It is less attractive, but it offers helpful explanations of the links:
- Reduce, reuse, recycle
- Reducing food waste
- Composting for facilities [industrial composting]
- Sustainable materials management
- Conservation tools
- Common wastes and materials
Here is the potentially scary stuff that makes the news whenever there is some kind of accident, whether at a plant or in transit. But remember: in many cases, the accidents result from carelessness no different from what too many people do at home!
- Definition of solid waste
- Types of hazardous waste
- Generators [of hazardous waste]
- Treatment, storage, and disposal
- Hazardous waste recycling
- Corrective action
- Test methods
- International waste
This heading has only two links: to municipal solid waste and industrial waste. Presumably non-hazardous liquid wastes get flushed or poured down a drain, which leads them to a wastewater treatment plant.
The “Waste” pages do not deal with non-hazardous liquid wastes. For a quick finder of information related to wastewater treatment, look at Wastewater Management under “Water.”
By the way, I write another blog, Sustainable Green Homes, devoted to providing dependable information on environmental matters. Check it out!Google+


When you look up and see the multitude of stars you can’t help but to feel awestruck and perhaps a little small. The Moon Landings, Voyager, Hubble telescope, the Curiosity rover and much more have all expanded our knowledge and understanding of the solar system and the universe. What will be our next step on our our journey into the complex theatre of space? Exploring Mars? What technologies do we need to develop to help humans reach and explore past our moon? Is there a mysterious ninth planet we haven’t detected yet? What about life beyond our solar system? Michael Robinson poses these fascinating questions and helps expand our knowledge as he talks with his guests Rachel Kraft, Prof. Renu Malhorta, Prof. Sara Seager and Phil Larson.
Rachel Kraft – public affairs specialist, NASA
Prof. Renu Malhorta – planetary scientist, University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory
Prof. Sara Seager – astrophysicist; planetary scientist, MIT
Phil Larson – assistant dean, College of Engineering & Applied Science, University of Boulder


“Then God said, “Let there be light”, and there was light”.
The concept of creation out of nothing was a completely radical idea in antiquity. It was the Jewish religion that first introduced such a radical concept. Most, if not all, creation myths in antiquity parted from the premise that there was something before the formation of the universe. It is very tempting to point that such radical idea most closely resembles what today’s scientist call the Big Bang.
The Big Bang theory states that the observable universe is the result of a massive explosion that occurred about 13.7 billion years ago. It was as if the universe obeyed God’s command “Let there be light,” and there was the Big Bang. Although the Big Bang theory is agnostic whether or not anything existed before the Big Bang, it clearly argues that our observable universe had a beginning.
The idea of the Big Bang was not immediately accepted. The Aristotelian view of an eternal and static universe was accepted scientific theory up to the 1930’s. It was a Jesuit priest named Fr. George Lemaitre that first proposed the idea of a “primeval atom”, which today we called the Big Bang theory. Fr. Lemaitre based his theory on Einstein’s theory of relativity that, states the expansion of space and the discovery that galaxies are accelerating away from each other by astronomers Hubble and Humason in 1929. He argued that if galaxies are moving away from each other, then it follows that the further you go back in time the closer those galaxies are going to be and if you go far enough there is going to be a point where the size of the universe is a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of a sub-atomic particle: a “primeval atom”. Fr. Lemaitre succinctly explains his theory in the abstract for his 1931 publication in the science journal, Nature:
“SIR ARTHUR EDDINGTON states that, philosophically, the notion of a beginning of the present order of Nature is repugnant to him. I would rather be inclined to think that the present state of quantum theory suggests a beginning of the world very different from the present order of Nature. Thermodynamical principles from the point of view of quantum theory may be stated as follows : (1) Energy of constant total amount is distributed in discrete quanta. (2) The number of distinct quanta is ever increasing. If we go back in the course of time we must find fewer and fewer quanta, until we find all the energy of the universe packed in a few or even in a unique quantum”.
Ironically, his theory was considered to be too religious by some since it pointed towards a beginning and in doing so it pointed to a creation. The Big Bang was confirmed by the finding of the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation by Nobel laureate recipients Penzias and Wilson in 1964 (Picture). Cosmologists Ralph Alpher and Robert Herman predicted this radiation in 1948 to be the remnant radiation of the Big Bang. Its temperature is exactly the temperature that physicists estimated it should be if it was from the Big Bang. Moreover the total amount of helium estimated to be present in the universe could only be accounted by the Big Bang because not enough time has passed for it to be produced by nuclear reactions inside of stars.
There is much speculation as to what happen before the Big Bang. At least two theories propose possible scenarios in which the Big Bang is not the beginning of the universe: eternal inflation and ekpyrotic models. It is not the scope of this post to explain in detail these purely mathematical theories other than to make readers aware that they are current working hypothesis. However, independently whether or not these theories are accurate an elegant mathematical theorem, developed by Borde, Vilenkin and Guth (BVG Theorem), demonstrates that any universe that has a Hubble expansion constant greater than zero has to have a beginning:
“We made no assumptions about the material content of the universe…The only assumption that we made was that the expansion rate of the universe never gets below some nonzero value, no matter how small. This assumption should certainly be satisfied in the inflating false vacuum. The conclusion is that past-eternal inflation without a beginning is impossible”.
Vilenki 2006, p 175 (Taken from “New Proof for the Existence of God”)
In other words, any universe or multi-verse has to have a beginning and since according to the principle of sufficient reason any beginning must have a cause, the question remains what caused the universe to begin?
In my next post, I will discuss, how science demonstrates the infinitesimally small probability that the observable universe was caused by random chance. Taken together the evidence from modern physics and philosophical/metaphysical arguments, it is reasonable to believe that God created the universe, out of nothing.
I owed the inspiration of this post to Fr. Benedict Groechel talk, God the Father, which until recently could be found at EWTN for free download. The scientific and philosophical arguments were mostly taken from Fr. Robert Spitzer book: New Proof for the Existence of God.
I hope that I did not do any disservice to their work by my poor abilities to articulate it.
Also note, that there is a third hypothesis that states that the Big Bang is the result of an ongoing cycle of expansion and contractions, each one producing a new big bang and thereby a new universe. I did not include this hypothesis for the sake of brevity and the fact that it has been discredited by the observation that galaxy are moving irreversibly away from each other at an increasingly faster pace. Making it impossible for the predicted Big Crunch to happen. Moreover, evidence from the law of thermodynamics clearly indicates that even in this bouncing universe scenario, it must also have to have a beginning.


Reading history can help us deal with our present fears. I am currently reading a book called The History of the Great Irish Famine of 1847 by Canon John O’Rourke. It is available by downlead from Project Gutenberg. I have found that many people know about the great potato famine that drove waves of Irish emigration. It is the events around it that I find reassuring because they reflect on the panic that so many are trying to create around the world.
The cause of the famine was not a potato blight. That is what the books tell us and there was a problem with the potato crop. It failed. That failure put many people in the path of starvation but not because there was no food. It is restated several times by the time I am a fourth way through the book but here is one,
"That the people of Ireland, in their bitter hours of misfortune, have the strongest right to impeach the criminality of the ministers of the crown, inasmuch as it has pleased a merciful Providence to favour Ireland in the present season with a most abundant crop of oats. Yet, whilst the Irish harbours are closed against the importation of foreign food, they are left open for the exportation of Irish grain, an exportation which has already amounted in the present season to a quantity nearly adequate to feed the entire people of Ireland, and to avert the now certain famine; thus inflicting upon the Irish people the abject misery of having their own provisions carried away to feed others, whilst they themselves are left contemptuously to starve.” Kindle location 1293-1298
The potato failed but there was a bumper crop of other foods. The problem was not a lack of food but a surplus of political shenanigans. England controlled Ireland and made it illegal for the Irish to import food that did not first get unloaded in an English port and then loaded again. They also looked at crops like oats as a cash crop and were not about to leave them for the Irish to eat.
The government in London knew the problem and did a lot of talking but at the point I am in the book they were doing nothing but talk. I am assuming since the famine was so bad that they kept talking and taking their tea breaks.
There were other political causes of hunger around the world. This is just one example.
Then you have what we like to call “climate change.” It is a common occurrence in the history of the world. Ireland got there share.
"’In the beginning of November, 1739, the weather,’ says O'Halloran, ‘was very cold, the wind blowing from the north east, and this was succeeded by the severest frost known in the memory of man, which entirely destroyed the potatoes, the chief support of the poor.’ It is known to tradition as the ‘great frost,’ the ‘hard frost,’ the ‘black frost,’ etc.” Kindle Location 445-448Then we have another familiar story.
“To add to the miseries of the people there was a great drought all the winter and spring.” Kindle Location 471-472And then they went through torrential rains that rotted the potatoes in addition to the blight.
Does any of this sound familiar? It should. It is very similar to what we are going through. There is nothing we can do about the weather except accept that it is part of the natural cycle of the earth. The politics also seem like we are being run into the ground. Do what you can on that. If nothing else, wake up to people you have voted for that are backing the current politics of the Progressives.
I think it fits into Solomon’s statement,
(Ecc 1:9 KJV) The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.homo unius libri


IN A small classroom four teenage boys laugh and roll their eyes at each other’s wisecracks. The instructor, sometimes speaking in Spanish, encourages them to think about their futures. For his family, one says, “I want to buy a big-ass house.” Another wants to work with cars. A third thinks a family reunion would be great. The classroom is on Rikers Island, New York City’s biggest jail. The teens are participating in the Adolescent Behavioral Learning Experience (ABLE) programme, which helps them focus on personal responsibility through cognitive behaviour therapy. The programme’s goal is to cut the re-incarceration rate among the youngsters, and it is funded using social impact bonds (SIB).
A SIB is an experimental financing method which connects financially-stressed municipalities with private investors to fund public projects at no initial cost to taxpayers. Also known as pay-for-success contracts, these schemes began in Britain’s Peterborough prison in 2010. Unlike most funding for social projects, which tend to pay for inputs, SIBs rely on results. New York is the first city in America to try one. Unlike in Britain, which had do-gooder sorts finance its social projects, New York has Goldman Sachs, a Wall Street institution. It is funding the programme to the tune of $9.6m over four years. This is not a charitable donation. Alicia Glen, head of Goldman’s Urban Investment Group, says “it is a real loan.”
If re-incarceration rates for the teens at Rikers drops by 10%, Goldman gets its money back. If they fall further than 10%, Goldman will see a tidy profit. But if rates do not fall by the set target, Goldman stands to lose money. Michael Bloomberg, New York’s billionaire mayor, is a big supporter, so much so that his philanthropy group, Bloomberg Philanthropies, is guaranteeing $7.2m of the loan.
Meeting that goal will be hard, in part because the teens are not behind bars for very long. Many are awaiting trial or transfer, so most stays on the island are of just a few months. This means the non-profits, MDRC, Osborne Association and Friends of Island Academy, who are charged with overseeing and implementing ABLE, do not have much time with each adolescent. Still, Dora Shriro, the Corrections Commissioner, is confident rates will fall by more than 10%.
This article appeared in the United States section of the print edition under the headline "Being good pays"


The Web as a platform is all the rage these days. It’s not hard to see why. With the ability to create web apps in a matter of hours with very little experience in coding, it will soon be the de facto way to build applications.
It even looks like the war between web based apps and native apps on mobile has been won by the web platform in the guise of progressive web apps (pwas).
The reason for this, is of course because after fending off Flash and Java applets, JS is the only way to code applications on the web.
Components are becoming popular as it allows companies to create block of UI that they can reuse across apps and sites. For example EA Games share a set of components through their many individual game sites.
React components can be shared between applications and sites. There are many sites out there that even offer UI libraries of React components.
Polymer is a project that is backed by Google. It aims to help you create components with a small library to ease the process. The Polymer project also includes a CLI (command line interface) to help you build and test your components.
Webcomponents.org is the home for a W3C project that aims to make web components a standard. It outlines 4 specifications that make up web components; Custom Elements, Shadow DOM, ES Modules and HTML Templates.
Custom elements allow developers to create custom HTML tags. So for example, you could create an element called
<my-side-navigation> that would render a side navigation on your site. You could then share it with your other sites.
The Shadow DOM allows you to encapsulate HTML and CSS so that they don’t effect the rest of the site.
HTML Templates are where the components html is created. This is the HTML that is rendered when the tag is added to a page.
There are other libraries out there for creating web components, but these are the main ones.
Web components are sign of the maturing of the web as a platform. In traditional application development, components have been around for a long time. Together with concepts like Atomic Design, there are now really powerful tools for developing reusable components to put together really compulsive experiences for your visitors.


Piero Scaruffi(Copyright © 2013 Piero Scaruffi | Legal restrictions )
These are excerpts and elaborations from my book "The Nature of Consciousness"
The Triune Brain
The US neurologist Paul MacLean (“The triune brain, emotion, and scientific bias”, 1970) popularized the notion that the human head contains not one but three brains: a "triune" brain.
Like the layers of an archeological site, each brain corresponds to a different stage of evolution. Each brain is connected to the other two, but each operates individually with a distinct "personality". The neocortex does not control the rest of the brain: all three parts interact, although it is true that the neocortex interacts in a more "cognitive" manner. But the "brain" that interacts in a more "instinctive" manner can be as dominant and even more. And ditto for the "emotional" one.
The oldest of the three brains, the "reptilian" brain, is a system that has changed little from reptiles to mammals and to humans. This "brain" comprises the brain stem and the cerebellum. It is responsible for species-specific behavior: instinctive behavior such as self-preservation and aggression. The cerebellum and the brainstem constitute virtually the entire brain of reptiles. The most basic life-sustaining processes of the body, such as respiration, heartbeat and sleep, are controlled by the brainstem. More precisely, the brainstem is the brain's connection with the autonomic nervous system, the part of the nervous system that regulates functions such as heartbeat, breathing, etc. that do not require conscious control. It is always active, even when we sleep. It endlessly repeats the same patterns over and over again, mechanically. It does not change, it does not learn. In ancient species this system was basically most of the brain, and limbs and organs were controlled locally.
Most mammals share with us the limbic system, which MacLean believes was born after the reptilian system and was simply added to it. The earliest mammals had a brain that was basically the reptilian brain plus the limbic system. MacLean therefore believes this to be the old mammalian (or "paleo-mammalian") brain. The limbic system contains the hippocampus, the thalamus and the amygdala, which are considered responsible for emotions and emotional instincts (behaviors related to food, sex and competition). These emotions are functional to the survival of the individual and of the species. This system is capable of learning, because it contains "affective" memories, i.e. emotion-laden memories. Ultimately, the limbic system is about "pain" and "pleasure": avoiding pain and repeating pleasure.
The neo-cortex is the main brain of the primates, which are among the latest mammals to appear. All animals have a neo-cortex but only in primates it is so relevant: most animals without a neocortex would behave normally. This "neo-mammalian" brain is responsible for higher cognitive functions such as language and reasoning.
The oldest of the three brains is located at the bottom and to the back. The newest sits on top and to the front.
They all complement each other to produce what we consider human behavior. Each is an autonomous unit that could exist without the others.
The elegance of MacLean's model is that it neatly separates mechanical behavior, emotional behavior and rational behavior. It shows how they arose chronologically and, indirectly, for what purpose. And it shows how they coexist and complement each other. They constitute three steps towards human "intelligence".
The US psychologist Anthony Stevens related these three brains to Jung’s division of the mind into a conscious, un unconscious and a collective unconscious, the collective unconscious being the oldest one and therefore assigned to the reptilian brain.
Back to the beginning of the chapter "Inside The Brain" | Back to the index of all chapters


The Jump Chess Move
In chess, the knight is the only piece that may jump pieces, provided that the destination square must be either empty or occupied by one of the opposing pieces.
The knight is considered to be one of the most unique chess pieces you have to play with. This horse-like piece can move in strange L shapes and is the only chess piece that is allowed to jump over other chess pieces according to official chess rules. The knight's movement is rather different from other pieces as it moves in an L shape; either 2 squares forward, backward, left, or right and then 1 square left or right. This special jumping feature can make the knight a very useful chess piece, especially at the start of the game.
The king has a small range of movement and may move only 1 square in any direction so long as it move doesn’t leave the moving side in check and the destination square isn’t currently occupied by a friendly piece. The king is not allowed to jump.
Although the queen is a lot more mobile, she may not jump any pieces like the knight piece can. However, she may slide any number of squares in any direction. The queen’s destination square can either be empty or occupied by one of the opponent’s piece. The move mustn’t leave the moving side’s King in check.
The rook has quite a wide range and may slide any number of squares either horizontally or vertically but may not jump pieces. As usual, the destination square must be either empty or occupied by an opposing piece. None of the rook’s moves must leave the moving side in check.
The bishop piece may slide any number of squares in a diagonal direction but may not jump pieces. The destination square must be empty or occupied by an opposing piece. The move must not leave the moving side in check.
The chess pawn is often in the line of fire because it may only move 1 square forward as long as its destination square is empty. The pawn may move 2 squares on its first move if there are 2 squares open, as pawns are also not allowed to jump over other pieces. The pawn can only capture a piece that is 1 square diagonally in front of it and the move mustn’t leave the moving side in check. One exception to the pawn moving rules is the en passant rule.
If you are looking for chess variant that allows for a bit more jumping, with pieces other than knights, you can always try jumping chess. In this variant, queens, rooks and bishops can choose to jump over one intervening chess piece of either color. Jumping Chess is a Chess Variant where captures are made by jumping over a piece, as in Checkers. The standard chess array is used, but in order to avoid many un-captured pieces at the edge of the board, 2 extra ranks and 2 extra files are added.


“Welcome to a world of pain, disease, medicine and haircuts, the world of the Tudor surgeon!
I have a very important job on-board the Mary Rose – healing wounds, making medicines, doing operations, pulling teeth and making sure the crew are fighting fit.”
The Surgeon on the Mary Rose had to look after all the men on the Mary Rose, and while some of his treatments of their illnesses arelike the ones used today, some are very dfferent...
People didn’t look after their teeth in Tudor times. The men of the Mary Rose had a lot of cavities, and missing teeth. The surgeon would act as the dentist. However, the only real treatment he had for toothache was to pull the teeth out with pliers, often without anaesthetic.
The surgeon would try to mend broken arms or legs, using splints to help the bone heal. If this didn’t work, he might have to amputate, cutting off the damaged arm or leg. Luckily, this wasn’t done very often.
There was no effective anaesthetic at the time, so the surgeon would have to work very quickly. The surgeon would use sharp tools to cut through the flesh and bone, then would seal the wound with heat to stop bleeding.
The theory of the four humours was an ancient idea, still popular in Tudor times. It wasn’t until the 1800s that it was abandoned.
It was thought at the time that there were four liquids in the body; blood, phlegm, black bile and yellow bile. These were called the ‘humours’. It was believed that people became sick when the liquids were out of balance.
One of the ways a surgeon could try to keep a patients’ humours in balance was to bleed them. This was done by opening a vein and catching the blood in a bowl like the one found on the Mary Rose.
The surgeon could also use leeches. The patient wouldn’t feel any pain because the leeches have an anaesthetic in their saliva. Leeches are sometimes used today, although bleeding is no longer practised.
The surgeon’s chest found on the Mary Rose contained the largest collection of Tudor medical supplies. This includes many medicines, still in their original containers
Nine of the wooden containers in the chest contained ointments. Some of them may have been used to prepare dressings. We also found spatulas, which might have been used to apply the ointments, either to the patient or to bandages.
A wooden container full of peppercorns was also found in the chest, these could have been used as a medicine to help a patient expel wind. Many Tudor medicines were made from herbs and spices, some of which are still used today. The surgeon would have books full of herbal remedies.
Some treatments were worse than others. Some diseases were treated by injecting the sufferer with a poisonous liquid metal called mercury. Not only did the treatment not work, mercury makes you go mad! Some of the mercury, and a syringe for this job, was found on the Mary Rose.
There’s very little evidence of diseases from the human remains found on the ship. However, ships contained a lot of men all crowded together, so disease could spread very quickly. Luckily, the crew had ways of pretecting themselves from getting ill.
Nobody knew the real cause of disease; some people thought it was caused by bad air, and carried pomanders full of sweet herbs and spices to keep the smells away.
Among the surgeon’s belongings was a wooden feeding bottle, used to feed a sailor who was too ill or injured to feed themselves. It might have been filled with a stew or a type of broth to make it easy to administer the much needed nutritious food.
Headlice were a common problem on-board ships, much as they are in schools today! The crew of the Mary Rose would use nit combs to remove lice and fleas from their hair.
The men of the Mary Rose would have known that keeping clean was the key to good health. We found many items that were important for this, including a manicure set!
The surgeon’s assistant would have carried out basic jobs, such as washing and cutting hair for the crew. The tools used to do this were found in the surgeon’s cabin. These included combs, a shaving bowl and razors.
The razors had long blades that folded back into the handles. Unfortunately, the blades of the barber-surgeon’s tools have all rusted away. You had to be careful using these razors; it was very easy to cut the person you were shaving. Another name for them is cut-throat razors!
This brass shaving bowl comes from the surgeon’s cabin. There is a scoop taken out of the rim so that the bowl can fit tightly against the person’s neck.


Tell Them We Are Rising explores the pivotal role historically black colleges and universities have played in America.
A grisly discovery of more than 400 mutilated bodies in Mexico is turning history on its head and rewriting what we know about the Aztec civilization.
History took a turn in 1992 when Mexican archaeologists uncovered 400 mutilated skeletons, more than 40 of which turned out to be bodies of 15th century Spanish conquistadors. For years, historians have claimed that the Aztecs welcomed the Spanish with open arms. Now, solid evidence proves the Aztecs not only resisted the conquistadors, they sacrificed them, and even engaged in cannibalism.


February is Black History Month across Canada and many of us are taking the time to understand, take stock, and act to address anti-Black racism. This month of education, reflection, and action provides Canadians with the opportunity to consider how all aspects of identity, including race, inform Black History in Canada.
It is common to talk about different aspects of identity as if they stand alone. But in reality, people’s identities co-exist in one’s life and one aspect of their identity informs another.
For example, the history of African Nova Scotians is informed by the history of enslavement in Canada, and the anti-slavery movement that was led by many African Nova Scotian leaders like Richard Preston. His movement to address racism and promote community well-being was grounded in his Christian faith. Under his leadership, churches became sites of community gathering. In Ontario, Sandwich First Baptist Church, constructed in 1851 as part of the Underground Railroad, is one of the oldest active Black churches in Canada. Designated a National Historic Site in 2000, the church highlights that Black history in Canada is part of Canadian history. These stories demonstrate how race, religion, citizenship status, and community well-being are all intertwined when we discuss Black history in Canada. Other examples include the First Baptist Church in Toronto and the role of Viola Desmond’s Christian community in her stand against racism.
The whole person
Race, religion, and spirituality continue to be interconnected for many people. Singling out one aspect of their identity misses out the richness and complexity of understanding the whole person.
The past shows us that laws and social norms segregated people by race. They informed how Black Canadians were excluded or lacked access to education, jobs, suitable housing, citizenship rights, among other things. In response, many Black religious communities supported the well-being of the Black community.
Today, institutional slavery no longer exists but segregation continues in behaviour and attitude. These behaviours and attitudes maintain anti-Black racism in the larger society (seen in education, justice system, access to jobs, etc.) as well as religious groups (seen in some Prairie Christian churches, some Montreal Muslim mosques, and some Jewish communities) across Canada.
As Canadians work together to promote equity and eliminate hate and discrimination, we need to understand the complex reality of how race, religion, and spirituality, among many other aspects of identity, are interconnected. When we do so, we are able to fully engage with Black History in Canada.
By: Dr. W. Y. Alice Chan and Dr. Margie Patrick
To read other ways to use religious literacy, check out other Thought Corner contributions here: https://ccrl-clrc.ca/religious-literacy-resources/thought-corner/


When we think about planting home gardens, we think of either landscaping with inedible plants or planting a separate vegetable garden. Why not combine them into a beautiful and useful garden you can eat? Edible plants can provide decoration and give us a healthy food source at the same time.
Incorporating edible plants into your existing landscape can provide interesting and varied displays for every season. They can attract butterflies and birds, reduce chemicals compared to store-bought produce and yield food that is fresh and tastes better than store-bought products.
Herbs, vegetables and even fruit grow well in containers. Mixed into your existing garden, they can give spice and visual variety, provide borders for walkways, be used as hedges and walls, provide striking canopies and shade and be used as replacements for high maintenance lawns. They can give brilliant shows of seasonal colors and double as fresh food.
If you let seasonal plants grow to maturity, they will show off wonderful flowers that contrast with your everyday green landscape plants. A few of them are basil, chamomile, chives, and mint. Attractive borders can be achieved with kale, lavender, marjoram, parsley, and shallots.
Instead of grass and other traditional ground covers, think about using creeping mint, Alpine strawberry, thyme, and trailing rosemary. Both nasturtium and mint will cover large areas. Some plants can be started and pruned into hedges, even lemons and limes.
Planting many edible crops is seasonal, so you have to plant warm-season crops (the soil should be between 60 and 80 degrees when planted) in spring, and cool-season crops in fall. Edible plants normally need at least six hours of sunlight a day. Vegetable plants often need plenty of water, so plants that are interspersed with other plants must have compatible water requirements.
To find out more about landscaping with edible plants, the Master Gardeners are giving a free Advice to Grow By workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 16 in the Garden of the Seven Sisters, 2156 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo.
GOT A GARDENING QUESTION?
Contact the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners: at 781-5939 from 1 to 5 p.m. on Monday and Thursday; at 473-7190 from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday in Arroyo Grande; and at 434-4105 from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday in Templeton. Visit the UCCE Master Gardeners Web site at http://ucanr.org/sites/mgslo or email firstname.lastname@example.org .


By- V.P. Prabhakar :The Indian freedom struggle is a unique example in the history of mankind. The people of all sections, rising above caste-creed, ‘panth’ and community considerations, had come together to take part in it. Starting from 1857 to 1947 it was the struggle and sacrifices of many generations of people as a result of which Independence was achieved. Lakhs of people had taken part in the freedom struggle.
Regular reverence is paid to Subhash Chander Bose, known as Netaji, who formed the Indian National Army (INA) to fight the Britishers. The INA had given a big jolt to the mighty British Empire and the people always remember him for his courage and sacrifice. Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru, Udham Singh, Lala Lajpat Rai and thousands of others scarified so that their countrymen could breathe freely in Independent India.
Now it is the duty of the Central and State Governments to look after the freedom fighters who are alive, their spouses and dependent children. The Central Government had instituted the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme under which 1,70,200 freedom fighters and their dependents are at present getting pension. The number continues to vary every year, with the death of old freedom fighters and their dependents and spouses getting the same benefits.
At the time of independence, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh was one state called Punjab. Some parts of Himachal Pradesh were also part of Punjab. Keeping all these states and Chandigarh, the total number of freedom fighters and their dependents getting pension are 9406. If taken separately as today, there are 7008 freedom fighters and their dependents in Punjab, 1685 in Haryana, 89 in Chandigarh and 624 in Himachal Pradesh.
Bihar (Including Jharkhand) tops the list of pensioners with 24870 followed by West bengal with 22484 and very close to it are members of the Azad Hind Fauj (INA) with 22468. Uttar Pradesh has 17990 freedom fighters and their dependents, Andhra Pradesh with 14573, Jammu and Kashmir with 1806, Karnataka with 10084, Maharashtra 17732, Delhi with 2044 and Gujarat with 3596.
The following is the complete list Total (1,70,200) pensioners: Andhra Pradesh (14573), Arunachal Pradesh (0), Assam (4438), Bihar (including Jharkhand) (24870), Goa (1436), Gujarat (3596), Haryana (1685), Himachal Pradesh (624), Jammu & Kashmir (1806), Karnataka (10084), Kerala (3228), Madhya Pradesh (3468), Maharashtra (17732), Manipur (62), Meghalaya (86), Mizoram (04), Nagaland (03), Orissa (4189), Punjab (7008), Rajasthan (811), Sikkim (0), Tamil Nadu (4099), Tripura (887), Uttar Pradesh (17990), West bengal (22484), Andaman and Nicobar (03), Chandigarh (89), Dadar and Nagar Haveli (83), Daman and Diu (33), Lakshdweep (0), Delhi (2044), Pondicherry (317), Azad Hind Fauj (INA) (22468).
Eligibility : The scheme specifies eligibility criteria of imprisonment/underground sufferings of at least six months, internment in homes/externment from districts for at least six months, confiscation of properties, permanent incapacitation, loss of job or suffering at least ten strokes of flogging, which a claimant should have undergone in connection with the national freedom struggle, subject to furnishing of the prescribed evidence through the state government concerned.
Dependents : Spouses (widows/widowers), unmarried and unemployed daughters (upto maximum three) and parents of deceased freedom fighters (as also martyrs) are eligible for grant of dependent family pension under the scheme.
The Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme has been liberalised from time to time. Under the scheme, pension is granted to ex-Andaman Political prisoners, freedom fighters and their dependents. This includes provision for payment of pension to freedom fighters under Goa liberation movement and those who participated in the struggle for merger of erstwhile Nizam State of Hyderabad with Union of India.
Facilities to Freedom Fighters :
· Free railway pass (Ist class/AC sleeper) for freedom fighter and widow/widower along with a companion for life.
· Free medical facilities in all Central Government hospitals and hospitals run by PSUs under the control of the Bureau of Public Enterprises. Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) Facilities have also been extended to freedom fighters and their dependents.
· Telephone connection, subject to feasibility, without installation charges and on payment of only half the rental.
· General pool residential accommodation (within the overall 5 per cent discretionary quota) to freedom fighters in Delhi.
· Widow/widower of the freedom fighters is also permitted to retain the accommodation for a period of six months after the death of the freedom fighter.
· Accommodation in the Freedom Fighters’ Home set up at New Delhi for freedom fighters who have no one to look after the.
In addition to the above facilities, ex-Andaman freedom fighters are also entitled to the following facilities :
· Free voyage facility for freedom fighter and widow, to visit Andaman and Nicobar Islands, once a year, along with a companion.
· Free air travel facility for freedom fighters, to visit Andaman and Nicobar Islands, once a year, along with a companion.
· All major facilities provided to freedom fighters are also extended to their widows/widowers.
A sum of Rs.550.05 crore has been earmarked for freedom fighters pension and other facilities in 2008-09. This amount was Rs.440.05 crore in 2007-08 and in revised budget for 2007-08 was increased to Rs.500.10 crore. For free railway passes Rs.35 crore has been kept for 2008-09 which was Rs.31 crore in the revised budget for 2007-08. The eligibility criterion for grant of pension on ground of jail suffering specifies a minimum period of six months which the freedom fighters should have undergone in connection with the freedom movement. However, as a special dispensation for women freedom fighters and for members of the scheduled castes/scheduled tribes, the minimum period has been kept at three months.
Eligible dependents or deceased freedom fighters for grant of dependent family pension are spouses (widow/widower) unmarried and unemployed daughters (upto three), mother and father. Hence, though sons have not been recognized as eligible dependents, unmarried and unemployed daughters have been extended this benefit.


You have just learned that you will be required to read not any old Shakespearean play but one of the Bard’s complex tragedies—Macbeth. How will you ever muddle through the unfamiliar language or plot? Following these 8 steps will help you quickly understand and appreciate the play. You may even become quite the Shakespeare connoisseur!
1) Read a modern translation along with the original. Most teachers will be happy for you to also use a modern translation because they know it can be tough to understand Macbeth at first. For an excellent side-by-side translation, see the eNotes version here. One word of caution, however—be sure to still read the original words. Once you get the hang of it (and we promise that you will), the language really makes the play. You won’t want to miss out!
2) Relate to the passion between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Love is a timeless theme, so you can comprehend how Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship thrived on love and mutual support, trust, and respect. However, when trust breaks down, secrets reign, and respect dissipates, any relationship will fall apart...whether you are from the 17th century or 21st century.
3) Do background research into the time period. You will appreciate Shakespeare and his works so much better if you take the time to research some of the history and culture of the Elizabethan era. What was it like to be a member of a royal family? What did people do for recreation? What beliefs and superstitions did people hold? The answers to those questions and many others will help you relate to the characters and themes of Macbeth.
4) Delineate the tragic flaw. A tragic flaw is an inevitable shortcoming of a character that often leads to his or her demise. How does this concept apply to the character of Macbeth? Is he a victim of a domineering wife with no scruples? Is he a puppet of the evil witches? Is he just a man with a dream he cannot control? Pinpoint some answers to these questions, and you have mastered one of the major themes of Macbeth.
5) Realize the plot is action-packed and exciting. Would you want to read a story with supernatural twists, a passionate relationship, betrayal, and murder? How about one that you could always relate to no matter how long ago the book was written? All of these descriptive phrases characterize Macbeth. From the eerie witches predicting (or controlling?) the action to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s ambitions spurring them to perform unspeakable horrors, a better story would be hard to find!
6) Act out complicated scenes. Most teachers will have students act out scenes from Macbeth as part of a class study. Volunteer to be a character, and you’ll really understand the ins and outs of what makes that character tick. Also, you will understand the play far better if you act it out rather than read it silently. Plays, after all, are meant to be performed and are written with this end in mind.
7) Annotate and react. Use whatever strategies for annotation and active reading your teacher has taught you in the past while you read Macbeth. Make note of quotes or moments that confuse or intrigue you as well. When you read a difficult work, this step is crucial.
8) Label or organize characters to keep them straight. Make a “family tree” or create an original graphic organizer to help you keep the characters and their roles in the play straight. Have this organizer with you while you read, and make additional notes right in the text whenever needed.


By Yang Sung-jin
Chief investigators from Korea and the United States are scheduled to hold their first meeting this week to discuss for a joint probe into the Nogun-ri massacre.
The investigation into the massacre of civilian refugees by U.S. troops during the 1950-53 Korean War may reveal how and why hundreds of Koreans were killed upon orders from U.S. Army commanders.
Whatever the outcome of the joint investigation, the Nogun-ri massacre would not have happened if the nation had been prepared for possible attacks from North Korea.
A similar logic can be applied to the military preparedness of Choson Kingdom which suffered numerous invasions from hostile neighboring countries.
The general perception is that Choson did not pay much attention to the military buildup, which led to the Japanese Invasion of 1592 and the Manchu Invasion of 1636.
But according to annals articles, the nation did make great efforts to defend itself against foreign invasions in the earlier period.
For instance, the Choson court was eager to learn techniques to manufacture swords and spears from Japan in the 15th century.
At the time, the Japanese sharpened their edge when it came to battle- oriented swords and spears.
Occasionally, Japanese diplomats visiting Korea presented refined swords to the Choson government as gifts in a show of their advanced technology.
On June 1 of 1430, King Sejong awarded Sim Ul, a naval officer who crossed the East Sea to Japan and acquired skills necessary to produce a Japanese sword.
Impressed by the high-quality sword made by Sim Ul, King Sejong gave clothes and food to him, while exempting the naval officer from his military duty.
In September of 1628, the Ministry of Military Affairs filed an appeal to King Injo over the declining military power: “In every battle, fighting with swords is the key to securing the final victory. King Sonjo knew the principle and that’s why he ordered every military official to practice swordsmanship. But nowadays military officials do not practice with swords, which is deeply regrettable.”
Certainly, the Choson kings and officials tried to beef up military readiness in the 15th century. As a result, the nation enjoyed an extended period of peace and stability.
In the following period, officials began to ignore military issues, taking the hard-earned peace for granted.
Moreover, today’s historians point out King Sejo’s coup as a key factor that undercut the overall military policy of Choson.
King Sejo staged a military coup and took over the throne of his nephew, King Tanjong, by force. Therefore, King Sejo understood the tremendous ramification of the military power better than anyone else.
As soon as King Sejo settled down in the court, he began to reign in the military and weapons production in a bid to block any attempt of future military coup.
The tight control on the production of military weapons stifled innovation in technology, thus downgrading the nation’s self-defense level.
At the same time, officials in charge of weapons production and management lost a sense of discipline.
In June of 1463, state-owned weapons were stolen and officials involved were punished.
In 1467, an official named No Cho-kuyong was arrested on the charge of illegally producing weapons for private purposes.
Notably, a movable rocket named “Shinkichon,” which played a key role in fighting off invaders in the earlier period of Choson, became a ritualistic tool.
According to an article dated on Oct. 20, 1456, when the court staged a royal procession, Shinkichon was used as a tool to create smoke in the background.
The humiliating downgrade of Shinkichon reached a climax when King Yonsangun ordered officials to use the powerful weapon for pleasure- seeking in May of 1506.
“When I play at Mangwonjong, let no ship approach the pavilion. Use Shinkichon to fire shots at any intruder as a warning,” the notorious tyrant said.
During the reign of King Chungjong, the military issue was pushed aside, giving priority to national affairs.
For instance, officials asked the king to produce weapons by melting huge bells at Hunchon and Hungduk Temples in 1512 but the material for military purposes never reached the furnace.
Instead, the bells were melted to produce bowls and kitchenware.
In the mid-16th century, Japanese sea-borne pirates began to assault Choson villages with gunpowder and explosives.
In 1555, a group of Japanese pirates raged in the southern coastal areas, which alarmed the Choson court.
Desperate to resolve the problem, court officials asked the king to melt bells at the East Gate and South Gate in Seoul to produce necessary military weapons.
But King Myongjong did not buy the idea. Officials filed another appeal, which was also rejected by the king who deemed the bell as an important Buddhist symbol.
“Although the objects are useless, we should not destroy them recklessly. The enemies can be quickly tamed if we dispatch a skillful military general who can handle the matter wisely,” King Myongjong said.
Annals writers criticized Myongjong’s short-sighted policy, predicting troubles ahead.
And their worries proved on the mark. Four decades later, Choson suffered the devastating Japanese invasion, a shameful result of irresponsible insouciance.


A Duke University student has created a wireless power saving technology called Sleep Well which has the capability to double the battery life of mobile devices, they claim.
The technology addresses the need for WiFi devices to 'stay awake' while waiting their turn to download a packet and this results in higher battery consumption in areas of dense WiFi availability.
Using an analogy Duke graduate student Malweiler explained the concept of the technology: "Big cities face heavy rush hours as workers come and leave their jobs at similar times. If work schedules were more flexible, different companies could stagger their office hours to reduce the rush."
"With less of a rush, there would be more free time for all, and yet, the total number of working hours would remain the same."
"The same is true of mobile devices trying to access the Internet at the same time," Manweiler said. "The SleepWell-enabled WiFi access points can stagger their activity cycles to minimally overlap with others, ultimately resulting in promising energy gains with negligible loss of performance."
The researchers called SleepWell a potentially 'important upgrade' to WiFi technology although it does seem unlikely that WiFi power savings will result in doubling of most smartphone phone users' battery life.
Still, power is power.


Hydrologic and geochemical research has identified and characterized the physical and chemical processes that control the evolution and movement of metal contaminants in ground water beneath Miami Wash and lower Pinal Creek. The dissolution of calcite in the alluvial aquifer has slowed and neutralized part of the acidic plume, and the sorption of some metals such as nickel and copper to other solids in the subsurface has lowered concentrations of these metals in the ground water.
Additional Publication Details
USGS Numbered Series
Hydrology and geochemistry of aquifer and stream contamination related to acidic water in Pinal Creek basin near Globe, Arizona