Experimental HIV Vaccine Prevents Infection in Nearly 1/3 of Subjects
Researchers optimistic, but questions remain
On Thursday, September 24, 2009, The Surgeon General of the U.S. Army released results from the Thai Phase III HIV vaccine study that demonstrated modest results in preventing HIV infection among participants in the clinical trial. The study found the vaccine regimen to be safe and 31 percent effective in preventing HIV infection.
The potential breakthrough comes after several failed vaccine trials; many scientists believed an HIV vaccine might not be possible. For the first time, however, the Thai Phase III study used the combination of two vaccines, Sanofi Pasteur’s ALVAC vaccine and the AIDSVAX B/E vaccine, developed by Vaxgen Inc. and licensed to the nonprofit Global Solutions for Infectious Diseases (GSID) in 2008. The research was sponsored jointly by the U.S. Army and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), along with Sanofi Pasteur and GSID.
The study, conducted in two Thai provinces, began in October 2003 and involved approximately 16,402 HIV-negative subjects ages 18-30 at various levels of risk for HIV infection. Trial participants were evenly divided into groups and received either the vaccine or placebo upon enrollment in the study and again after 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Participants were counseled on HIV risk reduction strategies and tested for the virus twice a year for three years. Among the 8,197 subjects who received the combination of vaccines, 51 contracted HIV during the study. This compares to 74 of the 8,198 participants in the placebo group who became infected with the virus. Those who became HIV-positive during the study have been offered treatment at no cost.
In a press release, Anthony S Fauci, M.D. and Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, acknowledges these new findings as “an important step forward in HIV vaccine research,” but cautions that “additional research is needed to better understand how this vaccine regimen reduced the risk of HIV infection.”
The United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS estimates that 7,000 people worldwide are newly infected with HIV everyday; 2 million people died of AIDS in 2007. There is much to consider regarding future HIV vaccine research. Yet, after more than two decades, the search for a safe, effective vaccine that protects against HIV infection has made an encouraging advance.
HIV AND AIDS Questions & Answers
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Drink a milkshake and the pleasure center in your brain gets a hit of happy — unless you’re overweight.
It sounds counterintuitive. But scientists who watched young women savor milkshakes inside a brain scanner concluded that when the brain doesn’t sense enough gratification from food, people may overeat to compensate.
The small but first-of-a-kind study even could predict who would pile on pounds during the next year: Those who harbored a gene that made their brain’s yum factor even more sluggish.
“The more blunted your response to the milkshake taste, the more likely you are to gain weight,” said Dr. Eric Stice, a senior scientist at the Oregon Research Institute who led the work.
A healthy diet and plenty of exercise are the main factors in whether someone is overweight. But scientists have long known that genetics also play a major role in obesity — and one big culprit is thought to be dopamine, the brain chemical that’s key to sensing pleasure.
Eating can temporarily boost dopamine levels. Previous brain scans have suggested that the obese have fewer dopamine receptors in their brains than lean people. And a particular gene version, called Taq1A1, is linked to fewer dopamine receptors.
Read more at Live Science


As a guinea pig owner, you should know that not all flowers or plants are edible and safe for guinea pigs. What about rose petals? Can guinea pigs eat rose petals?
Yes, Guinea pigs can eat rose petals. These parts of the flower have low calories and vitamins. They have high water content and are great for hydrating your pet. Also, they are highly medicinal and can be given to your pet to relieve pain and indigestion. Roses come in different colors; some are monotone, while others have variegated shades. Your guinea pig can eat rose petals, regardless of their color.
However, your pet would enjoy the darker shades because they have a sweeter taste than the white shades at the tips. If you intend to add them to your pet’s diet, serve any of these varieties; Old Blush, Rosa Rugosa Rubra, Hansa, Rosa Canina, and Dortmund. Your guinea pig would enjoy these species more because of their luscious flavor.
But how often is it safe for your guinea pig to eat rose petals? What other flowers can guinea pigs eat? Let’s dive right in.
Further Reading: “Can Guinea Pigs Chew On Cardboard?“
Is It Safe For Your Guinea Pig To Eat Rose Petals?
Yes, it’s safe for your guinea pig to eat rose petals. Rose petals contain 95 percent of water and have low calories. Besides, have small amounts of vitamin C and Iron.
However, give them to your pet in moderation because they are rich in calcium and your pet needs a low calcium diet. You can serve the petals to your pet 3 times a week. However, don’t give the stems. The stem contains thorn which can injure your pet. So, make sure to remove the petals from the stem before serving.
Since your pet can’t make its own vitamin C, the rosehip contains more vitamin C. So, you should allow your guinea pig to eat the rose petals with the rosehips. You can also serve the petals with other fruits like carrots or strawberries. But first, a warning: Never give your pet roses sprayed with pesticide! It’s safer to grow the flowers yourself. If you are unsure of the source of the flowers, wash them properly before serving to your pet.
You can serve the petals to your pet 3 times a week. However, don’t give the stems. The stem contains thorn which can injure your pet. So, make sure to remove the petals from the stem before serving
Related Reading: “Can Guinea Pigs Eat Carnations?“
What Flowers Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
Here are some nutritious flowers your guinea pig can eat:
Dandelions are rich in vitamin C&K, contains antioxidants and dietary fiber. This helps to improve your pet’s health, prevent infection as well as diseases of the heart and liver. Dandelion is recommended for diabetic cavies because they contain chicory and chlorogenic that helps in controlling the blood sugar level.
These flowers are rich in vitamin A which is great to boost your pet’s immune system. They contain vitamin C that your pet needs to avoid suffering from scurvy. Rosemary also has niacin which helps to reduce pain. The vitamin B6 in rosemary helps to produce serotonin necessary to prevent depression in pets. You can further read my detailed article about Rosemary for guinea pigs.
These beautiful flowers are safe for cavies to eat. They are low in sugar and contain dietary fiber and can help to prevent constipation in your pet. Also, they have antioxidants that can help to prevent various diseases in your pet.
Nasturtium is a safe flower for your pet to eat. They contain vitamin C. They also contain iron which can help them develop strong bones. You can give your cavy both the petals and leaves to eat.
Related Article: “Can Guinea Pigs Eat Chamomile?“
What Flowers Guinea Pigs Can’t Eat?
Cavies can’t eat every flower or plant. Some of these plants contain compounds that are toxic to your cavy pets. Besides, cavies are small animals and can’t breakdown some compounds in these flowers as humans do. So, if you have houseplants in the house, you must take precautions to avoid your pet from eating the flowers that may be poisonous to them.
Some of these flowers are; daffodils, sweet peas, asters, ivy, daisies, goldenrod, mallow, and yarrow, buttercup, Hyacinth, Iris, Rhododendron, etc. Also, guinea pigs should never eat flowers that are sprayed with pesticides. While some flowers are edible for cavies but the leaves and stems themselves are inedible. An example of such flowering plants in that category is the rose stem. Rose stalks have thorns that can injure your pet.
I recommend you to watch carefully for what your guinea eat if you let him play outside.
Some harmful flowers for guinea pigs are: daffodils, sweet peas, asters, ivy, daisies, goldenrod, mallow, and yarrow, buttercup, Hyacinth, Iris, Rhododendron
Related Article: “Can Guinea Pigs Eat Maple Leaves?“
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Marigolds?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat marigolds. Marigolds are flowers in the sunflower family. They are edible and used mostly for medicinal properties. These flowers are safe for guinea pigs. They are highly nutritious and contain antioxidants that protect your pet’s body against diseases. Marigold can also be used to reduce stomach upset, indigestion, and colitis. They have anti-fungal properties that help to protect your cavy from fungal infection. Give your pet marigold petals twice a week. However, wash properly before giving your cavy to eliminate traces of pesticides.
Further Reading: “Do Guinea Pigs Have Feelings?“
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Lavender?
Guinea pigs can eat lavender petals. The leaves are also safe for your pet. Lavender is rich in vitamin C and can be used to treat scurvy. This flower is flavorsome and has a sweet taste. They have a mint flavor and are great for relieving your pet of stress. You can give your pet this flower to eat twice a week. You can also add a variety to your pet’s diet by serving her some lettuce or bananas with the lavender flowers.
Further Reading: “Can Guinea Pigs Eat Chinchilla Food?“
Rose petals shouldn’t only be considered for wedding proposals or beautiful moments. You can also feed these beautiful flowers to your cavies. But remember: feed them moderately to your pet. 3 times a week is ok. Dandelion would also be a good option for diabetic cavies. Rosemary boosts their immune system, marigold could prevent constipation and nasturtium will help your cavies build stronger bones. Before you serve your pet any flower, always make sure to do your research so you don’t feed your guinea pigs with poison and harmful flowers.


From Physics 111-Lab Wiki
Professor Donald A. Glaser was a master of experimental sciences throughout his career. Born in Cleveland and educated at Case Institute of Technology, he earned a doctorate at Caltech and taught at the University of Michigan before accepting a post at UC Berkeley in 1959. Early in his career, Dr. Glaser experimented with ways to make the workings of sub-atomic particles visible. For this research and his subsequent invention of the bubble chamber, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1960. He then began exploring the new field of molecular biology, improving techniques for working with bacterial phages, bacteria, and mammalian cells. By designing equipment to automate his experiments and scale them up, he could now run thousands of experiments simultaneously, generating enough data to move the science forward. Recognizing the implications for medicine, Dr. Glaser and two friends created the pioneering biotech company Cetus Corporation in 1971, thus launching the genetic engineering industry.
Later in his career Dr. Glaser continued his experimental research, developing mathematical models for understanding fundamental processes of human vision. Throughout his life he balanced scientific work with an equally passionate interest in classical music, playing viola in chamber music ensembles wherever he went. Avidly curious, innovative, and devoted to the advancement of scientific knowledge, Dr. Glaser was a much sought-after consultant and advisor before his death in 2013.
Physics 111 experimentation laboratory is an intensive 3-unit laboratory course for 3rd- and 4th-year physics students at the University of California, Berkeley. It follows the Physics 111 Instrumentation Laboratory , which introduces students to electronics, measurement techniques, signal processing, computerized data acquisition, and control. With these tools, students in the Advanced Lab section of Physics 111 undertake four experiments, each taking 2-4 weeks to perform. The students select these experiments from 20 or so experiments permanently set up in the Lab. They represent a wide range of topics and techniques used in experimental physics. Many of the experiments replicate Nobel prize-winning studies and all are designed to develop skills essential to research.
What to do First
- NOTE 1: To reduce overhead and risk of getting inconsistent data, you must make sure that you have blocks of consecutive afternoons to complete some of the experiments (see the list of available experiments for this requirement Experiment_Signups).
- See the list of experiments to choose
- NOTE 2: All students log into bCourses and complete the Signature Card then submit it before you come to the Lab. You must complete this before starting anything in the Lab.
- NOTE 3: All students come to the introduction meeting on the first Day of Class in 286 LeConte Hall at 1:00 PM.
- NOTE 4: Each student must have your picture available in the University of California at Berkeley's bCourses site. If NOT you must then turn in a PASSPORT PHOTO (not your passport but an actual passport photo) on the first day of Lab for security purposes.
- NOTE 5: All Advanced Lab Students are required to do the Error Analysis Exercise within the first week. (see due dates)
- Latex templates are located on the bCourses site under files.
Attention: There is NO eating or drinking in the 111-Lab anywhere, except in room 282 and 286 LeConte on the benches with the BLUE strip around it. Thank You the Staff.
Physics 111 Advanced Lab Syllabus and Due Dates
Physics 111-Lab Syllabus and due dates can be found: Advanced Lab Syllabus
Physics 111-Lab Library Reference Site
Reprints and other information can be found on the Physics 111 Library Site.
About This Wiki
This site supplements the Instrumentation site 111-Lab Instrumentation Lab course web site by providing the lab manual for each experiment assignment. Each link in the "Advanced Lab Experiments" sidebar to the left leads to Wiki pages containing a guide to the experiment, including Pre-Lab Questions, references, theory, and instructions.
For students currently enrolled in the course
You can view and print any pages on the wiki without having an account or logging in.
If you see errors in the lab writeups or places that need improvement, talk to your instructors or GSI. They can edit the wiki quickly to make minor changes so that the next student gets the improved version. If you see the need for extensive revisions, print out the page and write in your suggestions to give to the instructor. In some cases, we will give a students an account to edit the wiki if they propose some useful improvements. We really value input from students to make the labs better.
For other visitors of our Wiki
This Wiki is open to the public to view but not to edit. Copyright is held by the University of California Regents. However, we gladly make content available to other schools for non-profit educational use. Some links to copyright-protected references and software are not available to anyone without authentication as a Physics 111 student or staff.
Equipco Rentals of Concord, California donated two Newport Corporation, Research Series Optical Tables with Pneumatic Vibration Isolation mounts and table stands to our Physics Department. Equipco provides rentals, sales, and service of scientific instruments. Visit the Equipco Environmental Equipment Rental Website for more information about their products or call direct at 1-888-234-5678 if you have a specific need. They have a wide selection of instruments available for donation to UC Berkeley.
Professor Jan Liphardt initiated this site at the suggestion of Steven Wasserman and wrote a document converter to create Wiki pages from Microsoft Word files. Two Segrè Interns, Nick Ravn and Diana Lee, spent much of July 2007 converting the lab writeups from Word to Wiki, entering all the equations in LaTeX, and figuring out how to administer the Wiki site. Don Orlando currently administers the Wiki. The teaching staff and Don Orlando do much of the editing.
New to Wikis? Consult the User's Guide.
Here is a Visual Basic script to convert word files into MediaWiki format.


Interracial dating and religion
Women are slightly more likely to “marry out” than men in this group: 61% of Native American female newlyweds married outside their race, compared with 54% of Native American male newlyweds.
More than six-in-ten say it would be fine with them if a family member told them they were going to marry someone from any of three major race/ethnic groups other than their own.
Some racial groups are more likely to intermarry than others.
Of the 3.6 million adults who got married in 2013, 58% of Native Americans, 28% of Asians, 19% of blacks and 7% of whites have a spouse whose race was different from their own.
The overall numbers mask significant gender gaps within some racial groups.
The United States has many ethnic and racial groups, and interracial marriage is fairly common among most of them.
Since ethnic Mexicans were considered white by Texas officials and the U. government, such marriages were a violation of the state's anti-miscegenation laws.Yet, there is no evidence that anyone in South Texas was prosecuted for violating this law.
After the Emancipation Proclamation, many intermarriages in some states were not recorded and historically, Chinese American men married African American women in high proportions to their total marriage numbers due to few Chinese American women being in the United States.Only 12% of black women married outside of their race.For Asians, the gender pattern goes in the opposite direction: Asian women are much more likely than Asian men to marry someone of a different race.In English, an "interracial marriage" refers to the institution of marriage, including childless marriages.Formerly, the term was used more widely as a euphemism for interracial sexual unions that produced mixed-race offspring out of wedlock, since both miscegenation and illegitimacy were historically taboo in Western culture, particularly in the context of Victorian morality.Native Americans have the highest interracial marriage rate among all single-race groups.


As part of a study on transportation safety, the U.S. Department of Transportation collected data on the number of fatal accidents per 1000 licenses and the percentage of licensed drivers under the age of 21 in a sample of 42 cities. Data collected over a one-year period follow. These data are contained in the file Safety.
Initial post prompt: Your Managerial Report serves as your initial post to the discussion forum. After responding to the requirements posed by the Managerial Report, also provide an example in your career in which you believe one of the lessons learned from the Case has been/could be applicable. Alternatively, if you dont have/foresee direct experience relevant to your current position, what type of scenario can you anticipate occurring where you can utilize one of the lessons learned from examining this case?
Response post prompt: Consider Managerial Reports posted by two of your peers. One or both of your responses may be to Managerial Reports for a case problem different from your own. Think critically and ask open-ended questions. If you agree, consider their position and expand upon their ideas. Provide an additional perspective. If you disagree, provide your reasoning. Always be professional and courteous in your responses.
Post by classmate 1
In question 1 I created a scatter plot and a regression data analysis chart to summarize the data found by the US department of transportation safety. As we can see from the scatter plot there is a positive linear relationship between the number of fatal accidents per 1000 licenses and percent of drivers under 21. I also included a dotted line to further show the positive regression between the two. In my regression data analysis chart we find important values R squared and the intercept and x variable. All values are also displayed on the plot and provide us more information of the relationship between X and Y.
Question 2 asks us to discuss our findings. Using our intercept and x variable value displayed in my regression analysis we then find our estimated regression equation. Our equation is written as y = 0.2871x – 1.5974 or y = -1.5974 + 0.2871x. The regression equation tells us when the percentage value of drivers under the age of 21 increases, the fatal accident per 1000 licenses increases by 0.2871. Now we consider R squared to determine how well the equation fits the data and if it accurately depicts the changes in the dependent variable. From my regression analysis chart I found a R squared or coefficient of determination value of +0.7046. Our textbook explains that a positive value indicates that in a linear regression, variables x and y have a strong relationship because the value is positive. Furthermore, a R squared value can be written as a percentage and in this case is 70.5%. This means the scatter plot values around the regression line are small in difference and more significant in fitting the linear regression.
The most important conclusion that can be made is there is a significant relationship between the number of fatal accidents and the percentage of drivers under the age of 21 in the 42 cities observed. Our estimated regression equation even tells us that when the percentage of drivers under the age of 21 increases, fatal accidents per 1000 licenses also increases by 0.2871. While that number might not seem significant our R squared percentage of 70.5% tells us the dependent variable variation to the linear model is strong and significant. Recommendations for the US department of Transportation may include additional testing to receive a license for individuals under the age of 21 to prevent fatal accidents from occurring.
Anderson, D. R., Sweeney, D. J., Williams, T. A., Camm, J. D., Cochran, J. J., (2021). Modern Business Statistics with Microsoft Office Excel (7th ed.) Cengage.
Post by classmate 2
This weeks case study was about the U.S Department of Transportation. The data that was collected was on the number of fatal accidents per 1000 licenses and the percentage of licensed drivers under the age of 21 in a sample of 42 cities total.
In my analysis, I used the regression method which show a positive impact between the two data sets. Within the regression data, the R square was proven to be an important value. Shown in my scattered plot I was able to provide more information between X = percent under 21 and Y = Fatal Accidents per 1000 which equal the R square. Using this method, I was able to learn that the regression analysis is very reliable when I comes to identifying which variable have a impact on specific interest. Based on the chart that I provided, the slope Y = 0.2871x 1.5674 = 0.7046 which is R Squared. When looking at my scatter plot, there was a positive correlation between the two data samples. As a result, I am seeing that the percentage of licensed underage of 21 increased and the fatal accidents per 1000 licenses has increased by 0.2871.
Lastly, I would recommend that there should be a mandatory driving test after driving school in order to get their licenses. After reviewing this data, I believe that the U.S Department of Transportation should implement this to ensure that everyone is having the proper training on how to operate a vehicle. Furthermore, I believe that having someone coach you to be prepared to look out for other people while driving is very important, and it can keep you safe. I believe that the regression method is very useful in for this research which allowed us to see a change in each variable. I believe that another great example for this would possible be on the electrical market to see what customer are satisfied with their service.


What is Amplitude Modulation
- overview or tutorial about the basics of what is amplitude modulation, AM used for modulating a radio signal to carry sound or other information.
In order that a steady radio signal or "radio carrier" can carry information it must be changed or modulated in one way so that the information can be conveyed from one place to another. There are a number of ways in which a carrier can be modulated to carry a signal - often an audio signal and the most obvious way is to vary its amplitude.
Amplitude Modulation has been in use since the very earliest days of radio technology. The first recorded instance of its use was in 1901 when a signal was transmitted by a Canadian engineer named Reginald Fessenden. To achieve this, he used a continuous spark transmission and placed a carbon microphone in the antenna lead. The sound waves impacting on the microphone varied its resistance and in turn this varied the intensity of the transmission. Although very crude, signals were audible over a distance of a few hundred metres. The quality of the audio was not good particularly as a result of the continuous rasping sound caused by the spark used for the transmission.
Later, continuous sine wave signals could be generated and the audio quality was greatly improved. As a result, amplitude modulation, AM became the standard for voice transmissions.
Amplitude modulation applications
Amplitude modulation is used in a variety of applications. Even though it is not as widely used as it was in previous years in its basic format it can nevertheless still be found.
- Broadcast transmissions: AM is still widely used for broadcasting on the long, medium and short wave bands. It is simple to demodulate and this means that radio receivers capable of demodulating amplitude modulation are cheap and simple to manufacture. Nevertheless many people are moving to high quality forms of transmission like frequency modulation, FM or digital transmissions.
- Air band radio: VHF transmissions for many airborne applications still use AM. . It is used for ground to air radio communications as well as two way radio links for ground staff as well.
- Single sideband: Amplitude modulation in the form of single sideband is still used for HF radio links. Using a lower bandwidth and providing more effective use of the transmitted power this form of modulation is still used for many point to point HF links.
- Quadrature amplitude modulation: AM is widely used for the transmission of data in everything from short range wireless links such as Wi-Fi to cellular telecommunications and much more. Effectively it is formed by having two carriers 90° out of phase.
These form some of the main uses of amplitude modulation. However in its basic form, this form of modulation is being sued less as a result of its inefficient use of both spectrum and power.
Amplitude modulation basics
When an amplitude modulated signal is created, the amplitude of the signal is varied in line with the variations in intensity of the sound wave. In this way the overall amplitude or envelope of the carrier is modulated to carry the audio signal. Here the envelope of the carrier can be seen to change in line with the modulating signal.
Amplitude modulation, AM is the most straightforward way of modulating a signal. Demodulation, or the process where the radio frequency signal is converted into an audio frequency signal is also very simple. An amplitude modulation signal only requires a simple diode detector circuit. The circuit that is commonly used has a diode that rectifies the signal, only allowing the one half of the alternating radio frequency waveform through. A capacitor is used to remove the radio frequency parts of the signal, leaving the audio waveform. This can be fed into an amplifier after which it can be used to drive a loudspeaker. As the circuit used for demodulating AM is very cheap, it enables the cost of radio receivers for AM to be kept low.
Amplitude modulation advantages & disadvantages
Like any other system of modulation, amplitude modulation has several advantages and disadvantages. These mean that it is used in particular circumstances where its advantages can be used to good effect..
In view of its characteristics advantages and disadvantages, amplitude modulation is being used less frequently. However it is still in widespread use for broadcasting on the long, medium and short wave bands as well as for a number of mobile or portable communications systems including some aircraft communications.
Modulating and demodulating AM signals
Two key elements of any AM system are the circuits where the signal is modulated and demodulated.
Modulating an AM signal can be achieved in a number of ways. Essentially the simplest is to pass the RF carrier and the modulating signal into a mixer. The resulting output will be the required amplitude modulated signal.
Demodulation of AM can similarly be undertaken in a number of ways. The simplest is the simple diode detector.
Note on AM Demodulation:
In order to be able to extract any information being carried by an AM signal, it is necessary to pass it through a demodulator. The output from this stage provides the information that was carried by the AM signal. There are many methods of achieving this, using circuits that employ a variety of different techniques.
Read more about AM demodulation
Amplitude modulation related signals
Amplitude modulation forms the basis of a number of forms of signal apart from the basic mode. These signal formats are typically generated by removing or suppressing the carrier, and then utilising the sidebands. These formats are defined in greater detail in further pages of this tutorial.
|Double sideband, full carrier
i.e. basic AM
|DSB full carrier||A3E|
|Single sideband reduced carrier||SSB reduced carrier||R3E|
|Single sideband full carrier||SSB full carrier||H3E|
|Single sideband suppressed carrier||SSBSC||J3E|
While amplitude modulation is one of the simplest and easiest forms of signal modulation to implement, it is not the most efficient in terms of spectrum efficiency and power usage. As a result, the use of amplitude modulation is falling in preference to other analogue modes such as frequency modulation, and a variety of digital modulation formats. Yet despite this decrease, amplitude modulation is in such widespread use, especially for broadcasting, and many amplitude modulation signals can still be heard on the various long, medium and short wavebands where they will undoubtedly be heard for many years to come.
By Ian Poole
. . . . | Next >
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What’s the best way to relieve the ringing in my ears? Even though we don’t yet know how to cure tinnitus, it’s effects can be reduced by learning what triggers it and worsens it.
Researchers calculate that 32 percent of individuals have a nonstop buzzing, ringing, or whooshing sound in their ears. This disorder, which is known as tinnitus, can be a real problem. People who hear these noises have problems sleeping and concentrating, and they could also have associated hearing loss.
There are steps you can take to lessen the symptoms, but because it’s commonly related to other health conditions, there is no direct cure.
Avoid These Things to Reduce The Ringing
The first step in dealing with that constant ringing in your ears is to steer clear of the things that have been shown to cause it or make it worse. Loud noise is one of the most prevalent things that worsen tinnitus. Try to avoid using headphones, and if you are exposed to noise at work or at home, use some high-quality earplugs to minimize the damage.
Some medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and even high doses of aspirin can worsen the ringing so talk to your doctor. Be certain you speak with your doctor before you discontinue your medication.
Here are some other typical causes:
- too much earwax
- jaw problems
- other medical problems
- high blood pressure
Tinnitus And Problems With The Jaw
Your jaw and ears are closely related. This is why jaw issues can lead to tinnitus. The best example of this is a condition called Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ for short), which entails a breakdown of the shock-absorbing cartilage in the joints in your jaw. Tinnitus can be the result of the stress of basic activities such as chewing.
What can I do? If your tinnitus is the result of TMJ symptoms, then the best way to get relief is to find medical or dental treatment for the underlying cause.
Stress And That Ringing in my Ears
Stress can affect your body in very real, very tangible ways. Associated spikes in heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure can all lead to an increase of tinnitus symptoms. Stress, as a result, can trigger, exacerbate, and lengthen bouts of tinnitus.
What can be done? If stress is a significant cause of the ringing or buzzing in your ears, you can try remedies like yoga and meditation to try to relieve stress. It will also help if you can decrease the general causes of your stress.
It’s absolutely normal and healthy for you to produce earwax. But excessive earwax can irritate your eardrum, and begin to cause buzzing or ringing in your ears. If you can’t wash out the earwax normally because it has built up too much, the resulting tinnitus can become worse.
What can be done? The easiest way to reduce the ringing in your ears caused by too much earwax is to make sure your ears are clean! (Do not use cotton swabs in your ears.) In some situations, you may need to get a professional cleaning so that you can get the ringing or buzzing to go away (some people just normally produce a lot more earwax than others).
Tinnitus is Worsened by High Blood Pressure
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can create numerous health conditions, like tinnitus. High blood pressure has a way of intensifying the buzzing or ringing you’re already hearing, making it hard to disregard. High blood pressure has treatment which might reduce tinnitus symptoms in related situations.
What can I do? Neglecting high blood pressure is not something you should do. Medical treatment is recommended. But a lifestyle change, such as staying away from foods with high salt content and getting more exercise, can really help. Hypertension and stress can increase your blood pressure triggering tinnitus, so try to find lifestyle changes and relaxation techniques to decrease stress (and, thus, hypertension-related tinnitus).
Will Using a Masking Device or White Noise Device Help my Tinnitus?
If you distract your brain and ears, you can minimize the impact of the constant noise in your ears. Your TV, radio, or computer can be used as a masking device so you don’t even require any special equipment. If you prefer, there are hearing aids or special devices you can buy to help.
If you experience a constant ringing, buzzing, or whooshing sound in your ears, be serious about the problem. It may be a warning sign that you also have hearing loss, or that you are going through a medical problem that needs to be dealt with before it gets worse. Before what started as an aggravating problem becomes a more severe concern, take measures to protect your ears and if the ringing persists, get professional hearing help.


A diagram comparing the Earth, at left, to a cross-section of a super-Earth on the right. The super-Earth has a relatively small rocky core, an atmosphere of methane, water and hydrogen and an extended hydrogen envelope. (Credit: H. Lammer) Enlarge
Feb. 4, 2013 — In the last two decades astronomers have found hundreds of planets in orbit around other stars. One type of these so-called 'exoplanets' is the super-Earths that are thought to have a high proportion of rock but at the same time are significantly bigger than our own world. Now a new study led by Helmut Lammer of the Space Research Institute (IWF) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences suggests that these planets are actually surrounded by extended hydrogen-rich envelopes and that they are unlikely to ever become Earth-like. Rather than being super-Earths, these worlds are more like mini-Neptunes.
The scientists publish their work in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
'Super-Earths' follow a different evolutionary track to the planets found in our Solar system but an open question is whether they can evolve to become rocky bodies like the 'terrestrial planets' Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. To try to answer this, Dr Lammer and his team looked at the impact of radiation on the upper atmospheres of super-Earths orbiting the stars Kepler-11, Gliese 1214 and 55 Cancri.
This group of planets are all a few times more massive and slightly larger than Earth. They orbit very close to their respective stars. The way in which the mass of planets scales with their sizes suggests that they have solid cores surrounded by hydrogen or hydrogen-rich atmospheres, probably captured from the clouds of gas and dust (nebulae) from which the planets formed.
The new model suggests that the short wavelength extreme ultraviolet light (much 'bluer' than the blue light we see with our eyes) of the host stars heats up the gaseous envelopes of these worlds, so that they expand up to several times the radius of each planet and gas escapes from them fairly quickly. Nonetheless most of the atmosphere remains in place over the whole lifetime of the stars they orbit.
More of the story, click image


Best in Snow by April Pulley Sayre
A photographic non-fiction picture book about the wonder of snowfall and the winter water cycle.
A Big Bed for Little Snow by Grace Lin
When winter comes, Mommy makes a soft bed for Little Snow to sleep on, but each night he cannot resist jumping on the bed, causing tiny feathers to fly down.
Bunny Slopes by Claudia Rueda
In this interactive picture book, the reader must help Bunny stay on course as he skies down the slope.
First Snow by Bernette Ford
A family of young rabbits goes into a meadow at night to explore and play in winter's first snow.
First Snow by Peter McCarty
When Pedro comes from far away to visit his cousins, who are eager to introduce him to snow, all Pedro can think about at first is how much he dislikes cold.
First Snow by Emily McCully
The first snow has fallen, so the mice children spend the day ice skating and sledding with their Grandma and Grandpa.
Hello Winter! by Shelley Rotner
The basic facts about the season of Winter including how plants, animals, and the climate change and adapt are included in this photo essay introduction to winter.
Snow by Marion Dane Bauer
Uncovers the mysteries of snow and celebrates the joy it can bring.
Wintercake by Lynne Rae Perkins
When Thomas misplaces the basket of dried fruit he needs to make his seasonal wintercake, friends old and new come together to save the day. A book about holiday traditions and why they matter. It’s also a story about making mistakes and how mistakes can sometimes lead to wonderful things.
Winter Walk by Virginia Birnhall Snow
Slide, step and stomp through the snow with Grammy as she takes her grandkids on a winter adventure. As they explore the woods, they spot a cardinal, learn why some trees are green all year and build a tall snowman. At the end of the day, they learn how to build a pinecone bird feeder.
Wonderful Winter by Bruce Goldstone
A photographic picture book providing a comprehensive overview of facts about winter.


in progress edited by Daniel
Department of Adult Education, Community Development and Counselling Psychology,
The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto (OISE/UT)
The Economic Opportunity Act aided and augmented the community control movement, which originated in the 1960's. The law stated that programs would be " developed, conducted, and administered with the maximum feasible participation of the residents of the areas and members of the groups served." It called for community action programs to mobilize resources that could be used in a direct attack on the roots of poverty. Congress funded community school programs which would bring about " a significant shift in the sources of power affecting the control and support of school and opened a revolution in the politics of educational policy making." (Wayson, W.W. , March 1966, "The Political Revolution in Education" pp.333-339.)
The Community Control Movement, which originated in the 1960's, had a broad range of participants, including community groups, minority parents, teacher unions, and school administrators. This new movement in educational policy frequently led to confrontations among these diverse groups. The idea behind the movement was to shift power from teachers and administrators over to the local lay person. Along with the school and district administration, the community would share in the decision-making power in regards to the ways that the schools would be run. The significant policy making power was now extended to the citizens in order to influence the schools' personnel, curriculum, and budget levels. The purpose of community control was to increase community participation in the making of school policy, especially by the poor and those who were not previously involved. This allowed for greater political accountability among educators.
Community organizations argued with administrators and teacher unions that poor children could be better educated if the institution in charge was controlled by the community itself, rather than the educators. These organizations felt this would lead to greater parental participation, greater school innovation, and most importantly, improved academic performance. In opposition, superintendents and teachers felt this was like letting the passengers, not the pilot, fly the plane. They did not want to relinquish control since they believed they were the "experts". After several student strikes, parent picket lines, and demonstrations at board meetings, the school board became convinced that they had lost touch with large segments of minority communities, especially in the inner cities.
After the passage of the Economic Opportunity Act, the federal government poured money into initiating the community control movements across the country. Yet in 1968, following the election of Richard Nixon, funding was put to an immediate halt. The cities that were entering the implementation phase of the movement were thus plunged into financial crisis. The federal government and private groups, such as The Ford Foundation, ignited this movement by bringing the funds into these poor urban communities. Once the funding was withdrawn by Nixon, often referred to as "tricky Dick", the community control movement died in its tracks and never regained the opportunity to change the educational structure.
The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, which funded the Community Control Movement in public schools, was common to other events in the 60's. This movement attempted to shift the system into a new direction. It advocated community involvement in all aspects of the local schools in an attempt to bring disenfranchised urban groups into the loop. It was a reform movement which led to protests and demonstrations from the community, teachers, as well as the administration. These protests were not unlike those in Alabama of 1963, when John F. Kennedy sent troops into Alabama in order to desegregate their schools. Desegregation was also a new type of reform which met with more resistance in comparison to the Community Control Movement. The 1969 Teatro de la Esperanza, or "theater of hope", at UCSB was another method in the 60's which was used to help those who had been disenfranchised by the system vent their frustrations in an open forum. As the parents in the communities, who spoke of racial inequalities, these student were also given an opportunity to voice or act out their rage against ethnic injustice. There were numerous protest movements during the 60's, which dealt with the issue of inequality in America. Yet, perhaps none was greater or lasting than Martin Luther King Jr.'s march on Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963 when he delivered his, "I Have A Dream" speech.
One of the events which occurred before the Community Control Movement was the "Lemongrove Incident" in 1931. This event took place in San Diego at a time well before the national desegregation movements. The local Hispanic community felt that their children were not receiving the same quality of education as their white counterparts. They felt there was a racial bias being enacted by the Parent/Teacher Association (PTA). The Hispanic community argued that the PTA was preventing their children from entering local schools with whites and as well as providing the Hispanic community with an inadequate educational environment. They won their segregation lawsuit.
The Lemongrove Incident was perhaps a precursor to the Community Control Movement of the 60's. In 1938, the case Gaines vs Canada (Missouri) was another community reform issue. Although Mr. Gaines was unable to desegregate the Missouri Law School, the courts decided that he should be able to attend a separate but equal law school.
School-Based Management as School Reform. "Taking Stock", By: Joseph Murphy & Lynn G. Beck; Corwin Press Inc. 1995.
Prepared by: Mark H. Davis
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Last updated on May 26, 2002.
Number of visits to the 1960s


Country’s legislature passes law in order to protect human rights and water sources
Global Mining Campaign | March 29, 2017
Oxfam hailed today’s passing of a law banning metallic mining by the Salvadoran government. The law comes after years of violence and social tensions around mining in the country and strong opposition to mining from local communities, civil society organizations, the Catholic Church and more than 77% of the country’s population, according to a recent poll.
“This is an historic day for El Salvador and our right to decide our future,” said Oxfam’s El Salvador Country Director Ivan Morales. “The voice of the people has been heard. Mining is not an appropriate way to reduce poverty and inequality in this country. It would only exacerbate the social conflict and level of water contamination we already have.”
El Salvador is Central America’s smallest and most densely populated country. Ninety percent of its surface water is polluted, according to the country’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. For these reasons local activists called on the government to ban mining as it can further intensify water and land pollution.
In October 2016, the government won a favorable ruling after seven years of litigation over a claim against it by Australian mining company OceanaGold, which sought over $300 million for the government’s refusal to approve the company’s mining permit because it failed to meet all requirements. That ruling validated the government’s decision to withhold a mining permit and paved the way for today’s action by the Salvadoran congress, so that El Salvador never again has to face such lawsuits for exercising its right to protect its population from adverse impacts of mining.
Tensions around the development of mining in the country have resulted in threats, violence and even murder, with three anti-mining activists killed in recent years. Oxfam has supported Salvadoran civil society organizations and has worked to raise awareness of the OceanaGold case with members of the US Congress, who have expressed concerns about mining’s potential impacts in the country.
“This is an important precedent for communities around the world that are impacted by mining,” said Keith Slack, Oxfam’s Extractive Industries Global Program Director. “Governments and the mining industry need to recognize that mining is not inevitable and that the costs and benefits need to be weighed carefully.”
Oxfam is calling on mining companies operating in El Salvador, including OceanaGold, to withdraw from the country, and avoid any action that might incite violence.
“It’s important now that companies accept this decision and act responsibly,” said Vicki Gass, Oxfam’s Senior Policy Advisor for Central America. “International donors, in particular the US, should deepen their support for El Salvador’s efforts to develop sustainable economic alternatives to mining.”


It was based on Owen’s two ideals—pleasant, healthful circumstances and a lifetime of interesting exercise. Later infant schools in England, unlike Owen’s, emphasized memory drill and moral training whereas limiting the youngsters’s freedom of action. In 1836, nonetheless, the Home and Colonial School Society was based to train teachers within the methods superior by Pestalozzi. As an aspiring early education teacher, you should have the proper temperament.
In Spain, kindergarten is called Infantil or Educación Infantil and covers ages 3 to six, the three programs being known as, respectively, P-3, P-four and P-5. Though non necessary, most youngsters in Spain attend this programs. Home-primarily based packages, such as the neighborhood-based playgroups, household day care programs, parent education and home visiting programs. In Nepal, kindergartens are run as non-public establishments, with their lessons performed in English.
During Kindergarten, your child will work in the direction of a set of Early Learning …Continue Reading


Avaneesh Pandey | International Business Times
Human activity has pushed marine life toward a “precipice of major extinction event,” according to a recent study conducted by a team of U.S. scientists. The study, published Thursday in the journal Science, warned that unless immediate action is taken to mitigate the damage, the rate of extinction would continue to increase until it reaches a tipping point.
According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), nearly 10,000 species go extinct every year — a rate that is estimated to be at least 1,000 times higher than the natural extinction rate. However, until now, most of these extinctions have been observed in land animals and plants. Although oceans are not immune to human activity, the sheer size of the ecosystem has ensured that the problem is less severe than on land.
In the last five centuries, over 500 animal extinctions have been recorded on land. On the other hand, since 1500, scientists have recorded only 15 ocean extinctions, according to a report by The New York Times.
“Humans have caused few complete extinctions in the sea, but we are responsible for many ecological, commercial, and local extinctions,” the researchers said, in the study.
However, according to the latest study, which gathered data from a wide range of sources, including discoveries in fossil records, statistics on modern container shipping, fish catches and seabed mining, this might be about to change.
“Today’s low rates of marine extinction may be the prelude to a major extinction pulse, similar to that observed on land during the industrial revolution,” the researchers said, warning that signs of humans harming the oceans are already visible.
Many marine species are being overharvested resulting in irreversible damage to fragile ecosystems like mangroves, which are being replaced by fish farms, and fish in the sea have begun migrating to cooler and less acidic waters, while a rise in the number of container ships are resulting in greater numbers of whales dying from collisions, the study found.
“Wildlife populations in the oceans have been badly damaged by human activity … humans have profoundly decreased the abundance of both large and small marine fauna. Such declines can generate waves of ecological change that travel both up and down marine food webs and can alter ocean ecosystem functioning,” the researchers said, in the study, adding that climate change could further accelerate the rate of extinction of marine life over the next century.
The effects of climate-driven warming and acidification of oceans can already be clearly seen in coral reefs, which have declined by over 40 percent worldwide, the study reportedly found.
“If you cranked up the aquarium heater and dumped some acid in the water, your fish would not be very happy,” Malin Pinsky from Rutgers University, who was involved in the study, told the Times. “In effect, that’s what we’re doing to the oceans.”


Earthquakes kill. Existing methods of forecasting or predicting earthquakes are very long-term (years) and very inaccurate or very short term (seconds). If we had warning that a major quake was likely within days or weeks we could take action to prepare and reduce their risk of injury or death.
Rocks under extreme pressure produce electromagnetic effects that can be measured. Deploying a network of sensors along major fault lines will allow detection and analysis of these signals as input to an earthquake alert system. The value of such a system would be extremely high to emergency preparedness and response agencies, as well as governments, businesses, and individuals – in exactly the same way that forecasting of hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods has become vital.
Our design consists of a network of instrument packages placed about 20 miles apart near active seismic faults. Each package includes three magnetometers, air ionization, temperature and humidity sensors and a geophone. Data from the sensors is sent to a data center via satellite or cellular radio. The data are analyzed to remove noise and detect earthquake signatures. When clear indications of an impending earthquake are confirmed, authorities are notified to prepare an alert.
The theory behind this system has been confirmed in laboratory and field experiments, and the results have been published in peer-reviewed journals. Motivated by the search for the origins of life, researchers used a large industrial press to compress small rocks, and nearby instruments recorded changes in air ionization. This result was confirmed at much larger scale outdoors under un-controlled conditions. A seven-ton boulder was split by injecting expanding concrete into drilled holes. Nearby instruments recorded results very similar to those from the laboratory experiments, and those recorded before and during earthquakes.
There is currently no operational system anything like the one proposed. The market opportunities are not clear. Systems for forecasting weather are similar in nature, consisting of many geographically dispersed sensors and large data processing centers. They are operated by government agencies around the world, which share data globally to maximize accuracy and value. It is likely that our proposed system will evolve to become part of a global earthquake monitoring and alert system that would combine observation of several electromagnetic effects both on the ground and from space with integrated analysis of many data sets. This effort is ultimately beyond the scope of an individual corporate entity.
There was a time when weather forecasting was thought to be impossible. And there will come a time when earthquake forecasting is commonplace. When this happens, the quality of life for those living in earthquake-prone areas will improve considerably as their become confident of receiving adequate warning that will allow them to stock up on supplies, avoid risky places, or leave the area temporarily. Emergency responders will know in advance where to position equipment and supplies, greatly simplifying and reducing reaction cost. The combination of individual and institutional preparedness will dramatically reduce the loss of life from major earthquakes.


The conceptual framework of accounting is a set of theoretical constructs that determines the logic, structure and functioning principles of the adopted accounting system in the context of the surrounding legal, political and economic environment. It is also considered as a basis for the development of accounting standards. However, the system has still some problems that prevent it from being a perfect one. This article discusses the essence of the conceptual framework of accounting as well as its main disadvantages.
Defining the Basis of Accounting
For the first time, the term conceptual framework of accounting was proposed in 1952 by the American Institute of Accountants (now the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants AICPA) as a characteristic of the basic ideas, postulates, principles, and concepts in the field of accounting. Currently, in the United States, this term refers to a set of Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts (SFAC) that includes:
- Goals of financial reporting of commercial (profitable) organizations;
- Qualitative characteristics of accounting information;
- Elements of financial statements of commercial (profitable) organizations;
- Goals of financial reporting of non-commercial (non-profit) organizations;
- Evaluation and identification of the financial statements of commercial (profitable) organizations;
- Elements of financial statements.
for more than
for more than
for more than
Over the time, the term conceptual basis of accounting" has received an independent sounding in the above sense. In particular, in the most general form, a conceptual framework can be presented as a model consisting of seven interrelated and sequentially deployed elements:
Interests - interests of users of accounting information;
Objectives – purposes of the accounting reporting;
Qualities – characteristics of the data in the accounting system;
Axioms – postulates of accounting;
Principles – principles of accounting;
Concepts – basic concepts and categories of accounting;
Techniques – techniques and technical accounting.
The logic of sequential deployment of model elements is that each subsequent element is largely predetermined by the preceding one.
The starting point is the interests of people who have a significant direct or indirect influence on the firm. The judgment on whether their interests are respected can be based on the data provided to them in the form of the main product of the accounting system – reporting. Therefore, reporting should be tailored in such a way that it can most fully satisfy the interests of users, and thus the information contained in it must meet certain requirements. Meanwhile, the fulfillment of these requirements is possible only if the accounting is conducted in accordance with unambiguously interpreted and generally accepted rules and agreements that are specified in the technical procedures applied to the accounting objects, expressed through basic categories and concepts.
Talking about Disadvantages
Even though conceptual framework does have a lot of advantages, the main uncertainty is that it is really difficult to implement it. Apart from that, installing the conceptual framework is also quite time-spending as well as expensive. Therefore, it may seem sometimes unreasonable to put it to work under certain conditions.
Apart from that, the conceptual framework of accounting does not stand the former standards. Once implemented, it is essential to check whether there is no conflict between the current and new system of accounting.
What our customers say?


|Ordered||2 Feb 1935|
|Laid down||11 Feb 1935||Deutsche Werke AG, Kiel (werk 240)|
|Launched||14 Aug 1935|
|Commissioned||31 Aug 1935||Oblt. Rolf Dau|
|Successes||No ships sunk or damaged|
Sank 19 March 1943 west of Pillau, in position 54.40N, 19.45E, in a diving accident. 21 dead and 16 survivors.
Men lost from U-boats
Unlike many other U-boats, which during their service lost men due to accidents and various other causes, U-5 did not suffer any casualties (we know of) until the time of her loss.
There was another U-5 in World War One
That boat was launched from its shipyard on 8 Jan 1910 and commissioned into the Imperial Navy on 2 Jul 1910. The Naval war in WWI was brought to an end with the Armistice signed on 11 Nov, 1918. Read about SM U 5 during WWI.


There is a mold pandemic sweeping across America and affecting millions.
Sadly, many people don’t realize that the fungi incorrectly referred to as ‘black mold’ (Stachybotrys chartarum) is a serious problem and it can severely compromise your immune system after a simple exposure. Another unknown fact is that each type of mold has different effects on the body but the most dangerous types or species of mold are those that produce mycotoxins. These secondary metabolites wreak havoc on our health and cause innumerable health issues.
Take migraines for instance. Did you know that mold in your home can trigger nasty migraines? Most people living in hot humid, damp areas have serious mold issues in their home and don’t even know why they keep getting infections and upper respiratory sicknesses.
The spores from certain types of mold can be allergenic, pathogenic and toxigenic. This means that toxic mold also causes allergic reactions that other common household molds do. For example sneezing, sore eyes or a runny nose. Exposure to pathogenic and toxigenic molds which produce mycotoxins can also cause a person to develop Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, cancerous growths, diabetes, aspergillosis, heart complications and many other health issues including Neuro-immune illnesses.
To read about how I was injured by mycotoxins please click here.
Need to find out what to do in your home or workplace if you have mold, click here.
Below is a list created by blackmold.awardspace.com of health issues that daily exposure to toxic types of mold can cause. Please note that the term black mold mainly refers to Stachybotrys chartarum and other mycotoxin producing molds:
Toxic Symptoms in Humans
The main types of toxic symptoms which toxic mold causes in humans are:
- Mental and neurological symptoms
- Respiratory symptoms
- Circulatory symptoms
- Vision and eye problems
- Skin problems
- Immune system problems
- Reproductive system problems
- Tiredness and discomfort
- Other illnesses and health problems
Toxic Mold Symptoms – Mental & Neurological
The trichothecene mycotoxins produced by toxic black mold are neurotoxic. This means they can kill neurons in the brain and impair a person’s mental ability. They also cause nervous disorders such as tremors and can cause personality changes such as mood swings and irritability.
- Brain fog
- Shortened attention span
- Difficulty concentrating and paying attention
- Slowed reflexes
- Memory loss and memory problems
- Impaired learning ability
- Aggression and other personality changes
Thank you for visiting this page and learning about MCS, CIRS, TILT and other illnesses caused by Environmental Toxins. If you have found this information useful and this page has helped you in any way please consider making a tax deductible donation online via Helping Hands Ministries for my ongoing medical treatment and recovery by clicking here.
All donations received by Helping Hands are tax deductible. They have an 8% ministry grant (fee) on donations received to carry out their mission and purpose. You can make donations via Master Card, Discover, Visa, American Express (credit cards are an additional 3%), and checks made payable to Helping Hands Ministries with “Mariana Medical Project” written on a note accompanying the check.
All donations mailed should be sent to Helping Hands Ministries, PO Box 337, Tallulah Falls, GA 30573.
Toxic Mold Symptoms – Respiratory System
People living in homes with toxic mold are exposed mainly through breathing in spores and mycotoxins. Toxic mold mycotoxins create irritation and a burning feeling in a person’s air passages, like the nasal cavity, mouth, and throat.
The mycotoxins can even become lodged in the mucous membranes, sinuses and the lungs which then causes a burning feeling, breathing problems and bleeding in the lungs.
- Difficulty breathing – breathlessness or shortness of breath
- Pulmonary edema – swelling of the lungs
- Pulmonary hemorrhage – bleeding in the lungs
- Sore throat
- Burning sensation of the mouth
- Bleeding gums
- Runny nose
- Itchy nose
- Stuffy, blocked nose
Toxic Mold Symptoms – Circulatory System
Toxic mold mycotoxins can be breathed in, ingested, or absorbed through a person’s skin or eyes. Eventually, the mycotoxins then find their way into the person’s blood. This leads to heart damage, problems with blood clotting and internal or external hemorrhaging.
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heart inflammation
- Damage to heart
- Low blood pressure
- Bone marrow disruption
- Bleeding tendency
- Blood not clotting properly
- Hemorrhage – internal bleeding
- Vomiting up blood
- Bleeding in the brain and in other organs
Toxic Mold Symptoms – Vision & Eyes
Toxic mold mycotoxins that are in the air can enter a person’s eyes. The mycotoxins are cytotoxic (toxic to cells) and when they come into contact with eye cells they cause inflamed and injured eyes and create vision problems.
- Eye inflammation and soreness
- Red or bloodshot eyes
- Eye damage
- Blurry vision and vision worsening
- Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes)
Toxic Mold Symptoms – Skin
Via the skin is one of the three main ways that toxic mold mycotoxins enter the human body. In one case in the past, people handled hay contaminated with toxic mold and developed severe rashes and skin problems on their body where they touched the hay, as well as on sweaty areas like the armpits.
- Crawling skin
- Dermatitis – skin inflammation, rash, blisters, itchiness
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
Toxic Mold Symptoms – Immune System
Toxic mold puts out chemicals which suppress the immune system. In fact, many immunosuppressive drugs are actually created from toxic molds. A person who is immunocompromised from being around toxic mold will more easily get infections and sicknesses.
- Immunosuppression – immune system not functioning properly
- Infections reoccurring
Toxic Mold Symptoms – Reproductive System
Mycotoxins from toxic mold are teratogenic. This means they can cause problems in the fetus during pregnancy which then leads to birth defects. Toxic mold mycotoxins are also cytotoxic and mutagenic (cause cell mutations) and inhibit protein synthesis including DNA and RNA.
- Fetal development problems
Toxic Mold Symptoms – Tiredness & Discomfort
When a person is around toxic mold the immune system may release a sedative called Chloral Hydrate. This is used as a defense to try to slow down the effects of toxic mold. But this also makes a person tired and causes fatigue. Toxic mold can also cause soreness of the muscles and joints.
- Chronic fatigue
- Aches and pains
- Muscle pain
- Chest pain
- Abdominal pain
- Joint pain
- Malaise – general discomfort
- Cold or flu type symptoms or recurring colds
Other Illnesses and Health Problems from Toxic Mold
- Hair loss
- Weight loss, anorexia
- Hearing loss
- Liver disease
Allergic Symptoms from Toxic Mold
Like other molds, toxic mold is allergenic. The spores from toxic mold cause allergic reactions such as breathing problems, sore eyes, runny nose, itchiness, sneezing, and a sore throat.
For a more detailed list of allergic reactions caused by mold visit Mold Symptoms and Allergic Reactions.
Does Toxic Mold Cause Different Symptoms for Different People?
Toxic mold affects different people in different ways. Some people won’t experience symptoms as severe as what others experience. Children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems are usually the worst affected by toxic mold.
Can Toxic Mold Cause Cancer in Humans?
Experts suspect that toxic mold can cause cancer in humans, although there still needs to be more research. Some other toxic molds, like Aspergillus for example, definitely cause cancer though. The aflatoxin mycotoxins which Aspergillus produce are among the most powerful carcinogens.
Can Toxic Mold Cause Hair Loss & Baldness?
Being around toxic black mold can cause hair loss, even in females and children. The mycotoxins in toxic black mold can make a person’s hair fall out rapidly and can lead to baldness.
Even molds that aren’t toxic can cause hair loss because they trigger allergic reactions which can make people lose their hair. There is more about allergies causing hair loss at Mold and Hair Loss.
Will the Symptoms from Toxic Mold go Away?
Once a person is no longer around toxic black mold most of their symptoms should gradually decrease. Some of the health problems caused by toxic black mold are permanent though. For example, after a person has lived with toxic black mold their immune system won’t be as strong as it used to be and they’ll be more sensitive to mold and mycotoxins in the future.
Below are a few important sites to visit if you believe you are suffering from exposure to mold:
Here are some more links you can click on with helpful information:


Now is clearly NOT the time to be experimenting with seabed mining…
Catherine A. Novelli (US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment | Huffington Post
World leaders and the international community are gathering soon at the United Nations to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals, which will guide the UN and member states for the next 15 years. A critical component of achieving all the goals will be conservation and sustainable use of the world’s ocean, seas, and marine resources — Goal 14. This is good news. A healthy ocean is essential to ending poverty, drives prosperity, and ensures the health of our planet for generations to come.
The ocean makes this planet habitable for human life. It generates half the oxygen we breathe and regulates our climate. Our fate is tied to the ocean’s fate. We cannot talk about sustainability without it. Yet, those who depend on the ocean for their livelihood are telling us about the changes they are witnessing. Many of the world’s fish stocks are depleted and overfished. Runoff and debris are choking our waters and harming marine life. Carbon emissions are making the ocean more acidic, threatening ancient ecosystems, like coral reefs.
In June 2014, Secretary of State John Kerry brought global leaders and international experts together at the first Our Ocean conference in Washington, D.C. The conference drew attention to the dire state of the ocean, while also highlighting the ocean’s regenerative nature and collective actions we can take to make our ocean healthy again for future generations. Addressing threats to the ocean will require innovation, research, and new technological approaches — and these solutions are in sight. But it will also require significant and sustained action by all of us.
We are now preparing for U.S. participation in the next Our Ocean conference, to be hosted next month by Chile. In just 16 months since the last Our Ocean conference, we have already witnessed significant progress and commitments turned into real actions by the United States and partners around the world.
President Obama’s expansion of the U.S. Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument made it the largest marine protected area (MPA) in the world. This expanse of the Pacific is particularly rich in marine life, including an unusual concentration of large predators, like sharks, five species of protected sea turtles, 22 species of protected marine mammals, and several million seabirds. With this bold step, the President protected a chain of underwater seamounts that are hotspots of biodiversity and created an area where marine life can thrive, fish stocks can regenerate, and marine ecosystems can regain balance so that they can thrive and continue to provide for our needs. And President Obama is not alone in his actions. With a global target of protecting 10 percent of the world’s coastal and marine areas by 2020, other nations such as Gabon, the United Kingdom, Palau, and the Bahamas also have recently committed to establishing new MPAs.
Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is particularly problematic for sustainable development, threatening food security and stability in many places. Developing countries are most at risk. For instance, total catches in West Africa are estimated to be 40 percent higher than reported catches. Many crews on IUU fishing vessels are from underdeveloped parts of the world and are often subject to unsafe conditions. Experts estimate that global losses from IUU fishing are more than $10 billion annually.
Working closely with other governments and NGOs, we are exploring new technologies to improve surveillance and enforcement of fishing activities in the ocean and fishing bans in MPAs. We are developing a system to keep illegally caught seafood out of the United States by tracking it throughout the supply chain — from harvest to entry into the country. And we are urging all countries to join the Port State Measures Agreement, a new international treaty that will block illegally caught seafood from entering the stream of commerce around the world. These actions will help level the playing field for fishers and countries who follow the rules and work hard to sustainably manage ocean resources.
Overfishing isn’t the only threat to marine life. Experts estimate that by 2025 there could be one ton of plastic in the ocean for every three tons of fish. Plastic created for a single, short-term use can live on for centuries as trash. When not managed properly, plastic waste finds its way into the ocean, where it entangles sea creatures, damages coral reefs, and breaks down into small, non-biodegradable pieces that are eaten by fish and marine mammals.
We are rolling up our sleeves, together with businesses, entrepreneurs, scientists, NGOs, and other governments, to solve our plastic-waste problem. We need to reduce plastic waste, look for alternative packaging, and improve waste collection and management on an urgent basis, including by encouraging and incentivizing innovation.
There are real business opportunities in waste-to-energy projects and recycling innovations. The United States is helping to support an experimental project in the Philippines that turns plastic waste into clean energy. A new generation of eco-entrepreneurs is recycling discarded fishing nets into skateboards and jeans. Forward-thinking companies are researching how to reduce plastic packaging in the near term and in the long term create a “circular economy” where all parts of a product and its packaging are reused. This is true sustainability.
Perhaps the most challenging threat to our ocean is acidification. The same carbon emissions that cause climate change make the ocean more acidic. This has the potential to undermine dramatically the growth and survival of numerous marine organisms, including oysters, clams, and corals. Achieving an ambitious, durable international climate-change agreement that all countries can join in Paris this December should be front and center on all our agendas. The U.S.’s intention to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels in 2025 will contribute substantively to international efforts to combat climate change, and we look for similarly ambitious contributions from other major emitters.
Sustainable development is a great challenge for us all. During this year’s UN General Assembly, the world is watching. The energy we see at this moment to address the challenges of climate, growth, and sustainable development needs to be carried forward, and heightened attention to the ocean is crucial.


Based upon the readings, what police officers need to conduct investigations so that they would not be considered racial profiling are specific descriptions of suspects including physical attributes, such as race. If law enforcement receives information from a witness or victim that identifies a suspect’s race, that would give them probable cause to only look at people of that race, which is not profiling. Additionally, there are circumstances where if there is credible information pertaining to a locale or period of time which connects a person of a certain race to a criminal incident, officers are allowed to use race to investigate (Department of Justice, 2003).
Lawfulness is when law enforcement complies with constitutional and statutory laws and norms while legitimacy is the public’s belief about the police and their willingness to acknowledge the police’s authority. Police behavior can be lawful, meaning they follow the law and policies as provided in the constitution, but at the same time they can be seen as not being legitimate because the public may feel that their policies or actions are unfair or discriminatory. If they view the police in that light, it will lower the community’s trust in them and therefore be perceived as being illegitimate and as not having authority, even if their actions were lawful.
I don’t think it is constitutional to regulate or utilize racial profiling in law enforcement agencies. Racial profiling violates a person’s fourth and fourteenth amendment rights. The fourth amendment protects citizens from unreasonable search and seizures, which if someone’s race is the sole reason a person gets targeted for a stop and search, traffic stop, or something of that nature, that would be violating their protection under the law. Furthermore, the fourteenth amendment guarantees equal protection of the law, and if an officer stops a person because of their race, that is a violation of the equal protection clause. Likewise, selective enforcement of the law towards people of one race and not people of a different race is prohibited as well for violating the fourteenth amendment (Racial Profiling: Legal and Constitutional Issues, 2012).
Department of Justice. (2003, June 17). Justice Department Issues Policy Guidance to Ban Racial Profiling. Justice.Gov. Retrieved June 16, 2022, from
Racial Profiling: Legal and Constitutional Issues. (2012, April 16). CRS Reports. Retrieved June 16, 2022, from


MARYSVILLE – Influenza (flu) season is again upon us. While no flu cases have been reported yet in Marshall County for the 2018-2019 flu season, those traveling for the holidays or school events may be exposed during this time of year. Please take precautions to remain healthy, and to protect others from the spread of flu if you do feel the beginning of flu-like symptoms.
What can I do if I think I have the flu?
There are antiviral drugs that can be given at the onset of the flu that can lessen the severity or longevity of the virus. If you feel you may have flu symptoms, contact your physician’s office as soon as possible for an appointment.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people, especially children, may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may also be infected with flu and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.
Once you reach the doctor’s office, please take precautions to protect those around you who may be vulnerable. If you are suffering from a fever, cough, vomiting or diarrhea, tell the receptionist immediately upon your arrival at the clinic. Wear a face mask upon arrival if you are suffering from flu-like symptoms to help protect those around you.
While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
If you are sick with flu-like illness, the CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities (your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine).
Take precaution against the flu
The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu.
- Get Vaccinated. The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. There are several flu vaccine options for the 2018-2019 flu season. It is not too late to get the flu vaccine – contact the Marshall County Health Department or your physician’s office if you need a flu shot.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
- Stay home when you are sick – including work, school, or errands – when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Flu and other serious respiratory illnesses, like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whooping cough, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), are spread by cough, sneezing, or unclean hands. If you use a tissue to cover your cough or sneeze, dispose of the tissue immediately, and wash your hands. Do not put the tissue in your pocket to reuse.
- Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. See the month’s “To Your Health” article at www.cmhcare.org for more information on proper handwashing technique.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Practice other good health habits. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
People at high risk of developing flu-related complications
- Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old (children must be 6 months of age to receive the flu vaccine)
- Adults 65 years of age and older
- Pregnant women (and women up to two weeks postpartum)
- Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
- People who have medical conditions including asthma, neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions, chronic lung disease, heart disease, blood disorders, endocrine disorders (such as diabetes), kidney, liver or metabolic disorders, people with weakened immune systems, or extreme obesity.
Be a good visitor
If you’re visiting a loved one in a hospital setting this holiday season, please keep these tips in mind for their health and yours:
- Sanitize hands before and after visiting.
The soap and hand sanitizer in patient rooms are for everyone. Wash or sanitize your hands when entering and leaving the room of the person you are visiting to avoid bringing in and carrying out germs.
- Stay home if you are sick.
Do not visit the hospital if you are sick or have had any ill symptoms within the last three days—including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever (or feeling feverish), an uncontrolled cough, or a rash.
- Check first before you bring food, send flowers, or bring the kids.


On the eve of Anglo American’s 2018 AGM on 8 May, threats continue against critics of its Minas Rio iron ore mine in Brazil.
At last year’s AGM representatives of the Churches and Mining Network from Brazil revealed that threats had been made against the project’s critics. Affected communities are divided between those who rely on the mine for work and those whose agricultural livelihoods and water supply are threatened by pollution. Those who rely on the mine blame critics for holding up mine expansion by lengthening the process of environmental hearings. Critics have often complained about water pollution from the mine and the potential for greater problems to come. They point out that there are people living downstream from a huge tailings (fine wastes) dam and that dam safety cannot be guaranteed – Minas Gerais is the same state in which the disastrous Samarco tailings dam failure occurred in November 2015, killing twenty people and contaminating hundreds of kilometres of the Rio Doce river valley. Recent ruptures in the Minas Rio iron ore slurry pipeline have yet again confirmed their fears .
In late March, the Co-ordinator of the Programa de Proteção aos Defensores de Direitos Humanos (Program for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders) for Minas Gerais State wrote to the Secretaria de Estado de Direitos Humanos e Participação Social e Cidadania (Secretary of State for Human Rights and Social Participation and Citizenship), a Minas Gerais state government body, asking for protection for a number of named individuals. Requests included financial assistance to enable people to move out of the area temporarily and provision of security cameras around people’s houses, among other things. People are frightened about the safety of their families.
What is Anglo American doing to foster an atmosphere of tolerance and calm in the area and to discourage those who support its operations from making death threats against those who oppose them?


Bronchitis a Bacterial Infection - No Medication-Just Natural Treatment for BronchitisAfter a respiratory infection such as a cold or influenza can appear the inflammation of the bronchi of the lungs. This phenomenon describes a disease called Bronchitis. It develops with a persistent cough that produces high quantities of sputum. The symptoms lasts for almost ten days without any side effects in most people. But there is also the chance to become a chronic disease and then the symptoms last for more than three months.
The agents that cause Bronchitis dry in most of the cases viruses such as coronarvirus, adenovirus or a rhinovirus. These viruses attack the lining of the bronchial tree. As a response to the infection caused by the virus the body starts fighting against it and the glands produce more mucus which is very hard to evacuate. But the viruses are not the only agents conventional medical treatment for bronchitis. It was showed that fungi and bacteria are responsible of Bronchitis too.
Speaking about expectorant properties, there is another herb having this property and it is called mullien. It helps soothe the throat and stop the muscle spasms that trigger coughs. Mixed with a special oil, vegetable or massage oil, this herb can be used for the massage of the chest and it helps to break up the congestion in the lungs. Vitamins A and C are also recommended for the treatment of the Bronchitiss. They reduce the inflammation of the bronchial tubes.
Another sort of tea which can cure Bronchitis is the one prepared from a herb called creosote bush or pleurisy root. It can also be used in any other respiratory problems because it is very efficient for the evacuation of mucus. An herb called coltsfoot has also expectorant properties by stimulating the movement of the cilia which move the mucus out of the airways and suppresses production of a protein that triggers spasms in the bronchus. Reading is a habit that has to be cultivated from a small age. Only if one has the habit of reading can one acquire more knowledge on things like Bronchitis.
- Regarding the natural treatment recommended in Bronchitis, aroma therapy is one of the best choices.
- It involves inhaling special oils, like eucalyptus oil.
- This provides some relief from the inflamed lungs.
- To break up the congestion and get quicker relief, it is very good to use Cayenne pepper.
- If you suffer from Bronchitis you can also use as a natural remedy, garlic and ginger by mixing both and preparing a sort of a tea.


In its 2007 report, the Nobel Prize-winning Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said: "Glaciers in the Himalayas are receding faster than in any other part of the world and, if the present rate continues, the likelihood of them disappearing by the year 2035 and perhaps sooner is very high if the Earth keeps warming at the current rate.
"Its total area will likely shrink from the present 500,000 to 100,000 square kilometres by the year 2035," the report said.
It suggested three quarters of a billion people who depend on glacier melt for water supplies in Asia could be affected.
The UN panel on climate change warning that Himalayan glaciers could melt to a fifth of current levels by 2035 is wildly inaccurate, an academic says.Naturally there is this:
J Graham Cogley, a professor at Ontario Trent University, says he believes the UN authors got the date from an earlier report wrong by more than 300 years.
He is astonished they "misread 2350 as 2035". The authors deny the claims.And then this bit:
When asked how this "error" could have happened, RK Pachauri, the Indian scientist who heads the IPCC, said: "I don't have anything to add on glaciers."Odd how this all happened anyway, the "2035" sources look like they are rock solid:
The IPCC relied on three documents to arrive at 2035 as the "outer year" for shrinkage of glaciers.And just in case you were wondering:
They are: a 2005 World Wide Fund for Nature report on glaciers; a 1996 Unesco document on hydrology; and a 1999 news report in New Scientist.
Incidentally, none of these documents have been reviewed by peer professionals, which is what the IPCC is mandated to be doing.Laughter is indeed a wonderful way to keep warm on these cold winter nights....


Also known as:
mackinaw, namaycush, lake char (or charr), touladi, togue, and grey trout. In Lake Superior, it can also be variously known as siscowet, paperbelly and lean
The lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) is a freshwater char living mainly in lakes in northern North America. Other names for it include mackinaw, namaycush, lake char (or charr), touladi, togue, and grey trout. In Lake Superior, it can also be variously known as siscowet, paperbelly and lean. The lake trout is prized both as a game fish and as a food fish. Those caught with dark coloration may be called mud hens.
It is the only member of the subgenus Cristovomer.
From a zoogeographical perspective, lake trout have a relatively narrow distribution. They are native only to the northern parts of North America, principally Canada, but also Alaska and, to some extent, the northeastern United States. Lake trout have been widely introduced into non-native waters in North America and into many other parts of the world, mainly Europe, but also into South America and certain parts of Asia. Although lake trout were introduced into Yellowstone National Park's Shoshone, Lewis and Heart lakes legally in the 1890s, they were illegally or accidentally introduced into Yellowstone Lake in the 1980s where they are now considered invasive.
Lake trout are the largest of the chars; the record weighed almost 102 pounds (46 kg) (netted) with a length of 50 inches (130 cm), and 15–40-pound (6.8–18.1-kilogram) fish are not uncommon. The average length is 24–36 inches (61–91 centimetres). The largest caught on a rod and reel according to the IGFA was 72 pounds (33 kg), caught in Great Bear Lake in 1995 with a length of 59 inches (150 cm).
The lake trout is a slow-growing fish, typical of oligotrophic waters. It is also very late to mature. Populations are extremely susceptible to overfishing. Many native lake trout populations have been severely damaged through the combined effects of hatchery stocking (planting) and over harvest.
There are three subspecies of lake trout. There is the common lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush namaycush), the siscowet lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush siscowet), and the less common rush lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush huronicus). Note: none of the three subspecies are listing in the ITIS database(s). Some lakes do not have pelagic forage fish during the period of summer stratification. In these lakes, lake trout take on a life history known as planktivory. Lake trout in planktivorous populations are highly abundant, grow very slowly and mature at relatively small sizes. In those lakes that do contain deep-water forage, lake trout become piscivorous. Piscivorous lake trout grow much more quickly, mature at a larger size and are less abundant.
Lake trout are known to hybridize in nature with the brook trout; such hybrids, known as "splake", are normally sterile but self-sustaining populations exist in some lakes. Splake are also artificially propagated in hatcheries, and then stocked into lakes in an effort to provide sport-fishing opportunities.
Lake Trout - by US Fish & Wildlife Service
Lake Trout - National Park Service/Yellowstone (a very serious threat to the Yellowstone Cutthroat)


When you ask divers about their certification class, no one ever gets excited and says, “Oh, oh, and learning those dive tables was so much fun!” Diving itself is quite fun, yes, but calculating dive tables, tracking repetitive dives, pressure groups and accumulated bottom time has about the same thrill factor as a conversation with your father-in-law. The one that sells life insurance. To old people.
This dislike for dive table calculations is one of the great traditions of diving, much like peeing in your wetsuit to stay warm. In fact, since the very first days of scuba, divers have been building machines to do the calculations for them. As early as the 1950s there were “decompression meters,” “decompression computers,” “deco-meters” and a slew of other devices that have evolved into the present day “dive computer.” Following is a look back at these magnificent devices and the innovations that we often take for granted.
Meter - 1959
Dive computers, for all their present day sophistication, have very humble beginnings. Long before the days of microprocessors and long-life lithium batteries,
engineers built mechanical devices to simulate (rather than actually calculate) the process of nitrogen absorption in the body’s tissues.
The most successful example of these mechanical devices is the SOS Decompression Meter. More affectionately known as the “Bends-O-Matic,” it was sold in the U.S. by Scubapro and manufactured by the Italian firm, SOS Diving Equipment, Limited. This pneumatic device used a ceramic resistor set between two air chambers (one flexible, one constant) to simulate nitrogen absorption and off-gassing in the body. An indicator needle showed the depth to which a diver could safely ascend.
The SOS Meter proved to be more conservative than the U.S. Navy’s diving tables for depths shallower than 60 feet, but considerably more liberal than the Navy tables for deeper depths. But, despite its limited accuracy and questionable reputation, the SOS Meter remained popular through the late 1970s.
Decomputer - 1975
The mid-seventies saw attempts at incorporating electrical technology into dive computers, but the result was
expensive and fragile equipment. So, in 1975 Farallon’s Decomputer was the next stage in the quest for a better mechanical device.
It utilized four semipermeable membranes that represented two theoretical tissue groups (one “fast” and the other “slow”). As the diver moved through the water column, the membranes absorbed and released gas, moving pistons that changed a color-coded display. The green, yellow and red display represented the diver’s decompression status. Surface in the green or low-end of yellow and you were fine. Surface while the Decomputer showed red, and you were not.
The Decomputer's demise was that it was too permissive and seemed to become less-reliable with continued use.
Orca EDGE - 1983
Orca’s Electronic Dive Guide is the granddaddy of the modern dive computer. Also referred to as “the brick,” the EDGE did what no computer did before, it combined a rugged exterior (courtesy of a massive aluminum case) with an intelligent interior. Thanks to the famed microprocessor, the EDGE catapulted dive computers from the dark ages of mechanical systems into the modern era of chips and batteries. It calculated no-deco limits based on depth, time and a pre-programmed algorithm.
The EDGE also combined a graphical and numerical display. A “depth bar” on the left of the screen showed max depth, while a numerical reading on the right gave temperature, depth, dive time and remaining no-deco time. In the center was a bar graph that illustrated nitrogen absorption for 12 tissue compartments. These represent the speed at which different body tissues absorb and release nitrogen. If one of the compartment bars ever exceeded the limit line curve in the middle of the screen, decompression stops were required.
Orca later introduced the Skinny Dipper, which became extremely popular for its small package size.
Datamaster - 1985
Pictured is the Datamaster Sport, actually a generation beyond the original model, but still quite similar in form and function. Its contribution to dive computer history is air-integration.
The Datamaster began the practice of combining the capabilities of a pressure gauge and a dive computer. In addition to simply reading the air pressure, the Datamaster computers could also calculate air consumption and use that to help determine remaining dive time. Interestingly, early models were turned on solely by the increased pressure exerted while submerged, while later units would incorporate the now-common push button for activation.
Orca Phoenix - 1991 / Dive Rite Bridge - 1992
Today, nitrox computers are nearly as common as snorkel keepers, but back in 1991 they were the latest in dive wizardry. Late that year, Orca introduced a nitrox version of its popular Phoenix. It would allow for use of only one nitrox mix (EAN32), but set the stage for a flood of dive computer innovations.
Shortly after the enriched air Phoenix hit the streets, Dive Rite introduced the Bridge. This was the first programmable nitrox computer that would allow the diver to set the fraction of oxygen (FO2) to accommodate a wide variety of nitrox mixes. This programmable feature quickly became the standard, and today, all nitrox computers allow this kind of flexibility.
Cochran Aquanaut - 1993 &
UWATEC aladin Air X - 1993
Air-integrated computers had one drawback, they had to be attached to a hose. So, if you liked the convenience of wrist-mounted instruments, you were out of luck. That is, until 1993, when Cochran and UWATEC introduced hoseless air-integrated computers.
In place of a high-pressure hose, the diver installs a transmitter into the high-pressure port of the regulator first stage. This nifty device senses tank pressure and beams the information out to the wrist-mounted computer. It’s all the convenience of integration without so much as a console to snag the reef.
Cochran, a few years later, also introduced the Nemesis II (pictured). It was the first multi-gas nitrox computer that allowed the diver to use multiple nitrox mixes during a single dive.
Today, there are dive computers that can
support multiple varieties of nitrox and trimix and let you switch between gases at will. They can alter decompression limits based on air consumption rates, water temperature, previous dive history, oxygen exposure and pre-programmable levels of conservatism. All of this information can be downloaded to a PC, so that custom software packages can slice, dice, puree and analyze every aspect for a given dive. And, if that’s not good enough, a computer’s sampling rate can be changed to provide information for, literally, every second a diver spends submerged.
Now, when can we get e-mail underwater?