The flu season has reached an epidemic level in the United States, circulating in all 50 states and widespread in 37, HealthDay News reported on Thursday.
Pediatric deaths from flu tripled in the past month, jumping from 10 early in January to 30 by Feb. 5, the report said, quoting statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Outpatient doctor visits because of flu increased steadily from January to February, according to the report.
While it"e;s too early for exact numbers, the flu, which usually peaks in February, contributed to eight percent of adult deaths in 122 cities, the report said.
"We still have a lot of flu out there," said CDC spokesman Tom Skinner. "We saw activity really start to pick up in December, and it has continued through January into February, which is normal," he said.
Skinner stressed that it"e;s not too late to get a flu shot. "Flu activity is going to continue into March," he was quoted as saying. "There is plenty of vaccine out there, and we encourage vaccination throughout the season."
Of the three confirmed flu viruses -- influenza A H1N1, influenza A H3N2 and influenza B -- the H3N2 strain has predominated, but all three are circulating, according to the report.
"This year we are seeing a very typical flu season," noted one expert, Dr. Marc Siegel, an associate professor of medicine at New York University, New York City. "The time is right on target. This is when you see the peak of flu season."
He added that "the number of hospitalizations and deaths are right on course for a typical flu season."
Each year about 200,000 Americans are hospitalized and 37,000 will die from flu, Siegel said.


The benefits of a diet rich in omega-3 have long since been lauded, and many tuck into foods such as salmon, broccoli, nuts and seeds to help stave off everything from depression to diabetes. It's also known to help lower inflammation, which can help with asthma and is also key for a baby's neurological development.
'We're the first to show that they work this way in cancer'
But now researchers at Washington State University have discovered that omega-3 fatty acids can prevent the growth and spread of prostate cancer cells.
"But we're the first to show that they work this way in cancer," Kathryn Meier, a professor of pharmacy at Washington State University, said in conjunction with the other known benefits of omega-3.
"The attention has mostly been on inflammation and diabetes but there has always been an interest in cancer, and we were the first to show this mechanism in any cancer cell at all.
"And we're using prostate cancer, which is the most controversial subject in omega-3s."
The findings come after scientists discovered fatty acids bind to a receptor called FFA4, (free fatty acid receptor 4). Instead of stimulating cancer cells, the receptor acts as a signal to prevent growth factors, suppressing proliferation of the cancer cells.
Professor Meier worked with two students and thinks their work will lead to an advance in cancer treating drugs and procedures.
"This kind of knowledge could lead us to better treat or prevent cancer because now we know how it works," she said.
The study appears in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and detailed how a drug mimicking the action of omega-3s can work as well or better than fatty acids in suppressing the cancer cells.
However, the latest research is in stark contrast to work carried out in 2013, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, which found that men with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood had a greater risk of developing prostate cancer.
© Cover Media


Complete work for American History Course:
1. FOR THE CHAPTERS LISTED BELOW COMPLETE EVERYTHING LISTED
2. YOU MUST WRITE OUT THE QUESTION AND THEN THE ANSWER (ANSWER MUST BE IN ESSAY FORMAT)
3. DEFINE ALL VOCAB TERMS IN COMPLETE SENTENCES (“WORD” – THE DEFINITION OF “WORD” IS…..)
4. NUMBER THE QUESTION AS THEY ARE NUMBERED IN THE BOOK
5. SEPARATE EACH CHAPTER ON DIFFERENT WORD DOCUMENTS
6. EVERYTHING MUST COME FROM THE BOOK….NO OUTSIDE SOURCES
Chapter 17 (pg 598) He will need to do the 10 vocab terms and the 10 Main Idea questions that follow in short essay format.
Chapter 19 (pg 664) He will need to do the 10 vocab terms and then 1-8 Main Idea questions. He will also need to do the Thinking Critically questions, 1 & 2. So, ten total questions
Chapter 26 (pg 890) Complete the 10 vocab terms, 1-8 Main idea questions. Finally, Thinking Critically questions 1 & 2.
Again, these are all short essay responses. They must be very specific with detail. They must also include the all-important question, “Why this is important/why does it matter.”


Fluoride Toxicity in Animals
By Rakesh Ranjan, Amita Ranjan, Published: 2015, FileType: PDF
This book describes in detail various aspects of fluoride toxicity in animals. Animals, like human beings, suffer from the toxic effects of excess fluoride intake. They show pathological changes in their teeth and bone, together with a marked reduction in appetite, productive and reproductive potentials, which can result in severe economic losses in the dairy industry. Laboratory and wild animals also suffer from this ailment.
Animal suffering and economic losses alike can be minimized through early diagnosis of the problem and by adopting suitable preventive and therapeutic measures. The book details the susceptibility of different animal species, important sources of toxicity, clinical signs and symptoms, pathophysiology, diagnostic methods, preventive and therapeutic approaches.
It offers a valuable resource for scientists working in the fields of toxicology, veterinary science, animal nutrition, and environmental science, as well as for public health workers, animal welfare activists, public health veterinarians, field veterinarians, medical professionals and all others interested in the subject.
It is our great pleasure to present the book, Fluoride Toxicity in Animals. Animals living in areas where fluorosis is endemic in the human population invariably suffer from the toxic effects of excess fluoride intake. Nevertheless, there has been limited research on fluorosis in animals whereas fluorosis in the human population has received more attention from biologists, environmental scientists, and management authorities worldwide.
Direct Link For Paid Membership: –
Direct Link For Free Membership: –
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- Advantages of Cloud Computing
- Disadvantages of Cloud Computing
- Who Benefits from Cloud Computing?
- Who Shouldn't Use Cloud Computing?
< Back Page 4 of 4
Like this article? We recommend
Who Shouldn't Use Cloud Computing?
Now let's look at the flip side of the coin. If cloud computing isn't for everyone, who should stay away? Here's the short list:
- The Internet-impaired. Cloud computing is based on the Internet cloud and depends on Internet access. If you don't have Internet access, you're out of luck. Users without readily available Internet access simply shouldn't consider a switch to cloud-based computing. The same rule applies if you have slow Internet access, like that found with dial-up Internet connections; a slow connection isn't much better than none at all when accessing big apps and docs on the Web.
- Offline workers. Along the same lines, anyone who consistently works offline in an environment that's not Internet-enabled probably isn't the ideal candidate for cloud computing. That leaves out those people who work out of a vehicle, at a home or office without Internet access, or while traveling from office to office without guarantee of an Internet connection. No Internet, no cloud computing—it's that simple.
- The security-conscious. Today, we think that cloud computing is safe—but we can't guarantee it. It's certainly possible that cloud systems can be hacked and cloud-based documents accessed by unauthorized users. If your documents require confidentiality, you probably don't want to trust them to cloud computing just yet. When security matters, don't take chances.
- Anyone married to existing applications. This is probably the most important reason not to sign up for a web-based application: You use Microsoft Office. That's right, many web-based applications are not completely compatible with Microsoft's file formats. It may be difficult or even impossible to open your Word or Excel documents with your web-based apps—and vice versa.
Is cloud computing for you? Look at all the facts—and then give it a try before you decide.
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by Katheryn Russell-Brown
illustrated by Frank Morrison
Lee & Low Books, 2014
The reviewer received a copy of the book from the publisher.
"Spread the word! Little Melba Doretta Liston was something special."
The first line of this picture book biography announces to readers that they are about to meet an amazing individual. Melba Liston was greatly influenced by jazz music she heard as a child growing up in Kansas City in the 1920s. When her mother bought her a trombone, Melba was hooked. She taught herself to play the trombone relying on her "keen ears" later joining the Melodic Dots, a music club at her high school in Los Angeles in the 1940s.
Katheryn Russell-Brown's engaging narrative style incorporates the sounds of jazz music. Readers will enjoy following Liston's rise from a young girl who loved listening to music to a renowned jazz musician composing, arranging and performing across the country. The author writes about the racism and sexism Liston faced in way that young readers will understand.
"Still, Melba was lonely. She was the only woman in the band. Some of the men were cruel. Others acted as if she wasn't there. Melba let the music in her head keep her company."
Morrison's curved, earth-toned illustrations capture the feeling of the music as well as Liston's strength and determination. The final two-page spread of the story is beautiful. Liston performs on stage, alone, playing her trombone to a sold out audience.
Little Melba and her Big Trombone would make an excellent read aloud for a range of ages. Be sure to play Liston's music for readers. An afterword provides readers with more details about Liston's life and music. Additional back matter includes a discography and list of sources. Pair Little Melba and Her Big Trombone with Jazz Age Josephine by Jonah Winter, When Marian Sang by Pam Munoz Ryan, and Duke Ellington by Andrea Davis Pinkney.
Visit the Lee & Low blog to see a playlist of jazz tunes recommended by Frank Morrison.
Watch Melba Liston perform with the Quincy Jones Band in 1960.
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304 stainless steel wire can rust due to several reasons:
Corrosive environment: While 304 stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion, it is not completely immune. If the wire is exposed to a highly corrosive environment containing substances like chlorides (e.g., saltwater, certain industrial chemicals), acids, or strong alkalis, it can lead to corrosion and rusting.
Surface contamination: If the surface of the 304 stainless steel wire is contaminated with iron particles or other corrosive substances, it can initiate localized corrosion and eventually result in rusting. Contamination can occur during manufacturing, handling, or exposure to a polluted environment.
Damage to the protective oxide layer: 304 stainless steel forms a thin, protective oxide layer on its surface, which provides resistance to corrosion. However, this oxide layer can be damaged or compromised by mechanical abrasion, scratching, or exposure to high temperatures, allowing moisture and corrosive agents to reach the underlying metal and cause rusting.
Welding or fabrication issues: During welding or fabrication processes, the heat and introduction of impurities can alter the composition and structure of the stainless steel wire, reducing its corrosion resistance. This can create areas susceptible to rusting.
To prevent rusting of 304 stainless steel wire, it is important to take the following measures:
Use in suitable environments: Avoid exposing the wire to highly corrosive environments or substances that can accelerate corrosion.
Regular cleaning and maintenance: Keep the wire clean and free from contaminants. Regularly remove any dirt, debris, or corrosive substances that may accumulate on its surface.
Avoid mechanical damage: Handle the wire with care to avoid scratches, abrasions, or other forms of mechanical damage that can compromise the protective oxide layer.
Proper storage: Store the wire in a dry environment to minimize exposure to moisture and humidity.
By following these precautions, you can help maintain the corrosion resistance of 304 stainless steel wire and prevent rust formation.
Post time: May-24-2023


Step 1: Make it
What is it?
Use your micro:bit to control a Scratch drawing program.
How it works
- This program uses the micro:bit’s accelerometer to guide the pencil sprite around the screen, drawing a line as it moves.
- Tilting the micro:bit left or right makes the pen to move left or right in the X-axis, across the screen.
- Tilting the micro:bit forwards and backwards makes the pen move up and down, in the Y-axis.
- If you tilt it diagonally you get diagonal lines.
- You can control the thickness of the pen lines with micro:bit’s A and B input buttons.
- Shake it to use the micro:bit’s accelerometer input to raise and lower the pen, so you can move around without making a mark.
- The program keeps track the pen’s status (whether it’s up or down) using a variable called penUp. It shows different icons on the micro:bit’s output display so you know if the pen is up or down.
What you need
- suitable computer with Scratch link installed. See https://scratch.mit.edu/microbit for details on how to get Scratch working with micro:bit.
- optional battery pack
Step 2: Code it
Step 3: Improve it
- Add a way of controlling when the colour changes.
- Modify the program so shaking or ‘jumping’ the micro:bit clears the screen.
- Show the pen thickness on the micro:bit’s display.
This content is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) licence.


Today, virtually all cars come with ABS as standard equipment or as an option. The typical ABS system includes wheel-speed sensors, a hydraulic control unit, and an electronic control unit. When you apply the brake pedal, the electronic control unit monitors and compares the signals from the wheel-speed sensors. If the electronic control unit senses rapid deceleration (impending lock-up) at a given wheel, the electronic control unit commands the hydraulic control unit to reduce hydraulic pressure to that wheel. This type of pressure limiting is similar to pumping the brake pedal, only much faster. Some pick-up trucks and cargo vans have rear-wheel only ABS to handle different braking needs under different loading conditions. This type of ABS system controls only the rear wheels and limits pressure to both of them when either is about to lock.
ABS was designed to help you maintain directional control during emergency stops and when road conditions are poor. By maintaining control, you have better chances of avoiding a crash. ABS is especially useful on wet and slippery roads. You should never pump the brake pedal on a car with ABS, since the system itself “pumps” the brakes automatically. All you need to do is apply firm and continuous pressure to the brake pedal to activate ABS operation. When the ABS system operates, you may feel a pulsating sensation from the brake pedal. When ABS operation is no longer needed, the braking system reverts to conventional hydraulic operation without intervention from the ABS system.
When turning the ignition switch to the on position, the amber BRAKE, ANTILOCK or ABS light on the instrument panel should glow momentarily, and then turn off. If the light stays on or flashes, or comes on while driving, it indicates a fault in the ABS system. Have your car’s ABS system inspected immediately by a professional technician to determine the source of the problem. Your owner’s manual may specify periodic flushing and filling of the brake hydraulic system, which should not be overlooked. This is a service best left to professional technicians, as many cars with ABS have specialized brake-bleeding procedures. Braking systems with ABS can also generate extremely high hydraulic pressures, which can be dangerous. Once again, consult a professional service technician if your car needs ABS or hydraulic system service.


Edinburgh primary ~ a community school with a passion for the arts!
At Edinburgh Primary School, we actively promote British Values as part of our whole school values.
We promote British Values in the following ways:
Our School Council promotes the democratic process-children nominate and vote for class representatives for the School Council. Children are encouraged to voice their opinions in formal and informal ways. The School Council visits the Council Chambers on an annual basis to experience the democratic process and reports back to their class, year and key stage.
- Children are provided with boundaries which encourage them to make choices safely.
- Children are encouraged to express their views and beliefs respectfully.
- Children have the opportunity and choice to take part in a whole variety of extra-curricular activities.
- Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised on how to exercise these safely-for example through Online Safety and PSHE lessons.
- Children are encouraged to celebrate and value diversity.
- Our PSHE/RE curriculum provides broad and balanced learning about the main world religions and reinforces messages of tolerance and respect for others, combined with a confidence to express one’s own beliefs.
- As part of RE, children visit various places of worship during their time at Edinburgh.
- Children work in teams, share ideas and show respect for each other’s opinions. This is highlighted across the curriculum but particularly in RE/PSHE, assemblies and year group productions.
- School rules, rights and responsibilities reinforce mutual respect.
- Children are supported and encouraged to work together in different groups and situations in various lessons, curriculum areas and school events.
- Children participate in various productions & assemblies throughout the year and show respect for each other’s contributions.
The Rule of Law
- Edinburgh has clear rules, rights and responsibilities.
- The school promotes punctuality and attendance for all children.
- Children follow, respect and appreciate different rules and situations e.g. in PE lessons, in the classroom, in the playground and when on educational visits.
- Children are awarded certificates to recognise hard work, good behaviour and learning achievements.
- Edinburgh supports children to regulate their behaviour and make good choices for the well-being of themselves and others.
- Visits from authorities such as the London Fire Service and police support learning that rules and laws support the well-being of us all.


When children experience trauma, it can lead them to behave in ways that challenge us as educators. How can we see these behaviors and be curious? What would it mean to shift our perspective from asking, “what’s wrong with the child?” to “what happened to this child?” Especially now, at a moment when families, children, and teachers are more likely to experience exceptional levels of stress, our ability to interpret behavior as communication and respond appropriately is essential.
In this webinar, Jimmy Venza, P.h.D. and Amber Ricks, Psy.D. of The Lourie Center for Children’s Social and Emotional Wellness will discuss how traumatic experiences can impact children’s behavior and what we can do as educators to support children. We’ll explore ways in which you can observe and understand these behaviors as forms of communication and appropriately respond.
This webinar took place on July 8, 2020.
Complete the form to watch a recording of the webinar.
As the trusted leader in CLASS-driven measurement and mentoring, Teachstone has the proven expertise schools need to nurture better student outcomes, one classroom at a time. With decades of early childhood education research as a foundation, we offer products and programs that help schools unlock the potential of great teachers, boost student outcomes, and create a culture of sustained excellence.


Colorful Birds Feel Chernobyl Damage More
Antioxidants make for brightly colored plumage in some bird species. But it appears around Chernobyl that duller birds are at an advantage, because they can use the antioxidants to detox. Karen Hopkin reports.
In 1986, an explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant blanketed the surrounding area with radioactive fallout. Now scientists who’ve been tracking that disaster’s toll have added a new victim to their list: birds that live near the reactor.
The interesting thing is: not ALL the birds near Chernobyl have been decimated by radioactivity. Only those that are brightly colored, migrate long distances, or lay big eggs—all of which require antioxidant molecules.
The researchers examined birds from 57 species. They found that those with brighter plumage…such as orioles and blue tits…were harder hit by radiation than their drab neighbors…such as coal tits and chaffinches. The same was true for birds that tend to travel or like to lay large eggs.
That pattern suggests that antioxidant molecules play an important role in how birds handle radioactivity. Because antioxidants can protect animals against nasty chemicals like those that spilled from the damaged reactor. But brightly colored birds use up their antioxidants producing those flashy red, yellow and orange pigments. So the Chernobyl meltdown made being bright a bust for birds. While being dull is the thing to do.


NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has brought out the most detailed and deepest infrared image of the distant universe to date. This image of galaxy cluster SMACS 0723, known as Webb’s First Deep Field, is rich in detail.
Thousands of galaxies, including the faintest infrared objects ever observed, have appeared in Webb’s view for the first time. This sliver of the vast universe takes up about the size of a grain of sand held at arm’s length by someone on the ground.
This deep field was captured by Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) and is a composite of images taken at different wavelengths over the course of 12.5 hours, achieving depths at infrared wavelengths beyond the Hubble Space Telescope’s deepest fields, which took weeks to capture.
Related: Hold Your Breath: The Rest of The Webb’s First Images Are About to Drop Soon
Significance Of The Image
The image depicts the 4.6 billion year old galaxy cluster SMACS 0723. The combined bulk of this galaxy cluster works as a gravitational lens, amplifying considerably more distant galaxies behind it.
Webb’s NIRCam has brought those faraway galaxies into sharp focus, revealing previously unseen small, dim objects such as star clusters and hazy features.
Researchers will soon learn more about the galaxies’ masses, ages, histories, and compositions as Webb searches for the universe’s earliest galaxies.
This is one of the telescope’s first full-color images. The full suite will be made available on Tuesday, July 12, at 10:30 a.m. EDT, during a live NASA TV broadcast.


The OceanOneK, a deep-water robot that’s named after its capacity to dive 1,000 metres deep into the ocean, is a creatural robot with humanlike control and is being called a “robot naiad” by some.
Developed at Standford University’s Robotics Lab in a design-led by roboticist Oussama Khatib, OneK has a mobile head with cameras and two arms. It can reach out to objects and manipulate them using its veritably important functional fritters.
At the university’s rec centres, Claire Reilly from the popular tech website CNET decided to swim with OneK. With a GoPro attached to her body to record the marvellous bot, she captured it in its element.
One K has propellers each across its body which help it move through the water. still, the main control is done via a mortal driver from outside the water who uses joysticks to instruct the robot and move its branches.
The stereoscopic cameras attached to OneK give a three-dimensional view of aquatic to the outside world. The driver can watch views from both cameras at the same time on a split screen.
The robot was developed to efficiently reach depths that humans can not.
“OneK is your icon in the water,” Khatib remarked.
In 2016, OneK, which was at the time just OceanOne, was taken to the Mediterranean for a proper test dive. While the prototype worked impeccably, Khatib and his platoon decided that they wanted the bot to be suitable to dive deeper.
thus, the platoon has to redesign the whole machine, which now goes 10 times deeper than its original model, so that it could survive the immense atmospheric pressure aquatic.
Scientists filled OneK’s arms with oil painting as well as “installed special spring mechanisms”, the point reported.
Khatib said that they wanted to make a “robot Aquaman” despite the actuality of several deep-water disquisition vehicles and bots to develop commodity indeed more functional. He said that in cases of disasters, for illustration, it was important to have a body that would be suitable “handle delicate objects” fluently.


“There Is No Place Like Home.” This is the title of a new book just donated to the Bureau of Arts and Culture by Dr. Stephanie Walda-Mandel. Dr. Walda-Mandel is a German anthropologist who has spent several years studying the migration of the people of Sonsorol State in Palau, to the main islands of Palau as well as to Guam, Saipan, and the US mainland cities of Portland and Salem, Oregon. Dr. Walda discusses the reasons for migration and how the people of Sonsorol are able to maintain their identity as Sonsorolese even while living elsewhere. She notes in her book that “Today, Sonsorolese are found in Hawaiian shopping centers, in Saipanese libraries, Guamanian fast food restaurants, as well as in accounting offices in Portland.”
… although this study focuses on the people of Sonsorol, the issues of cultural and linguistic identity are relevant to all Palauans, many of whom have also migrated to Guam, Saipan, and the US mainland.
This book is volume 5 in the series Heidelberg Studies in Pacific Anthropology. An additional copy of the book was donated to the Sonsorol State Government. It is available at www.amazon.com and the distributor www.isdistribution.com [/restrict]


by Jackie Blumberg, Walsh Environmental
“On down this here Greenish river… Wherever the river makes a bend – and this river comes near, in places, to bowknots – there is another flat area, a bottom, covered with silt, sand, gravel, grown up with grass and brush and cactus and, near shore, trees: willow, cottonwood, box elder, and jungles of tamarisk.
“The tamarisk does not belong here, has become a pest, a water-loving exotic engaged in the process of driving out the cottonwoods and willows. A native of arid North Africa, the tamarisk was imported to the American Southwest fifty years ago by conservation experts – dirt management specialists – in hopes that it would prevent streambank erosion.”
Edward Abbey, Down the River with Henry Thoreau
Problematic tamarisk are but one of the myriad of topics in the Spring issue of the green line. The green line staff are pleased to present a divers and engaging issue that varies from busy beavers to large-scale river restoration projects, and everything in between! Each subject constitutes a unique piece of the riparian puzzle. As always, we thank our contributing writers who make these diverse topics available and invest time to provide insight into current thoughts and activities around the west. If you have a topic you’d like to share in the form of an article, please contact our editorial staff! Publishing in the green line is easy and reaches hundreds, if not many more, readers in Colorado and beyond.
The green line appreciates feedback from its readers in the form of articles, ideas, questions or comments. As the weather warms you may find yourself, as Edward Abbey often did, alongside a river contemplating what you have read or are observing, The green line encourages you to take a floodplain walk and consider these things. We would love to hear from you!


To have a society that values freedom and free enterprise we must see those values reflected in our educational institutions. This project aims to promote the ideas of liberty in both high schools and universities in Canada.
In high school students are often just beginning to become curious about the world of ideas, but too often their lessons do not introduce them to the ideas of classical liberalism. For that reason, this project will, in part, work to create ready-made assignments and tests and complimentary reading material to accompany books commonly taught in high schools while introducing the ideas of liberty. This project will also bring together a group of teachers for a weekend of discussion about classical liberal themes in great works of literature.
The second part of this project will focus on universities, the point of origin for many of the ideas which are dominant in our society and one of the most effective conduits for spreading those ideas. Much like in the United States, Canadian universities are generally (and correctly) perceived as being hostile to free markets and free enterprise. While there is a great deal of truth to this perception, there are also many bright spots in the form of professors who not only believe in, but are passionate about, freedom.
This project would bring together Canadian professors for a two-day workshop on starting a university centre that would promote the ideas of freedom in a university environment. Selected faculty members would meet with similarly-minded academics and hear from those who are already operating successful centres. The goal of this workshop is to provide both motivation and practical advice for professors who wish to run a centre to promote the ideas of freedom within their university.


Campus, William R. Hewlett Teaching Center, Room 201
Most of us have heard of black holes and supernovas, galaxies and the Big Bang. But few of us understand more than the bare facts about the universe we call home. What is really out there? How did it all begin? Where are we going? Jo Dunkley begins in Earth's neighborhood, explaining the nature of the Solar System, the stars in our night sky, and the Milky Way. She then moves out past nearby galaxies and back in time to the horizon of the observable universe, which contains over a hundred billion galaxies, each with billions of stars, many orbited by planets, some of which may host life. Dunkley traces the evolution of the universe from the Big Bang fourteen billion years ago, past the birth of the Sun and our planets, to today and beyond.
Jo Dunkley is a Professor of Physics and Astrophysical Sciences at Princeton University and author of the book Our Universe: An Astronomer’s Guide. Her research is in cosmology, studying the origins and evolution of the Universe. Jo has received awards and honors including the Maxwell Medal and the Royal Society Rosalind Franklin Award. She shared the Gruber Cosmology Prize and the Breakthrough Prize for Fundamental Physics with the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe team. She appears frequently in the media and has given numerous public lectures.
Photo credit: Daniel Hambury/@stellapicsltd


Join our campaign ·Sexual and reproductive health rights, gender, feminism, Intersectionality and movement building.
International Day of Action for Women’s Health
May 28th has been commemorated as the International Day of Action for Women’s Health for over 30 years by women’s rights advocates and allies in the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) movement worldwide. The campaign seeks to provide women’s grassroots organizations with greater access to information than was previously available, bring to light significant gaps in the research data on women’s health, and critically, create a platform to highlight the importance of women’s health as an issue.
Menstrual Hygiene Management Day
Adolescent girls in Nepal still face many sexual and reproductive health problems and challenges, amidst gender disparity and other discriminatory social norms. Menstruation is one of them. A majority of girls (89%) also experienced some form of restrictions or exclusion.
Abortion was legalized in Nepal in 2002. Abortion legalization has contributed to sharp decline in maternal mortality, which fell from 580 materinald deaths per 100,000 live births in 1995 to 190 per 100,000 in 2013. Many women in Nepal continue to face barriers to obtaining safe and legal procedures.
International Youth Day
In 1999, in its resolution 54/120, the General Assembly endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers of Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) that 12 August be declared International Youth Day.


Chad Taylor, the owner and publisher of The Chronicle, occasionally publishes a musings column in The Chronicle, the newspaper he bought.
In a recent column about homelessness, Mr. Taylor mused — incorrectly — that government funded social programs are responsible for homelessness. He claims that social programs make people dependent on the government, and that this dependency leads to homelessness.
Homeless people are, apparently, spoiled.
But homelessness is not caused by social programs. Here are three good reasons to think that Mr. Taylor’s spoiled brat theory is mistaken:
First, if homeless people were simply spoiled, then we should expect nations with more generous social programs to have higher populations of homeless people. But that’s not what we see.
Many countries with more generous social programs than the United States have less homelessness than we do. Meanwhile, many countries with less generous social programs have more homelessness.
Second, people who study homelessness for a living do not blame social programs. They consistently say that homelessness is driven by factors like the availability and affordability of housing.
In fact, last year, a large University of California study concluded that housing issues are the primary explanation for homelessness patterns in the U.S., finding that factors like addiction and mental health are relevant but relatively minor considerations as compared to housing.
Third, a homelessness study in Vancouver, B.C., found that unearned cash transfers help homeless people, not hurt them.
Researchers transferred $5,800 cash to homeless people. They found that people who received the cash fared extremely well, finding housing more quickly and spending less money on drugs and alcohol than their peers who did not receive the cash. The researchers also calculated that the project saved the shelter system more money than the cost of the cash transfers.
The study was too small to conclude that cash transfers would work across the board. But the results indicate that grace and generosity are more likely to solve homelessness than to cause it.
formerly of Lewis County


Understanding block ciphers in cryptography
Block ciphers fall under the symmetric encryption category. Thus, using block ciphers the sender and the recipient of the data use the same key to encrypt and decrypt the data.
As the name suggests, a block cipher takes an input of fixed size in the form of a block and converts it into ciphertext. The block size in block ciphers always remains constant.
Block size consideration
There are few considerations to be made while selecting a block size. They are as follows:
- Avoid small block size: The block size to be used should not be too small in length. If an attacker discovers some ciphertext block corresponding to a plain text block, then it’s possible for an attacker to launch Dictionary Attack by building a dictionary of ciphertext and plain text pairs. The large block size makes this attack difficult to perform.
- Avoid blocks of bigger size: With a bigger block size, it becomes very difficult to operate the cipher.
- 8-bit multiples: It is advisable to consider block size of multiple of 8. 8 bits and its multiple are easy to process and don’t need padding.
Block cipher schemes
Block ciphers have many schemes to operate. Some of the widely used and popular ones are as follows:
- DES: Digital Encryption Standard. It’s broken and no more used.
- Triple DES: Repeated DES. Much stronger algos are available than this.
- AES: Advanced Encryption Standard.
- Serpent: Has block size of 128 bits and keys of length 128,196 or 256 bits. Slower but very secure than other block ciphers.
- TwoFish: With a block size of 128 bits, it is based on an earlier block cipher called Blowfish which uses a block of 64 bits.
- IDEA: PGP makes use of this algo.
Modes of operation
Block cipher can be implemented and operated in the following modes:
- ECB: Electronic Code Book. The easiest and simplest mode of all. Parallel Encryption of each block is possible but more prone to cryptanalysis attacks.
- CBC: Cipher Block Chaining. A better version of ECB and widely used of all the modes available.
- CFB: Cipher Feedback Mode.
- OFM: Output Feedback Mode.
- Counter Mode


There are basically two main reasons people observe Christmas. Some observe it in honor of the Christ child's birthday, while others celebrate the holiday as a time to exchange gifts.
In Austria, one of the main holidays they celebrate is Christmas Day.
The main reason why people delebrate Christmas is that it is a well established social custom in countries that have substantial Christian populations. Lots of people enjoy celebrating Christmas, and some people are even religiously motivated, but those are secondary reasons.
To celebrate Christ's birthday.
The main populous of non-christian countries will not celebrate Christmas. Where Christmas is celebrated, it is always on a day we call Christmas....for a reason....
To sleep like the hibernate animals
Yes, they do. Russia's main religion is Russian Orthodox Christianity and they celebrate Christmas on the 7th and 8th of January. It's called Rozhdestvo.
The main spot for Christianity is Bethlehem Jerusalem and Ariel those have the largest populations of Christians. Christmas is just like any other day in Israel. Since most of the population is Jewish or Muslim (neither of which celebrate Christmas), people go to work on Christmas. Of course, there are some Christians in Israel (mainly messianic Jews). They would celebrate Christmas in the same way as other Christians do. Also, there are many Russian-born Jews who celebrate Christmas.
Not officially because it is an Arabic nation where the main faith is Islam.
Christmas! catholicism is one of the main religions in Italy.
The country of Portugal do celebrate christmas, because their main religion is Catholicism. They sing Christmas songs like "Happy Christmas", "Silent Night", "White Christmas". The Portuguesse, on Christmas eat boiled cod fish, and they also eat turkey for lunch. The people of Portugal, have a cool tradition, they open their presents on midnight, they also decorate their house with paper ribbons, candles, flowers, and other cool stuff.


With the growth of online, hybrid, and web-enhanced courses showing no signs of slowing nationwide, the need for the accessibility of electronic and information resources (EIR) grows exponentially as well! EIR refers to the applications, hardware, and digital content such as documents and videos we use or access every day. By striving to create and/or provide accessible EIR we:
- Extend learning opportunities to our diverse community in a university environment.
- Expand participation in, or benefits from, programs and activities.
- Keep our university in compliance with federal and state laws, along with A&M System regulations.
- Provide everyone with more usable electronic and information resources, creating. more ease and simplicity to our daily activities and tasks!
You can learn more about general EIR accessibility guidelines here.
Islanders with access to Blackboard have a unique opportunity to remediate inaccessible EIR or generate alternate formats of EIR in their courses – Blackboard Ally!
What is Blackboard Ally?
Blackboard Ally integrates seamlessly into all TAMU-CC Blackboard courses and is utilized for making digital course content more accessible by providing:
- Instructor-Specific Feedback to Save Time & Resources: Ally automatically provides detailed insight and guidance to instructors on how to improve the accessibility of their content.
- Alternative Formats for All Learners: AllyImproves the overall student experience by automatically generating alternative formats for course content, providing students with the choice and added flexibility that comes with a more personalized approach.
See the resources below for more information about Ally and what it can do for you or your students!
Resources for Instructors & Staff with Blackboard Instructor privileges:
- Blackboard Ally Quick Start for Instructors
- Interpreting Accessibility Scores
- Alternative Formats for Students
- Utilizing the Course Accessibility Report
- Instructor FAQ for Ally
Resources for your Students:
Digital Learning and Academic Innovations, Instructional Designer I


North or South: Robert E. Lee’s Fateful Decision45 min
As you read, imagine you are the protagonist.
- What challenges are you facing?
- What fears or concerns might you have?
- What may prevent you from acting in the way you ought?
- Who was Robert E. Lee?
- What did Robert E. Lee do before the war?
- What do Robert E. Lee’s actions say about his personal integrity?
Discuss the following questions with your students.
- What is the historical context of the narrative?
- What historical circumstances presented a challenge to the protagonist?
- How and why did the individual exhibit a moral and/or civic virtue in facing and overcoming the challenge?
- How did the exercise of the virtue benefit civil society?
- How might exercise of the virtue benefit the protagonist?
- What might the exercise of the virtue cost the protagonist?
- Would you react the same under similar circumstances? Why or why not?
- How can you act similarly in your own life? What obstacles must you overcome in order to do so?
- Students will analyze Robert E. Lee’s life and actions leading up to the Civil War
- Students will understand how acting with integrity can affect their purpose and identity
- Students will apply this knowledge to the pursuit of integrity in their own lives


LONDON: Scientists have claimed that they can resurrect the giant elephant bird of Madagascar, the biggest bird that ever lived on the earth, using a new technique to extract its DNA.
According to the researchers from Murdoch University in Australia, they have found a way to extract DNA from ancient egg shells that can be used to resurrect the giant plant-eater, which was wiped out more than three hundred years ago.
Using the new technique, the team claims to have collected genetic material from the bird along with extinct emus of Australia and moas of New Zealand, the Telegraph reported. "Eggshell was an 'untapped source' of DNA that was distributed around the world," said Charlotte Oskam, a biologist at the University. "The successful recovery of ancient DNA from eggshell has major implications in the fields of archaeology and palaeontology," she said.
Using a state-of-the-art laser technique, the team highlighted the DNA 'hot-spots' under the microscope with fluorescent green dye.
"We showed that genetic material is preserved in the eggshell matrix and have successfully imaged the DNA via microscopy," the researchers said.
"Using the new technique we obtain DNA signatures from a variety of fossil eggshells, including the elephant birds and extinct moa and 19,000 year-old old emu."
Techniques to map animal DNA have taken great leaps in recent years and scientists have already decoded the genetic make-up of extinct creatures like the mammoth.
But the problem lies is finding DNA sources in good enough condition to be able to be scanned. Usually the remains of animals have to be frozen, which limits the number of species that can be studied. Now scientists have discovered that egg shells are as good if not a better source than bone and hair.
Oskam and colleagues said: "This study provides the first evidence that ancient DNA is preserved in fossil avian eggshell".
According to the study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the eggs of the flightless elephant bird had a circumference of more than 3ft and a length of upto 13 inches. Its volume is about 160 times greater than a chicken egg. The bird — related to ostriches and emus — is the largest bird ever to have lived on the earth. It had massive legs, taloned claws and a long, powerful neck. It towered 10 feet into the air and weighed more than half a ton.


Solidification of Eutectic Alloys: Cast Iron
Cast iron exhibits a considerable amount of eutectic in the solid state. This article discusses the structure of liquid iron-carbon alloys to understand the mechanism of the solidification of cast iron. It illustrates the nucleation of the austenite-flake graphite eutectic, austenite-spheroidal graphite eutectic, and austenite-iron carbide eutectic. The article provides a discussion on primary austenite and primary graphite. It also describes the growth of eutectic in cast iron in terms of isothermal solidification, directional solidification, and multidirectional solidification.
Andreas Bührig-Polackzek, Daniel dos Santos, Solidification of Eutectic Alloys: Cast Iron, Casting, Vol 15, ASM Handbook, Edited By Srinath Viswanathan, Diran Apelian, Raymond J. Donahue, Babu DasGupta, Michael Gywn, John L. Jorstad, Raymond W. Monroe, Mahi Sahoo, Thomas E. Prucha, Daniel Twarog, ASM International, 2008, p 317–329, https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v15.a0005213
Download citation file:


National Autistic Campaign - Too Much Information
The National Autistic film in their Too Much Information campaign, starring Saskia Lupin, focuses on the impact unexpected changes can have on autistic people.
"More than 1 in 100 people are on the autism spectrum - that’s around 700,000 people in the UK. Being autistic means seeing, hearing and feeling the world in a different, often more intense way to other people. Autistic people often find social situations difficult and may struggle to filter out the sounds, smells, sights and information they experience, which can leave them feeling overwhelmed, particularly in busy public places.
There are many ways you can help stop an autistic person from feeling overwhelmed on public transport with our top tips."
Find out how you can help
There are plenty of ways you can help reduce the overload for autistic people. Small changes can make a big difference. Make a pledge now to see how you can help.
- Communication and Interaction in the Early Years
- Communication and Interaction – SLCN in Schools
- Communication and Interaction Post-16
- Autism Friendly Classrooms by David Burns
- Autism: Ideas/Strategies that may Support Inclusion by Simon and Kim Smith
- Three golden rules for supporting autistic pupils


Raymond Pierrehumbert, holder of the Halley Professorship of Physics at Oxford, gives the 2017 annual Wolfson Haldane Lecture. The lecture is introduced by Hermione Lee, College President.
The Proterozoic is the period of Earth history extending from approximately 2.5 billion years ago to 550 million years ago, and makes up something over half of all Earth history to date. It begins with a dramatic rise in oxygen in the atmosphere, global “snowball” glaciations, and major disturbances of the carbon cycle, and ends with another period of carbon cycle fluctuations accompanied by the two Snowball glaciations; shortly after the exit from the second of these, the first multicellular life appears in the fossil record, and not long thereafter comes the Cambrian explosion. However, between the two eras of great climate disruption extends a period of about a billion years in which nothing much is happening, either from the standpoint of evolutionary innovation (insofar as visible for single-celled life in the fossil record) or from the standpoint of glaciation or biogeochemical cycling. This is the “boring billion” — the geological waiting room for the modern era of the Phanerozoic leading to the appearance of intelligent life on Earth. But what was the pacemaker determining the exit from the Boring Billion? Were we unlucky in the duration of the wait? Were we just lucky, and could it have been the Boring Two Billion? That would have in fact precluded the emergence of complex life on Earth, or any other planet orbiting a star like the Sun, since the gradual brightening of a Sunlike star over time throws an Earthlike planet into a runaway greenhouse state after about 4.5 billion years (roughly a half billion years from now), whereafter the planet loses its oceans and turns into an uninhabitable Venus-like world. Thus, the nature of the Boring Billion, and the factors that terminated it, have a very great bearing on whether we are alone in the universe. Dim red dwarf stars, which age more slowly than Sunlike stars, are known to have planets and perhaps offer more chances for complex life to emerge, but have their own challenges, which will also be discussed in this lecture.


Chunk your Reading:
1. When reading a passage, draw a line under each paragraph, or every few paragraphs if the paragraphs are short.
2. After reading each paragraph, remember write the GIST, just a few words about what the paragraph mainly about.
3. When finished reading the entite passage, review your notes. This will help you remeber what the passage is mainly about.
Use Post-it Notes:
Post-it notes are a great way to take notes while reading a book. Have your post-it notes handy and write down the most impotant information you have read on each page. Stick it right on the page. This will help you remember important information.
Use Reading Codes:
You can use post-it notes for this or you can use a notebook. If you use a notebook, remember to write down the page number the information goes with.
F is for a fact (something important that you learned or something important to the plot of the story)
P is for prediction (based on what you have read, what do you think might happen)
Q is for question (anything you are unsure about or want to know more about)
A is for the answer (any answers to the questions you had)
Use this strategy to help you answer short response questions.
R is for restating the question
A is for your answer
D is for the first detail to support your answser
D is for the second detail to support your answer


Reproductive rights are the rights and freedoms of individuals to have reproductive health and decide whether to reproduce and how to go about that.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine - March 2017 - Human Genome Editing: Science, Ethics, and Governance
Human genome editing holds great promise for treating or preventing many devastating genetic diseases and for improving understanding of many others. Powerful, precise, and less costly new genome editing technologies such as CRISPR and TALENs have led to an explosion of new avenues of research and potential clinical applications. However, the possibility of editing the human genome -- particularly “germline editing” or making changes to genetic material that can be passed down to future generations – raises a host of ethical and societal concerns. A new report by the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine says clinical trials for heritable genome editing could be permitted in the future, but only for serious conditions under stringent oversight.
- La Tribune November 2018 - China gives birth to genetically modified babies
- Why reproductive justice is essential to understanding gene editing
- Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis
- The Embryo Project at Arizona State University
- Reproductive rights on Wikipedia


As part of our continuing Science learning about animals and mindful of mental health awareness week, Garnet class have been making paper plate lions. Don't they look fabulous!
Mental Health Awareness Week.
To celebrate Mental Health Awareness week in KS1 we have been talking to the children this week about what affects your mental well being and what they can do to improve their mental well being. We have been completing jigsaws together, doing some mindful colouring, listening to calming music, trying some breathing exercises and having a go at some yoga. Ask your children which of these activities were their favourite.
KS1 Coronation Celebration
All of KS1 looked fantastic in their red, white and blue outfits on Friday for our Coronation Day. We also had a fabulous selection of crowns for our school crown competition, too. We started the day by making union jack bunting to decorate our classrooms. Then we had a range of activities to complete including icing biscuits, finger painting union jack flags to wave during the procession, building a castle for the new king and designing coins to celebrate the coronation. After a busy morning, we were ready for our picnic lunch. Unfortunately, the weather let us down, but we made the best of it by having our picnic lunch in the hall with some of the KS2 classes. We all had a fun Coronation Celebration.
Geography - Atlas Work
Welcome back to the Summer term. This term, our KS1 topic is Africa and Garnet Class enjoyed looking at the atlases this week to find the seven continents and five oceans. Ask your children how many they can still remember! Then, we looked at the continent of Africa in more detail and tried to locate the country of Kenya, which will be our focus country this term.
Science - Classifying Animals
Our Science this term is classifying animals and looking at their habitats. We are obviously linking this to our African topic and will be looking at African habitats. This week, the children were finding their own ways of sorting the animals before we talked about the scientific way of classifying animals.


Types of Asbestos
There are six type of widely known Asbestos. And each type belonged to one of the two category which are :
Out of the all the asbestos, there is only one that goes under the group of Serpentine, more known as the "White Asbestos". This category of asbestos has a structured and curly fibers.
Despite being only a only one Asbestos in the group Chrysolite's are the most used Asbestos in the world.
- Chrysolite is commonly utilized for Gaskets, Cement , Insulation, Brake Pads, Brake Linings, Joint Compound and Roofing Materials.
All the other 5 types of Asbestos belong to the Amphibole group. This group of asbestoshas a long chain-like structure of fibers that are sharp and straight and easy to inhale.
- Amosite Asbestos known as the "brown" asbestos, not used nowadays but was once second mostly commonly used Asbestos.
- Crocidolite Asbestos known as the "blue" asbestos has a much harder and more brittle than other types of the mineral and can break easily.
- Anthophyllite Asbestos is one of the rarest types of asbestos and does not have a long history of commercial use. Traces of anthophyllite may be present in talc and related products such as talcum powder.
- Tremolite Asbestos are strong, flexible, heat-resistant, and can be spun and woven into cloth in which makes it useful for commercial uses.
- Actinolite Asbestos is an asbestos who's mostly dark coloured. Typically used with the similar mineral vermiculite, which expands when heated. Can be found to be used as construction materials, for gardening, insulation, fireproofing etc.
Despite having different types of existing Asbestos. It is undeniable that all of them present a health risk. Each from the other may present different risks and may require different levels of exposure for the worker to be in harm but it not possible to avoid the risks as long as a worker is exposed to any type of Asbestos at a workplace.


Deep Draw Hydroforming Explained
In the metal forming industry ‘hydroforming’ has become somewhat of a buzzword and general term for metal shaping. But there are many ways of shaping metal in this industry, all with their own unique advantages.
Deep draw hydroforming is a process by witch metal sheets (commonly referred to as ‘blanks’) are formed into parts by being drawn through a die by a punch. The edges of the blank are held in place by clamps called ‘blank holders’ while the punch pushes the metal sheet into an opening to shape it. The punched piece can also be put through the process again to ultimately increase the height and reduce the diameter of the punched item. This second pass is usually known as a redraw. Draws can be done multiple times until the desired height and diameter are reached.
Approximately 40% of the blank diameter can be drawn in one pass, with one set of tools. To continue increasing height and decreasing diameter, multiple draws must be done to avoid punching through the bottom of the blank. Of course, percentages will vary depending on type of metal, blank thickness, quality of materials, and what shape the final item is being formed into.
As previously mentioned, different types of metal stand up to being drawn better than others. One of the best for this process is aluminum. It is strong yet lightweight, easily drawn, readily accepts a host of finishes, has a pleasing appearance, and can be shipped without worry that it will rust. On top of all that, tooling aluminum is cheaper than generally any other metal. Other good metals for this type of tooling include copper, stainless steel, and brass.
For more information on hydroforming and metal shaping in general, feel free to contact us.
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Do you know what Candida auris is? It is an emerging fungus that can cause serious health risks. In general, people with weak immune systems are more vulnerable to candida infections. At the same time, candida auris can cause significant contagion in hospitals and continuously harm the health of medical professionals. The infection has a mortality rate of up to 60% and has become a severe global health hazard.
It is not easy to treat Candida auris because it is resistant to many antifungal drugs. Antifungal medications such as echinocandins could be helpful. People with Candida auris need to change their habits, such as washing their hands with soap more frequently. When visiting someone in the hospital, remember to protect yourself and maintain excellent physical condition to avoid getting infected.
This frequency video will help to:
✅Relieve your symptoms.
✅Eliminate the fungus.
✅Strengthen your immune system.
Welcome to listen to this frequency and share it with your friends and family.
We suggest listening to this at least 2-3 times a day to see a possible effect. And it depends on your needs and personal situation to choose the volume level. We recommend maintaining a moderate volume at a comfortable level to prevent any hearing injury. Make sure you have enough lemon water or pure water to flush the die-offs from your body.


From 6th to 18th November, world leaders will gather at the Sharm el-Sheikh International Convention Centre (SHICC), Egypt, for COP27, the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference; to further continue the conversation on how the world can keep the goal of 1.5℃ alive and avoid the worst effects of climate change.
COP is the decision-making body responsible for monitoring and reviewing the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, whose objective is to “stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.”
While preparations are in top gear for COP27, it is imperative to review what has happened in Nigeria since COP26, especially after the popular commitment of the Nigerian government to cut its carbon emission to net zero by 2060.
While speaking at COP26 in Glasgow, the UK in November 2021, President Buhari said he did not think any Nigerian needs to be convinced that climate change is not about the problem of the future but about what is already facing the country.
“Desertification in the north, drought in the centre, pollution in the coast are enough evidence for all to see, Nigeria is committed to net zero by 2060,” he said.
Since that historic speech, this article reviews the activities that have happened in Nigeria’s climate change space so as to understand the conversation that Nigeria as a country will take to…
Read Full Article from www.premiumtimesng.com


I have treated intelligence many times; for example:
Positive Rights and Cosmic Justice: Part IV
Race and Reason: The Achievement Gap — Causes and Implications
“Wading” into Race, Culture, and IQ
The Harmful Myth of Inherent Equality
Bigger, Stronger, and Faster — But Not Quicker?
The IQ of Nations
Some Notes about Psychology and Intelligence
“Science” vs. Science: The Case of Evolution, Race, and Intelligence
More about Intelligence
Not-So-Random Thoughts (XXI), fifth item
Intelligence and Intuition
Intelligence, Personality, Politics, and Happiness
Intelligence As a Dirty Word
The material below consists entirely of quotations from cited sources. The quotations are consistent with and confirm several points made in the earlier posts:
- Intelligence has a strong genetic component; it is heritable.
- Race is a real manifestation of genetic differences among sub-groups of human beings. Those subgroups are not only racial but also ethnic in character.
- Intelligence therefore varies by race and ethnicity, though it is influenced by environment.
- Specifically, intelligence varies in the following way: There are highly intelligent persons of all races and ethnicities, but the proportion of highly intelligent persons is highest among Ashkenazi Jews, followed in order by East Asians, Northern Europeans, Hispanics (of European/Amerindian descent), and sub-Saharan Africans — and the American descendants of each group.
- Males are disproportionately represented among highly intelligent persons, relative to females. Males have greater quantitative skills (including spatio-temporal aptitude) relative to females; whereas, females have greater verbal skills than males.
- Intelligence is positively correlated with attractiveness, health, and longevity.
- The Flynn effect (rising IQ) is a transitory environmental effect brought about by environment (e.g., better nutrition) and practice (e.g., learning and application of technical skills). The Woodley effect is (probably) a long-term dysgenic effect among people whose survival and reproduction depends more on technology (devised by a relatively small portion of the populace) than on the ability to cope with environmental threats (i.e., intelligence).
I have moved the supporting material to a new page: “Intelligence“.


Crowning Achievements: Effect of topping on microclimate conditions and human comfort
The painful sight of mangled trees due to tree topping is, unfortunately, still common to the present day. Though extreme pruning and crown restructuring may be required for safety reasons, such an intervention cannot be continued forever and it is detrimental to tree life. We know that topping trees depresses tree health, but we didn’t know until now the effect it had on microclimate conditions and human comfort in urban environments.
With his Jack Kimmel International Grant, “Effect of Topping on Microclimate Condition and Human Comfort,” Dr. Francesco Ferrini, ISA’s 2019 Award of Merit Winner (see page 2), University of Florence, Italy, studied the effect tree topping had on two common tree genera, maple (Acer spp.) and linden (Tilia spp.) through (1) phenological phases (budbreak date, leaf yellowing and leaf fall), (2) biometric data (shoot length, trunk diameter, crown width, leaf area), (3) ecophysiology (leaf gas exchange, A/Cc curves), (4) SPAD values, (5) thermal imaging, and (6) climate data. Dr. Ferrini found significant temperature differences between the plots with topped trees and unpruned trees. He estimates that tree topping results in an annual increased cost of between $250 to $490 in additional air conditioning required to lower indoor room temperatures in surrounding buildings. He also found that phenological phases were delayed in topped trees such that both budbreak and leaf fall were later than in trees with no topping.
Dig deeper into Dr. Ferrini’s study on the negative effects of tree topping on microclimate conditions, human comfort, tree physiology and tree morphology by clicking here.
Click here for the complete, September 2019 issue of TREE Press.


The Russian ship MV AKADEMIK SHOKALSKIY has become trapped in ice in the remote Antarctic more than two days’ sailing from the nearest rescue vessel, officials said Wednesday.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is coordinating a search and rescue for the ship which is approximately 1500 nautical miles south of Hobart, Tasmania.
Expeditions Online describes their ship as follows:
Our ship, the Shokalskiy, is a true expedition vessel. Built in 1984 for polar and oceanographic research, she is fully ice-strengthened. This class of vessel is world renowned for polar exploration, because of its strength, maneuverability and small passenger numbers. With a maximum of 26 berths available to the public to join as members of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE), we are able to offer a unique expedition experience.
The Shokalskiy provides comfortable accommodation in double and twin cabins with private facilities. All cabins have outside windows and ample storage space. On board there is a combined bar/library lounge area and a dedicated lecture room, where the science team and expedition staff will present a programme of talks.
It is not known how long the ship has been unable to break free from the ice floes.
An AMSA spokeswoman on Wednesday said three ships had been sent to assist but it would take at least two days for the nearest vessel to reach the remote location – about 1500 nautical miles south of Hobart.
“It’s in quite a remote part of the world,” she said.


- A disposition or arrangement of troops for attacking an enemy unexpectedly from a concealed station. Hence: Unseen peril; a device to entrap; a snare.
- A concealed station, where troops or enemies lie in wait to attack by surprise.
verb (ambush, es)
- German: Hinterhalt
- (transitive) To station in ambush with a view to surprise an enemy.
- (transitive) To attack by ambush; to waylay.
Etymology: OE. enbussen, enbushen, OF. embushier, embuissier, French embícher, embusquer, from. LL. imboscare; in + LL. boscus, buscus, a wood; akin to G. bush, E. bush. See Ambuscade.
- German: aus dem Hinterhalt angreifen
Supplemental Details:Sponsor an extended definition for ambush for as little as $10 per month. Click here to contact us.


In the western world we eat a diet high in wheat, dairy, sugar. These foods can cause acidity and inflammation in the body. Our diet is high in omega 6 and low in omega 3 which can lead to production of arachadonic acid and inflammatory pathways in the body. This can lead to chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and heart disease. However we have the power to reduce inflammation and feel better by changing our diet. When we include anti-inflammatory foods in our diet, inflammation and pain can be eased. Furthermore your joints work more smoothly, cell membranes are held together and immune cells produces less histamine.
Here are my recommended top 10 anti-inflammatory foods:
- Oily fish – is rich in omega 3 that stimulates anti-inflammatory pathways in the body, reducing inflammation. Oily fish rich in omega 3 include mackerel, sardines, salmon, anchovies and herring.
- Ginger – is a root herb that improves circulation in the fingers and toes. Also it can prevent nausea and reduce inflammation in the body.
- Turmeric -is a spice that can reduce inflammation. It decreases permeability in the blood-brain barrier to prevent brain inflammation and cognitive decline. Furthermore it fights cancer.
- Nuts & seeds – plant based sources of omega 3 include walnuts, flaxseed/linseed, chia seeds, hemp seeds and pumpkin seeds.
- Green leafy vegetables – are rich in minerals and alkalise the body, reducing acidosis and the associated inflammation. Also they are rich in vitamin C which acts as a natural anti-histamine to reduce inflammation.
- Extra virgin olive oil – contains the chemical oleocanthal that acts similarly to ibuprofen to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Garlic – this potent herb can help to reduce joint swelling.
- Green tea – is rich in polyphenol antioxidants and helps to reduce inflammation.
- Blueberries – are rich in the antioxidant quercetin that protects the body from oxidant stress, reducing inflammation.
- Pineapple – contains the digestive enzyme bromelain. Bromelain helps to regulate the immune system and prevent unwanted inflammation.
Finally if you would like more information about how to reduce pain and inflammation, contact Kate on 07652 868342 or email@example.com. You can receive personalised advice including a nutrition plan and supplement plan.
Copyright: andrelix / 123RF Stock Photo


A lottery is a game of chance in which numbers are randomly drawn. Lotteries are illegal in some countries, but many governments endorse them and organize state or national lotteries. They are also regulated by the government. If you’re wondering if your state or country allows them, check with your local government for more information.
Lotteries are used for many different purposes. They can be used to select kindergarten placements or housing units, or they can award large cash prizes. The National Basketball Association, for example, holds a lottery to determine its draft picks. The winning team is able to choose the best college talent. Throughout the ages, lotteries have played an important role in society.
The lottery is a great way to raise money for charities. Many states donate a percentage of the revenue generated from the games. Most of this money is used for public needs. The lottery was first used in the Old Testament, when Moses was instructed to take a census of Israel. The Roman emperors also reportedly used lotteries to distribute property and slaves. The lottery was later introduced to the United States by British colonists. However, it was banned in ten states between 1844 and 1859.
In colonial America, there were over 200 lotteries, including one to fund the construction of roads, libraries, colleges, canals, and bridges. Lotteries were also used to fund local militias and fortifications. In fact, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts raised money for an expedition against Canada using a lottery in 1758.


This chip replaces most of the silicon with biodegradable cellulose—and it actually works.
In our quest for the next new thing in gadgets, we throw away a lot of old electronics—millions of tons of the stuff. But now there may be a biodegradable alternative for at least one part of all those devices: the chip.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin have developed a chip made mostly from wood. And, what's more, they claim it works as well as a silicon-based chip. According to MIT Technology Review:
In conventional chip manufacturing, electronic components like transistors are made on the surface of a rigid wafer made of a semiconducting material such as silicon. [The researchers] made the electronic components in a similar way but then used a rubber stamp to lift them from the wafer and transfer them to a new surface made of nanocellulose. This reduced the amount of semiconducting material used by a factor of up to 5,000, without sacrificing performance.
The design doesn't replace the active components of the chips, which are still composed of gallium arsenide, a toxic substance. It does replace the larger base layer, swapping silicon for a very thin layer of cellulose, or wood. That means most of the chip would decompose on its own in nature.
"The majority of material in a chip is support. We only use less than a couple of micrometers for everything else," says lead researcher Zhenqiang (Jack) Ma in a press release. "Now the chips are so safe you can put them in the forest and fungus will degrade it. They become as safe as fertilizer."
Ma says the chip is ready for full production but says it's currently more expensive than silicon-based chips, so would need extra environmental pressure, or a spike in rare metal prices, to become a reality.


How Much Shadow Can a Groundhog See?
Remember the tongue-twisting riddle “How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?” The Associated Press published a concrete answer to this riddle, but to this day there is still much speculation as to really how much wood a woodchuck could indeed chuck.
But, TODAY in America, the woodchuck must move aside from the limelight and make way for the groundhog. One named Punxsutawney Phil to be exact. For 131 years now, a celebration on February 2nd begins when American wake up and eagerly await important weather news from Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when Groundhog Phil emerges from his Punxsutawney burrow on this day, then the spring season will arrive early, some time before the vernal equinox; if it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its den, and winter weather will persist for six more weeks. Today, it seems we will have six more weeks of winter as it were.
Modern customs of Groundhog Day involve week-long celebrations leading up to the day to watch the groundhog emerging from its burrow. Crowds swell to numbers as much as 40,000 onlookers during Groundhog Week in Punxsatawney. There are breakfasts with Groundhog Phil, the Crowning of Little Mr. & Miss Groundhog, Doggie competitions of groundhog outfits, Art shows, chainsaw carving, scavenger hunts, concerts, dances … even an evening grand ball!
But, can the future weather season really be determined on the actions of one celebrity groundhog? How much shadow could a groundhog see if the groundhog can’t see shadows?
Here at iHAMMS, we exercise actionable intelligence and make relevant business decisions with certainty. We don’t look in the shadows for answers.
But, we do love the furry animals nonetheless!
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Let us help you predict your future.


Food Perceptions and Dietary Behavior of American-Indian Children, Their Caregivers, and Educators: Formative Assessment Findings from Pathways.
Additional Document Info
Dietary findings from a school-based obesity prevention project (Pathways) are reported for children from six different American-Indian nations. A formative assessment was undertaken with teachers, caregivers, and children from nine schools to design a culturally appropriate intervention, including classroom curriculum, food service, physical education, and family components. This assessment employed a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods (including direct observations, paired-child in-depth interviews, focus groups with child caregivers and teachers, and semistructured interviews with caregivers and foodservice personnel) to query local perceptions and beliefs about foods commonly eaten and risk behaviors associated with childhood obesity at home, at school, and in the community. An abundance of high-fat, high-sugar foods was detected in children's diets described by caregivers, school food-service workers, and the children themselves. Although children and caregivers identified fruits and vegetables as healthy food choices, this knowledge does not appear to influence actual food choices. Frequent high-fat/high-sugar food sales in the schools, high-fat entrees in school meals, the use of food rewards in the classroom, rules about finishing all of one's food, and limited family resources are some of the competing factors that need to be addressed in the Pathways intervention.


A team of military medical scientists in China says it has inserted a gene from the microscopic water bear into human embryonic stem cells and significantly increased these cells’ resistance to radiation.
They said success in this unprecedented experiment could lead to super-tough soldiers who could survive nuclear fallout.
From water bear to super soldier
The water bear, also known as tardigrade or moss piglet, is an eight-legged animal smaller than 1 millimetre long and the hardiest creature on Earth. Over years of scientific testing, it has survived -200 degrees Celsius, more than anour hour in boiling water and after flying in space.
The water bear’s toughness comes in part from a gene that can generate shieldlike proteins to protect its cells against radiation and other environmental damage.
The Chinese team said it had found a way to introduce this gene into human DNA using CRISPR/Cas9, a gene-editing tool now available in most bio-labs.
In their laboratory experiment, nearly 90 per cent of the human embryonic cells carrying the water bear gene survived a lethal exposure to X-ray radiation, according to the team led by professor Yue Wen with the radiation biotechnology laboratory at the Academy of Military Sciences, Beijing.
There has been a growing interest in the study since Yue and his colleagues published their findings in the Chinese-language journal Military Medical Sciences in October, according to a Beijing-based life scientist.
“This is amazing, considering the big difference between the water bear and a human,” said the researcher who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the technology.


Image: By Bonnie Heidel/USGov-Interior [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Wyoming is home to one of the world’s rarest plants, the desert yellowhead. This unusual plant defies all expectations—its shiny, dark green leaves contrast with the rough and rugged leaves of its neighbors on the wind-swept slopes of central Wyoming. At a foot or so tall, it towers over the diminutive, pincushion-sized plants that are adapted to dry, windy sites—the so-called cushion plant communities. It favors infertile, nearly white soils, where vegetation is sparse. In fact, it distains nearby habitats with better soil and larger and more abundant plant cover. A member of the sunflower family, desert yellowhead is unusual in its flowers, too. Petals are so small as to be nearly microscopic, but each group of a few flowers is surrounded by yellow-green, petal-like bracts, looking rather like tiny bright lanterns on the dusty landscape. Desert yellowhead was unknown to science until 1990, when it was discovered during a survey. The discoverer gave it a scientific name, Yermo xanthocephala, which, translated to English, means desert yellowhead. Desert yellowhead is found nowhere else in the world, and seems to have no near relatives in the mountain west, so its origin and history in the Wyoming desert remain mysteries.


“Perhaps the most important truth I have learned is that healing in grief is heart-based, not head-based.”
Alan Wolfelt, Grief Counselor, Educator, Author, Director,
The Center for Loss and Life Transition
You never “get over” a death; you learn to live with it.
Learning to live with a loss takes a very long time.
Feelings may become stronger 4-6 weeks after a death as the reality starts to sink in. If this occurs, remember that it is normal.
People grieve in their own unique fashion.
Some people may need to tell stories, attend grief groups, look through pictures, and express emotions, while others find comfort in solitude.
Some may need to make lists, complete tasks, increase physical activity or attend to practical matters. They might not want (or need) to talk or cry.
Grief does not follow any orderly “stages”.
Experiencing the emotions of grief is more like riding a roller coaster than taking a walk.
Feelings can be unpredictable. It is normal to feel overwhelmed and frightened by their intensity. Try not to analyze thoughts and feelings – just experience them.
Know the “Rules of Grief”
If you find yourself questioning the “appropriateness” or “normalcy” of your actions; such as how often to visit the cemetery; wearing the clothes of the deceased or talking to the person who died, it might be helpful to consider the rules of grief. If you’re not breaking these rules, trust yourself.
Do the things that bring you comfort.
The rules of grief are:
• Don’t hurt yourself.
• Don’t physically hurt anyone else.
You’re not going crazy!
Grief is a normal response to a loss.
It is completely normal to feel overwhelmed by thoughts and feelings. Don’t be afraid to see a physician if you are having difficulty functioning.
Surround yourself with people and things that are supportive, comforting and nonjudgmental.


In Enterprise Applications, we are able to use the data models like Object Oriented Data Model, Relational Data Model, etc. In general, Front-End applications are able to use Object Oriented Data Model to represent data and Back-End Systems are able to use Relational Data Model to represent data.
In the above context, both Object Oriented Data Model and relational Data model are having their own conventions to represent data, these different conventions will create mismatches between data models, it will reduce data persistency in enterprise applications.
In the above context, to improve data persistency in enterprise applications we have to solve the mismatches between data models, for those we have to use ORM implementations.
Hibernate is one of the ORM implementation, it has provided “Hibernate Mappings” feature to resolve mismatches between data models. To resolve mismatches between data models, Hibernate has provided the following mappings.
There are 4 different Types of Mappings
- Basic OR Mapping.
- Component Mapping
- Inheritance Mapping
- Association Mapping
1. Basic OR Mapping
It is normal mapping between a class, an ID property, a normal property from Object Oriented data model and a table, a primary key column and normal columns.


For most persons, the words ‘map’ and ‘chart’ are freely interchangeable. However, a distinction may be made between the two. Concern of landsmen is with the geographic characteristics within their realm–its rivers, mountains, forests and swamps, along with man-made features of roads and towns–in order to grasp the nature and extent of the land and know how to move around within it. Maps provide that information. Oceans are considered merely as blank spaces separating the land-masses. The mariners’ interest is the reverse; their primary domain is the ocean, and land is portrayed only to define the outer bounds of that region. Interest in land is confined to that thin strip containing harbors of refuge at the end of a voyage. Only those features of land visible from the sea, such as headlands and prominent features, which enable him to correctly identify a landfall, are of importance. Charts, then, are a “mapping” of the ocean.
United States Geological Survey
Maine Portland Sheet and Maine Casco Bay Sheet
Lithograph, 44.5cm x 64.8cm (together)
Washington, DC: United States Geological Survey, 1893/1910 and 1893/1909.
United States Coast and Geodetic Survey
Casco Bay Maine
Electrotype, 62.7cm x 98.6cm
Washington, DC: United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1870/1896/1905


Learning to Think BIG
Trace Pickering changes the lives of students on a daily basis, and it was a single teacher who changed the course of his. The director of Iowa BIG, an experiencebased high school where students drive the learning, Pickering has never forgotten the man who took an interest in him and helped him see his own potential. Today his interest is in the trajectory of every child’s learning in America, and he’s been leading by example in the evolution of education.
Students of Iowa BIG are learning to think big outside the bounds of a traditional curriculum. At BIG, they create new innovations, solve problems for their neighbors, and think critically about the challenges of their community. The program allows them to use the fundamentals of learning in a hands-on approach that’s a bridge to the real world they will soon graduate into. It also puts them side by side with local entrepreneurs and million-dollar companies that provide invaluable mentorship and training, allowing them to work in a professional
coworking environment for part of the day. The program is considered so innovative that in 2015, it received funding from the Emerson Collective, a foundation from Laurene Powell Jobs, widow of the late Steve Jobs.
When students are at Iowa BIG, they aren’t just students—they’re inventors, creators, and designers. “Working in a professional space has a profound effect on learners and their self concept,” says Pickering. “One of the things schools teach kids is the concept of being done—as in ‘Am I done yet?’, or ‘Is it good enough so can I move on?’ But we know that’s not how adult life works. We’re never done. When we see kids start to drive their learning versus being passengers, that’s when we really start to see them unfold.”


Millions of Americans dance, whether recreationally or professionally. Until recently, scientists have paid little attention to the neurological benefits of dancing. However, research has uncovered that dancing improves agility and flexibility. As we get older, our coordination and balance deteriorate. These factors are among the leading causes of falls, and dancing can help us maintain our balance and walk more efficiently. Listed below are a few reasons why dancing can help your brain. Interested?
Dancers’ bodies and minds are stimulated by the rhythm and movement of the dance. Dancers’ bodies produce feel-good endorphins, which can improve their moods and reduce the production of the stress hormone cortisol. Many studies have shown that dancing helps reduce stress and anxiety. As a form of exercise, it counts toward your weekly cardiovascular activity. There are many other reasons to dance. Here are a few of the most compelling reasons.
Energy: When dancers move, their bodies use their energy to communicate meaning. Their movements may be gentle, strong, or abstract. For example, a dancer might link her toes together in a sequence, or link arms with a single leg. The dancer’s movements are also shaped by their energy. The use of energy is key to the stage performance. It can reveal a dancer’s internal world by displaying an upward tendency, weight, and the smoothness of her breath.
According to the researchers, dance is associated with lower risks of dementia. This may be due to increased mental focus and social interaction. Also, it increases white matter in the brain, which breaks down as we age. As a result, dancing is thought to protect the brain from this aging-induced neurodegeneration. A positive effect of dancing on the brain is obvious. The benefits of dancing for your health go beyond entertainment! So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and dance!


Cleanability and the Pharmaceutical Industry
The pharmaceutical industry is incredibly important to the health and well-being of our communities. As with other industries affected by the guidelines and requirements set forth by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), companies in the pharmaceutical industry must adhere to tightening requirements for the cleanability of their metal surfaces. For this industry in particular, pathogen resistance is extremely important for ensuring surfaces are clean and free from harmful bacteria.
With electropolishing, customers can enjoy the benefits of an ultra-smooth surface of materials and equipment that facilitate the cleaning and decontamination processes.
Electropolishing and Its Contributions to Health and Safety
Electropolishing is usually the first choice for finishing the high-purity systems in which pharmaceutical industry equipment and surface are used.
The electropolishing process works by removing the top layer of the metal, removing contaminants and particulates along with it. The end result improves production and thus performance, reducing adhesion levels in the process. The chemical reactions that occur during the electropolishing process further contribute to the cleaning of the metal along the way.
These results are particularly important for materials used in the pharmaceutical industry, as volatile or aggressive chemicals could react with the finished metal after treatment, potentially rendering the surface passive. Electropolishing limits the effects of these interactions.


[Episode 19 | 1828 : Alice]
Freddie tells Alice about his forging history while they paint a piglet black. They then switch it with George's piglet Benny in order to fix the race. When Alice awakes she's shocked to find there is something wrong with Wilhelmina.
The Australian Curriculum: History aims to ensure that students develop:
This resource contains extracts from the Australian Curriculum and is current as at 25 May 2011. © Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority 2010.
ACARA neither endorses nor verifies the accuracy of the information provided and accepts no responsibility for incomplete or inaccurate information. You can find the unaltered and most up to date version of this material at http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/Home
This material is reproduced with the permission of ACARA.
Penalties for crime were very harsh in Alice's era. Something that might be considered a minor offence by today's standards could result in a sentence of many years of hard labour or even lead to death in 1828.
Student Activity Sheet H19.5: Crime and punishment
In this clip, a convict talks about committing the crime of forgery. Skilled forgers were often caught making illegal copies of banknotes in Alice's era. The use of money was different from today. Early Australian settlements often lacked sufficient legal currency to support the colony's fledging economy, forcing the use of alternative means of monetary exchange. From 1825, English currency became the official currency of the colonies, using the imperial system of pounds, shillings and pence. It replaced the 'holey dollar' that Governor Macquarie had used as currency.
Student Activity Sheet: H19.6 Money for goods


Which Vaccines Are Necessary for Seniors?
A flu shot for seniors isn’t just about avoiding the misery associated with illness; it’s about potentially saving a life. As we age, our immune systems weaken, leaving us at risk for serious reactions to common viral infections. Vaccinations can drastically reduce this risk, but only when people take advantage. If you have fallen behind on your vaccinations, learn which ones are the most vital to good health.
Over the past several years, vaccination rates for children have steadily risen. On the other hand, the rates for older adults have remained stagnant, leaving millions of seniors at risk of being hospitalized, dying or, in the case of shingles, experiencing debilitating effects that can persist for years.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the following vaccines are critical for Americans over the age of 65:
- Influenza (Flu)
- Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
- Pneumococcal disease (Pneumonia)
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Since many seniors live in retirement communities that promote social interaction, they are at a high risk of contracting viral infections from one another. With this in mind, it’s important to get vaccinated to keep from spreading illness.
But I Was Vaccinated Years Ago
Contrary to popular opinion, you may require an inoculation even if you received that same vaccine as a child or young adult. Over time, our bodies can lose much of their resistance to common viral infections. You doctor can help you determine if a booster shot is appropriate for your particular situation.


Part of the Project
Central Saint Martins graduate and Future Food Award winner Fernando Laposse is changing the way we see a traditional Mexican staple, corn. His design has since been shortlisted for the 2018 Beazley Designs of the Year.
Since it was founded in 2008, hundreds of design experts from around the world nominate the most innovative and thought-provoking designs from the past 12 months.
Laposse’s project, Totomoxtle looks at a sustainable way to revitalise the traditional corn farming industry in Mexico by turning an otherwise discarded material, corn husks, into veneers.
Traditional corn farming is ingrained in the agricultural, social and economic makeup of Mexican people. So much so that there’s over 60 native varieties of various colours and shapes.
But the traditional way of farming has all but collapsed as a result of Mexico’s trade agreement with the USA.
To keep up with the industrial quantities of corn flooding into Mexico, which radically decreased the price of corn, Mexican farmers turned to modern methods – agrochemicals and mass production – to increase their yield. This has eroded the land and left many farmers destitute.
Naturally colourful, the veneers make unique furniture and interiors. “So the idea was to create something with the power of design to increase its perceived value,” the product designer explains.
For more, watch the interview above or see his Design Talk at the inaugural antenna, a global scan of design the world’s best design graduates.
Watch Next: Is it possible for childbearing to happen outside the human body?


Solar panels needs solar switches.
These automatic transfer switches are commonly found in heavy duty industrial applications in solar power-based systems. Solar disconnects are used to switch and disconnect DC circuits in photovoltaic systems. Solar power systems use photovoltaic panels, or solar panels, to convert the energy harnessed from the sun into usable and safe electricity. Solar disconnects are specially designed with the nature of solar power in mind, as well the specific setups and circuitry of the solar panels themselves.
Like other safety switches and disconnects, manual and automatic transfer solar switches can function as an isolating switch by isolating certain solar panels or other parts of the photovoltaic system.
Breaking DC currents? No problem.
One of the reasons solar switches are so preferable in these situations is their ruggedness, and their ability to handle DC currents. DC currents are much trickier to handle than AC currents, especially since the temperature of the arcs are so much higher. Solar switches typically have more than one pole, making it easier to extinguish the arc. The longer the arc, the higher the resistance, and the easier it is to extinguish.
Your one and only solar switch source.
With solar power becoming more and more popular, your solar automatic transfer switch options are more and more numerous. Bay Power’s selection of solar switches offers you a variety of products across several ratings. Whether you’re looking for a manual or an automatic transfer switch, solar switches are available in both options.
Take your pick from solar switches from industry-leading solar switch manufacturers like GE, Eaton, Schneider, ABB and more.
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Next-generation solar cells to receive miracle material
- 1 min read
Australian scientists have solved a fundamental problem that had prevented perovskite from being used in next-generation solar cells. Known as a ‘miracle material’, perovskite is forged deep within the Earth’s mantle, and has been hailed for its unprecedented potential to convert sunlight into electricity. Researchers have already improved its sunlight-to-energy efficiency from around 3 per cent to over 20 per cent in the space of just a few years.
It is hoped the breakthrough paves the way for perovskite to transform the solar industry through cheaper and more efficient photovoltaics. It was thought that it would be at least 10 years before it reached a point that the material could be used in commercial solar cells, however the latest breakthrough could see the wide uptake of the technology much sooner.
"It was one of those unusual discoveries that you sometimes hear about in science," said Dr Hall from the University of Melbourne. “We were performing a measurement, looking for something else, and then we came across this process that at the time seemed quite strange. However, we quickly realised it was an important observation.”
With the help of researchers at the University of Sydney, the scientists were able to use computational modelling to solve the problem of instability within the material when exposed to sunlight.
The unlikely solution was to undo the disruption caused by light at lower intensities by focusing the light into a high-intensity beam.
“On a normal sunny day, the intensity is so low that these deformations are still localised,” said Dr Stefano Bernardi from the University of Sydney. “But if you find a way to increase the excitation above a certain threshold, for example by using a solar concentrator, then segregation disappears.”
Dr Hall added: “What we’ve shown is that you can actually use the material in the state that you want to use it, for a solar cell - all you need to do is focus more light onto it."
The research could also have significant implications for data storage, with perovskites offering a way to dramatically increase a device’s potential capacity.


To date, synthetic biology has been mainly focused on reproducing existing compounds and materials with biomanufacturing. Think of engineering yeast to produce anti-malarial drugs, or bacteria producing spider silk. But as our guest — Professor Tom Ellis of Imperial College London — argues, the future of synthetic biology is in creating materials with fundamentally new and distinct functions. Imagine, a spider silk rope that it is interwoven with cells that can catalyze the dissolution of that rope in certain circumstances. Host Lauren Richardson and a16z bio deal team partner Judy Savitskaya talk to Dr. Ellis about his group’s work creating a prototype of an engineered living material (ELM) that can be iterated on and programmed with a huge array of different functions, which was recently published in the the article “Living materials with programmable functionalities grown from engineered microbial co-cultures” by Charlie Gilbert, Tzu-Chieh Tang, Wolfgang Ott, Brandon A. Dorr, William M. Shaw, George L. Sun, Timothy K. Lu & Tom Ellis in Nature Materials. They also cover how ELMs can disrupt established markets and their varied uses in industry, healthcare, fashion, consumer products, and even potentially in space travel.
Journal Club: Engineering Living Materials
February 23, 2021