Having effective learning skills, strategies, and techniques can greatly improve your ability to acquire new information — whether at school or on the job. Good learning skills can reduce the time spent studying as well as increase the effectiveness of your efforts. When learning, it is very important not only how you schedule your time but also how you apply yourself during your time. Developing good study habits will be beneficial in both the short term as well as the long term.
Work smarter not harder
When it comes to learning new information it doesn’t matter how ‘smart’ you are, what is important is how you approach the task of studying. In general, people who are considered ‘smart’ really just apply these techniques — either consciously or unconsciously.
This section of the website presents many techniques and strategies that can be applied by anyone to increase the effectiveness of the time spent studying, learning, and remembering.
The learning process
When we learn we are generally trying to achieve three things:
Remember — commit new information to memory so we can access it in the future. There are many memory skills and techniques that can be used to vastly improve your memory. Having good memory skills provides a solid base for the following tasks.
- Comprehension and understanding — of course we must understand what we are studying. The true test of whether or not we understand what we are studying is our ability to apply the information correctly.
- Applying your knowledge — if you can apply what you have learned to solve problems with the information you have studied then you have truly learned it.
Applying the learning skills
It is possible to increase the effectiveness of our learning time and effort by applying effective learning strategies. Good learning skills are a set of techniques that you follow when you study. There are many strategies that can be applied to improve learning and make the time you spend learning more effective. By working on your learning skills until you are proficient and they are habitual, you will quickly acquire new information and grasp new concepts easily.
More InformationEffective Learning Strategies


Docker is a platform for running applications in lightweight units called containers. Containers have taken hold in software everywhere, from serverless functions in the cloud to strategic planning in the enterprise. Docker is becoming a core competency for operators and developers across the industry--in the 2019 Stack Overflow survey, Docker polled as people’s number one “most wanted” technology ( http://mng.bz/04lW ).
And Docker is a simple technology to learn. You can pick up this book as a complete beginner, and you’ll be running containers in chapter 2 and packaging applications to run in Docker in chapter 3. Each chapter focuses on practical tasks, with examples and labs that work on any machine that runs Docker--Windows, Mac, and Linux users are all welcome here.
The journey you’ll follow in this book has been honed over the many years I’ve been teaching Docker. Every chapter is hands-on--except this one. Before you start learning Docker, it’s important to understand just how containers are being used in the real world and the type of problems they solve--that’s what I’ll cover here. This chapter also describes how I’ll be teaching Docker, so you can figure out if this is the right book for you.


The National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has released updated guidelines on diagnosis and treatment of food allergies. The summary page for parents and patients can be found HERE.
–Most children with allergies to milk, egg, soy, and wheat will eventually be able to tolerate these allergens, while tree nut and peanut allergies are less likely to resolve with time. Likewise, food allergies that begin in adulthood are likely to persist.
–Food allergies tend to coexist with asthma, atopic dermatitis, eosinophilic esophagitis, and exercise-induced asthma. Eliminating food allergens can improve symptoms of some of these comorbid conditions.
–The guidelines do not recommend restricting maternal diet during pregnancy or lactation to prevent the development or clinical course of food allergies, but they do recommend exclusive breast-feeding of all infants until age 4 to 6 months, unless medical reasons contraindicate breast-feeding.
According to Dr. Hugh Sampson, the guidelines concur with current American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines. “There is no evidence that delaying certain foods, even foods that are considered allergenic, (is) going to have any significant effect on the development of allergy,” he said.
-Food allergies should be confirmed, because studies indicate that 50% to 90% of presumed food allergies are, in fact, not allergies.


Positive bias and mental health
My main line of research concerns positive bias, i.e., the phenomenon that many people see the world more brightly and more positive than it really is, and whether and at what ages individual differences in positive bias are associated with differences in mental and social functioning. In this project I combine longitudinal data collected every 2-3 years with more fine-grained momentary assessments, laboratory tasks, and biomarkers.
One of the key findings of this project is that absence of positive bias during early and mid-adolescence predict onset of depression later in life. My aim for future research is to investigate when and how individual differences in positive bias arise, and what role genetic vulnerabilities and parenting play.
- Blije gezichten en andere beloningen: aandacht voor positieve informatie als beschermend mechanisme tegen depressie
- Happy Faces and Other Rewards: Different Perspectives on a Bias Away from Positive and Toward Negative Information as an Underlying Mechanism of Depression
- The bright side of life - An intergenerational study into the origins of optimism
- An Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial of Personalized Lifestyle Advice and Tandem Skydives as a Means to Reduce Anhedonia
- Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial to explore the effects of personalized lifestyle advices and tandem skydives on pleasure in anhedonic young adults


Several of the Viking Runes are ideographic, which means the symbol represents an idea rather than a specific letter or sound. Tiwaz is perhaps the best example of this, as the rune looks like the spear it’s meant to represent. Tiwaz is the rune for Tyr, the Norse God known for granting warriors victory in battle. Tyr is also known for sacrificing his hand to bind Fenrir, the wolf who will swallow the sun when Ragnarok comes again. Today, the Tiwaz rune is used to represent justice, a sense of duty, and honor.
Understanding Tiwaz: A Look at the Historical Record
Tiwaz appears in all three Rune poems, as well as in the Poetic Edda, which is a collection of Old Norse poems.
This is from Sigrdrífumál, a poem in the Poetic Edda:
if thou longest to win,
And the runes on thy sword-hilt write;
Some on the furrow,
and some on the flat,
And twice shalt thou call on Tyr.
Here’s the Old Norwegian Rune Poem reference, which acknowledges what happened when Tyr lost his hand to Fenrir:
Tyr is a one-handed god;
often has the smith to blow.
The Old Icelandic reads:
Tyr = god with one hand
and leavings of the wolf
and prince of temples.
In the Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem, we read:
(?) is a (guiding) star; well does it keep faith
with princes; it is ever on its course
over the mists of night and never fails.
Tyr is the Runic Letter T.
Yes, Racists Rune Everything
Historically, the Tiwaz rune was used on German uniforms during WW2. Subsequently it has been adopted and used by some far-right hate groups and terrorist organizations.
However, as evidenced by the 2018 Norwegian Ski Team, who wore Tiwaz in their uniform design, the rune can be worn by people who are in good faith seeking victory. All of our rune products, including the Tiwaz rune pendant and pocket rune sets, are offered in the spirit of love and inclusivity.


Report reproduced with permission of Canonbury 2020: Improving Canonbury for and by residents
Mike Brown MVO, Transport Commissioner Transport for London, 2017:
The key to understanding the Healthy Streets Approach is to understand that most journeys made by Londoners start, end or happen entirely on our streets. To enable these streets to function in the way we want them to, we have to make them work for walking, cycling and public transport, so both individuals and the city as a whole can benefit.
TfL commissioned Lucy Saunders to develop a metric for healthy streets, a metric which we can all use on our own local streets here in Islington. Have a go! How does your street measure up ?
Pedestrians from all walks of life
London's streets should be welcoming places for everyone to walk, spend time in and engage in community life.
People choose to walk, cycle and use public transport
A successful transport system enables more people to walk and cycle more often.
Improving air quality delivers benefits for everyone and reduces unfair health inequalities.
People feel safe
The whole community should feel comfortable and safe on our streets at all times. People should not feel worried about road danger.
Not too noisy
Reducing the noise impacts of traffic will directly benefit health and improve the ambience of our streets.
Easy to cross
Making streets easier to cross is important to encourage more walking and to connect communities.
Places to stop and rest
A lack of resting places can limit mobility for certain groups of people.
Shade and shelter
Providing shade and shelter enables everybody to use our streets, whatever the weather.
People feel relaxed
More people will walk or cycle if our streets are not dominated by motor traffic, and if pavements and cycle paths are not overcrowded, dirty or in disrepair.
Things to see and do
People are more likely to use our streets when their journey is interesting and stimulating, with attractive views, buildings, planting and street art.
Read more here: Guide to the Healthy Streets Indicators
And sign up for a newsletter by emailing firstname.lastname@example.org!
Eilidh's active participation in the community she loves led her to set up the #inspiringsustainableislington site and generally inspire us to bigger and better things for our environment. Follow her on Twitter.


Hazton Technology for multiplying Rice Yields
Specific information can be gathered from www.hazton.net
Some Indonesian farming communities are being familiarized with a new technology of agriculture scheme that is acknowledged as Hazton. Hazton technology was pioneered and applied in various regions in Indonesia. A number of examinations were conducted to prove that this Hazton System was applicable and replicable anywhere in any corner of Indonesia. Based on the information from several parties, this Hazton technology will have results in yields 3 times than the ordinary one.
Hazton Technology was initiated as a result of thinking of the Local community member of West Kalimantan namely Ir. Hazairin MS, who currently serves as the Head of the Agriculture and Food Crops Horticulture Service and Anton Kamaruddin, SP, M.Sc as the Head of the Food Crops and Fruits Section.
Hazton technology can be realized as a way to grow rice by using old seedlings aged 25-35 days after seedling with the number of dense seeds that is 20-30 seedlings per planting hole.
The superiority of the Hazton method as follow
- Potential High production where the rice is easy to plant. Therefore plant adaptation is faster / not stressed after planting and is relatively resistant to pests [golden snails and regular snails]
- little or even no replanting and weeding, faster harvest age, high grain quality, and the percentage of broken rice is relatively low.
- Through the Hazton method, the yields increase especially during the months of April-September planting season, which is usually only a little land clearing due to entering the dry season.
Currently some testings will be carried out in Java. Therefore efforts to improve the testing are part of proving the quality and quantity of Hazton technology. We hope a success for this testing toward real implementation.
Following are the documents relevant to Hazton’s lessons learned


Law essay assignments usually concern the discussion of the people rights and justice system. To write a successful law essay you will need to apply a lot of theory and knowledge. You cannot discuss law without knowing actual rules and regulations. Sometimes you can debate one or another issue, express your point of view, but in most cases in order to write a good argumentation you will need to have specific evidences. Sometimes your essay task will be to research some topic. For this purposes you can do two types of research: quantitative research, which relies numerical data, and qualitative research, which relies on field observations.
Quantitative research in the law essay:
A legal study of the reformation of ethical law practices. Is there a cause-and-effect relationship between increases in welfare benefits and occurrence of criminal offenders on the street?
Sample experiment: Researchers record number of times first-grade teachers call on male students and number of times they call on female students to identify potential patterns of sexual discrimination in elementary school classrooms.
Qualitative research in law essay:
Sample experiment: Examine strengths and weakness of the jury system. Identify how a jury functions during a trial and possible group theory phenomena that may affect jury verdicts.
The teacher can also ask you to discuss and analyze the law case study that will contain the crime scene and the investigation that has been conducted. This type of law essay focuses on a particular case, one individual or group observed over a specific period of time. When you are writing your law essay, be aware that the findings or conclusions in one case study should not be generalized to populations outside the study, although a series of case studies may be compared or contrasted to help identify trends, patterns of behavior, and so forth.
Use logic and knowledge in order to complete your law essay successfully. Study your topic precisely and use specific writing techniques. It will help you do good in your law classes.
If you need professional essay help in writing law papers – hire a highly qualified writer to write an essay for you.


Working People's Stories of Environmental Conflict and Urban FlightBeverly A. Brown
Southwest Oregon embodies the fast-changing social and environmental trends of the Pacific Northwest: the volatile clash of logging and environmental interests over the fate of old growth forests, an influx of wealthy suburbanites from California, and the effects of national economic trends. Championing neither environmentalists nor timber companies, Beverly A. Brown analyzes the subsequent transformation of the region. Her candid interviews with mostly poor to lower-middle-income people from the Rogue Valley region bring these looming social, cultural, and economic changes into the realm of everyday life.
Working-class men and women describe a growing segregation of private forest lands and waterwayswhere people could once move freely, they are now boxed in by fences and No Trespassing signs; where once tranquility and open space was treasured, traffic and tract homes envelop the landscape. Talking openly, they lament the increased presence of drugs, problems with the welfare system, the dearth of non-logging employment opportunities, and family violence. But they also share a love of their rural hometowns and a genuine desire to balance preservation of the environment with the economic well-being of their communities.
"(A) sophisticated attempt to get a handle on the crisis in rural America. The oral histories she has gathered are a primer for anyone interested in learning a more complicated and interesting truth about the Northwest timber wars." The Progressive
Conflicts in Urban and Regional Development


Check Out Our Middle School I-Crest Projects
Students were tasked with a research based project integrating Islamic knowledge with Science and Technology. Students requested community members to mentor them through this journey. Work logs were required as well as weekly progress checks.
Choose a topic of interest to be researched
Create a functional and attractive website
Survey varied community members
Create a professionally written and presented 3000 word report
Give a 5-7 minute presentation on the research done and conclusions drawn.
Please check out the websites created by the students below - click on the highlighted titles below:
Haneen Hasan : A Scientific Research In Light of Quran and Sunnah (http://studyofthequranandsunnah.weebly.com/)
Esma Alysofi : Cleanliness (http://stayclean4u.weebly.com/)
Hufsah Sandila : How Was The Universe Constructed? (http://the-big-bang-theory.weebly.com/)
Labiba Qazi: The Logic Behind Prohibited Food (http://haramscientifically.weebly.com/)
Hefsa Anwar : Modesty Proven Beneficial (http://modestyprovenbeneficially.weebly.com/)
Maaria Anwar : Benefits of Salah in Every Dimension (http://scienceprovesprayer.weebly.com/)


In the Renaissance the Motet was a vocal composition based on a sacred text. The rhythm of the text and natural accents dictated where notes were placed in the music. The liturgy of the church was often used, and the Kyrie, Sanctus, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei are short texts. They were commonly written in a melismatic style, with many notes per syllable. The Gloria and Credo, with many more words, were frequently more syllabic, with one note per syllable. Another technique that composers adopted was repeating short phrases, which provided more words.
Structurally, the phrases in the text became melodic phrases that ended with internal cadences. The style was imitative, and a new phrase after each cadence set up a point of imitation between the voices. A common technique was invertible counterpoint between the voices. This means the two parts can be interchanged, with the upper part becoming the lower part and vice versa. This is usually found with an octave between the parts. Upon inversion the imperfect consonances remain consonances, but when the perfect 5th becomes a perfect 4th, a problematic dissonance may occur.
A Canzonet was a vocal composition based on a secular text. These texts often had more words than the sacred ones used for the Motets, so the music was a bit less melismatic. Canzonets featured shorter phrases and frequent internal cadences of varied types, not just the ornamented Clausula Vera. The modal style of writing was similar, but more progressive harmonic treatments gave the music the impression of modern functional harmony.
Stylistically, the music for instruments written in the 16th century was very similar to the vocal music. The controlled use of consonance and dissonance, the melodic principles, the cadences, and the practice of imitation in polyphony were shared.
There were, however, some subtle differences. There was more interplay between shorter motives and canonic imitation. Frequent sequences were used in the instrumental music, as was a wider range in the parts. Rapid figures and repeated notes were more idiomatic. Most of the music was written flexibly for any available combination of instruments.


Thomas, Count of Flanders : biography
Thomas II (c. 1199, Montmélian – February 7, 1259) was the Lord of Piedmont from 1233 to his death, Count of Flanders jure uxoris from 1237 to 1244, and regent of the County of Savoy from 1253 to his death, while his nephew Boniface was fighting abroad. He was the son of Thomas I of Savoy and Margaret of Geneva.
In 1233, when Thomas I of Savoy died, Thomas, being a second son, inherited only the lordship of Piedmont, which he later raised to the status of a county. Historians and genealogists have retrospectively dubbed him "Thomas II of Savoy" in order to distinguish him from the other Thomases of the House of Savoy. He married Joanna, Countess of Flanders and Hainaut, daughter of the Latin Emperor Baldwin I, in 1237. They had no issue and Joanna died in 1244. In 1252, Thomas married Beatrice Fieschi, niece of Pope Innocent IV. They had six children.
Although he was the next brother of Amadeus IV, he never became the Count of Savoy because he predeceased his nephew, who himself died without sons to succeed him. Although Thomas left sons, upon Boniface’ death the remaining uncles, younger brothers of Thomas, ruled the County of Savoy. Thomas’ eldest son and heir Thomas III thought it to be an injustice and unsuccessfully claimed Savoy. However, it so happened that Philip I, the last surviving brother of Thomas, made Thomas’ younger son Amadeus his heir in Savoy, leaving the elder son, Thomas, and the genealogically senior line descending from him out of the Savoy succession.
Thomas and Beatrice had six children:
- Thomas, his successor and pretender to the County of Savoy
- Amadeus, who later inherited Savoy
- Louis (1250 – after 10 January 1302), Baron of Vaud
- Eleanor (died 6 December 1296), married (1270) Louis I of Beaujeu
- Margaret (died May 1292)
- Alice (died 1 August 1277)
He also had at least three illegitimate children.


Progressive strengthening—a.k.a progressive resistance exercise or overload principle—is a strengthening technique commonly used in physical therapy. It requires the use of specific strengthening exercises and equipment (like dumbbells, cuff weights, and elastic bands) or manual resistance exercise—direct force skillfully applied to the patient by the physical therapist.
Progressive strengthening helps improve muscle strength, tone, size, and function in patients experiencing muscle weakness, typically due to recovery from injury, disease, disorder, or surgery. Patients may also seek progressive strengthening as a treatment for muscle atrophy as a result of a sedentary lifestyle or prescribed bed rest.
After a physical examination and assessment of the patient’s range of motion, a physical therapist would create a customized exercise plan based on the patient’s needs and therapy goals. The plan allows for a gradual increase in weight and repetitions to make muscle improvements at a safe, healthy pace until the patient reaches his or her goals.
This physical therapy technique is effective in reducing impairment and improving mobility. Progressive strengthening may also have positive effects on patients with chronic neck and back pain, high blood pressure, arthritis, fracture, and stroke. After treatment, an active lifestyle can help patients maintain and improve upon the physical benefits of progressive strengthening.


As a result of a bill by titled HB7069 which passed in 2017, many schools across the state have faced the threat of potential closure if they receive lower than a “C” grade for two years or more. Based on data from the FL DOE, an estimated 79 schools faced this fate this past school year.
Prior to this, districts had more flexibility in making school closure decisions, allowing them to consider feedback from parents and the impact on the community. And in fact, many districts were able to successfully improve schools with this flexibility. Now, districts must either close a school, turn it over to an external operator, or convert it to a charter school if the school does not increase it’s grade within the specified time period.
The school grading system is questionable at best, which makes closure decisions even more high stakes. In addition to that, with the closure/turnover threats comes additional scrutiny from the state. The Department of Education visits schools to provide even more oversight and interference with district and school operations. This can include scrutiny of teachers during a time that is already stressful for the teachers and students. There are also requirements to remove teachers from the school based on the teacher’s VAM (value-added-model) score, as calculated by the state. Children can lose their beloved teachers during this time of turmoil, who often provide much-needed stability and continuity.
Decision-makers at the state level often forget how important a school is to its local community. In the case of Hawthorne Middle/High School for example, a closure would have dismantled the city. School closures often mean reassigning hundreds of children to other schools that are already overcrowded, creating a ripple effect that has lasting impact.
School turnaround decisions should be made by local districts who are accessible to teachers and parents, know the community, and can listen to their concerns. Schools in need should receive more resources and support, not additional scrutiny and closure threats.


About Peripheral Arterial Disease
Peripheral Arterial Disease occurs when not enough blood is able to reach the organs and extremities, such as the legs, arms, head, kidneys and stomach. As a result of this, affected body parts do not receive enough oxygen, resulting in pain and discomfort.
Signs and Symptoms
- Pain, numbness, aching, or heaviness in the leg muscles
- Weak or absent pulses in the legs or feet
- Sores or wounds on the toes, feet, or legs that heal slowly, poorly, or not at all
- A pale or bluish colour to the skin
- A lower temperature in one leg compared to the other leg
- Poor nail growth on the toes and decreased hair growth on the legs
- Erectile dysfunction, especially among men who have diabetes
What causes Peripheral Arterial disease?
The disease may start when certain factors damage the inner layers of the arteries. These factors include smoking, age, high amounts of certain fats and cholesterol in the blood, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, high amounts of sugar in the blood due to insulin resistance or diabetes.
It is thought that there is also a strong genetic predisposition to developing peripheral arterial disease and a family history of high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, heart disease and stroke will also predisposition towards the development of this condition.


Music is made to distract you
Focus-music needs to be made from the ground up.
Ever get distracted while working?
Our brains are built for distraction.
Animals that get distracted when it matters survive and pass on their genes.
Today distraction is counterproductive, but we still have a twitchy alarm system.
Music is usually made to distract you.
The music industry needs to grab the listener’s attention.
They often boost the human voice or hard-hitting parts, to stand out.
This is really terrible if you need to focus.
So if you want music, but don't want to be distracted, what can you do?
Functional music starts with your goals in mind, and works from there.
This can result in music that affects the brain differently than music normally does.
For example, when Brain.fm makes music to help people focus, we end up with music that sounds different--and affects you differently--than any other music. This can be seen in the way the brain synchronizes to the music ('phase-locking value') :
This isn't something you would normally do, unless you were building music for a purpose!
For more info about functional music's effect on the brain, visit our Science page!
Kevin J.P. Woods, PhD
Director of Science, Brain.fm


Anthropology homework help. Hi, need to submit a 250 words paper on the topic What happen. What Happens” By 18 March 18 March “What Happens” The chapter focuses on Quantum Mechanism as a procedure used by physicists. The main focus of this field is to predict the probabilities of the future events. The probabilities follow the deterministic laws and it is one of the objections of Einstein regarding the quantum mechanics that it is based on chance of events. Quantum mechanics is very impressive but I am convinced that God does not play dice. (Zukav 68)In terms of procedure quantum mechanics can be divided into three steps with the first step involving the construction of the experimental apparatus. The second step involves the formation of a physical system to measure the results of the experiment. The third step is the translation of results into the mathematical language and in turn into mathematical equation. Therefore, quantum theory can be applied if the world is divided into two parts that are the observed system and the observing system. The two observables are then connected mathematically through correlation. However, in the real world things are not correlated, it is used to describe perceptions not realities. Quantum physics is based on the isolation that is created in idealization whereas in reality it is not possible to separate things from one another. The wave function of photon explained in the chapter is a good example of the probability aspect of the quantum mechanics. Thus, quantum mechanics deals with the subatomic realm and its probabilities as opposed to the classical physics that focuses on the real world as it appears.Works CitedZukav, G. The Dancing WuLi Masters – An Overview of New Physics. New York: Bantam New Age Book, 2012. 68. Print.


The majority of modern vehicles are outfitted with airbags. The idea behind this safety technology is the protection of both drivers and passengers from the impact caused by collisions. Airbags have been shown to prevent fatalities, but that doesn’t mean they are always successful. In fact, airbags can cause injuries themselves.
Outlined below are some of the more common injuries associated with airbags.
A bag filled with air sounds like it would be made of soft material. However, airbags aren’t actually that soft when fully inflated. The material needs to be durable so that it can hold up during a crash. Unfortunately, this means that they can do damage to the skin during a collision, particularly around the facial area and upper extremities, which are sensitive areas. Depending on the severity of the burns, recovery times can vary. In some cases, facial scarring might be permanent. As with all burns, there is also a high risk of infections.
Airbags depend on chemical substances to help them inflate. These chemicals are not dangerous while the airbags are in position, but once they have been deployed, the material can burst and expose drivers and passengers to chemicals. This can be especially dangerous for individuals with asthma and other breathing difficulties, as they can inhale the chemical materials. The chemicals in airbag systems also have the potential to cause some severely painful burns.
Airbags are a vital safety feature but they are not foolproof. If your crash was caused by the negligence of another driver, then you may be entitled to financial compensation. Similarly, you could be entitled to compensation if defective airbags contributed to your harm. You can seek legal guidance to find out more about your rights and options at any time.


Drug-involved offenders have been long overrepresented in prisons. Intensified drug law enforcement in many countries increased both incarceration rates, especially for drug offenses, and numbers of drug-involved prisoners. This is attributable to four features of drugs and drug markets. Drug use disorders typically are not the only problems facing drug-involved prisoners. A high proportion exhibit severe mental health problems such as major depression, personality disorders, and psychotic disorders. Before incarceration, many drug-involved prisoners have unstable housing and are at high risk of homelessness; incarceration increases that risk. The high concentration of drug-involved offenders in prisons presents numerous challenges. After release, the most obvious are high rates of drug relapse and recidivism. Former prisoners have extraordinarily high risks of drug overdoses shortly after release; in the long term, diseases acquired during imprisonment are transmitted in the community. Effective prison-based drug treatment holds promise to break this cycle and mitigate physical and mental health problems of drug-involved prisoners. Unfortunately, access to treatment modalities proven to be effective in reducing drug use and recidivism is limited. A paradigm shift in drug enforcement and treatment is needed to meet the challenges presented by individuals with drug use disorders more effectively.
|Original language||English (US)|
|Number of pages||41|
|Journal||Crime and Justice|
|State||Published - Jan 1 2022|
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Sociology and Political Science


“In the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary roles are to stop attacks during the game and prevent the opposing team from scoring goals. Centre backs are usually in pairs, with two full-backs to their left and right, but can come in threes with no full backs. There are four types of defenders: centre-back, sweeper, full-back, and wing-back. The centre-back and full-back positions are essential in most modern formations. The sweeper and wing-back roles are more specialized for certain formations depending on the managers choice of play and adaptation. … The sweeper (or libero) is a more versatile centre-back who ‘sweeps up’ the ball if an opponent manages to breach the defensive line. This position is rather more fluid than that of other defenders who man-mark their designated opponents. Because of this, it is sometimes referred to as libero, which is Italian for ‘free’. …”
Guardian – The Question: Could the sweeper be on his way back? (Jonathan Wilson – Sep. 2009)
Football Tactics for Beginners- The Sweeper Keeper: From Lev Yashin to Manuel Neuer (Dec. 2017)
YouTube: What Happened to Sweepers in Football?, What is a Libero?, What is a Sweeper Keeper?
Defender (association football)
Leave a reply


Pittsburgh Theological Seminary was formed in 1959 with the consolidation of two previously separate institutions: Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary of the United Presbyterian Church of North America and Western Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.
The history of the Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary began with the founding of Service Seminary in 1794 by the Associate Presbytery of Pennsylvania. Prior to that time, the Presbytery was dependent on a supply of ministers sent from Scotland. The Rev. John Anderson, D.D., was elected as the first teacher of divinity and the school began with an enrollment of six students. Service Seminary moved twice, first to Ohio where it became Xenia Theological Seminary and later to Missouri. In 1930 it merged with a seminary that was founded in Pittsburgh in 1825 and together they formed the Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary. This institution was later augmented by the resources of Newburgh Seminary, founded in New York City in 1805 by John Mitchell Mason.
The other branch of our pre-1959 history began with the establishment—in 1785 by Joseph Smith and in 1787 by John McMillan—of classical academies in Washington, Pa.
From these institutions, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America created Western Seminary. It was indeed a western seminary in 1825, furnishing a ministry for the rapidly opening frontier territories along the Ohio River.
Since the 1959 consolidation, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary has been located on the former Pittsburgh-Xenia Seminary campus in the Highland Park/East Liberty section of Pittsburgh.


Chinese Auspicious Culture
CELEBRATE CHINESE CULTURE is an epic series of books about the different facets of Chinese heritage throughout history. China’s modernity cannot be fully understood without looking into its glorious past of milestones in scientific inventions, political exploits and artistic distinction. This series will provide the reader with an insight into one of the world’s magnificent civilizations.
In this volume, Chinese Auspicious Culture, we examine how Chinese folk customs have evolved over the centuries to become a natural science that includes a combination of multidisciplinary thoughts such as philosophy, geography, zoology, architecture and psychology. All these are elements of Chinese auspicious culture, which has been practised by the Chinese for fortune, prosperity and longevity. In order to survive in a world beset with calamities, the ancient Chinese had developed a variety of taboos and customs that must be observed, and they remain the guidelines for the people today.
Are you familiar with some of these Chinese customs?
* Handing out Lunar New Year money gifts
* Preparing glutinous rice dumplings for a reunion
* Choosing an auspicious date to get married
Asiapac Books and Foreign Languages Press (Beijing) have collaborated to bring you this comprehensive coverage of various facets of the Chinese society so you can appreciate all things Chinese. Come, let’s celebrate!
Look out for the other titles in the Celebrate Chinese Culture collection here!
Written by Asiapac Books/Foreign Language Press
Illustrated by Asiapac Editorial


British economic conditions and policy in the reconstruction phase after the Second World War were dominated by the external setting, and above all by the dollar shortage. Yet although British historians have analysed the economic relationship with the United States very fully, Britain's other dollar problem, that with Canada, has not received the attention it warrants. Canadian finance and supplies were vital to Britain during the years of reconstruction. Reflecting the scale of these, an enormous amount of time and effort was devoted in Whitehall to the Canadian 'problem', and the frequency of bilateral discussions between London and Ottawa is witness to the importance policy-makers attached to it. Part of the difficulty was that Canada found itself in the anomalous position of being a Commonwealth member outside the charmed circle of the sterling area, and, because Britain was short of dollars, being actively discriminated against in the British market when London was simultaneously attempting to encourage alternative supplies from the sterling area Commonwealth.
|Number of pages||28|
|Journal||The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History|
|Publication status||Published - Jan 1999|


Highlight: Hedvig Eleonora’s State Bedchamber
Queen Hedvig Eleonora built Drottningholm Palace during Sweden’s time as a great power, and practically, it was a way of confirming the power of the monarch. The State Bedchamber is one of the most splendid rooms.
Queen Hedvig Eleonora was widowed in February 1660, at the age of just 23 and with a four-year-old son. Had she been less strong in character, it is very likely that the history of Sweden would have been entirely different. Drottningholm Palace reflects a highly strong-willed, capable woman.
For much of Sweden’s period as a great power, it was Queen Hedvig Eleonora who held this power. First while her husband King Karl X was fighting military campaigns, then during the regencies of her son King Karl XI and her grandson King Karl XII, and finally as King Karl XII’s representative in Sweden during his time abroad.
She is thought to have seen it as her role in life to consolidate the power of the monarch, and it is in the light of this that we should view her many and extensive construction projects. She built Strömsholm Palace, and also oversaw the fitting out of Ulriksdal Palace and Gripsholm Castle. But she is perhaps best known for having built Drottningholm Palace.
Queen Hedvig Eleonora had the financial resources needed to realise her ideas, which she did together with the leading architects and artists of her time. The splendour of the royal palaces became a way to confirm the power of the monarch.
One room that exudes power throughout is Hedvig Eleonora’s State Bedchamber – one of Sweden’s grandest Baroque rooms. The room was used as an audience chamber for distinguished guests. The entire room is full of symbols of royal power, but there is also a more personal message.
The queen commissioned her skilled court painter Ehrenstrahl to depict the history of her marriage and to convey her fear that her son would not survive. In one painting, the goddess of fate measures out his life’s thread.
Photo: Alexis Daflos/Royalpalace.se


This is a very fascinating topic. But before we begin, let us start with the definition of a dead language. Well, if you are not familiar with Linguistics, you may wonder how a language can die. It was never alive to begin with. Well, in Linguistics (the science of language) a dead language is a language no longer in everyday spoken use. Now this does not mean, that nobody knows or speaks these languages, but these languages are not used that much. If you are into linguistics, then learning one or two dead languages is something you must look into. On top of that, learning these languages will tell you a lot about ancient cultures. And just imagine the look on your friends, when you will speak or translate some ancient text you just saw in a museum. To be honest, this is the closest you are going to get resembling India Jones in real life. The thing is, learning dead languages can be quite difficult, except a few. And our researchers have done extensive research to identify the ones that are really very easy to learn for native English speakers.
If you wish to learn more about this interesting topic, then you have come to the right place. At insider monkey’s blog page, we have put together the list of 6 Easiest Dead Languages to Learn. Just click on the provided link to get instant access to the full article.


Often called the Blue Serengeti, the waters off the coast of Southern California earned this nickname thanks to the charismatic megafauna of whales, dolphins and turtles that live or migrate through this area. It can be an unforgettable experience to witness these animals in their natural habitat – after all the ocean is true wilderness.
If you have been fortunate to see some of these animals you may have wondered which species they were. To help boaters more easily identify ocean animals, Saving Ocean Wildlife is providing this free Wildlife Field Guide with detailed pictures and information on the animals most likely to be seen.
Whether it is a dolphin or whale with a 5-million-year history or a turtle that’s been on this planet for 100 million years, it is painful to comprehend that in just a few short centuries many of them are now quickly facing extinction. Species such as the leatherback sea turtle, green turtle, blue whale, fin whale, and sperm whale are some of the animals that inhabit these Pacific waters that are already listed as endangered.
Until 2013 there was an average of 9 confirmed whale entanglements off the Pacific West Coast each year. During 2014-2017 that number jumped 450% to an average of 41 per year. Whales and other animals face this threat of entanglement on a daily basis along with other things they need to avoid in order to stay alive such as being hit by ships, or confusing plastic trash with food. The key to helping these animals survive is engaging the boating community to have more “eyes on the ocean” and to report animals in distress here.
Visit Saving Ocean Wildlife for more information.


Survival gear is a term used to describe the equipment and tools that are necessary for one to survive in an emergency or wilderness situation. It includes items such as shelter, water, food, and fire-starting materials, as well as tools for navigation and first aid.
One of the most essential pieces of survival gear is a shelter. This could be a tent, tarp, or other type of portable shelter that will protect you from the elements. It is also important to have a way to start a fire, whether that be matches, a fire starter, or a fire steel. Having a source of heat and light can make a big difference in a survival situation.
Another important piece of survival gear is a water filter or purification system. In the wilderness, it can be difficult to find clean drinking water, and a water filter or purification system can make all the difference. Additionally, having a means of purifying water is essential in case of a natural disaster or other emergency where clean water may be scarce.
Food is another essential aspect of survival gear. It is important to have non-perishable food items that can be stored for long periods of time, such as canned goods, dried fruits and nuts, and protein bars. Additionally, a fishing kit or hunting equipment can also be helpful for obtaining food in a wilderness setting.
Navigation tools such as a map and compass, as well as a GPS device, are also important for survival. These tools can help you navigate to safety and find your way back to civilization. First aid supplies such as bandages, antiseptic, and pain relievers are also essential, as injuries can occur in any survival situation.
In conclusion, survival gear is a crucial aspect of being prepared for emergencies and wilderness situations. By having the right equipment and tools, you can increase your chances of survival and make the experience more comfortable. It's important to have a good understanding of what you will need for your specific situation, whether that be a wilderness excursion or a natural disaster, and to make sure you have the appropriate gear.
This article was written by Survival Gear.
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Atomic spectroscopy is based on the capability of atoms to either absorb or emit light. The laboratory has a Varian Atomic Spectrophotometer that operates in both atomic absorption and emission modes. The instrument is capable of fast scanning, meaning that it can take a measurement of one element then rapidly scan at another wave length.
In our instrument the atoms, primarily metals, are heated in a graphite tube to remove solvents, breakdown salts, but not so hot as to raise electrons to an excited state. Free atoms, usually metals, with electrons in the ground state will absorb and emit light at very narrow wave lengths.
The greater the concentration of the metal the less light reaches the detector-this is called atomic absorption.
Atomic light emission occurs when the atoms are heated to push electrons in an activated state-when the electrons fall back into ground state light is emitted based on the atom concentration.
Thus the instrumentation includes lamps emitting light of specific wave lengths, a graphite furnace to heat the sample, a monochromator, photodetector, and computer to record data.
The instrument is exceedingly sensitive-for example it can detect lead in drinking water at the level of 50 atoms per billion water atoms. The graphite furnace makes this sensitivity possible-impossible to do with flame only for heating.
The instrument requires special training-our technical staff runs the assays for other laboratories.
Room 1657 in the Medical Center Research Wing.
Phone: 909-558-1000 (Ext. 87860)
On campus: Ext. 87860
Wolff Kirsch, MD
Please contact us regarding our current use policy.
Please contact us regarding scheduling.


The Columbines and Their Pollinators: An Evolutionary Tale
New research provides insight into an evolutionary concept introduced by Charles Darwin
Adaptive radiation is a principle in evolutionary biology in which one species, in response to opportunities in its environment, quickly adapts and develops new traits and diversifies into many species. An example of adaptive radiation is found in columbine flowers (genus Aquilegia), a group of about 70 species that have nectar spurs extending from the base of the flower petals. What makes these spurs special is that each species has spurs of a different length, seemingly tailored to that species’ pollinator, whether it be a hummingbird, hawkmoth or bee.
Scientists since Charles Darwin have observed similar examples of adaptive radiation but have been unable to describe what happens on a cellular or genetic scale. “Darwin, observing orchids, recognized that the extraordinarily long nectar spur on the Angraecum must have evolved in concert with the equally long tongue of the moth that pollinated it, but the exact mechanism for this kind of adaptation has been a matter of speculation,” says Sharon Gerbode of Harvard University.
Gerbode and her colleagues at Harvard and the University of California at Santa Barbara investigated that mechanism in columbines and report their findings in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B. For decades, scientists had thought that the differences in nectar spur length were due to the number of cells in the nectar spur. But when the researchers counted the number of cells and calculated the area and degree of elongation of each cell–which required more than 13,000 measurements across several species–they found that the assumptions were wrong. Nearly all of the difference in spur length can be attributed to the length of the cells.
In each species, cell division in the nectar spur stops when the spur is about 5 millimeters long. Then the spurs begin to elongate, and how many days they spend growing determines the eventual length of the spur.
“Now that we understand the real developmental basis for the first appearance and diversification of spurs, we can make more informed guesses about what genes contributed to the process,” says study co-author Elana Kramer. Further research should give the scientists insight into the genetic basis behind the radiation of this genus.
Check out the entire collection of Surprising Science’s Pictures of the Week and get more science news from Smithsonian on our Facebook page.


This course will help you make the most of your inclinometer program. It covers the basics and then introduces visual techniques for improving the accuracy of your inclinometer results. The techniques were developed by Erik Mikkelsen, who has worked with inclinometers for more than 30 years. Attendees learn:
- How to use the seven types of inclinometer plots.
- How to achieve first-order accuracy with inclinometers.
- How to identify and correct systematic errors.
- How to minimize the potential for error.
The general syllabus is presented below. The syllabus may vary slightly depending on the needs of the attendees. We've also posted sample chapters from the course booklet to give you a more detailed look at the course contents. If you're interested, take a look at the course schedule .
Image of Inclinometer for course
Overview of inclinometer systems
From tilt measurements to plots
Eliminating probe bias
Scaling of graphs
Sources of error
Random vs systematic error


The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (Overview)
Pregnant workers are forced out of their jobs and denied reasonable accommodations that would enable them to continue working and supporting their families. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would help end this discrimination and promote healthy pregnancies and protect the economic security of pregnant women and their families.
Improving Maternal Health with the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
By passing the PWFA, Congress can help ensure that all pregnant workers can maintain their incomes and have a safe and healthy pregnancy.
Discrimination While Pregnant
The current law does not always guarantee pregnant workers a right to reasonable, temporary accommodations they may need to protect their health.
Why We Need the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: Stories from Real Women
Accounts of pregnant workers who were denied minor adjustments to their job duties that they needed to continue safely working throughout pregnancy.
This Mother's Day, Moms Need Child Care, Paid Leave and Protections While Pregnant
How policy can expand mothers' opportunities and reduce inequity.
Reasonable Accommodations for Pregnant Workers: State Laws
Several states and localities have passed laws that require reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers.
PWFA Coalition Letter to Congress
Leading businesses support pregnant workers.
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: Section-by-Section
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would promote women's health and economic security by ensuring that workers with limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions are not forced out of their jobs or denied reasonable workplace accommodations.


“Seminoles at Home” by Caroline Washburn Rockwood was published in Frank Leslie’s Popular Monthly in 1891. The article features an interview with the Addisons at the Hunting Grounds. The Hunting Grounds are today known as the Deering Estate.
One exchange in particular challenges the notion that Miami was unoccupied land in the late nineteenth century.
Rockwood asks Addison the questions.
“How many Indians do you think there are in Florida now, Mr. Addison?”
“Wal, it’s hard tellin’. I saw as many as fifty canoes at Brickell’s last July.” (Brickell’s is a trading house on the south bank of the mouth of the Miami). “They was all goin’ up to the ‘Green Corn Dance.’ That’s their Thanksgiving, you know.”
“Yes? Do tell us about it.”
“Wal, they stand a pole in the ground, and then they lay four logs in a square about it. The chiefs sits on these logs. They ain’t allowed to dance, you see. It wouldn’t be dignified. Then all the rest of the tribe begins a dance round ’em, and keeps it up for three days. They have a powerful lot of stuff to eat and drink, and takes turns at it; but there always is turn and turn about, in drinking specially, and a part of ’em will be sober and on watch while the rest enjoy ’emselves. “
EDITORS AND LAST UPDATE
John William Bailly 15 January 2023
COPYRIGHT © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


Write a program to Calculate the Average of Numbers in a Given List in Python
In this tutorial we are going to learn about Calculate the Average of Numbers in a Given List in Python.
Python Program to Calculate the Average of Numbers in a Given List
n=int(input("Enter the number of elements to be inserted: ")) a= for i in range(0,n): elem=int(input("Enter element: ")) a.append(elem) avg=sum(a)/n print("Average of elements in the list",round(avg,2))
- User must first enter the number of elements which is stored in the variable n.
- The value of I ranges from 0 to the number of elements, and is incremented each time after the body of the loop is executed.
- Then, the element that the user enters is stored in the variable elem.
- a.append(elem) appends the element to the list.
- Now the value of i is incremented to 2.
- The new value entered by the user for the next loop iteration is now stored in elem which is appended to the list.
- The loop runs till the value of i reaches n.
- sum(a) gives the total sum of all the elements in the list and dividing it by the total number of elements gives the average of elements in the list.
- round(avg,2) rounds the average up to 2 decimal places.
- Then the average is printed after rounding.


Jobs for Biochemistry Majors
Biochemistry is the study of chemical reactions that occur within living organisms. Biochemistry majors have a wide variety of career options awaiting them, ranging from research and laboratory work to education and healthcare. Depending on their area of focus and professional experience, biochemistry graduates can find rewarding and lucrative careers in a myriad of industries.
For those with a passion for research, a career in biochemistry can provide the perfect opportunity to work in a laboratory setting. Biochemists who often work in research analyze samples in a lab, conduct experiments, and develop new products or processes. Research positions may require the development of new technologies or simply the application of existing technologies.
Other laboratory-based biochemistry jobs include clinical laboratories, where biochemists may analyze chemicals and biological material to detect disease or contamination. They may also work in pharmaceutical laboratories, where they develop new drugs or test existing drugs.
For those who prefer a more classroom-based career, teaching careers are available for biochemistry majors. Biochemists may teach biology, biochemistry, and chemistry subjects at high school and college levels. They may also work as laboratory instructors, helping students gain hands-on experience in the laboratory setting.
Biochemistry majors may also find employment in the healthcare industry, where they can use their knowledge of chemistry and biology to diagnose and treat medical conditions. They may work in doctor’s offices or hospitals, performing tests and analyzing results. They may also work in medical research, developing new treatments or medicines.
Finally, biochemistry majors may find work in several industries, such as food and beverage production, chemical manufacturing, and environmental science. In these industries, biochemists may be responsible for developing, testing, and analyzing products. No matter what career path biochemistry majors choose, the knowledge and skills gained during a degree program can prove invaluable. Biochemistry majors have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings—from laboratories and classrooms to hospitals and factories. With the right education and experience, biochemistry majors can find rewarding and lucrative careers in a variety of industries.


SQL is a standard language used for managing relational databases. It provides a wide range of commands and functions to perform various operations on a database. One of the essential commands in SQL is DROP TABLE, which is used to delete a table from a database.
The syntax for using the DROP TABLE command in SQL is straightforward. You only need to specify the name of the table you want to delete. The basic syntax is as follows:
DROP TABLE table_name;
For example, suppose you want to delete a table named “employees” from your database. In that case, you can use the following command:
DROP TABLE employees;
The DROP TABLE command removes all the data stored in the table and permanently deletes the table itself. Therefore, before using the DROP TABLE command, you must ensure that you have backed up all the necessary data and that you no longer need the table.
In addition to the basic syntax, you can also use additional clauses to enhance the functionality of the DROP TABLE command. Some of the most commonly used clauses include:
IF EXISTS: This clause ensures that the DROP TABLE command only executes if the specified table exists in the database. If the table does not exist, the command does nothing.
CASCADE: This clause is used to delete all the dependent objects of the table, such as indexes, constraints, and triggers.
RESTRICT: This clause is used to prevent the deletion of the table if it has any dependent objects. The command returns an error message indicating that the table cannot be deleted.
Here is an example of using the IF EXISTS clause:
DROP TABLE IF EXISTS employees;
This command checks if the table named “employees” exists in the database. If it does, the command deletes it. If it does not, the command does nothing.
In conclusion, the DROP TABLE command is an essential SQL command used to delete a table from a database. However, before using the command, you must ensure that you no longer need the table and have backed up all the necessary data.


In the Chichijima archipelago, we periodically (once every one to two weeks) visit all of the approximately 30 beaches to survey the number of egg-laying nests and turtle landings on each beach. When we find the remains of an egg-laying nest, we poke around it with a “rebar” (an iron bar) and look at the texture of sand unique to nests. Once the nest’s location is confirmed, we check the condition of the eggs and cover them back up with sand. We then set up three sticks at the nest’s location, measure its position and record it. In the Archipelago islands of Hahajima and Mukojima, we conduct research camps two to three times during the nesting season to conduct similar surveys.
⇒What kind of information did the Center staff find？
The green turtles that lay eggs in the Chichijima Archipelago have the characteristic of dispersing and landing on beaches here and there. However, there are also many beaches where they only land and do not lay eggs, so the nesting beaches are uneven. Green turtles prefer beaches with good sand quality and depth. The graph below shows the number of egg-laying nests over the years. The number of nests has increased and decreased repeatedly but overall an increasing trend is observed: about 450 nests in 2001, about 1,200 nests in 2005, and 1,949 nests in 2013, the highest number since the Marine Center began conducting surveys.


Scientists Think Dinosaurs Would Still be Walking the Earth if It Weren't for the Asteroid
“There is no strong evidence for them dying out.”
While it’s commonly agreed upon that dinosaurs met their end when an asteroid wiped them out 66 million years ago, some scientists believe that the species as a whole was already on its decline by the time of the apocalyptic event, and would’ve eventually gone extinct regardless. However, a new study is now suggesting that if it weren’t for the asteroid, dinosaurs may still have continued to dominate our planet.
According to researchers from both the University of Bath and London’s Natural History Museum, dinosaurs were very much still in charge at the time of the asteroid, and there’s no signs that they were being slowly taken over by mammals or avians. They argue that the previous theories were based on a lack of fossils instead of real hard evidence. “What we found is that the dinosaurs were still dominant, they were still widespread and still doing really well,” explained the paper’s lead author Joe Bonsor. “If the asteroid impact had never happened then they might not have died out and they would have continued after the Cretaceous.”
“The main point of what we are saying is that we don’t really have enough data to know either way what would have happened to the dinosaurs,” he continued. “Generally in the fossil record there is a bias towards a lack of data, and to interpret those gaps in the fossil record as an artificial decline in diversification rates isn’t what we should be doing. Instead we’ve shown that there is no strong evidence for them dying out, and that the only way to know for sure is to fill in the gaps in the fossil record.”
Elsewhere in tech-related news, an Apple truck with $6 million USD worth of goods was robbed during a highway heist.


Wearable Biometric Monitoring Devices:
Biomedical wearable devices are medical sensors that track biometric markers and information for patient testing and monitoring. This broad category of wearable devices can measure heart rate, respiration, movement, temperature, and other biometric information for diagnostics, research, or personal health. Stack-ups usually include flex circuits, PCB and battery assemblies, housings, and stick-to-skin adhesives to gather information which is either saved locally on the wearable device or sent wirelessly to the cloud.
Examples include pulse oximetry devices, blood pressure monitors, continuous glucose monitors (CGM), heart rate monitoring, and sleep trackers.
Transdermal patches are wearable devices that deliver extended-release pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and other medicines. Transdermal patches are often worn for extended periods of time, so patient comfort, adhesive hold, and breathability are important concerns. Transdermal patch designers tailor them to specific applications to ensure that adhesives, sealing, and other components don’t negatively interact with the released medicines or chemicals.
Microfluidic Diagnostic Devices:
Microfluidic diagnostic devices are small, intricate medical wearables used to monitor glucose, metabolites, pH levels, and other biomarkers from blood, sweat, or other fluids at the molecular level. Microfluidic diagnostic devices include sensors that receive data from the user, and are often made up of many intricate layers, including cover films, cushioning layers, printed flex circuits, hydrogel electrodes, battery and PCB assemblies, and more.
Examples include blood glucose strips, diabetic testing, diagnostic tapes, and in-vitro diagnostic equipment.
Ground Dressing and Electrode Wearables:
Ground dressing and electrode wearables use electrodes and grounding contacts along with stick-to-skin adhesives to measure electrical impulses for diagnostics or transfer electronic pulses to the body for electrotherapy. Like wearable biomedical and diagnostic devices, these can include complex stack-ups, but always include electrodes for electrical current sensing or stimulation. Biocompatibility, durability, and patient comfort are the primary considerations for biomedical and electrode wearables as they are often worn over long periods of time.
Examples include electrocardiography (ECG/EKG), electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), and electrotherapy devices.


Researchers conducted an unusual experiment, which involved dressing an ordinary horse in a zebra costume. The aim was to find out the purpose of the black and white stripes on the animal's body.\n
Back in the 1950s, scientist Alan Turing suggested that the stripes and spots on the animals’ bodies were formed because of the peculiarities of their embryonic development.
But, as we know, everything happens in nature for a reason, and biologists still discuss the purpose of the characteristic zebra markings. According to the main version, the stripes are needed to help animals merge with the environment and thus better hide from predators.
American researchers from the University of California and Bristol University have put forward another hypothesis, suggesting that the stripes protect horses from insects. So, they decided to find out which version is closer to the truth and did it in a very extravagant way.
They took a few horses outside with one of them wearing a striped suit. The outfit was not all they came up with: the researchers sprayed the animal with a special «perfume» — a substance emitted by zebras. As a result of the experiment, it turned out that the «fashionable» horse was the least bitten.
The thing is that the stripes create an optical illusion, deceiving flies. And the scent of zebras also contributes to this disorientation. It is much easier for an insect to sit on a conventional horse than on its striped peer from which it constantly falls. Thus, the old riddle about the purpose of the stripes finally got an answer.
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Water Quality Planning
Water quality is an important contributor to the quality of life in the Richmond region. From the water we drink to the rivers in which we recreate, to the wildlife we watch, none of it would be possible without clean water. PlanRVA works with partners in each member locality and across Virginia to keep the region's waters healthy.
Much of the water quality planning work at PlanRVA involves planning for and encouraging Best Management Practices. Best Management Practices, or BMPs, are physical and behavioral practices that can reduce pollution in our waterways. Learn more about them here.
Water quality is a function, meaning not only of action in or near the water's edge but also how we build and live across the landscape. Activities on land can result in litter, sediment, and excessive nutrients washing into nearby streams and rivers making them polluted and inhospitable for native plants and wildlife.
Bacteria, Nitrates, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are all different pollutants commonly found in water sources. There are many ways to help reduce the amount of pollutants found in our water. To learn more about these pollutants, their impacts, and how to prevent them check out these infographics:
Plan RVA has partnered with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to coordinate with member localities and other stakeholders in the Richmond region on efforts to restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Click here to learn more or download our informational brochure.
How can you
Improve Water Quality?
Instead of using fertilizer, use compost to enrich the soil. Switch to drip irrigation to water the roots of plants directly.
Patch up leaks, replace toilets manufactured before 1992 that have a low flow function, and make sure to pump your septic tank every 3 to 5 years to ensure sewage is being adequately treated.
If you own property next to a body of water, build a riparian buffer (natural vegetated buffer) to prevent erosion and sediment pollution. This can be a fun family project!


We live in an age when kids and teens, aged 8 to 18, spend an average of more than seven hours each day looking at screens (source: CBSNews); 200 million children are currently playing one video game (Fortnite)!
The current research on how much screen time a child should be exposed to is around 2 hours per day. Any parent can see their child's behaviour change after too much time on the iPad or Xbox.
Is it possible to get children away from screens and do something productive?
Wouldn't it be great if kids wanted to do something other than play video games?
Let me introduce Thomas. He is a very special young man who at 10 years old, is the youngest person to send us a completed Masterpiece By Numbers photo. Thomas' grandmother bought him a Masterpiece By Numbers for Christmas, and he spent 2 weeks painting it. He loved it so much that he spent some of his own Christmas money on another painting.
Thomas deals with some challenges at school, but he was so proud of his painting that he took it to school to show his classmates.
I am sure you will agree that in an age when all children seem to be glued to a screen, it is wonderful to see Thomas expressing himself in an artistic way.
Since Thomas loves painting so much, we have made him our monthly prize winner. We are sending him a free painting, and he has chosen Surfing Dolphins.
We shared Thomas' photo on our Facebook page and the response was overwhelming. Thomas' mother, grandmother and other family members were thrilled with how supportive the Masterpiece By Numbers community was.
Thomas' mother has spoken to his school about encouraging different activities for the children and we are ready to support her in any way that we can.


A new publication co-authored by our partner Utrecht University in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is highlighting some of the outcomes of the research conducted in Homes4Life.
Abstract: A variety of innovative pilot projects are being implemented to improve the life-course resilience of existing and newly built home environments. We refer to these projects as “socio-technical experiments” that embody different kinds of promising futures and provide direction to current developments in the emerging domain of age-friendly homes. To take stock of this diversity within Europe; this paper provides an overview of 53 ongoing socio-technical experiments that are being conducted in the Netherlands, France, Ireland and Poland. We find that, besides the variation between European countries, there is a more important type variation in terms of the character of the experiments themselves and the differences in development direction that they propose. Our findings suggest that most of the innovations tested in these experiments are not primarily material or technical but primarily social or conceptual in character (i.e., new organizational modes or everyday practices that re-arrange social relations or new housing concepts that bridge the divide between ageing in place individually and a nursing home). This variety of innovations tested in the experiments can be categorized into seven distinct innovation pathways: (1) Showcasing Technology, (2) Innovation Ecosystem, (3) Sheltered Elite, (4) Specific Community, (5) Conscious Retrofitting, (6) Home Sharing and (7) Retrovation Challenge.
Read the full article at https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18031139


Topics include: Whole Numbers; Introducing Fractions; Addition; Subtraction; Multiplication; Division. Practice, review, and testing included. An answer key is included in this 64-page book.
Table of Contents
AN APPROACH TO FRACTIONS
CHAPTER 1: Whole Numbers
Composite & Prime Numbers
Greatest Common Factor
CHAPTER 2: Introducing Fractions
CHAPTER 3: Addition
Addition with Common Denominators
Addition with Unlike Denominators
CHAPTER 4: Subtraction
Subtraction with Common Denominators
Subtraction with Unlike Denominators
CHAPTER 5: Multiplication
Multiplying Fractions by Fractions
Multiplying Fractions, Whole Numbers, & Mixed Numbers
CHAPTER 6: Division
FINAL ASSESSMENT TEST
Fractions Mastery: Straight Forward Math Series (Large Edition)
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EYFS Curriculum Information for Parents
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is guided by a curriculum document called 'Development Matters'. This sets out the learning, development and assessment requirements for all children until the end of their Reception year, when the Early Learning Goals are used to make final assessments. The 17 Early Learning Goals state what a child is 'expected' to be able to do by the end of the EYFS in each of the 7 areas of the curriculum. In September 2021, the EYFS curriculum was reformed, so if you have had a child who has been in reception in recent years, things may look slightly different. Whilst the Early Learning Goals may differ in some ways, the way your child learns and develops remains the same; with play and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.
If you would like to read about the exciting changes to the EYFS curriculum, the document below explains the 2021 updates further.
We carefully design our curriculum so that it offers exciting and inspiring opportunties for all children to learn and develop. Our curriculum overview for this year can be found below. Please be aware that this may change to reflect the children's interests and needs.
Supporting your child to be 'school ready'
Your child's first year in school is the year in which we prepare your child holistically for their journey through their education. Whilst reading, writing and maths are all important, it is equally important that your child is physically, socially and emotionally ready to learn. Below you can find some helpful documents to support your child throughout their Reception year of school.
The 'Preparing your child for school guide' is a fantastic guide to support you and your child in getting ready to start big school!


In this blog post we write about making of the photosynthesis model making – simple and easy – diy science project for exhibition
A photosynthesis model can be a great way to visualize and understand the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria use energy from sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose (a type of sugar) and oxygen. Here are some steps you can follow to create a photosynthesis model:
- Research photosynthesis: To create an accurate and informative model, you’ll need to have a good understanding of the photosynthesis process. You can find information on photosynthesis in books, online articles, and through educational resources at school or the library.
- Decide on a model-building method: There are many different ways to build a photosynthesis model, including using materials like clay, paper, or cardboard. Choose a method that works best for you and that you have the necessary materials for.
- Gather materials: Once you’ve decided on a model-building method, gather the materials you’ll need. This might include clay, cardboard, scissors, glue, paint, or other supplies.
- Create the model: Follow the instructions for your chosen model-building method to create your photosynthesis model. Make sure to include all the important parts of the process, such as the light-dependent reactions, the light-independent reactions, and the production of glucose and oxygen.
- Present your model: Once you’ve finished building your photosynthesis model, you can present it to your classmates or teacher. Be prepared to explain the different parts of your model and how they represent the different stages of photosynthesis. You might also want to include a written report or poster to accompany your model.
#photosynthesismodel #scienceexhibition #sciencefair #scienceproject #photosynthesis #plants #photosynthesisinhigherplants


7.5.2 Disadvantages of the Copper T 380A IUCD
IUCDs are not suitable for all women. Using them carries the following risks:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): One of the main concerns about using IUCDs is the possibility of developing PID. Both using an IUCD and being at high risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs) make women more likely to develop PID. The greatest risk of pelvic infection associated with the use of IUCDs occurs at insertion. This increased risk of infection may be associated with a microbiological contamination of the endometrial cavity at that time.
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): Whether IUCDs increase the risk of acquiring HIV is not known. The effect of IUCDs on the uterine lining may create an environment favourable to HIV transmission. It is possible that the increased bleeding associated with the use of some IUCDs may increase the transmission of the virus from HIV-positive women to their partners.
- Menstrual problems: Increased menstrual pain (dysmenorrhoea) may accompany IUCD use. Between 10%–15% of IUCD users have their IUCD removed because of symptoms or signs associated with bleeding or spotting. However, the amount of blood is usually minor and of little consequence.
- Expulsions: An IUCD may come out of the uterus, possibly without the woman knowing. This is more common when the IUCD is inserted soon after childbirth, or when there are abnormal amounts of menstrual flow or severe dysmenorrhoea (painful cramps during menstruation).
- Pregnancy: Half of intrauterine pregnancies that occur with the IUCD in place end in spontaneous abortion. If the IUCD is removed early in pregnancy, the spontaneous abortion rate drops to about 25%. Leaving the IUCD in place during pregnancy increases the risk that the mother will have severe pelvic infection that could lead to her death. About 5% of women who become pregnant with an IUCD in place will have an ectopic pregnancy.
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7.5 Advantages and disadvantages
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7.6 Precautions when using IUCDs


Watching National League Football is one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the United States, so this may be a fairly easy question: how many of the 32 teams can you name? Bonus points if you can put them in the proper conference (I’m not asking about divisions within the conferences).
Yesterday’s question was: The atmosphere, the air around us, this stuff we breathe without thinking about it (well, except when we’re experiencing a heat wave). But, do you recall what it is you’re actually breathing? Which elements make up the “air” of Earth’s atmosphere that we breathe? Bonus points if you can arrange in order of percentage of each in the air (I’m not asking for the actual percentages).
The answer: The major constituents of dry air, by volume, are:
Nitrogen — 78.084%
Oxygen — 20.946%
Argon — 0.9340%
Carbon dioxide — 0.0415%
Neon — 0.0018%
Helium — 0.0005%
Methane — 0.0002%
Krypton — 0.0001%
The amount of water vapor in the atmosphere varies significantly by place, ranging from 0 to 3% of the volume of air. It makes up about 0.25% of the atmosphere by mass.
Ian’s Tough Trivia is a daily feature of this blog (Monday’s category is History; Tuesday is Arts; Wednesday is Science; Thursday is Entertainment; and Friday is Grab Bag). Each day, I post a tough question, as well as the answer to the previous day’s question. Simply comment on this post with your answer. I’ll approve the comments after the next question is posted. Sure, you can probably find the answers by searching the web, but what’s the fun in that?
And if you’ve got a favorite trivia question—or even just a topic for which you’d like to see a question—let me know! Reader participation is warmly encouraged.


DISTRIBUTION OF BODY FLUIDS
Topic: Fluid Dynamics
Next Unit: Intracellular and Extracellular Fluid Balance
4 minute read
The distribution of body fluids depends on
- intracellular fluid (fluid inside the cell), and
- extracellular fluid (fluid found outside or in between cells).
Total body water is the sum of intracellular and extracellular water (volume) making up about 60-70% of total body weight for normal adults.
Age affects the distribution of body fluids:
At birth, TBW accounts for 75%-80% of body weight, infants 67%-70%, children 65%, adults 60%, and elderly 50%.
- fluid inside the cells.
- interstitial fluid (solution that bathes and surrounds the tissue cells),
- intravascular fluid (blood plasma) and
- other fluid that shifts between the two spaces—"third space fluids."
Third space shifts become clinically meaningful when they are not in balance with the interstitial and intravascular fluid volumes.
THIRD SPACE: in certain situations, such as trauma, obstruction, crush injuries, infection, or obstruction to a large venous system, there can be volume depletion by the loss of interstitial and intravascular fluid into a third-space that is not in equilibrium with the extracellular fluid.
For example, a fracture can isolate a large amount of blood around it, and although this fluid will be re-absorbed back into the extracellular fluid over a period of time, the acute reduction in blood volume can lead to significant volume depletion that can cause hypovolemic shock.
In the field, the distribution of body fluids is relevant only in that intervention for an uncompensated shift will require the next best thing until proper blood products can be restored at an appropriate facility. This is usually 500 cc boluses of normal saline, serially, until the systolic pressure reaches/maintains at 90 mmHg.


June Heritage and Awareness
LGBTQ+ Pride Month
Each year, Pride Month observes the impact lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) individuals have had on history on a local, national and international level. Pride Month began as “Gay Pride Day,” a celebration to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, the catalyst for the gay rights movement. “Gay Pride Day” eventually turned into a month-long series of events such as parties, parades, workshops, concerts and events throughout the month of June, thus becoming Pride Month.
Juneteenth - June 19
Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19 annually, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. The holiday is celebrated on the anniversary of General Order No. 3, which was issued by Major General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865. This proclamation issued freedom to enslaved people held in Texas. Juneteenth was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021 when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act.
Caribbean American Heritage Month
Caribbean American Heritage Month recognizes the significance of Caribbean people and their descendants within the history and culture of the United States. Caribbean Americans have influenced American culture in the areas of science, medicine, food and art.
Immigrant Heritage Month
Immigrant Heritage Month honors the many contributions and influences and profound impact that immigrants have made to the United States. The month of June pays tribute to America’s many diverse groups that have enriched our culture through immigration.


Malnutrition is a major problem across many parts of the world, leading to poorer outcomes in infants and children and health problems throughout life, which reduce economic growth and quality of life. Many of the causes of malnutrition have to do with diets, and diets are shaped by the food system – the actors and activities involved with the production, processing, transport, and consumption of food and the policies that influence them. Current food systems across much of the world, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), are failing to deliver nutritious diets. They do not provide safe, nutritious foods that are affordable and accessible to all consumers, particularly the most vulnerable; they also often have negative environmental impacts.
Interventions focused only on nutrition cannot solve these wide-ranging problems in the food system. Instead, addressing malnutrition will require systemic transformation. The world has witnessed the transformative power of modern large-scale high-tech innovations, such as mobile technology and the widespread adoption of the internet, with billions of individuals reached. However, the worlds of large-scale technological innovation and nutrition rarely interact.
GAIN, a leader in public-private engagement for better nutrition, recently published Nutritious Food Foresight, which highlights 12 feasible innovations for better nutrition in emerging markets. However, GAIN has limited experience in large-scale innovations outside the agriculture and nutrition spheres. GAIN thus sought to engage with technology experts and explore how current trends and innovations might have the potential to improve diets. This was done through a roundtable meeting that brought together experts from the technology and finance industries to shed light on how to exploit new ideas and technologies to nourish and feed a growing world, in a sustainable way.
This paper summarises that meeting.


Heap (data structure)
In computer science, a heap is a type of tree (data structure) that satisfies the heap property. Heaps are useful when you need to remove the item with the highest (or lowest) value. A common implementation of a heap is the binary heap in which the tree is a complete binary tree.
Heap property[change | change source]
- In a max-heap, the value of each item is less than or equal to the value of its parent, with the maximum-value item at the root.
- In a min-heap, the value of each item is greater than or equal to the value of its parent, with the minimum-value item at the root.
Operations[change | change source]
- find: return a maximum item of a max-heap or a minimum item of a min-heap.
- insert: add a new item to the heap.
- extract: returns the maximum item from a max-heap (or minimum item from a min-heap) after removing it.
- delete: removes the root of a max-heap (or min-heap).
- size: return the number of items in the heap.
- is-empty: return true if the heap is empty, false otherwise.
Maintaining the heap property[change | change source]
- insert: insert the item at the bottom rightmost location; swap the item with its parent until the heap property is preserved.
- delete: remove the root; swap it with the item at the bottom rightmost location; swap the new root downwards with the smaller of its children (for a min-heap) until the heap property is preserved.
References[change | change source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Adamchik, Victor. "Binary Heap". Computer Science - 121 Fall 2009. CMU. Archived from the original on 25 April 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2020.


Country/territory: Heard Island and McDonald Islands (to Australia)
IBA criteria met: A1, A4ii, A4iii (2009)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 37,045 ha
|IBA conservation status|
|Year of assessment (most recent)||Threat (pressure)||Condition (state)||Action (response)|
|For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here|
Massive numbers of nesting seabirds include the endangered Black-browed Albatross, the vulnerable Macaroni and (Southern) Rockhopper Penguins, near threatened Light-mantled Sooty Albatross and Gentoo Penguin, >1% world population of King Penguin, Southern Giant Petrel, Fulmar Prion, Brown Skua and Black-faced Sheathbill, and an endemic (sub)species of Imperial Shag.
The nomination was prepared by Birds Australia with assistance from Eric Woehler.
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Heard and McDonald Islands. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/23991 on 04/06/2023.


The world has begun investigating the capabilities of artificial intelligence and all it can accomplish with a little boost. While some individuals are fearful of AI, others are eager to discover new ways to benefit from it. While AI has undeniable benefits, it also has drawbacks. In the past few months, there have been concerns regarding AI and how it may compromise the cybersecurity of individuals. And now, according to a recent study, your commonly used passwords may be at risk, as artificial intelligence can decrypt them in less than one minute.
In less than one minute, artificial intelligence decrypts passwords.
A recent study conducted by Home Security Heroes discovered that artificial intelligence (AI) can break over fifty percent of commonly used passwords in less than one minute. The study used an artificial intelligence password cracker called PassGAN to test a list of 15,680,000 passwords, revealing that nearly 51% of common passwords can be cracked in less than a minute and 66% of passwords can be cracked in less than an hour. In addition, the study revealed that 81 percent of credentials could be compromised within one month.
It is important to note that while AI can determine your password in less than a minute, this is only feasible if you use simple, generic passwords with a short character length. For example, your phone number and date of birth. On the other hand, it will take longer to crack 18-character passwords that are a combination of letters and symbols.
Returning to the study, it was mentioned that passwords with 18 or more characters are generally resistant to AI password crackers. This length of passwords with only numerals required at least ten months to break. Meanwhile, passwords containing a combination of symbols, numerals, and upper- and lowercase characters were the most secure, requiring up to 6 quintillion years to crack.
How to remain secure?
To maintain security, avoid using easily guessed or generic passwords, especially those consisting of only digits. Ideal passwords are at least 15 characters long and comprise a mixture of characters, symbols, numerals, and capital and lowercase letters. If you are concerned about remembering these types of passwords, you may use a password manager to perform the required tasks.
The study also suggests that a password should contain at least two letters (capital and lowercase), numerals, and symbols. Additionally, it is recommended to change passwords every three to six months. Finally, using a single password for all of your accounts is hazardous and should be avoided.


When talking about decorating the edges of the clothes, we can not consider binder tape alone. This time, let’s find out about piping and bias tape, a handy trims when you want to add special details to your design.
Piping is the process of wrapping the edges of cut fabrics with tape to prevent them from fraying.
It is used not only for functional purposes, but also for accentuation, so the color and design can completely change the impression of an outfit.
Bias tape is used by clipping fabric with tape, while piping tape is used by clipping fabric with tape.
A tape with a core sandwiched in between and sewn into seams to finish the edges. It is called piping tape or cord piping.
It is used to decorate sleeve and collar pockets and cushions, but it is not only decorative, it also reinforces fabric edges to prevent them from fraying.
There are many types, including gorgeous ones and those in pop colors, so you can find the perfect decoration.
Bias means “diagonal” in English, and is tape cut at a 45-degree angle to the fold of the fabric, wrapping around the fabric edge and processing the edge so that the cut marks are not visible. It can be used for hemming garments and can also be neatly attached to curved areas due to its elasticity. Piping tape is made by sandwiching the tape between the fabric, while bias tape is made by sandwiching the fabric between the tape.
Braid in the clothing industry is a flat cord used to decorate the edges of clothing.
There are a wide variety of braids, ranging from simple braids to elaborately designed braids with metallic or pompon ornaments.
They can be attached to the sleeves or hem of jackets as decorations.
You can decorate it casually with subdued ones, or accent it with brightly colored ones.
With such small details like braid and piping, you can change the vibe of clothings just by attaching it to a small area like a pocket. We hope you find this article helpful.
If you are interested in other types of binder tapes, please visit ApparelX.
For more ribbons, tapes, and cords, please go to the ApparelX Ribbons, Tapes, and Cords page.


With spring just around the corner, February is the perfect time to prune and prepare your landscape. It’s no secret that healthy plants keep your garden looking vibrant and lush all year long, and proper maintenance is at the root of healthy, happy plants.
Pruning should be at the top of your maintenance agenda this time of year. It optimizes plant health, restricts growth, trains the plant and improves the quality of flowers, foliage, stems or fruit. While some plants require specific pruning techniques, there are a few simple techniques that apply to every plant.
You should always cut all dead, broken and diseased stems back to healthy wood. Make sure you cut at a 45-degree angle that isn’t too close or too far away from the bud. You can even prune each plant based on the response you want. For example, if you want to increase branching, shorten the stem. If you want to make the plant smaller, remove whole stems.
Having the right tools on hand will also make pruning easier and more effective. Hand-held pruning shears are ideal for stems half an inch or less in diameter. For stems up to an inch-and-a-half across, use a long-handled lopper. No matter which tool you use, keep it sharp and clean so your plants can heal more quickly.
Knowing which plants to prune when is just as critical as following recommended pruning techniques. Take a look at our plants to prune in early spring and break out your shears.
Plants to prune in early spring:
• Climbing roses, antique roses, hybrid tea roses, drift roses and knock out roses
• Perennial flowers like hibiscus and lantana
• Summer-blooming trees and shrubs such as crape myrtles
• Broadleaf evergreens such as magnolias and holly
The Power of Perennials.
Deadheading perennial flowers – also known as removing faded flowers – not only makes them look healthier, but many perennials will actually push out another cycle of blooms.


Evolutionary ecology of stripe-necked musk turtles (Sternotherus peltifer) in the Cahaba River drainage
Type of DegreeMaster's Thesis
MetadataShow full item record
Stripe-necked musk turtles (Sternotherus peltifer) are one of the least-studied species of the southeastern United States’ diverse turtle fauna. Despite this, the environmental variation that exists within their geographic distribution makes them excellent study subjects for addressing questions about how the local environment drives adaptation in aquatic organisms at the population level. In this thesis, I examine variation in shell shape of S. peltifer from the Cahaba River drainage basin in central Alabama, USA. I then present the first data on clutch and egg size for the species and conduct a preliminary examination of reproductive allometry. The results of my analyses on both traditional and geometric morphometric measures indicate that S. peltifer from above the fall line have flatter shells than those from the coastal plain. This phenotypic pattern aligns with observations from other turtles, suggesting that some aspect of the environment above the fall line, such as flow rate, has led to local adaptation for flat shell shapes in turtles. Since morphological features such as pelvic aperture width or flat shell shapes may present a constraint on reproductive output in small turtles, I examined reproduction in S. peltifer from above the fall line. Clutch size and egg width both increased with female body size, suggesting that there is competition for allocation of resources to different aspects of reproduction. Pelvic aperture width also increased with female body size, and did not appear to present a constraint on egg width. These results highlight the importance of the local environment for affecting the morphological and life history evolution of aquatic organisms at the population level.


The whitewashing of the CSA’s Black history
Think the community-supported agriculture (CSA) model is a recent invention? Or that Alabama’s Tuskegee University was just home to lone horticultural genius George Washington Carver (He Who Did Everything With Peanuts and Sweet Potatoes)? Think again. Booker T. Whatley, an agriculture professor at the famed historically Black college (once led by another Booker T.—Booker T. Washington), advocated for what he called “clientele membership clubs,” where buyers paid in advance for a season’s worth of produce. Whatley saw this as a valuable way of supporting farmers year-round and wrote what some call the small farmer’s bible, How to Make $100,000 Farming 25 Acres, in the 1980s. According to Modern Farmer, those boxes of produce—and the ideas behind them—come from a longer, more diverse history than most of us know. Author and racial justice trainer Clyde Ford summed it up, saying Black farmers were early advocates of buying local. But somehow that message hasn’t made it to the masses, as “the CSA has basically been co-opted by co-ops and buying co-operatives who somehow mistakenly traced the roots of CSAs back to Europe.” Funny how that happens.


Many historical studies show that egg yolk consumption led to high cholesterol. Rather the yolk is NOT the primary contributor for high cholesterol, it takes more than just egg yolks to cause high cholesterol. What?!? In other words, look at your lifestyle as a whole along with its various components rather than one particular area – what you eat daily (primary dietary cholesterol outlets include: saturated animal fats and full-fat dairy products), whether you smoke and/or drink alcohol, how you sleep, and levels of physical activity.
If you have high cholesterol, consuming one whole egg daily in conjunction with a healthy diet, moderate physical activity, and sleep, does not warrant worry. The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines does not specify the daily recommendation for dietary cholesterol but the Healthy US Style Eating Pattern recommends 100-300 mg daily (Key Elements of the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines). Those with or at risk for high cholesterol should follow the proposed 100-300 mg range for dietary cholesterol consumption. A whole egg has about 2/3 of this proposed cholesterol content.
Time to get crackin’ with those eggs whatever your fancy may be – sunny side up, poached, hard boiled, or scrambled.
xxx – Sarah
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