Hands On Hemp didn't invent the idea of using cloth reusable bags for carrying and storing food. We just took a good idea that's been around long before plastic or paper bags and made it better with sustainable hemp cloth!
Cloth flour sacks and feed sacks have been used since the early 1800's during the pioneering days of settling the United States.
When cloth sacks were first introduced they replaced barrels, boxes, and tins for storing and transporting food staples like grain, flour, seeds, and animal feed. Cloth sacks became the preferred material because they were cheaper to produce, lighter weight and easier to toss on the back of a horse vs. the more bulky and heavy containers.
The invention of the sewing machine and hence the ability to sew stronger seams than hand-stitched seams made it possible for cloth sacks to replace the others.
In the Depression era (1921-1941), both money and cloth were scarce. Due to their strong and well-made fabrics, cloth flour and feed sacks inevitably became fashionable as clothing.
Because people didn’t have money, women would recycle the cloth sacks to sew clothes for the entire family.
The flour and grain companies immediately caught on to this trend. They began making the cloth bags in all kinds of interesting colors and patterns–making the bags themselves, as much as the products they contained, hotly desired items.
Clothes could be somewhat unique because flour and grain companies kept producing new patterns and discontinuing previous ones. And, depending on the skill of the seamstress, these bags could be legitimate fashion statements!
We polished and cleaned stove and table,
Scoured and scrubbed from cellar to gable,
We dusted the bureau and oak bed post,
Made costumes for October (a scary ghost)
And a parachute for a cat named Jack.
From that lowly, useful old flour sack!
So now my friends, when they ask you
As curious youngsters often do,
"Before plastic wrap, Elmer's Glue
And paper towels, what did you do?"
Tell them loudly and with pride don't lack,
"Grandmother had that wonderful flour sack!"


The limited number and lack of stability of funding sources require that initiatives should establish strategies to become more self-sufficient. This helps to better negotiate financial support with the donors.
Some initiatives do as much as they can to sustain their programs (as much as possible) with the interests generated by a Capital Fund. A Capital Fund Scheme reduces the initiative’s need to search for additional funds annually and allows it to keep the stewardship of its project without needing to bend to the interests of the financial supporters.
This means two things:
• That the initiative’s overall funding strategy objective changes from searching for yearly funds to finding donations for (or generating resources to be invested in) an investment fund (the capital fund) selected with two criteria:
° that maximizes interest.
° that minimizes financial risk.
• That money gathered from all sources is used to pay the programs’ expenses, and what is left invested in the capital fund, whose objective is to grow as much as possible so its interests can soon become a matching fund: the matching fund of the capital fund, thus favoring true financial sustainability.
To provide credibility and encourage donations, the use of the capital fund can be subject to control by a banking trust fund mechanism.


Industrial and organizational psychology is a specialty within the field of psychology, meaning that those who practice it attend school for specific certifications and must adhere to a set of standards within the profession. The American Psychological Association defines industrial and organizational psychology as the “scientific study of human behavior in organizations and the work place.” In essence, Industrial-organizational psychologists or “I/O psychologists” help improve the work environment for businesses, nonprofits and other formal places of employment using their training in psychology.
Improving the Workplace
Industrial-organizational psychologists set out to improve the workplace. They may administer tests, offer guidance on policies and procedures, advise management on different projects or analyze data to offer insight into a company’s practices. They’re usually hired on a contracted basis rather than as in-house employees because their work may be short term or focused on a specific need. For example, I/O psychologists may assist in the hiring and on-boarding process to ensure that candidates fit within an organization’s overall system and setup. They’re also concerned with quality of life for employees, job optimization, performance evaluation and market strategies. These specialists can apply psychological theories to specific situations in order to resolve disputes, enhance productivity, help businesses market to their target audience and accomplish long-term objectives. This branch of psychology is as practical as it is theoretical, making it a desired commodity among successful organizations.
Education and Training
Those who want to become industrial-organizational psychologists would need to earn at least a master’s degree in psychology with a focus on this concentration. Many graduate programs exist for this purpose, and some are offered online to make things easier on working professionals. Courses in graduate-level psychology programs cover a variety of topics, including individual and group behavior, statistics, experimental methods and research, and abnormal psychology. In addition, I/O psychologists may find it useful to have a background in business, nonprofit organizations or other similar setups since their practices will primarily involve work-related issues. Most graduate programs include clinical work or a practicum experience that would provide further training in this specialty. Certification requirements would vary by state, but practicing psychologists would also need to maintain their credentials after graduation.
Demand for I/O Psychologists
In 2014, the Bureau of Labor Statistics listed I/O psychology as the fastest-growing occupation in the United States. This was largely because the field was relatively small compared with other jobs. At the time, there were about 1,600 practicing industrial-organizational psychologists in the country with an expected increase of around 900 jobs by 2022, according to ABC News. The most recent list of rapidly growing jobs doesn’t include I/O psychologists, but it remains a growing specialty because of its impact on businesses. The average salary of an I/O psychologist was nearly $84,000 in 2014. As mentioned above, the extensive training and clinical practice necessary to become certified usually garner a higher starting salary than other types of jobs.
Industrial-organizational psychologists are hired for several reasons, including workplace efficiency, employee motivation and fulfillment, effective hiring processes, and marketing. They take a practical approach in analyzing data and developing strategies for improving organizations. The field of psychology is always expanding to include a broader audience, and industrial and organizational psychology is one specialization that seeks to support businesses, employees and the demographics that they serve.


Asthma is a condition in which a person’s airways become inflamed, narrow, swell and produce extra mucus which makes it difficult to breath.
According to Dr. Chiosa Enubele, Asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties. It affects people of all ages and often starts in childhood, although it can also appear for the first time in adults.
Enubele stated that there is currently no cure for asthma, but there are simple treatments that can help control early stages so it doesn’t have a significant impact on someone’s life.
He said: “Some people, particularly children, may eventually grow out of asthma. But for others it’s a lifelong condition, but before then there are some early symptoms they might exhibit like wheezing, a tight chest and also coughing.”
He explained that the severity of symptoms varies from person to person and often comes and goes but can be more persistent for some. Moreover, several conditions can cause similar early symptoms of asthma, such as chest infection or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), so it’s important to get a proper diagnosis to have the right treatment.
How asthma occurs
Dr. Enubele noted that inflammatory swelling of the breathing tubes that carry in and out of the lungs could cause asthma. “The inflammation makes the breathing tubes highly sensitive so they temporary become narrow, this occur randomly, or after exposure to a trigger. The tubes may also sometimes become clogged with sticky mucus, he added.”
How to manage asthma
Enubele stated that Pet Dander, a common asthma trigger is often difficult to avoid entirely because for many, our pets are just like members of the family, Fumes from household cleaners can trigger asthma. Avoid inhaling fumes at home and prevent exposure away from home as much as possible.
He advised people to remove household plants and keep bathrooms clean and dry by opening a window or using a bathroom fan during showers or baths. Breathing smoke even secondhand smoke and smoke on clothing, furniture or drapes can trigger an asthma attack, revealed Enubele.
“Be sure to ask for a smoke free hotel room when traveling. Intense emotions and worry often worsen asthma symptoms so take steps to relieve stress in your life.”
Extremely hot and humid weather and poor air quality can exacerbate asthma symptoms for many people. Asthmatic patients should limit outdoor activity when these conditions exist or a pollution alert has been issued.
According to Enubele, physical activity is also important even for people with asthma. One can reduce the risk for exercise-induced asthma attacks by working out inside on very cold or very warm days, so talk to your doctor if you have hay fever. Use medications as directed and stay inside as much as possible when pollen counts are high.
Make sure people around you know you have asthma because it is important for family members, friends, co-workers, teachers, and employers to be able to recognize symptoms of an asthma attack and know what to do if one occurs.
Enubele said, “Everywhere you go, keep quick-relief asthma medicines readily available. Follow policies at your child’s school to make sure he or she is allowed to carry an inhaler and any other emergency rescue medications that may be necessary.”= As a parent, make sure the school nurse knows your child has asthma, and also note that chalk dust can trigger an asthma attack so it may be helpful for your child to sit away from chalkboards in class.
“If you are asthmatic or have a love one who is asthmatic, know the location of the nearest hospital to your home, your job and your child’s school. When you are traveling, locate the nearest emergency facility beforehand, in case of an asthma attack, advised Enubele.”
What asthmatic patients should avoid
Enubele said that keeping your asthma under control can be a matter of life and death. If you struggle with asthma, then you should know to avoid these things:
It can be a tough thing for many people to avoid, but getting extremely frightened, anxious, or angry can be especially harmful for asthmatics. All three emotions, experienced at a high level, can cause stress, which can alter your breathing and lead to an asthma attack. It turns out not regularly vacuuming and preventing dust from accumulating can have a negative impact on your health if you are asthmatic. While you might not see the dust, dust trapped in your carpet and kept on furniture can induce asthma related symptoms.
Although a glass of red wine a day is said to help with heart health, ingesting wine regardless of whether it is red, white, pink, black, or purple, can harm someone with asthma more than it can benefit them. The reason is that wine contains sulfites, a type of preservative put into different types of food and beverages.
Sulfites, also known as sulfur dioxides, are known to trigger symptoms in asthma. While lemon juice might not cause issues for most asthmatics, artificial lemon juice can. The triggering factor, similar to that of wine, is the sulfite put into artificial lemon juice in an effort to keep it fresh for a longer period of time. Squeezing your own lemons for a zesty flavor can allow you to breathe easier while enjoying the fruity flavor.
Everyone’s asthma may not be triggered by perfume, but a considerable amount of people consider perfume to be a trigger for their asthma. If you are one of those people, it can be hard control your exposure to the loud fragrances that cause you to cough, wheeze, and struggle for air when you are outside of your home.
The most you can really do is politely ask others not to spray their perfume around you, or stay away from areas you know will have strong scents for example, the fragrance section in a department store. If perfume, fortunately enough, does not trigger your asthma, be courteous of those who can’t say the same and avoid spraying perfume heavily or in public areas.
While avoiding intense negative emotions, dust, wine, artificial lemon juice, and perfume may not always be possible, for your own sake, try to stay away from these things if you notice that they affect your asthma. You will certainly be better off in the long run if you avoid these possible triggers.


Digestive System: How to Treat a Leaky Gut
Today’s busy lifestyle is really stressful and bad for your gut, because the entire digestive system can be affected by processed foods, medications, alcohol, stress and bacteria. These can cause digestive irritation leading to inflammation and a lot of pinprick-style leaks in a very delicate and thin lining of the intestines. A tiny leak can be a big problem causing undigested food particles, toxins and bacteria to the bloodstream that leads to a potentially out sized immune response. If there is continuous leak because of damaged lining of your gut, it can cause a big health problem. Allergies, acne, asthma, arthritis and autism are just some of the conditions associated with a leaky syndrome. A leaky gut can cause fatigue, respiratory issues, joint pain, rashes, and autoimmune responses like psoriasis.
Instead of taking medications to suppress the symptoms, the first step in treating a leaky gut is identification and removal of the source of the irritation intestinal linings. Identification and removal of intestinal irritants include beginning an elimination diet, keeping a food journal, limiting use of NSAIDs and alcohol, and ruling out infections. Eliminate digestive irritants like as dairy, sugar, soy, gluten and chemical additives found in processed foods. These foods should be eliminated for two weeks, and are reintroduced taking note its effects. If you feel gassy, bloated or fatigued after eating a specific food, add and write it to your elimination list so you are able to monitor the foods you need to avoid. Your gut tells you what foods you’re sensitive to, all you have to do is listen. Limit the use of alcohol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs and alcohol because it inhibits the production of prostaglandins needed for rebuilding the lining of the intestines, while alcohol tires the liver and steals the nutrients from your gut. Leaky gut can be caused by parasites and pathogenic microorganisms that live in the warm and mucosal environment of your digestive system.
You will need lots of fiber such as berries, vegetables, nuts, legumes, seeds, and whole-kernel grains to eliminate toxic waste materials as quickly and efficiently as possible. Flaxseeds, chia seeds, psyllium seeds, or oat bran can be consumed as a food supplement. Taking enzyme supplements before eating gives your gastrointestinal tract a jump-start for good digestion, so food are easier to break down and nutrients are easier to assimilate. It will also help taking glutamine supplements to fuel the small intestinal lining to support digestion and immunity. Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation and rebuild the wall of the digestive system, so you can consume avocado, seeds, nuts, cold-water fish and purslane. If you have a leaky gut it helps eliminating the foods for upset stomach and consume foods that support a healthy digestive system.
Cite: find this


Resuscitation of Patients in Ventricular Fibrillation from the Perspective of Emergency Medical Services PDF
Cardiology Research and Clinical Developments Series
Since the first use of basic life support (BLS) and defibrillation in the prehospital setting in Belfast in 1966, few would argue that there have been major improvements in the rate of survival for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. Indeed, until the widespread introduction of BLS and defibrillators to emergency medical service (EMS) vehicles, an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest would mean certain death.
The initial rhythm of a patient in cardiac arrest is predictive of their chances of survival. In this regard, the rhythms with the highest rate of survival to hospital discharge are ventricular fibrillation (VF) and ventricular tachycardia (VT). In the past century we have learnt much about VF and VT, with this knowledge forming the bedrock of present day resuscitation guidelines. In the last decade there has been a truly international effort, headed by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR), aimed at reducing the mortality from cardiac arrest. This effort has resulted in the publication of the 2005 guidelines for resuscitation. While there is still much to learn, the 2005 guidelines appear to have reduced mortality from VF/VT arrests more than any before.
The concept of providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), defibrillation, and advanced cardiac life support, in a timely fashion to reduce mortality from cardiac arrests evolved in the late 1980‟s. It was formalised in 1991 by Cummings as the “Chain of Survival”. It is the role of EMS, with regards to cardiac arrest, to provide the final critical links in the chain of survival. Aside from this vital function, EMS have been invaluable in enabling an assessment of the impact of the many changes to resuscitation protocols over the years on the mortality rate from cardiac arrest by facilitating research in the pre-hospital domain.
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ROME (May. 16)
Several non-Jewish Italians, including five Catholic priests, who, during the Nazi occupation of their country, courageously helped to save Jewish lives, received gold commemorative medals at an Embassy reception here on the occasion of the 19th anniversary of Israel’s statehood.
The awards, especially minted by the Israel Government, were presented by Israel’s Ambassador to Italy, Ehud Avriel. An embassy spokesman, announcing the awards, said that “Israel and the Jews all over the world have not forgotten and will never forget those who supported and assisted their brothers during the darkest hours of Jewish history.”
The clergymen in the group are: Don Giovanni Simioni and Don Angelo Torre, both from Treviso; Commendatore Ezio Giorgiette, Bellaria; Don Giuseppe Di Zotti, Rome; Monsignore Leto Casini, Florence; and Don Arrigo Beccari, 75, a priest from Nonatola. The latter had been deported by the Germans because he and Dr. Giuseppe Moreali, in the winter of 1943-44, had smuggled youth aliyah children who had been evacuated from many countries, and were placed in hiding in the priest’s home town, near Mantua.


Grove House School is the first specialist school for pupils with speech, language and communication difficulties in the eastern region. It is based on a ‘best practice’ model, staffed by a collaborative team of teachers, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists. The specialist identity of the school aims to increase awareness of speech, language and communication needs and seeks to provide a valuable resource for families and professionals.
The school offers:
- A collaborative, classroom-based approach to the delivery of speech and language therapy
- Occupational therapy led by an Occupational Therapist trained in the delivery of Sensory Integration Therapy
- A triple-stranded curriculum
- An variety of approaches to the development of literacy skills through programmes and strategies based on clinical research and best practice
- Preparation for a broad range of nationally-recognised qualifications
- Personalised intervention programmes to target pupils’ additional needs
- Outreach work and sharing of good practice
Fundamental to the school’s vision is the use of the collaborative practice model, where teachers, support staff, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists work together as part of a multi-disciplinary team. In order to support inclusion, speech and language therapy takes place with peers in the classroom environment. An occupational therapist contributes to the planning of practical work and again may support pupils in the classroom where necessary.
With extended skills and knowledge, staff are able to employ a number of specialist strategies to support the delivery of the curriculum to all pupils. They can modify language according to the needs of each pupil, use cross-curricular links to support pupils’ generalisation of language, pre-teach vocabulary, use visual supports and, wherever possible, take a physically active multi-sensory approach. Classroom routines and teaching strategies are shared by teaching staff across the school, allowing pupils to enjoy a consistent, specialist approach.


Apologize and Do Better
Everbody makes mistakes.
Everybody acts in ways, says things, and does things that they regret.
Insecurity and fear make people act in awful ways. When confronted with these actions by someone who has been hurt, unfortunately a lot of people deny, justify, or even get mad and say they didn't think or didn't know or make up an excuse and hope the other person believes it.
There is shame in hurting others and it is embedded in one's own conscience. The only way to release it is to allow vulnerability and apologize. "I'm sorry, I acted like a jerk and I regret it" heals so much more than trying to run away from the shame by playing dumb or deflecting.
Apologize and do better.
That will ensure that others won't be hurt and you won't have even more regrets and shame to deal with in the future.
Learn more about relationship patterns and how to change them in Doe's book:


There are a lot of demands on your time in modern day life. Between work, family, social obligations, social media and a never-ending array of TV shows and movies to stream, it may feel like there is never enough time to fit everything in. Some people in Georgia even forego sleep to try and fit in as much as possible. Unfortunately, insufficient sleep is a significant contributor to drowsy driving.
While you have probably heard of distracted driving, you might not be familiar with the issue of drowsy driving. Drowsy driving is when a driver is sleepy, fatigued or otherwise drowsy while behind the wheel. If being sleepy does not seem as dangerous as drunk or texting behind the wheel, you might be surprised to learn that it contributes to thousands of injuries and deaths each and every year.
Is drowsy driving like drunk driving?
One of the main reasons that drowsy driving is so dangerous is because it mimics drunk driving behaviors. Drowsy drivers often overestimate their abilities and miss warning signs that indicate it is no longer safe to be driving, just like many drunk drivers. Some of the shared problems between these two issues include:
- Blurred vision
- Slowed reaction time
- Poor decision making
Any driver of any age or background can engage in drowsy driving. However, drivers who travel long distances are more likely to be drowsy than those traveling shorter distances or sticking closer to home. Drowsy driving is also a greater concern during nighttime hours.
Is drowsy driving common?
It is harder to spot a drowsy driver than a distracted driver. A distracted driver might have a phone in front of his or her face or be talking animatedly to a passenger and not looking at the road. A drowsy driver might seem focused but actually be struggling to focus on the task at hand.
This is why it may come as a surprise to learn that, in a study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — NHTSA, approximately 40% of drivers responded that they had fallen asleep behind the wheel at least once. Since this figure was self-reported, it is possible that the actual figure is much higher. In a separate study from The Zebra, only around 23% of drivers thought being sleepy meant that driving was dangerous.
The danger is real
Drowsy driving killed approximately 4,000 people between 2013 and 2017. In 2017 alone, tired or sleepy drivers contributed to at least 90,000 car accidents. The NHTSA also believes that drowsy driving accounts for around 13% of the $836 billion that crashes cause in societal costs.
If drowsy driving was a factor in your accident, you may need help. Since these accidents are often serious, you are probably dealing with serious issues like pain and suffering, emotional trauma, medical bills, lost income and more. Successfully navigating a personal injury claim to completion is one option for addressing these damages.


This began the great wave of 1937 sit-down strikes
The reader, for example, is meant to credit the one newspaper account of the sit-down strike
that the strikers deem accurate and which calls the issue of unemployment "a national responsibility demanding action by national authority and on a nation-wide scale.
They staged a sit-down strike
in an attempt to stop the 2,000 Guineas.
At the same time, his conservative opponents, chiefly Michigan Republicans and the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), characterized him as a traitor and a Communist sympathizer for the way he handled the Flint sit-down strike
Cholesterol-clobbering drugs called statins do their good work via the molecular equivalent of a sit-down strike
, report researchers in the May 11 SCIENCE.
Staging a sit-down strike
with the remarkably receptive local authorities, Dalits win rights to their well and their pride.
Disgruntled parents who staged a sit-down strike
on the pitch at Chennai, India to protest against the omission of their son from the state Under-14 team.
For a second there, I thought she was going to say, "So I joined my local lesbian SWAT team and staged a sit-down strike
in the editorial offices of our paper until they agreed to more balanced coverage of gay issues.
30 when 30 people from a group of 300 protesters sat down at the entrance of the Riverfront printing plant in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the historic General Motors sit-down strike
at Flint, Mich.
Fischer recalled how a handful of socialists spurred the union movement in Kansas City by organizing a sit-down strike
at Armour and Company which lasted four days.
He later portrayed problems of the working class: The International (1928) depicts a world revolution of the proletariat; Marching Song (1937) concerns a sit-down strike
They show that when workers in Gdansk, Gdynia, and Szczecin took to the streets (where a repressive party-state ultimately has all of the advantages) in the early days of the December protests, the Polish Communist Party's decision to use force against workers (officially 45 people were killed, although unofficial estimates have placed the number of dead as high as 200-300) helped workers to rediscover the advantages of the sit-down strike


Fire safety in buildings under construction is a hugely important topic due to the devastating impact large construction fires can have. While rare, the consequences of construction fires are attracting more attention in the public and private sectors, pointing to the need for more accountability on construction sites and greater enforcement of existing fire and building codes.
A variety of best practice manuals and training videos are available on www.constructionfiresafety.org to help reduce the frequency and severity of construction fires. These materials are designed to educate and inform construction crews, including site superintendents, local building and fire regulators, and responding fire departments on how to prevent fires, reduce losses and ensure overall safety at large construction sites.
Reprinted courtesy of Raymond O’Brocki, Construction Executive, a publication of Associated Builders and Contractors. All rights reserved.


What is Trauma Informed Care?
Did you know that more than 60% of all children under 16 experience some sort of trauma? And that number is even higher with children from 0-5 years old? This information was provided from the American Psychological Association. The Adverse Childhood Experiences study has shown that the more traumatic experiences a person has, there is a higher risk for suicide, depression, and substance abuse during their lifetime.
This post will explore what trauma is and how trauma-induced care can benefit a child, their parents and the child’s support system.
What is Trauma?
According to NiCole Bartlett, Certified Trauma Specialist and Director of Trauma for Children’s Advantage, trauma is an event, series of events, or set of circumstances experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening. Trauma has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.
Trauma and its impact is based on a person’s perception of the trauma and their resilience. Therefore, not everyone will react the same given the same set of circumstances. Examples of traumatic events can include physical and sexual abuse, bullying, and death of a caregiver.
What are Signs of Trauma?
Often, a child often does not have the physical, mental or emotional maturity to tell a parent what is wrong – even when they are in their teenage years.
Some signs of trauma include:
Poor social interaction skills
Anger and irritability
Engagement in risk taking behaviors
It has been shown that children who do not have the tools to address this sort of trauma when it happens are left later in life with difficulty in establishing fulfilling relationships, holding steady jobs and/or becoming productive members of society.
What is Trauma-Informed Care?
In a nutshell, Trauma-Informed Care encompasses a variety of approaches to working with children exposed to short- and long-term traumatic events. An example of a short-term event might be a sudden death of a parent while a long-term situation could be ongoing domestic violence.
Research suggests that there are considerable benefits associated with trauma-informed care for both the child and their family. The key is for the family and child’s support team to recognize and address the signs and symptoms associated with trauma.
Trauma-Informed Care helps a child:
Cope with trauma triggers
Establish and maintain predictable routines and
Use behavior management strategies
Overall, the child needs to feel respected, informed and hopeful regarding their own recovery.
Who is Involved in Trauma-Informed Care?
The short answer is everyone involved in a child’s life, including but not limited to:
Child Welfare Workers
Juvenile Justice Workers and
Where Does a Trauma-Induced Child Go?
In Portage County, a child who experiences trauma is often referred to Children’s Advantage. Again, NiCole Barlett speaking about their process to help children 0-18 years of age:
“Children’s Advantage has a trauma clinic to help families heal from many forms of trauma, but the prevalent cases involve abuse and neglect.
“Our clinic receives referrals directly from several county support services such as the Children’s Advocacy Center, who conduct forensic interviews and provide advocacy to children who have disclosed sexual abuse.
“Once we receive a referral, the family will meet with myself or any of our trauma certified and informed staff to complete a diagnostic assessment, as well as, a trauma evaluation.From that eval, it is determined if the child and family would benefit from trauma specific interventions.”
Children’s Advantage Provides Trauma-Informed Care
The trauma clinic at Children’s Advantage has been in operation since 2012, serving the needs of Portage County. As a partner of the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Portage County, they are instrumental in helping the trauma-stricken youth of our area.
For more information, call them at 330.296.5552.


Educators are utilizing the Microsoft HoloLens to teach complex concepts and allow students to learn in 3D. The use of mixed reality devices in the higher education space is expected to increase as the devices reduce operating costs, work hours, and lesson time. The implementation of shared technology creates a need for disinfection options. The UV cleaner boxes produced by Cleanbox are ready to meet this need and protect the health of educators and students.
Microsoft’s HoloLens Is Becoming More Common in Classrooms: Here’s How to Keep It Clean
Microsoft’s mixed reality device makes it simple for students to comprehend topics that are challenging to teach from a textbook. When students learn by participating in the curriculum physically, they have a higher retention rate and improved comprehension speed. While it may seem as if shared technology devices in the classroom are a dream come true for students and educators, revolutionary education methods require a new approach to hygiene.
A stumbling block in using shared mixed reality equipment is that the headset can quickly become a vector for pathogens to spread throughout a classroom. Pathogen transmission is typically a more significant issue for lower education, as adults can usually be relied upon to implement proper hygiene practices. But when shared headgear is brought into the mix, educators must ensure rigorous cleanliness standards are met.
Abandon Traditional Solutions
In order to establish why UVC disinfection boxes are the best solution for maintaining the cleanliness of the HoloLens and other shared electronic devices, it’s critical to examine why traditional methods fall short. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, cleaning equipment with disposable wipes might have seemed an acceptable sanitization method. However, the pandemic highlighted how impractical and ineffective many standard disinfection practices are.
There are numerous reasons why disposable wipes have no place as a hygiene staple. Despite the wipes being useful in many situations, they are not a good cleaning option for the Microsoft HoloLens.
Wipes Are Unverifiable
Since the pathogens being eliminated are not visible to the naked eye, students and educators cannot verify whether the device they are using has actually been cleaned. While wipes can knock free any visible debris, such as dirt or hair that could cling to the headset, users can only hope that bacteria and viruses have been removed.
Without using a microscope, which is impractical, there is no way to ensure that the device in question is wholly clean. Therefore, to ensure the health of educators and students is protected, hygiene solutions must be proven and quantifiable.
Wipes Are Inconsistent
When students are in charge of cleaning their equipment at the end of each session, hygiene solutions must work consistently regardless of the user’s experience and the amount of effort they put into cleaning the device. A diligent student may be able to clean a headset fairly adequately using a wipe, but a hurried or distracted student will give the headset a half-hearted swipe that leaves pathogens behind for the following user.
Since there is no way to determine how well the previous user cleaned the device visually, students are forced to place their health in the hands of the last student to use the equipment. For a solution to be entirely practical, it must work as efficiently in the hands of an untrained, unreliable student as in the hands of the most diligent one.
Wipes Are Financially and Physically Wasteful
When devices are used by multiple students throughout multiple classes per week, purchasing enough wipes to maintain sanitary standards becomes a costly venture. Since budgetary limitations are an issue for most educators, finding room for impractical purchases in a budget that shrinks semester by semester is challenging.
From a physical standpoint, wipes contribute to the excess amounts of waste crowding landfills by the year. In addition, disposable wipes, even those marketed as “biodegradable,” are bad for the environment, as the fibers don’t break down entirely. Many brands of alcohol wipes may feel soft to the touch, but they have fine plastic threads woven into the material to improve strength. This resilience during use translates to resilience to decomposition when the wipe is discarded.
Wipes Are Damaging
When disinfecting wipes are thrown out, the chemicals in the wipes leach into the ground, contaminating the soil and water supply. This contamination negatively impacts the ecosystem in the affected area in the short term. Scientists expect to see long-term effects on the biodiversity of plants and animals in the region affected by chemicals.
Additionally, wipes can potentially cause premature degradation to headsets and other electronic equipment. Microsoft cautions users against using bleach-based wipes to clean the HoloLens, stating the concern that the bleach can damage the visor and shell of the device. Wipes with abrasive materials woven into the fabric are also ill-advised, as abrasive components will degrade the equipment and, with continued use, cause it to become non-functional.
Embrace Cleanbox: An Alternative Disinfection Method
UVC cleaning units pair perfectly with mixed reality devices and provide a reliable level of sanitization every single use. For every issue using wipes presents, UVC disinfection systems offer a solution.
UV Cleaner Boxes Are Verifiable
The UVC disinfection units produced by Cleanbox have completed extensive testing and have been proven to perform disinfection at hospital-grade standards. After one sanitizing session, 99.999% of pathogens on the item have been eliminated.
The globally patented LED UVC bulbs used in Cleanbox units are unique, as they target the item being sanitized with the precise intensity level required to eliminate viruses and bacteria, even SARS-Cov2 (Coronavirus). As a result, educators and students can feel relief knowing that their equipment is correctly sanitized by using a cleaning method with a quantifiable level of disinfection.
UV Cleaner Boxes Are Reliable
Any concerns over the reliability of the individual completing the cleaning can be eliminated with UVC disinfection devices. When using this system, all the user has to do is insert the headset into the UVC unit and press the button to begin the cleaning cycle.
In 60 seconds, the user will be cued to remove the headset from the unit. Once the headset has been removed, it is disinfected and ready for use. Any individual can complete the process without instruction or prior experience, as the design is intuitive and impossible to complete incorrectly.
UV Cleaner Boxes Are Ecofriendly and Economic
Each of Cleanboxe’s globally patented UVC LED systems completes approximately 600,000 cleans or 10,000 hours of use. After the initial purchase, the devices will work for years, allowing them to pay for themselves quickly. Unlike other cleaning methods, there are no ongoing expenses such as refills or replacements. Because of the unit’s longevity, using a UVC unit has been proven to be 30X cheaper than purchasing disposable wipes.
Since all UVC units do is emit UVC rays into a controlled space, they don’t harm the environment. While traditional ultraviolet lightbulbs release ozone during use, this can be avoided by only using LED UVC lights for disinfection, as they emit no ozone. As the disinfection unit is entirely self-contained, there is no waste to manage or chemical runoff to pose an environmental concern.
UV Cleaner Boxes Are Gentle on Electronics
It’s challenging to find a way to kill viruses and bacteria without damaging the item being sanitized, especially if the item is an electronic device. UVC units are the most effective way to eliminate pathogens without damaging the item being cleaned or the wearer.
With UVC disinfection, there are no chemicals to potentially irritate the user’s skin or wear down the plastic, and there is no friction to degrade the item’s surface. Even when tested under conditions designed to mimic extreme overuse, LED UVC units did not damage electronic equipment.
If revolutionary learning technology is utilized in the classroom, educators must have hygiene solutions to accompany it. Globally-patented UVC disinfection systems provide a verified clean every use and are an efficient and cost-effective way of maintaining cleanliness standards in the classroom. To learn more about how UVC devices are revolutionizing hygiene practices in the classroom, schedule a virtual demonstration with Cleanbox.
About Cleanbox Technology:
Founded in 2018, Nashville, TN-based Cleanbox Technology, Inc. is a smart tech hygiene company specializing in the fast, effective cleaning of shared devices. Cleanbox’s patented products use UVC light in LEDs, providing safe, hospital-level decontamination in 60-seconds, without the need for chemicals, heat, or liquids. Cleanbox products are designed for cleaning shared devices, including head-mounted displays (HMDs), headsets, earphones, eyewear, stethoscopes, and other frequently used items. Cleanbox products have been independently tested and proven to kill 99.999% of contagions in 60-seconds. For more information, visit https://www.cleanboxtech.com. Cleanbox is used by 2,000+ enterprise clients globally across a wide range of industries, including Education, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Automotive, Transportation, Retail, Government, and DOD. Cleanbox is a Woman-Owned Small Business with the GSA.
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Describes the monitoring effort and provides real-time data of the current restless activity of the caldera, including earthquakes, ground deformation, and release of volcanic gas and plus link to volcano monitoring techniques.
Summarizes the eruptions of this spectacular volcano and the consequences for the surrounding landscape, explains how volcanoes like this form, and how we monitor their activity to mitigate hazards they pose.
National Landslide Information Center links to general information, teacher/student information, recent landslide events, state and local information, current projects, fire-related landslides, and images and publications on landslides.
Portal to general information on the National Atlas of the United States with access for producing specialized maps and links to thematic maps including interactive maps, multimedia maps, map layers data warehouse, wall maps, and printable maps.
Overview of studies of fragile and active landscape of the American Southwest deserts, including projects on geologic mapping, surface processes, remote sensing research, ecological processes, and earthquake hazard applications.
Selection of photographic images of the Long Valley area that illustrate the consequences of the past geologic history of the Sierra Nevada, Long Valley Caldera, the Mono-Inyo Craters volcanic chain, glaciation, and faulting.


Is it safe to walk in Louisville? According to a new study by the National Complete Streets Coalition, Louisville is the 17th most dangerous city in the U.S. for pedestrians. The report entitled “Dangerous by Design 2014” analyzed pedestrian deaths across the nation and used a Pedestrian Danger Index (PDI). The index provided an indication of the possibility that a pedestrian gets hit by a vehicle and killed. Based on the study, Louisville’s overall PDI was 98.48 (2008-2012). The city had 200 pedestrian deaths from 2003 to 2012. In 2012, eight pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle accidents while 17 pedestrian fatalities occurred in 2013.
Top five pedestrian accident intersections
There are many areas that make it hard to see pedestrians. Some areas have bushes or trees blocking your view while other roads are just busy. Statewide, more than 50% of pedestrian deaths happened on arterial roadways. Here are Louisville’s top five high crash intersections:
- 4th and Market Street
- Bardstown Road and Goldsmith Lane
- Preston Highway and Gilmore Lane
- Broadway and 4th
- Broadway and 2nd
How to improve pedestrian safety in Louisville
Pedestrian accidents are preventable. With proper education, strict regulation, better road design and enough funds, streets can be safer and pedestrians are better protected. Recently, Louisville received a grant of $307,000 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to help reduce the above-average rate of pedestrian deaths. The city averaged 14.6 pedestrian deaths from 2004 to 2013, and this rate was considered higher than the national average. Likewise, the grant will help improve safety for city pedestrians through several education and enforcement activities including a pedestrian education program in Jefferson County Public Schools.
As a Kentucky Pedestrian Accident Attorney, I believe the grant is a good opportunity to help decrease the number of pedestrian deaths and making Louisville a safer place to walk and live. Thus, I encourage everyone to support the city government in improving traffic safety and reducing the number of accidents. Also, I would like to remind my fellow parents about the importance of teaching our children the importance of following traffic signals and how to safely cross streets. I’d also like to remind pedestrians to be aware of their surroundings. We have to be mindful and careful of our behavior on the road. Let’s always look in all directions before crossing the street and obey traffic signals. Just like what is advised to drivers, pedestrians should also be distraction-free. Do not text or be distracted in any manner when you are walking and crossing the street.


Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is liver inflammation caused by a buildup of fat in the liver. Many people have a buildup of fat in the liver, and for most people it causes no symptoms and no problems. But in some people, the fat causes inflammation of the liver. Because of the inflammation, the liver doesn't work as well as it should.
NASH can get worse and cause scarring of the liver, which leads to cirrhosis. But the disease doesn't always get worse.
NASH is similar to the kind of liver disease that is caused by long-term, heavy drinking. But NASH occurs in people who don't abuse alcohol.
What causes NASH?
Experts don't know why some people with a buildup of fat in the liver get NASH and some don't. It could be that something in the environment triggers the inflammation in those people. Or maybe it runs in their families.
Things that put people at risk for NASH and for liver damage include:
Type 2 diabetes.
High cholesterol and high triglycerides.
Most people who have NASH are 40 to 50 years old and have one or more of the problems listed above. But NASH can happen in people who have none of these risk factors.
What are the symptoms?
You may have no symptoms in the early stages of NASH. Most people who have NASH feel fine and don't know that they have it.
As NASH progresses and liver damage gets worse, you may start to have symptoms such as:
Fatigue (feeling tired all the time).
Weight loss for no clear reason.
An ache in the upper right camera part of your belly.
It may take many years for NASH to become severe enough to cause symptoms.
How is NASH diagnosed?
No single test can diagnose NASH. Your doctor will ask you about other health problems you've had.
To see if fat is building up in your liver and to rule out other diseases, your doctor may do tests such as:
An abdominal ultrasound.
A CT scan.
An MRI scan.
Your doctor may do a liver biopsy to be sure that you have NASH. In a liver biopsy, your doctor takes a sample of tissue from your liver and checks it for signs of NASH.
How is it treated?
There is no treatment for NASH. But you may be able to limit damage to your liver by managing conditions that increase your risk for NASH or make it worse. You can:
Reduce your total cholesterol level.
Reach a healthy weight. If you need to lose weight, be sure to do so slowly (no more than 1 to 2 pounds a week).1 Quick weight loss from crash diets, surgery, or medicine increases inflammation and scarring in your liver.
Stop or cut back on drinking alcohol.
Also, ask your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines you are taking. Some may harm your liver.
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LEARN GERMAN LANGUAGE
- Interested in studying the second most commonly spoken language in the European Union? What about the native language of the 4th largest economy in the world? If so, German is the language for you!
- German and English share many root words as they are both Germanic languages. Native English speakers have little trouble learning German.
- Holding the 4th largest economy in the world, and the largest in Europe, learning German opens business opportunities to work with companies such as Volkswagen, Lufthansa and Adidas.
- Germany has a rich culture in the arts and music. Enrich yourself by gaining a deeper understanding German. What are you waiting for?
-For students with individual goals, private tutoring is also available.
-English courses are available for native German speakers.
Englischkurse sind für Muttersprachler verfügbar.


Children and Domestic Violence
The Other Victim
More than three million children in the United States witness domestic violence each year. These young people literally grow up in a “climate of fear”. Tragically, many of these children hold themselves responsible for the violence.
As a community, we place the responsibility for the violence with the offending parent. Our programs are designed to support the abused parent with the expectation that they will adequately protect their children. Therefore, the effects on the children who witness violence in their homes often go unacknowledged because they are not the direct recipient of the abuse. Contrary to this expectation, some children who witness domestic violence have higher levels of behavioral and emotional problems than other children.
Individual children may respond differently even within the same family. Some children may become violent, while others may withdraw. They may think they are making things easier for the mother by appearing to cope with the situation, by trying to be quieter, and by not saying how they feel. These children often feel isolated and ashamed about the violence happening at home. Many children may be placed in opposing positions, such as being the only person who is able to phone the police for help, or being told that the abuse is a “family secret” that no one should know about. Regardless of the family dynamics, children and young people also bear the burden of domestic violence. They are victims, too.
An adult might say that it is alright if the partner is emotionally abusive to them, as long as they are good to the kids. But, domestic violence comes in many forms and includes emotional, financial, sexual and physical abuse. By abusing the adult, the partner is NOT being good to the children. Showing attention or affection to the children cannot make up for denying the kids (through the violence) the right to a safe and happy childhood.
Although many parents believe that they can hide domestic violence from their children, children living in these homes report differently. Research suggests between 80 and 90 percent of these children are aware of the violence. Even if they do not see a beating, they hear the screams, feel the fear, and see the bruises, broken bones and abrasions sustained by the victim.
What can you do for children of domestic violence?
- Let them know the abuse is not their fault, or the victim’s fault.
- Let them know it is not their role to protect the adult. Children should never place themselves between their parents during a fight, nor should they hide (i.e. in a closet or in the basement). Children should be taught to go to a designated safe location (a neighbor or friend’s house).
- Even though your children may not have been in the room, they will have been able to sense the atmosphere, so if you can, explain to them in their language what is happening.
- Let them know that they are entitled to express their feelings and you want to hear what they have to say.
- Assure them that feeling frightened, angry, confused or sad is normal in the situation.
- Find a trustworthy, sympathetic adult that the children can talk to (such as a relative, school counselor or teacher).
- Find services, information and support for the children. Locally, contact LEVI.
- From 2000-2006, 19 children in Colorado were killed during a domestic violence related incident
- In the United States, more than 4 children die from child abuse and neglect on a daily basis. Over 70% of these children are below the age of 3.
- Children who experience child abuse & neglect are approximately 9 times more likely to become involved in criminal activity
- When Report Cards Go Out on Fridays, Child Abuse Increases on Saturdays, Study Finds (Julia Jacobs, Dec. 2018)
- Being Neglected Harms Brain Development in Kids (Alexandra Sifferlin, Jan. 2015)
- ” A Story of Emotional Injury and Recovery in Children Exposed to Domestic Abuse” (Lundy Bancroft, G.P. Putnam)
For additional information and resources, please email or call LEVI at (303) 774-4534.


We take a closer look at Charles II of England, the King who would restore the monarchy in the United Kingdom.
The British Isles over the last several centuries, have seen some truly remarkable monarchs come and go.
Charles II may not be quite as infamous or well known as some monarchs that have come and gone over the years, but he certainly left his mark during the Restoration era of the 17th Century, which is why we’re learning more about the ‘Merry Monarch’ today.
Here is a quick overview of the life and times of Charles II of England.
Who was Charles II of England?
Charles II was the monarch of Scotland, Ireland, and England during the latter half of the 17th century.
After his father, King Charles I was executed, Charles II lived a life of exile until he was eventually crowned as king in 1661.
Charles’ reign marked the Restoration Era/Period and was not without controversy. The King had a larger-than-life personality, he lived life fast, and would often engage in bitter feuds with parliament.
Just before he died in 1685, Charles II converted to Catholicism, which again, did not go down well with many.
Charles II was born on the 29th of May, 1630, at St James’s Palace, England.
Thanks to the fact that his father, two years prior, had agreed to the controversial passage of the Petition of Right which actually placed limits upon the king’s authority, political turmoil loomed like a black cloud.
In 1642, things came to a head and Charles I and parliament went to war over the king’s claim of the divine right to rule. Eventually, Charles II fled to France in exile, and his father was executed.
For 11 years, despite being the rightful heir, Charles II was prevented from becoming king. The king was reckless but brave, and he led an army at the Battle of Worcester, England, though he was easily defeated.
He once again went into exile and was forced to move from country to country for nearly a decade.
Following the death of Puritan Oliver Cromwell in 1658, the government collapsed and Charles II was made king.
He was given an army and was granted the authority to purge any officials who played a hand in his father’s execution. In exchange for this, Charles had agreed to honour the Petition of Right and agreed to take the equivalent of a pay cut.
Charles was inexperienced as king and often neglected his royal duties, choosing instead to drink wine, party, dance, and frolic with women. Because of the king’s hedonistic and laidback lifestyle, he was known as the ‘Merry Monarch’.
Charles’ final years
Charles signed a treaty with Louis XIV of France in which he agreed to convert to Catholicism in 1670, though he kept postponing this. He would convert and support France in their war against the Dutch, in exchange for subsidies.
Queen Catherine, his wife, did not produce a male heir and many feared his Catholic brother, James, Duke of York, would take the throne.
As a way of appeasing the public, Charles arranged for his niece Mary to marry Protestant, William of Orange.
Eventually, fed up with political turmoil, Charles dissolved parliament in 1679 and for the last few years, he ruled alone.
Whilst on his deathbed, the protestant Charles, finally upheld his deal with France and converted to Catholicism, which went down like a lead balloon with many of his peers.
He died on the 6th of February, 1685, in Whitehall Palace, London.


Pressure groups and movements exert influence on politics in a variety of ways
(i) They try to gain public support and sympathy for their goals and their activities by carrying out information campaigns, organising meetings, filing petitions, etc.
(ii) By organising strikes or disrupting government programmes, they seek to make the government take note of their demands.
(iii) They also influence decision-making by lobbying.
(iv) In some cases, pressure groups are either formed or led by the leaders of political parties.


Panamanian toads Rhinella centralis are distinguished by their dorsal skin covered with pointed warts. They are common along the Pacific coastal areas, often in urban areas around Panama City and small towns, and form large choruses on rainy nights. The small but strongly swollen poison glands on their heads secrete a white toxic goop. This effective defense mechanism makes predators spit them out, or froth at the mouth, vomit and it may even kill them if they try to eat the toad.
Scientists working at INDICASAT, the University of Panama and STRI began screening wild frogs for substances with pharmacological potential to treat various tropical diseases. When they analyzed secretions from these toads they discovered a chemical in the poison glands called 19-hydroxy-bufalin. They found that this chemical was very potent at killing the parasites that cause Chagas disease, and that it was not very toxic to cells. Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease that kills 10,000 people per year, and current medications used to treat the disease are not very effective, particularly in acute cases. The fact that this chemical is quite selective with low cell toxicity means it is a promising compound that make it a candidate compound to further explore as a potential way to treat Chagas disease.
Read the research here:
Rodriguez, C., Ibáñez, R., Ng, M., Spadafora, C., Durant-Archibold, A.A. and Gutiérrez, M. 2020. 19-Hydroxy-bufalin, a major bufadienolide isolated from the parotoid gland secretions of the Panamanian endemic toad Rhinella centralis (Bufonidae), inhibits the growth of Trypanosoma cruzi. Toxicon 177:89-92.
Salamanders are remarkably enigmatic amphibians, both due to their often-cryptic colorations and their extremely secretive lifestyles. They are nocturnal, but even at night, one can hardly call them “active”. Many species are burrowing, and barely ever come out of their moist and dark haven created by earth and fungi. Other species prefer a life in the canopy of mysterious and often nearly inaccessible cloud forests, in a world dominated by bark, moss and lichen.
Panamanian salamanders are no exception to this rule. Herpetologists that set out to find them, regularly return after their tiring night-time missions without seeing even a trace of these wonderful creatures. Local people that work and live in areas where salamanders occur sometimes don’t even know of their existence – which is exactly why a handful of Panamanian institutions decided to organize the first International Festival of the Salamander.
The Festival took place from November 1 to 3 in Boquete, located right at the border of Volcan Barru National Park. Aptly, this is the place to be if one wants to set out on a nocturnal quest to look for them. During the days, there were photographic exhibitions, stands of the organizations involved, an interactive kids corner with movies and drawings for coloring and a small T-shirt shop, hosted by a team of volunteers that where sitting on the edge of their seats to tell you about their beloved salamanders.
But Friday and Saturday night, things even got better: every evening from 6 to 10 p.m., there was a free guided tour by Los Naturalistas in Volcan Barru National Park, with experts knowing where exactly chances of spotting one where highest.
The tour started off at the entrance of Volcan Barru National Park, where we met with a team of tour guides and biologists, led by Dr. Abel Batista. Then we drove on for another 3 km on a bumpy gravel road, until we were at a place known for its substantial salamander population. The first and most important part of the tour consisted of disinfecting boots and equipment, to avoid spreading diseases. After all, one of the major reasons of amphibian declines worldwide is an extremely infectious fungus, Batrachochytrium sp.. While harmless to us, for many amphibian species, it causes severe skin damage, leading to death of susceptible individuals. After sterilizing our shoes, we began measuring about a dozen environmental variables; humidity, temperature, elevation, etc.. In the meantime, the guides explained a few rules: avoid touching the animals, don’t shine too bright lights directly in their eyes and don’t take pictures of them for too long and preferably without flash.
Then, we started searching. The weather was cold, but very dry, and therefore, our subjects of interest would mostly be hiding in moist places, one of the guides explained. We adjusted our strategies accordingly, looking in small holes between rocks and gently turning branches to peer underneath. We slowly walked upwards, and over the course of 20 minutes, we had only progressed about a hundred meters. When we had nearly given up, one of the guides suddenly called us further on.
We hurried on, nearly running uphill. But with a great reward waiting for us: a nearly 20 cm long, female magnificent web-footed salamander (Bolitoglossa magnifica) was cautiously watching us from underneath her hiding place – a thick, rotting branch covered with lichen, about a meter and a half away from the road. All excited, we had to take turns to take a look from the right angle, so you could see her. We all took a few pictures, then we stopped bothering her with our flashlights and left her in peace.
We started hiking down again, all the while scanning every hole and crevice. We passed the cars, and soon after, someone else already shouted he had found another one. This one was more difficult to see, hiding in a small hole in between rocks and loose earth. We had barely gotten to the second, when a third one was found, and soon after even a fourth and fifth!
Despite the unfavorable weather conditions, our evening excursion turned out to be a great success, spotting 5 individuals of the endangered magnificent web-footed salamander in less than an hour and a half. We returned tired and quite hungry, but fully satisfied nonetheless.
Los Naturalistas are currently working on a salamander-focused guided tour, which will roughly follow a similar structure as the tour we could enjoy that night. They hope to organize a lot of similar events like the International Festival of the Salamander, to further raise awareness among tourists as well as Panamanians concerning these mysterious and intriguing animals. Salamanders are facing many threats, but in protected places like Volcan Barru National Park, they are thriving.
By Leni Lammens
I would like to express my gratitude towards all organizing parties involved in the International Festival of the Salamander:
Action Hub+, Bioguias Panamá, Los Naturalistas, Universidad Autónoma de Chiriquí (UNACHI), Vicerrectoria de Investigación y Posgrado (VIP)
as well as to all sponsors, without which the Festival would not have been possible.
A new research paper published on strawberry poison dart frogs in Bocas del Torro found that one of the reasons we have polymorphism or so many different color forms within one species of frog. Female tadpoles prefer to mate with males that have the same color as their parents (sexual imprinting), and males defend their territories more vigorously from other males that are the same color as their parents (rival imprinting). The researchers demonstrated this experimentally by using foster parents of different color forms to raise offspring, and then tested mate or rival preference of the adult offspring.
This process of sexual selection can lead to sexual isolation even in populations that live in the same places. From an evolutionary perspective this would be a rare example of sympatric speciation, or the evolution through natural selection without geographical isolation.
This is the Smithsonian calendar of events to celebrate the golden frog festival 2019
Aug 4 12:30pm to 8:30pm Visit the amphibian rescue center in Gamboa
Aug 14 11AM-3:00pm the Q?bus science education team will visit schools in El Valle de Anton
Aug 28 6PM-8PM Rana Dorada via Argentina pub talk.
Aug 27-31 Punta Culebra family-friendly frog-themed games & educational activities.
On May 30, 2019 a special issue of the Journal Biological Conservation entitled ‘Amphibian conservation in the Anthropocene: Progress and challenges‘ Edited by Vincent Devictor, Evan Grant, Erin Muths, Benedikt Schmidt, Silviu Petrovan was published. The focus of this issue is on examples of potential solutions to the amphibian crisis that are directly relevant to, and integrated with conservation management actions.
The issue features a case study on Atelopus in Panama, updating the known historical distribution records and modeling potentially suitable habitat (below).
The paper also updates the IUCN conservation status for each Panamanian Atelopus species and the status of each of these species in captive populations, with commentary on the potential use of the captive population in research to find solutions that may be useful in restoring wild populations.
Lewis CHR., Richards-Zawacki CL., Ibáñez R., Luedtke J., Voyles J., Houser P., Gratwicke B. 2019 Conserving Panamanian harlequin frogs by integrating captive-breeding and research programs. Biol. Conserv. 236, 180–187. (doi:10.1016/J.BIOCON.2019.05.029)
In May 2019, the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project closed its facility at the Nispero Zoo to streamline and consolidate its captive-breeding operations at a single location in Panama. We are very grateful to the owners of the Nispero Zoo for their support of the amphibian conservation efforts for the past12 years. This consolidation effort is part of a long-planned strategic move to reduce the costs associated with running two separate facilities. The living collection of animals is now residing at our expanded breeding facility at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Gamboa.
As part of the transition process, STRI transferred custodianship of a portion of the living collection to MiAmbiente who allocated these frogs to the newly formed EVACC foundation. The EVACC foundation will continue to operate independently as a non-profit organization in El Valle de Anton.
Visitors who would like to see the frogs can visit our Fabulous Frogs exhibition at the Punta Culebra Nature Center in Amador, Panama City, or at our small exhibition niche in Gamboa (8:30am – 4pm daily).
An international study led by The Australian National University (ANU) has found that a fungal disease has caused dramatic population declines in at least 501 amphibian species, including 90 extinctions, over the past 50 years. The study involved collaborations with 41 different amphibian and wildlife disease experts from around the world. Smithsonian scientists contributed data from Panama—one of the worst-hit areas of the world by the disease—for the study.
Of the 90 confirmed extinctions of frogs across the globe, eight of those species were from Panama. Another 52 species of frogs in Panama have experienced more than a 90 percent decline.
“This study confirms that we are not dealing with a unique problem in Panama,” said Brian Gratwicke, amphibian biologist, international coordinator of the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project, and one of the co-authors of the study who provided data. “If we or anyone does find a solution or cure for chytrid, it will likely have global implications.”
Collaborators like Smithsonian scientists allowed the lead researchers from ANU to get a first-hand insight into the conditions on-the-ground in countries around the world.
Chytridiomycosis, which eats away at the skin of amphibians, has completely wiped out some species, while causing more sporadic deaths among other species. Amphibians, which commonly live part of their life in water and the other part on land, mainly consist of frogs, toads and salamanders.
The deadly disease is present in more than 60 countries – the worst affected parts of the world are Australia, Central America and South America. The researchers found that chytridiomycosis is responsible for the greatest loss of biodiversity due to a disease.
The disease is caused by chytrid fungus, which likely originated in Asia where local amphibians appear to have resistance to the disease.
The unprecedented number of declines places chytrid fungus among the most damaging of invasive species worldwide, threatening similar numbers of species as rats and cats.
Lead researcher Ben Scheele, Fenner School of Environment and Society at ANU, said highly virulent wildlife diseases, including chytridiomycosis, were contributing to the Earth’s sixth mass extinction.
“The disease we studied has caused mass amphibian extinctions worldwide. We’ve lost some really amazing species,” said Scheele.
He said more than 40 frog species in Australia had declined due to this disease during the past 30 years, including seven species that had become extinct.
“Globalisation and wildlife trade are the main causes of this global pandemic and are enabling disease spread to continue,” said Scheele. “Humans are moving plants and animals around the world at an increasingly rapid rate, introducing pathogens into new areas.”
Scheele said improved biosecurity and wildlife trade regulation were urgently needed to prevent any more extinctions around the world.
“We’ve got to do everything possible to stop future pandemics, by having better control over wildlife trade around the world.”
Scheele said the team’s work identified that many impacted species were still at high risk of extinction over the next 10–20 years from chytridiomycosis due to ongoing declines.
“Knowing what species are at risk can help target future research to develop conservation actions to prevent extinctions.”
Scheele said conservation programs in Australia had prevented the extinction of frog species and developed new reintroduction techniques to save some amphibian species.
“It’s really hard to remove chytrid fungus from an ecosystem – if it is in an ecosystem, it’s pretty much there to stay unfortunately. This is partly because some species aren’t killed by the disease,” he said.
“On the one hand, it’s lucky that some species are resistant to chytrid fungus; but on the other hand, it means that these species carry the fungus and act as a reservoir for it so there’s a constant source of the fungus in the environment.
Video by Katie Garrett and Jonathan Kolby
Citation to the Paper: Scheele, B.C., Pasmans, F., Skerratt, L.F., Berger, L., Martel, A., Beukema, W., Acevedo, A.A., Burrowes, P.A., Carvalho, T., Catenazzi, A., De la Riva, I., Fisher, M.C., Flechas, S. V, Foster, C.N., Frías-Álvarez, P., Garner, T.W.J., Gratwicke, B., Guayasamin, J.M., Hirschfeld, M., Kolby, J.E., Kosch, T.A., La Marca, E., Lindenmayer, D.B., Lips, K.R., Longo, A. V, Maneyro, R., McDonald, C.A., Mendelson, J., Palacios-Rodriguez, P., Parra-Olea, G., Richards-Zawacki, C.L., Rödel, M.-O., Rovito, S.M., Soto-Azat, C., Toledo, L.F., Voyles, J., Weldon, C., Whitfield, S.M., Wilkinson, M., Zamudio, K.R., Canessa, S., 2019. Amphibian fungal panzootic causes catastrophic and ongoing loss of biodiversity. Science (80-. ). 363, 1459 LP-1463. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aav0379
The Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project was created in 2009 as a partnership between Zoo New England, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Houston Zoo, Smithsonian National Zoo, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and Defenders of Wildlife to build captive populations of species at risk of extinction from the deadly amphibian chytrid fungus. Together we have built significant capacity for amphibian conservation in Pamama by contributing financial resources, involving zoo staff in field work to collect and care for endangered amphibians, training our Panamanian colleagues in state-of-the art animal care, veterinary care, pedigree management and record-keeping.
Since the project was established, Zoos have provided approximately $300K per year with a total investment of $2.7m in the project that leveraged additional support of $3.9m in grants from Miambiente, First Quantum Minerals (Cobre Panama), USAID, the National Science Foundation, SENACYT, National Geographic, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, the Morris Animal foundation and other private donors. First Quantum Minerals (Cobre Panama) has been our largest corporate contributor, providing approximately $450K per year with a total investment of $2.3m in the project.
Established founding populations of 12 species of Panama’s most endangered frogs, including Panama’s iconic Panamanian Golden Frog. Reproduced all 12 species in captivity most of them bred in captivity for the first-time ever by project staff.
Constructed the Gamboa Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Center which is now the largest amphibian conservation breeding center in the world and trained a professional cadre of conservation staff to care for the animals.
Established a world-class research program investigating the frog-killing chytrid fugus and searching for a cure for the disease. Conducting hormone stimulation research to improve captive reproduction. Continued publications of veterinary care, nutrition and husbandry of amphibians to improve knowledge to sustain captive amphibians.
Conducted the first-ever reintroduction trials of amphibians to learn about the limiting factors how captive frogs transition back into the wild. This data will be used to inform future release strategies using adaptive management principles.
Annual coordination of ‘Festival la Rana Dorada’ activities in Panama City, continued operation of fabulous frogs of Panama exhibition and the integrated informal schools’ curriculum.
Vision for the future
We need to continue to grow the captive amphibian populations to about 300 animals per species with even representation of founder animal genes as the primary assurance colony. This core captive population will safeguard against species’ extinction, and biological banking of gametes will help to ensure against unintended genetic bottlenecks in captivity. Surplus-bred animals will be used for further basic reintroduction research, breeding for disease-resistance, finding a cure for the amphibian chytrid fungus, and basic research that will ultimately be used to reestablish viable wild populations of these species.


In 1860 Carleton Watkins made his first sustained sequence of landscape views, forty-eight mammoth-plate photographs of the Las Mariposas estate. Located less than forty miles from Yosemite, Las Mariposas featured a landscape of little topographical interest--but beneath the surface of this 40,000-acre estate lay the southern end of California's Mother Lode, the world's richest gold vein. John C. Frémont, who owned the land, and his associates used Watkins's images of mills, dams, and roads at the Las Mariposas estate when trying to raise funds for mining from investors.
A wagon road and a parallel railroad rising two thousand vertical feet from the Merced River led to the economic heart of the Las Mariposas property, the Pine Tree and Josephine Mines. In this view looking north from Mount Josephine, the railroad tracks and the line traced by the river nearly meet near the picture's center, neatly bisecting the rocky terrain.


The objective for this lesson is to explain the Public folder concept, what it is and how it works. As you will see, this folder can be used both for sharing with other people that use the same computer and with others on the network.
We explain how to share stuff with others, through the use of this folder and when it make sense to use it. As you will see, it is not very difficult to keep track of what you are sharing in this folder and what to find where. Also, the Public folder has the advantage of being indexed by Windows and anything you place inside will be returned in your searches.
You will also learn how to enable the use of the Public folder for sharing and how to stop using it when you no longer needed it.
By the end of this lesson you will have enough knowledge to decide whether this folder is useful to you or not and whether you would like to keep it turned on for network sharing.
What is the Public Folder?
The Public folder is a folder that’s found on all Windows computers by going to “C:\Users\Public”.
All the user accounts that exist on your Windows PC or device have access to it. Also, all network computers and devices may have access to it, depending on how you have set your network and sharing settings in Lesson 3.
For example, by turning on “password-protected sharing” in the “Network and Sharing Center”, you can limit the access to this folder to people that have a user account and password on your computer. If you turn off “password-protected sharing” then anyone on your network will have access to this folder.
This “Public” folder has several subfolders, including several hidden ones.
For example, in Windows 7 you will see the following subfolders: “Public Documents”, “Public Downloads”, “Public Music”, “Public Pictures”, “Public Recorded TV” and “Public Videos”.
As you can see, its subfolders emulate the existing Windows libraries. There are also three hidden subfolders: “Favorites”, “Libraries” and “Public Desktop”.
In Windows 7 you will find some sample pictures, music and videos that are shared by the operating system with all users. Below you can see a preview of the sample pictures that are found in the Public Pictures subfolder.
In Windows 8.x, the “Public” folder has fewer subfolders. For example, the “Public Recorded TV” subfolder has been removed. Also, its hidden subfolders are different: “Libraries”, “Public Account” “Pictures” and “Public Desktop”.
In Windows 8.x, the Public folder has no files inside.
Unfortunately Microsoft has not documented why some of the “Public” folder’s subfolders are hidden and what they are used for. The “Public” folder is indexed by Windows and its content is shown when performing searches, so that you can easily find what you have stored inside.
How to Share Using the Public Folder
The Public folder is somewhat hidden in Windows 7 and Windows 8.x. However, this doesn’t mean that you cannot use it. To make your life easier you can create a “Public” folder shortcut somewhere on your Desktop, pin it to your Start menu/screen, or in “File Explorer’s” list of favorites (“Windows Explorer” in Windows 7).
The idea of the “Public” folder, is that anything you copy into this folder and its subfolders is shared both with other user accounts on your computer, and with other computers and devices on the network. You make things simple by putting the music you want to share in the “Public Music” folder, the documents you want to share in the “Public Documents” folder, and so on.
Anyone can read, write or delete everything that’s found in the “Public” folder and its subfolders. Therefore, you should not use those folders to store files that you want to share only with certain people or only one user account. For that you should use the other sharing methods that will be shown in upcoming lessons.
In order to access what someone is sharing in their Public folder on another computer or device, open “File Explorer” (Windows 8.x) or “Windows Explorer” (Windows 7), then go to “Network” and select the computer that is sharing what you want to access.
Select “Users” and then “Public” and you will see all the subfolders of the Public folder and their contents.
Below you can see what’s inside the Public Music folder shared by a computer with Windows 7, on the network we are using.
Why Would You Share Something Using the Public Folder?
Using the “Public” folder makes sense in the following scenarios:
- You want to share specific files with other user accounts on the same computer or device.
- You want to give someone access to a file or a set of files but not to entire libraries or folders. For example, you may want to share a set of documents but you don’t want to share your entire Documents library. Copying those documents to the “Public” folder is an easy and fast way to share them, without giving others access to your other work.
- The person doing the sharing is not very technical and he or she has a hard time understanding how everything works. The “Public” folder is a simple concept and you can train them to simply drop there everything that they want to share.
How to Enable the Use of the Public Folder
The Public folder is “enabled” by default in Windows and when you install the operating system, this folder is always created under “C:\Users”.
It is also enabled for sharing on the network. If you want to double-check, go to the “Network and Sharing Center” (as shown in Lesson 3) and click or tap “Change advanced sharing settings” on the left. Find the “Public folder” sharing setting for the active network location, set it to “Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can read and write files in the Public folders” and press “Save changes”.
Now the “Public” folder is also turned on for network sharing.
How to Stop Sharing with the Public Folder
Turning off the use of the “Public” folder is possible only when dealing with network sharing. You can set it so that it is no longer available to other network computers or devices. However, you cannot set it so that it is not accessible to the user accounts existing on your computer. If you want to stop sharing with them through the use of this folder, simply delete everything you have stored inside.
If you want to disable the use of the Public folder for network sharing, go to the Network and Sharing Center and click or tap “Change advanced sharing settings” on the left. Find the Public folder sharing setting for the active network location, set it to “Turn off Public folder sharing” and press “Save changes”.
That’s it! That’s is all there is to know about the “Public” folder in Windows!
Coming up Next …
In the next lesson we will start working with the Homegroup concept and teach you how to create one, join others computers to it and, most of all, how to share with the Homegroup.


U.S.S. Benewah (APB-35)
Over A Billion Recovered Nationwide
U.S.S. Benewah (APB-35)
Design and Construction
Benewah and her class were built on the hulls of LSTs (landing ship, tank). Unlike barracks barges, which have no internal propulsion, these ships were designed to sail on their own, and used the same diesel power as their LST counterparts. Benewah was laid down at the Boston Navy Yard on 2 January 1945 and commissioned on 19 March 1946.
The ship missed WWII service and remained in Boston to receive crews of decommissioned aircraft carriers. In February 1947 she moved to Green Cove Springs, FL for her first decommissioning. She reentered service 9 November 1951 as part of the buildup during the Korean War. Benewah made several deployments with the Atlantic fleet and was taken out of service again in December 1955. She was partially reactivated in August 1959 to serve as a barracks for crews of ships preparing for commissioning.
As the U.S. took a more active role in the Vietnam War, barracks ships were badly needed to support growing operations in the coastal and inland waters of the country. In July 1966, Benewah was sent to the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard to prepare for service again. She recommissioned on 28 January 1967. The work performed on the ship reflected the danger of her new assignment. Benewah’s original armament consisted of two 20-millimeter guns for close-in anti-aircraft defense. During her yard period, the ship received two quad 40-millimeter mounts, two 3-inch/50 caliber mounts, and twenty machine guns. She sailed for Vietnam on 22 February 1967.
Benewah’s unusual appearance after her refit lead to an interesting incident when she arrived in Vietnamese waters. On 22 April, she passed a U.S. Navy warship that commented via signal lamp, “Welcome to Vietnam, whatever you are”. The ship took aboard the command staff of River Assault Flotilla One, Task Force 117, and the commander of the 2nd Brigade of the Army’s 9th Infantry. With these important passengers aboard, the ship left Vung Tau and embarked on a series of combat missions in the Mekong River Delta. Benewah embarked crews of patrol boats and riverine infantry forces, increasing her compliment by 1,000.
In 1968, communist forces launched a massive attack against U.S. military posts known as the Tet Offensive. Benewah took action immediately, moving from one battle zone to the next. Her new guns paid for themselves in these actions and she took heavy fire in return. After the offensive broke, the ship returned to her duties on the Mekong River, taking part in all eleven of the joint U.S-South Vietnamese “Coronado” operations. She was often exposed to heavy fire during these missions and her guns were always ready to return fire. During her time “in country”, Benewah also operated helicopters, and in the fall of 1968, she marked the 10,000th helicopter landing on her deck.
The ship continued her service in Vietnam into 1970. In June, she took part in an incursion in to Cambodia to support interdiction forces on the infamous “Ho Chi Minh” trail. On 27 November, she sailed for a long overdue rest period at Subic Bay in the Philippines. While there, she was assessed for wear and found to be unfit for further combat service. After 43 months in constant service in a war zone, Benewah was worn out. She was reassigned to Subic Bay as a station ship.
Benewah was decommissioned on 1 September 1973. In May 1974 she was transferred to the Philippine Navy, where she served as a hospital ship until 1975, when a fire broke out aboard, gutting her. Subsequently, the veteran ship was sunk as a barrier reef.
Risk of Asbestos Exposure
Benewah was constructed at a time when steam-powered vessels were heavily insulated with asbestos. As a diesel ship, she would not have been equipped with this insulation, but asbestos may have been present aboard in machinery and as an ingredient in vinyl deck tiles.
When worn or damaged, asbestos products break down into tiny fibers. Inhalation of these fibers is a proven cause of mesothelioma, a malignant cancer of the lung. While there is no cure for mesothelioma, common treatments such as chemotherapy can be used to fight the disease.
If you or someone you know served aboard Benewah or worked on her in a shipyard and has contracted mesothelioma, please fill out the form at the bottom of this page to receive free information regarding your rights to compensation.
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Ora Brown Stokes dedicated her life to improving the welfare of black women and girls. For twenty years, Stokes worked as a probation officer for the Richmond City Juvenile Court. She later organized the National Protective League for Negro Girls and a local chapter of the Council of Colored Women.
Brown was born in Chesterfield County, Virginia to Rev. James E. Brown and Olivia Knight Quarles Brown. After completing her primary education, she trained as a teacher at Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute. She graduated in 1900 from the institute but went on to study at Hartshorn Memorial College and the University of Chicago.
After college, she taught school for two years before marrying a pastor and started doing the work of preacher’s wife. In 1912, Stokes saw the need to help black working mothers with a place to care for their children while working, started the Richmond Neighborhood Association which expanded into a nursery, and residence for young girls. The organization also provided other services for people in the community.
Stokes also served as president of the Southeastern Section of the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs and the Virginia Negro League of Women Voters.


gang (noun) LISTEN
A gang is a group of people who associate with each other, with similar tastes or interests.
- "I'm throwing a party for the gang I grew up with."
- The gang is going to a movie tonight. Do you want to join us?"
A gang can also be a group engaging in criminal or antisocial behavior.
- West Side Story is a play about two street gangs in New York.
- It's not safe to walk there at night because of the gangs in the neighborhood.
gang up on: to combine against. Example: “Her three brothers like to gang up on her.”
chain gang: a group of prisoners chained together while working outside the prison. Example: “The chain gang was working on the bridge repairs.”
gangster: a member of a gang of criminals. Example: “The gangster robbed small stores in the neighborhood.”
In pop culture
Watch the popular band Kool & the Gang sing their famous hit, “Celebration.”


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Skeletal muscles are composed of many individual cells known as muscle fibers. Each individual muscle fiber is in turn composed of a number of smaller myofibrils. Three types of proteins form myofibrils: contractile, regulatory, and structural.
Contractile proteins generate force for muscle contraction. The two contractile proteins in myofibrils are actin (part of the thin filament) and myosin (part of the thick filament). The regulatory proteins troponin and tropomysium, which are also part of the thin filament, are involved in allowing or inhibiting muscle contraction. The structural proteins (the most notable of which is titin) are involved in the stability and elasticity of the myofibrils.
Muscle fibers or myofibrils are formed of three types of proteins which are (1) contractile, (2) regulatory, and (3) structural.
Contractile proteins are the force generators of muscle contraction. The two contractile proteins in myofibrils are actin which is part of thin filament and myosin, which is part of the thick filament.
The regulatory proteins troponin and tropomysium, which are a part of the thin filament, are involved in starting or stopping muscle contraction.
When the muscle is relaxed, tropomysium blocks the myosin-binding sites on the actin proteins; this prevents the muscle from contracting. Troponin holds the tropomysium proteins in place. This is changed when calcium enters the muscle fibers; it binds to the troponin molecule, and moves the tropomysium away from the myosin-binding site on the actin molecule.
The structural proteins are involved in the stability and elasticity of the myofibrils. The most important structural protein is titin. It spans half of the muscle fiber. The titin protein is very elastic and serves to help a stretched or contracted muscle return to its relaxed length.
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[Image above] Credit: NIST
Sheets of graphene and other materials that are virtually 2-D hold great promise for electronic, optical, and other high-tech applications. But the biggest limitation in unleashing this potential has been figuring out how to make these materials in the form of anything larger than tiny flakes. Now researchers at MIT have determined a way to make large sheets of one such material, called molybdenum telluride.
A team of University of Nebraska-Lincoln physicists has defied conventional wisdom by inducing stable ferroelectricity in a sheet of strontium titanate only a few nanometers thick. The researchers used piezoresponse force microscopy to confirm that stable and switchable polarization had occurred in ultrathin films of strontium titanate. The discovery contradicts the expected behavior of ferroelectric materials, which normally lose stable ferroelectric polarization as they are made thinner.
Researchers at Swinburne University of Technology, collaborating with Monash University, have developed an ultrathin, flat, ultra-lightweight graphene oxide optical lens with unprecedented flexibility. The researchers produced a film that is 300 times thinner than a sheet of paper by converting graphene oxide film to reduced graphene oxide through a photoreduction process. The ultrathin lens enables potential applications in on-chip nanophotonics and improves the conversion process of solar cells.
Creating futuristic, next generation materials called ‘metallic glass’ that are ultra-strong and ultra-flexible will become easier and cheaper, based on University of New South Wales Australia research that can predict for the first time which combinations of metals will best form these useful materials. In the new study, researchers describe a unique new model of the atomic structure of metallic glass, which allows scientists to predict the metal combinations that will have glass-forming ability.
Metallic glasses differ from ordinary metals in that they are amorphous, lacking an orderly, crystalline atomic arrangement. This random distribution of atoms gives metallic glasses unique mechanical properties but unpredictable internal structure. Researchers in the Caltech lab of Julia Greer, professor of materials science and mechanics in the Division of Engineering and Applied Science, have shown that metallic glasses do have an atomic-level structure—if you zoom in closely enough—although it differs from the periodic lattices that characterize crystalline metals.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have shown how the development of coated silica nanoparticles could be used in restorative treatment of sensitive teeth and preventing the onset of tooth decay. The study shows how sub-micron silica particles can be prepared to deliver important compounds into damaged teeth through tubules in the dentine. The tiny particles can be bound to compounds ranging from calcium tooth building materials to antimicrobials that prevent infection.


The phenomenon of a radio device receiving the same signal multiple times, slightly offset in time.
This often happens when a radio signal is received directly from the transmitter, and also reflected off of one or more nearby objects, such as large buildings. Because a reflected signal takes a longer "path", it is slightly delayed compared to the direct signal.
Multipath is generally a type of interference; it is how a single signal can interfere with itself. Most types of radio signals are therefore degraded by multipath.
Some technologies, however - such as CDMA - are specifically designed to harness multipath effects. CDMA signals can actually benefit from multipath.