Article: Place the toothpicks about 1 inch (2.5cm) away from each other. In this experiment, the orange will represent the earth, and the toothpicks will represent objects located in 2 different countries on earth. The flashlight will represent the sun in this experiment. Make sure the flashlight is the only light in the room with you. This experiment works best at night when there's no natural light. Notice how the shadow of each toothpick is a different length and going in a different direction. Even if you move the flashlight around, the shadows will still be different. A flat styrofoam plate or a piece of cardboard will work. Keep the toothpicks the same distance apart as they were on the orange. In this version of the experiment, the flat surface will represent a flat earth. Shine the flashlight on the toothpicks and notice how they both have the same shadow. No matter where you move the flashlight, the toothpicks' shadows will be nearly identical. It's the shadows you saw on the orange, of course! After all, based on our observations here on earth, we know that identical objects located in different parts of the world will have different shadows at the same time of day. That's because the roundness of the earth affects how the shadows are cast. If the earth was flat, then identical objects would have the same shadows no matter where they were located in the world. Since that's not what we observe here on earth, we know the earth isn't flat!
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Stick 2 toothpicks into the side of an orange. Turn off all the lights and shine a flashlight on the toothpicks. Observe the shadows the toothpicks cast on the orange. Repeat, but this time with the toothpicks stuck in a flat surface. Ask yourself which set of shadows resemble what we see on earth.
Article: Because there are so many factors to consider when diagnosing malignant hypertension, there are no universal guidelines on pharmacology or recommended medical therapies. Your doctor will evaluate your medical history and current condition before promptly beginning treatment. Your doctor will need to take into account drug interactions (especially if there's an underlying cause for your malignant hypertension), the resources available at the medical facility, and the level of medical expertise available. Your doctor will immediately try to reduce your blood pressure to safe levels within 1 hour (usually this is a 10 to 15% decrease). Your blood pressure should continue to decrease of the next 24 to 48 hours, while you're in intensive or critical care. Your doctor will then wean you off of intravenous to oral agents to get you prepared for hospital discharge. Therapy for malignant hypertension is always intravenous agents/medications. When you're being weaned off of them, you'll be given a reduced amount and given oral medications in the same drug class. Labetalol is a beta blocker that blocks the effects of epinephrine and adrenaline. You will receive labetalol if you've had a heart attack (myocardial infarction or angina) because of malignant hypertension. It is typically the treatment of choice, working quickly to reduce your blood pressure and is an easily adjustable intravenous medication. Because the lungs also have beta receptors, labetalol isn't the first choice for treatment in patients with pulmonary edema from the malignant hypertension. Nitroprusside is a vasodilator, a medication used to dilate or open the blood vessels, reducing blood pressure very quickly. Since it's on a constant intravenous (IV) infusion pump, the dosage can easily be changed to anywhere from 0.25 to 8.0g/kg/min. It does require a sensor line to be inserted in your femoral artery for continuous monitoring. You'll be constantly monitored while receiving nitroprusside. Because of its rapid action, it can cause a steep drop in blood pressure too quickly. This can compromise how much blood gets to your brain. Fortunately, the dosage is easily adjustable. Fenoldopam is another rapid acting vasodilating agent that's usually recommended for patients with renal (kidney) failure. This is a calcium-channel blocker which works on the calcium channels of the cells within the smooth muscles of your blood vessels. This causes them to expand which reduces blood pressure. Nicardipine is easy to adjust for optimum blood pressure control. It's also easy to wean from nicardipine to an oral medication, like Verapamil. Depending on your medical needs, your doctor may treat you using one of the following intravenous medications: Hydralazine: Used to control malignant hypertension in pregnant women, due to safety profile for fetus. Phentolamine: Used exclusively if you have confirmed malignant hypertension caused by a tumor of the adrenal gland (pheochromocytoma). Lasix: Used to supplement treatment for malignant hypertension. It's a diuretic, causing one to urinate excess fluid. It's beneficial if you have pulmonary edema or congestive heart failure as symptoms. Enalapril: This ace inhibitor agent works by inhibiting dilating blood vessels, but it can't be used in renal failure.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Talk to your doctor about medications for malignant hypertension. Prepare for medical treatment. Start with labetalol. Take nitroprusside to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow. Expand your blood vessels using Nicardipine. Take less commonly used medications.
Article: Is your spider moving around less than usual? Tarantulas often stop moving or don't move at all to conserve energy before a molt. If your tarantula has not been moving much lately, then this could be a sign that she is about to molt. Is your tarantula eating? Before a big molt, tarantulas will stop eating for extended periods of time, ranging from a few weeks to a couple of months. If you have noticed that your tarantula has not been eating or that she has been eating less than usual, then this could indicate that she is going to molt soon. Some tarantulas secrete tiny drops of a clear fluid between the joints on their legs, and this can indicate that your tarantula is getting ready to molt. Check to see if you can see these droplets, but keep in mind that not all tarantulas do this before a molt. Some tarantulas will lose hair on their abdomens leading up to a molt. You might notice less hair on your tarantula's abdomen or even a bald spot on your tarantula's abdomen. If you see this, then it is a good sign that your tarantula is getting ready to molt. Your tarantula's abdomen may also appear darker and shinier than usual before she molts. What position is the spider in? During a molt, a tarantula lays up-side down on her back or on her side to get out of the old skin easier. This happens when a tarantula is actively molting and the whole process takes just a few hours. If your tarantula is on her back or side, then she might be trying to molt her skin. Spiders curl up their legs tightly underneath them when they die. If your tarantula is on her stomach and has curled her legs tightly inwards, then she may be dead or dying.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Watch for decreased movement. Note a refusal to eat. Check for clear fluid droplets. Look for thinning hair or a bald spot. Check what position your tarantula is in.