Sultanate takes part in London Education World Forum 2013

London ? The Education World Forum (EWF) continued yesterday for the second day in a row, held in the United Kingdom under the heading "Policy-Making for Quantity, Quality and Impact", in which the Sultanate, represented by the Ministry of Education, participates.
There were two sessions yesterday. The third session was entitled "Policies and Structures used and their Impact on the Quantity and Quality of Education.''
The fourth session raised the question "What's changed, and what has been learned in the past year to develop national educational systems?. The fifth and final session will be about "the impact of future policies and structures on quality and quantity of education ".
An educational delegation from Ministry of Education visited a school in the United Kingdom and was briefed on educational aspects related to how to set up test paper, aspects of teacher-teacher training and professional development. The delegation was also briefed on the aspects of the school's evaluation methods to assess the level of students.
The exhibition of educational technology (BETT) was opened yesterday on the sidelines of the conference. A number of companies showcased various modern technical devices, specialising in the areas of education and related aspects.
The Ministry of Education participated with a delegation representing various departments of education in order to broaden participation and opportunity for participants to see the various international experiences in the field of educational technology.
? ONA

Source: http://main.omanobserver.om/node/144350

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Flying the AR.Drone 2.0 with Windows Store Applications

Posted by: MSDN: Coding4Fun, on 30 Jan 2013 | View original | Bookmarked: 0 time(s)

The AR.Drone 2.0The Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 is an awesome device packed with cool features. The drone contains two cameras, one pointed forward that streams live video, and one pointed downwards (for all your surveillance needs). Its got four powerful engines that make it fast and maneuverable. The drones firmware keeps it stable and level while stationary or performing maneuvers, handling a huge burden for the user. Its a fun device to write code for, and even more fun to pilot when youre done!Theres...

Source: http://www.pheedcontent.com/click.phdo?i=65e928679de57ff7bf541753eeb4545f

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In Home Personal Care: How Far are you willing ... - Elder Care Cafe

One of the most difficult tasks of a family caregiver is when the parent needs personal care. Very few adult children are able or willing to perform the intimate tasks of personal hygiene that will keep their parent clean and healthy. Most of us know how a shower or bath and a clean change of clothes can perk up our attitude and give us a feeling of mental wellbeing. The same good feeling happens when our parent is clean as well.

As people age, they often find it difficult or even impossible to take a bath or shower especially on a daily basis. It also becomes difficult to reach the areas of the body that need to be washed. It can also be difficult to get dressed afterwards. They may be suffering from arthritis or the numerous aches and pains in the joints that many aging seniors must endure. Even the act of getting dressed eventually becomes too difficult.

Adult children find it very difficult to have to see their mother or father naked, let along wash and dry their body and help them get dressed. It can be embarrassing to both the senior and their daughter or son.

One way you can deal with this situation is to remove clothing from their body one area at a time. Wash that area, or help them if they are still able to move their arm or hand, and then dry and cover that are before moving on the next. ? If they have a walk in shower, you can place a bench within the shower and use a handheld shower device to help them wash their body, especially in hard to reach areas. They can often wash their own face, hands and arms.

While you have them in the shower, this is a good time to help them wash their hair and brush their teeth. Trying to brush their teeth standing at a sink can be painful and awkward for them.

If your parent is bedridden, you will have to sponge bathe them using a dishpan of water. Again, you can wash one area at a time leaving the rest of their body covered in order to keep embarrassment at bay.

While active people usually bathe on a daily basis, inactive seniors can go a day or two before they need a full bath. A daily washing or hands, face, and private areas should be adequate in most cases.

Because I am caring for my father, I?ve been able to get help from a local home care agency. We call them Dads? shower gals. Currently they are coming in twice a week ? Monday and Friday ? and giving him a full shower and getting him redressed in clean clothes. What is cool about this agency is that they also clean his bathroom and bedroom and take out the trash. They would clean the whole house if we wanted to pay for that, but I?m able to take care of the rest.

I?ve said right from the start that I do not want to touch my father any more than necessary and I have been sticking to that. There are ways you can get help if you feel the same way about your parent. It?s actually not that expensive considering the alternative.

The other plus for us at this time is that since we joined the PACE program, the in-home care is at no cost to us. You should check on whether such a program is available in your community. It?s a state-wide initiative that helps seniors and their caregivers physically and financially.

?

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Source: http://www.eldercarecafe.net/in-home-personal-care-how-far-are-you-willing-to-go-to-care-for-your-parent/

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Beer's bitter compounds could help brew new medicines

Jan. 29, 2013 ? Researchers employing a century-old observational technique have determined the precise configuration of humulones, substances derived from hops that give beer its distinctive flavor.

That might not sound like a big deal to the average brewmaster, but the findings overturn results reported in scientific literature in the last 40 years and could lead to new pharmaceuticals to treat diabetes, some types of cancer and other maladies.

"Now that we have the right results, what happens to the bitter hops in the beer-brewing process makes a lot more sense," said Werner Kaminsky, a University of Washington research associate professor of chemistry.

Kaminsky is the lead author of a paper describing the findings, published this month in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition.

There is documentation that beer and its bittering acids, in moderation, have beneficial effects on diabetes, some forms of cancer, inflammation and perhaps even weight loss.

Kaminsky used a process called X-ray crystallography to figure out the exact structure of those acids, humulone molecules and some of their derivatives, produced from hops in the brewing process. That structure is important to researchers looking for ways to incorporate those substances, and their health effects, into new pharmaceuticals.

Humulone molecules are rearranged during the brewing process to contain a ring with five carbon atoms instead of six. At the end of the process two side groups are formed that can be configured in four different ways -- both groups can be above the ring or below, or they can be on opposite sides.

Which of the forms the molecule takes determines its "handedness," Kaminsky said, and that is important for understanding how a particular humulone will react with another substance. If they are paired correctly, they will fit together like a nut and bolt.

If paired incorrectly, they might not fit together at all or it could be like placing a right hand into a left-handed glove. That could produce disastrous results in pharmaceuticals.

Kaminsky cited thalidomide, which has a number of safe uses but was famously used to treat morning sickness in pregnant women in the late 1950s and early 1960s before it was discovered to cause birth defects. Molecule "handedness" in one form of the drug was responsible for the birth defects, while the orientation of molecules in another form did not appear to have the negative effects.

To determine the configuration of humulones formed in the brewing process, coauthors Jan Urban, Clinton Dahlberg and Brian Carroll of KinDex Therapeutics, a Seattle pharmaceutical firm that funded the research, recovered acids from the brewing process and purified them.

They converted the humulones to salt crystals and sent them to Kaminsky, who used X-ray crystallography -- a technique developed in the early 20th century -- to determine the exact configuration of the molecules.

"Now that we know which hand belongs to which molecule, we can determine which molecule goes to which bitterness taste in beer," Kaminsky said.

The authors point out that while "excessive beer consumption cannot be recommended to propagate good health, isolated humulones and their derivatives can be prescribed with documented health benefits."

Some of the compounds have been shown to affect specific illnesses, Kaminsky said, while some with a slight difference in the arrangement of carbon atoms have been ineffective.

The new research sets the stage for finding which of those humulones might be useful in new compounds to be used as medical treatments.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Washington.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. Jan Urban, Clinton J. Dahlberg, Brian J. Carroll, Werner Kaminsky. Absolute Configuration of Beer?s Bitter Compounds. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2013; 52 (5): 1553 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201208450

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/most_popular/~3/-SRPSXQJGt8/130129130849.htm

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NASA sees some powerful 'overshooting cloud tops' in Cyclone Felleng

Public release date: 29-Jan-2013
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Contact: Rob Gutro
Robert.j.gutro@nasa.gov
443-858-1779
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

NASA satellite imagery revealed that Cyclone Felleng is packing some powerful thunderstorms with overshooting cloud tops.

An overshooting (cloud) top is a dome-like protrusion that shoots out of the top of the anvil of a thunderstorm and into the troposphere. It takes a lot of energy and uplift in a storm to create an overshooting top, because usually vertical cloud growth stops at the tropopause and clouds spread horizontally, forming an "anvil" shape on top of the thunderstorms.

During the night-time hours (Madagascar local time) of Jan. 28, NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite captured a night-time image of Cyclone Felleng when it was located northwest of Madagascar. The image was created at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was false colored to reveal temperatures. The image showed some pretty cold overshooting cloud tops, topping at ~170K (-153.7F/ -103.1C). The image also showed some interesting gravity waves (waves in the atmosphere) propagating out from the storm in both the thermal (infrared) and visible imagery. The infrared imagery also showed that Felleng has strengthened significantly since the previous day as convective bands of thunderstorms are wrapping more tightly into the eye.

On Jan. 29, the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument aboard NASA's Aqua satellite captured an image of Cyclone Felleng at 1015 UTC (5:14 a.m. EST) that showed strong thunderstorms around the center of circulation and a 22 nautical mile-wide-eye (25.3 mile/40.7 km) obscured by high clouds. The image clearly showed the western edge of the storm is approaching Madagascar.

Cyclone Felleng has continued to intensify, as NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP image indicated with the identification of overshooting cloud tops. On Jan. 29 at 1500 UTC (10 a.m. EST), Felleng has maximum sustained winds near 90 knots (103.6 mph/166.7 kph). Felleng was located near 14.3 south latitude and 54.6 east longitude, about 420 nautical miles (483.3 miles/777.8 km) north of La Reunion. Felleng is moving west-southwestward at 8 knots (9.2 mph/14.8 kph).

On Jan. 30, a trough (elongated area) of low pressure is expected to turn Felleng southward. The storm is expected to continue intensifying as it moves parallel to the eastern coast of Madagascar.

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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Public release date: 29-Jan-2013
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Rob Gutro
Robert.j.gutro@nasa.gov
443-858-1779
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

NASA satellite imagery revealed that Cyclone Felleng is packing some powerful thunderstorms with overshooting cloud tops.

An overshooting (cloud) top is a dome-like protrusion that shoots out of the top of the anvil of a thunderstorm and into the troposphere. It takes a lot of energy and uplift in a storm to create an overshooting top, because usually vertical cloud growth stops at the tropopause and clouds spread horizontally, forming an "anvil" shape on top of the thunderstorms.

During the night-time hours (Madagascar local time) of Jan. 28, NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite captured a night-time image of Cyclone Felleng when it was located northwest of Madagascar. The image was created at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was false colored to reveal temperatures. The image showed some pretty cold overshooting cloud tops, topping at ~170K (-153.7F/ -103.1C). The image also showed some interesting gravity waves (waves in the atmosphere) propagating out from the storm in both the thermal (infrared) and visible imagery. The infrared imagery also showed that Felleng has strengthened significantly since the previous day as convective bands of thunderstorms are wrapping more tightly into the eye.

On Jan. 29, the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) instrument aboard NASA's Aqua satellite captured an image of Cyclone Felleng at 1015 UTC (5:14 a.m. EST) that showed strong thunderstorms around the center of circulation and a 22 nautical mile-wide-eye (25.3 mile/40.7 km) obscured by high clouds. The image clearly showed the western edge of the storm is approaching Madagascar.

Cyclone Felleng has continued to intensify, as NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP image indicated with the identification of overshooting cloud tops. On Jan. 29 at 1500 UTC (10 a.m. EST), Felleng has maximum sustained winds near 90 knots (103.6 mph/166.7 kph). Felleng was located near 14.3 south latitude and 54.6 east longitude, about 420 nautical miles (483.3 miles/777.8 km) north of La Reunion. Felleng is moving west-southwestward at 8 knots (9.2 mph/14.8 kph).

On Jan. 30, a trough (elongated area) of low pressure is expected to turn Felleng southward. The storm is expected to continue intensifying as it moves parallel to the eastern coast of Madagascar.

###

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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-01/nsfc-nss012913.php

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10 Foods to Avoid with Acid Reflux

by Mike Barrett
January 29th, 2013 | Updated 01/29/2013 at 3:28 am

An estimated 25 million American adults have acid reflux, or a severe form of heartburn, and experience the issue on a daily basis. More than 60 million suffer from heartburn once a month. And while simple overeating can be to blame, there are several foods that only exacerbate the condition and make it worse. Here you will learn of many foods to avoid with acid reflux.

Heartburn isn?t something to take lightly. In addition to the almost unbearable pain, the acid consistently irritating the esophagus can lead to lasting damage and increase your risk of esophageal cancer.

Interestingly, health professionals prescribe medications known as proton pump inhibitors to reduce the amount of acid build up when?the condition is actually caused by too little acid?in many cases, not too much acid. In some cases, the disorder is caused by a faulty valve between the stomach and the esophagus. However, in others, it is only made worse by diet.

?After food passes through your esophagus into your stomach, a muscular valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) closes, preventing?food or acid to move back up. Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when the LES relaxes inappropriately, allowing acid from your?stomach to flow (reflux) backward into your esophagus.?

In addition to utilizing these 5 natural remedies for acid reflux, here are some foods to avoid when heartburn and acid reflux are a common problem:

• Chocolate -?Apparently chocolate works to relax the sphincter muscle, allowing acids to flow back into the esophagus. But that isn?t the only reason it?s bad for acid reflux?it also contains the next thing on our list:

• Caffeine -?Whether you get your daily jolt from coffee or soda, caffeine is a known contributor to acid reflux.

• Soda -?The bubbles in soda can expand in the stomach, causing acids to back up. Sodas that are caffeinated are doubly bad.

• Alcohol -?Like chocolate, alcohol relaxes the sphincter, allowing acid to flow freely. One drink may not be a problem, but when paired with other heartburn culprits, you?re only asking for greater pain.

• Citrus fruits -?The acid content in these fruits are especially problematic when consumed on an empty stomach or when paired with other acidic foods.

• Tomatoes -?While they are otherwise good for you, tomatoes are very acidic too.

• Spicy foods - Among other foods to avoid with acid reflux, hot and spicy foods can make heartburn a problem. Simply swap out milder alternatives for the spicy dishes you like.

• Fried and other high fat foods -?Fried foods are a common heartburn culprit, but even high fat dairy and meat products can be problematic for some sensitive people.

• Meat ? Meat is one of the hardest foods to digest. Limit consumption and try to choose non-fatty meats like chicken or turkey.

• Dairy ? Dairy may provide temporary relief, but it could also cause problems.

If acid reflux is a problem for you, learn your triggers and how best to avoid them. In the end, you will have to find out exactly which foods are OK, and which foods to avoid with acid reflux. Learn to know your body.

Here are some other tips on how to treat acid reflux naturally. Something as popular as ginger could help, or something very unknown, such as deglycyrrhizinated licorice, could help. It?s time to figure out what works for you.

Additional Sources:

HuffingtonPost

GlobalHealingCenter

Health.com

Source: http://naturalsociety.com/10-foods-to-avoid-with-acid-reflux/

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Antarctic lake beneath the ice sheet tested

Jan. 29, 2013 ? In a first-of-its-kind feat of science and engineering, a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded research team has successfully drilled through 800 meters (2,600 feet) of Antarctic ice to reach a subglacial lake and retrieve water and sediment samples that have been isolated from direct contact with the atmosphere for many thousands of years.

Scientists and drillers with the interdisciplinary Whillans Ice Stream Subglacial Access Research Drilling project (WISSARD) announced Jan. 28 local time (U.S. stations in Antarctica keep New Zealand time) that they had used a customized clean hot-water drill to directly obtain samples from the waters and sediments of subglacial Lake Whillans.

The samples may contain microscopic life that has evolved uniquely to survive in conditions of extreme cold and lack of light and nutrients. Studying the samples may help scientists understand not only how life can survive in other extreme ecosystems on Earth, but also on other icy worlds in our solar system.

The WISSARD teams' accomplishment, the researchers said, "hails a new era in polar science, opening a window for future interdisciplinary science in one of Earth's last unexplored frontiers."

A massive ice sheet, almost two miles thick in places, covers more than 95 percent of the Antarctic continent. Only in recent decades have airborne and satellite radar and other mapping technologies revealed that a vast, subglacial system of rivers and lakes exists under the ice sheet. Lakes vary in size, with the largest being Vostok Subglacial Lake in the Antarctic interior that is comparable in size to Lake Ontario.

WISSARD targeted a smaller lake (1.2 square miles in area), where several lakes appear linked to each other and may drain to the ocean, as the first project to obtain clean, intact samples of water and sediments from a subglacial lake.

The achievement is the culmination of more than a decade of international and national planning and 3 1/2 years of project preparation by the WISSARD consortium of U.S. universities and two international contributors. There are 13 WISSARD principal investigators representing eight different U.S. institutions.

NSF, which manages the United States Antarctic Program, provided over $10 million in grants as part of NSF's International Polar Year portfolio to support the WISSARD science and development of related technologies.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Cryospheric Sciences Program, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the private Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation also provided support for the project.

The interdisciplinary research team includes groups of experts in the following areas of science: life in icy environments, led by John Priscu, of Montana State University; glacial geology, led by Ross Powell, of Northern Illinois University; and glacial hydrology, led by Slawek Tulaczyk, of the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Sharing of expertise by the groups of disciplinary experts will allow the data collected to be cast in a systemic, global context.

The WISSARD team will now process the water and sediment samples they have collected in hopes of answering seminal questions related to the structure and function of subglacial microbial life, climate history and contemporary ice-sheet dynamics.

Video surveys of the lake floor and measurements of selected physical and chemical properties of the waters and sediments will allow the team to further characterize the lake and its environs.

The approach to drilling was guided by recommendations in the 2007 National Research Council-sponsored report, "Exploration of Antarctic Subglacial Aquatic Environments: Environmental and Scientific Stewardship," aimed to protect these unique environments from contamination.

A team of engineers and technicians directed by Frank Rack, of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, designed, developed and fabricated the specialized hot-water drill that was fitted with a filtration and germicidal UV system to prevent contamination of the subglacial environment and to recover clean samples for microbial analyses. In addition, the numerous customized scientific samplers and instruments used for this project were also carefully cleaned before being lowered into the borehole through the ice and into the lake.

Following their successful retrieval, the samples are now being carefully prepared for their shipment off the ice and back to laboratories for numerous chemical and biological analyses over the coming weeks and months.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by National Science Foundation.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment/~3/A0yoZXKXsuA/130129121943.htm

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Obama, Clinton share screen in ?60 Minutes? interview (Washington Post)

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Who wore it best? Vote on your favorite SAG look

Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

Take a look at Hollywood's biggest stars showing off their designer gowns and tuxes on the red carpet.

When it comes to the Screen Actors Guild Awards, it?s all about Hollywood?s brightest honoring their own. And on Sunday night, red-carpet veterans such as Nicole Kidman and Naomi Watts shared the spotlight with newcomers including Jennifer Lawrence and Amanda Seyfried. Highlights included quite a few navy gowns, a whole lotta updos, and yes, Justin Timberlake in plaid.

We took a look at all the celebs on the red carpet, but only a few left us impressed. Which star had the best style? Check out our favorites below and cast your vote!

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

"30 Rock star" Jane Krakowski in a bright, sherbet-colored Kaufman Franco dress at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held at The Shrine Auditorium.

Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

Disney chic? "Zero Dark Thirty" star Jessica Chastain channels Jessica Rabbit in a sexy Alexander McQueen silk gown.

Matt Sayles / AP

Nicole Kidman goes for sheer in an embellished gown by Vivienne Westwood.

Matt Sayles / AP

Flower power: Julianne Moore opts for a sexy, plunging Chanel gown.

Matt Sayles / AP

Marion Cotillard wears a festive two-tone gown designed by Dior Haute Couture.

Jordan Strauss / AP

"Les Miserables" star Amanda Seyfried wears a chic, romantic gown by Zac Posen.

Joe Klamar / AFP - Getty Images

Kerry Washington of "Django Unchained" wears a structured, sexy Rodarte gown.

Adrees Latif / Reuters

Going for gold: Actress Jennifer Garner looks regal in an Oscar de la Renta gown.

Jordan Strauss / AP

Freida Pinto goes for a hot-pink Roland Mouret design.

Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

Bright white: Actress Naomi Watts sparkles in Marchesa.

{"contentId":"16726419","totalVotes":"707"}

Who wore it best?

More from TODAY:
Busy Philipps shows off baby bump at SAGs
Sundance style: Celebs in winter white, plaid and more
DIY: Michelle Obama's embellished J.Crew belt

Amanda Seyfried	? 20.1% (142 votes)
Kerry Washington	? 18.7% (132 votes)
Jennifer Garner	? 16% (113 votes)
Nicole Kidman	? 11.7% (83 votes)
Marion Cotillard	? 9.2% (65 votes)
Naomi Watts	? 7.6% (54 votes)
Jessica Chastain	? 6.2% (44 votes)
Jane Krakowski	? 4.4% (31 votes)
Freida Pinto	? 4.2% (30 votes)
Julianne Moore	? 1.8% (13 votes)

Display Comments:

Source: http://thelook.today.com/_news/2013/01/27/16726419-who-wore-it-best-vote-on-your-favorite-sag-look?lite

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A new material for environmentally friendlier electronics

Public release date: 28-Jan-2013
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Federica Sgorbissa
pressroom@sissa.it
39-040-378-7557
International School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)

A new organic 'ferroelectric,' economical and with low environmental impact, has been created

The electronics industry has a remarkable impact on the environment, yet research is devising new solutions to reduce it. Among these, a new compound with an unutterable name, the diisopropylammonium bromide (DIPAB), a new ferroelectric material created by an international team of researchers that include Massimo Capone and Gianluca Giovannetti of Istituto Officina dei Materiali at CNR and of the International School for Advanced Studies of Trieste (SISSA), whose research has been just published in Science magazine.

"A ferroelectric material has properties analogous to those of a magnet in electricity, a system in which the electric dipoles tend to 'line up'" explains Capone. Materials with such characteristics are key in the production of electronic devices, from ordinary computers to solar cells. The materials that are usually employed, like barium or titanium oxides, have a very strong impact on the environment and, besides, require complex equipment for their production. "This is not the case of the organic compound we have elaborated and studied, that can be processed very easily from aqueous solution and has a low impact on the environment" comments Giovannetti. And not only it is environmentally friendlier, but also cheaper.

By improving its response at the processing stage, the use of such material may spread to the field of electronic devices. The theoretical study carried out by Giovannetti and Capone aims at identifying new materials with even better characteristics and to fine-tune their processing. "The process currently employed still shows some small errors, that is, exhibits a percentage of processed molecules that differs from what expected", points out Capone. "By improving such aspect DIPAB may be employed in the future in the production, for instance, of computer memory."

More in detail...

DIPAB is defined as a molecular crystal. What does that mean? "Basically it is a lattice in which at each point, instead of a single atom, as observed in normal crystals, an entire molecule is found," explains Capone. "This is a crucial aspect, as such molecules feature 'tails' that can orient themselves much more easily than what occurs with ions in atomic crystals, thus favouring polarization." Capone, supported by the European Research Council ERC through a prestigious "Starting Grant", believes that the DIPAB processing is only a starting point, and that molecular compounds may replace oxides in several other fields of application, including devices based on superconductors.

###

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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Public release date: 28-Jan-2013
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Federica Sgorbissa
pressroom@sissa.it
39-040-378-7557
International School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)

A new organic 'ferroelectric,' economical and with low environmental impact, has been created

The electronics industry has a remarkable impact on the environment, yet research is devising new solutions to reduce it. Among these, a new compound with an unutterable name, the diisopropylammonium bromide (DIPAB), a new ferroelectric material created by an international team of researchers that include Massimo Capone and Gianluca Giovannetti of Istituto Officina dei Materiali at CNR and of the International School for Advanced Studies of Trieste (SISSA), whose research has been just published in Science magazine.

"A ferroelectric material has properties analogous to those of a magnet in electricity, a system in which the electric dipoles tend to 'line up'" explains Capone. Materials with such characteristics are key in the production of electronic devices, from ordinary computers to solar cells. The materials that are usually employed, like barium or titanium oxides, have a very strong impact on the environment and, besides, require complex equipment for their production. "This is not the case of the organic compound we have elaborated and studied, that can be processed very easily from aqueous solution and has a low impact on the environment" comments Giovannetti. And not only it is environmentally friendlier, but also cheaper.

By improving its response at the processing stage, the use of such material may spread to the field of electronic devices. The theoretical study carried out by Giovannetti and Capone aims at identifying new materials with even better characteristics and to fine-tune their processing. "The process currently employed still shows some small errors, that is, exhibits a percentage of processed molecules that differs from what expected", points out Capone. "By improving such aspect DIPAB may be employed in the future in the production, for instance, of computer memory."

More in detail...

DIPAB is defined as a molecular crystal. What does that mean? "Basically it is a lattice in which at each point, instead of a single atom, as observed in normal crystals, an entire molecule is found," explains Capone. "This is a crucial aspect, as such molecules feature 'tails' that can orient themselves much more easily than what occurs with ions in atomic crystals, thus favouring polarization." Capone, supported by the European Research Council ERC through a prestigious "Starting Grant", believes that the DIPAB processing is only a starting point, and that molecular compounds may replace oxides in several other fields of application, including devices based on superconductors.

###

---

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?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-01/isoa-anm012813.php

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Get The Credit Repair Tips That Can Help - Finance

If you have a mistake in your credit report, you can have a low score and it could be difficult to get someone to give you credit. There is no need to pay for an expensive service, you can do many of these repairs yourself. Check out the following tips on how you fix your credit on your own.

Do not use your credit cards. Do all of your spending with cash or debit cards. If you absolutely have no other choice but to use a credit card, pay off the balance in full as soon as possible.

Debt collection agencies can be the most stressful part of a bad credit crisis. Make sure you know that cease and desists of any type can only stop you from being harassed, you?re still going to be in debt. This doesn?t let the customer off the hook for the debt, it merely stops the threatening calls.

During your credit improvement journey, you may feel pressured into committing to payment plans or sending in lump sum payments that are simply not affordable. Know what your budget is and stick to it. If you sign up for payment plans you cannot follow, your credit score will only get worst.

If you want to improve your credit score, don?t let anyone pull your credit report unnecessarily. Whenever someone inquires about your credit score, the inquire is recorded.

Pay all your bills to fix your credit. Credit counseling can also be a great help.

Try and pay down any revolving account balances in order to boost your credit score. You can improve your score by lowering your balances. Your FICO credit score notes what your balances are on your revolving accounts based on the credit you have available.

Be very wary of programs that do not sound legal; chances are they aren?t. There are scams all over the web that teach you how to create a new credit file. This tactic is not legal, and you face serious repercussions if you are caught. The legal costs can cripple you, and there is a very good chance you will be sent to jail.

Look through your credit card statement each month and make sure that it is correct. If there are, you will need to contact the company immediately to avoid them reporting this to a credit reporting agency,

Go through your credit report and identify any outstanding item. Ensure the report is free of errors and then begin the process of repairing the damage. Stay current with your monthly payments but start by tackling and paying off the largest amount owed first.

If your credit is such that you cannot get a new card to help repair it, apply for a secured one. Secured credit card applications have a high rate of approval because you must fund a security deposit against your credit limit. Even though this card will be secured by your own money, you will make payments and manage it as if it were unsecured. This will improve your credit as you show yourself able to make the payments on time.

Never trust a business or person who offers to clear up your credit for a price. Especially if it is correct information they say they can remove. These bad marks stay on your record for seven years or more. It is true, however, that you can remove inaccurate information from your report, but you do not need the assistance of a consultant to do so.

New lines of credit either long-term loans or a new credit card will initially lower your credit score. Resist the urge to apply for credit cards while shopping at your favorite retailer, even if they offer tempting promotions. Credit scores typically drop when new credit is opened.

Make sure to fully read every single credit card statement that you get. Check to be sure that you actually purchased the things that are listed on your statement, so that you are only paying for things you bought. You need to be sure that everything is correct on the statements.

If you are doing hardcore credit score improvement, you need to scrutinize your report for negative entries. Any mistakes, such as in the amount owed or the date the agreement was entered, could result in the removal of the entire negative trade line on your credit report.

Develop a plan that works if you are in need of credit score repair. Be totally committed to changing your spending habits. Don?t buy the things that aren?t needs. Ask yourself how necessary each purchase is, and how affordable it is too. If you can?t answer ?yes? to each of the questions above, you need to reconsider the purchase.

Financing homes can be made more difficult when your credit score is low. If your income is a factor you may qualify for a FHA loan, which has lower standards and makes the federal government your lender in a sense. FHA loans can even work when someone lacks the funds for down payment or closing costs.

Look for a credit repair agency that is legitimate. Too many of these services will use your desperation to make money. Far too many people have been bilked by dishonest agencies. Read all the reviews that you can find and you should be able to make a decision about who you can trust.

Look into credit counseling if your credit is a wreck. They can teach you how to get rid of all you owe and still live each month. You must be open to discard your credit cards, and you must send monthly payments to your creditors.

Consumers should carefully research credit counseling agencies before choosing one with which to work. There are some counselors that are real, while others are basically scammers. There are many scams out there. It is wise for consumers to not give out personal information unless they are absolutely sure that the company is legit.

As you can see, you have many options when it comes to repairing your credit. If you implement these tips, your credit score should rise. The best person to deal with your credit improvement is you and there is no reason why you cannot succeed at it.

Knowing about cnbc can certainly make your life easier. But before you start, you need to learn all you can about cnbc. When you do this, you can figure out the thorny issues that might arise. Utilize the tips you?ve just learned here and continue to do your research in order to have the best chance of success.

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Source: http://thenysefloor.com/2013/01/28/get-the-credit-repair-tips-that-can-help/

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Qigong Improves Quality of Life for Breast Cancer Patients | Psych ...

By Janice Wood Associate News Editor
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on January 26, 2013

New research has found that qigong, an ancient mind-body practice, has been found to reduce depression and improve the quality of life in women undergoing radiation for breast cancer.

The study examined qigong in patients receiving radiation therapy and included a follow-up period to assess its benefits over time, according to researchers.

?We were [...] particularly interested to see if qigong would benefit patients experiencing depressive symptoms at the start of treatment,? said Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D., a professor in the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center?s Departments of General Oncology and Behavioral Science.

?It is important for cancer patients to manage stress because it can have a profoundly negative effect on biological systems and inflammatory profiles.?

For the study, Cohen and his colleagues recruited 96 women with stage 1-3 breast cancer from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center in Shanghai, China.

About half of the women ? 49 ? were randomly assigned to a qigong group consisting of five 40-minute classes each week during their five-to-six week course of radiation therapy. The remaining 47 women comprised a control group receiving standard care.

The program incorporated a modified version of Chinese medical qigong, which consisted of synchronizing one?s breath with various exercises, the researchers explained.

Participants in both groups completed assessments at the beginning, middle and end of radiation therapy and then one and three months later. Different aspects of quality of life were measured, including depressive symptoms, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and overall quality of life.

According to the researchers, patients in the qigong group reported a steady decline in depressive symptom scores beginning at the end of radiation therapy, with a mean score of 12.3, through the three month post-radiation follow-up with a score of 9.5. No changes were noted in the control group over time, the study found.

The study also found that qigong was especially helpful for women reporting high baseline depressive symptoms, Cohen said.

?We examined women?s depressive symptoms at the start of the study to see if women with higher levels would benefit more,? he said.

?In fact, women with low levels of depressive symptoms at the start of radiotherapy had good quality of life throughout treatment and three months later regardless of whether they were in the qigong or control group. However, women with high depressive symptoms in the control group reported the worst levels of depressive symptoms, fatigue, and overall quality of life that were significantly improved for the women in the qigong group.?

As the benefits of qigong were largely observed after treatment concluded, researchers suggest qigong may prevent a delayed symptom burden or expedite the recovery process, especially for women with elevated depressive symptoms at the start of radiation therapy. Cohen notes the delayed effect could be explained by the cumulative nature of the treatments, as the benefits often take time to be realized.

According to the researchers, the findings support other previously reported trials examining the benefits of qigong, but are too preliminary to offer clinical recommendations.

They note that additional research is needed to understand the possible biological mechanisms involved and further explore the use of qigong in ethnically diverse populations with different forms of cancer.

The study was published in the journal Cancer.

Source: University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center

APA Reference
Wood, J. (2013). Qigong Improves Quality of Life for Breast Cancer Patients. Psych Central. Retrieved on January 27, 2013, from http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/01/27/qigong-improves-quality-of-life-for-breast-cancer-patients/50826.html

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Source: http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/01/27/qigong-improves-quality-of-life-for-breast-cancer-patients/50826.html

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Weekend Special: The Slobbering Cat That Stole My Heart

Maybe you already know about this, maybe I'm in love, maybe this is just me and my particular craziness, but I want you to click on the image below. It's Mathew Inman's (who calls himself "The Oatmeal") story, handwritten, hand drawn, about his cat, Domino.

There are, we all know, wonderful sites all over the web, but every so often somebody comes along and rejuggles words, pictures and plays with space, remixing elements to very quietly find new beats, new ways to tell a story. That is what Mathew did here. At least I think so.

It's the tale of his slobbering, very unpretty pet cat, his brave sister, his homicidal yet generous uncle, and what happened one winter night when he was a boy. I should warn you, there are a couple of R-rated words in the text. Oh ? and his cat drools, constantly.

Source: http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2013/01/26/170268486/weekend-special-the-slobbering-cat-that-stole-my-heart?ft=1&f=1007

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Deal signed to clear Myanmar debt, allow new loans

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) -- The World Bank on Sunday announced a long-awaited deal to allow Myanmar to clear part of its huge decades-old foreign debt, opening the door for new much-needed lending to jump-start its lagging economy.

The bank's Washington headquarters announced in a statement that the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, the country's overseas development bank, will provide a bridge loan to Myanmar to allow it to cover outstanding debt to the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, which totals about $900 million.

Myanmar stopped payments on its old loans about 1987, making it ineligible for new development lending.

The deal is a major breakthrough for Myanmar, with loans likely to go to upgrading its dilapidated infrastructure, including electricity and ports. The knock-on effect would be to bring in more foreign direct investment, already attracted by the country's relatively low-cost economy.

The deal is also likely to draw criticism, because it comes as Myanmar's army is pushing hard against ethnic Kachin rebels in the country's north, in an echo of the notorious counterinsurgency campaigns of previous military regimes.

A former general, Thein Sein, became the country's elected president in 2011 and began reversing almost five decades of military repression by instituting political and economic reforms.

He won the substantial easing of economic and political sanctions imposed against the junta by the United States and other nations. But some pro-democracy activists say his administration has been rewarded too much, too fast, allowing some abuses to continue, such as repression of ethnic minorities.

The World Bank had already made some exceptions to providing new aid.

In November, it approved an $80 million project to provide $25,000 grants to villages in 15 townships across the country, where community councils will identify the kind of help they want, such as roads, bridges, irrigation systems, schools, health clinics or rural markets. The bank reopened its office in Myanmar in August last year.

The bank was able to act because President Barack Obama earlier lifted a long-standing U.S. restriction on international financial institutions, such as the World Bank, lending to Myanmar after Congress passed legislation enabling that step. It was one in a series of steps by Washington to reward the Southeast Asian country for its democratic reforms.

The World Bank statement did not detail the mechanics of the new deal to clear the debt arrears.

It did say the bank's board on Jan. 22 approved a $440 million "Reengagement and Reform Support Credit to Myanmar."

It said the credit would support "critical reforms being implemented by the Government to strengthen macroeconomic stability, improve public financial management and improve the investment climate."

It added that its proceeds would "also help the Government meet its foreign exchange needs, including repaying (the) bridge loan" and that there are currently discussions with the government to identify priority needs.

Separately, the Manila-based Asian Development Bank announced it would extend a $512 million loan to Myanmar under the same sort of arrangement with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation ,

"Myanmar has come a long way in its economic transformation, undertaking unprecedented reforms to improve people's lives, especially the poor and vulnerable," the statement quoted the World Bank's Myanmar Country Director Annette Dixon as saying.

"Much work remains to be done. We are committed to helping the government accelerate poverty reduction and build shared prosperity. The Bank's engagement, together with the ADB, the Government of Japan and other partners, will help attract investment, spur growth and create jobs."

Myanmar had run up $8.4 billion in debt during the socialist regime of the late Gen. Ne Win between 1962 and 1988, and $2.61 billion of debt after a new military junta took over in 1988, making for a total of just more than $11 billion.

The largest creditor before 1988 was Japan, with loans of $6.39 billion, and the biggest post-1988 creditor was China, with $2.13 billion.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/deal-signed-clear-myanmar-debt-160942489.html

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Old-Fashioned Motherhood: Women in Combat

And I began to think about the many reasons to have women home during times of war, "keeping those homefires burning."

Those Left Behind

The first thing that came to mind was the draft. If both the fathers AND the mothers of children are called up to arms, WHO takes care of the children?

Who DOES keep the homefires burning, keeps the money coming in, keeps the neighborhoods functioning, keeps the homes protected from theft and the children from harm?

WHO???

A Bloodthirsty People

Have we, as a country, as a society, really come to the point where we are as bloodthirsty and warlike as the ancient Greeks and Romans before us? If we haven't already, we soon will be, if our women become as hardened and troubled as our soldiers both past and present. War is one of the most disturbing things that humankind deals with, and if our soldiering men are having such a dfficult time with post-traumatic syndrome and other such mental troubles, what will happen to nurturing, feminine women??

Is the female sex demanding, as did Lady Macbeth?

Come you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here. . . .
Come to my woman's breasts
And take my milk for gall, you murdering ministers.

What WILL happen when mothers become "murdering ministers?"

My thoughts turn to the Jaredites, in the Book of Mormon. Near the end of their civilization, (which came about because of all the fighting and killing among them-- in essence, they destroyed themselves!) they had become so bloodthirsty and hardened that they required their women and their children to fight, in addition to all their men.

And it came to pass that when they were all gathered together, every one to the army which he would, with their wives and their children?both men, women and?children?being armed with weapons of war, having shields, and breastplates, and head-plates, and being clothed after the manner of?war?they did march forth one against another to battle; and they fought all that day, and conquered not. (Ether 15:15)

?The destruction was so great among their people, that there was not even anyone left to bury their dead.

And so swift and speedy was the?war?that there was none left to bury the dead, but they did march forth from the shedding of blood to the shedding of blood, leaving the bodies of both men, women, and children strewed upon the face of the land, to become a prey to the worms of the flesh. (Ether 14:22)

This future, with all the wars going on all around the world that OUR troops are fighting in, is not that far off. How quickly has the unthinkable always happened? When looking back to history and those who have come before, it's sooner than we like to think.

Irony

In all of this, the media is speaking from two polar opposite opinions. On the one hand, arming women to fight in bloody and disturbing wars is being applauded, while cries for taking away personal weapons of protection from families are reaching fever pitches.

There is a great deal of talk of "protecting children," but who protects the young when BOTH their parents are serving in distant lands, killing the innocent children of our enemies? The State????

How can a mother keep the milk of human kindness in her heart for her own little ones, knowing that her actions are destroying the lives of other babies??

Lady Macbeth, again, shows us that a woman cannot have both.

Gender

Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

and

By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.

Men and women ARE different, and yet equal.?

To deny that fact is not only scientifically ridiculous, it is also silly in the emotional, mental, and spiritual senses. Misinterpreting equality in such a way is nonsensical.?

Each have their own stewardships that work within their natural abilities and talents. BOTH ARE NEEDED-- in their heaven-endowed duties. They should then help and support one another in those roles, as equal partners.

The prophets then go on:

...we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

The modern world that women are trying to navigate is more confusing and troubling than ever. For me, this is not a day to rejoice. It is a day of mourning. My pleading prayers for peace will be stronger and more heartfelt than ever.

I raise my voice in protest-- I cannot stand by and let this disturbing issue stand, unchallenged.

May the Lord help our society come to its senses, before it's too late!!!?

Source: http://blog.oldfashionedmotherhood.com/2013/01/women-in-combat.html

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Lead Levels Down in U.S. Kids, But Asthma Cases ... - Health.com

FRIDAY, Jan. 25 (HealthDay News) ? Lead levels in young children in the United States have declined dramatically in recent decades, according to government figures released Friday. But the new report on the environment and children?s health also found a rise in asthma among kids.

?This latest report provides important information for protecting America?s most vulnerable ? our children. It shows good progress on some issues, such as reducing children?s blood lead levels and exposure to tobacco smoke in the home, and points to the need for continued focus on other issues,? Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lisa Jackson said in a news release.

The average blood concentration of lead measured in children aged 1 to 5 years was 92 percent lower in 2009-2010 than in 1976-1980, according to the EPA. Most of that decline occurred in the 1980s, but consistent decreases have continued since 1999.

In more good news, the average level of cotinine ? which indicates exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke ? in the blood of nonsmoking children aged 3 to 17 was 88 percent lower in 2009-2010 than in 1988-1991. In 2010, 6 percent of children from newborn to age 6 years lived in homes with a regular smoker, compared with 27 percent in 1994.

The percentage of children living in counties where air pollution concentrations exceeded one or more national air quality standards declined from 75 percent in 1999 to 59 percent in 2009, according to the report.

However, the asthma rate among children rose from 8.7 percent in 2001 to 9.4 percent in 2010, the report said, with minority groups particularly affected by the respiratory disease.

While the actual causes of asthma are unclear, substantial evidence suggests that exposure to certain air pollutants can trigger symptoms in children who have asthma. And although the childhood asthma rate has increased, the severity of children?s asthma and respiratory symptoms has declined, according to the report.

Emergency room visits for asthma fell from 114 visits per 10,000 children in 1996 to 103 visits per 10,000 children in 2008, the investigators found. From 1996 to 2008, hospitalizations for asthma and for all other respiratory causes dropped from 90 to 56 per 10,000 children.

The report also noted that rates of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and preterm births have risen, but there is no conclusive information on the role that environmental contaminants might play in those conditions.

?Although we are encouraged by these findings, there is still much work to be done,? Jackson said. ?By monitoring trends, identifying successes and shedding light on areas that need further evaluation, we can continue to improve the health of our children and all Americans.?

More information

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency outlines what you can do to protect children from environmental risks.

Source: http://news.health.com/2013/01/25/lead-levels-down-in-u-s-kids-but-asthma-cases-rising-epa/

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Still Crazy After All These Fears (preview)

See Inside

The world will end, but not for a long, long time

By Steve Mirsky

Image: Matt Collins

Congratulations, you survived the Mayan apocalypse. I knew you could do it.

I had complete confidence that I would live past the alleged planetary expiration date of December 21, 2012, provided I didn't get hit by a bus or slip in the bathtub. But those modes of demise are, of course, far less tantalizing than some end-of-the world fantasy dreamed up by amateur archaeologists and sucked down by people who perhaps never worry that they have undiagnosed hypertension or that the highway bridge they cross daily hasn't been properly maintained.

This article was originally published with the title Still Crazy After All These Fears.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)

Steve Mirsky has been writing the Anti Gravity column since a typical tectonic plate was about 33 inches from its current location. He also hosts the Scientific American podcast Science Talk.

Source: http://rss.sciam.com/click.phdo?i=acd64077b0a94c20b6698c54ecc5a530

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This Is What?s Wrong With College: Student Expelled For Exposing Network?s Privacy Flaws

In a telling example of higher education's misplaced priorities, a Canadian student was expelled for finding privacy flaws in a university's computer network. Fresh-faced 20-year-old hacker, Hamed Al-Khabaz, attempted to warn school administrators about a vulnerability he discovered in his school's network while working on a mobile app, but instead got accused by Dawson College's software company of a pre-meditated cyber attack. After meeting with administrators, he continued to test whether the school had actually had closed the privacy loophole and was expelled.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/gOZSKxOrRyg/

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Green Blog: Milestone Looms for Farm-Raised Fish

Sometime this year, we will quietly pass a milestone in human history: the majority of the fish we eat will be farm-raised rather than wild-caught.

In the last 20 years, the production of fish through aquaculture has grown exponentially, while marine fish catches have leveled off. Unless it?s an extraordinary year for marine fishing, in 2013 the lines will cross, and the majority of the fish we eat will come from aquaculture rather than oceans.

Fishing is the only part of global food production in which the tillers and the breeders of the world are not dominant, and this year, the last stronghold of the hunter-gatherers will be eclipsed, according to data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization?s 2012 State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture report.

This is not to suggest that the approximately 45 million people who fish for a living are headed to the history books sometime soon. Fishing is likely to continue to have a large work force even as overharvested wild fish stock in many parts of the world decline and the job itself remains one of the most dangerous.

The reason, as several recent studies show, is that fishing is a ?sticky? occupation. One study found that as years of fishing experience increases, so does job satisfaction and the unwillingness to leave the occupation. In another study, people in the Pacific Island nation of Kiribati were provided with a government subsidy for coconut production as a tool to reduce fishing pressure, and the result was the exact opposite. The extra income from coconuts gave them more time to do what they wanted, which was fishing.

Fishing remains one of the few occupations that people will pay money to do in their leisure time.

While commercial fishing will continue regardless of the growth in aquaculture, it is aquaculture that holds more promise for addressing the Malthusian dilemma of feeding a human population expected to increase by 50% over the next 50 years.

One reason is that aquaculture is the most efficient producer of animal protein. Feed conversion ratios for several aquaculture fish species are approaching 1:1, meaning that for every pound of feed, a fish gains one pound. By comparison, the most efficient farmed animals on land are broiler chickens with a 1.6:1 feed conversion ratio. (One reason is that with a few exceptions like bluefin tuna, fish are coldblooded and thus use less energy than poultry, beef cows and hogs.)

Aquaculture is not without problems, however. The effluents from aquaculture ponds can pollute nearby waters and cause severe oxygen depletion, or eutrophication.

Shrimp aquaculture in particular has caused swaths of mangrove forests to be cleared for shrimp ponds in a number of countries, and this loss of ?green infrastructure? has made these coastal areas more vulnerable to storms and diminished the local ?fish nurseries? that mangroves provide.

Disease in aquaculture is also a problem. Widespread outbreaks of disease occur almost every year, and the overuse of antibiotics and pesticides in aquaculture is a growing issue. Trace amounts of antibiotics and pesticides can remain in some aquaculture products.

To help ensure food safety and sustainability of aquaculture products, third-party certification systems like the Aquaculture Stewardship Council and Global Aquaculture Alliance-Best Aquaculture Practices are growing in popularity, especially among large buyers of aquaculture products like supermarket chains.

We?ve had 12,000 years of learning in agriculture and 60 years in large-scale aquaculture. There is still much that is unknown about domesticating fish and shellfish. But what?s clear is that the shift from foraging to farming is almost complete.

In another century, never-say-quit fishermen and dumpster-diving Freegans may be the only hunter-gatherers left.

Source: http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/24/a-milestone-looms-for-farm-raised-fish/?partner=rss&emc=rss

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