What bird was first sighted in 1598 and was driven to extincition by 1670?

Driven to extinction: Who killed the Dodo? | The Independent Science Driven to extinction: Who killed the Dodo? Its name has passed into common parlance as a byword for obsolescence. But now a new expedition hopes to shed more light on an iconic bird. Steve Connor reports Thursday 8 June 2006 23:00 BST Click to follow The Independent Online For such an iconic animal, it seems strange that we know next to nothing about the dodo - except, of course, that it is dead. We don't know how it lived, what it ate, how many eggs it sat on or even whether it was fat or thin. But that could all change with a scientific expedition just begun in Mauritius, the remote island in the Indian Ocean where the dodo lived for millions of years before being driven to extinction in the late 17th century, just 80 years after it was sighted by European sailors. British and Dutch scientists have joined forces to excavate a unique dodo burial ground where the bones of hundreds and possibly thousands of birds have been preserved in marshland for more than 10,000 years. It will be the first time scientists have had access to well-preserved dodo remains that have remained untouched. At last, some light maybe shed on a mysterious and emblematic creature that has come to epitomise how easy it is for man to wipe out a species. The Mare aux Songes area of Mauritius was once a dry coastal forest which later became marshland. Last year scientists said they thought the site contained a mass of bones from a rich variety of animals - giant tortoises, dodos and other extinct birds and reptiles - all of which long pre-date the arrival of the first humans to inhabit Mauritius in 1598. "The discovery is of huge importance and will give us a new understanding of how dodos lived," explained Julian Hume, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Natural History Museum in London who has helped to organise the expedition. "For the first time we will be able to answer questions like how many dodos lived on the island and what did they eat? Young dodo remains may also reveal how they bred and what kind of parents they might have been," Dr Hume said. "We still don't even know what it ate and why it had that unusually large, hooked bill. It may have been for sexual display or was it to dig out roots for eating? These are some of the questions we want to answer." The first written description of a dodo comes from a Dutch sailor called Heyndrick Dircksz Jolinck, who led an expedition to the island in 1598. He described large birds with wings no bigger than a pigeon's - the wings were so small they rendered the birds flightless. Jolinck also gave a strong hint about why the dodos became so sought after by sailors. "These particular birds have a stomach so large it could provide two men with a tasty meal and was actually the most delicious part of the bird," he wrote. Although hunting and indiscriminate killing was to take their toll, it was the invasion of the island by alien species such as rats, pigs and other domestic animals that saw the dodo condemned to extinction. The chicks and eggs of the ground-laying bird became easy fodder. Habitat destruction also played its part and by 1680, just eight decades after the island was claimed as Dutch territory, the last dodo had died. All that remained were a few moth-eaten specimens in European museums. The most famous was the Oxford dodo, which became so badly decomposed that much of it had to be burnt. Only the head and one leg remains today at the University Museum. It was this specimen that was probably the inspiration for Lewis Carroll's "Dodo" in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Intriguingly, according to Dr Hume's research, is it also possible the Oxford dodo was the only living specimen to have arrived in Europe. This bird was described by Sir Hamon L'Estrange in London in 1638. He saw a picture of an unfamiliar "fowle" hanging upon a cloth outside a shop - clearly an advertisement to see a strange bird - which led Sir Hamon to investigate. His subsequent description is the only documented account of a living dodo in Britain.


"What movie featured a clique called the ""Plastics"" who always wore pink on Wednesday?"

How to Dress Like the Plastics (Mean Girls): 5 Steps How to Dress Like the Plastics (Mean Girls) Do you want to dress like the all-too-fashionable Plastics from Mean Girls? Well, this guide will show you how according to their rules. Steps 1 Don't wear a tank top two days in a row! This being said, have lots of tank tops in different colors. Some colors you must have are: white, black, pink, brown/grey. Once you get those you should go get more colored ones. You also need to buy lots of different colored sweaters and cardigans to go with your tank tops. 2 You can only wear a ponytail once a week! If it's really hot and you want to put it up, just put it in a complicated looking braid or a pretty updo! But normally you should wear your hair wavy, in ringlets/curls (Gretchen), or perfectly straight on your back (Regina). The only exception to the ponytail rule is if you're playing a sport or in Gym Class. 3 On Wednesday You Wear Pink! You must wear pink on Wednesdays. Wear either a pink shirt, skirt/shorts, OR a belted pink sundress. A good option is a pink shirt and white bottoms, with pink and neutral accessories. Don't wear everything pink or you'll look like a little girl playing dress-up! 4 Before you buy an article of clothing, show it to your friends. If they're not with you take a picture of it on your phone and send it to them. 5 You can only wear blue jeans or track/sweat pants on Friday! You need lots of skirts. Two essentials are a black pencil skirt and a white mini or pencil skirt. You can wear printed or bright colored jeans any day, as long as they're not normal blue jeans, but never ever wear track pants on a day other than Friday. You also shouldn't wear athletic shorts except for Fridays, Gym class, and sports. Community Q&A If this question (or a similar one) is answered twice in this section, please click here to let us know. Tips As for makeup rules: keep it looking natural and light. Friday is the only day to do bright eyeshadow, a bold lip, the latest runway makeup trend, etc.. Always wear something cute on Halloween. Be like a bunny or a mouse (duh!), a hula girl, or a model. Some other fashion rules (that are from Mean Girls) are: You can only wear tennis shoes on Gym day and in sports. On Mondays you have to wear flats. On Tuesdays you need to wear diamonds like diamond earrings or a diamond ring. On Thursdays you must wear something designer or carry a designer purse.


"What is the name of the good witch in ""The Wizard of Oz""?"

Four Witches in Oz | The Hidden History of Oz Four Witches in Oz Dorothy melts the Wicked Witch of the West, by W.W. Denslow There are four witches in Oz – one in each corner, or rather, one in each Cardinal Direction. L. Frank Baum laid out the powers that ruled the corners of Oz. In his first book, he detailed this witchy phenomenon: “There were only four witches in all the Land of Oz, and two of them, those who live in the North and the South, are good witches. I know this is true, for I am one of them myself, and cannot be mistaken. Those who dwelt in the East and the West were, indeed, wicked witches; but now that you have killed one of them, there is but one Wicked Witch in all the Land of Oz–the one who lives in the West.” — The Wonderful Wizard of Oz , chapter 2, “The Council with the Munchkins” So, four Witches? Is this a Star Wars dark lord of Sith-type limitation on the number of Witches? Let’s explore this witch-rule across three different versions of Oz – canonical Oz, by L. Frank Baum; Disney Oz, coming to theaters soon; and The Hidden History of Oz, available now. You may have seen what Disney is doing with their Oz prequel, Oz, the Great and Powerful . If not, here’s a quick peek at one of the TV spots. Which Witch is which? Disney’s Witches Official character bio for each witch: Glinda – Glinda is a good witch who rules over a peaceful kingdom of simple, kind folk. Beautiful Glinda is not only a compassionate and benevolent witch, but also a fierce protector of her people. Though Glinda sees through Oz’s facade early on, she knows genuine goodness lies within and helps Oz achieve his true destiny. Evanora – A witch to be feared, Evanora is Theodora’s over-protective sister. With her penetrating gaze, she exudes a powerful presence and has positioned herself as the royal advisor and protector of Emerald City. Theodora – Theodora is a beautiful, naive witch who is protected by her powerful sister Evanora. Theodora only wants peace to come to the Land of Oz and truly believes that a prophesied wizard will arrive someday to restore order. Then there is a silhouette of a witch in the fire. Who could this be? We’ll have to wait until March 8, 2013, when the film is released, to find out. Baum’s Witches North The Good Witch of the North was not named in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Nor whas she named in any of Baum’s Oz books. However, Baum gave her the name of Locasta in the 1902 musical extravaganza, The Wizard of Oz. Ruth Plumly Thompson , Baum’s handpicked successor in writing Oz books, revamped the character and gave her the name of Tattypoo. The Good Witch of the North is often confused with Glinda. Why? Because the 1939 MGM movie, The Wizard of Oz, combined the two good witches into one and called her Glinda. Thanks for that. East The Wicked Witch of the East is not named in Baum’s books. West The Wicked Witch of the West is not named in Baum’s books. However, in the 1910 silent film, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, this witch is named Momba in the intertitles (or title cards). South The Good Witch of the South is Glinda the Good . She is the most powerful of the Witches. According to the Soldier with Green Whiskers, Glinda: “knows how to keep young in spite of the many years she has lived.” — The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, chapter 18, “Away to the South” So she was the most beautiful of the four witches. Later books in Baum’s Oz series refer to Glinda as a Sorceress, rather than a Witch. Hidden History Witches This information is taken from The Hidden History of Oz, Book One: The Witch Queens. Gayelette Gayelette is the eternal sorceress who rules from the Ruby Palace in the lands of the North. She is a sorceress who exists in a different time than normal people – she does not ever age. She is more than one hundred years old. Her constant research keeps her too busy to pay attention to either matters of state or family. Gayelette researches the power of dreams, probing into the mystery, “Why does nobody in Oz dream?” Kalinya Kalinya rules over the Munchkins in the East as their unquestioned leader. She is cruel


What type of volcanic stone is commonly used during pedicures?

Types of volcanic rock | Sciencelearn Hub Types of volcanic rock Rocks are not all the same. Some are heavy, some are light. Others are dark, while some can be almost pure white. Even igneous rocks that are all formed from magma in the Earth’s mantle can look very different. Igneous rocks Rocks are broadly classified into three groups – igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic . Igneous rocks are formed from magma in the Earth’s mantle. They generally don’t contain fossils, don’t react with acids, don’t usually contain obvious layers, can be made of different minerals, sometimes have holes or bubbles and may be glassy in appearance. Volcanologists look for these igneous rocks so that they can learn more about where these rocks have come from and whether they were formed during a volcanic eruption. Geologists use the visual appearance of the rock as an initial clue to its composition but will then verify their ideas using specialised techniques. For example, scientists at The University of Auckland use an electron microprobe to measure the exact quantities of silica , iron , magnesium and many other chemicals that are in rock samples they collect. This information helps them to classify the rock and may give them direct clues about the volcano and the eruption that formed the rock. Lava solidifies to rock New Zealand has 3 main types of volcanoes, and each has been formed from a different type of magma. Once the lava has erupted, it cools and solidifies into rock: Basalt magma often forms shield volcanoes. Andesite magma often forms cone volcanoes. Rhyolite magma often forms calderas . Depending on how much gas the magma contains, it can also form cone volcanoes. Basalt Image: Columnar basalt The Earth’s crust is mainly basalt rock. It is a heavy, dark, grainy rock. Basalt is associated with great rock columns that are found in many places around the Earth, for example, the Organ Pipes in Dunedin or the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland. Basalt magma is formed at high temperatures (around 1,200ºC). When it comes out of the volcano, it is hot and liquid. It contains very little silica (less than 50%) and a lot of magnesium and iron, which makes the rock look dark. The Auckland volcanic field has erupted this type of hot, runny iron-rich lava, and the landscape is dotted with mountains made from basalt and scoria (a red-coloured rock that contains large amounts of iron-rich minerals). Both rock types are excavated for building materials and landscaping. Andesite Image: Andesite Andesites are lighter coloured than basalt because they contain less iron and more silica (50–60%). Some scoria rocks fall within the andesite classification because of their chemical composition. Magma that contains andesite is generally around 800–1,000ºC and forms steep-sided cone volcanoes (stratovolcanoes). Mount Ngāuruhoe is an example of an andesite volcano. Rhyolite Image: Pumice Rhyolite is light-coloured or white – this is a clue that the rock contains a lot of silica (more than 70%) and not much iron or magnesium. Rhyolitic magmas are associated with low temperatures (750–850ºC) and are often thick, which means gases can’t escape. Some rhyolitic rocks are quite light, for example, pumice , which may still have evidence of the bubbles of gas trapped as the rock solidified. Nature of Science Classification helps scientists organise things into groups. In rock classification, such grouping can help geologists see patterns and perhaps explain the reasons for rocks looking similar. Metadata


The Largest Penguin Ever? | March of the Fossil Penguins March of the Fossil Penguins Fossil penguin discoveries and research The Largest Penguin Ever? with 8 comments What was the biggest penguin ever?  It’s a popular question.  Today, as every schoolchild knows, the largest penguin is the Emperor Penguin.  That species measures about 3 feet tall, when standing with its feet flat and it head at resting posture. We already know that some extinct penguins got much bigger.  But, paleontologists are not certain which was the largest ever. Two contenders are Anthropornis nordenskjoeldi and Pachydyptes ponderosus.  The scientific names of these penguins reference their mighty stature.  Anthropornis translates to “man bird” and Pachydyptes to “stout diver”.   Sadly, only isolated bones have been found from the two species.  Yet there is no denying they were tremendous birds – compare the major wing bone of Pachydyptes to a typical penguin below. Humerus (wing bone) of the giant penguin Pachydyptes ponderosus compared to the humerus of a typical living penguin. Extrapolating the total size of an extinct animal from a few bones is a  real challenge. Despite the impressive size of the bones we have found so far, it is not even clear whether either of them was the biggest penguin of all time.  Part of this issue depends on what we mean by “biggest”.   The tallest and heaviest species within any given clade of animals is not necessarily the same – just think of the tallest and heaviest land mammals alive today – the giraffe and an elephant.  If we go by the length of the humerus (the major bone of the flipper), there are actually penguins out there that would come out a few millimeters ahead of Pachydyptes.  But if we go by the length of the coracoid (a bone of the shoulder girdle), Pachydyptes wins hands down against all other penguins. The proportional differences between a fossil penguin and the average living species are not as extreme as those between an elephant and a giraffe, but there is a lot of uncertainty. For example, if we compare the wing bones of Pachydyptes to an Emperor penguin, they are about 35% longer but almost twice as thick.  It gets even more complicated when we see that the shoulder girdle bones are only slightly longer but also a different shape.  So we can’t just scale directly – we need to find a complete skeleton to truly understand what is going on. Even amongst living penguin species the relative proportions of the beak, legs, flippers and trunk vary fairly widely and fossil penguins do not always fall even within that range.  Was Anthropornis taller because it was perched on long, slender limbs?  Was Pachydyptes ridiculously short-necked with thick, short legs?  Dimensions from the bones we have give us some clues as to standing height of the largest penguins, but without the hindlimb, pelvis and vertebral column there is always going to be a wide range of error. Still, we can get to a ballpark total. George Simpson did some back-of-the-envelope equations back in 1946 and put the tallest penguins at around 5 feet tall. Simpson's (1946) line-up of penguins showing the rough size of the largest fossil species (B), some more modest fossil species (C,E) and the living Emperor Penguin (D) and Galapagos Penguin (F). As noted by Simpson (1946), these are not meant to be exact reconstructions of particular fossil species, but rather to give an idea of scale. Weight is a separate issue from height.  Personally, I have little doubt that Pachydyptes was the heaviest fossil penguin (at least the heaviest discovered so far).  The wing bones are just so wide compared to other similarly sized species that the animal, from little we know of it, appears to have been extremely stocky.  Imagine the Chicago Bears defensive lineman William “The Refridgerator” Perry with flippers.  Piotr Jadwiszczak used regression equations relating the limb bone proportions of living penguins to mass, and estimated the largest species would tip the scales at over 170 pounds.  Another rough estimate for the present, but nonetheless evoca


Mother Teresa Pope Francis canonized  Mother Teresa as a Catholic Saint on  Sunday, September 4, 2016. Saint Mother Teresa  of Calcutta Angel of Mercy (1910 - 1997) Happiness can’t be found without prayer   Memorial: September 5 Gonxha (Agnes) Bojaxhiu was born on August 26, 1910 to Albanian parents in Skopje, which at the time was under the rule of the O ttoman Empire. (The city is now the capital of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). Five children were born to Nikola and Dronda Bojaxhiu, yet only three survived. Gonxha was the youngest, with an older sister, Aga, and brother, Lazar. Her father was a successful and well known contractor, her mother was a housewife. She was the youngest of three children. Gonxha's family was a devoted catholic family, they prayed every evening and went to church almost everyday. It was her family's generosity, care for the poor and the less fortunate, that made a great impact on young Mother Teresa's life. By age 12, she had made up her mind; she realized that her vocation was aiding the poor. When she was 18, she entered the Order of the Sisters of Our Lady of Loreto in Ireland. She trained in Dublin and in Darjeeling, India, before taking her religious vows in 1937. She took the name Teresa from Saint Teresa of Lisieux, the patron saint of foreign missionaries. She taught for 20 years in Saint Mary's High School in Calcutta, India. In September 10, 1946, while riding in a train from Calcutta to Darjeeling to engage in 8 days of spiritual exercises, she received a divine calling from God "to serve Him amongst the poorest of the poor". In 1948, Pope Pious XII granted Mother Teresa permission to leave her duties as an independent nun, and she began to share her life with the poor, the sick and the hungry of Calcutta. Although she had no funds, she started an open-air school for homeless children. Soon she was joined by voluntary helpers, and financial support was also forthcoming from various church organisations, as well as from the municipal authorities. This made it possible for her to extend the scope of her work, and on October 7, 1950, she received permission to start her own order "The Missionaries of Charity", whose primary task was to love and care for those persons nobody was prepared to look after. "To help the poor and better their lot"; that was the only thing she spent her money on. Mother Teresa said  by feeding and helping these people: "I am feeding and helping Jesus, for that is what he commanded, to help the poor. When I was hungry did you feed me, when I was thirsty did you give me drink, when I was cold did you clothe me?" That is what He said. She became an Indian citizen that same year. Teresa was not alone for long. Sister Nirmala became one of Mother Teresa's earliest disciples in the Missionaries of Charity, which now has 3,500 sisters, runs 569 centers in 120 countries, aiding everyone from AIDS sufferers and lepers to orphans and earthquake victims. Sister Nirmala was born Nirmala Joshi into a family of Brahmins in 1934 in Ranchi, in eastern Bihar state, India, where her parents had migrated from Nepal, Asia. Sister Nirmala is the daughter of an Indian Army officer who was originally from Nepal. She was educated by Christian missionaries in the eastern city of Patna, India, but remained a Hindu until she was 24, when she learned of Mother Teresa's work and converted to Roman Catholicism. Sister Nirmala has a master's degree in political science from an Indian university and additional training as a lawyer. She was one of the first nuns to head a foreign mission when she went to Panama, Central America. She later headed missions in Europe and in Washington, D.C., U.S.A., before being chosen to succeed Mother Teresa. She was based in Calcutta, India, as head of the order's Contemplative Wing, in which nuns devote their lives to meditation. In 1952, Mother Teresa opened Nirmal Hriday (or Pure Hearts), a home for the dying. On the very first day, she picked up a woman literally half-eaten by rats and an


What is the most famous island in French Polynesia?

The Best Islands in French Polynesia | Frommer's The Best Islands advertisement "In the South Seas," the poet Rupert Brooke wrote in 1914, "the Creator seems to have laid himself out to show what He can do." How right the poet was, for here lie some of the world's most dramatically beautiful islands. The best of the lot have jagged mountain peaks plunging into aquamarine lagoons. Here are some that you see on travel posters and in brochures: Moorea: To my mind, Moorea is the most beautiful island in the world. Nothing compares with its saw-toothed ridges and the great dark-green hulk of Mount Rotui separating glorious Cook's and Opunohu bays. The view from Tahiti of Moorea's dinosaur-like skyline is unforgettable. Huahine: Although Moorea and Bora Bora get most of the ink, Huahine is almost as gorgeous. Its bays are surrounded by mountains that almost rival Moorea's. But since it is off the well-beaten tourist track, it still retains an air of old Polynesia. Relatively unhurried by both tourists and the pressures of modern life, its residents still greet you with a big smile and have time to sit and chat. Bora Bora: The late James Michener thought Bora Bora was the most beautiful island in the world. Although tourism has turned this gem into a sort of expensive South Seas Disneyland since Michener's day, development hasn't altered the incredible beauty of Bora Bora's basaltic tombstone towering over a lagoon ranging in color from yellow to deep blue. Maupiti: An unspoiled jewel, Maupiti is like nearby Bora Bora in miniature, but without any modern hotels or resorts. Like Bora Bora, its mountainous central island towers over a crystal-clear lagoon. Rangiroa, Tikehau, Manihi, & Fakarava: These atolls are lumped together because they are equally beautiful. Each has a string of islets enclosing large lagoons, like giant lakes in the middle of the ocean. Ua Pou & Fatu Hiva: The two most gorgeous of the Marquesas Islands, Ua Pou and Fatu Hiva both are high and mountainous, with cliffs and steep ridges outlining valleys descending to the edge of the sea. Ua Pou's mountain ridges are topped by stovepipe spires, while Virgin's Bay on Fatu Hiva is one of the world's most spectacularly beautiful yacht anchorages. Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip. advertisement


What Canadian singer began to date her manager when she was 19 and he was 45?

Céline Dion - Biography - IMDb Céline Dion Biography Showing all 77 items Jump to: Overview  (4) | Mini Bio  (1) | Spouse  (1) | Trade Mark  (3) | Trivia  (51) | Personal Quotes  (17) Overview (4) 5' 7½" (1.71 m) Mini Bio (1) Hailing from the small town of Charlemagne, Québec, Céline Dion has become one of the all-time greatest singers. Céline was born in 1968, the youngest of 14 children. Early in childhood, she sang with her siblings in a small club owned by her parents. From these early experiences, Céline gained the know-how to performing live. At the age of 12, Dion composed a song in her native French and sent it to a record company, where it garnered the attention of René Angélil, a respected manager. Angélil believed in Céline so much that he actually mortgaged his house in order to finance her debut album. Already very popular and successful internationally, Céline burst onto the U.S. stage when she recorded the theme song to Disney's hit Beauty and the Beast (1991). The song garnered a Grammy and an Oscar, and from this point Céline has brought forth hit after hit. Her 'Falling Into You' album, released in 1996, became the best-selling album of that year, selling more than 25 million copies worldwide. In 1999, Dion took a hiatus in order to begin a family. She returned to the spotlight in 2002, releasing yet another hit album. Starting in 2003, Céline began a three-year commitment to perform in an arena built for her in Las Vegas. - IMDb Mini Biography By: T.J. Magwire Spouse (1) ( 17 December  1994      - 14 January  2016) (his death) (3 children) Trade Mark (3) Powerful voice spanning three octaves Distinctive Quebec accent Long brown flowing hair Trivia (51) 1998: Honored by two governments in two days: on April 30, her home province of Québec awarded her the Ordre National du Québec, and on May 1, she became an Officer of the Order of Canada. Born to Adhémar Dion and his wife Thérèse Tanguay, she is the youngest of 14 children. January 5, 2000: Renewed wedding vows with husband René Angelil at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. Because of her "sharp-looking" smile, Celine was known as "Vampire Queen" in high school. She and her siblings sit on the board of Fondation Achille-Tanguay, an organization/clearinghouse founded by her mother in 1998 which helps poor Québec families toward self-sufficiency. Name has been changed to "Fondation maman Dion" in 2006. She first met her manager and future husband René Angelil when she was age 12 and he was age 38. She is three months younger than her stepson Patrick Angélil. She has her own magazine, Celine Dion Magazine. She endorses a line of eyewear sold in Canada and Europe. February 23, 2001: Awarded the rights to the Internet domain name www.celinedion.com by the UN World Intellectual Property Organization from "cybersquatter" Jeff Burgar. Burgar had also registered www.juliebrown.com and www.brucespringsteen.com, which were transferred to Julie Brown and Bruce Springsteen , respectively, that day. She has homes in Las Vegas, Nevada and in Laval and Terrebonne, (located in the Province of Quebec), Canada. She loves to play golf. She has over 500 pairs of shoes. Building a home in Las Vegas, Nevada, where in March 2003, she will begin giving 200 performances a year for three years in a special theater built for her by Caesars Palace; she will be paid $100 million for this deal. Her late husband, René Angelil , was of Syrian/Lebanese ancestry. Husband mortgaged his house to fund Celine's first album when she was an unknown 12-year-old. Has won five Grammy Awards since 1992 including "Album of the Year" in 1996 for "Falling Into You" and "Record of the Year" for "My Heart Will Go On". 2006: Estimated to have sold 220 million albums during her career to date. Has her own brand of perfume called "Celine Dion: Parfum". Her lucky charm is a 1968 Canadian nickel because she found one in Japan before she went on stage to sing at the Yamaha song contest, which she won. Her parents were both of French-Canadian ancestry. She and Madonna share the same French-Canadian h


"What type of animation was used to make ""Gumby"" and ""Wallace & Gromit""?"

Stop-Motion Clay Animation Stop-Motion Clay Animation Updated on November 1, 2016 "Wallace In the Kitchen" at the Wallace and Gromit exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, Australia | Source Clay Animation and Claymation: Stop-Motion Animation with Plasticine Clay Models Clay animation is stop-motion animation using Plasticine clay models that can be positioned and re-positioned in different poses. It is often referred to generically as Claymation, although that term was coined and trademarked by Will Vinton to describe his own style of clay animation. Clay animation became popular in the 1950s thanks to two children's television series created by Art Clokey: "The Gumby Show" featuring clay characters Gumby and Pokey, and "Davey and Goliath" featuring eponymous characters. In the 1970s, the technique enjoyed a surge in popularity thanks to Will Vinton's more sophisticated Claymation techniques and his lovable characters, most notably the singing and dancing California Raisins. Starting in the 1980s and 1990s, clay animation had starring roles on the silver screen in Nick Park's Wallace and Gromit short films, Tim Burton's full-length feature Coraline, and Peter Lord's movie The Pirates! Band of Misfits. What Is Clay Animation? Clay animation is a form of stop-motion animation AKA stop-frame animation that uses 3D models sculpted from oil-based modeling clay (e.g., Plasticine, Plastilene, Plastalina) and often built over a wire armature for support. As with all stop-motion animation, the clay models (which can be objects or characters) are arranged on a set or background designed to scale. Then they are posed as desired and one or two frames of motion picture film are exposed, or a videocam, webcam or digital camera is used to capture the frames digitally. Then an animator moves the sculpted Plasticine clay models by hand to adjust the pose slightly and another 1–2 frames of film are exposed. This cycle continues until the desired sequence of movements is completed. When the barely-changing images are played in order in rapid succession, our eyes and brains process the information as motion, fooling us into believing that the objects and characters are moving by themselves as though they were alive. Charles Darwin, voiced by David Tennant, in the clay animation movie "The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists" which was called "Pirates: Band of Misfits" in the US | Source Stop-Motion Animation Films with Clay Models Started in 1908 Clay animation has been delighting audiences of all ages for the past 107 years, starting with the 1908 films "The Sculptor's Welsh Rarebit Dream" and "The Sculptor's Nightmare", a spoof on the 1908 presidential election in which Mack Sennett and D.W. Griffith appeared in the live-action portions, which is the earliest surviving example of clay animation. "Claymation" Is a Trademarked Name for Will Vinton's Innovative Style of Clay Animation Claymation is a term coined in 1976 by innovative clay animator Will Vinton that he trademarked in 1978 to distinguish the easily identifiable look of his dimensional clay animation work from that of other animators. The word was first used in Vinton's 18-minute documentary film "Claymation: Three Dimensional Clay Animation" which provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the processes used to make the cutting-edge animations of his studio at the time. Even though the Claymation name is a registered trademark, the word claymation (in lowercase) is widely used as a generic term for any stop motion animation with clay models, much as the word kleenex has become a generic term for facial tissue despite the fact that Kleenex is a trademarked brand name. Watch Will Vinton's 1978 Documentary, "Claymation: Three-Dimensional Clay Animation" to Learn How the Magic is Created Will Vinton's documentary about his innovative Claymation 3D clay animation process is engaging, informative, and hilariously funny. Whether you want to learn about his techniques or just laugh a lot, you'll definitely enjoy this short film. Will Vinton's Claymation Short Films


"What sport does the term ""en garde!"" come from?"

How to Understand Basic Fencing Terminology: 13 Steps How to Understand Basic Fencing Terminology Community Q&A If you're new to fencing or you're "checking it out" to determine if it is the sport for you (and it is, if challenging yourself physically, mentally and emotionally is an effort you enjoy, along with winning bouts), then you have (or soon will) come across words like "sixte", or "riposte", or "septime". These are words steeped in the history of the sport and are an important part of its magic. But, the good news is they are easy to understand and remember and will add to your ability to either enjoy the sport or pick up a weapon and wail. This wikiHow defines the words; it does not try to explain the techniques that these words describe generically. The actual technique of a "parry" depends on the kind of attack that is being made and would require too much verbiage and is worthy of its own article. Steps 1 Familiarize yourself with the following key words and you'll be ready to take on the sport of fencing. 2 "Lunge" and "Parry": These are the two basic words which you will probably understand immediately. They describe actions that occur countless times in a match at every level: "Lunge" is the attack and "parry" is the defense to the attack. You can tell the lunge because the fencer who is lunging has the point of the weapon as far toward the opponent as possible, a back leg that is straight and leaning into the attack by at least 45 degrees and a front leg that is bent to the point where the knee is over the ankle. "Parry" is the defender moving her weapon to "push" aside a blade that is attacking. There are a number of different ways to parry and lunge but the basic purpose of each remains the same. 3 "En garde" (French term): In training it describes the basic stance of a fencer. In a match it is a warning from the judge to both fencers to prepare to fence. 4 "Pret" (French term): This is used by a judge at a fencing match. After the judge warns the fencers with "en garde", the judge will then say "pret" to alert the fencers that the match is about to begin. American referees typically use the word "ready" in place of "pret". 5 "Allez" (French term): This is used by a judge at a fencing match to tell the two fencers to have at one another. American referees typically use the word "fence" in place of "allez". 6 "Arrêt" (French term): Stop. This is used by a judge at a fencing match to tell the two fencers to halt. 7 "Touch": (A much welcome replacement to stabbing, that was developed as fencing became a sport.) A touch is when the tip of one fencers weapon touches the target area on an opponent. Whether the touch results in a point is the determination of the director for the bout, one of whose duties it is to insure the touch was proper under competition rules. The foregoing is true in all styles of fencing. However, in saber fencing, a touch can be scored with the entire blade. 8 "Riposte" (Another of the ubiquitous French terms (the French love to fence), literally meaning "answer".) In fencing it describes an attack that a fencer makes immediately after she executes a parry. Thus the ubiquitous fencing term "parry-riposte". The parry-riposte is one of the most common techniques in scoring touches you will see in a fencing match, again at any level. The parry-riposte is often done in a sequence of two or three, viz. the fencers quickly switch between attacking, defending, attacking, defending - back and forth until a touch is scored or one of the fencers backs down. At the top level of competition, the speed is dazzling to the point of being faster than the eye. 9 "Disengage" (not a French term though the French terms are so apt) : A disengage is moving the tip of a blade under an opponent's blade to the other side or where the disengage started. This is done very quickly and with the absolute minimum of movement - the "great" fencers simply use their fingers to make the tip of the blade duck under their opponent's weapon. It is used chiefly to escape a parry or as part of a disguised attack, i.e. the


What animal is the closest relative of the bonobo?

Bonobos Join Chimps as Closest Human Relatives | Science | AAAS Bonobos Join Chimps as Closest Human Relatives By Ann Gibbons Jun. 13, 2012 , 1:30 PM Chimpanzees now have to share the distinction of being our closest living relative in the animal kingdom. An international team of researchers has   sequenced the genome of the bonobo for the first time, confirming that it shares the same percentage of its DNA with us as chimps do. The team also found   some small but tantalizing differences in the genomes of the three species—differences that may explain how bonobos and chimpanzees don't look or act   like us even though we share about 99% of our DNA. "We're so closely related genetically, yet our behavior is so different," says team member and computational biologist Janet Kelso of the Max Planck   Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany. "This will allow us to look for the genetic basis of what makes modern humans different from   both bonobos and chimpanzees." Ever since researchers sequenced the chimp genome in 2005, they have   known that humans share about 99% of our DNA with chimpanzees, making them our closest living relatives. But there are actually two species of apes that are this closely related to humans:   bonobos (Pan paniscus) and the common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). This has prompted researchers to speculate whether the ancestor of   humans, chimpanzees, and bonobos looked and acted more like a bonobo, a chimpanzee, or something else—and how all three species have evolved differently   since the ancestor of humans split with the common ancestor of bonobos and chimps between 4 million and 7 million years ago in Africa. The international sequencing effort led from Max Planck chose a bonobo named Ulindi from   the Leipzig Zoo as its subject, partly because she was a female (the chimp genome was of a male). The analysis of Ulindi's complete genome, reported online   today in Nature, reveals that bonobos and chimpanzees share 99.6% of their DNA. This confirms that these two species of African apes are still   highly similar to each other genetically, even though their populations split apart in Africa about 1 million years ago, perhaps after the Congo River formed and   divided an ancestral population into two groups. Today, bonobos are found in only the Democratic Republic of Congo and there is no evidence that they have interbred with chimpanzees in equatorial Africa since they diverged, perhaps because the Congo River acted as a   barrier to prevent the groups from mixing. The   researchers also found that bonobos share about 98.7% of their DNA with humans—about the same amount that chimps share with us. When the Max Planck scientists compared the bonobo genome directly with that of chimps and humans, however, they found that a small bit of our DNA, about   1.6%, is shared with only the bonobo, but not chimpanzees. And we share about the same amount of our DNA with only chimps, but not bonobos. These   differences suggest that the ancestral population of apes that gave rise to humans, chimps, and bonobos was quite large and diverse genetically—numbering   about 27,000 breeding individuals. Once the ancestors of humans split from the ancestor of bonobos and chimps more than 4 million years ago, the common ancestor of bonobos   and chimps retained this diversity until their population completely split into two groups 1 million years ago. The groups that evolved into bonobos,   chimps, and humans all retained slightly different subsets of this ancestral population's diverse gene pool—and those differences now offer clues today   to the size and range of diversity in that ancestral group. While the function of the small differences in DNA in the three lineages today is not yet known, the Max Planck team sees clues that some may be involved   in parts of the genome that regulate immune responses, tumor suppression genes, and perception of social cues. The common chimpanzee, for example, shows   selection for a version of a gene that may be invo


"""The Butter Battle Book"" by Dr. Seuss was a commentary on what real-life ""war""?"

Butter Battle Students  will explore the themes behind the story Students  will analyze the significance of these messages in todayï¿½s world Students  will learn about the different methods of propaganda Students  will discuss present issues they see in their own societies  Instructions 1. Hand out  copies of the book and have the students read it in a read aloud so many  students get a chance to read.  2. Start a  class discussion with open ended questions such as:     a. Why do you think the Zooks and Yooks did not get along?      b. What do you think caused this conflict to get worse?     c. How do you think this happens with your friends or siblings?     d. What do you think the Zooks and Yooks could have done differently to prevent this conflict?     e. In the story, each side uses propaganda to make their side seem like the right side.  Does anybody know how to explain what propaganda is? 3. Direct the  conversation by explaining: Propaganda is the spread of information aimed at promoting a cause or influencing public opinion, often slanting the truth to mislead. 4. Next give a  few examples of methods used in propaganda such as:     a. Testimonials- using famous celebrities or leaders in advertisements     b. Name  calling-insulting or putting people down     c. Fear-  using fear to change somebodyï¿½s opinions 5. Transition  into class activity by putting the students in groups of 3-4.  Hand out a  bank sheet of paper to each group.  Write on the board the 3 different  methods of propaganda and explain each. Then assign each group to be either  the Zooks, or the Yooks to create a banner against the other side using the  methods on the board.  6. After about  half an hour pair up opposing groups and have the groups present the banners  to one another. Evaluation 1. To evaluate  student comprehension, have the groups present the banners to the whole  class and explain the different methods and purposes they had in mind. 2. Have  students explain what methods they chose to use, and the purpose of their  banner. 3. Next lead a  discussion about propaganda in todayï¿½s world.  Ask the students if they  think it is still used often, if they believe it is influential, where they  see it the most in society, whether it be television commercials,  billboards, newspapers etc. 4. On another  day, you may also chose to show the adapted production film of the story,  which is available online and in most public libraries. Optional follow up assignment 1. In addition to the class activity, students can choose a scene from the story that they thought illustrated the significant themes.  They then illustrate the scene and write blurbs discussing the themes being represented and what they believe Dr. Seuss is implying.   Parent Adaptation Background/ History Published in 1984, The Butter Battle Book is a pro-peace story written by Dr. Seuss.  It is a childrenï¿½sï¿½ rhyming story addressing fears from the cold war era during which it was written.  Specifically it deals with the nuclear war and the possibility of mutually assured destruction.  Dr. Seuss, whose real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel, wrote many childrenï¿½s books, and many referred to his political views or other moral codes.  Some of his stories, like The Butter Battle Book were considered controversial at the time.  This particular story was censored and taken out of public libraries for its obvious statements against the arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union.     Objectives Child will  explore the themes behind the story Child will  analyze the significance of these messages in todayï¿½s world Child will  learn about the different methods of propaganda Child will  discuss present issues they see in their own societies Instructions


"If a person is ""guapo"" in Spanish, what are they in English?"

Urban Dictionary: Guapo guapo Guapo in spanish means handsome. When applied in this sense it is used as a paradox to that definition however. Guapo is usually used by a group of friends as a nickname to the kid in the group who is the fattest and ugliest as a put down. It is basically a form of sarcasm. "Hey, are you gonna go to that party guys!? If you do, can i come too?" "Shut the fuck up El Guapo"


Bituminous and anthracite are types of what?

Coal: Anthracite, Bituminous, Coke, Pictures, Formation, Uses Coal What Is Coal and How Does It Form? Bituminous Coal: Bituminous coal is typically a banded sedimentary rock. In this photo you can see bright and dull bands of coal material oriented horizontally across the specimen. The bright bands are well-preserved woody material, such as branches or stems. The dull bands can contain mineral material washed into the swamp by streams, charcoal produced by fires in the swamp, or degraded plant materials. This specimen is approximately three inches across (7.5 centimeters). Photo by the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey. What is Coal? Coal is an organic sedimentary rock that forms from the accumulation and preservation of plant materials, usually in a swamp environment. Coal is a combustible rock and, along with oil and natural gas , it is one of the three most important fossil fuels. Coal has a wide range of uses; the most important use is for the generation of electricity . Coal-Forming Environments: A generalized diagram of a swamp, showing how water depth, preservation conditions, plant types, and plant productivity can vary in different parts of the swamp. These variations will yield different types of coal. Illustration by the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey. Peat: A mass of recently accumulated to partially carbonized plant debris. This material is on its way to becoming coal, but its plant debris source is still easily recognizable. Rock & Mineral Kits: Get a rock, mineral, or fossil kit to learn more about Earth materials. The best way to learn about rocks is to have specimens available for testing and examination. How Does Coal Form? Coal forms from the accumulation of plant debris, usually in a swamp environment. When a plant dies and falls into the swamp, the standing water of the swamp protects it from decay. Swamp waters are usually deficient in oxygen, which would react with the plant debris and cause it to decay. This lack of oxygen allows the plant debris to persist. In addition, insects and other organisms that might consume the plant debris on land do not survive well under water in an oxygen-deficient environment. To form the thick layer of plant debris required to produce a coal seam, the rate of plant debris accumulation must be greater than the rate of decay. Once a thick layer of plant debris is formed, it must be buried by sediments such as mud or sand. These are typically washed into the swamp by a flooding river. The weight of these materials compacts the plant debris and aids in its transformation into coal. About ten feet of plant debris will compact into just one foot of coal. Plant debris accumulates very slowly. So, accumulating ten feet of plant debris will take a long time. The fifty feet of plant debris needed to make a five-foot thick coal seam would require thousands of years to accumulate. During that long time, the water level of the swamp must remain stable.  If the water becomes too deep, the plants of the swamp will drown, and if the water cover is not maintained the plant debris will decay. To form a coal seam, the ideal conditions of perfect water depth must be maintained for a very long time. If you are an astute reader you are probably wondering: "How can fifty feet of plant debris accumulate in water that is only a few feet deep?" The answer to that question is the primary reason that the formation of a coal seam is a highly unusual occurrence. It can only occur under one of two conditions: 1) a rising water level that perfectly keeps pace with the rate of plant debris accumulation; or, 2) a subsiding landscape that perfectly keeps pace with the rate of plant debris accumulation. Most coal seams are thought to have formed under condition #2 in a delta environment. On a delta, large amounts of river sediments are being deposited on a small area of Earth's crust, and the weight of those sediments causes the subsidence. For a coal seam to form, perfect conditions of plant debris accumulation and perfect conditions of subsidence must


"What city's tallest building is ""The Shard"", completed in 2012?"

Shard, London London A View On Cities > London > London Attractions > The Shard Loading... The Shard is a modern glass skyscraper in London. At the time of its completion in 2012 it was Europe's tallest building. The observatory on the 72nd floor offers some spectacular 360 degree views of the city. The Shard The tip of the Shard View from the Tower Bridge The skyscraper is situated in the London Bridge Quarter in Southwark, a neighborhood along the south bank of the river Thames. It is right near the heart of London and only the river separates it from the City of London . The area is full of history: a bridge was built here by the Romans around 50 AD and in 1836 London's first railway station opened here. Construction The idea to build a supertall skyscraper in the London Bridge Quarter was first mooted at the end of the twentieth century. The building would replace the Southwark Towers, a one hundred meters tall high-rise complex built in 1976. The site seemed ideal: it is only a couple minutes' walk from London's financial center across the London Bridge and the site is right smack near the London Bridge Station, a transport hub connected to both the railway network and the underground. Plans for the new skyscraper were initially drawn up by the architectural firm of Broadway Malyan, and called for a circular 365 meters tall tower. These plans were soon scaled back and a new design was submitted, this time from the hands of the Italian architect Renzo Piano. The renowned architect designed a glass pyramid-shaped structure with a height of just over three hundred meters. The plans for the London Bridge Tower - as the building was initially called - caused an outcry from preservationists who considered the glass tower inappropriate for a historic neighborhood with mostly low-rise brick buildings. They claimed the tower would cut through the neighborhood like a shard of glass. The name 'shard' stuck and the developers even renamed the tower 'The Shard'. In 2008 the Southwark Towers were demolished and construction of the Shard started one year later. The tower topped out in 2012 and opened in early 2013. The Building The base The Shard at night When it was completed the Shard held the title of Europe's tallest skyscraper with a height of almost 310 meters (1016 ft). Only a couple of months later it was narrowly surpassed in height by Moscow's Mercury City Tower. The Shard towers over the neighborhood and is visible from afar. The iconic skyscraper looks particularly spectacular at night when seen from across the river. The tapered tower has a glass facade consisting of some eleven thousand window panes. The seemingly unfinished spire is designed to act as a radiator to naturally dissipate excess heat, thus reducing the need for air-conditioning. The building is multifunctional, with offices and a hotel at the lower floors and residential apartments on the upper floors. Observation Deck The top floors of the Shard are home to the 'View from the Shard', an observation deck that offers visitors spectacular 360 degree views of the city. On a clear day you can see as far as sixty kilometers (approx. forty miles). At a height of 245 meters (804 ft), this is the highest public viewing gallery in London, almost twice as high as the London Eye .


What animal is generally considered to be the holiest animal in Hinduism?

Hinduism and animals Hinduism and animals by admin There are some Hindu temples in India where you would find monkeys, dogs, rats, and/or other animals inside the temple. Cow is the highest revered animal for Hindus. Aside from cows, dogs, monkeys, elephants and other animals are integral part of Hindu mythology and are associated with different Hindu deities. Most of the animals are given protection in Hinduism except a few. An important fact about Hinduism is that it has given high importance to the animals including domestic as well as wild. Bhagvadgita says that the same soul exists in the animals as well as human beings. We all are children of the same God. God never differentiates between an animal and a human being. We are equal for Him. Animals form an integral part of Hindu customs. Lots of Hindu customs are designed in such a way that they would protect animals. Zoolatry (Religious worship of animals): Bail Pola (bullock festival) is widely celebrated in Maharashtra and other parts of India in which bullocks are worshipped and allowed to rest for the whole day. On the eve of Nag Panchami, snakes are worshipped throughout the India. Snakes are not killed on this day. Snakes are closely associated with Lord Shiva. In a temple of Lord Shiva in Marleshwar in Maharashtra, there are hundreds of snakes lying on the road to the temple but there has been no incidence of snake bite for hundreds of years. On the eve of Vasu Baras in Diwali, cows are worshipped. Cow is the most sacred animal for Hindus. Killing of a cow is considered as a great sin and Hindus are prohibited from eating beef. If a Hindu kills a cat, he has to go to Kashi and donate a small cat made up of gold. Therefore, killing a cat is prohibited in Hinduism. Animals as carriers of different deities: Many wild and domestic animals are associated with different Hindu deities. Each deity has been assigned an animal as a carrier, which that deity uses for transportation from one place to another. Deity Carrier Durga                                       Tiger or Lion Deities in animal form: Lord Ganesha is one of the most popular Hindu deities. Lord Ganesha has head of an elephant and the body of a human being. Lord Hanumana is also known as Monkey God. Lord Hanumana helped Lord Rama to fight against King Ravana. Narsimha is considered as fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu and has a head of a Lion and body of a man. In Varah Avatar of Lord Vishnu, he has a head of a wild boar and torso of a man. There are many deities who have been depicted in half animal and half human form and have been worshipped by Hindus. This automatically creates affection for that animal resulting in care of the animals. Vegetarianism: Though animal sacrifice is a common practice in Hinduism, Hinduism strongly advocates vegetarianism. Non-vegetarian food is considered as Tamasi and is believed to affect our body and thought process. Hindus do not eat meat on some days like Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. Plus, other days like Ganesh Chaturthi, Ekadashi, and on the eve of the festivals eating non-vegetarian food is prohibited. Eating non-veg food is considered as a bad Karma. Animal sacrifice in Hinduism: Animal sacrifice to a deity is a common practice in Hinduism. It has been there before Indus Valley Civilization. The animals allowed for sacrifice are cocks, He-goats, bisons. Other animals are not generally used for sacrifice. It is believed that in ancient times, cows were also used for sacrifice on special occasions but it is a controversial subject. Demons in animal form: In Hindu mythology, there are a handful of stories about the demons depicted as half-beast and half-human. The story of Mahishasur (half-bison and half-human) is very famous in this regard.   This entry was posted in Hindu Philosophy by admin . Bookmark the permalink . 5 thoughts on “Hinduism and animals” Dirgha Raj Prasai on ‘Beef’ is Poisonous and Animosity for Human Life By Dirgha Raj Prasai Currently, Nepal is sagging under the crisis. Foreigners are fueling the party leaders with the power of money against


"According to Shakespeare, who was told to ""beware the Ides of March""?"

Beware The Ides of March Beware        The Ides of March Question:        What are the Ides of March? Answer:        In the ancient Roman calendar, each of the 12 months of the year        had what was called an "ides." In March, May, July and        October, the "ides" fell on the 15th day. In every other        month, the "ides" fell on the 13th. The word "ides" is derived from the Latin: "to divide." The "ides" were originally meant to mark the full moon - but        since solar based calendar months and lunar based months are of        different lengths, the "ides" quickly lost their original        intent and purpose. As        for the ominous warning, "Beware the Ides of March," it        originated with the Roman ruler, Julius Caesar, who was assassinated        on the Ides of March - March 15, 44 B.C.E. (Old Style). If        you've heard the ominous warning, then it's most likely due to William        Shakespeare and his famous play, Julius Caesar. The warning        was made famous in Shakespeare's play, when an unidentified soothsayer        tells Caesar, who is on his way to the Senate (and his death), "Beware        the ides of March." Caesar replies, "He is a dreamer;        let us leave him. Pass." Unidentified        Soothsayer Was The Roman Astrologer Spurinna According to historical writer C.J.S. Thompson, M.B.E., Ph.D., in The Mystery and Romance of Astrology, 1929, the unidentified        soothsayer from Shakespeare's play was a Roman astrologer by the        name of Spurinna. According        to Thompson - and confirmed in Plutarch's account of the story written        in 75 A.D. and Suetonius in 110 A.D. - it was sometime prior to        the fateful day of March 15 that Spurinna had first given Caesar        the famous warning to "beware of the Ides of March." The astrologer, Spurinna, had previously warned Caesar that on "the        Ides of March," he would be in great danger. If, however, Julius        Caesar took care on that one day - then all would be well. The        Prediction This ominous prediction by the astrologer Spurinna shouldn't have        come as too much of a shock and/or revelation for Caesar. It was        no secret to anyone, including Caesar, that he'd been making some        pretty serious political enemies in recent times, The        seemingly precise timing of the prediction, the Ides of March, was        likely based on the fact that Julius Caesar had plans to next attend        the Roman Senate on March 15 and then leave Rome on March 18th for        a military campaign, leaving all of his many political enemies far        behind him. According        To Plutarch According to Plutarch's account, Caesar had previously made the        wise decision to stay within the safety of his bedroom chambers        on the 15th of March. However, Caesar's "friend" Decimus        (Albinus) Brutus (not Marcus Brutus) managed to convince him that        the astrologer's warnings were nothing more than superstitious foolishness. So        Julius Caesar decided to attend the Senate on the 15th of March.        On his way to the Senate, Caesar "accidentally" met up        with the astrologer. Upon seeing Spurinna, Caesar confidently informed        the astrologer: "The Ides of March are come." Spurinna        reportedly replied, "Yes, they are come, but they are not past." Later        that day - on March 15, 44 B.C.E (Old Style) - Caesar's enemies        assassinated him in the Pompey theater, at the foot of Pompey's        statue, where the Roman Senate was meeting that day in the temple        of Venus. Alternative        Theory An alternative (albeit dubious) theory, as to why Caesar migh


"What constellation has a ""belt"" of three bright stars?"

Orion Constellation: Facts About the Hunter Orion Constellation: Facts About the Hunter By Kim Ann Zimmermann | July 19, 2012 04:46pm ET MORE While the Orion constellation is named after the hunter in Greek mythology, it is anything but stealthy. Orion, which is located on the celestial equator, is one of the most prominent and recognizable constellations in the sky and can be seen throughout the world. Orion is the brightest and most beautiful of the winter constellations. Some of its stars, including Betelgeuse and Rigel, are among the brightest stars. Credit: Starry Night Software Locating Orion the Hunter Orion is clearly visible in the night sky from November to February. Orion is in the southwest sky if you are in the Northern Hemisphere or the northwestern sky if you are in the Southern Hemisphere. It is best seen between latitudes 85 and -75 degrees. Its right ascension is 5 hours, and its declination is 5 degrees. Alnilam, Mintaka and Alnitak, which form Orion’s belt, are the most prominent stars in the Orion constellation. Betelgeuse, the second brightest star in Orion, establishes the right shoulder of the hunter. Bellatrix serves as Orion's left shoulder. The Orion Nebula —a formation of dust, hydrogen, helium and other ionized gases rather than a star—is the middle "star" in Orion’s sword, which hangs off of Orion's Belt. The Horsehead Nebula is also nearby. Other stars in the constellation include Hatsya, which establishes the tip of Orion's sword that hangs off the belt, and Meissa, which forms Orion's head. Saiph serves as Orion's right knee. Rigel forms the hunter's left knee. With one exception, all of the main stars in Orion are bright young blue giants or supergiants, ranging in distance from Bellatrix (243 light-years) to Alnilam (1,359 light-years). The Orion Nebula is farther away than any of the naked eye stars at a distance of about 1,600 light-years. One light-year is the distance light travels in a single year, about 6 trillion miles (10 trillion kilometers). The exception is the star Betelgeuse, which is a red giant and one of the largest stars known. It is also the only star in the sky large enough and close enough to have been imaged as a disk in the Hubble Space Telescope. Observers with a keen eye should be able to see the difference in color between Betelgeuse and all the other stars in Orion. [ Space Photos: Orion Nebula & Other Stunning Views ] The stars Alnilam, Mintaka and Alnitak form Orion’s belt. Credit: Martin Mutti, Astronomical Image Data Archive Mythology There are several versions of the myth of Orion, but one of the more common iterations is that Orion proclaimed himself to be the greatest hunter in the world, much to the dismay of Hera, the wife of Zeus. She had a scorpion kill him, and Zeus put Orion into the sky as consolation. In another version, Orion is blinded for raping Merope, a granddaughter of the god Dionysis. He has to travel East to seek the sun's rays to recover his sight. While the name Orion is steeped in Greek mythology, many cultures have been influenced by the story of this constellation. Orion has also associated with the Egyptian Pharaoh of the Fifth Dynasty called Unas. In Hungary, Orion is known as (magic) Archer (Íjász), or Scyther (Kaszás). Scandinavians refer to "Orion's belt" as Frigg's Distaff. — Kim Ann Zimmermann Constellations ancient and modern grace the skies year round. Let's see what you know about the star patterns that appear overhead every night.


"In basketball, what word means ""nothing but net""?"

Urban Dictionary: nothing but net nothing but net Said when a 'swish' is made on the basketball court. A swish is when the ball goes in the basket without touching the rim or backboard. The ball makes a 'swishing' sound. "Miller, from downtown......swish! Nothing but net!" by Diego August 26, 2003 Create a mug The Urban Dictionary Mug One side has the word, one side has the definition. Microwave and dishwasher safe. Lotsa space for your liquids. Buy the t-shirt The Urban Dictionary T-Shirt Smooth, soft, slim fit American Apparel shirt. Custom printed. 100% fine jersey cotton, except for heather grey (90% cotton). nothing but net Nothing but net is the name of an entire category of some of the most intimate sexual positions. The criteria that a sexual position must meet in order to be considered part of the nothing but net category is rigidly defined as any position such that only genitals are touching. Paying homage to its namesake, it is considered top form to make a "swish" sound at the outset of a nothing but net position. Neglecting to "swish" at adequate volume greatly increases risk of penile fracture. For a couple containing a male that is not well endowed, it is likely that only limited exploration of the nothing but net category will take place due to anatomical restrictions only permitting a just the tip (or JT squared) scenario. Fucking in the airplane bathroom, we had to hold the walls so tight it was nothing but net.


R. Kelly - I Believe I Can Fly - YouTube R. Kelly - I Believe I Can Fly Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Published on Oct 28, 2013 R. Kelly's official music video for 'I Believe I Can Fly'. Click to listen to R. Kelly on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/RKSpot?IQid=RKICF As featured on The Essential R. Kelly. Click to buy the track or album via iTunes: http://smarturl.it/RKTEiTunes?IQid=RKICF Subscribe to R. Kelly on YouTube: http://smarturl.it/RKSub?IQid=RKICF More great Classic R&B videoshere: http://smarturl.it/ClassicRNB?IQid=RKICF --------- I used to think that I could not go on And life was nothing but an awful song But now I know the meaning of true love I'm leaning on the everlasting arms If I can see it, then I can do it If I just believe it, there's nothing to it I believe I can fly I believe I can touch the sky I think about it every night and day Spread my wings and fly away I believe I can soar I see me running through that open door I believe I can fly I believe I can fly I believe I can fly Category


Besides coffee, what goes into an affogato?

Affogato Recipe : Giada De Laurentiis : Food Network Panna Cotta Recipes 4.9 14 Heavenly! Made it the last two nights.....just can't get enough of it. golfchicktn 2011-04-04T20:25:33Z item not reviewed by moderator and published i loved this! first time i had affogato. i didn't add the whipped cream on top b/c i didn't want the extra calories. It was delicious without it. i've made this 3 times this week! jenjencooks 2011-03-15T12:05:12Z item not reviewed by moderator and published @babymac - my mother has these serving cups - she bought them in Finland when we lived there in the 70's. They are made by a Finnish glass company "ittala" I think is the name. Don't know if they still make them. Kathy C. 2010-12-20T09:29:23Z item not reviewed by moderator and published I made it for a dinner party and it was a hit! Thanks! :) Guest 2010-11-22T15:15:43Z item not reviewed by moderator and published *Warning* MONEY AND IDENTITY THEFT Scammers advertising fashion items here are trying to steal your money and identity. DO NOT click on links to other web sites as this may download a virus onto your computer Help me flag these “reviews” KEEP YOUR MONEY AND IDENTITY SAFE and have an awesome tasty Thanksgiving Guest 2010-11-20T14:18:06Z item not reviewed by moderator and published Fabulous...I want some of the Serving cups like in the picture...Where do buy them and exactly what are they called? Michele H. 2010-11-10T22:05:09Z item not reviewed by moderator and published I added some Amaretto to the whipped creamand grated chocolate over the top. Great for a dinner party! Robin S. 2010-09-08T14:58:58Z item not reviewed by moderator and published Amazing recipe but where can I find the cups that are pictured. Presentation is key here! Add a touch of Amaretto, yummy! Kathy O. 2010-04-05T17:34:26Z item not reviewed by moderator and published I made this today for my family, and we all enjoyed it very much! I actually made the Affogato in my espresso cup's and the only complaint I received was that the cups were too small, indeed they were so next time I?ll use a bigger cup, the ice cream goes perfect with the espresso at first I thought this will definitely need sugar but to my surprise it didn?t everything balanced out perfect together. I used chocolate ice cream instead of gelato because I didn?t feel like driving a few cities away to go buy some gelato at red brick pizza, maybe next time I will, for the topping i used french vanilla cool whip that?s already made. I will for sure continue to keep making this yummy dessert drink!!! LA HaPpY13420 2009-07-10T00:28:35Z item not reviewed by moderator and published I like to melt a little bit of chocolate in a double boiler and brush the insides of the serving bowls with it (all the way up the sides and the bottom). Place bowls in the fridge for a few hours. When you add the hot espresso it starts to melt the chocolate and makes this even more yummy. I then use vanilla ice cream instead of chocolate. Jennifer O. 2006-03-12T20:22:51Z item not reviewed by moderator and published This was a super easy dessert for a dinner party and left me able to enjoy my guests with a minimum of prep time. I added a tablespoon of Khalua and a tablespoon of Baileys Irish to give it a little kick and it was great deb s. 2006-02-07T17:07:09Z item not reviewed by moderator and published good recipes Madalena B. 2006-01-20T21:56:27Z item not reviewed by moderator and published My husband and I are chocoholics and we loved it!! I personally liked a little more espresso than the 2 tbsp. that the recipe called for, but hey! It's to your taste, right? Asian Mama Chef 2005-11-02T20:27:03Z item not reviewed by moderator and published This is even better with an ounce of Kahlua or Bailey's in each serving. TRACI D. 2005-04-11T15:50:09Z item not reviewed by moderator and published I used kid sized parfait glasses instead. My bowls were too small to fit all the dessert and it came out like a shake. Kristy H. 2016-06-04T23:39:44Z item not reviewed by moderator and published On TV


"What is a book of the Bible, a girl's name, or a word that means ""mercy""?"

Mercy | Definition of Mercy by Merriam-Webster hard-heartedness , mercilessness , pitilessness , ruthlessness , uncharitableness ; reprisal , requital , retaliation , retribution , revenge , vengeance ; venom , vindictiveness , virulence , vitriol ; atrocity , barbarity , brutality , cruelty , sadism , savageness , savagery , truculence , viciousness , violence , wantonness ; castigation , chastisement , discipline , punishment , scolding ; abhorrence , abomination , detestation , execration , hate , hatred , loathing ; cattiness , malevolence , malice , maliciousness , malignancy , malignity , meanness , nastiness , spite , spitefulness , spleen ; animosity , antagonism , antipathy , bitterness , enmity , gall , grudge , hostility , jealousy , pique , resentment ; bile , jaundice , rancor ; hatefulness , invidiousness ; coarseness , hardness , harshness , roughness Synonym Discussion of mercy mercy , charity , clemency , grace , leniency mean a disposition to show kindness or compassion. mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it <threw himself on the mercy of the court>. charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others <show a little charity for the less fortunate>. clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing <the judge refused to show clemency>. grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions <by the grace of God>. leniency implies lack of severity in punishing <criticized the courts for excessive leniency>. Phrases related to MERCY


"According to Winston Churchill, what organization's traditions were ""rum, sodomy, and the lash""?"

Quotes Falsely Attributed to Winston Churchill Quotes Falsely Attributed to Winston Churchill Quotes Falsely Attributed to Winston Churchill These quotes make for good storytelling but popular myth has falsely attributed them to Winston Churchill. Conservative by the Time You're 35 'If you're not a liberal when you're 25, you have no heart.  If you're not a conservative by the time you're 35, you have no brain.' There is no record of anyone hearing Churchill say this. Paul Addison of Edinburgh University made this comment: 'Surely Churchill can't have used the words attributed to him. He'd been a Conservative at 15 and a Liberal at 35!  And would he have talked so disrespectfully of Clemmie, who is generally thought to have been a lifelong Liberal?' Courage "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." This quote is very often attributed to Churchill, but appears nowhere in the Churchill canon.  Cross of Lorraine "The hardest cross I have to bear is the Cross of Lorraine." This remark about the intractable Charles de Gaulle was actually made by General Spears, Churchill's envoy to France. Going Through Hell "If you’re going through hell, keep going." We haven't seen any correct attribution of this quote that appears frequently on the Internet and printed on motivation posters. It not a phrase that is contained anywhere in Winston Churchill's written or spoken words.  If You Want Nothing Done "If you wanted nothing done, Arthur Balfour was the best man for the task. There was no one equal to him." Supposedly WSC made this wry remark when Lloyd George said he heard that Arthur Balfour was “dominating the League of Nations”. The quote has been ascribed to Lord Riddell’s War Diary, but no such words appear there. Integrity “With integrity, nothing else counts. Without integrity, nothing else counts.” This "integrity" quote has been making its way around the Internet for many years. A search of the digital archive by Finest Hour of Winston Churchill's 15 million published words, plus 35 million words about him by colleagues, biographers and historians, produced no results for this phrase. This includes all of Churchill's published books, articles, speeches and letters. Jaw-Jaw 'Jaw, jaw and war, war Jaw, jaw is better than war, war.' 1954, Washington. (Finest Hour 122, 15.) Winston Churchill's official biographer, Sir Martin Gilbert, speaking of this quote, noted that Churchill actually said, 'Meeting jaw to jaw is better than war.' Four years later, during a visit to Australia, Harold Macmillan said the words usually—and wrongly—attributed to Churchill: “Jaw, jaw is better than war, war.” Credit: Harold Macmillan. Living "You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give." This one comes up on many internet quote sites and was even reiterated in a 2005 TV ad by Lockheed Martin. It's a nice quote but definitely not Winston Churchill.  Looking Backward "The further backward you look, the further forward you can see." Also commonly stated as, "The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you can see." Each of these quotes is commonly attributed to Churchill—even by HM The Queen in her 1999 Christmas Message to the British Commonwealth. What Churchill actually said was, “The longer you can look back, the farther you can look forward.” Never Quit 'Never quit Never, never, never quit!' [Also sometimes quoted as 'Never, never, never give up!' Both are misquotations of what Churchill actually said, which was, 'Never give in—never, never, never, never, except to convictions of honour and good sense.' Rum, Sodomy and the Lash "The only traditions of the Royal Navy are rum, sodomy and the lash." Churchill's assistant, Anthony Montague-Browne said that although Churchill had not uttered these words, he wished he had. Simple Tastes 'Simple tastes I am a man of simple tastes—I am quite easily satisfied with the best of everything.' 1930s, Passim. According to Churchill's private secratary Sir John Colville, it was Churchill's close friend F.E. Smith, Lor


What is the female version of a bar mitzvah?

Bat Mitzvah: American Jewish Women | Jewish Women's Archive Home › Collections › Encyclopedia › Bat Mitzvah: American Jewish Women Bat Mitzvah: American Jewish Women by Paula E. Hyman “The Friday night before the service my father decided what I was to do. I was to recite the blessings, read a portion of the Torah sidrah ... in Hebrew and in English and conclude with the blessing—and that was it.... And that was enough to shock a lot of people, including my own grandparents and aunts and uncles.” So reminisced Judith Kaplan Eisenstein , the daughter of Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan , about her 1922 bat mitzvah ceremony, widely considered the first to have occurred in America. The bat mitzvah is the female equivalent of a boy’s bar mitzvah , the ritual that signifies his entrance into religious majority at age thirteen. To mark the occasion, in the synagogue the boy is called to the Torah for the first time and, if the Sabbath is the chosen day, chants the haftarah, the prophetic portion of that week. The bat mitzvah ritual was introduced into American Judaism as both an ethical and a pragmatic response to gender divisions in traditional Judaism. For boys, reaching religious majority occasioned a ritual ceremony in the synagogue, but for girls, attaining the status of adult received no communal attention. Jewish tradition declared a girl’s majority to begin at age twelve, but her transition from child to adult was not reflected in the synagogue because women had no part in the public reading of the Torah except as listeners, segregated in the women’s gallery. On the ethical plane, the new rite was designed to demonstrate that, in the modern age, women were considered equal with men. On the practical level, it provided a stimulus for educating women in Judaism as preparation for their presumed role as transmitters of Jewish culture and religious sensibility. "No thunder sounded. No lightening struck," recalled Judith Kaplan Eisenstein of her history-making 1922 Bat Mitzvah ceremony, the first in America. She is pictured here at her second Bat Mitzvah ceremony, where she was honored by a number of prominent Jewish women, including Betty Friedan and Letty Cottin Pogrebin. Institution: The Ira and Judith Kaplan Eisenstein Reconstructionist Archives, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College The Bat Mitzvah ceremony is now widely accepted in American Judaism. Some take place, however, in locations of particular religious significance. Twelve-year-old Yael Schneider is pictured above reading from the Torah at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. On her left is the prayer leader, Betsy Cohen-Kallus, and on her right is her mother, Susan Weidman Schneider, editor of the Jewish feminist publication Lilith. Institution: Edith Robbins. "No thunder sounded. No lightening struck," recalled Judith Kaplan Eisenstein of her history-making 1922 Bat Mitzvah ceremony, the first in America. She is pictured here at her second Bat Mitzvah ceremony, where she was honored by a number of prominent Jewish women, including Betty Friedan and Letty Cottin Pogrebin. Institution: The Ira and Judith Kaplan Eisenstein Reconstructionist Archives, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College The Bat Mitzvah ceremony is now widely accepted in American Judaism. Some take place, however, in locations of particular religious significance. Twelve-year-old Yael Schneider is pictured above reading from the Torah at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. On her left is the prayer leader, Betsy Cohen-Kallus, and on her right is her mother, Susan Weidman Schneider, editor of the Jewish feminist publication Lilith. Institution: Edith Robbins. The bat mitzvah ceremony has its roots in developments in nineteenth-century Judaism of Western Europe and America. As Jews became exposed to Western culture in the nineteenth century, acquired a measure of political rights, and began the process of social integration, they adapted aspects of their religious tradition to the values of the larger society. Concerned that the limited roles of women within traditional Judaism might suggest that Jews were “orientals”


In the Bible, Jesus raised three people from the dead. Who was the only one that had a name?

People raised from the dead in the Bible (Resurrected) Raise the dead Matthew 10:7-8 (KJV) And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. People raised from the dead in the Bible Nine individuals in scripture are clearly presented in the Bible as being raised from the dead. Of these miraculous resurrections, three occur in the Old Testament. At least three individuals were raised from the dead by Jesus. Both Peter and Paul raised a person from the dead and most importantly of all, Jesus himself was resurrected.  In addition, an untold number of saints were resurrected at Jesus' crucifixion (Matthew 27:52-53). Also, it is incredibly possible that Paul himself was resurrected after he was stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19-20). Below is a descriptive listing of all the resurrections that occurred in the Bible. Old Testament Elijah resurrected the son of Zarephath's widow 1 Kings 17:17-24 (KJV) 17 And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. 18 And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son? 19 And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed. 20 And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son? 21 And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again. 22 And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. 23 And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth. 24 And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth. Elisha resurrected the son of the great Shunammite woman This interesting account is recorded in 2 Kings 4. The Shunammite woman had no children. For a woman to be barren in those days was a great source of shame. The word says that her husband was old, which would imply he was unable to produce seed. However, because the Shunammite woman was genuinely kind and generous to the prophet Elisha, he told her she would have a child in one year's time. God healed her and her husband and she conceived and gave birth to a son. Later on while working out in the fields something disastrous happens to her son (a head injury or possibly heat stroke) and he dies.  The Shunammite woman hastily went to the prophet Elisha, and she insisted he go to her son and raise him from the dead. 2 Kings 4:35 (KJV) 35 Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. A dead man comes back to life when he touches Elisha's bones Kings 13:21 (KJV) 21 And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet. Even after he was dead, the anointing still remaining in Elisha's bones raised someone from the dead. Earlier in 2 Kings 2:9, Elisha had boldly requested that he receive a double portion of Elijah's anointing. However, after Elisha died it looked like it was too late for him to raise twice as many people from the dead as Elijah. Who would have ever thought that touching Elisha's bones could raise someone from the dead; certainly not the men that were burying him! Clearly the seeds of faith we sow in the brief time we are in this world


Double, double toil and trouble. What creature's eye do witches need for their broth?

Double, double, toil and trouble: A Guide to the Witches' Chants Fillet of a fenny snake , In the cauldron boil and bake; Eye of newt and toe of frog, Wool of bat and tongue of dog, Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting, Lizard's leg and howlet's wing, For a charm of powerful trouble, Like a hell-broth boil and bubble. All Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble. Third Witch


"What is the common English translation of Descartes' famous statement ""Cogito Ergo Sum""?"

cogito, ergo sum | philosophy | Britannica.com Cogito, ergo sum Alternative Titles: I think, therefore I am, Je pense, donc je suis Similar Topics Cartesian circle Cogito, ergo sum, (     Latin: “I think, therefore I am) dictum coined by the French philosopher René Descartes in his Discourse on Method (1637) as a first step in demonstrating the attainability of certain knowledge. It is the only statement to survive the test of his methodic doubt . The statement is indubitable , as Descartes argued in the second of his six Meditations on First Philosophy (1641), because even if an all-powerful demon were to try to deceive him into thinking that he exists when he does not, he would have to exist in order for the demon to deceive him. Therefore, whenever he thinks, he exists. Furthermore, as he argued in his replies to critics in the second edition (1642) of the Meditations, the statement “I am” (sum) expresses an immediate intuition , not the conclusion of a piece of reasoning (regarding the steps of which he could be deceived), and is thus indubitable. However, in a later work, the Principles of Philosophy (1644), Descartes suggested that the cogito is indeed the conclusion of a syllogism whose premises include the propositions that he is thinking and that whatever thinks must exist. René Descartes. National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland Learn More in these related articles: René Descartes March 31, 1596 La Haye, Touraine, France February 11, 1650 Stockholm, Sweden French mathematician, scientist, and philosopher. Because he was one of the first to abandon scholastic Aristotelianism, because he formulated the first modern version of mind-body dualism, from which stems the mind-body... More about cogito, ergo sum 10 References found in Britannica Articles Assorted References Corrections? Updates? Help us improve this article! Contact our editors with your feedback. MEDIA FOR: You have successfully emailed this. Error when sending the email. Try again later. Edit Mode Submit Tips For Editing We welcome suggested improvements to any of our articles. You can make it easier for us to review and, hopefully, publish your contribution by keeping a few points in mind. Encyclopædia Britannica articles are written in a neutral objective tone for a general audience. You may find it helpful to search within the site to see how similar or related subjects are covered. Any text you add should be original, not copied from other sources. At the bottom of the article, feel free to list any sources that support your changes, so that we can fully understand their context. (Internet URLs are the best.) Your contribution may be further edited by our staff, and its publication is subject to our final approval. Unfortunately, our editorial approach may not be able to accommodate all contributions. Submit Thank You for Your Contribution! Our editors will review what you've submitted, and if it meets our criteria, we'll add it to the article. Please note that our editors may make some formatting changes or correct spelling or grammatical errors, and may also contact you if any clarifications are needed. Uh Oh There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later. Close Article Title: cogito, ergo sum Website Name: Encyclopædia Britannica Date Published: April 16, 2015 URL: https://www.britannica.com/topic/cogito-ergo-sum Access Date: January 19, 2017 Share


Which chemical element is prominently used in laptop batteries and antidepressant medication?

What Materials Are Used To Make A Battery? – Battery Education Battery Article Index What Materials Are Used To Make A Battery? One billion batteries! Considering that we are a mobile society it does make sense that batteries are ubiquitous and the likelihood that you yourself have bought a battery before is quite high. Indeed the buying of batteries is a daily and regular occurrence. Conservatively speaking billions of batteries are bought each year. Out of my own curiosity and perhaps your own, I have thought about the vast amount of raw material that must be used to go into the making of a battery, and thought that I would share my findings. Building a battery requires certain components and their associated raw materials which ultimately affect the price of batteries. The basic battery components include: • The Battery Casing • The Battery’s specialized hardware The Battery Casing The purpose of a battery casing is for enclosing and hermetically sealing a battery body which converts chemical energy into electrical energy in order to generate current to power an electronic device. Battery casing is manufactured in layers. The casing layers are developed from various raw materials and can include one or two, for example, polyethylene terephthalate layers, a polymer layer, and a polypropylene layer. Another example may be a casing with layers of carbonized plastic. The Battery Chemistry As noted above a battery is a device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy. To convert chemical energy into electrical energy the battery must contain the chemical base to allow conversion to occur. Types of common chemicals used in batteries on the market today are: 1. Nickel-cadmium batteries were first invented in 1899 and are a mature energy type with moderate energy density. Nickel-cadmium is used in batteries where long life, high discharge rate and extended temperature range is important. The main applications for nickel-cadium batteries are for two-way radios, biomedical equipment and power tools. 2. Nickel-metal-hydride batteries has a higher energy density compared to nickel-cadmium but at the expense of severely reduced cycle life. Applications include mobile phones and laptop computers not much needs to be talked about here since nickel-metal hydride batteries are not too commonly used anymore for your portable consumer. 3. Lead-acid batteries are the most economical portable power source for larger power applications where weight is of little concern. Lead-acid is the preferred choice for hospital equipment, wheelchairs, emergency lighting and UPS systems. The most common place where most of us find lead-acid batteries are in our personal vehicles. Automobiles, light trucks and vans almost always use a 12-volt, six cell, and negative grounded, lead acid automotive battery used to start gasoline or diesel engines. You will find lead-acid batteries in motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles, jet skis, farm tractors, lawn and garden tractors, SUVs, etc. 4. Lithium-ion batteries are widely used today since they offer significant benefits for portable consumers. Lithium is the lightest of all metals, it has the greatest electrochemical potential, and the largest energy density for its weight.The load characteristics of lithium are reasonably good in terms of discharge.The high cell voltage of 3.6 volts allows battery pack designs with only one cell versus three (less costly and compact). Lithium ion is a low maintenance battery with no memory and no scheduled cycling being required to prolong the battery's life. And finally Lithium-ion cells cause little harm when disposed. 5. Lithium-ion-polymer batteries are very similar to lithium-ion, but with an even far more slimmer geometry and simple packaging but of course with a higher cost per watt/hours. Main applications are cell phones and PDAs. The lithium-polymer differentiates itself from the conventional battery in the type of electrolyte used (a plastic-like film that does not conduct electricity but allows ion exchange – electrically charged atoms or groups of atoms). T


What series of video games takes place in the mythical land of Hyrule?

Hyrule | Zeldapedia | Fandom powered by Wikia Main article: Great Flood When no hero appeared to save them, the Hylians appealed to the Goddesses Several centuries after the events of Ocarina of Time in the Adult Timeline, the seal on the Sacred Realm weakened and Ganon escaped his imprisonment. Although the citizens of Hyrule prayed to the three Golden Goddesses for the Hero of Time to save them, he did not appear and Ganon resumed control. The people of Hyrule were left with no choice but to appeal to the Goddesses, who flooded Hyrule in an attempt to stop Ganondorf. The surviving population evacuated to the highest grounds of Hyrule, which became the islands of the Great Sea . Using the Master Sword , a seal was then put on Hyrule Castle, keeping it intact inside a giant bubble beneath the Great Sea, while keeping Ganondorf's powers and his minions dormant. While keeping Ganondorf inside of Hyrule, the seal also kept anything else out, as Hyrule cannot be accessed simply by diving beneath the Great Sea. It instead requires special entry, either by means of ringing the bell atop the Tower of the Gods , a portal, or by holding a shard of the Triforce. At the end of the events of The Wind Waker, Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule uses the power of the Triforce to wash away the remains of the sunken Hyrule and Ganondorf with it, resulting in the final destruction of Hyrule. With his dying breath, he instructs Link and Princess Zelda to find new land, not to be the old Hyrule, but a new land of their own . Demographics Government Hyrule is for the most part ruled by the Royal Family of Hyrule, and in most games, Hyrule is ruled by a king. A prevalence in the series is that the monarch of Hyrule in one specific game is usually an unseen character who does not appear physically in the games; however, there are exceptions to this. In Twilight Princess, Princess Zelda is the ruler of Hyrule, as evidenced in several cut-scenes, though Midna still refers to her as a princess. In The Wind Waker, the King of Hyrule is Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule , known better as the King of Red Lions . Economy The economy of Hyrule has varied throughout installments, although it seems a likelihood that Hyrule's economical value stems from trade and commerce. In Twilight Princess, for example, shops can be found in Hyrule Castle Town among other places, where Link can purchase a variety of goods for a price. As Hyrule Castle Town is the capital of Hyrule in Twilight Princess, it seems obvious that businesses would base their central shops in Hyrule Castle Town, as evidenced by Malo and his ambition to expand his Malo Mart chain of low-priced goods, obviously making Castle Town a priority. Independent small businesses like Sera's Sundries in Ordon Village can be found in across Hyrule, however their prices can range owing to their isolation from other large enterprises. Though the enterprising Business Scrubs do not appear in towns, they can be found in Kokiri Forest , the Lost Woods , and various Hidden Holes throughout Hyrule and in Minish Cap it is explained that Business Scrubs sometimes spit nuts when they talk, indicating that their attack in some games maybe unintentional. After being defeated, they become more than willing to sell their wares in exchange for Rupees. Mini-games are another curious economical stimulation; the money gained from them seems mostly personal, as mini-game operators seem to base their businesses solely off of their own funds, rather than owning several locations. The Hyrule Castle Town Shooting Gallery from Ocarina of Time, for example, can be found in Hyrule Castle Town, but after Ganondorf's destruction of Hyrule Castle Town, it relocates to Kakariko Village under the new name of the Kakariko Village Shooting Gallery . Currency Main article: Rupee Artwork of Rupees from A Link to the Past Rupees are the unit of currency in most regions of Hyrule, as well as other outlying countries. Rupees somewhat resemble crystals and can be found with many different color tints; each with a different value, though the value varies from game-