MMCSTUDENTSFORUM

FLASH MOB by MALABAR MEDICAL COLLEGE Students

2014-01-12T11:47:00.003-08:00

FLASH MOB by MALABAR MEDICAL COLLEGE Students

2014-01-12T11:47:00.001-08:00

public service commission full list

2012-10-24T21:49:00.001-07:00

http://www.pscwb.org.in/pdf/wbcs_main_announcement_12102012.pdf

9th Month of Pregnancy

2012-07-29T01:08:00.004-07:00

Pregnancy is an amazing journey. While we often talk about it lasting for nine months, pregnancy is generally measured by weeks, lasting 40 weeks or 266 days from conception. Each month brings unique changes for your baby’s growth and development. Enjoy a tour through the entire length of pregnancy in ultrasound pictures and descriptions of how your baby is growing and changing at each stage of pregnancy.

These months are designed to be generic and may or may not specifically relate to your pregnancy. Please direct any questions you have about your baby's growth or your progress to your doctor or midwife. Pregnancy is a normal process and questions are a natural part of that process.

The beginning portion of what we consider the first month of pregnancy is actually your period until you ovulate. You are not actually pregnant during this time frame, but knowing the first day of your last normal period (LMP) we are able to more accurately calculate your due date.

Conception usually occurs within 24 hours of ovulation, about 14 days before the start of your next period. The egg and the sperm meet in the outer third of the Fallopian tube and travel over the course of the next seven to ten days, down the tube to the uterus. Once in the uterus, the fertilized egg will implant into the fluffy, nutrient rich lining of the uterus. Immediately chemical signals are sent to your body that pregnancy has occurred. Ovulation will halt. Your period will not come.

Your baby is called a blastocyst as it implants. The baby measures about 0.1-0.2 mm. At the end of the fourth week of pregnancy, the chorionic villi are formed. The yolk sac is helping to sustain the pregnancy until the placenta is fully formed. You might even begin to suspect you’re pregnant.

The second month of pregnancy is a critical month in fetal development. Your baby goes from being a blastocyst to an embryo. Early on in this month your baby’s heart will begin to beat. First it beats slowly, then very rapidly, later in pregnancy the heart rate will slow a bit more.

In the beginning of this month it’s hard to tell which way is up on your baby. As this month progresses it becomes very easy to tell which end is your baby’s head is and which end is your baby’s bottom. By the end of the month your baby’s upper and lower limb buds will also appear. And the primordia of the liver, pancreas, lungs, and stomach are evident. While your baby is a girl or a boy, it is not yet apparent without genetic screening.

Your baby is now measuring between 8-11 mm from crown to rump (CRL). By the end of this month heart activity is always present on ultrasound. Toe and finger rays are present, though not quite enough for you to count yet.

Photo © R. Jenkins

During the third month of your pregnancy, your baby’s bones begin to ossify or harden. Your baby is already moving spontaneously, but you usually can’t feel these movements for awhile yet. Your baby’s eyes are large and open. Eyelids will form later. External ears have formed.

External genitalia begin to differentiate, though it’s still very difficult to tell whether your baby is a girl or a boy without genetic screening. Your baby moves from being an embryo to the fetal period, now called a fetus. S/he also loses their tail!

Your baby’s head is the biggest part of their body. It is about 1/2 the size of the rest of the body. While the head is large, the brain’s structure is similar to what it will be at birth. S/he weighs about 14 grams and is approximately 3.54 inches in total length. By the end of this month you should be able to hear your baby’s heart beat with a Doppler.

The placenta has taken over production of the hormones needed to sustain your pregnancy. Your baby is also making some of its own insulin and bile. Your baby even urinates into the amniotic fluid in small amounts every 45 minutes or so.

Your baby’s heart pumps about 25 quarts of blood a day. This will increase to be about 300 quarts by the end of your pregnancy. All of the teeth have formed and you even have a scalp hair pattern!

Your baby is about 3 ounces (85 grams) and 6.3 inches (16 cms). The gender may be detectable by ultrasound. Though gender predictions at this point are much harder to rely on.

No new organ structures are really forming at this point in pregnancy. Though the pads of the fingers and toes are forming. Your baby is also developing his or her finger prints. Your baby is also forming permanent teeth buds behind the baby teeth that are already formed. A baby girl will also begin to develop primitive eggs in her ovaries. Gender is usually visible by ultrasound, though accuracy varies.

Your baby’s movements may be more apparent. Loud noises may even cause your baby to startle. It’s still pretty unusual for your to be able to feel your baby move at this point unless this is not your first pregnancy. You may be aware of sleep wake cycles in your little one.

Your baby is also covered in a fine hair called lanugo and may begin to develop a lotion like substances on their skin called vernix. The weight is now up to 10 ounces (283 grams) and the baby measures about 25 cms total length, about 9.8 inches.

Eye brows are forming now and the lanugo darkens in color. Your baby is moving and practicing breathing for when he or she will be born. The practice contractions that you may or may not notice don’t bother your baby one bit. Your baby may or may not be head down, because of the amniotic fluid your baby can move all around still.

Your baby is also depositing brown fat. The brown fat will help him or her regulate body temperature at birth. This brown fat will continue to be laid down until birth.

S/he weighs in at 1 lb 5 ounces (595 grams) and 30 cms or 11.8 inches total length. A few babies are born this early. They do have some chance of survival depending on many factors.

Baby’s movements at this point in pregnancy have gone from wild kicks and flurries to smaller movements as the room becomes crowded in the uterus. At about week 28 babies begin to start turning head down. This is automatic in most babies and they seem to like it that way.

Your baby can sense light and dark in the uterus. This may also effect the pattern you notice of sleep and wake cycles. The uterus is also not a silent environment. While the baby can hear your heart beat, your digestive system, etc. your baby can also hear your voice as well as others close by. Think of what you can hear in a pool.

Your baby's eye lashes are developing, as subcutaneous fat is deposited. If you have a baby boy, his testes will probably begin descending. Your baby is about 13.8 inches long (35 cms) and weighs about 2 pounds 4 ounces (1 kilogram)! A baby born at this time has a good chance of survival with the help of medical technology.

Your baby is really getting ready to be born. Every day in the uterus is said to be two less days your baby would spend in the hospital at this point. Red blood cell production is done entirely by your baby’s bone marrow. Amniotic fluid is still present and your baby urinates into it daily, about a half a liter of urine a day.

The baby's irises can now dilate and contract in response to light. He or she opens and closes their eyes at will. Even the finger nails reach the end of the fingers. Some babies might even need a nail trim at birth! Your baby may have a lot of hair on their head or none, both extremes are normal.

The weight gain has been fairly incredible recently. Your baby has put on about 2 pounds of weight, mostly fat and muscle tissue, since last month, bringing the total to an average of three pounds eleven ounces (1.7 kilograms), and measurements to 40 cms or 15.8 inches!

Your baby’s organs have been finished forming for a long time. Now is the time for finishing touches. For example, the lungs make final preparations for birth by secreting surfactant to help them expand at birth. Your baby’s kidneys are still producing lots of urine every day, helping to make up the almost two pints of amniotic fluid.

While your baby may be putting on half a pound a week up until about week 37 at which point weight gain slows drastically. The average birth weight is still about seven and a half pounds. Your baby will measure between 18-22 inches at birth.

Your due date is a guess as to when your baby may arrive. The majority of babies will show up from two weeks before this date to two weeks after this date. Labor is caused by the baby’s signals to the mother’s body that he or she is ready to be born. Good luck and good birth!

An Overview of the Guy's Guide to Pregnancy

2012-07-29T01:03:00.002-07:00

Nine months is a really long time. This is particularly true when the pregnancy isn't physically happening inside of your body. It can be hard to relate to the aches, pains and morning sickness. Heck for most guys the pregnancy isn't even very real feeling until the latter months when you can feel the baby from the outside.

This guy's guide to pregnancy is designed to take you from month to month in this pregnancy calendar showing you fetal development and making suggestions on how to be involved in pregnancy. Here's to an amazing nine months!

This first month of pregnancy is when pregnancy occurs. This is the fun part! Shortly after you have sex and conception occurs, changes start to happen in her body.

As the dad you're probably blissfully unaware of the microscopic changes that are taking place in mom's body until she makes the big pregnancy announcement. Though you might also be the type of dad who actually helps her take the pregnancy test. No matter where you fall in the mix, be sure that you put forth a supportive effort, even if you're a bit shocked yourself.

At the end of this month, just as the pregnancy tests are turning positive and she's missed her first period, your baby is about the size of the eye on the King of Hearts. Isn't it amazing how something so small can bring about such change?

Your baby's heart will begin to beat early on this month, but it's still too soon to hear it though it may be seen in an early ultrasound. Though an early ultrasound is usually only done if mom is experiencing complications.

What may be more noticeable to you are the symptoms of pregnancy that are outwardly visible. These symptoms of pregnancy can include:

The baby is growing bigger this month and very quickly. By the end of the month your baby will be about as big as the tip of a golf tee. She or he has fingers and toes, but they are still too difficult to count because of their size and shape.

Your baby is definitely getting bigger. Though the uterus is still fairly small and tucked into the pelvis. Mom might have a small pooch showing from other intestinal pregnancy symptoms.

At your prenatal visit towards the end of this month you will get to hear the baby's heart beat. This is one prenatal appointment that you won't want to miss. If you absolutely can't be there, have mom or someone record the sound of your baby's heart beat for you.

A golf ball is a good visual representation of your baby's size this month. While not quite as solid, nor as hefty, your baby takes up a lot more space this month. The bones in his or her body also become harder. The brain, eyes and ears are all growing and forming external structures.

Your baby wiles away the day by turning somersaults in utero. Every 45 minutes or so your baby also relieves its bladder into the amniotic fluid. Teeth buds are all formed and you can see the hair pattern that your baby will have on the scalp. Your baby is still curled up a bit, about the size of a shuttlecock. And just like the shuttlecock has a heavier head, so does your baby.

Mom is generally feeling much better now that the pregnancy is into the second trimester. She is much more relaxed and less worried about the risk of miscarriage. She's also physically not as tired or sick from early pregnancy symptoms. This makes her easier to be around.

The big news this month is that many moms will have an ultrasound that can reveal if your baby is a boy or a girl. While this was determined at the moment of conception, it is not accurately seen via ultrasound until this point in pregnancy. This is another can't miss prenatal appointment.

Your baby is moving around a lot with plenty of room and mom may actually be able to feel baby moving. It is still a bit early for you to feel the baby's movements. Maternity clothesmight also start becoming a necessity. If not, mom is at least raiding your closet for some larger shirts.

Baby is about the size of a soft ball when curled up. Your baby is covered in a fine hair called lanugo covering the body and finger prints are visible.

Vernix, a cheesy like substance, covers your baby's skin. This helps protect the baby's skin from amniotic fluid. Most of the vernix will disappear by birth, depending on what point in pregnancy your baby is born. Speaking of which, you should know the signs of preterm laborjust in case mom misses them. This is very different than the Braxton Hicks contractions that she may be noticing.

Your baby is starting to really lengthen out. At about a pound and a half and about 12 inches long, your baby is about the length of a large hockey blade (That's the bottom part!).

Childbirth classes are a must and hopefully you've started them by now. If not, help mom get a move on it. These will help you in feeling confident in how to best support her when baby's birth day arrives.

As you move into the third trimester, the best news for you this month is that you can now feel baby moving! Sometimes you have to be patient and wait until baby moves, which can seem to take forever, but it's well worth the wait.

Maternity clothes are now all the rage in your home. Remember to compliment mom on how well she looks in a truthful way. Sometimes moms need a pick me up and guys might not be paying attention to that. Why not surprise her with an evening out where you do all the planning? Maybe even an evening in where you cook dinner and give her a foot massage or back rub?

Baby can hear pretty well now, though everything is a bit muffled. Melt mom's heart byreading, talking or singing to baby through her belly. Your baby is developing brown and subcutaneous fats to help stay warm after birth. This puffs baby's weight up to about 2 and a quarter pounds - about the size of a smaller soccer ball all curled up!

While mom's belly is growing larger, it can be hard to relate to how big the baby really is in there. Remember that you're also seeing the placenta and amniotic fluid. Think of the curled up baby as about the size of a football. Imagine how that feels in your arms.

Sometimes in these last months of pregnancy, mom becomes a bit obsessed with pregnancy. This is normal and it will pass. You can choose to call her on it or let it slide. This may mean that she wants to talk about baby names or even what labor and birth will be like for you both. A doula can really help relieve the fears concerning the birth. Dads often say that having a doula helped them focus on just being there for mom and not having to remember all of the ins and outs of labor.

Wow, it's already the end of pregnancy. This last part can be a long one, particularly with late pregnancy discomforts. Mom may suffer from fits of insomnia and exhaustion. Do what you can to help make her comfortable.

These last weeks are certainly busy ones. Mom is nesting - preparing for baby, sometimes frantically. This means that you are busy helping her get baby's room ready. You also need to ensure that you pack a labor bag just for you! Having concerns about being at the birth?You're not alone. Find an experienced dad to talk to or discuss it with your doula.

It's also a good time for a baby shower. This may include you or it may not. But, either way, expect to spend some time oooing and ahhing over some baby stuff.

While it may look like mom has swallowed a basket ball, baby's size can really vary here at the end. The average baby size is about seven and a half pounds and 20 inches. And just remember, babies can't read calendars, due dates are just guesses.

Dental Care During Pregnancy

2012-07-29T00:59:00.001-07:00

You may have heard that you lose a tooth for every pregnancy, but that’s just an old wives’ tale. Oral health is a reflection of your overall health, however, so maintaining proper dental care during pregnancy is especially important.

Pregnancy Gingivitis
It’s quite common to have dental problems during pregnancy. Hormonal changes can make gum tissues more susceptible to the bacteria in plaque, leading to inflammation and bleeding gums. This “pregnancy gingivitis” can be prevented by brushing and flossing each day. Having your teeth professionally cleaned early in your pregnancy may help prevent most gum problems, too.

Frequent snacking on sugary foods can also contribute to gingivitis. Continually bathing the teeth in plaque and bacteria can cause your gums to swell and bleed, so if you're eating more often, make sure to brush your teeth more often as well.

The best way to improve gingivitis during pregnancy is to practice excellent oral hygiene. Remember the basics:

Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
Floss once a day.
Visit your dentist regularly for professional teeth cleanings.

Periodontal Disease and Premature BirthProper dental care is especially important during pregnancy, since serious gum disease (periodontal disease) has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight. A study by the University of North Carolina showed that women with periodontal disease were seven times more likely to have a baby born too early or too small. Researchers believe that the bacteria that cause periodontal disease enter the bloodstream through the mouth and travel to the uterus, where they trigger the production of prostaglandins, which may cause premature labor. If a baby is born too soon, it can’t reach its full potential weight.

Pregnancy TumorsDuring your second trimester you may notice a red, raw, painless lump on your gums. This is called a “pregnancy tumor,” and although it isn’t cancerous, it should be taken seriously. These localized swellings are usually found between the teeth and are believed to be caused by excess plaque. Pregnancy tumors can be surgically removed after the baby is born if they haven’t subsided on their own.

What If I Need a Major Dental Treatment?Regular dental care is important during pregnancy to prevent oral infections, such as gingivitis and periodontal disease, which might affect the baby. Most dentists recommend that you delay major dental treatments until after your baby is born, however. If your pregnancy isn’t obviously showing, be sure you inform your dentist when you arrive for your appointment, since some procedures or medications may be harmful to your unborn child.

If you have a dental emergency, by all means seek appropriate treatment. Although dental anesthetics such as novocaine or lidocaine can pass through the placenta, the doses used in most dental procedures are considered safe. If you do need an anesthetic, make sure it’s given in needle form, since inhaled or intravenous anesthetics increase the odds of miscarriage in the first trimester. Epinephrine is sometimes added to local anesthetics to make them last longer, but it's recommended that you avoid this use during pregnancy, since it can increase the risk of some minor birth defects.

Antibiotics such as penicillin, amoxicillin, and erythromycin are safe to use during pregnancy, but avoid tetracycline, which can permanently discolor your unborn child’s developing teeth.

Under emergency circumstances, an X-ray may be necessary to help your dentist determine the health of your teeth and jaw. If not having the x-ray done poses a risk to your health, then have the X-ray-- the risk will be minimal, since your uterus will be shielded with a lead apron.

What’s Good for You is Good for Your Baby
Generally speaking, if a dental procedure improves your overall health, it’s probably good for your baby as well, so go ahead with it during pregnancy. Unfortunately, most women don’t visit their dentist during pregnancy, even if they have dental problems. Remember-- taking care of yourself is the best way to ensure the health of your child, so do what’s best for both of you and maintain your regular dental care.

Dental Care and Pregnancy

2012-07-29T00:58:00.000-07:00

It's important for you to take good care of your teeth and gums while pregnant. Pregnancy causes hormonal changes that increase the risk of developing gum disease which, in turn, can affect the health of your developing baby.

Below are some tips to help you maintain good oral health before, during, and after pregnancy.

Before You Get Pregnant

Try to make a dental appointment before getting pregnant. That way, your teeth can be professionally cleaned, gum tissue can be carefully examined, and any oral health problems can be treated in advance of your pregnancy.

Dental Care While Pregnant

Tell your dentist (and doctor) if you are pregnant. As a precautionary measure, dental treatments during the first trimester and second half of the third trimester should be avoided as much as possible. These are critical times in the baby's growth and development and it's simply wise to avoid exposing the mother to procedures that could in any way influence the baby's growth and development. However, routine dental care can be received during the second trimester. All elective dental procedures should be postponed until after the delivery.
Tell your dentist the names and dosages of all drugs you are taking – including medications and prenatal vitamins prescribed by your doctor – as well as any specific medical advice your doctor has given you. Your dentist may need to alter your dental treatment plan based on this information. Certain drugs -- such as tetracycline -- can affect the development of your child's teeth and should not be given during pregnancy.
Avoid dental X-rays during pregnancy. If X-rays are essential (such as in a dental emergency), your dentist will use extreme caution to safeguard you and your baby. Advances in technology have made X-rays much safer today than in past decades.
Don't skip your dental checkup appointment simply because you are pregnant. Now more than any other time, regular periodontal (gum) exams are very important because pregnancy causes hormonal changes that put you at increased risk for periodontal disease and for tender gums that bleed easily – a condition called pregnancy gingivitis. Pay particular attention to any changes in your gums during pregnancy. If tenderness, bleeding or gum swelling occurs at any time during your pregnancy, talk with your dentist or periodontist as soon as possible.
Follow good oral hygiene practices to prevent and/or reduce oral health problems.

Coping With Morning Sickness

If morning sickness is keeping you from brushing your teeth, change to a bland-tasting toothpaste during pregnancy. Ask your dentist or hygienist to recommend brands.
Rinse your mouth out with water or a mouth rinse if you suffer from morning sickness and have bouts of frequent vomiting.

Eating Right for Your Teeth and Baby

Avoid sugary snacks. Sweet cravings are common during pregnancy. However, keep in mind that the more frequently you snack, the greater the chance of developing tooth decay. Additionally, some studies have shown that the bacteria responsible for tooth decay are passed from the mother to the child. So be careful of what you eat.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Your baby's first teeth begin to develop about three months into pregnancy. Healthy diets containing dairy products, cheese, and yogurt are a good source of these essential minerals and are good for baby's developing teeth, gums, and bones.

After You've Had Your Baby

If you experienced any gum problems during your pregnancy, see your dentist soon after delivery to have your entire mouth examined and periodontal health evaluated

DENTAL DECAY

2012-07-29T00:57:00.001-07:00

Dental decay (caries) and periodontal (gum) disease are among the most common diseases afflicting mankind, especially in the so-called advanced nations.

The higher the standard of living, the more likely it is for tooth loss to occur.

As has been shown already, both dental caries and periodontal disease are the result of bacterial action, in the plaque, which collects on the teeth and gums.

If it is possible to cleanse the mouth completely of the bacterial plaque and maintain it that way, there would be low incidence of tooth decay or any other gum problems.

Dental diseases are not considered to be lethal and therefore attitudes on the part of governments and public are of a different nature. However, the cost of dental disease in pain, suffering, treatment and loss of work is enormous. Measures to reduce or eliminate dental problems would result in a vast benefit to the population.REMINERALIZETEETH.BLOGSPOT.COM

Medical Courses in India

2012-07-29T00:55:00.002-07:00

1. M. B. B. S. (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery): MBBS is the medical degree awarded in many countries like UK, India. MBBS stands for Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery.DURATION: 5.5 years2. B. D. S. (Bachelor of Dental Surgery): Bachelor of Dental Surgery ( B.D.S ) is a first professional degree programme in dentistry.DURATION: 4 years3. B. H. M. S. (Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine & Surgery): The Homeopathic Education in India is presently regulated by the National Institute of Homeopathy.Applicant should have passed HSC Exam from Statutory Board/University in India or equivalence.

Top 10 Drugs and their Effects

2011-12-20T23:07:00.000-08:00

Drug abuse is a very common problem in most countries so it seemed like a good topic for a list. This is a list of ten of the most abused drugs and the effects they have on people.

1. Heroin

Heroin is an opiate processed directly from the extracts of the opium poppy. It was originally created to help cure people of addiction to morphine. Upon crossing the blood-brain barrier, which occurs soon after introduction of the drug into the bloodstream, heroin is converted into morphine, which mimics the action of endorphins, creating a sense of well-being; the characteristic euphoria has been described as an “orgasm” centered in the gut. One of the most common methods of heroin use is via intravenous injection.

For the last 4 months, my partner and I have been recreationally using heroin. H became our weekend ritual. Lighting candles, playing music, brie and wine and grapes, reading tarot and finally fucking… for hours on end, the most intense beautiful technicolor sex. Each time we did it we got closer to each other. And each time we did it, we wanted to do it again, and again. We tried saying we’d only do it once every two weeks, but that lasted 6 days. We have rules about how much we do in one night, how late we stay up and so on. So far the rules have kept us safe from addiction. Unless you consider the nagging i-don’t-wanna-go-a-weekend-or-have-sex-without-it feelings. We’ve never run out, although, once we were down to our last little bit and I left the vial open on the night stand. I was reaching for the lube when I heard the most sickening sound, the vial falling over. Turns out, I was mistaken, I had remembered to put the cap back on. But in those few seconds of uncertainty, my girl and I shot each other a look we had never seen before.. Fear.

2. Cocaine

Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. It is both a stimulant of the central nervous system and an appetite suppressant, giving rise to what has been described as a euphoric sense of happiness and increased energy. It is most often used recreationally for this effect. Cocaine is a potent central nervous system stimulant. Its effects can last from 20 minutes to several hours, depending upon the dosage of cocaine taken, purity, and method of administration. The initial signs of stimulation are hyperactivity, restlessness, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate and euphoria. The euphoria is sometimes followed by feelings of discomfort and depression and a craving to experience the drug again. Sexual interest and pleasure can be amplified. Side effects can include twitching, paranoia, and impotence, which usually increases with frequent usage.

The cocaine arrived and we agreed to use it at a time that translated to three and a half hours after I arrived. It cost $60 for what I was told was an eighth of a gram. This seemed rather expensive, but I was assured that it was ‘high quality product.’ I took the line up my left nostril. After about ninety seconds, I felt my heartbeat increase. It was definitely kicking in. I began to worry a bit, as I could feel my heart pounding and my pulse increasing. I finally felt as if it had reached a plateau. My heartbeat became level, albeit still very high. Many people say that one feels euphoria – being invincible and/or the desire to clean the house. I did not feel either of these (and I did remember to think about these things). For me, the positive effects of cocaine came directly from knowing that I had reached a plateau and I was going to be fine. I felt invigorated, yet also very comfortable.

One of the best treatment for drug addiction is to consult with cocaine rehab centers for recovery.

3. Methamphetamine

Methamphetamime, popularly shortened to meth or ice, is a psychostimulant and sympathomimetic drug. Methamphetamine enters the brain and triggers a cascading release of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. Since it stimulates the mesolimbic reward pathway, causing euphoria and excitement, it is prone to abuse and addiction. Users may become obsessed or perform repetitive tasks such as cleaning, hand-washing, or assembling and disassembling objects. Withdrawal is characterized by excessive sleeping, eating and depression-like symptoms, often accompanied by anxiety and drug-craving.

We first smoked meth on New Year’s Eve because we heard it was great for sex. I had to work the next day and so saved some to smoke before work in the morning. When I got home another g was waiting for me and I smoked every day but oneuntil I finally quit three months later. For three weeks we smoked meth with little consequence, then my skin became fragile and in addition to breaking out, started to swell. I was really worried because I was constantly thirsty and drinking water, but I rarely urinated. Then my kidneys started hurting. I had lost twenty pounds in two months and my husband had lost thirty, and we’d read somewhere that rapid weight loss can cause kidney failure. I slept every three or four days for an hour or so and woke feeling rested. I was an hour late for work everyday. My husband wrecked the truck three times. One day I forgot to feed my son. Everything was either the highest of highs or the lowest of lows, no in between existed anymore. We were banned from the sauna at our apartment complex because no one else could use it. Our sweat smelled so strongly of ammonia it burned the eyes, it was caustic, and it burned our skin too. My husband and I haven’t done any drugs at all for four weeks, and things are slowly going back to normal. But I still want it. I can’t sleep tonight because I want it. I wrote this in all honesty mostly to help myself, to remind myself why I don’t want it. And still I want it.

4. Crack Cocaine

Crack cocaine, often nicknamed “crack”, is believed to have been created and made popular during the early 1980s . Because of the dangers for manufacturers of using ether to produce pure freebase cocaine, producers began to omit the step of removing the freebase precipitate from the ammonia mixture. Typically, filtration processes are also omitted. Baking soda is now most often used as a base rather than ammonia for reasons of lowered odor and toxicity; however, any weak base can be used to make crack cocaine. When commonly “cooked” the ratio is 1:1 to 2:3 parts cocaine/bicarbonate.

As I held the smoke in for a ten count and exhaled, I thought I felt nothing except a little excitement that was neither bad nor pleasurable. The complete rush some writers have called a ‘whole-body orgasm’ hit me shortly after and I distinctly remember demanding ‘more’ as soon as the realization of heaven-on-earth came. Some people say that the effects of smoking crack lasts 10-15 minutes. For me, it was just a shortest instant of gratification. Everything afterwards was just a great increase in energy and confidence geared towards obtaining more of the drug.

5. LSD

Lysergic acid diethylamide, LSD, LSD-25, or acid, is a semisynthetic psychedelic drug of the tryptamine family. Arguably the most regarded of all psychedelics, it is considered mainly as a recreational drug, an entheogen, and a tool in use to supplement various types of exercises for transcendence including in meditation, psychonautics, and illegal psychedelic psychotherapy whether self administered or not. LSD’s psychological effects (colloquially called a “trip”) vary greatly from person to person, depending on factors such as previous experiences, state of mind and environment, as well as dose strength. They also vary from one trip to another, and even as time passes during a single trip. An LSD trip can have long term psychoemotional effects; some users cite the LSD experience as causing significant changes in their personality and life perspective. Widely different effects emerge based on what Leary called set and setting; the “set” being the general mindset of the user, and the “setting” being the physical and social environment in which the drug’s effects are experienced.

About ten years ago I bought my third trip from a guy in my home town Norwich (UK) It was a ‘Strawberry’ and I was told it had been double dipped. The guy had a reputation for selling good acid so I happily gave him my cash. I took the single LSD tab in the late morning in a positive state of mind with no worries or anxieties. I began to come up on the acid towards the lunch time. It was to be the first and last time I’d ever trip alone. Outside it was a glorious sunny day but I was happy enough in my temporary sanctuary to even think about going outside. The LSD rush started blazing up my spine and racing through my guts, I felt a little uneasy with it but had enough mind to allow myself to just go with it and wait until the rush plateaued. I was having a wonderful time, watching floral Escher type patterns breathing over my skin. I vaguely recall deciding to go downstairs again for some reason then the next thing I recall was awakening on the floor of the dining room alone. The first thing I noticed was that there were blowflies buzzing around a bowl of catfood on the kitchen floor. I remember feeling perplexed as to why both flies had two bright neon after images in red and blue. Somehow I navigated myself through Norwich during the busy lunchtime shoppers and begun to head in the direction of the city’s central park ‘Chapelfield gardens’. If you could imagine for a moment being surrounded by people in a busy place where their heads had been removed and replaced by Squids and Octopus you might begin to accurately picture the scene confronting me in the park. Everyone had tentacles smothering their faces and dangling down their necks like fleshy snake beards, even the women and children were not exempt from this disfiguration. In retrospect, it was the worst day of my entire life, It was the closest I can imagine to having full blown psychosis.

6. Ecstasy

Ecstasy (MDMA) is a semisynthetic psychedelic entactogen of the phenethylamine family that is much less visual with more stimulant like effects than most all other common “trip” producing psychedelics. It is considered mainly a recreational drug that’s often used with sex and associated with club drugs, as an entheogen, and a tool in use to supplement various types of practices for transcendence including in meditation, psychonautics, and illicit psychedelic psychotherapy whether self administered or not. The primary effects of MDMA include an increased awareness of the senses, feelings of openness, euphoria, empathy, love,happiness, heightened self-awareness, feeling of mental clarity and an increased appreciation of music and movement. Tactile sensations are enhanced for some users, making physical contact with others more pleasurable. Other side effects, such as jaw clenching and elevated pulse, are common.

Sitting comfortably in our cosy living room, Café del Mar and similar CDs playing in the background, we began at 8 pm. I swallowed one white tablet with water. Over the next hour nothing much happened except that I found myself talking quite openly and confidently with the others, moving very easily into interesting conversations. This was a little unusual for me as I am normally quite shy and overly self-conscious in social situations and it takes me a while to loosen up. The next thing I experienced was a striking shift in my visual perception. I don’t mean a hallucination or a distortion, but a wonderful step up in the aesthetic quality. For a moment it was like being in one of those nostalgic TV ads where the world looks all gold and sepia. ‘Everything’s gone amber!’ I blurted. But then I found that my vision was becoming beautifully enhanced. It made my normal visual experience seem like cheap, fuzzy CCTV footage in comparison. Now I was seeing the world anew in sharp, lush, top-quality Technicolor! I also began to move in time to the music. The music! Oh, the music! Wow! It sounded so good, so organic! The uplifted state stayed with me and took a long time to fade — at least a couple of weeks. It had unleashed in me a rush of joy that was still accessible when I focused on it weeks later.

7. Opium

Opium is a resinous narcotic formed from the latex released by lacerating (or “scoring”) the immature seed pods of opium poppies (Papaver somniferum). It contains up to 16% morphine, an opiate alkaloid, which is most frequently processed chemically to produce heroin for the illegal drug trade. Opium has gradually been superseded by a variety of purified, semi-synthetic, and synthetic opioids with progressively stronger effect, and by other general anesthesia. This process began in 1817, when Friedrich Wilhelm Adam Sertürner reported the isolation of pure morphine from opium after at least thirteen years of research and a nearly disastrous trial on himself and three boys.

I remember that what I smoked was much easier to smoke than marijuana. There was no burning in my throat nor in my lungs. I took a very large, smooth hit. Smoking it like marijuana, I held it in for about 10 or 15 seconds and let it out. It didn’t taste like marijuana, I remember the taste being rather faint. It actually tasted and smelled like incense. I was very surprised to suddenly find myself on the floor, in the dark, with a crowd of people surrounding me. Apparently I had fainted and fallen to the ground, but I hadn’t noticed. The high itself is rather hard to describe. It was much more intense than marijuana. It felt heavy, like my whole body was being impacted… but it also felt very clear and refined at the same time. As I made my way towards the bathroom the drug began to kick in again. My steps kind of faded away and it felt like I was just floating over to the bathroom. The scary thing was though, that I was having trouble seeing. My vision was fading. Distinct figures melted into shadows and everything had a sparkle to it. All of a sudden, everything felt really good. I couldn’t stop smiling. Everything was profound in a very positive way, especially the music since it resonated everywhere. It was a very abstruse experience. I imagine that I was coming down at this point, an hour had surely past by because the band was building a climax to end their first set. I went along with the crowd and made my way outside. The fresh air was wonderful. The cool air seemed to wrap around my body. A slight breeze on the back of my neck sent chills that rapidly multiplied throughout my body.

8. Marijuana

Cannabis, known as marijuana in its herbal form, is a psychoactive product of the plant Cannabis sativa. Humans have been consuming cannabis since prehistory, although in the 20th century there was a rise in its use for recreational, religious or spiritual, and medicinal purposes. It is estimated that about four percent of the world’s adult population use cannabis annually. It has psychoactive and physiological effects when consumed, usually by smoking or ingestion. The minimum amount of THC required to have a perceptible psychoactive effect is about 10 micrograms per kilogram of body weight. The state of intoxication due to cannabis consumption is colloquially known as a “high”; it is the state where mental and physical facilities are noticeably altered due to the consumption of cannabis. Each user experiences a different high, and the nature of it may vary upon factors such as potency, dose, chemical composition, method of consumption and set and setting.

After taking that first hit, and not feeling the effects within a minute (holding it in for a minute, and then waiting a little bit after exhaling) I decided, well I better hit this again, harder if I can. I took just as large of a hit, and again held it in for longer than a minute. I let my brother know I was really starting to feel something now and I don’t think I liked it all. It snuck up on me really bad, and I still had no idea what to expect. I wanted him to be quiet. Laying down was not helping, so I got back up. I went back to the garage and tried to explain to everyone ‘I am totally fucked up. This is scary!’ I was rationalizing everything tremendously, but it was SO intense! And it was only getting more intense faster! I didn’t know what to expect, I was sinking within myself, accelerating downward like into the depths of my own oblivion. I was a novice, I had no idea what to expect, and the world had become out of synch, the talking of my brothers, his friend, all ridiculous and extremely annoying. I became amazingly irritable and wanted them to leave me alone or not talk in my presence. They did not understand or appreciate my fear, and they began to get loud again. I ran upstairs to my parents bed and laid down with some wistful hope that I could wait out this storm.

9. Psilocybin Mushrooms

Psilocybin mushrooms (also called psilocybian mushrooms) are fungi that contain the psychedelic substances psilocybin and psilocin, and occasionally other psychoactive tryptamines. There are multiple colloquial terms for psilocybin mushrooms, the most common being magic mushrooms or ‘shrooms. When psilocybin is ingested, it is broken down to produce psilocin, which is responsible for the hallucinogenic effects. The intoxicating effects of psilocybin-containing mushrooms typically last anywhere from 3 to 7 hours depending on dosage, preparation method and personal metabolism. The experience is typically inwardly oriented, with strong visual and auditory components. Visions and revelations may be experienced, and the effect can range from exhilarating to distressing. There can be also a total absence of effects, even with large doses.

I had acquired about 8 grams of dried mushrooms and some liquid psilocybin equivalent to another 5 grams of powdered mushrooms. I swallowed the liquid first, on an empty stomach of course. I could feel a slight sensation after about 10-15 minutes. Then I added the powder to some water in a mug and swallowed that also. I then sat by the camp fire, listening to the wind in the trees while I contemplated what was about to happen. After about 45-50 minutes I heard a ‘voice’ calling to me. It wasn’t audible in the normal sense – it came from inside my own mind! Then I was gone – out of this world. I escaped into what I perceived to be the outer boundaries of my mind or my imagination. This placed presented itself as a natural forest with low light. Here I met the owner of the aforementioned voice – the Mushroom Goddess. She took the form of a white, strapless, ankle-length dress, standing side-on from me. For about the next two hours I dialoged with her, becoming totally bewitched by her charm, her wit, her intelligence, her knowledge, her unconditional affection for me and her seemingly infinite perspective. I have come to think of her as my other-worldly girlfriend.

10. PCP

PCP (Phencyclidine) is a dissociative drug formerly used as an anesthetic agent, exhibiting hallucinogenic and neurotoxic effects. It is commonly known as Angel Dust, but is also known as Wet, Sherm, Sherman Hemsley, Rocket Fuel, Ashy Larry, Shermans Tank, Wack, Halk Hogan, Ozone, HannaH, Hog, Manitoba Shlimbo, and Embalming Fluid, among other names. Although the primary psychoactive effects of the drug only last hours, total elimination from the body is prolonged, typically extending over weeks. PCP is consumed in a recreational manner by drug users, mainly in the United States, where the demand is met by illegal production. It comes in both powder and liquid forms (PCP base dissolved most often in ether), but typically it is sprayed onto leafy material such as marijuana, mint, oregano, parsley or Ginger Leaves, and smoked. PCP has potent effects on the nervous system altering perceptual functions (hallucinations, delusional ideas, delirium or confused thinking), motor functions (unsteady gait, loss of coordination, and disrupted eye movement or nystagmus), and autonomic nervous system regulation (rapid heart rate, altered temperature regulation). The drug has been known to alter mood states in an unpredictable fashion causing some individuals to become detached and others to become animated.

When I was taking the drug, I used very small amounts. The effect was incredibly pleasant and social, so much so that me and my friends all used it instead of booze for almost a year. I couldn’t dance for shit on the stuff (I’d get stumbly and actually fell on my ass on the dancefloor once) but the physical sensations and mental pictures were really fun. It is quite different from any psychedelic visuals or even Ketamine visuals…more like rolling through old film footage. To be honest, I liked it more than my experiences on Ketamine. PCP can make one nearly impervious to pain at high doses. Because of this, PCP can make things seem like a good idea that otherwise wouldn’t (leading to the stories of people leaping out of windows, etc.) I experienced very confusing physical reality when really high on it, like being unable to discern the difference between walking up stairs and down them, or standing still and walking. This could lead to very unusual behaviour.

Sources: Wikipedia. All experiences are quoted from Erowid.

Ten Most Dangerous Drugs

2011-12-20T23:05:00.000-08:00

According to a study published this month in The Lancet, alcohol and tobacco rank among the ten most dangerous substances used by humans. Both alcohol and tobacco have been assessed to be more dangerous than illegal drugs like marijuana or ecstasy.

The following three factors were considered in ranking the harmfulness of each drug that was evaluated:

Physical harm to the user
Addictive potential of the drug
The drug's overall impact on society

Psychiatrists who specialize in treating addictive behavior and legal or police officials with scientific or medical expertise were asked to assign a score to each of the three factors listed above for each drug that was evaluated in this study. All told, 20 different drugs were evaluated, including cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, amphetamines, and LSD.

Ranked from most to least dangerous, the ten most dangerous substances were deemed to be:

Heroin - popular street names include smack, skag, and junk.
Cocaine - often referred to as snow, flake, coke, and blow.
Barbiturates - popular slang names include yellow jackets, reds, blues, Amy's, and rainbows.
Street Methadone
Alcohol
Ketamine - a powerful hallucinogen, often referred to as Special K.
Benzodiazepines - a family of sedative drugs.
Amphetamines - known as greenies among baseball players.
Tobacco
Buprenorphine - also called bupe or subbies.

The remaining drugs that were assessed in this study ranked as follows:

Cannabis - includes marijuana.
Solvents - volatile substances that can be inhaled, such as glue, nail polish remover, paints, hair spray, and lighter fuel (gas).
4-MTA - is a derivative of amphetamine and has similar effects to ecstasy.
LSD
Methylphenidate - central nervous system stimulant, commonly sold as ritalin.
Anabolic steroids
GHB - short for Gamma hydroxybutyrate, a powerful central nervous system depressant, most commonly known as the date rape drug.
Ecstasy
Alkyl nitrates - group of drugs commonly referred to as poppers.
Khat - an amphetamine-like stimulant.

It is estimated that tobacco causes 40 percent of all hospital illnesses, while alcohol is involved in more than 50 percent of all visits to hospital emergency rooms. In light of these statistics, the authors of this study question why alcohol and tobacco are legal to use within current drug policies for Britain and the United States, while less harmful drugs like ecstasy and LSD are deemed illegal to use.

The bottom line: alcohol and tobacco are two of the most dangerous substances that you can expose yourself to on a regular basis. In terms of overall potential to cause harm, if used regularly, alcohol and tobacco belong in the same category as other recreational drugs like cocaine and heroin.

PLEASE CONTRIBUT TO WIKIPEDIA

2011-12-20T23:02:00.001-08:00

From Wikipedia author Dr. Sengai Podhuvan

I was born a poor farmer in rural India in 1936. Today I rely on and edit Wikipedia.

I want Wikipedia to be here for all future generations. This is our annual fundraising drive to pay for the servers, small staff and other infrastructure that keeps Wikipedia on the web for free and without advertising. If you can, please consider pitching in ₹100, ₹200, ₹300 or whatever you can.

When you get to my age, you want to share your knowledge and experience with the world. Over the course of my life, I was a teacher, earned a PhD, was an editor of a government publication for 14 years, became a father of five daughters and one son and still consider myself a country farmer with a single plough.

I wrote my PhD on the topic of indigenous games in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu. Maybe you will never look up one of my articles. But it pleases me that thousands do. And I am proud that whatever subject you want to learn about, you will probably be able to find it on Wikipedia.

When I purchased my first computer in 2005, just using the mouse was difficult because my hands shake. But by 2009 I had discovered Wikipedia. One day, I created an article about ancient Indian poets. I added about 30 of their names to the page and then I went to sleep. The next morning, I found 473 names on the page. That is what makes Wikipedia work!

Please consider joining our effort by editing or by making a donation to keep Wikipedia free.

Thank you,

Dr. Sengai Podhuvan PhD

Wikipedia Author

BEYBLADE

2011-12-20T22:58:00.000-08:00

Beyblade

A young boy named Tyson Granger enters the Japan Regional BeyBlade Qualifying Tournament. Tyson encountersRay Kon (Rei Kon) and Kai Hiwatari, and after defeating them, they organize a team, known as the Bladebreakers, along with Max Tate (Max Mizuhara). The Bladebreakers tour China to register for the championships, while confronting the White Tigers, Ray's former team. It is seen that Ray's old team holds a grudge against him for leaving them, but towards the end of the Chinese Tournament, Ray and his ex-teammates make amends, and the Bladebreakers win the tournament. After this, Tyson and his friends arrive in the USA to fight the All Starz, who are coached by Max's mother. After winning the American league, the team find themselves stranded in Europe. In order to get to Russia to register for the World Championships, they must battle the Majestics who are Europe's top bladers. Once in Russia, Tyson and his friends find themselves up against the Demolition Boys, the Russian Champions, who are ruthless and obsessed with power. The Bladebreakers then discover that the Demolition Boys are merely tools for the BIOVOLT Corporation, run by Kai's grandfather, Voltaire, and Boris, a criminal mastermind. Initially, Kai was pursued by Boris to join the Demolition Boys in the ultimate quest for power, the Black Dranzer Bit-Beast which Kai was seeking to become the best Beyblader. However, he realizes his mistakes and rejoins the Bladebreakers. During the finals, Kai loses the first round and his Dranzer to Spencer and his bit-beast Seaborg. Ray barely manages to win against Bryan, but has to be taken to hospital after the injuries from the match. Tyson manages to defeat Tala, the Demolition Boys whose body had been modified by Boris to win the match, in the final round and manages to win the title of the BBA world champion.

[edit]Beyblade: V-Force

At the start of the second season the team has gone their separate ways, but their enemies reunite them quickly enough. Two different groups, Team Psykick and the Saint Shields, attack the Blade-breakers by trying to steal their bit-beasts for their own reasons. During the second season, Hilary Tachibana (Hiromi in Japanese) joins the Blade-breakers, but takes time to learn the fact that Beyblade isn't just a stupid game as she thinks it is. The first half of the second season ends with the Blade-breakers defeating Team Psykick, who were manipulating their friends Kane, Salima, Goki and Jimmy. The second half of season 2 deals with the truth of why the Saint Shields and Team Psykick are after their bit-beasts and about a rock that Max's mother found that contains bit-beasts, which is stolen by Team Psykick. The Saint Shields' reason is because they wish to seal the bit-beasts in a rock because they fear that the bit-beasts could get out of control like they did in the past. Team Psykick's reason is because the Psykick's leader, Dr. Zagart, wants the bit-beasts to turn his android son (an exact replica of his actual son who died in an accident) into a real human. After defeating the Saint Shields, Zeo, who is one of Tyson's new friends, learns the truth about his past and how he was created Dr. Zagart, so he uses the rock's strongest bit-beast, Cerberus (pronounced ker-bur-is), to get the bit-beasts. The world championships are coming to Japan, so Hilary separates the Blade-breakers into two teams: Tyson and Max for one, Kai and Ray for the other. However, during the tournament, Zeo and his partner Gordo, are destroying the competition. Soon enough, Zeo and Gordo eliminate Kai and Ray, taking Kai's Dranzer in the process. Tyson and Max face Zeo and Gordo in the final. Tyson manages to beat Gordo, but Zeo defeats Max and captures Draciel. During the final battle between Tyson and Zeo, the Blade-breakers find out that Zeo is actually an android, and about Dr. Zagart's reason for trying to use Zeo to get the bit-beasts. Tyson manages to convince him otherwise, and manages to defeat Zeo, making him and Max the world champions once again.

[edit]Beyblade: G-Revolution

Kai, Ray, Max and Tyson went their separate ways and rejoined their old teams so that they have a chance to beat each other at the World Championship. This leaves only Tyson, Hilary, and Kenny on the team, but a new character, Daichi Sumeragi, and Tyson's brother Hiro Granger, join them. One week after the results of the World Championships, Boris, the secondary villain from the first season, says things will return to the way they were before. But he declares that all the Beyblade shops must sell beyblades and their parts to BEGA associated Beybladers only, otherwise they will not be allowed to run the shops.

Tyson and the team find some parts at Max's father's store, which are insufficient. Then after sometime Kenny comes with the solution, he makes new type of Beyblades, using different type of parts. But they still needed one more blader, that's when Kai, who tried to join BEGA but lost severely to Brooklyn, rejoins the team. Daichi and Ray lose the first two matches to Ming-Ming and Crusher and Max ends the third match with Mystel in a draw. Then it was Kai's turn to face the unbeaten Brooklyn. Kai then beats Brooklyn in an awesome match but loses Dranzer later. Then Tyson beats Garland. And then Brooklyn who becomes insane due to his loss to Kai, faces Tyson. In an explosive match, Tyson then beats Brooklyn after his Beyblade Dragoon absorbs the power of all the Sacred Bit Beasts and evolves into the most powerful Beyblade on Earth. During the end scene Tyson and Kai go at it one last time.

[edit]Beyblade: Metal Fusion

Main article: Beyblade: Metal Fusion

Beyblade: Metal Fusion (originally known as Metal Fight Beyblade in Japan) follows a new protagonist, Gingka Hagane, as well as a completely new cast. Gingka is a boy from the Beyblading residence Koma Village as he travels the country searching for strong bladers. Early on he meets Kenta, who is a young and timid blader, and Madoka who is a bey mechanic-engineer, and the three become friends. They are also joined by Benkei Hanawa and Kyoya Tategami, who were both introduced as antagonists but they put aside their differences and develop friendly rivalries. Eventually, it is revealed that he is searching for the forbidden bey L Drago, after it was stolen from his village by Ryuga and Doji of the Dark Nebula organization. Dark Nebula plans to use the powers of L Drago to assume control of the world. Throughout the series, Gingka utilizes the Storm Pegasus bey, which once stopped the L Drago and was made from the same meteorite. When Gingka battles Ryuga everyone is rooting for him. Ryuga then went crazy and let out a strong attack. Then the spirit of Tsubasa, Kyoya, and Hikaru protect him. The season ends when Gingka beats Ryuga and Pegasus disappears.

[edit]Beyblade: Metal Masters

In Beyblade: Metal Masters, Gingka obtains the prototype of Storm Pegasus which is called Galaxy Pegasus. The WBBA announces the Beyblade World Championships and Gingka, Madoka, Tsubasa, Yu, and Gingka's new rival Masamune Kadoya represent Japan's team called Team Gan Gan Galaxy. They battle team Wang Hu Zhong, Lovushka, Wild Fang, Garcias, Excalibur, and Star Breakers from all over the world to become the number 1 bladers.

[edit]Beyblade: Metal Fury

In the Cosmos, an unusual event has occurred. Taking a break from their latest triumph over Faust and the Spiral Core, Gingka and Co find themselves saving a boy named Yuki from a mysterious youth named Johannes. Although Yuki is a boy genius and an astronomer, he is a Blader who owns Mercury Anubis. Yuki says that he has come to tell Gingka and his friends about the voice of the Star Fragment. He witnessed the Star Fragment (a meteor) fall from the sky one day. That single light dwells within Mercury Anubis and he says that he heard the voice of the Star Fragment that evening. A great evil is trying to revive the “Black Sun” and "Nemesis", the god of destruction, by using the unknown power of the Star Fragment and destroy the world. Gingka and his friends must fight again, just as soon as they get the hang of their new 4D system beys!.

[edit]Movie

(note that this movie ties in with the original series of Beyblade)

The story begins with the Blade Breakers enjoying their vacation with Tyson, Hilary and Kenny's teacher Ms. Kincaid, but are followed by an annoying kid named Daichi who wants a rematch from a humiliating defeat earlier in a tournament final against Tyson. Tyson Granger decides to ignore Daichi, but they finally have their rematch on a boat after he learns Daichi's reason he beyblades (His father gave him his beyblade and told him to become the best.). Meanwhile, an organization called the Shadow Bladers are intent on destroying the world using their Dark Bit-Beasts. After they capture Daichi and his bit-beast Strata Dragoon, the Dark Bit-Beast possess Daichi and use him for world domination. Tyson tries to save Daichi but ends up getting his bit-beast Dragoon sealed into stone where the dark bit-beasts were sealed away before, and the Shadow Bladers trap Tyson in a cave with Dragoon. Shortly after this, the Shadow Bladers start to attack Japan, where Kai is (Since he didn't come with the Bladebreakers on their vacation.). Dragoon, inspired by Tyson's will to escape, manages to free itself and Tyson from the cave. Meanwhile, Kai tries to fight off the Shadow Bladers but is quickly overwhelmed. The rest of the Bladebreakers come to Kai's aid and fight the Shadow Bladers, finding that the dark bit-beasts are shadow versions of their own bit-beasts. It should be an even match, but with a possessed Daichi on the Shadow Bladers side, the Bladerbreakers are outnumbered. Kai, Ray and Max charge the Shadow Bladers and defeat two of the five, but are knocked out in the process. Tyson manages to free Daichi from the Shadow Bladers, but seeing as Daichi was possessed at the time, he can't summon Strata Dragoon. Tyson tells him to talk to Strata Dragoon and Daichi manages to summon it. When Tyson was fighting Dark Dragoon, Dark Dragoon tempted Dragoon into joining with the Dark Side, but Tyson says that Dragoon was already complete when he was with him. Strata Dragoon and pesci manage to defeat the Shadow Bladers by using each others strength and the dark bit-beasts are sealed into stone once again, unable to cause any danger.

[edit]Media

[edit]Anime

Main article: List of Beyblade episodes

A three season anime television adaptation was adapted from the series. The first season, spanning 51 episodes, was produced by Madhouse and aired in Japan on TV Tokyo from January 8, 2001 to December 24, 2001. The second season, produced by Nihon Animedia and titled Beyblade V-Force, ran for another 51 episodes from January 7, 2002 until December 30, 2002. The third season, Beyblade G Revolution was also produced by Nihon Animedia. It spanned 52 episodes and ran from January 6, 2003 until its conclusion on December 29, 2003. All three seasons are licensed for English adaptation, broadcast, and release in North America by Nelvana.

A new Beyblade anime series entitled "Metal Fight Beyblade" was made jointly by Tatsunoko and Synergy SP, and is based on the aforementioned Metal Fight Beyblade manga. It premiered on April 5, 2009.^[1] Nelvana has licensed the series, which was released in North America as "Beyblade: Metal Fusion".^[2] It premiered on Cartoon network in June 2010 with showings on Saturdays and Sundays.

[edit]Merchandise

Main article: Beyblade (toy)

Beyblade had a cult following in 2002 and 2003 when the series' popular spinning top toy was released. Now with the release of the fourth season, Beyblade Metal Fusion, a new toy line which consists of Beyblades from the anime including Big Bang Pegasus, Fang Leone, Flame Sagittario, Earth Eagle, Blitz Striker and many more have been released.

[edit]Video games

There have been several video games based on the show, spanning multiple consoles. They have generally been critically panned.^{[citation needed]}

Beyblade (Game Boy Color, Japan only)
Beyblade (PlayStation)
Beyblade 2 (PlayStation, Japan only)
Beyblade: Super Tournament Battle (GameCube)
Beyblade: G-Revolution (Game Boy Advance)
Beyblade VForce: Ultimate Blader Jam (Game Boy Advance)
Bakuten Shoot Beyblade 2002: Takao Version (Game Boy Advance, Japan only)
Bakuten Shoot Beyblade 2002: Daichi Version (Game Boy Advance, Japan only)
Beyblade V-Force 2 In 1 TV Game (Plug-and-Play)
Beyblade: Metal Fight/Fusion (Metal Fusion/America, Metal Fight/Japan, Nintendo DS)
Beyblade: Metal Fusion (Nintendo Wii)
Beyblade: Metal fight Beyblade Portable: Chouzetsu Tensei Vulcan Horuoseus(PSP)

[edit]Reception

This section requires expansion.

Beyblade was popular among children and younger adolescents, especially due to its toys and accessories. It gained notoriety in school playgrounds all across North America, Latin America and the United Kingdom during the early 2000's. The show was aired by Jetix and Cartoon Network in America as well as in parts of Asia, Europe, and Australia.

There have been many official Beyblade tournaments held across the world, just like in the anime. At official tournaments hosted by Tomy, Sonokong, Mani, or Hasbro, their companies advertise themselves as the World Beyblade Battle Association (WBBA) instead of their company name. Similar to how the WBBA is the company that hosts Beyblade tournaments in the anime.

There is a very popular Beyblade site called the World Beyblade Organization (WBO), where fans around the world can host their own tournaments. [1]

[edit]References

[hide] v d e Beyblade by Takao Aoki

Anime	Beyblade • V-Force • G-Revolution • Metal Fusion (episodes) • Metal Masters (episodes) • 4D (episodes)

Franchise	*Toys • Metal Fusion* chapters**

Films	Fierce Battle • Sol Blaze, the Scorching Hot Invader

Games	Super Tournament Battle • VForce: Ultimate Blader Jam • Metal Fusion video games

Characters	All Starz • Barthez Battalion • BEGA League (Ming-Ming) • Bladebreakers (Tyson Granger · Kai Hiwatari · Max Tate · Ray Kon · Kenny · Hilary Tachibana) • Dark Bladers •Demolition Boys • F-Dynasty (Julia Fernandez · Raul Fernandez · Romero) • King & Queen • Majestics • Saint Shields • Team Psykick • White Tigers (Lee Wong • Mariah Wong) •Hiro Granger • Daichi Sumeragi

JOBS IN KERALA

2011-12-20T22:55:00.000-08:00

FOR JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN KERALA AND ALSO ANYWHERE IN INDIA ... VISIT:

http://www.thozhilmela.com/

GLOBAL COOLING

2011-12-13T22:00:00.000-08:00

Global cooling was a conjecture during the 1970s of imminent cooling of the Earth's surface and atmosphere along with a posited commencement of glaciation. This hypothesis had mixed support in the scientific community, but gained temporary popular attention due to a combination of a slight downward trend of temperatures from the 1940s to the early 1970s and press reports that did not accurately reflect the scientific understanding of ice age cycles. In contrast to the global cooling conjecture, the current scientific opinion on climate change is that the Earth has not durably cooled, but undergone global warming throughout the twentieth century.

Introduction: general awareness and concern

In the 1970s there was increasing awareness that estimates of global temperatures showed cooling since 1945. Of those scientific papers considering climate trends over the 21st century, only 10% inclined towards future cooling, while most papers predicted future warming. The general public had little awareness of carbon dioxide's effects on climate, but Science News in May 1959 forecast a 25% increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide in the 150 years from 1850 to 2000, with a consequent warming trend. The actual increase in this period was 29%. Paul R. Ehrlich mentioned climate change from greenhouse gases in 1968. By the time the idea of global cooling reached the public press in the mid-1970s temperatures had stopped falling, and there was concern in the climatological community about carbon dioxide's warming effects. In response to such reports, the World Meteorological Organization issued a warning in June 1976 that a very significant warming of global climate was probable.
Currently there are some concerns about the possible regional cooling effects of a slowdown or shutdown of thermohaline circulation, which might be provoked by an increase of fresh water mixing into the North Atlantic due to glacial melting. The probability of this occurring is generally considered to be very low, and the IPCC notes, "even in models where the THC weakens, there is still a warming over Europe. For example, in all AOGCM integrations where the radiative forcing is increasing, the sign of the temperature change over north-west Europe is positive."

Physical mechanisms

The cooling period is well reproduced by current (1999 on) global climate models (GCMs) that include the physical effects of sulphate aerosols, and there is now general agreement that aerosol effects were the dominant cause of the mid-20th century cooling. However, at the time there were two physical mechanisms that were most frequently advanced to cause cooling: aerosols and orbital forcing.

Aerosols

Human activity — mostly as a by-product of fossil fuel combustion, partly by land use changes — increases the number of tiny particles (aerosols) in the atmosphere. These have a direct effect: they effectively increase the planetary albedo, thus cooling the planet by reducing the solar radiation reaching the surface; and an indirect effect: they affect the properties of clouds by acting as cloud condensation nuclei. In the early 1970s some speculated that this cooling effect might dominate over the warming effect of the CO2 release: see discussion of Rasool and Schneider (1971), below. As a result of observations and a switch to cleaner fuel burning, this no longer seems likely; current scientific work indicates that global warming is far more likely. Although the temperature drops foreseen by this mechanism have now been discarded in light of better theory and the observed warming, aerosols are believed to have contributed a cooling tendency (outweighted by increases in greenhouse gases) and also have contributed to "Global Dimming."

Orbital forcing

CO2, temperature, and dust concentration measured by Petit et al. from Vostok ice core at Antarctica.
Orbital forcing refers to the slow, cyclical changes in the tilt of Earth's axis and shape of its orbit. These cycles alter the total amount of sunlight reaching the earth by a small amount and affect the timing and intensity of the seasons. This mechanism is believed to be responsible for the timing of the ice age cycles, and understanding of the mechanism was increasing rapidly in the mid-1970s.
The seminal paper of Hays, Imbrie and Shackleton Variations in the Earth's Orbit: Pacemaker of the Ice Ages qualified its predictions with "forecasts must be qualified in two ways. First, they apply only to the natural component of future climatic trends - and not to anthropogenic effects such as those due to the burning of fossil fuels. Second, they describe only the long-term trends, because they are linked to orbital variations with periods of 20,000 years and longer. Climatic oscillations at higher frequencies are not predicted... the results indicate that the long-term trend over the next 20,000 years is towards extensive Northern Hemisphere glaciation and cooler climate".
The idea that ice ages cycles were predictable appears to have become conflated with the idea that another one was due "soon" - perhaps because much of this study was done by geologists, who are accustomed to dealing with very long time scales and use "soon" to refer to periods of thousands of years. A strict application of the Milankovitch theory does not allow the prediction of a "rapid" ice age onset (i.e., less than a century or two) since the fastest orbital period is about 20,000 years. Some creative ways around this were found, notably one championed by Nigel Calder under the name of "snowblitz", but these ideas did not gain wide acceptance.
It is common to see it asserted that the length of the current interglacial temperature peak is similar to the length of the preceding interglacial peak (Sangamon/Eem), and from this conclude that we might be nearing the end of this warm period. This conclusion is supported by the fact that the lengths of previous interglacials were regular; see appended figure. Petit et al. note that "Interglacials 5.5 and 9.3 are different from the Holocene, but similar to each other in duration, shape and amplitude." During each of these two events, there is a warm period of 4000 years followed by a relatively rapid cooling. As an objection, the future orbital variations will not closely resemble those of the past.

Concern in the 1960s and 1970s

Pre-1970s

J. Murray Mitchell showed as early as 1963 a multidecadal cooling since about 1940. At a conference on climate change held in Boulder, Colorado in 1965, evidence supporting Milankovitch cycles triggered speculation on how the calculated small changes in sunlight might somehow trigger ice ages. In 1966 Cesare Emiliani predicted that "a new glaciation will begin within a few thousand years." In his 1968 book The Population Bomb, Paul R. Ehrlich wrote "The greenhouse effect is being enhanced now by the greatly increased level of carbon dioxide... this is being countered by low-level clouds generated by contrails, dust, and other contaminants... At the moment we cannot predict what the overall climatic results will be of our using the atmosphere as a garbage dump."

1970s awareness

The temperature record as seen in 1975; compare with the next figure.
Instrumental record of global average temperatures.
Concern peaked in the early 1970s, though "the possibility of anthropogenic warming dominated the peer-reviewed literature even then" (a cooling period began in 1945, and two decades of a cooling trend suggested a trough had been reached after several decades of warming). This peaking concern is partially attributable to the fact much less was then known about world climate and causes of ice ages. However, climate scientists were aware that predictions based on this trend were not possible - because the trend was poorly studied and not understood (for example see reference). Despite that, in the popular press the possibility of cooling was reported generally without the caveats present in the scientific reports, and "unusually severe winters in Asia and parts of North America in 1972 and 1973...pushed the issue into the public consciousness".
In the 1970s the compilation of records to produce hemispheric, or global, temperature records had just begun.
A history of the discovery of global warming states that: While neither scientists nor the public could be sure in the 1970s whether the world was warming or cooling, people were increasingly inclined to believe that global climate was on the move, and in no small way.
In 1972 Emiliani warned "Man's activity may either precipitate this new ice age or lead to substantial or even total melting of the ice caps..." By 1972 a group of glacial-epoch experts at a conference agreed that "the natural end of our warm epoch is undoubtedly near"; but the volume of Quaternary Research reporting on the meeting said that "the basic conclusion to be drawn from the discussions in this section is that the knowledge necessary for understanding the mechanism of climate change is still lamentably inadequate". Unless there were impacts from future human activity, they thought that serious cooling "must be expected within the next few millennia or even centuries"; but many other scientists doubted these conclusions.
In 1972, George Kukla and Robert Matthews, in a Science write-up of a conference, asked when and how the current integlacial would end; concluding that "Global cooling and related rapid changes of environment, substantially exceeding the fluctuations experienced by man in historical times, must be expected within the next few millennia or even centuries."

1970 SCEP report

The 1970 "Study of Critical Environmental Problems" reported the possibility of warming from increased carbon dioxide, but no concerns about cooling, setting a lower bound on the beginning of interest in "global cooling".

1971 paper on warming and cooling factors

There was a paper by S. Ichtiaque Rasool and Stephen H. Schneider, published in the journal Science in July 1971. Titled "Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide and Aerosols: Effects of Large Increases on Global Climate," the paper examined the possible future effects of two types of human environmental emissions:
greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide;
particulate pollution such as smog, some of which remains suspended in the atmosphere in aerosol form for years.
Greenhouse gases were regarded as likely factors that could promote global warming, while particulate pollution blocks sunlight and contributes to cooling. In their paper, Rasool and Schneider theorized that aerosols were more likely to contribute to climate change in the foreseeable future than greenhouse gases, stating that quadrupling aerosols could decrease the mean surface temperature (of Earth) by as much as 3.5 C. If sustained over a period of several years, they calculated, such a temperature decrease could be sufficient to trigger an ice age.

1972 and 1974 National Science Board

The National Science Board's Patterns and Perspectives in Environmental Science report of 1972 discussed the cyclical behavior of climate, and the understanding at the time that the planet was entering a phase of cooling after a warm period. "Judging from the record of the past interglacial ages, the present time of high temperatures should be drawing to an end, to be followed by a long period of considerably colder temperatures leading into the next glacial age some 20,000 years from now." But it also continued; "However, it is possible, or even likely, that human interference has already altered the environment so much that the climatic pattern of the near future will follow a different path."
The Board's report of 1974, Science And The Challenges Ahead , continued on this theme. "During the last 20-30 years, world temperature has fallen, irregularly at first but more sharply over the last decade." However discussion of cyclic glacial periods does not feature in this report. Instead it is the role of man that is central to the report's analysis. "The cause of the cooling trend is not known with certainty. But there is increasing concern that man himself may be implicated, not only in the recent cooling trend but also in the warming temperatures over the last century". The report can not conclude whether carbon dioxide in warming, or agricultural and industrial pollution in cooling, are factors in the recent climatic changes, noting; "Before such questions as these can be resolved, major advances must be made in understanding the chemistry and physics of the atmosphere and oceans, and in measuring and tracing particulates through the system."

1975 National Academy of Sciences report

There also was a study by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences about issues that needed more research. This heightened interest in the fact that climate can change. The 1975 NAS report titled "Understanding Climate Change: A Program for Action" did not make predictions, stating in fact that "we do not have a good quantitative understanding of our climate machine and what determines its course. Without the fundamental understanding, it does not seem possible to predict climate." Its "program for action" consisted simply of a call for further research, because "it is only through the use of adequately calibrated numerical models that we can hope to acquire the information necessary for a quantitative assessment of the climatic impacts."
The report further stated:
The climates of the earth have always been changing, and they will doubtless continue to do so in the future. How large these future changes will be, and where and how rapidly they will occur, we do not know..
The Science & Environmental Policy Project (SEPP), an organization which has no recognised scientific standing and has previously refuted the link between tobacco and cancer, claims that "the NAS "experts" exhibited ... hysterical fears" in the 1975 report.

1974 Time Magazine article

While these discussions were ongoing in scientific circles, other accounts appeared in the popular media. In their June 24, 1974 issue, Time presented an article titled Another Ice Age? that noted "the atmosphere has been growing gradually cooler for the past three decades" but noted that "Some scientists... think that the cooling trend may be only temporary"

1975 Newsweek article

An April 28, 1975 article in Newsweek magazine was titled "The Cooling World", it pointed to "ominous signs that the Earth's weather patterns have begun to change" and pointed to "a drop of half a degree [Fahrenheit] in average ground temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere between 1945 and 1968." The article claimed "The evidence in support of these predictions [of global cooling] has now begun to accumulate so massively that meteorologists are hard-pressed to keep up with it." The Newsweek article did not state the cause of cooling; it stated that "what causes the onset of major and minor ice ages remains a mystery" and cited the NAS conclusion that "not only are the basic scientific questions largely unanswered, but in many cases we do not yet know enough to pose the key questions."
The article mentioned the alternative solutions of "melting the Arctic ice cap by covering it with black soot or diverting Arctic rivers" but conceded these were not feasible. The Newsweek article concluded by criticizing government leaders: "But the scientists see few signs that government leaders anywhere are even prepared to take the simple measures of stockpiling food or of introducing the variables of climatic uncertainty into economic projections of future food supplies...The longer the planners (politicians) delay, the more difficult will they find it to cope with climatic change once the results become grim reality." The article emphasized sensational and largely unsourced consequences - "resulting famines could be catastrophic", "drought and desolation," "the most devastating outbreak of tornadoes ever recorded", "droughts, floods, extended dry spells, long freezes, delayed monsoons," "impossible for starving peoples to migrate," "the present decline has taken the planet about a sixth of the way toward the Ice Age."
On October 23, 2006, Newsweek issued a correction, over 31 years after the original article, stating that it had been "so spectacularly wrong about the near-term future" (though editor Jerry Adler claimed that 'the story wasn't "wrong" in the journalistic sense of "inaccurate."').

Other 1970s sources

In the late 1970s there were several popular books on the topic, including The Weather Conspiracy: The Coming of the New Ice Age.

1979 WMO conference

Later in the decade, at a WMO conference in 1979, F K Hare reported that 1938 the warmest year. They [temperatures] have since fallen by about 0.4 °C. At the end there is a suggestion that the fall ceased in about 1964, and may even have reversed.
Figure 9( REFER WIKIPEDIA) challenges the view that the fall of temperature has ceased [...] the weight of evidence clearly favours cooling to the present date. The striking point, however, is that interannual variability of world temperatures is much larger than the trend [...] it is difficult to detect a genuine trend
It is questionable, moreover, whether the trend is truly global. Calculated variations in the 5-year mean air temperature over the southern hemisphere chiefly with respect to land areas show that temperatures generally rose between 1943 and 1975. Since the 1960-64 period this rise has been strong [...] the scattered SH data fail to support a hypothesis of continued global cooling since 1938.

More recent climate cooling predictions

1980s

Concerns about nuclear winter arose in the early 1980s from several reports. Similar speculations have appeared over effects due to catastrophes such as asteroid impacts and massive volcanic eruptions. A prediction that massive oil well fires in Kuwait would cause significant effects on climate was quite incorrect.

1990s

The idea of a global cooling as the result of global warming was already proposed in the 1990s. In 2003, the Office of Net Assessment at the United States Department of Defense was commissioned to produce a study on the likely and potential effects of a modern climate change, especially of a shutdown of thermohaline circulation. The study, conducted under ONA head Andrew Marshall, modelled its prospective climate change on the 8.2 kiloyear event, precisely because it was the middle alternative between the Younger Dryas and the Little Ice Age. The study caused controversy in the media when it was made public in 2004. However, scientists acknowledge that “abrupt climate change initiated by Greenland ice sheet melting is not a realistic scenario for the 21st century.”

Present level of knowledge

Currently, the concern that cooler temperatures would continue, and perhaps at a faster rate, has been observed to be incorrect by the IPCC. More has to be learned about climate, but the growing records have shown that the cooling concerns of 1975 have not been borne out.
As for the prospects of the end of the current interglacial (again, valid only in the absence of human perturbations)[citation needed]: it isn't true that interglacials have previously only lasted about 10,000 years; and Milankovitch-type calculations indicate that the present interglacial would probably continue for tens of thousands of years naturally. Other estimates (Loutre and Berger, based on orbital calculations) put the unperturbed length of the present interglacial at 50,000 years. Berger (EGU 2005 presentation) believes that the present CO2 perturbation will last long enough to suppress the next glacial cycle entirely.
As the NAS report indicates, scientific knowledge regarding climate change was more uncertain than it is today. At the time that Rasool and Schneider wrote their 1971 paper, climatologists had not yet recognized the significance of greenhouse gases other than water vapor and carbon dioxide, such as methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons. Early in that decade, carbon dioxide was the only widely studied human-influenced greenhouse gas. The attention drawn to atmospheric gases in the 1970s stimulated many discoveries in future decades. As the temperature pattern changed, global cooling was of waning interest by 1979.

GLOBAL WARMING

2011-12-13T21:44:00.000-08:00

Global warming has become perhaps the most complicated issue facing world leaders. Warnings from the scientific community are becoming louder, as an increasing body of science points to rising dangers from the ongoing buildup of human-related greenhouse gases — produced mainly by the burning of fossil fuels and forests.REFER -THE NEW YORK TIMES
Global emissions of carbon dioxide jumped by the largest amount on record in 2010, upending the notion that the brief decline during the recession might persist through the recovery. Emissions rose 5.9 percent in 2010, according to an analysis by the Global Carbon Project, an international collaboration of scientists. The increase solidified a trend of ever-rising emissions that scientists fear will make it difficult, if not impossible, to forestall severe climate change in coming decades.
However, the technological, economic and political issues that have to be resolved before a concerted worldwide effort to reduce emissions can begin have gotten no simpler, particularly in the face of a global economic slowdown.
For almost two decades, the United Nations has sponsored global talks, known as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, an international treaty signed by 194 countries in 1992 to cooperatively discuss global climate change and its impact.
The conferences operate on the principle of consensus, meaning that any of the participating nations can hold up an agreement. In recent years, the meetings have often ended in disillusionment. The conflicts and controversies discussed are monotonously familiar: the differing obligations of industrialized and developing nations, the question of who will pay to help poor nations adapt, the urgency of protecting tropical forests and the need to rapidly develop and deploy clean energy technology.
The negotiating process itself has been under fire from some quarters, including the poorest nations who believe their needs are being neglected in the fight among the major economic powers. Criticism has also come from a relatively small but vocal band of climate-change skeptics, many of them sitting members of the United States Congress, who doubt the existence of human influence on the climate and ridicule international efforts to deal with it.
2011 Global Talks in Durban
The 2011 conference, held in Durban, South Africa, ran from Nov. 28 to Dec. 11. Delegates from about 200 nations gathered together to try to advance the world’s response to intensifying climate disasters.
One of the issues still left unresolved was the future of the Kyoto Protocol, the 1997 agreement that requires major industrialized nations to meet targets on emissions reduction but imposes no mandates on developing countries, including emerging economic powers and sources of global greenhouse gas emissions like China, India, Brazil and South Africa.
The United States is not a party to the protocol, having refused to even consider ratifying it because of those asymmetrical obligations. Some major countries, including Canada, Japan and Russia, have said they will not agree to an extension of the protocol next year unless the unbalanced requirements of developing and developed countries are changed. That is similar to the United States’ position, which is that any successor treaty must apply equally to all major economies.
Expectations for the meeting were low, and it ended with modest accomplishments: the promise to work toward a new global treaty in coming years and the establishment of a new climate fund.
The deal on a future treaty renewed the Kyoto Protocol for several more years. But it also began a process for replacing the protocol with something that treats all countries — including the economic powerhouses China, India and Brazil — equally. The future treaty deal was the most highly contested element of a package of agreements that emerged from the extended talks among the nations here.
The expiration date of the protocol — 2017 or 2020 — and the terms of any agreement that replaces it will be negotiated at future sessions.
The delegates also agreed on the creation of a fund to help poor countries adapt to climate change — though the precise sources of the money have yet to be determined — and to measures involving the preservation of tropical forests and the development of clean-energy technology. The reserve, called the Green Climate Fund, would help mobilize a promised $100 billion a year in public and private financing by 2020 to assist developing countries in adapting to climate change and converting to clean energy sources.
2010 Global Talks in Cancún
Last year’s U.N. conference on climate change in Cancún, Mexico, produced only modest achievements but ended with the toughest issues unresolved. The package that was approved, known as the Cancún Agreements, set up a new fund to help poor countries adapt to climate changes, created new mechanisms for transfer of clean energy technology, provided compensation for the preservation of tropical forests and strengthened the emissions reductions pledges that came out of the U.N. climate change meeting in Copenhagen in 2009.
The conference approved the agreement over the objections of Bolivia, which condemned the pact as too weak. But those protests did not block its acceptance. Delegates from island states and the least-developed countries warmly welcomed the pact because it would start the flow of billions of dollars to assist them in adopting cleaner energy systems and adapting to inevitable changes in the climate, like sea rise and drought.
But left unresolved was where the promised aid from wealthy nations — $100 billion in annual climate-related funds — would come from.
The U.S. and Climate Change
The United States has been criticized at the U.N. gatherings for years, in part because of its rejection of the Kyoto framework and in part because it has not adopted a comprehensive domestic program for reducing its own greenhouse gas emissions. President Obama has pledged to reduce American emissions 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020, but his preferred approach, a nationwide cap-and-trade system for carbon pollution, was passed by the House in 2009 but died in the Senate the next year. United States emissions are down about 6 percent over the past five years, largely because of the drop in industrial and electricity production caused by the recession.
In January 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency began imposing regulations related to greenhouse gas emissions. The immediate effect on utilities, refiners and major manufacturers was minor, with the new rules applying only to those planning to build large new facilities or make major modifications to existing plants. Over the next decade, however, the agency plans to regulate virtually all sources of greenhouse gases, imposing efficiency and emissions requirements on nearly every industry and every region.
Steps Toward a Response
The debate over climate questions pales next to the fight over what to do, or not do, in a world where fossil fuels still underpin both rich and emerging economies.
With the completion of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at the Earth Summit in 1992, the world’s nations pledged to avoid dangerously disrupting the climate through the buildup of greenhouse gases, but they never defined how much warming was too much.
Nonetheless, recognizing that the original climate treaty was proving ineffective, all of the world’s industrialized countries except for the United States accepted binding restrictions on their greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol, which was negotiated in Japan in 1997. That accord took effect in 2005 and its gas restrictions expire in 2012. The United States signed the treaty, but it was never submitted for ratification in the face of overwhelming opposition in the Senate because the pact required no steps by China or other fast-growing developing countries.
It took until 2009 for the leaders of the world’s largest economic powers to agree on a dangerous climate threshold: an increase of 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) from the average global temperature recorded just before the Industrial Revolution kicked into gear. (This translates into an increase of 1.3 degrees Fahrenheit above the Earth’s current average temperature, about 59 degrees.)
The Group of 8 industrial powers also agreed in 2009 to a goal of reducing global emissions 50 percent by 2050, with the richest countries leading the way by cutting their emissions 80 percent. But they did not set a baseline from which to measure that reduction, and so far firm interim targets — which many climate scientists say would be more meaningful — have not been defined.
At the same time, fast-growing emerging economic powerhouses, led by China and India, opposed taking on mandatory obligations to curb their emissions. They said they will do what they can to rein in growth in emissions — as long as their economies do not suffer.
In many ways, the debate over global climate policy is a result of a global “climate divide.’' Emissions of carbon dioxide per person range from less than 2 tons per year in India, where 400 million people lack access to electricity, to more than 20 in the United States. The richest countries are also best able to use wealth and technology to insulate themselves from climate hazards, while the poorest, which have done the least to cause the problem, are the most exposed.
Background
Scientists learned long ago that the earth’s climate has powerfully shaped the history of the human species — biologically, culturally and geographically. But only in the last few decades has research revealed that humans can be a powerful influence on the climate, as well.
A growing body of scientific evidence indicates that since 1950, the world’s climate has been warming, primarily as a result of emissions from unfettered burning of fossil fuels and the razing of tropical forests. Such activity adds to the atmosphere’s invisible blanket of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping “greenhouse” gases. Recent research has shown that methane, which flows from landfills, livestock and oil and gas facilities, is a close second to carbon dioxide as an impact on the atmosphere.
That conclusion has emerged through a broad body of analysis in fields as disparate as glaciology, the study of glacial formations, and palynology, the study of the distribution of pollen grains in lake mud. It is based on a host of assessments by the world’s leading organizations of climate and earth scientists.
In the last several years, the scientific case that the rising human influence on climate could become disruptive has become particularly robust.
Some fluctuations in the earth’s temperature are inevitable regardless of human activity — because of decades-long ocean cycles, for example. But centuries of rising temperatures and seas lie ahead if the release of emissions from the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation continues unabated, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a group that shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with former Vice President Al Gore.
In addition, a report released by the I.P.C.C. in November 2011 predicted that global warming will cause more dangerous and “unprecedented extreme weather” in the future.
Despite the scientific consensus on these basic conclusions, enormously important details remain murky. That reality has been seized upon by some groups and scientists disputing the overall consensus and opposing changes in energy policies.
For example, estimates of the amount of warming that would result from a doubling of greenhouse gas concentrations (compared to the level just before the Industrial Revolution got under way in the early 19th century) range from 3.6 degrees to 8 degrees Fahrenheit. The intergovernmental climate panel said it could not rule out even higher temperatures. While the low end could probably be tolerated, the high end would almost certainly result in calamitous, long-lasting disruptions of ecosystems and economies, a host of studies have concluded. A wide range of economists and earth scientists say that level of risk justifies an aggressive response.
Other questions have persisted despite a century-long accumulation of studies pointing to human-driven warming. The rate and extent at which sea levels will rise in this century as ice sheets erode remains highly uncertain, even as the long-term forecast of centuries of retreating shorelines remains intact. Scientists are struggling more than ever to disentangle how the heat building in the seas and atmosphere will affect the strength and number of tropical cyclones. The latest science suggests there will be more hurricanes and typhoons that reach the most dangerous categories of intensity, but fewer storms overall.

KERALA PSC EXAMINATION

2011-12-13T21:39:00.000-08:00

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO KNOW MORE ABOUT KERALA PSC EXAMINATION AND JOB VACANCIES:
http://keralapsc.org/

IFFK 2009 : AWARDS

2011-12-13T21:02:00.000-08:00

The Jury at the 14th International Film Festival of Kerala consisting of:

Bahman Ghobadi (Iran) Chairperson
Balufu Bakupa Kanyinda (Congo)
Prassanna Vithnarage (Sri Lanka)
Mamta Shankar (India)
Hala Khalili (Egypt)

Has awarded the following prizes:

Suvarna Chakoram and cash prize of Rs 10.00 lakhs for Best film to be shared between:

Darbareye Elly/About Elly (Iran) Director: Asghar Farhadi, Producer: Asghar Farhadi,Mahmoud Razavi
&
Jermal /Fishing Platform (Indonesia) Director: Ravi Bharwani, Producer: Orlow Seunke

Rajatha Chakoram and cash prize of Rs 3.00 lakhs for Best Director:

Nosir Saidov for the film True Noon (Tadjikistan)

Rajatha Chakoram and a cash prize of Rs 2.00lakhs for Best Debut Film:

Izulu Lami /My Secret Sky dir: Madoda Ncayiyana

Rajatha Chakoram and a cash prize of Rs 1.00 lakh for Audience Award

Ghiyame Rooz/True Noon (Tadjikistan) directed by Nosir Saidov

FIPRESCI Award:

Best Film: La Mosca en la Ceniza/ A Fly in the Ashes (Argentina) Dir: Gabriela David
Best Malayalam Film: Pathaam Nilayile Theevandi/ Train on the Tenth Floor dir: Joshy Mathew

NETPAC Award:

Best Asian Film in Competition: Jermal /Fishing Platform (Indonesia) Director: Ravi Bharwani, Producer: Orlow Seunke
Best Malayalam Film : Kerala Café: Dirs: Shyamaprasad, Lal Jose,Shaji Kailas, B Unnikrishnan,Revathy, Anvar Rasheed,Padma Kumar, Anjali Menon,Uday Ananathan, Sankar Ramakrishnan
Hassan Kutty Award for Best Debut Indian Film:Cerificate and a cash prize of Rs 50,000/ instituted by Mira Nair: Harishchandrachi Factory/ Harishchandra’s Factory Marathi) Dir: Paresh Mokashi

IFFK 2011 - 15th IFFK Competition Films Finalized

2011-12-13T20:57:00.000-08:00

Competition Films

1) A day in Orange Dir: Alexandra Szeplaki/Venezuela/87min/2009
2) Animal Town Dir: Jeon Kyuhwan/South Korea|USA/97min/2009
3) Buried Secrets Dir: Raja Amari/Tunisia|Switzerland|France/91min/2009
4) Heliopolis Dir: Ahmad Abdalla/Egypt/96min/2009
5) I am Afiya Megha Abhimanyu Omar Dir: Onir/Hindi/India/110min/2010
6) Optical Illusion Dir: Christian Jimenez/Chile|France|Portugal/105min/2009
7) Palerimanikyam Dir: Ranjith/Malayalam/India/135min/2009
8) Portraits in a sea of lies Dir: Carlos Gaviria/Colombia/90min/2009
9) T. D. Dasan Std. 6 B Dir: Mohan Raghavan/Malayalam/India/98min/2010
10)The Japanese Wife Dir: Aparna Sen/Bengali|Japan/India/105min/2010
11)The Last Summer of La Boyita
Dir: Julia Solomonoff/Argentina|Spain|Germany/86min/2009
12)Wine Dir: Diego fried/Argentina/75min/2010
13)Walking on the rail Dir: Babak Shirinsefat/Iran/76min/2010
14)Zephyr Dir: Belma Bas/Turkey|100min/2010

Indian Cinema Now

1) I am Kalam Dir: Nila Madhab Panda/Hindi/89min/2010
2) Kanasemba Kudureyaneri Dir: Girish Kasaravalli/Kannada/110min/2010
3) Love Sex Aur Dhoka Dir: Dibakar Banerjee/Hindi/2010
4) Memories in March Dir: Sanjoy Nag/English/104min/2010
5) Metropolis@ Kolkata Dir: Suman Mukhopadhyay/Bengali/95min/2009
6) Natarang Dir: Ravi Jadhav/Marathi/124min/2010
7) Udaan Dir: Vikramadithya Motwane/Hindi/137min/2010
Malayalam Cinema Today
1) Aathmakadha Dir: Pream Lal/Malayalam/120min/2010
2) Chithrakuzhal Dir: Majeed Gulistan/Malayalam/81min/2009
3) Elektra Dir: Shyama Prasad/Malayalam/126min/2010
4) Janaki Dir: M.G. Sasi/Malayalam/92min/2010
5) Makaramanju Dir: Lenin Rajendran/Malayalam/120min/2010
6) Veettilekulla Vazhi Dir: Dr.Biju/Malayalam/95min/2010
7) Yugapurushan Dir: R. Sukumaran/Malayalam/121min/2010.

The Preview Committee which selected films from Asia (excluding India),

Latin America and Africa for the Competition Section of 15th International Film

Festival of Kerala includes:

1) Shri. K. R. Mohanan(Chairman)
2) Shri. Dr. K. S. Sreekumar(Member Secretary)
3) Shri. Manu
4) Shri. K. R. Manoj
5) Shri. K.B. Venu
6) Ms.Veena G. Nair.
The Preview Committee for the selection of Indian films included:
1) Shri. Rajeev Nath (Chairperson)
2) Shri. Dr. K.S. Sreekumar (Member Secretary)
3) Shri. Baiju Chandran
4) Smt. T. A. Ushakumari
5) Shri. T.P. Muhammed Koya
6) Shri. C. P. Padmakumar

ANNA HAZARE

2011-12-12T01:24:00.001-08:00

Kisan Baburao Hazare pronunciation (help·info) (Marathi: किसन बाबुराव हजारे, Kisan Bāburāv Hajārē ?) (born 15 June 1937), popularly known as Anna Hazare pronunciation (help·info) (Marathi: अण्णा हजारे, Aṇṇā Hajārē ?) is an Indian social activist and a prominent leader in the 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement, using nonviolent methods following the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. Hazare also contributed to the development and structuring of Ralegan Siddhi, a village in Parner taluka of Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, India. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan—the third-highest civilian award—by the Government of India in 1992 for his efforts in establishing this village as a model for others.

Anna Hazare started an indefinite hunger strike on 5 April 2011 to exert pressure on the Indian government to enact a stringent anti-corruption law as envisaged in the Jan Lokpal Bill, for the institution of an ombudsman with the power to deal with corruption in public places. The fast led to nation-wide protests in support of Hazare. The fast ended on 9 April 2011, a day after the government accepted Hazare's demands. The government issued a gazette notification on the formation of a joint committee, consisting of government and civil society representatives, to draft the legislation.

For the year 2011 Foreign Policy magazine has named him among top 100 global thinkers. Anna has been ranked as the most influential person in Mumbai by a national daily newspaper. He has faced criticism for his authoritarian views on justice, including death as punishment for corrupt public officials and his alleged support for forced vasectomies as a method of family planning.

ENGINEERING ENTRANCE EXAMS 2012

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http://engg.entrancecorner.com/admission-area/exam-details-engineering-2012.html

MEDICAL ENTRANCES 2012

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WHAT IS MEDICINE?

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MEDICINE

Medicine is the science and art of healing.

It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness.

Contemporary medicine applies health science, biomedical research, and medical technology to diagnose and treat injury and disease, typically through medication or surgery, but also through therapies as diverse as psychotherapy, external splints & traction, prostheses, biologics, ionizing radiation and others.

The word medicine is derived from the Latin ars medicina, meaning the art of healing.

IFFK SHEDULE 2011

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IFFK SHEDULE 2011

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http://iffk.in/index.php?page=schedule#b

ABOUT IFFK

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Kerala, a tropical paradise, is recommended by the National Geographic Magazine as one of the 50 must-see destinations of the world. With all its natural wealth, beautiful surroundings and enlightened people, Kerala is really and literally God's own country. From mountains to the sea, from rock to sand, lush greens to bright reds, spicy curries to sweet payasams, calm rural spaces to bustly urban centres kerala has as much variety in colour, texture and experiences, that takes more than lifetime to live and absorb completely.

Kerala boasts of one of the most cine-literate and discerning audiences in the world. Cinema and politics are two abiding passions of the people of Kerala. Bizarre experiments in the medium, with few takers elsewhere, find vociferous votaries here.

The International Film Festival of Kerala is a yearly event organized by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy on behalf of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala. The festival is recognized by the FIAPF thus making it part of a prestigious circle of specialized festivals. The 16th edition of IFFK will be held at Thiruvananthapuram (formerly known as Trivandrum), the capital city of Kerala in the South of India from 9th - 16th December 2011.

IFFK boast's of an exclusive and extremely popular Competition section restricted to films produced or co produced in ASIA, AFRICA & LATIN AMERICA within the last year of the festival cycle. The usual sections include world cinema, documentaries (in film formats), short fiction (in film formats), retrospectives, homage's and tributes.

Over the years, the festival has attracted an ever increasing number of entries and our distinguished juries have a tough choice in deciding on the prizes and there is the prospect of winning attractive cash awards.