NB: You can now make your payments using the mobile apps for Android, Apple, Blackberry and Windows Phone.
EDUPORTAL NEWSLETTER!!!
The SMARTLAJ EDUPORTAL PROJECT contains a package of
One ebook, fourty-five interactive MCQ's and seven videos.
This exhaustive package gives you an indepth insight into:
1. Energy conversion technologies utilized more than 1000years ago.
2. How new energy conversion technologies led to cultural and economic progress historically.
3. The laws, principles and concepts of thermodynamics, energy conversion and storage.
4. How the use of fossil fuels as a source of energy destroyed our present-day climate.
5. How would the use of renewable sources of energy ensure a pollution-free future?
6. Can you envision a future when you will use batteries that run on refillable sugar?
7. Can you envision a future that we will drive cars which emit only water as waste?
8. Imagine a future when we will use solar-powered micro-grids and stand-alone systems to access energy, instead of present-day utilities and central grids.
9. Imagine a future when we will be able to tap energy from deep inside the earth crust for our domestic use.
10. Imagine a future when energy from wind using turbines will provide power for our cities.
To grab a copy, click here to register >>> SMARTLAJ EDUPORTAL
BREAKING NEWS!!!
Do you want to compare prices for Dr. Adesola's book?
From Amazon.com to Barnes and Noble, the world is buying this bestseller.
You can use this link below to make your purchases:
http://finderscheapers.com/product-price/Three-Major-Challenges-to-Humanity-in-the-21st-Dr-Adesola-Lajide-1609767136-9781609767136-CTOEBFXO1PHB
Also..
For local payments in Naira, please use this account:
EDUPORTAL NEWSLETTER!!!
The SMARTLAJ EDUPORTAL PROJECT contains a package of
One ebook, fourty-five interactive MCQ's and seven videos.
This exhaustive package gives you an indepth insight into:
1. Energy conversion technologies utilized more than 1000years ago.
2. How new energy conversion technologies led to cultural and economic progress historically.
3. The laws, principles and concepts of thermodynamics, energy conversion and storage.
4. How the use of fossil fuels as a source of energy destroyed our present-day climate.
5. How would the use of renewable sources of energy ensure a pollution-free future?
6. Can you envision a future when you will use batteries that run on refillable sugar?
7. Can you envision a future that we will drive cars which emit only water as waste?
8. Imagine a future when we will use solar-powered micro-grids and stand-alone systems to access energy, instead of present-day utilities and central grids.
9. Imagine a future when we will be able to tap energy from deep inside the earth crust for our domestic use.
10. Imagine a future when energy from wind using turbines will provide power for our cities.
To grab a copy, click here to register >>> SMARTLAJ EDUPORTAL
BREAKING NEWS!!!
Do you want to compare prices for Dr. Adesola's book?
From Amazon.com to Barnes and Noble, the world is buying this bestseller.
You can use this link below to make your purchases:
http://finderscheapers.com/product-price/Three-Major-Challenges-to-Humanity-in-the-21st-Dr-Adesola-Lajide-1609767136-9781609767136-CTOEBFXO1PHB
Also..
For local payments in Naira, please use this account:
Account Name: ADESOLA LAJIDE
Bank: UBA PLC
Account Number - 2065559664
Once you have made payment, send the details of
your payment such as
depositor's name, slip number, date of payment,
amount paid
to admin@smartlaj.org
Smartlaj Educational Portal
is finally out!
Grab your copy NOW!
Featuring:
1. Highly interactive Multiple Choice Questions;
2. Seven videos;
3. One indepth e-book on Energy Conversion
Register by clicking this link - Eduportal -
The download link will be sent to your e-mail address after your payment has been confirmed.
Thank you for your patience.
Dr. Adesola Lajide, MD.
www.smartlaj.org
Another blockbuster from Dr. Adesola Lajide
Click here for more details
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINALLY OUT!
The much-awaited ebook by Dr. Adesola Lajide is now out.
Download it here.
The ebook is given FREE to the general public.
Let us know your comments on the book.
Thank you for your patience.
Mr. James Ighodalo
You can make your purchases of the bestselling book with the links below:
_______________________________________________________________
THE
THREE MAJOR CHALLENGES FACING HUMANITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY
ORDER INFORMATION
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Buy from the author’s
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they note your address and send the order to the appropriate US, UK, or
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payment process takes time depending on how the payment is sent to us. The
easiest and fastest way for payment processing is either by PayPal or Credit
Card; however, we do need to have at least 3-5 days for the payment
authorization to clear. More information about payment options are noted on the
Author Book Order Site or the Book Order Invoice.
Since the book is PRINT-ON-DEMAND, you will need to allow
for printing and shipping time. It is always best to have your copies in hand
before scheduling book signings and other events.
Standard PRINT time for softcover
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time will vary depending on destination.
ALL of the above pertains to any
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When you purchase the book through a
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Note: The arrival time for orders
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Strategic Book Publishing & Rights Agency
&
Adesola Lajide, Dr.
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www.smartlaj.org
This looks more interesting. I will look into the retail side of purchasing the book. thank you for posting this, James.
ReplyDeleteSeveral copies are available at this link; http://www.abebooks.co.uk/9781609767136/Three-Major-Challenges-Humanity-21st-1609767136/plp
DeleteCan we purchase using Nigerian ATM cards?
ReplyDeleteYeas you can! Do you have a master credit card of a bank of your choice! Kindly visit this link! [11] Learn more about the June 2008 report of the Paris-based International energy agency.
ReplyDeleteThe June 2008 report of the Paris-based International energy agency envisions an energy revolution that would greatly reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels, while maintaining steady economic growth. The agency envisions the construction of more nuclear plants every year before 2050. Visit, buy, read and learn more at this link; adesola Lajide http://www.metacafe.com/watch/10140163/three_major_challenges_to_humanity_in_the_21st_century/
Ok sir. I really appreciate ur reply. I will try to buy a copy.
DeleteI have been trying to make a purchase with my STANBIC card, but its not going through
DeleteTry any of the links on this website, with your Stanbic master card; www.smartlaj.org or my official website; http://sbpra.com/AdesolaLajide/.
DeleteMy UBA master card is working.
You definitely need a current account with you bank to operate a master card credit card successfully. Discuss with your customer care accounts officer.
DeleteHello please how can i get copies of the book. I have tried to buy online with my card but there seems to be some problems. Can u please help me. I am an environmental professor at the University of Leeds, UK. - Dr. Charles Sinclair
ReplyDeleteEither of these two United Kingdom based on-line stores, would work; http://www.foyles.co.uk/witem/education/three-major-challenges-to-humanity-in,dr-adesola-lajide-9781609767136 and ; http://www.powells.com/biblio/9781609767136. Hope to have a feedback from you Professor!
ReplyDeleteok. Dr. Lajide. will do.
DeleteI will also introduce to some friends who may be interested.
Do you have any previous work that I may be interested in? Especially students stuff an the environment... Kindly let me know. Thank you.
I have a couple of articles on the environment on my word press blog; http://lajide2003.wordpress.com/wp-admin/ and my facebook fan page; https://www.facebook.com/smartlaj. I will help you sort some articles out and send them to you on this medium.
DeleteDear Dr Charles Sinclair,
DeleteFind published below an article on the environment, climate change, and coral reefs.
Kindly, give me a feedback. I also want to humbly find out if there are any on-line teaching opportunities in you institution or elsewhere.
(CNN) -- A recent survey of the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef has found coral flourishing in deep waters, a stark contrast to the shallower reefs that have seen a drastic decline over the last few decades.
The healthy coral populations were discovered to be below 30 meters -- beyond the usual reach of most scuba divers -- and even found at depths of 80 meters, according to the Catlin Seaview Survey.
"The Holmes and Flinders Reefs in the Coral Sea are renowned for having been badly damaged, said Pim Bongaerts, of the University of Queensland's Global Change Institute, who was leading the deep reef survey.
"Yet we have found their deep reef zone is hardly disturbed at all. In fact the most striking thing is the abundance of coral on the deep reef. What has blown me away is to see that even 70 to 80 meters down, there are significant coral populations."
Great Barrier Reef's virtual dive
Earlier this month a report, by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and the University of Wollongong, revealed that the Great Barrier Reef had lost half its coral cover in the last 27 years.
Community saves Mexican coral reef
Impact of the live reef fish trade
Researchers say most of the damage to the shallower coral was wrought in recent years by a succession of powerful cyclones. Other threats that are hindering its ability to recover include the crown-of-thorns starfish, or COTS, a native species which feeds on coral, and coral bleaching that occurs when water becomes too warm.
The deep reef survey team used remote operated vehicles able to reach depths of 100 meters, giving scientists a new view of hitherto unexplored reefs.
"It is surprising in this day and age, that below some of the most well-known reefs, which are so popular with divers, there is an almost entirely unexplored world and as a result an enormous amount of science to be done," said Bongaerts.
So far the team has completed four of its ten planned surveys at areas along the length of the 2,300 kilometer-long reef system and outlying atolls.
Bongaerts believes that the deep-water reefs might be able to help the shallower ones recover, as they have been seen to live in both depths of water.
"At the moment we know little about the extent of larval movements between the shallow and deep reef, but we are seeing species that exist in both zones," he said.
"There are clear differences we're observing. Corals are much flatter, more plate-like than the branching and domed shapes seen nearer the surface. This is the corals responding to the reduced light conditions and spreading out to maximize their exposure to light. So far below the surface, the light is blue because all other parts of the spectrum have been filtered out. It is a monochrome world until you turn on strong lights to reveal amazing, beautiful, fantastic colors."
Find published below, a second article on bio-energy forest plantations for the south eastern United states;
DeleteBio-energy forest plantations will supplement woody biomass from other sources such as logging residues. In the southern U.S., projections are for an increase of up to 25 million “new” tons of woody biomass demand for bioenergy. To supply this woody biomass demand will require purpose grown plantations of various species including pine, eucalypts, sweetgum, hybrid poplar and cottonwood, amongst others. Forest plantation yields can be 8-15 green tons/acre/year on rotations of 5-12 years. Utilization of this renewable and sustainable biomass resource will be as feedstock “designed” for a large number of bio-energy applications.
Renewable Energy World North America Conference and Expo is now accepting abstracts for its upcoming 2014 conference program, set to take place December 9-11 in Orlando, Florida. CLICK HERE to submit your abstract today!
Demand for renewable energy sources is increasing in the Southeastern United States. There are few opportunities in this region to achieve this with sources such as solar, wind and hydroelectric. Biomass from agriculture and forestry are available for bioenergy feedstock. In the particular case of forestry, purpose grown plantations for biomass feedstock give an opportunity for cost savings, a sustainable resource for bio- energy and an economic opportunity for forest landowners.
Bio-energy plantations include, amongst others, pine, cottonwood, hybrid poplar, sweetgum and eucalypts. Much of the emphasis has been on hardwood plantations due to their ability to coppice, continued genetic improvement programs as well as the opportunity to combine fast growth and wood properties in selected clones. In the specific case of Eucalyptus and Populus, there are a large number of commercial planting programs in countries outside the U.S.
A number of feedstock characteristics are important in bio-energy hardwood plantations. Firstly, the plantation hardwood species has to be adapted to the soil and climate conditions. The hardwood feedstock has to be acceptable in harvesting, field processing and ultimately for conversion to bio-energy. Lastly, the growing (stumpage), harvest, haul and preparation costs have to be favorable compared to other biomass options. In the Southeastern US there are a limited number of hardwood species that can be competitive for forest plantation biomass for bio-energy production. The most important species would be from genera such as Eucalyptus, Populus and Liquidambar.
Happy New Year, Dr. I have been enjoying your treatise on various social and global issues. Quite illuminating. Keep up the good work.
DeleteGreat! Here is another interesting article;
DeleteA Virginia Tech research team has developed a battery that runs on sugar and has an unmatched energy density, a development that could replace conventional batteries with ones that are cheaper, refillable, and biodegradable.
The findings from Y.H. Percival Zhang, an associate professor of biological systems engineering in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Engineering, were published today in the journal Nature Communications.
While other sugar batteries have been developed, this one has an energy density an order of magnitude higher than others, allowing it to run longer before needing to be refueled, Zhang said.
In as soon as three years, Zhang's new battery could be running some of the cell phones, tablets, video games, and the myriad other electronic gadgets that require power in our energy-hungry world, Zhang said.
"Sugar is a perfect energy storage compound in nature," Zhang said. "So it's only logical that we try to harness this natural power in an environmentally friendly way to produce a battery."
In America alone, billions of toxic batteries are thrown away every year, posing a threat to both the environment and human health, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Zhang's development could help keep hundreds of thousands of tons of batteries from ending up in landfills.
This is one of Zhang's discoveries in the last year that utilize a series of enzymes mixed together in combinations not found in nature. He has published articles on creating edible starch from non-food plants and developed a new way to extract hydrogen in an economical and environmentally friendly way that can be used to power vehicles.
In this newest development, Zhang and his colleagues constructed a non-natural synthetic enzymatic pathway that strip all charge potentials from the sugar to generate electricity in an enzymatic fuel cell. Then, low-cost biocatalyst enzymes are used as catalyst instead of costly platinum, which is typically used in conventional batteries.
Like all fuel cells, the sugar battery combines fuel — in this case, maltodextrin, a polysaccharide made from partial hydrolysis of starch — with air to generate electricity and water as the main byproducts.
"We are releasing all electron charges stored in the sugar solution slowly step-by-step by using an enzyme cascade," Zhang said.
Different from hydrogen fuel cells and direct methanol fuel cells, the fuel sugar solution is neither explosive nor flammable and has a higher energy storage density. The enzymes and fuels used to build the device are biodegradable.
The battery is also refillable and sugar can be added to it much like filling a printer cartridge with ink.
In addition to all the links on these newsletter, which are working, try any of these links; http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Three+major+challenges+to+humanity+in+the+21st+century+by+Dr+adesola+Lajide, http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/dr-+adesola+lajide/three+major+challenges+to+humanity+in+the+21st+century/9727860/,
ReplyDeletehttp://www.metacafe.com/watch/10140163/three_major_challenges_to_humanity_in_the_21st_century/
Pay close attention to the shipping and delivering schedules and the corresponding time-lag when you are using, any of the links on this newsletter. You can also try this link. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Thre-major-challenges-to-humanity-in-the-21st-century-by-Dr-adesola-Lajide?store=allproducts&keyword=Thre+major+challenges+to+humanity+in+the+21st+century+by+Dr+adesola+Lajide
ReplyDeleteHello sir, are you interested in an international teaching/lecturing appointment?
ReplyDeleteI would be interested if it is an online teaching appointment.
DeleteGoodday Dr. Lajide. The teaching appointment is actually in Ireland. We are working on the online teaching process. Thank you
DeleteLet us take advantage of the latest information technology to utilize skype and knowledge presenter software to create several multiple choice questions for your students; Here is an example;
DeleteThe benefits of utilizing renewable forms of energy include the following but one;
Avoiding health damage and fatalities in humans
Avoiding political, economic and military conflicts over limited fossil energy prospects
Avoiding energy imports for every national economy
Avoiding environmental damages.
Destroying the revitalization of the agricultural and forestry sectors.
The last stem is obviously not true for reason, we have previously alluded to, and which we will keep on discussing.
This is good. Its nice to see the man behind the book.
ReplyDeleteGreat! All the links to on-line stores on the newsletter are working. When you are ordering for bookstores in Nigeria as a retailer, pay close attention to the shipping and delivery schedules and the corresponding time lag.
DeleteAre you willing to review this book, if and when you read it? Visit this link and write a review; http://books.google.com.ng/books/about/Three_Major_Challenges_to_Humanity_in_th.html?id=1D5dmgEACAAJ&redir_esc=y
DeleteHello Dr. sorry I have been quite busy these past few weeks. I particularly find the interview series quite interesting. I will be following it closely. Also, I hope to get a copy of the book and probably review it soonest. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteFine! I hope will you have time to read the article on coral reefs and climate change.
DeleteDear Dr Charles;
DeleteHere is another article on the rise of solar energy
It’s close to the end of the year, and businesspeople are looking forward to 2014. Among them is the solar industry, which is anticipating continued growth into the new year as international markets continue to expand.
At least one company, NPD Solarbuzz has taken a bullish approach anticipating that the global level of solar installations could reach 49 gigawatts by the end of 2014. However, other companies like Mercom anticipate that the world will have 43 gigawatts of solar installed by the end of 2014. Either way both companies are showing strong and stable growth for the industry.
Solarbuzz’s more bullish stance sees larger growth. “The solar PV industry has reached a critical tipping point, with end-market demand hitting record levels almost every quarter,” said NPD Solarbuzz Vice President Finlay Colville. “This growth is being driven by leading module suppliers and project developers that returned to profitability during 2013, and which have now established highly-effective global sales and marketing networks,” he added.
Market conditions have stabilized for the solar industry over the past few years, following a period of wild growth, which led first to undersupply then oversupply by photovoltaic manufacturers in particular. "Manufacturing over-capacity and pricing erosion within the PV industry was previously a key factor in limiting annual growth to 10 percent to 20 percent between 2011 and 2013,” Colville said. “With a more stable pricing environment and the prospects of increased end-market globalization, NPD Solarbuzz forecasts a return to annual growth above 30 percent for the PV industry in 2014.”
Mercom largely agreed with Solarbuzz. “Helped by strong demand, the module oversupply situation has improved. Prices are stable, and manufacturers are reporting shipment growth and ramping up capacity,” said CEO Raj Prabhu.
One of the factors that’s likely leading to some of the discrepancy between the two projections is Japan. “At the moment, Japan is a ‘wild card,’” Prabhu said. “Though forecast to be the second largest market in 2014 with 7 gigawatts installed, there are some mixed signals coming out of Japan.”
Apparently there is already a large gap in the country between projects approved under the country’s feed-in tariff and the amount actually installed, according to Mercom. The company said that the country’s government is exploring the issue. Another potential roadblock to higher installations in 2014 is what the Shinzo Abe policy position towards solar and renewables will be.
NPD Solarbuzz anticipated record growth for the last quarter of 2013 and first quarter of 2014. “Q4’13 will be another record quarter for the solar PV industry, exceeding the 12 gigawatt barrier for the first time ever,” the company said. “Furthermore, demand in Q1’14 will also achieve record-breaking status, as the strongest first-quarter ever seen by the PV industry,” it added. It anticipated that during that six-month period 22 gigawatts of solar PV will be installed.
Both companies anticipated a shift in the market from Europe as countries like Germany and Italy no longer dominate new installations. “The record solar PV demand in Q4’13 is heavily weighted towards the three leading countries….Two-thirds of all solar panels installed in Q4 will be located in China, Japan, and the US,” NPD Solarbuzz said.
Dr Charles Sinclair;
DeleteFind published below a 4th article; I humbly request for a feed back;
Since solar energy comes from the sun, why not cut out part of the middleman? Japanese engineering and construction firm Shimizu envisions the "Luna Ring," a 11,000-km belt of solar panels encircling the moon's equator, in a width from just "a few kilometers to 400 km." Power harvested from the sun would be transmitted via to enormous (20-km diameter) wireless antennas, and shot out to earth via 20-GHz microwaves, with radio beacons ensuring accurate transmission. Alongside, high-density lasers would be beamed to offshore facilities on Earth to be concentrated by a Fresnel lens and mirrors to generate solar PV power; the lasers' thermal energy would be harvested as well. Receivers and massive cabling on Earth would convert all of that into electric power, to be supplied to grids and for conversion of hydrogen. The moon itself would be tapped to produce resources to make the solar cells and panels and construction materials. Robots would perform most of the tasks, and the equipment would be assembled in space and lowered to the surface for installation.
The Luna Ring reportedly would supply up to 13,000 terawatts of power, or what Shimizu says would match the world's energy demand by 2030. Exploration would begin within the next few years, followed by a pilot demo both on Earth and the moon in the next decade, and construction beginning in 2035.
If lunar solar installs seem a bit too risky, how about orbiting solar projects? One company has NASA backing to use robots for building structures in orbit... using the most popular concept running, "additive manufacturing" -- essentially melting a metal (or plastics, in less fancy versions) in precise patterns to build up a tough finished product. The Trusselator and the "SpiderFab" would enable fabrication of carbon fiber truss structures, including solar arrays and other structures like antennae and transmitters with "kilometer-scale apertures," to help enable lower-cost space exploration and development.
Dear Charles,
DeleteHere is another abbreviated article on extreme weather and global food supply;
This year's severe weather events have led to low yields in grain exporting nations
Kansas prairie farmer Donn Teske says extreme weather events are becoming much more extreme
Aid group Oxfam believes there may be another spike in food prices in early 2013 and longer term volatility
Some countries like Nigeria are looking for alternative staple crops such as cassava
Editor's note: Extreme weather across the world in 2012 has led to low food yields and a hike in prices. Climate is not the only driver of high food costs, but recent price spikes have caused hardship across the world. You can find out how it affects people in vulnerable countries by reading more of their stories gathered by CNN and international aid group Oxfam.
London (CNN) -- Sometimes Jaria Faraj Ali is so hungry that she ties a scarf tight around her waist to make her feel more comfortable.
The Yemeni mother of six told the international aid group Oxfam that she has now resorted to begging because food prices are so high and she doesn't have an income.
And in Pakistan, 28-year-old Asif Masih says he has to work at two jobs to buy enough food. "I drive a taxi part time as well as work in an office because otherwise me and my family won't be able to eat," he told CNN.
Their stories of hardship are echoed across the globe from Tajikistan to Peru where a recent spike in world food prices has hit the most vulnerable, and particularly in countries that rely on imported food.
Rising food prices have been blamed on a number of factors -- for example, rising energy costs, changing land use for biofuel production, local conflicts, and an increasing demand for meat and dairy products.
The UN data shows the spikes in food pricesThe UN data shows the spikes in food prices
But 2012's severe weather events around the world have led to low yields in nations such as the U.S. that export grain. Oxfam fears climate change is responsible and that impoverished people could be facing a future of high food prices driven by extreme weather trends.
Oxfam spokesperson Colin Roach said: "High and volatile food prices spell misery for millions of people like Jaria who face a daily struggle to put food on the table. This is man-made misery in a world which produces enough for everyone to eat."
A recent study commissioned by Oxfam into global warming and food prices, said: "Against a backdrop of rising populations and changing diets which will see global food production struggle to keep pace with increasing demand, the food security outlook in a future of unchecked climate change is bleak."
Oxfam-commissioned research on extreme weather and extreme prices
It has certainly been a tough year for farmers. While much of North America baked in the hottest July on record and the Mid-West suffered its worst drought in 56 years, the UK endured its wettest summer in a century.
Back in September, CNN reported: "From Ukraine to Yellowstone, in Pakistan and Kazakhstan, the skies have stayed clear, and the earth has been parched. And on the world's commodity exchanges, the prices of corn, soybeans, wheat and tea are surging."
The driest season: Global drought causes major worry
I find your articles interesting. A comment you made got me thinking - "“The solar PV industry has reached a critical tipping point, with end-market demand hitting record levels almost every quarter,”
DeleteDoes this mean a new commercial opening for solar energy exists, especially in the developing countries in Africa?
Dear Dr Charles,
DeleteThere is a huge commercial opening for solar energy in Africa. You are absolutely right. In my native Nigeria, it will cost me a little less than $4000, to install 100 units of solar panels, 4, 60 amp batteries and inverters for my home use, and prices are predicted to fall in the coming months.
Several copies are available at this link; http://www.abebooks.co.uk/9781609767136/Three-Major-Challenges-Humanity-21st-1609767136/plp
DeleteI really wish this book is available in Nigerian bookstores
ReplyDeletePay close attention to the url inks of the on-line stores where you can buy the book. In addition keep in mind the shipping and delivery schedules.
DeleteNigerian retailers, can order for bookstores in Nigeria, using any of the links on the newsletter. It is important however, to pay close attention to the shipping and delivery schedules and the corresponding time-lag.
DeleteHello Sir, I've tried to buy with my ATM card from GTB, but i'm not having any luck. how can I solve this issue?
DeleteMy UBA master card credit card is working. I suggest that you request for the GTB master card credit card.
DeleteIt would have been easier if we had a retailer in Nigeria. I need to open a current account before I can be issued a GTB master card credit card.
DeleteI and my partners would work on your suggestion.
DeleteWhy are the Doctor's responses very brief?
ReplyDeleteThe responses have been edited by interviewer. Patiently await the full interview
Deleteok. but is where can i see a review of the book itself?
DeleteDear Tunde,
DeleteRead a review on this book at the following link;
http://books.google.com.ng/books/about/Three_Major_Challenges_to_Humanity_in_th.html?id=1D5dmgEACAAJ&redir_esc=y
Hello I'm a student here in China. How can this book help me? I like the title and i tink it will help my studies in Environmental Pollution
ReplyDeleteDear Chiong,
DeleteThe book can help you in several ways in addition to the articles, i have published on the environment above;
Take a close look at a few learning points on environmental studies and renewable energy below;
[1] learn more about the threat that infectious diseases pose to man.
[2] learn more about how to disrupt the pathway of transmission of animal viruses to human.
[3] learn more facts about [zoonotic infections] , infectious diseases of humans that have animal origin.
[4] learn more about health, socioeconomic or political planning as a basic management function.
[5] learn more about a human influenza pandemic preparedness plan.
[6] learn more about how an avian influenza pandemic can jeopardize the source of protein amongst rural communities worldwide.
[7] learn more about the climate change phenomenon and its destructive effects.
[8] learn more about the different sources of renewable energy and its uses.
[9] learn more about how the use of renewable sources of energy, can mitigate the climate change phenomenon.
[10] learn more about how the use of renewable sources of energy can boost the agricultural sector
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I like ebook but it is more about medical diseases. not really in my field...but its good.
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http://www.amazon.com/Three-Major-Challenges-Humanity-Century/dp/1609767136
Chiong,, you can read the first few pages of the book free on the amazon link. It is also quite fulfilling and rewarding, when an author realizes his works are appealing to a receptive audience. Reading my book will also encourage to post more articles and writing more books on the environment
Dear Chiong; Find published below an interesting article on the environment;
DeleteNew Hampshire, USA -- Preliminary estimates suggest worldwide wind energy installations were 34-35 GW in 2013, "a substantial dropoff" from a record-setting 2012, according to Steve Sawyer, Secretary General of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). In fact 2013 will have been the first time in nearly a decade where global demand contracted, almost entirely because of softness in demand in the U.S. and China, added Steen Broust Nielsen, partner with Make Consulting.
This article is part of our Renewable Energy World January/February Annual Outlook Issue for 2014, which is out NOW. The issue includes our Global Directory of Suppliers. If you are not already a subscriber, CLICK HERE to subscribe!
This year promises to be significantly better (though perhaps not quite so good as 2012), with expectations of stabilization and growth in both the U.S. and China, and continued strength building in some emerging markets. GWEC's initial expectations for 2014 are for 45-48 GW, and with some upside. The largest variable, as has been the case for several years now, is the extent of the U.S. recovery. In Europe, Germany and the U.K. continue to drive the market, with emerging growth in countries like Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, and some eastern European countries like Poland and Turkey. And China, like the U.S., is showing signs of reawakening as one of the bigger influences on the global industry.
Here's a look at what industry participants and analysts see happening over the next 12 months, and how this year's activity will shape the longer-term future of the marketplace.
The article continues;
DeleteEurope: Two Major Markets and Offshore Emphasis
In Europe, "expect it to be a bumpy ride" in 2014 with stalled demand in some markets and countries revisiting policies and subsidies, explained Jacopo Moccia, head of political affairs at EWEA. GWEC's Sawyer projects "maybe 2 GW" of offshore wind installations in 2014, mainly centered in Germany and Europe. This shift to northern climates also requires developers and suppliers to alter their strategies in markets with different types of wind regimes that require different technologies such as higher towers, pointed out Maredsous.
The European wind energy market continues to march away from stagnant southern European markets such as Spain and Italy and reestablish to the north in Germany and the U.K. Smaller emerging markets such as Norway, Finland, Turkey, and France are likely to keep growing and stay promising. Another aspect of Europe's wind energy market is its shift in focus to offshore, and "everyone wants a bit of" that swelling pipeline, said Moccia.
In both cases, though, there is some uncertainty and a need to stabilize policies. Germany's offshore wind market should have a good year in 2014 to balance a decreasing onshore sector, even though ambitions for 2020 have been scaled back from ~8 GW to 6.5 GW because of delays and grid connections, added Sawyer. The U.K. had a strong 2013 for offshore wind but energy market reform (essentially establishing a feed-in tariff) has caused some offshore wind developers to reanalyze their budgets: in recent weeks RWE (1.2-GW Atlantic Array), Scottish Power (1.8-GW Argyll Array), and Centrica (selling its 580-MW Race Bank stake to Dong Energy) have backed out of U.K. offshore wind projects, though they have others in their pipelines. With the U.K. licensing up to 40 GW of potential offshore wind areas against a 2020 target of just 10 GW capacity, attrition is to be expected. Even so, there are new concerns that financing risks and uncertainty might stall development short of that 10 GW target, already revised down from originally 18 GW in the government’s renewables roadmap issued in 2011. And along with it, Moccia notes, would be a more muted buildout of the infrastructure that was supposed to come with it.
Perhaps most importantly for the longer-term picture, 2014 marks the beginning of a review period for the cooperative mechanisms put in place to hit Europe-wide 2020 targets, Moccia pointed out. How can companies collaborate to reach their individual goals, through development or co-investment; and are Europe's pledged commitments to renewable energy deployments and consumption -- both for individual nations and for the EU as whole -- progressing on track, and if not what can and should be done about it? And what should the EU be targeting beyond 2020? Initial discussions will begin in March but little is expected to be resolved until 2015 at least.
US: Life After the PTC... For Now
Wind energy development in the U.S. literally ground to a halt for most of the first half of 2013, fallout from 2012's last-minute extension of the production tax credit (PTC), but activity picked up later in the year thanks largely to a revision that softened the language to allow projects to meet "under construction" criteria. That caused a year-end flurry of supply-chain orders for hundreds of megawatts of procurements in the U.S. -- and ultimately contributed to the PTC being allowed to expire at the end of the year.
And so the U.S. market enters this new year with a lot more optimism than the previous one.
The 'climate change phenomenon' heralds 2014;
ReplyDeleteand videos but keep warm.
(CNN) -- Yes, it's winter. And yes, it's cold. But this is different.
Just ask Richard Thomas, owner of R. Thomas Deluxe Grill in Atlanta.
He keeps a dozen birds outside the restaurant and never, in his 30 years, has he had to move them inside.
But that's exactly what he scrambled to do Sunday.
"The weather prediction made me nervous," said Thomas, 80. "Rather than risk danger to any of my buddies, so to speak, I just decided to make that decision."
As many as 140 million Americans are bracing this week for a polar blast that's barreling across the country, dumping snow in some places and shattering records.
Much of the United States will see the coldest temperatures in almost 20 years, according to the National Weather Service. They are expected to be 30 to 50 degrees below average in some cities.
To put things in perspective, the weather in Atlanta and Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday will be colder than in Anchorage, Alaska. By Wednesday, nearly half the nation will shudder in temperatures of zero or lower, forecasters said.
The unusual weather is already causing headaches, especially for travelers.
Infectious diseases of animals transmissible to man do not exist in a vaccum;
ReplyDeleteAn international team of researchers working at the University of Melbourne in Australia has found that genetic differences in people result in different degrees of ability to fight the H7N9 influenza virus. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team reports that their study of immune response observed in blood samples indicates that some people may be far better equipped to fight off the new flu strain than others.
Nice information here. I really appreciate this blog post.
ReplyDeleteFine! Here is another interesting article;
DeleteHong Kong (CNN) -- Farmers from a village in southwest China literally turned a multimillion dollar windfall into a wall of cash.
This week, residents of Jianshe village in Sichuan Province took delivery of blocks of money worth 13 million yuan ($2.1 million) in year-end bonuses they had earned from a rural co-operative scheme. Residents had invested in farmland and small-scale hydropower plants since 2010.
Around 340 out of 483 households are shareholders in the small village, which has a population of less than 2,000 people.
Before they could distribute their earnings to individual residents ahead of Chinese New Year, they had the problem of where to store -- and guard -- it.
Chief villager, Jin Hongyuan, told local media he moved the money inside the village committee office after transporting it from the bank on Monday. To keep the money safe, he appointed three villagers to sleep on the banknotes inside the office, while four others stood guard outside.
"We used 800,000 yuan as a mattress, 420,000 yuan as pillows, and put the others aside," Jin told the West China Metropolis Daily.
The following day, the banknotes were moved into the village square and stacked to form a seven-foot long wall and create a $2 million photo opportunity.
Many villagers said they had never seen so much money before.
Building the 'money wall' in Jianshe villageBuilding the 'money wall' in Jianshe village
Villager Jin Ou, who collected the most dividends from his investments, was delighted to finally get his hands on 300,000 yuan ($49,000) in cash.
"It's so cold, and I've been counting (cash) for the whole day, my fingers are all numb," he told reporters.
The story was an immediate hit with China's legions of Internet users.
One netizen, known as "xiaomili_xiaomi" took to Weibo, a Twitter-like service, to post: "Let's be friends, rich villagers!"
Others asked if they could join in on the investment bonanza and become a member of the rural co-operative.
Unfortunately, the scheme only allows investors who are members of Jianshe village. The only way to join is by marrying into the families, said Jin.
Pandemics do not start in a vacuum. A staggering 2.3 billion infections by zoonotic
ReplyDelete(animal-borne) pathogens afflict people in developing countries every year. Some
pathogens become capable of easy human-to-human spread, like AIDS, flu, or severe acute
respiratory syndrome (SARS). The diseases harm health, nutrition, and food and income
security. The poorest are hit the worst, as they tend to live with livestock or near wild
animals in settings where animal disease incidence is high and public health standards
are low.
This zoonotic disease burden persists because of weak veterinary and human public health
systems that fail to detect diseases and allow them to spread. The onset of pandemics is
thus shaped by human action. Any country’s failure to stop contagion early at its animal
source can cause a pandemic in today’s globalized economy, which is interconnected by
trade and travel.
A severe flu pandemic would more than double the total burden of disease, but other
impacts would be even more costly. Economies would suffer from worker absenteeism,
cascading disruptions in goods and service markets, and human reactions to fear and
rumors, which can spread faster than the disease itself. Recently declassified U.S.
government planning documents characterize the impact as a global war. Poor countries,
especially fragile ones, may be least able to cope.
Excellent responses. The internet has very few eggheads like the erudite Dr. Keep it up.
ReplyDeleteI have been following the blog post for quite a while. This is my first time of making a comment. Let me know how to make purchase of the book.
Thank you.
All the links on this newsletter are working! I n addition pay close attention to the delivery and shipping schedules. In India; try this link; http://www.uread.com/book/three-major-challenges-humanity-in/9781609767136
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Who is Dr Lajide? I havent heard of the name before
ReplyDeleteLife is always about transition and change! Patiently read this newsletter and follow all the links, including this; http://www.junglee.com/Three-Major-Challenges-Humanity-Century/dp/1609767136
DeleteI really commend your effort to write this book, especially since you are a Nigerian like me. I wish u much success. Thnks
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DeleteI have visited the link. It looks like the official author website. The video also is very interesting. I noticed that the price here is different from Amazon. I would like to buy but I want to know which to use. Thank you.
DeleteWhen you us any link, keep in mind that the shipping and delivery costs for the book will be added. This is what makes the difference. I recommend that you buy from my official website, which can enable you buy a few copies as a retailer. Try this link; http://sbpra.com/adesolalajide/
DeleteThe eBook is quite interesting. Very good work.
DeleteGreat! Kindly give me a feedback on whether you have bought the book we were discussing, before my e-book came out. All the links on my website are working; http://www.smartlaj.org/#page_4/
DeleteHow do u cope with your medical profession? It cant be easy
ReplyDeleteFine! I cope.
DeleteThe ebook is quite interesting, although I havent finished it.
DeleteMore grease to yout elbows, doc!
ReplyDeleteThanks! When you want to buy the book try this link; http://sbpra.com/adesolalajide/
Delete(CNN) -- What's with this wacky weather?
ReplyDeleteIt's so cold in Florida that farmers joke the oranges are squeezing themselves to stay warm.
But Alaska is so warm that a ski resort's been forced to close.
Add to this curious mix, giant waves in Hawaii, a historic drought in California, and bears coming out of hibernation in Nevada, and you can't help but wonder: What is going on with the weather?
Digging out from the deadly storm
California's drought hurting its horses
Swells tumbling into Hawaiian coast
To be sure, the United States is a giant place -- 3,000 miles wide from coast to coast. But even taking that into account, what you have here has to be at least a tad bit out of the norm.
Right?
"It's not actually that unusual," says Roger Edwards, a meteorologist with the Storm Prediction Center at the National Weather Service.
Usually a few times each winter, the temperatures flip-flop where Tallahassee is colder than Anchorage.
"But," he says, "this one is more persistent than we normally see."
Northeast: Super bowled
This whole weather system business is a balancing act.
"When there's extremely cold air in one area, some other part is going to be warm," says Edwards.
Tell that to the folks in the Northeast who are still digging out from more than a foot of snow in some places and shivering with temperatures in the single digits -- a full 15 to 25 degrees below normal.
On Tuesday, 10 inches of snow fell on MetLife Stadium, which hosts the Super Bowl in 10 days.
It gave National Football League officials a chance to test their snow removal plan, affiliate NY1 reported. NFL officials say it will take 1,600 workers about 18 hours to clear the stadium and parking lots.
"The stadium operations staff along with NFL productions staff is running this as a dress rehearsal and we have people watching, and evaluating and grading," said NFL Executive Vice President Eric Grubman.
Dropping the (snow)ball on game day would be bad PR for the league. About 111 million Americans watched last year's game.
The extended forecast isn't providing much to be optimistic about though.
"The way the pattern is set up right now, there will be a series of cold air shots," Edwards said. "The basic pattern is going to stay this way for another week or so."
Alaska: Hit the ski(d)s
Contrast that with Anchorage, Alaska, where Thursday's forecast high will be around 45 degrees. A typical high would be in the low 20s.
The seven-day forecast holds more of the same.
Temperatures like that are bad news for the Alyeska Ski Resort which closed for the third time this winter. Rain fell Wednesday on an empty parking lot.
"Sometimes you get epic storms. If this was 10 degrees cooler, it would be one of those," Eric Helmbrecht, the owner of Powder Hound Ski Shop, told CNN affiliate KTUU, trying to sound hopeful "We will get snow and it will be fine."
Hawaii: Making waves
Waves up to 50 feet high have been pounding the North Shore of Oahu -- the largest Hawaii's seen since 2004.
"It's a spectacle. It's incredible," resident Daniela Power said. "It's so big and massive and powerful and it's really a special thing to watch for sure."
What's causing it?
A large storm with hurricane-force winds that's sending a giant swell toward the island. The surf peaked overnight, the weather service said.
Great news for surfers, right? Not quite.
At first glance, the tall waves would appear to offer a golden opportunity for participants in a big wave surf contest that was scheduled to take place Wednesday on Oahu.
But the organizers have postponed the event. They say that although the waves are expected to be pleasingly large, the wind conditions are no good.
London -- Wind and solar power producers say they're at risk of losing investment after the European Union's executive arm scrapped proposals for a mandatory target on renewable energy use in 2030.
ReplyDeleteThe European Commission yesterday said the 28-nation bloc should get 27 percent of its energy from renewables by 2030, up from 20 percent at the end of this decade. Unlike the current goal, the new one won't be split into national targets.
"It's very weak," Jacopo Moccia, head of political affairs for the European Wind Energy Association, said in an interview today. "It was a communications gimmick rather than a real target. How do we determine the EU has met its target if it has no obligations on member states? It's hard to imagine the EU will take itself to court and fine itself."
The EU is wrestling with how to reduce pollutants blamed for global warming while keeping a lid on electricity bills that sometimes are double U.S. levels. Companies including Vestas Wind Systems A/S, Alstom SA, Gamesa Corp. Tecnologica SA and Acciona SA lobbied for binding renewables targets, while the U.K. led a push against them to allow more space for carbon capture and nuclear power.
The commission's proposal starts the debate among member nations about energy policy to 2030. It also called for a 40 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by then, double the current aim to cut 20 percent by 2020. EU heads of government are due to discuss the program in Brussels in March.
British View
U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron said in a letter to Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in December that a renewables target would cost British consumers 9 billion pounds ($14.8 billion) a year by 2030. The commission's proposal would allow technologies such as nuclear power, carbon capture and storage and energy efficiency to be used in order to meet the EU's overall goal on carbon.
ReplyDelete"If you set rigid inflexible targets, that's likely to lead to greater costs," U.K. Energy Secretary Ed Davey told reporters in London yesterday. "You should be allowed to choose whichever low-carbon technology you wanted."
Still, the decision is a disappointment to renewable energy developers, which expanded rapidly in the last decade on the back of the bloc's target for the technology. The share of renewable energy used in transport, heating and power generation reached to 12.7 percent in 2011 from 8.5 percent in 2005, according to statistics included in yesterday's proposals.
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Germany, France, Spain, Britain and Italy all have trimmed renewable energy subsidies in recent years after a boom in installations translated into more costly power for consumers. Investment in renewables in Europe fell 41 percent to $57.8 billion last year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
ReplyDelete"It's a setback, and it's going to slow what I think is increasingly inevitable: the eventual supremacy of renewables," Jeremy Leggett, chairman of the London-based installer Solar Century Holdings Ltd., said today by phone. "Most renewable technology costs are systemically going down while costs of most incumbent fossil fuels are rising."
Modeling by the commission shows that renewables would have to rise to close to a 27 percent share in order for its 2030 carbon target to be met, according to Davey and the European Photovoltaic Industry Association. That makes the 27-percent goal "a non-target," said Moccia from the wind association.
"The commission's proposal for 2030 sadly is a lame duck," Frauke Thies, policy director for the photovoltaic association, said yesterday in a statement. "We are now looking at the European Council to make this supposedly binding target meaningful, by turning it into real national binding targets."
Very interesting article, Dr.
DeleteA new study for California’s largest investor-owned and public utilities is the latest in a series of influential reports identifying the range of measures needed to add large amounts of renewable power to the grid quickly.
DeleteThe analysis, Investigating a Higher Renewables Portfolio Standard in California, conducted by the consulting firm Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc. (E3), focuses on the challenges to a single state, California, and affirms what many have been saying for a long time: cost-effective renewable integration requires coordination among states, diverse geographies and technologies and access to new markets and market tools.
Previous studies such as the Western Governors’ Association report Meeting Renewable Energy Targets in the West at Least Cost: The Integration Challenge; the Western Grid Group’s Western Grid 2050; NREL’s Renewable Electricity Futures Report; Energy Foundation’s America’s Power Plan; and, NREL’s Western Wind and Solar Integration Study to name a few have plowed similar ground from a regional and national perspective and all have found similar tactics are required to make renewable integration happen on a grand scale.
These include:
Regional planning
Better coordination, utilization and operation of the existing grid
Strategic transmission upgrades
Faster scheduling of generation onto the grid
Energy Imbalance Markets based on rapid (five minute) resource dispatch
Diverse portfolios of renewable technologies
Exploiting geographic diversity and the inherent uncorrelated variability it provides
Repurposing gas generation for flexibility and repowering gas plants with fast ramping technologies
Improved resource and weather forecasting
Reserve management
Taking advantage of electricity storage
Distribution- side energy efficiency and demand response tools
Distribution- side energy efficiency and demand response tools
ReplyDeleteE3 touches upon the need for combining these measures in California with the largest portion (a third) of all western electricity demand, and which has designs on even deeper penetrations of renewable energy than have ever been added to a single system before. California is expected to meet its goal of providing 33% of its electricity energy from renewable power sources by 2020. The E3 study explores what the next likely steps may be if California shoots for 40-50 percent of its load being met by renewable generation by 2030. But California, like many states, has suffered from a sort of renewable xenophobia, the determination to meet all renewable generation development and integration needs from sources largely within its own borders. This report shows that going it alone will cost more, be technically much more difficult, and be likely to create overgeneration challenges when renewable power plants — mainly solar — cause a glut of generation into the system when demand for power is low.
In contrast, taking a more coordinated approach helps avoid or softens many of these problems and saves money; lots of it, while increasing the reliability of the grid and rapidly ramping down greenhouse gases and conventional air pollution. This is because coordination improves the efficiency of the grid, provides access to cheaper geographically diverse renewable resources that complement California’s own, and allows California to share (and sell) reserves and surplus renewable generation with neighboring balancing authorities and states. In combination these benefits mean fewer gas-fired power plants will be needed for balancing renewables and providing peaking power. The gas plants we will operate in the future will start and reach full power rapidly, use less fuel, emit less pollution and will be used principally to back up renewable power sources.
The E3 report takes a poke at quantifying the cost of renewable integration at 40 and 50 percent levels using a go-it-alone approach (9-23 percent increases), and this is likely to get most of the attention. But this analysis will likely be misinterpreted and misunderstood. Some may say the report shows renewable integration will come at too steep a price. But the report repeatedly points out that the costs will be lower if a coordinated and diversified approach is used. Utility rates will increase no matter what between now and 2030, making the cost of renewable power, which comes with no fuel cost volatility, a safer economic as well as environmental bet.
Hello guys. I am quite grateful to see so much interest generated by this book.
ReplyDeleteDr. Adesola has graciously decided to give you a gift - very soon, we are bringing 2 FREE e-books by the Dr. You will enjoy his incisive analysis of global events much better.
Just stay tuned...
Mr James, pls wen is the e-book coming out?
ReplyDeleteIts coming out very soon, probably in February. Stay tuned
DeleteVisit this link; http://www.amazon.com/Three-Major-Challenges-Humanity-Century/dp/1609767136
ReplyDeleteand have free access to the first few pages of the much-talked about book.
In addition, patiently await the release of the free e-book.
Innovation is a paradox for most of us. On the one hand you are well aware that you have to take new roads before you reach the end of the present dead end street. On the other hand it is risky. It takes a lot of time. And it takes a lot of resources. Research shows that only one out of seven innovation projects is successful. Therefore it's so hard to get company support for your ideas.
ReplyDeleteI like to share with you six simple concepts from my practice as innovation facilitator that enable you to become a better innovator at the front end of innovation.
1. Most people only innovate when they have to. Pick the right moment.
As innovator, one of your most important roles is to build awareness that your company needs to innovate. It all starts with accepting that it is normal that your top managers fear innovation. They will only change their conservative views if they get fresh new insights. So a very effective strategy for you is to provide your managers and board with all kinds of signals they your market is changing rapidly: new technology, changing customer preferences, new competitors, changing legislations et cetera. Keep confronting them until the urgency to innovate will be understood and is top-of-mind.
2. You can't innovate your organization alone.
You can invent on your own. But in an organization you can never innovate alone. You need an awful lot of colleagues and bosses to transform ideas into invoices for new products or services. You need R&D engineers, production managers, IT staff, financial controllers, marketers, service people and salesmen to develop the product, produce it, get it on the market and service it. Therefore effective innovation is a team effort from start to finish lead by a passionate innovation champion. You can't innovate your organization alone.
3. Think innovative - act conservative.
Your organization is less innovative than you are. That's why you have a game-changing role. Your effectiveness will be dependent on the internal support you can create among the non-innovators. That's why it's wise to be innovative and act conservative. Present your innovative breakthroughs not as something really extraordinary (and risky) but as the normal next thing to do. Your chances to convince the non-innovators will increase dramatically.
4. The voice of the customer is your best friend.
Once you've developed an innovative idea or prototype the question remains: is this a good idea or not? In your organization are a lot of persons resisting change. They will say no to anything. In my role as marketer in the food industry I learned to make use of the voice of the customer to get internal support. So test your ideas and prototypes in an early stage at customers. And use the favorable test results and enthusiast testimonials to get internal support.
5. Bring back new business not new ideas.
It's great when you have an attractive idea, but this is only the first step. Top management is looking for growth and new business. That's why you get a lot more company support if you bring back new business instead of new ideas. I've made a practical format for what I call a mini new business case, which might be handy. The purpose is to substantiate, in a businesslike and convincing manner, to what degree and for what reason your idea for a new product, service or business model is attractive and feasible for your organization. You can download the format of the mini new business case
To read more from Gijs on LinkedIn, please click the FOLLOW button above or below.
Chinese scientists sounded the alarm Wednesday after a new bird flu virus, H10N8, killed an elderly woman in December and infected another individual last month.
ReplyDeleteThe fifth novel influenza strain to emerge in 17 years, the virus has a worrying genetic profile and should be closely monitored, they reported in The Lancet medical journal.
It appears to be able to infect tissue deep in the lung and may have features allowing it to spread efficiently among humans, they said.
“The pandemic potential of this novel virus should not be underestimated,” said the team headed by Yuelong Shu from the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Beijing
Genetic profile of virus
ReplyDeleteThe big contributors to its genome are reshuffled genes from the H9N2 virus, the authors said. This is a bird virus that erupted in Hong Kong in 1999 and has also contributed to the dangerous H5N1 and H7N9 flu viruses, the probe said. Avian flu viruses pass from infected birds to humans in close proximity but typically do not transmit easily between humans. The worry for health watchdogs is their potential to acquire an ability to jump easily from person to person. H7N9, which emerged last year, has led to 159 human infections in China, including 71 deaths, according to a combined toll of official figures and an AFP tally of reports by local authorities. H5N1, which first occurred among humans in Hong Kong in 1997, has caused 648 infections with 384 deaths since 2003, according to figures cited in The Lancet study. The genome of H10N8, it said, pointed to a mutation in its so-called PB2 protein that, previous research has found, suggests an ability to adapt to mammals.
The virus also has a mutation in its haemagglutinin protein — a spike on the virus surface that enables it to latch onto other cells — that suggests it can infect deep in the lung, like H5N1, rather than the upper respiratory tract, the trachea. Lab tests on the sample showed it could be attacked by Tamiflu, the frontline anti-viral drug. Many questions remain, including how the woman was infected. She had bought a live chicken at a poultry market several days before falling sick. But she may have become infected beforehand, the scientists said. She did not handle the bird and no virus traces were found in poultry at the market. In addition, the woman may have been an easy target for the virus because of poor health — she had coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and a muscle-weakening disease called myasthenia gravis. Tests on people who had been in close contact with her concluded that no one else had been infected. The second case of H10N8 “is of great concern”, said co-author Mingbin Liu of the Nanchang branch of China’s CDC. “It reveals that the H10N8 virus has continued to circulate and may cause more human infections in the future.”
Hello sir pls wen will the ebook be out?
ReplyDeleteThe e-book will be out next week. Thanks for your patience - James
DeleteI have an interest in book, but difficult to buy here in India
ReplyDeleteThis link is working. You also have the opportunity to read the first few pages free! http://www.amazon.com/Three-Major-Challenges-Humanity-Century/dp/1609767136
DeleteIn addition in Asia try this link; http://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/Book/Three-Major-Challenges-to-Humanity-in-the-21st-Century/21301635/ and this; http://www.powells.com/biblio/9781609767136
Further this link gives details of how to purchase the book from an off-line distributor; http://newbookjournal.com/2013/03/three-major-challenges-to-humanity-in-the-21st-century-by-dr-adesola-lajide/. The details o the book ISBN number is also present on this news letter.
DeleteYou can purchase this book off-line by visiting this links; http://www.forbes.com/sites/wendyliebmann/2013/05/30/online-goes-offline-fast/
Deletehttp://phys.org/news/2012-09-amazon-digital-empire-offline.html
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ReplyDeletehttp://www.forbes.com/sites/wendyliebmann/2013/05/30/online-goes-offline-fast/
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Delete(CNN) -- An Arkansas woman, who lost her baby last month after coming down with the H1N1 flu virus, has now lost her life.
ReplyDeleteLeslie Creekmore, 29, had been hospitalized for the last month. She was put on a ventilator January 13, before being rushed to a St. Louis hospital a day later.
Creekmore spontaneously miscarried on January 16. She was 20 weeks pregnant.
"She's gone now, and the universe itself is lesser for the loss," her husband Chris Creekmore said in a post to the Facebook group "Love for Leslie." "I loved her with every iota of my being and beyond, and I have no intention of that changing just because she isn't here with me corporeally."
On the advice of their doctor, the couple said they postponed getting a flu shot until after Creekmore's first trimester.
The couple did not know that his guidance was counter to federal health recommendations.
Creekmore had planned to get a flu shot at a clinic on January 13 -- the same day she was put on a ventilator.
learn more about how to disrupt the pathway of transmission of animal viruses to human.
ReplyDeleteObtain the seasonal flu vaccine shot and the current H1N1 influenza shot.
Individuals in a community who are not poultry farmers should avoid all birds, both domesticated and non-domesticated.
Poultry farmers, cattle and goat herders, and all animal husbandry farmers,should be advised to wear protective gear, which would include face masks.
Health education and promotion efforts by community health officials and medical personnel should strongly discourage individuals from swimming in water used by ducks, geese, swans and all other birds that may partially have their habitats in water.
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The Tuskegee syphilis experiment was an infamous clinical study conducted between 1932 and 1972 by the U.S. Public Health Service to study the natural progression of untreated syphilis in rural African American men who thought they were receiving free health care from the U.S. government.
ReplyDeleteThe Public Health Service, worked with the Tuskegee Institute, began the study in 1932. Investigators enrolled in the study, a total of 600 impoverished sharecroppers from Macon County, Alabama. 399 of those men had previously contracted syphilis before the study began and 201 did not have the disease. The men were given free medical care, meals, and free burial insurance, for participating in the study. They were never told they had syphilis, nor were they ever treated for it. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the men were told they were being treated for "bad blood", a local term for various illnesses that include syphilis, anemia, and fatigue.
The 40-year study was controversial for reasons related to ethical standards; primarily, because researchers knowingly failed to treat patients appropriately after the 1940's validation of penicillin as an effective cure for the disease they were studying. Revelation of study failures by a whistleblower led to major changes in U.S. law and regulation on the protection of participants in clinical studies. Now studies require informed consent (though foreign consent procedures can be substituted which offer similar protections; such substitutions must be submitted to the Federal Register unless statute or Executive Order require otherwise), communication of diagnosis, and accurate reporting of test results.
CDC recommendation
ReplyDeleteAny pregnant woman should get a flu shot to protect against serious complications as soon as the yearly vaccine becomes available in her area, advises the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website flu.gov.
Women can receive the flu shot at any point during their pregnancies, regardless of trimester, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists supports the CDC recommendation that all women get vaccinated if they will be pregnant during the influenza season: "Vaccination early in the season and regardless of gestational age is optimal," ACOG says.
No harm has been demonstrated to pregnant women or their babies as a result of the vaccine, the CDC said.
The flu vaccine protects against many strains during the season from October to March. Pregnant women who receive the vaccine may still get the flu, but it would likely be a milder illness than otherwise, and severe consequences would be improbable, Gray-Swain said.
A national effort to prevent the 2009 H1N1 pandemic flu has contributed to a dramatic increase in the number of pregnant women who receive flu vaccines, according to the CDC. Less than 15% of pregnant women received a flu shot before 2009; in the next two seasons, more than half of pregnant women got the vaccine protection.
The risks of not getting a flu shot
ReplyDeleteThe flu may increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and low birth weight, the CDC said.
"Pregnancy puts extra stress on your heart and lungs. Pregnancy can also affect your immune system. These factors increase the risk of becoming severely ill due to the flu," according to the CDC website.
Life-threatening developments like Creekmore's in flu patients are generally rare but not unheard of, Gray-Swain said.
"Pregnant women are five times more likely to end up in the ICU or have severe complications related to the flu than non-pregnant women who get infected with the flu," she said.
The flu vaccine that is safe for pregnant woman is in injectable form, and it does not contain the live virus, Gray-Swain said. The nasal spray versions should not be given to pregnant women. If you are pregnant, inform the health care staff administering the vaccine before you receive it.
Washing your hands after using the bathroom, touching public surfaces and other activities is also important, she said.
Pregnant women can also take a drug called Tamiflu. It is most commonly taken to reduce the length of symptoms, but it is also given to people with high-risk flu exposure as a prevention.
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ReplyDeleteInnovation is difficult. You are not the only one who thinks it's a challenge. It has been a struggle for me the last 25 years as manager, consultant, facilitator and as founder of the FORTH innovation method. That's why I love it actually. I love to do difficult things. My personal goal is to make innovation less complex so others will be able to innovate their product – and service portfolios and organizations – themselves.
ReplyDeleteAs one of the first Linkedin Influencers I have written more than 80 posts about innovation the last sixteen months. Last week I reread them all to identify my most essential insights. Some are provoking. Others are simplifying. Here's a list of quotes from my LinkedIn innovation articles. Please use them to lead your organizations in innovation:
In the long run a company cannot survive on doing the same things better and cheaper.
Most managers are like dogs. They bark at what they don't know.
Managers say yes to innovation only if doing nothing is a bigger risk.
Continuous innovation is bullshit. You only innovate when you have to.
Organizations frustrate innovative employees.
Starting innovation is like a child starting to walk. Learn to love the struggle!
If there’s no urgency innovation is considered as playtime.
Most people only innovate when they have to. Pick the right moment.
Innovators need the patience of a hunter to wait for a shot that you're sure you can make.
Never start innovation with an idea. You will fall in love with it. But love is blind.
A big idea is a new simple solution for a relevant problem or dream.
The best innovators are need seekers.
The problem of brainstorms is the inability of people to let go of the old ideas.
If you don’t get new insights you won’t get new ideas.
For most companies evolutionary ideas are quite revolutionary.
You can invent on your own, but in an organization you can never innovate alone!
Think outside the box and present your idea inside the box otherwise nothing will happen.
Innovators should bring back new business not new ideas.
Nobody buys innovation from a clown so bring back a new business case.
The voice of the customer is your best support for a new concept.
Innovators should stop writing plans. Innovation is learning by doing.
Innovation does not stop at the first “No”. That’s the moment it really starts.
Less creative ideas are better because they have a higher chance of becoming reality.
An organization is just like a herd. Focus on the slowest animals. When they start running too your organization really gets innovative.
So here were 24 of my essential insights about innovation. I hope some of them are helpful to you. As I promised 25 insights please do me a favor and share with us, as a comment, your own essential insight about innovation as number 25.....
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ReplyDeleteVisit this link to buy my book; https://www.facebook.com/PublishonDemandGlobal
ReplyDeleteHello sir, I visited the page but I cannot see how to buy your book there.
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Sean. you can read the first few pages of the book free on the amazon link.
Dear Sean; You can easily access all these links on my website; www.smartlaj.org. Kindly give me a feed back.
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ReplyDeleteI have finished the ebook. its quite revealing. the presentation is quite graphical. nice work
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Raji, you can read the first few pages of the book free on the amazon link. It is also quite fulfilling and rewarding, when an author realizes his works are appealing to a receptive audience
Yes I have seen the links they are working. Hope to buy soon
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DeleteCould Ukraine be torn between offers of economic prosperity form the European Union and Energy deals and debt relief from the Russian federation? Join the discussion. I think this is another unfolding political melodrama and conflict over limited fossil supplies.
ReplyDeleteOccupational safety and health (also commonly referred to as occupational health and safety) is an area concerned with protecting the safety, health and welfare of people engaged in work or employment. The goals of occupational safety and health programs include to foster a safe and healthy work environment. OSH may also protect co-workers, family members, employers, customers, and many others who might be affected by the workplace environment.
ReplyDeleteOccupational safety and health can be important for moral, legal, and financial reasons. All organizations have a duty of care to ensure that employees and any other person who may be affected by the companies undertaking remain safe at all times. Moral obligations would involve the protection of employee's lives and health. Legal reasons for OSH practices relate to the preventative, punitive and compensatory effects of laws that protect worker's safety and health. OSH can also reduce employee injury and illness related costs, including medical care, sick leave and disability benefit costs.
Human milk also contains fats that are essential for the health of your baby. It is necessary for brain development, absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and is a primary calorie source. Long chain fatty acids are needed for brain, retina, and nervous system development. They are deposited in the brain during the last trimester of pregnancy and are also found in breast milk.
ReplyDeleteThe amount and types of vitamins in breast milk is directly related to the mother’s vitamin intake. This is why it is essential that she gets adequate nutrition, including vitamins. Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are all vital to the infant’s health. Water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C, riboflavin, niacin, and panthothenic acid are also essential. Because of the need for these vitamins, many healthcare providers and lactation consultants will have nursing mothers continue on prenatal vitamins.
ReplyDeleteLactose is the primary carbohydrate found in human milk. It accounts for approximately 40% of the total calories provided by breast milk. Lactose helps to decrease the amount of unhealthy bacteria in the stomach, which improves the absorption of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. It helps to fight disease and promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the stomach.
ReplyDeleteVery nice ebook. Expecting mor
ReplyDeleteVisit this link;http://www.amazon.com/dp/1609767136/ref=rdr_ext_tmb and kindly give me a feedback.
DeleteSeveral copies are available at this link; http://www.abebooks.co.uk/9781609767136/Three-Major-Challenges-Humanity-21st-1609767136/plp
DeletePlease can I know how to download the Ebook?
ReplyDeleteThe link to download the book is just beside the photograph at the top of the newsletter; read the free e-book
DeleteDear Dr, you have a wealth of knowledge. I hope u profit from it online. I REALLY ENJOYED THE EBOOK>
ReplyDeleteYes, i have started reaping the benefits; Read the first few pages of my book on 3 major challenges to humanity in the 21st century at this link; http://www.amazon.com/dp/1609767136/ref=rdr_ext_tmb Kindly give me a feed back
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DeleteMAY God enrich you more with all your knowledge.
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DeleteVEry nice ebook just finished it.
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DeleteAmazon has a nice intro to the book. I will buy the book soon
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DeleteRead more on how the use of renewable forms of energy, instead of atomic and fossil fuels can conserve water, at this link; http://www.amazon.com/dp/1609767136/ref=rdr_ext_tmb...
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to nutrition for infants, the medical community largely agrees that "breast is best." But a new study in siblings seeking to uncover potential biases suggests breast-feeding may be no more beneficial than bottle-feeding for many long-term health outcomes.
The research, led by Cynthia Colen, assistant professor of sociology at Ohio State University, was recently published in the journal Social Science & Medicine.
Colen says that previous studies on the topic fall prey to selection bias, in that they "either do not or cannot statistically control for factors such as race, age, family income, mother's employment - things we know that can affect both breast-feeding and health outcomes."
In the latest study, the team included an analysis of outcomes from families of different races and socioeconomic backgrounds for comparison and found that their results matched those of other studies advocating that the benefits of breast-feeding outweigh those of bottle-feeding.
The researchers also assessed health and education benefits of the different feeding approaches for children between the ages of 4 and 14 years old, which extends beyond the typical immediate benefits studied in past studies.
Colen says the declaration from federal officials that breast-feeding for the first 6 months of an infant's life is a national priority could stigmatize women who are not able to breast-feed their babies.
I enjoyed your e-book. Quite illuminating.
ReplyDeleteRead the first few pages of a second book authored by me at this link; http://www.amazon.com/dp/1609767136/ref=rdr_ext_tmb#reader_1609767136
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DeleteOk will do.
DeleteMANHATTAN -- The novel avian H7N9 influenza virus has caused more than 130 human infections with 43 deaths in China. New research, conducted under the supervision of Kansas State University's Juergen Richt, is showing promise in helping to fight this deadly virus.
ReplyDelete"Emergence of a novel drug-resistant H7N9 influenza virus: Evidence-based clinical potential of a natural IFN-alpha for infection control and treatment" is set to publish in an early online edition of January's Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy journal.
Richt is a regents distinguished professor and Kansas Bioscience Authority eminent scholar at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. He also is the director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases, or CEEZAD, at the university. The center is working with scientists at Hemispherx Biopharma Inc. to develop novel pharmacological treatments. Research for the H7N9 project was conducted at the university's Biosecurity Research Institute, primarily by Qinfang Liu, a postdoctoral fellow in diagnostic medicine and pathobiology in Richt's laboratory.
Richt is recognized as an expert on zoonotic agents and has published extensively on the monitoring of mutations and basic events leading to cross-species transmission of influenza viruses and the opportunities to adapt to human hosts, with the potential to cause a pandemic. Because of the lack of existing immunity against H7 subtype influenza viruses in the human population and the absence of a licensed commercial vaccine, antiviral drugs are critical tools for the treatment of human infections with this novel H7N9.
ReplyDelete"Both M2-ion channel blockers, such as amantadine, and neuraminidase inhibitors, such as Tamiflu or Relenza, are used as antiviral drugs for influenza infections of humans," Richt said. "The emerging H7N9 viruses are resistant to the M2-ion channel blockers and some also to neuramidinidase inhibitors because of mutations in the respective viral proteins. In this study we report that Alferon N can inhibit wild type and Tamiflu-resistant H7N9 virus replication in vitro. Since Alferon N is approved for clinical use, this would allow a rapid regulatory approval process for this drug under pandemic threat."
(CNN) -- It's been eight months since I last wrote about medical marijuana, apologizing for having not dug deeply into the beneficial effects of this plant and for writing articles dismissing its potential. I apologized for my own role in previously misleading people, and I feel very badly that people have suffered for too long, unable to obtain the legitimate medicine that may have helped them.
ReplyDeleteI have been reminded that a true and productive scientific journey involves a willingness to let go of established notions and get at the truth, even if it is uncomfortable and even it means having to say "sorry."
It is not easy to apologize and take your lumps, but this was never about me.
This scientific journey is about a growing number of patients who want the cannabis plant as a genuine medicine, not to get high.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta is a practicing neurosurgeon and CNN\'s chief medical correspondent.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta is a practicing neurosurgeon and CNN's chief medical correspondent.
It is about emerging science that not only shows and proves what marijuana can do for the body but provides better insights into the mechanisms of marijuana in the brain, helping us better understand a plant whose benefits have been documented for thousands of years. This journey is also about a Draconian system where politics override science and patients are caught in the middle.
Since our documentary "Weed" aired in August, I have continued to travel the world, investigating and asking tough questions about marijuana.
ReplyDeleteI have met with hundreds of patients, dozens of scientists and the curious majority who simply want a deeper understanding of this ancient plant. I have sat in labs and personally analyzed the molecules in marijuana that have such potential but are also a source of intense controversy. I have seen those molecules turned into medicine that has quelled epilepsy in a child and pain in a grown adult. I've seen it help a woman at the peak of her life to overcome the ravages of multiple sclerosis.
Georgia House approves medical marijuana
Fla. to vote on medical marijuana
Can medical marijuana help seizures?
I am more convinced than ever that it is irresponsible to not provide the best care we can, care that often may involve marijuana.
I am not backing down on medical marijuana; I am doubling down.
I should add that, although I've taken some heat for my reporting on marijuana, it hasn't been as lonely a position as I expected. Legislators from several states have reached out to me, eager to inform their own positions and asking to show the documentary to their fellow lawmakers.
I should add that, although I've taken some heat for my reporting on marijuana, it hasn't been as lonely a position as I expected. Legislators from several states have reached out to me, eager to inform their own positions and asking to show the documentary to their fellow lawmakers.
ReplyDeleteI've avoided any lobbying, but of course it is gratifying to know that people with influence are paying attention to the film. One place where lawmakers saw a long clip was Georgia, where the state House just passed a medical marijuana bill by a vote of 171-4. Before the legislative session started, most people didn't think this bill had a chance.
More remarkable, many doctors and scientists, worried about being ostracized for even discussing the potential of marijuana, called me confidentially to share their own stories of the drug and the benefit it has provided to their patients. I will honor my promise not to name them, but I hope this next documentary will enable a more open discussion and advance science in the process.
The recent plane disapearance seems to remind one of the fable Bermuda Triangle.
ReplyDelete(CNN) -- How can a Boeing 777-200ER passenger jet go missing for more than a day? Turns out, it's not so easy.
DeleteThat's not just because the state-of-the-art jetliner has a wing span of nearly 200 feet and a length of more than 209 feet. It's also because it's bristling with communications gear, including radios, automatic beacons, GPS and computer communications systems, according to CNN aviation correspondent Richard Quest.
In addition to carrying UHF and VHF radios, the planes -- which cost more than $250 million apiece -- are equipped with Aircraft Communications and Reporting System technology. Embedded in the plane's computers, it tells the airline how the aircraft is performing -- speed, fuel, thrust. "If anything fails, it will send a signal to Malaysia Airlines," Quest said.
On June 1, 2009, Air France flight 447 was en route from Rio De Janeiro to Paris' Charles de Gaulle International Airport when communications ended suddenly from the Airbus A330, another state-of-the-art aircraft.
Delete"One of the first things we had was a series of ACARS messages that showed failure of the aircraft and degradation of the systems," Quest said. "What we didn't know was why. We knew what had gone wrong; we knew how it had gone wrong; we didn't know why it had gone wrong."
It took four searches over the course of nearly two years to locate the bulk of flight 447's wreckage and the majority of the 228 bodies in a mountain range deep under the ocean. It took even longer to find the cause of the disaster.
In May 2011, the aircraft's voice recorder and flight data recorder were recovered from the ocean floor after an extensive search using miniature submersible vehicles.
It was not until July 2012 that investigators published their report, which blamed the crash on a series of errors by the pilots and a failure to react effectively to technical problems.
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DeleteFrance's Bureau of Investigation and Analysis detailed how the pilots failed to respond effectively to problems with the plane's speed sensors or to correct its trajectory when things started to go wrong.
ReplyDeleteWhen ice crystals blocked the plane's pitot tubes, which are part of a system used to determine air speed, the autopilot disconnected and the pilots did not know how to react, the report said.
"The occurrence of the failure in the context of flight in cruise completely surprised the crew of flight AF 447," the report said.
The crew responded by over-handling the aircraft, which destabilized its flight path and caused further confusing readings, the report said.
"In the first minute after the autopilot disconnection, the failure of the attempt to understand the situation and the disruption of crew cooperation had a multiplying effect, inducing total loss of cognitive control of the situation."
The Airbus A330 went into a sustained stall, signaled by a warning message and buffeting of the aircraft, the report said.
"Despite these persistent symptoms, the crew never understood they were in a stall situation and therefore never undertook any recovery maneuvers."
The pilots responded by pointing the nose upward, rather than downward, to recover.
"That rewrote our understanding of what happens in massive crashes like this," Quest said. "In 447, you had a minor malfunction of the aircraft, and the pilot flew the airplane in a way that caused it to crash."
Plane was 'at safest point' in flight
(CNN) -- It's been three years since Japan was hit with its worst-ever earthquake, causing serious damage to Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
ReplyDeleteThe 9 magnitude quake and subsequent tsunami sent three of Fukushima's reactors into melt-down, shocking the world. Japan, a fully industrialized country with high safety requirements, was facing a nuclear disaster of a similar scale to the deadly 1986 Chernobyl accident, in Soviet Ukraine.
As a result, many countries decided to review their energy policies.
Before the accident, 442 nuclear power reactors in 30 countries produced 14% of all world's electricity.
See inside Japan's damaged nuclear plant
Nuclear power for the future?
The children of Fukushima
This number dropped to just 11% in 2012, as 15 reactors exited service -- mainly in Germany and Japan.
Today, 435 reactors operate in 31 countries, and a further 68 are under construction.
After the Fukushima disaster, Japan pulled back its nuclear ambitions, ordered large-scale inspections and introduced new safety regulations. All of its 48 remaining reactors have been kept offline and a proposal to restart the program awaits parliament's approval.
Germany shut down eight of its oldest reactors almost immediately after Fukushima, focusing instead on renewable energy, and phase-out all of its nuclear power by 2022.
ReplyDeleteSwitzerland adopted a similar approach when the government decided not to build any new reactors and phase out its nuclear production by 2034. This was despite a national referendum in which a majority of people voted in favor of more reactors.
But not all countries got scared.
ReplyDeleteBoth France, which has the world's highest share of nuclear power for its electricity production, and the U.S., the world's largest producer, reaffirmed their positions on the power source. Both countries continue to invest heavily into safety improvements.
All four "BRIC" countries are boosting their nuclear power production, with India aiming to supply 25% and Russia 45% of their electricity from nuclear power by 2050, and Brazil planning to build five new reactors by 2030.
China is facing pressure to cut its pollution levels and reliance on coal. China already operates 20 reactors and aims to more than triple its nuclear capacity by 2020.
Very enjoyable reading
ReplyDeleteMore information is available on the 3 human influenza pandemics of the 20th century, and the first human influenza pandemic of the 21st century at this link; and the current transition to the use of renewable forms of energy; http://www.amazon.com/dp/1609767136/ref=rdr_ext_tmb#reader_1609767136 and my free e-book; http://infoplussng.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-three-major-challenges-facing_14.html?showComment=1391435069526#c3139636249940502066
DeleteVirginia, USA -- World sentiment seemed to steer away from nuclear energy and toward more renewables following the disaster at Japan's Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear plant on March 11, 2011. Three years later, have we forgotten?
ReplyDeleteA “myth of safety” permeated before the accident — and indeed may have led to it. And the myth continues today, says Kennette Benedict, executive director of Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which published a new English version of the book, “The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Disaster: Investigating the Myth and Reality.” The book was released today to commemorate the third anniversary of the disaster.
The book describes minute-to-minute events within the plant, utility and government agencies as the accident unfolded. It is based on the findings of an independent panel that conducted 300 interviews with those who played a role during the crisis — from workers in the plant to government leaders forced to make fateful decisions during the crisis.
Owned by Tokyo Electric Power Company, the plant suffered a catastrophic failure when a tsunami flooded the facility and shut down emergency generators, thus halting cooling to the reactor. The 140,000 people who lived nearby evacuated and have yet to return. The disabled plant continues to struggle with radiation release.
The book attempts to bring cultural and historic perspective to the accident. When Japan decided to pursue nuclear power more than 50 years ago, it faced the task of winning over the Japanese citizenry, still wary from the nuclear bombing of their country during World War II. Thus began the campaign of “absolute safety,” a notion that leaders and workers also grew to embrace. This caused them to ignore red flags raised about the design of the Fukushima-Daiichi plant, particularly the potential flooding of the back-up power generators¸ according to Benedict.
ReplyDelete“You don’t attempt to prepare for accidents because there will be no accidents,” Benedict said during an interview. “You trap yourself and set yourself up for a complete disaster. That is the real message of the book, and it is a message we should take to heart.”
Fukushima may have rattled this myth, but it remains intact, she said. Indeed, the new Japanese government has softened its stance on nuclear energy, as the public grows weary of conservation and high electricity prices.
After the accident, Japan shut down all of its nuclear reactors, which had supplied more than a quarter of the nation’s power. With only 15 percent of its energy from indigenous sources¸ Japan has become ever more dependent on expensive fossil fuel imports since the nuclear accident. This led to $30 billion in losses by Japan’s top 10 utilities over two years, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Since then, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has begun to discuss nuclear revival as part of a larger economic revitalization of the country.
”The current Japanese government is more pro-nuclear than the previous one. The government's latest energy policy plan maintained nuclear as an important energy source, but it also stressed the importance of reducing the country's reliance on nuclear and increasing adoption of renewables,” said Roy Li, managing director of Asia Pacific of Upsolar, a Chinese solar module manufacturer with offices in Tokyo.
German Tipping Point
ReplyDeleteWhile Abe may be softening on nuclear, Fukushima clearly created a Malcolm Gladwell-type “tipping point” in sentiment toward nuclear power in Germany, said John Kourtoff, CEO and director of Ontario-based offshore wind developer Trillium Power. Nuclear power accounted for about a quarter of the nation’s power before the accident. Germany is now phasing out nuclear altogether.
Fukushima “forced all German politicians to finally turn the page on the nuclear era or be sent into the political wilderness,” Kourtoff said. “The full manifestation of the quiet change in thinking on the 'nuclear power issue' that had been occurring at the public level was in the German State of Baden-Württemburg where the conservative CDU party that had been in power for a continuous 57 years, which backed nuclear, was swept from power. The German Green Party was then installed to form the first state or national government in the western world.
On the other hand, France remains a nuclear stronghold, deriving 75 percent of its electricity from the resource, according to the World Nuclear Association. Many other countries are somewhere in the middle. In the U.S., for example, nuclear has supplied roughly 20 percent of power supply since 1990. But the U.S. has built no new nuclear since the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Watts Bar 1 came on line 1996. TVA is working on 1,150 MW Watts Bar 2, which it expects to begin operating in late 2015, according to EIA, but new nuclear projects are scarce.
“The point is unlike in the 50s, 60s, 70s, people are not talking about it as a great new thing. It is not a rising industry,” said Benedict.
While sentiment about nuclear may be mixed, what hasn’t changed since 2011 is a strong worldwide drive to add more renewable energy to the power mix. Bloomberg New Energy Finance forecasts a 230 percent rise in renewable energy capacity by 2030 worldwide in its Global Energy and Emissions Model 2013. This marks a 35 percent increase from its renewables forecast in 2012.
“Many countries are discovering that solar and other renewables are now the fastest, most-cost effective, and least risky way to get new power generation on-line,” said Tom Leyden, CEO of U.S. company Solar Grid Storage. “The nuclear industry is virtually dead in the U.S., not due to environmental or safety concerns, but because it’s simply too risky financially, and when compared to new renewables, is more expensive.”
ReplyDeleteNew Hampshire, USA -- Experts believe that the PJM Interconnection system, which encompasses all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, can handle up to 30 percent of its energy from wind and solar without "any significant reliability issues," assuming transmission upgrades and additional regulation reserves — and at the same time reducing costs and reliance on its costlier conventional generation fleet.
ReplyDeleteTwelve PJM member states have renewable portfolio standards ranging from 18-25 percent, most with solar carve-outs. PJM projects its own wind and solar requirements will continue to steadily build from roughly 4 GW combined wind and solar in 2010 to 33 GW of wind and over 9 GW of solar by 2029. [Update: PJM's latest Regional Transmission Expansion Plan suggests it'll need to accommodate roughly 38 GW of renewables to meet all those states' RPS targets by 2028.] To get their arms around this rapidly increasing amount of wind and solar energy in its infrastructure back in the spring of 2011 PJM stakeholders requested a study, led by GE Energy, to assess the operational, planning, and market impacts of adding large-scale integration of wind and solar power over the next 15 years. The study covered how it would take shape and be operated, what transmission upgrades would be required, capacity values, and general overall impact on PJM operations. Ten scenarios were explored, from simply maintaining 2011 levels of 2 percent renewable integration, to meeting a 14 percent RPS mandate by 2026, up to a maximum of 30 percent energy annually from solar and wind.
Conservation of ecosystems and the species within them would help to maintain the natural balances disrupted by recent human activity.
ReplyDeleteA report from the global conservation organization, WWF, has suggested that since 1970 the pressure we exert on the planet has almost doubled and the natural resources upon which we depend have declined by more than 33%
It’s an Uphill Struggle to Conserve
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, despite the effort put into conservation by organizations and activists, their work can easily be undermined by those who have other interests. This occurs, for example, from habitat destruction, illegal poaching, to influencing or manipulating laws designed to protect species.
The current form of globalization has also been criticized for ignoring sustainable development and environmental concerns. For many years, critics, NGOs, activists and affected peoples have been accusing large corporations for being major sources of environmental problems.
As a recent example, a study reported by the journal Nature concluded that almost a third of threats to animal species around the world stem from trade to meet the demands of richer nations. And with some poorer nations such as China increasing their development, this picture will get more complex.
Consequently, helping species and ecosystems to survive becomes more difficult.
I
Current ecological knowledge indicates that large carnivores are necessary for the maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem function. Human actions cannot fully replace the role of large carnivores. Additionally, the future of increasing human resource demands and changing climate will affect biodiversity and ecosystem resiliency. These facts, combined with the importance of resilient ecosystems, indicate that large carnivores and their habitats should be maintained and restored wherever possible.
ReplyDeleteTake for example the continued declining numbers of tigers, the largest of the big cats.
ReplyDeleteThe population of tigers is believed to have declined by 95 percent in the last century.
Tigers continue to face challenges imposed by poaching, retributive killings and habitat loss.
Tiger bone is also in high demand for traditional medicines in China and some other parts of the world, often based on mistaken beliefs, or weak evidence for their effectiveness.
It is well known that tobacco smoking kills millions. But it also exacerbates poverty, contributes to world hunger by diverting prime land away from food production, damages the environment and reduces economic productivity. Second hand smoking also affects other people's lives.
ReplyDeleteDespite many attempts to prevent it, a global tobacco control treaty became international law in 2005.
However, challenges still remain as tobacco companies try to hit back, for example, by targeting developing nations, increasing advertising at children and women, attempting to undermine global treaties and influence trade talks, etc.
The climate is changing. The earth is warming up, and there is now overwhelming scientific consensus that it is happening, and human-induced. With global warming on the increase and species and their habitats on the decrease, chances for ecosystems to adapt naturally are diminishing.
ReplyDeleteMany are agreed that climate change may be one of the greatest threats facing the planet. Recent years show increasing temperatures in various regions, and/or increasing extremities in weather patterns.
And another iconic animal, the lion, is also dwindling in numbers. The BBC reports (October 2003) that fewer than 20,000 lions now survive in Africa, compared to 200,000 in the early 1980s.
ReplyDeleteWith such prominent and iconic animals dwindling, what of other less emblematic creatures, the BBC also asks?
Sport or trophy hunting was cited as a major cause of the decline with males — young or old — primarily targeted. Another reason was the population pressures that have meant encroachment onto lands closer to lions.
Tourism had not really benefited the people of such communities, and so they do not see the benefit in preserving them.
But a decade later, by 2013, some nations are seeing a shift: Zambia decided to ban hunting of lions and leopards as it sees tourism for viewing the animals alive more lucrative than blood-sport tourism. Similarly, Botswana is banning all sport hunting in 2014.
While very welcome, it has come only when economics becomes a factor, which means that populations have to go through unnecessary declines before things are (easily) done to prevent it.
Although almost all species of rhinos have been recognized as critically endangered for many years, the conservation organization, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) noted in 2009 that rhino poaching worldwide is poised to hit a 15-year-high driven by Asian demand for horns.
ReplyDeleteAs with the killing of sharks just for their fins, whereby the body is discarded once the fin is cut off the shark, rhinos are often killed just for the horns. In some Asian countries it is wrongly believed the horns have medicinal value.
The IUCN is finding some 3 rhinos a month are being killed. In some places that number is even higher. In Africa, the total rhino population is estimated to be around 18,000 and in India/Nepal only 2,400.
At the end of 2011, the IUCN declared that the West African wild black rhino was extinct, while a subspecies of white rhino in Central Africa may be extinct. In addition, the last Javan rhino outside Java is believed to be extinct. Although overall numbers have been increasing lately, various subspecies are still vulnerable to poaching.
ReplyDeleteIronically rhino protection has been one of conservations great triumphs given how decimated many populations were about a century ago. South Africa, home to the largest population of rhinos (around 80% of all African rhinos), has been at the forefront of conservation, but as the IUCN warned a few years ago, poaching is again on the increase and numerous species remain vulnerable.
BMA News, published by the British Medical Association (BMA), reported on the near-extinction of several vulture species in India (July 9, 2005).
ReplyDeleteThe BMA noted that in the 1980s, these birds were the most abundant large birds of prey in the world. However, in the last 12 years, the population had crashed by 97%.
In a country where these birds actually provide a useful service by scavenging rotting carcasses, this is seen as a big problem.
How did this happen?
The anti-inflammatory, diclofenac, (similar to ibuprofen), was used by cattle farmers as a popular cure-all to treat a variety of diseases.
Vultures feeding on carcasses of cows treated with the drug died of kidney failure as it was a poison for the vultures.
The use of this medication was “careless and casual.”
The aim of the study was to find out if pheromone was one of the responsible factors leading to rape. Search in literature revealed many interesting facts. Majority of rape took place on the day or nearer to ovulation. Many rape victims became pregnant. In normal life, among couples most of the sexual intercourse happened on this day, more than on other days. Smell of the women on this day was different and was more attractive to men. Vaginal smell also differed on this day. One study showed many men were able to recognize a woman’s urine of ovulation day by its smell. It was not similar on other days. All above lead us to conclude that women exuded a sex attractant or pheromone on the day of ovulation which attracted men. Probably this is the hidden biological cause ending in rape.
ReplyDeleteAvocados have diverse fats. For a typical avocado:
ReplyDeleteAbout 75% of an avocado's energy comes from fat, most of which (67% of total) is monounsaturated fat as oleic acid.
Other predominant fats include palmitic acid and linoleic acid.
The saturated fat content amounts to 14% of the total fat in a single serving of avocado while containing zero cholesterol.
Typical total fat composition is roughly (rounded to digits): 1% ω-3, 14% ω-6, 71% ω-9 (65% oleic and 6% palmitoleic), and 14% saturated fat (palmitic acid).
On a weight basis, avocados have 35% more potassium (485 mg/100 g) than bananas (358 mg/100 g). They are rich in folic acid and vitamin K, and are good dietary sources of vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E and pantothenic acid.[44]
Avocados have a high fiber content of 75% insoluble and 25% soluble fiber.
High avocado intake was shown in one preliminary study to lower blood cholesterol levels. Specifically, after a seven-day diet rich in avocados, mild hypercholesterolemia patients showed a 17% decrease in total serum cholesterol levels. These subjects also showed a 22% decrease in both LDL (harmful cholesterol) and triglyceride levels and 11% increase in HDL (helpful cholesterol) levels. A 2013 epidemiological report showed that American avocado consumers had better overall diet quality, nutrient levels, and reduced risk of metabolic syndrome.
Extracts of avocado have been studied in laboratory research to assess potential for lowering risk of diabetes mellitus.
A Japanese team synthesised the four chiral components of avocado, and identified (2R, 4R)-16-heptadecene-1, 2, 4-triol as a potential antibacterial component. Due to a combination of specific aliphatic acetogenins, avocado is under preliminary research for potential anti-cancer activity.
New Hampshire, USA -- On March 17, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) announced that it would begin accepting applications for a generous subsidy that it is awarding to consumers who install lithium-ion battery storage systems along with renewable energy systems on their homes or businesses. The subsidy will spark nearly 100 MW of energy storage capacity to be installed in 2014, according to an energy analyst with IHS.
ReplyDeleteMETI is subsidizing up to two-thirds of the upfront costs of 1-kWh or larger stationery lithium ion battery systems that consumers install to back up their PV capacity. The maximum subsidy is set at ¥1 Million (about US $10,000) for consumers and ¥100 Million (about US $1,000,000) for commercial organizations. In all, METI has set aside about ¥10 Billion (about US $98 million) for the program.
According to METI, the program is a direct result of its desire to help firm up the grid, which has seen an influx of renewable energy since the country shut down its nuclear fleet in reaction to the Fukishima accident in 2011. Demand-side energy storage can help reduce overvoltages on the grid that can occur in the afternoon on days of high insolation. It can also encourage consumers to manage their energy use more carefully.
Germany is also exploring the “prosumer” energy model by encouraging consumers who are installing PV to include energy storage with their systems. Since the German feed-in tariff for PV is much lower today than it was in the past, it makes sense for Germans installing PV to couple it with energy storage and decide themselves when they want to use their own electricity and when they want to sell it to the grid. Germany also introduced an energy storage subsidy about one year ago. The subsidy covers 30 percent of the cost of the energy storage system.
ReplyDeleteSam Wilkinson, an analyst with energy consultancy IHS, says the moves by these two countries will spark incredible market growth in the energy storage industry. “Japan’s share of the total global grid-connected storage market — including all interconnection locations — will reach 12 percent in 2014 whilst Germany, which last year initiated a PV energy storage subsidy, will claim an 11 percent share of that market this year,” he said.
Further, renewable energy policies set by these countries have been used as templates across the globe, said IHS. Wilkinson believes that this has led to “dramatic growth and massive cost reduction” for PV and predicts a similar trajectory for energy storage.
“As such we expect 6 GW of storage to be installed in 2017, with 1.5 GW of this being co-located with utility-scale renewable sources and over 2 GW in behind-the-meter systems, many of which will also include PV systems,” he said.
That growth will lead to energy storage cost reductions on the order of 30 percent by 2017, “allowing them to become economically viable solutions in several markets and applications,” he concluded.
Wow! An educational portal? Wats that all about?
ReplyDeleteYou can read my free e-book and join the discussion on this newsletter. Patiently await the release of my next e-book and my podcast, by which time there will be detailed instructions on how you can register on the portal.
DeleteYou can also read the first few pages of another book authored by me at this link; http://www.amazon.com/dp/1609767136/ref=rdr_ext_tmb
Delete(CNN) -- An Ebola outbreak has killed at least 59 people in Guinea, UNICEF said, as the deadly hemorrhagic fever has quickly spread from southern communities in the West African nation.
ReplyDeleteExperts in the country had been unable to identify the disease, whose symptoms -- diarrhea, vomiting and fever -- were first observed last month.
Health Minister Remy Lamah said Saturday initial test results confirm the presence of a viral hemorrhagic fever, which according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention refers to a group of viruses that affect multiple organ systems in the body.
In a written statement, UNICEF said at least 59 out of 80 people who contracted Ebola have died. At least three of the victims were children.
How Ebola virus spreads
"In Guinea, a country with a weak medical infrastructure, an outbreak like this can be devastating," the UNICEF representative in Guinea, Dr. Mohamed Ag Ayoya, said in the statement.
The Guinean Health Ministry warned that the disease is mainly spread from infected people, from objects belonging to ill or dead people, and by the consumption of meat from animals in the bush.
ReplyDeleteSo far, most of the cases have been in the forest area of southern Guinea, and health officials say they are offering free treatment for all patients.
They've urged people to stay calm, wash their hands and report all cases to authorities.
The international medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres announced on Saturday it was reinforcing its medical and logistics teams in Guinea in response to the epidemic.
It is also flying in 33 tons of medicines and equipment and setting up isolation units in the three affected areas in the country.
"Isolation units are essential to prevent the spread of the disease, which is highly contagious," Dr. Esther Sterk, MSF tropical medicine adviser, said in a written statement. "Specialized staff are providing care to patients showing signs of infection."
(CNN) -- Health officials in Canada said Monday they are looking into the case of a man who recently traveled from Liberia and is exhibiting symptoms consistent with viral hemorrhagic fevers.
ReplyDeleteViral hemorrhagic fevers is a generic term that refers to a number of diseases found in Africa, including Ebola hemorrhagic fever, Lassa fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and yellow fever, according to Denise Werker, deputy chief medical health officer at the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health.
"There is no risk to the general public at all about this incident. We recognize that there's going to be a fair amount of concern, and that's why we wanted to go public with this as soon as possible and dispel some of those myths that are out there," she told reporters Monday.
(CNN) -- An estimated 7 million people died due to air pollution globally in 2012, with more than half of the deaths linked to indoor smoke from cook stoves, according to a report by the World Health Organization.
ReplyDeleteAir pollution is now the "single largest environmental health risk," the U.N. health agency stated in the report. The majority of the deaths associated with air pollution were heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer.
"Few risks have greater impact on global health today than air pollution: the evidence signals the need for concerted action to clean up the air we all breathe," said Dr. Maria Neira, director of WHO's Department for Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health in the report.
The Western Pacific (which includes east Asia and the Pacific islands)and the Southeast Asian regions were estimated to be the hardest-hit, according to the report, with 2.8 million and 2.3 million deaths as a result of polluted air in 2012.
ReplyDeleteIn the Southeast Asian region, the bulk of it, with 1.7 million premature deaths, was attributed to indoor air pollution.
Around 3 billion people in the world rely on coal, wood and open-air fires for household cooking, according to the WHO's estimates. In India, 63% of the population uses such solid fuels for cooking. These fuels produce harmful pollutants such as fine particulate matter and carbon monoxide.
Country-specific data was not yet available in the report.
The WHO findings further noted that women in developing countries are more exposed to household air pollution than men.
"Poor women and children pay a hefty price from indoor air pollution since they spend more time at home breathing in smoke and soot from leaky coal and wood cook stoves," said Dr. Flavia Bustreo, WHO assistant director of General Family, Women and Child's Health in the report.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, outdoor air pollution killed an estimated 3.7 million people, with more than 80% of the deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
The sources for ambient pollution include diesel engines and industrial emissions. Sixty percent of these deaths were due to cardiovascular diseases like stroke and heart disease.
The headlines seem like something from the past: Congressional hearings are held to debate women's access to contraceptives. A talk show host uses a derogatory and misogynist term to describe a graduate student seeking access to contraception on her campus. And for-profit employers are suing the government to avoid providing coverage for contraception within their employees' insurance plans on the basis of their personal beliefs.
ReplyDeleteBut this is no flashback: These conversations about contraception are happening now, in the present day, with outdated views and inaccurate information playing a leading role.
As physicians dedicated to improving the health of women, we ask: Why is contraception still seen as controversial in the face of overwhelming evidence about its benefits? Why is birth control questioned, in this day and age, despite its widespread acceptance and use?
In the current debate, science and facts are being drowned out by highly vocal and misinformed voices; as physicians, we must set the record straight.
In the case that comes before the Supreme Court on Tuesday, owners of the craft store chain Hobby Lobby and furniture makers Conestoga Wood will argue against a provision in the Affordable Care Act that requires insurance coverage of all FDA-approved contraceptive methods within employer-sponsored health insurance plans.
ReplyDeleteIn enacting this provision, the government agreed with America's medical professionals: Birth control is essential health care that must be covered like any other preventive service.
Opinion: Corporations playing religion card over birth control
Let us make clear that we respect the rights of others to have their own personal beliefs. However, in exercising these beliefs, the owners of Hobby Lobby are denying scientific fact and asking to restrict employees' access to important preventive care.
For example, one of the debates with the Supreme Court case centers around the employers' opinion on how contraception works: The employers think that certain forms of contraception (emergency contraception pills and intrauterine devices) cause abortions. But what they believe about science is contradicted by the science itself.
Emergency contraception pills work by inhibiting or postponing ovulation, or the release of the egg, and this prevents fertilization from occurring. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) work by preventing sperm from reaching the egg, either by creating a barrier or by creating an environment that inhibits the mobility and viability of sperm or, in the case of copper IUDs, potentially by preventing implantation of a fertilized egg before a woman is pregnant.
None of these contraceptives causes abortion.
ReplyDeleteAlready, contraceptive care is essential preventive care for millions of women. The ability to time and space children reduces fetal, infant and maternal morbidity and mortality. Contraception can help families better plan for pregnancies, leading to more optimal health outcomes. Planned pregnancies lower the risk of potentially serious issues such as low birth weight, preterm birth and small-for-gestational age. They also prevent an unanticipated worsening of health for women with pre-existing health conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease. Of course, contraception reduces unintended pregnancy.
There is a reason why, in a recent poll, a majority of Americans favored coverage of contraceptives: It is because we need look no further than our own homes to see the value of contraception. The typical American woman will have two children in her lifetime. That means she will spend more than three decades trying to avoid pregnancy. Virtually all American women who are or have been sexually active have used contraceptives at some point during their lives. The value to women's lives and families is clear.
But for a woman to make the best decision about the birth control that is right for her, coverage of all FDA-approved contraceptives is necessary. Cost of contraceptive care can be a major factor that determines not only which method a woman uses but whether she is able to use birth control at all. This is especially true for low-income and hourly workers. Birth control is often an additional health expense that many women simply cannot afford if money is tight, putting them at high risk for an unintended pregnancy.
We see this problem frequently when we counsel our patients about the most effective contraceptives, namely IUDs and implants. These methods are up to 20 times more effective than the birth control pill in preventing pregnancy, and they are often the safest options for our patients.
But high up-front costs put these methods out of reach for a lot of women. Insurance coverage for contraception without a co-pay would allow a woman to choose the best method for her, not just what fits in her budget. Taking away coverage would effectively block access to those most-effective methods.
Birth control is not only safe and effective preventive care, it is also care that physicians support and millions of women need. Allowing an employer's personal values to trump his or her employees' right to care would allow the beliefs of the few to trump the health of many. That's both bad policy and bad medicine.
As physicians committed to the health care and well-being of women, we urge the Supreme Court to consider the crucial individual and public health issues at stake when they weigh their decision in this important case. The health of millions of women and their children hangs in the balance.
Yellow fever, known historically as yellow jack, or yellow plague[1] is an acute viral disease.[2] In most cases symptoms include fever, chills, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle pains particularly in the back, and headaches.Symptoms typically get better within five days. In some people within a day of improving the fever comes back, there is abdominal pain, and liver damage begins causing yellow skin. If this occurs there is also an increased risk of bleeding and kidney problems.
ReplyDeleteThe disease is caused by the yellow fever virus and is spread by the bite of the female mosquito. It only infects humans, other primates and several species of mosquito. In cities it is primarily spread by mosquitoes of the Aedes aegypti species. The virus is an RNA virus of the genus Flavivirus. The disease may be difficult to tell apart from other illnesses, especially in the early stages. To confirm a suspected case blood sample testing with PCR is required.
ReplyDeleteA safe and effective vaccine against yellow fever exists and some countries require vaccinations for travelers. Other efforts to prevent infection include reducing the population of the transmitting mosquito. In areas where yellow fever is common and vaccination is uncommon, early diagnosis of cases and immunization of large parts of the population is important to prevent outbreaks. Once infected management is symptomatic, with no specific measures effective against the virus. In those with severe disease death occurs in about half of people without treatment.
ReplyDeleteYellow fever causes 200,000 infections and 30,000 deaths every year, with nearly 90% of these occurring in Africa. Nearly a billion people live in an area of the world where the disease is common. It is common in tropical areas of South America and Africa, but not in Asia. Since the 1980s, the number of cases of yellow fever has been increasing. This is believed to be due to fewer people being immune, more people living in cities, people moving frequently, and changing climate. The origin of the disease is Africa, from where it spread to South America through the slave trade in the 17th century. Since the 17th century, several major outbreaks of the disease have occurred in the Americas, Africa, and Europe. In the 18th and 19th century, yellow fever was seen as one of the most dangerous infectious diseases. The yellow fever virus was the first human virus discovered.
ReplyDeleteThere are three epidemiologically different infectious cycles, in which the virus is transmitted from mosquitoes to humans or other primates. In the "urban cycle," only the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti is involved. It is well adapted to urban centres and can also transmit other diseases, including dengue fever and chikungunya. The urban cycle is responsible for the major outbreaks of yellow fever that occur in Africa. Except in an outbreak in 1999 in Bolivia, this urban cycle no longer exists in South America.
ReplyDeleteBesides the urban cycle there is, both in Africa and South America, a sylvatic cycle (forest cycle or jungle cycle), where Aedes africanus (in Africa) or mosquitoes of the genus Haemagogus and Sabethes (in South America) serve as vectors. In the jungle, the mosquitoes infect mainly non-human primates; the disease is mostly asymptomatic in African primates. In South America, the sylvatic cycle is currently the only way humans can infect each other, which explains the low incidence of yellow fever cases on the continent. People who become infected in the jungle can carry the virus to urban centres, where Aedes aegypti acts as a vector. It is because of this sylvatic cycle that yellow fever cannot be eradicated.
In Africa there is a third infectious cycle, also known as "savannah cycle" or intermediate cycle, which occurs between the jungle and urban cycle. Different mosquitoes of the genus Aedes are involved. In recent years, this has been the most common form of transmission of yellow fever in Africa.
(CNN) -- Look miles into the future and imagine a day, when geneticists can design a flawless set of human genes in a laboratory.
ReplyDeleteThat future vision may never arrive, but it has taken a step closer.
Scientists have built a designer chromosome and inserted it into a cell, geneticist Jef Boeke from New York University announced this week.
The chromosome was a heavily altered version, a departure from its natural counterpart. A team of scientists from around the world made 500 changes to its genetic base.
"When you change the genome, you're gambling," said Boeke, who led the project. "One wrong change can kill the cell."
But the cell survived and made use of its new chromosome. It also reproduced, and subsequent cells carried the new chromosome forward.
Actually, make this breakthrough a second step closer to that way-out-there future.
Researchers were already able to duplicate a chromosome on a computer four years ago, build it in the lab, insert it into a cell and watch it work.
It was a huge advancement that created the first synthetic bacteria cell, scientists said then.
ReplyDeleteBut, now, there's been a leap forward, Boeke said.
"Our research moves the needle in synthetic biology from theory to reality," he said.
It makes scientists more able to alter the design of living things.
Meet yeast -- your cousin
The new chromosome and the cell Boeke's scientist built it for are much more complex and are closer to those of a human being.
The kind of cell Boeke used? Brewer's yeast.
Yeast cells, human cells, plant and animal cells have in common that they are "eukaryotes" -- cells with a nucleus wrapped in membrane.
Our chromosomes, which are located in those nuclei, are made of enormously long strings of DNA.
They are wound up like twists of yarn that take on that familiar "X" shape many associate with the genes they contain. And they are called eukaryotic chromosomes.
Boeke's breakthrough represents the first report that a whole eukaryotic chromosome was constructed from scratch, NYU said.
Boeke and his team call their new designer chromosome "synIII."
Mammoth knitting task
It took seven years and the help of 60 students to build synIII with the help of computer modeling.
Each student put together about 1,000 genetic molecule pairs called "base pairs" to make strings of DNA.
They were joined together to make a genetic strand 273,871 base pairs long.
That's actually shorter than the yeast's natural chromosome, which contained 316,667 base pairs.
And that's where the design and manipulation come in. Broeke and his team took out 47,841 base pairs that were repeats of other pairs -- along with some "junk" DNA.
The new designer chromosome is a cleaned up, streamlined version of the original.
Shuffling the genetic deck
ReplyDeleteYeast has about 6,000 genes and shares about a third of them with humans, although yeast is a much simpler beast.
That makes it easier to study. In fact, its genetics are probably better known than those of any other living thing, NYU said.
Although Boeke studies human genetics, too, he is not planning to design a set of synthetic human chromosomes.
But he would like to build all 16 required for an entire yeast cell. And he has made some progress already.
Students are figuring out how to make DNA strands 10 times as long as the ones they made the first time around. It should speed up production of subsequent chromosomes.
Boeke also wants to improve upon the yeast cells in the process, now that his team can shuffle its genes around like cards in a deck.
"It will allow us to ask, can we make a deck of cards with a better hand for making yeast survive under any of a multitude of conditions, such as tolerating higher alcohol levels."
That might make for stronger glass of beer, but it could also have other uses: The new cells could possibly be programmed to "brew" medicines, vaccines and fuels.
CNN) -- At least 70 people are reported to have died from Ebola hemorrhagic fever in Guinea, according to a statement from the West African nation's health ministry.
ReplyDeleteOfficials say there are at least 111 suspected cases of the viral disease, which spreads in the blood and shuts down the immune system, causing high fever, headache and muscle pain. The virus is transmitted by contact with the fluids of infected people or animals.
Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) describes Ebola as "one of the world's most deadly diseases." It is rare, but it creates panic, because there is no cure and it's fatal in most cases, according to MSF.
The priority is to isolate suspected cases," said MSF, which has set up two isolation facilities in the most affected districts, Gueckedou and Macenta, both in southern Guinea.
ReplyDeleteFour of the fatalities from the disease are in Conakry, the capital city, which is on the coast.
Genetic analysis of the virus shows that it is closely related to Zaire Ebola virus, which was reported in 2009 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Senegal's Interior Ministry decided to close its border with Guinea until further notice to prevent the spread of the disease, according to Senegal's state news agency.
The World Health Organization says that, to date, no confirmed cases of Ebola have been found outside of Guinea, but at least 12 suspected cases are under investigation in neighboring Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Hello Dr. what actually is the Smartlaj Educational Portal and how can I benefit from it?
ReplyDeleteIn yet one more example of the rising interest in how microgrids that incorporate renewable energy and energy storage will change the energy landscape, Missouri University of Science and Technology (MST) has created what it says is the first “Solar Village” in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteConsisting of a grouping of Solar Decathlon houses that students at MST built for competitions between 2002 and 2009, the solar village is a project created in collaboration with Missouri S&T students, faculty and staff, along with members of the university’s microgrid advisory board (Investor-owned utility Ameren, City Utilities of Springfield, Rolla Municipal Utilities and Electric Power Research Institute), several Missouri manufacturers (Milbank and Ford Motor Company) and the Army Corps of Engineers. The engineer-of-record and installer for the project was Microgrid Solar, a U.S. and Caribbean solar developer, installer, and engineering company based in St. Louis, MO.
The project has been in the works for two years and is expected to be complete by the end of next month. A utility grant and the DOE Sunshot Initiative contributed funding for the project.