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April 30, 2008
Regrow a Finger
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7354458.stm
In every town in every part of this sprawling country you can find a faceless sprawling strip mall in which to do the shopping.
Rarely though would you expect to find a medical miracle working behind the counter of the mall's hobby shop.
That however is what Lee Spievak considers himself to be.
"I put my finger in," Mr Spievak says, pointing towards the propeller of a model airplane, "and that's when I sliced my finger off."
It took the end right off, down to the bone, about half an inch.
"We don't know where the piece went."
The photos of his severed finger tip are pretty graphic. You can understand why doctors said he'd lost it for good.
Today though, you wouldn't know it. Mr Spievak, who is 69 years old, shows off his finger, and it's all there, tissue, nerves, nail, skin, even his finger print.
'Pixie dust'
How? Well that's the truly remarkable part. It wasn't a transplant. Mr Spievak re-grew his finger tip. He used a powder - or pixie dust as he sometimes refers to it while telling his story.
Mr Speivak's brother Alan - who was working in the field of regenerative medicine - sent him the powder.
For ten days Mr Spievak put a little on his finger.
"The second time I put it on I already could see growth. Each day it was up further. Finally it closed up and was a finger.
"It took about four weeks before it was sealed."
Now he says he has "complete feeling, complete movement."
The "pixie dust" comes from the University of Pittsburgh, though in the lab Dr Stephen Badylak prefers to call it extra cellular matrix.
Pig's bladder
The process he has been pioneering over the last few years involves scraping the cells from the lining of a pig's bladder.
The remaining tissue is then placed into acid, "cleaned" of all cells, and dried out.
It can be turned into sheets, or a powder.
It looks like a simple process, but of course the science is complex.
"There are all sorts of signals in the body," explains Dr Badylak.
"We have got signals that are good for forming scar, and others that are good for regenerating tissues.
"One way to think about these matrices is that we have taken out many of the stimuli for scar tissue formation and left those signals that were always there anyway for constructive remodelling."
In other words when the extra cellular matrix is put on a wound, scientists believe it stimulates cells in the tissue to grow rather than scar.
If they can perfect the technique, it might mean one day they could repair not just a severed finger, but severely burnt skin, or even damaged organs.
Clinical trial
They hope soon to start a clinical trial in Buenos Aires on a woman who has cancer of the oesophagus.
The normal procedure in such cases is often deadly. Doctors remove the cancerous portion and try to stretch the stomach lining up to meet the shortened oesophagus.
In the trial they will place the extra cellular matrix inside the body from where the portion of oesophagus has been removed, and hope to stimulate the cells around it to re-grow the missing portion.
So could limbs be re-grown? Dr Badylak is cautious, but believes the technology is potentially revolutionary.
"I think that within ten years that we will have strategies that will re-grow the bones, and promote the growth of functional tissue around those bones. And that is a major step towards eventually doing the entire limb."
That kind of talk has got the US military interested.
They are just about to start trials to re-grow parts of the fingers of injured soldiers.
Skin burns
They also hope the matrix might help veterans like Robert Henline re-grow burnt skin.
He was almost killed in an explosion while serving in Iraq. His four colleagues travelling with him in the army Humvee were all killed.
He suffered 35% burns to his head and upper body. His ears are almost totally gone, the skin on his head has been burnt to the bone, his face is a swollen raw mess.
So far he has undergone surgery 25 times. He reckons he has got another 30 to go.
Anything that could be done in terms of regeneration would be great he says.
"Life changing! I think I'm more scared of hospitals than I am of going back to Iraq again."
Like any developing technology there are many unknowns. There are worries about encouraging cancerous growths by using the matrix.
Doctors though believe that within the so called pixie dust lies an amazing medical discovery.
Posted by chek at 03:11 PM | Comments (0)
Hofmann, Albert
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7374846.stm
LSD inventor Albert Hofmann dies
Albert Hofmann, the Swiss chemist who discovered the hallucinogenic drug LSD, has died of a heart attack at his home in Basel at the age of 102.
Mr Hofmann first produced LSD in 1938 while researching the medicinal uses of a crop fungus.
He accidentally ingested some of the drug and said later: "Everything I saw was distorted as in a warped mirror".
He argued for decades that LSD could help treat mental illness, but in the 1960s it became a popular street drug.
'Turn on, tune in, drop out'
While working with the drug in the Sandoz pharmaceutical laboratory a few years after first producing it, Mr Hofmann ingested some of the drug through his fingertips.
He went home and experienced what he described as visions of "fantastic pictures, extraordinary shapes with intense, kaleidoscopic play of colours".
The drug was popularised by Harvard professor Timothy Leary who suggested that people "turn on, tune in, drop out".
Rock stars and the counter-culture of the 1960s picked up LSD as a wonder drug but horror stories began to emerge of users suffering permanent psychological damage.
LSD was made illegal in many countries beginning in the late 1960s.
Posted by chek at 02:57 PM | Comments (0)
April 28, 2008
Miss Universe Canada
http://www.beautiesofcanada.com/index.htm
Toronto, April 28th, 2008
Samantha Tajik was crowned the 57th annual Miss Universe Canada
Other Iranians among the contestants:
Mona Nikkhah
Pauline Ranjbar
Sahra Khoshnavazi
Tanya Razi
An ecstatic Tajik, 25, outshone more than 60 delegates from across the country to capture the crown before hundreds of black-tie supporters at the Winter Garden Theatre, on Yonge St.
"I want to thank my family and friends for all their support," she said. "I look forward to the Miss Universe pageant in Vietnam."
Outgoing Miss Universe Canada 2007, Toronto's Inga Skaya, 22, said, "It's been a life-altering experience for me."
Tajik will represent Canada at the July 14 Miss Universe 2008 pageant in Vietnam, and has won the use of a car for a year, jewellery and trips.
Montreal, March 11th to 22nd, 2006
23 year old Sanaz is in her last year at the University of Toronto, double majoring in Economics and Art History. Upon completion of her Honours Bachelor of Arts degree she plans on pursuing a Doctoral degree in Museum Studies. Sanaz holds a second degree Black Belt in karate, is an international instructor and competitor, and is currently ranked as the 7th top female karate competitor in the world.
Sanaz spends her free time painting, volunteering as a docent at the Bata Shoe Museum and dedicating her time to raising funds and awareness for the Canadian Breast Cancer Fund, the YMCA of Greater Toronto and for the United Way.
Posted by chek at 11:59 PM | Comments (0)
April 21, 2008
Grand Canyon
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/spring08village.pdf
Reply needed by Thr 15th:
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Let me know if you need a place in a tent or if you have any extra room in your tent.
Specific Info:
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Everyone needs:
1. Sleeping bag (I suggest 15^F)
2. A reusable plastic plate, cup, and a set of spoon, fork, and knife (if most agree I'll buy 16 for all) This way you'll save on room in your backpack too.
We don't have much room in the cars, so please pack light, everyone can bring one sleeping bag, one school size backpack, one Safeway size plastic bag, and one coat.
General Info:
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May Weather: (Lo, Hi)
Tue 13th: (25, 52) Partly Cloudy
Thr 22nd: (29, 70) Showers 60%
Campsites include a fire ring with cooking grate, a picnic table, parking space, and room for up to 3 tents.
The terrain here is hard and rocky, sleeping pads are suggested. Firewood can not be collected but is available at the general store.
Showers and laundry are coin operated. We have flush toilets and fresh water throughout the campground, and also a free dump station.
For back country camping BELOW the rim, call 928-638-7875. For hotels, cabins, mule rides, and camping with full hookups in Trailer Village please call 888-297-2757.
The Mather Campground is located in the Grand Canyon Village.
From the south entrance follow the road for about three miles, Turn left on Center Road. travel 1/4 mile; turn right onto Market Plaza Road. The campground is about one mile down market plaza road on the right.
From the east entrance follow the road 25 Miles, turn left at the "t" intersection onto South Entrance Road. Travel about 1/2 mile and turn right at that intersection onto center road. Travel 1/4 mile; turn right onto market plaza road. The campground is about one mile down market plaza road on the right.
More Info:
----------------------
http://www.nps.gov/grca/parknews/upload/backcountry_planner08.pdf
Reservation:
888-297-2757
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Out-of-Park Camping South Rim
There is a commercial campground in Tusayan,
7 miles south of Grand Canyon Village (Camper Village, 928-638-2887),
and a Forest Service campground (Ten X, 928-638-2443) 2 miles south of Tusayan in the Kaibab National Forest.
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Lodging:
Phantom Ranch
Meals:
Phantom Ranch Canteen
Phantom Ranch is tucked in beside Bright Angel Creek on the north side of the Colorado River and is the only lodging facility below the Canyon rim.
The Ranch can only be reached by mule, or by foot, via the famous Bright Angel or Kaibab trails. Open year-round.
Mule Trips (overnight)
Cabin accommodations at Phantom Ranch
Include a lunch on the way down, steak dinner and a breakfast.
Backpackers
Dormitory-style lodging
Hikers need to reserve meals separately and well in advance.
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Camping
1. Mather Campground on the South Rim
2. North Rim Campground.
Calling 1-877-444-6777
online at http://www.recreation.gov/
up to 6 months in advance
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Backcountry Permit
A National Park Service campground is also located nearby and requires a backcountry permit.
Tel (Info only): 928-638-7875 (1-5pm M-F)
Fax (Reserve): 928-638-2125
More permits are available for small groups (1-6 people) than for large groups (7-11 people). Because there are only a few large group sites, limiting the size of your group will increase your chances of obtaining a permit.
When to Apply
The first of the month, four months prior to the proposed start month (e.g. for May apply Jan 1st)
Last Minute Permit for Corridor Campgrounds
Available at the Backcountry Information Center for
Corridor Campgrounds (Indian Garden, Bright Angel, and Cottonwood Campgrounds).
In person only, are for one or two consecutive nights,
Cannot be purchased more than one day prior to the start of a hike.
Waitlist
You can stop by the Backcountry Information Center at any time during open hours and request a waitlist number. This number is valid for the following morning and will be used to determine priority of service. At 8:00 a.m. Backcountry Information Center staff will call waitlist numbers. When your turn comes you can request a permit, exchange your number for a new waitlist number good for the following day, or simply ask questions. You may participate in the waitlist for as many consecutive days as is convenient.
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Duffel Service
Have your duffel/pack carried by mule to/from the South Rim and in and/or out of Grand Canyon.
Weight limit: 30 lb
Maximum dimensions: 36” x 20” x 13”
Phantom Ranch
Room Type 2008
Dorm, per person $36.29
Breakfast, per person $18.46
Sack Lunch, per person $11.21
Steak Dinner, per person $38.82
Veggie Dinner, per person $24.61
Hiker's Stew Dinner, per person $24.61
Duffel Service $62.43 each way
Posted by chek at 02:27 PM | Comments (0)
April 20, 2008
Allegiant Air
http://www.allegiantair.com/
Vegas and Phoenix $40 flights
Posted by chek at 12:56 PM | Comments (0)
April 15, 2008
Sand Sculpture Exhibition, France, Apr - Aug
http://www.mediafaxfoto.ro/photos.php?search%5Btitle%5D=FRANCE-TOURISM-SAND-SCULPTURE-FESTIVAL&search%5Bmode%5D=list&search_section=home
Le Touquet Paris-Plage
Northern France
April 04, 2008 - August 31, 2008
More than 120.000 visitors are expected for the African Safari Sand Sculpture Exhibition, with more than 200 sculptures following the traces of one of the most ancient people, the Masai.
Posted by chek at 05:07 PM | Comments (0)
What's on When
http://www.whatsonwhen.com/
Worldwide events guide and travel inspiration
The local guide for the global traveler
Posted by chek at 05:02 PM | Comments (0)
Big Dog Robot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1czBcnX1Ww
Posted by chek at 12:34 PM | Comments (0)
April 14, 2008
fring
http://www.fring.com/
Make free mobile calls, IM with Skype, MSN Messenger, ICQ, Google Talk™, SIP & Twitter, AIM & Yahoo!™
Posted by chek at 05:49 PM | Comments (0)
April 13, 2008
MeetUp
http://www.meetup.com/
Real groups make a real difference.
Posted by chek at 07:05 PM | Comments (0)
April 08, 2008
OPT Extended
http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1207334008610.shtm
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released today an interim final rule extending the period of Optional Practical Training (OPT) from 12 to 29 months for qualified F-1 non-immigrant students. The extension will be available to F-1 students with a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics who are employed by businesses enrolled in the E-Verify program.
http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1207334008610.shtm
Posted by chek at 02:22 PM | Comments (0)
April 02, 2008
Kahrobaei, Delaram
http://www1.cuny.edu/forum/?p=2261
The CUNY News Wire
Two City Tech Professors Awarded NSF Grant to Nurture Emerging Female Math Scholars
March 18th, 2008
Though the number of U.S. college women majoring in mathematics continues to increase, the percentage of new female PhDs in the field has leveled out since 1999, averaging around 30 percent. A 2006 American Mathematical Society survey reported 1,245 new U.S. doctoral recipients, the highest number ever, but only 32 percent were women.
This trend disturbs two mathematics professors at New York City College of Technology (City Tech), Victoria Gitman and Delaram Kahrobaei, and they are doing all they can to change it. “The current statistics are not very encouraging,” says Kahrobaei, “especially since before 1999 there had been a marked increase in female mathematicians.”
Recently, these two professors won a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to sponsor the Second Annual New York Women in Mathematics Network (NYWIMN) Conference on the City Tech campus. The upcoming May 2 conference will concentrate on interdisciplinary research in logic, group theory and theoretical computer science. The goal of the NYWIMN conferences is to establish informal networks among female mathematicians, designed to provide young women with role models, and lead to fruitful mentoring relationships and research partnerships. “We hope that the interplay of these research topics will lead to many important collaborations and scientific discoveries,” Gitman says.
Posted by chek at 10:26 AM | Comments (0)
April 01, 2008
Eye Buy Direct
http://eyebuydirect.com/
Prescription Eyeglasses - EyeBuyDirect
3 easy steps!
1. Get your prescription from an optician
2. Buy your glasses from eyebuydirect.com
3. Get quality delivered to you door
Posted by chek at 11:38 AM | Comments (0)
Tire Size Guide
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=46
A Guide to Tire Sizes
The tire size branded on the sidewall provides a significant amount of information about the tire's intended purpose, dimensions, load capacity and high temperature/high speed durability.
Our primary example will be based on variations of the 225/50R16 size, although other sizes will appear where appropriate.
Service Type
Most tire sizes begin with a letter or letters that identify the type of vehicle and/or type of service for which they were designed. The common indicators are as follows:
P225/50R16 91S
P = When a tire size begins with a "P," it signifies the tire is a "P-metric" size that was designed to be fitted on vehicles that are primarily used as passenger vehicles. This includes cars, minivans, sport utility vehicles and light duty pickup trucks (typically 1/4- and 1/2-ton load capacity). The use of P-metric sizes began in the late 1970s and they are the most frequently used type of tire size today.
225/50R16 92S
If there isn't a letter preceding the three-digit numeric portion of a tire size, it signifies the tire is a "Metric" size (also called "Euro-metric" because these sizes originated in Europe). While Metric tire sizes are primarily used on European cars, they are also used on vans and sport utility vehicles. Euro-metric sizes are dimensionally equivalent to P-metric sizes, but typically differ subtly in load carrying capabilities.
T125/90D16 98M
T = If a tire size begins with a "T," it signifies the tire is a "Temporary Spare" ("space saver" or "mini spare") that was designed to be used temporarily only until a flat tire can be repaired or replaced.
LT245/75R16 108/104S
LT = If a tire size begins with "LT," it signifies the tire is a "Light Truck-metric" size that was designed to be used on vehicles that are capable of carrying heavy cargo or towing large trailers. This includes medium and heavy-duty (typically 3/4- and 1-ton load capacity) pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles and full-size vans. Tires branded with the "LT" designation are the "little brothers" of 18-wheel tractor-trailer tires and are designed to provide substantial reserve capacity to accept the additional stresses of carrying heavy cargo.
7.50R16LT 112/107Q, 8.75R16.5LT 104/100Q or 31x10.50R15LT 109Q
LT = If a tire ends with "LT," it signifies the tire is either an earlier "Numeric", "Wide Base" or "Flotation" Light Truck size designed to be used on vehicles that are capable of carrying heavy cargo and towing trailers (Numeric sizes), use 16.5-inch diameter rims (Wide Base sizes) or are wider, oversized tires designed to help the vehicle drive on top of loose dirt or sandy surfaces (Flotation sizes). This includes light, medium and heavy-duty (typically 1/2-, 3/4 and 1-ton load capacity) pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Tires branded with the "LT" at the end of their size designation are also the "little brothers" of 18-wheel tractor-trailer tires and are designed to provide substantial reserve capacity to accept the additional stresses of carrying heavy cargo.
195/70R15C 104/102R
C = If a Euro-metric sized tire ends with a "C," it signifies the tire is a "Commercial" tire intended to be used on vans or delivery trucks that are capable of carrying heavy loads. In addition to being branded with the "C" in their size, these tires are also branded with their appropriate Service Description and "Load Range" (Load Range B, Load Range C or Load Range D).
ST225/75R15
ST = If a tire size begins with "ST," it signifies the tire is a "Special Trailer Service" size that was designed to only be used on boat, car or utility trailers. ST-sized tires should never be used on cars, vans or light trucks.
Section Width
Following the letter(s) that identify the type of vehicle and/or type of service for which the tire was designed, the three-digit numeric portion identifies the tire's "Section Width" (cross section) in millimeters.
P225/50R16 91S
The 225 indicates this tire is 225 millimeters across from the widest point of its outer sidewall to the widest point of its inner sidewall when mounted and measured on a specified width wheel. This measurement is also referred to as the tire's section width. Because many people think of measurements in inches, the 225mm can be converted to inches by dividing the section width in millimeters by 25.4 (the number of millimeters per inch).
225mm / 25.4 = 8.86"
Sidewall Aspect Ratio
Typically following the three digits identifying the tire's Section Width in millimeters is a two-digit number that identifies the tire's profile or aspect ratio.
P225/50R16 91S
The 50 indicates that this tire size's sidewall height (from rim to tread) is 50% of its section width. The measurement is the tire's section height, and also referred to as the tire's series, profile or aspect ratio. The higher the number, the taller the sidewall; the lower the number, the lower the sidewall. We know that this tire size's section width is 225mm and that its section height is 50% of 225mm. By converting the 225mm to inches (225 / 25.4 = 8.86") and multiplying it by 50% (.50) we confirm that this tire size results in a tire section height of 4.43". If this tire were a P225/70R16 size, our calculation would confirm that the size would result in a section height of 6.20", approximately a 1.8-inch taller sidewall.
Internal Construction
A letter (R in this case) that identifies the tire's internal construction follows the two digits used to identify the aspect ratio.
P225/50R16, P225/50ZR16
The R in the P225/50R16 91S size identifies that the tire has a Radial construction in which the tire's body plies "radiate" out from the imaginary center of the wheel. Radial tires are by far the most popular type of tire today representing over 98% of all tires sold.
If the R in the size was replaced with a D (225/50D16), it would identify that the internal tire body plies crisscross on a Diagonal and that the tire has a "bias ply" construction. Tires using this construction are for light truck and spare tire applications.
If the R in the size was replaced with a B (225/50B16), it would identify that the tire body plies not only crisscross the tire on a diagonal as before, but that they are reinforced with belts under the tread area. This type of tire construction is called "Belted." Tires using this construction are practically extinct.
Speed Rating
Today, the only tires that continue to include the speed rating "in" the tire size (P225/50ZR16) are Z-speed rated tires. In this case, following the two digits used to identify the aspect ratio are the letters ZR to identify the tire's speed rating (Z) and its internal construction (R). Since 1991, all other speed ratings are identified in the tire's Service Description (which will be covered shortly).
Tire and Wheel Diameter
P225/50R16 91S
The 16 indicates the tire and wheel diameter designed to be matched together.
Tires that have a rim diameter expressed in inches (P225/50R16, as well as 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26 and 28) are called "inch rim" sizes, are the most common type of tire size and are used on most cars, minivans, vans, sport utility vehicles and light duty light trucks.
While not as common, two additional "unique" types of tire/wheel diameters are still in use today.
Tires and wheels that have a rim diameter expressed in "half" inches (8.00R16.5LT, as well as, 14.5, 15.5, 17.5 and 19.5) are used on some heavy-duty trailers, heavy-duty light trucks and box vans.
Tires and wheels that have a rim diameter expressed in millimeters (190/65R390, as well as, 365 and 415) are called millimetric sizes. Michelin initiated millimetric sizes for their TRX tires that saw limited use on many different car models in the late 1970s and 1980s.
Michelin PAX System run flat tires have been introduced as an integrated wheel/tire system on a very limited basis as Original Equipment (O.E.) in North America. An example PAX System size of 235/710R460A 104T expresses tire and wheel dimensions in millimeters (235 mm Section Width, tire Overall Diameter of 710 mm and a 460A mm rim diameter, with the "A" in 460A signifying these tires feature "asymmetric" beads in which the outside bead (450 mm) and inside bead (470 mm) are actually different diameters.
All of these "unique" tire/wheel diameters were developed specifically because the tire and wheel design or intended vehicle use required them to be different than conventional tires and wheels. All of these tires and wheels feature bead profiles that have a different shape than traditional "inch rim" sizes.
Tires and wheels with unique rim diameters should never be combined with traditional "inch rim" tires and wheels.
It is critical that the tire and wheel diameters are always confirmed to match before the tire is mounted on the wheel.
Service Description
P225/50R16 91S
The 91S represents the tire's Service Description. A Service Description identifies the tire's Load Index and Speed Rating. Service Descriptions are required on all speed rated (except for Z-speed rated) tires manufactured since 1991.
Posted by chek at 10:19 AM | Comments (0)