Archive for the 'Better Science Savvy' Category

Energy Conservation - How Small Changes can dramatically reduce your Energy Bill

Posted in Better Science Savvy on January 18th, 2010

There are many good reasons to conserve energy. If we use less gas, oil and electricity we will save money, and the pollution associated with extracting and using fossil fuels will decrease. Reducing greenhouse gas production may help to reverse global warming. In a nutshell - conservation of energy has both personal and societal benefits.

Most people are concerned with making their money last longer and energy conservation can help by reducing our energy costs. Homeowners can do many things to cut down on their energy needs. Perhaps the best thing they can do to is to install better insulation to retain warm and cool air.

Heating and air conditioning are the biggest energy consumers of the average household. Much of the heat and cool air escapes because of poorly insulated roofs, walls, doors, and windows. In fact in a lot of cases heating and cooling is responsible for around 50% of your energy costs. Improving insulation will result in greater conservation of energy and lesser energy costs. Small changes in this area can result in dramatic reduction in your monthly payment to your utility company.

Old cooling and heating appliances should be replaced with newer models which are more energy efficient. Other large appliances like refrigerators can also be replaced with newer models that are designed to conserve energy. Always make sure you read the energy label, if you do, you will often find that a cheap product in fact can be expensive in its every day use because of its energy consumption.

Traditional light bulbs are inefficient because much of the energy they consume is converted to heat. Replacing all your incandescent bulbs with compact florescent bulbs will provide the same level at light with less energy consumption. Even though the cost of these bulbs is greater than traditional bulbs, they last up to 20 times longer, resulting in significant overall savings.

Using alternative energy sources such as solar panels or wind turbines can greatly reduce the amount of energy needed from traditional sources. The electricity produced by these devices can be fed back into the local power grid if it is not immediately used by the household. This reduces the power bill even further (the power meter runs backwards) while supplying clean power to your community.

Conservation of energy is not just for homes, cars and trucks are available with more energy efficient engines and some can run on alternate power sources such as hydrogen or electricity.

Conservation of energy is something that everyone can contribute to. By being careful in how we use our resources we are building a society for our children and grandchildren.

Home Interior Design Styles: Wabi Sabi, Shabby Chic, and Design Psychology

Posted in Better Science Savvy on January 10th, 2010

Wabi Sabi, an ancient Chinese philosophy adapted by the Japanese and practiced by many Westerners today, presents an alternative way of living more than a way of decorating your home. However, you can adapt your interior and landscape design using Wabi Sabi principles for happiness.

“Wabi Sabi” (pronounced “wah-bee sah-bee”) was formalized as the Zen Buddhism tea ceremony evolved. Zen Buddhism originated in India, traveled through China in the 6th Century, and to Japan in the 12th century. The ancient wisdom of Wabi Sabi practitioners helps today’s busy home makers with interesting interior design ideas. Wabi Sabi interior design followers learn to relax, take time appreciate the beauty and simplicity of natural design, and to know that their home doesn’t need perfection to bring joy, which compares to our research findings in residential Design Psychology.

Before you relate Wabi Sabi to Shabby Chic style, understand that the Wabi Sabi way of life starts with simplicity, whereas Shabby Chic interiors often fill spaces with a lot of interesting finds, which can end up with too much to care for and eye clutter, according to Design Psychology principles. This lesson of too much design detail, which stops the eye and makes you feel overwhelmed, became apparent to us when we moved from our expansive Victorian home into a smaller house and had to choose the more important furnishings from the treasures discovered over ten years of collecting, both in antique and thrift stores.

If you want to makeover your home for joyous living, consider Wabi Sabi restraints along with Design Psychology principles:

Simplify your life and home design. When you choose the best from your treasures, keep those accessories that support positive memories, regardless of monetary value.

Take pleasure from natural beauty. Choose design details with colors, patterns, and textures similar to those found in nature, which feel harmonious to people because they connect us to the earth.

Appreciate your home and furnishings, no matter how imperfect. When you love your home, this love shines throughout and makes it easier for you to clean and maintain. Your positive attitude brings you encouragement to find beauty all around, inspiring fresh ideas for home makeover projects.

Wabi Sabi beliefs include the principles of incomplete and impermanent designs, which parallel the Design Psychology principle that your home needs to grow and change, to support your changing lifestyle and emotional needs.

In contrast to Wabi Sabi’s use of modest and humble furnishings, Design Psychology appreciates the inherent beauty in all things. Enjoy the fruits of your hard work and don’t feel guilty when mixing the humble with quality showpieces. I love my Italian Millifiore glass lamps sitting next to my Mexican Rose rock.

Like any good design theory, Wabi Sabi finds beauty in the unconventional. Your originality in design makes your home unique. Design Psychology practice avoids the use of furniture “groups” and prefers unique, individual pieces offering comfort. If you were tempted by a furniture set, such as matching sofa, love seat, and the three matching tables, don’t worry; just know that additional pieces don’t need to match perfectly and that blending styles and finishes makes unconventional, unique spaces.

Design Psychology supports fearless home makeovers, bold with colors to lend emotional support yet restrained, without overly-filled rooms, to provide backgrounds for people and harmonious living.

Similar to the Wabi Sabi tea ceremony, practice daily rituals in your home. Create a home to celebrate life, one full of tranquility and beauty. Choose your home interior design style to best support your happiness.

Copyright © 2005 Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.

A Great Windmill Plan

Posted in Better Science Savvy on November 24th, 2009

The construction, while not difficult, can be very ineffective if the right plans are not followed. A good windmill plan will cost you around $40 and will include everything you need. These plans will also include instructions on how to build your own solar power, and other tips on how to save energy at home. If the product is followed carefully, you can kiss your power bill goodbye. If we go about with a positive decision of setting up a wind turbine we next face the question of how to build a wind turbines. Also if you are green supporter you should know how to build a small wind turbine you would definitely want one in your own backyard. Wind is the major player for building a small turbine. Some of the disadvantages are that it is not an easy task to mount vertical axis turbines onto towers, because of this they normally have to operate slower and get the turbulent air flow close to the ground, which results in a less efficient energy extraction. They only produce roughly 50% of the energy that a horizontal wind generator produces. They also have to be installed on a flat piece of land nothing steep and although steepness of an area might be a problem for a vertical wind generator, that is not a problem for a horizontal wind power generator. However, like I said before it is not all negative there are also many advantages.

Practical Approach to Algebra

Posted in Better Science Savvy, Schools + Schooling, Web Of Mathematics on October 9th, 2009

Algebra is one of the most crucial and superior branches of maths. Although at beginning it may appear to just fly over your head, a lot exercising helps pupils to understand the subject area. One has to keep studying this subject field at higher educational stages like college, thus it is crucial to create a powerful base from the beginning.

The Challenging Areas

Algebra addresses a large number of topics, graphing being one of them . This could include charting a circle, graphing systems of fractional inequalities, graphing inequalities or graphing quadratic equations . Another topic that is part of algebra has to do with exponents. This can range from subtracting exponents, dividing exponents or just applying the laws of exponents. Rationalizing, factorizing, matrices, hyperbolas and quadratics all have to do with algebra.

It is normally agreed that algebra is a hard study. Still, in today’s day and age that is not a problem as nearly all pupil is capable of getting to and using a computer. One can easily use online math computer programs that instruct and test pupils. For practicing and enhancing skills, there are worksheets available in these software program. Online tutors are also available and are easy to contact. These tutors charge an hourly rate and tutor students as if they were face to face.

How to Get Assistance for Algebra

For aiding students, there are a large number of packages available on the Cyberspace. These computer programs provide bit-by-bit guides to help students over their troubles. These computer software packages can help you with your homework, test readiness and even exam preparation! As algebra has a vast number of sub-sections you can select software systems that relate to your specific difficulty or problem. This could be basic algebra, algebra 1, algebra 2 or just graphs. Some computer software packages also include games and videos that could further develop your algebraic skills.

Algebra calculators are also available over the Cyberspace. They can help solve many types of algebraic questions. Mostly these will include questions that have to do with linear equations or complex inequalities. Various types of calculators help students to concentrate on various fields of algebra.

Though these packages and other aids can help many people master a great number of problems, it is important that other resources are also used for further raising your algebra skills. Using these facilities and cheating would only be a loss to yourself. These software are ideally used for double-checking your answers of your assignments rather than using them to complete your homework.

Your Own Personal Windpower

Posted in Better Science Savvy on October 5th, 2009

What was once an expensive and difficult process has now become something of a walk in the park. Not completely, but enough that more people than ever are successfully generating very cheap and powerful diy wind power. The plans people are using have revolutionized these projects from their straight forward designs and affordability.

We require only an initial investment of $200 and thereafter a nominal maintenance is required and we can generate electricity continuously and of course the amount of electricity generated depends on the wind speed. People are generating electricity from wind and are saving up to 70 percent of their electricity bills per month and every month. If you live in a windy area and your electricity consumption is less, you can even generate surplus electricity from your wind power generators installed in your backyard.

Although these occupy some space, however you can install these wind turbines in your backyards or garden. There are many places where wind flow is heavy and thus there is a potential to generate good amount of electricity through wind power generators. Even in other places also, you can generate electricity and can reduce your electricity bill by 50 to 70 percent. So, you can install a wind power generator at your home with an initial investment of around $200 and can start generating electricity. The advantage of the technique is that it is totally pollution free and the repair and maintenance cost of the wind power generator is negligible.

Genetic Therapies May Make Superior Treatment for Mesothelioma than Radiation Therapy

Posted in Better Health, Better Science Savvy on July 22nd, 2009

Cancer doctors choose what kind of treatment to administer with every patient. There are numerous options. There exists no universal treatment option for pleural mesothelioma cancer patients. This is due to the cancers high mortality rate, rareness, low treatment success rate, and small number of studies to provide meaningful statistics.

While prospects for patients with mesothelioma have been bleak, doctors have been making progress. Treatments for cancer are traditionally surgery (taking out the tumor and surrounding tissue), chemotherapy (poisoning cancerous cells) and radiation (killing cancer cells with radiation) Each one of these methods have problems. Mesothelioma patients treated with traditional radiation therapy have not responded well to it. In hopes to lessen damage to healthy tissue, researches are studying ways to aim radiation right at the tumor.

The mesothelial tissue around the tumor is removed by surgery. The surgery is difficult and challenging, with unknown effects or benefits to patients. Common chemotherapy drugs that work on other types of cancer usually do not work on mesothelioma, and different mixtures of these drugs have not been successful. Like radiation, researchers are focusing their work on controlling the physical location of the treatment with an emphasis on the pleural cavity.

The high-mortality rate for mesothelioma patients means cutting-edge techniques for cancer are tried out. These include biologic therapy such as the agent interleukin 2 and anti-angiogenesis drugs such as thalidomide. The new drug pemetrexed (brand name Alimta) has shown good results in extending life with mesotheliomas..

Before acting, oncologists review the stage of mesothelioma, position of the tumor, and age and health status of the patient. Two therapies that are extremely cutting-edge in fighting cancer are called photodynamic and gene therapy. Clinical trials using these techniques are being offered to some of those who have mesothelioma.

A Guide to the Indicators and Diagnosis Malignant Mesothelioma

Posted in Better Health, Better Science Savvy on June 16th, 2009

Malignant mesothelioma is known to have a few primary symptoms. The main symptom of pleural mesothelioma is a lack of breath due to pleural effusion ” the accumulation of fluid in the pleura, or membrane, surrounding the lung. Another common symptomis chest pain because the chest wall is being attacked by the tumor. Other symptoms may include weight loss, fatigue, and night sweats

The most common signof patients with peritoneal mesothelioma, which begins in the abdomen, is abdominal swelling due to fluid buildup in the abdomen (a condition called ascites), pain in the abdomen, and blockage of the bowel.

Its vital to know that these symptoms could be caused by a myriad of diseases or conditions. But if you have experienced any of these symptoms and have had asbestos exposure, you should see your doctor.

Malignant mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose, because the symptoms are also experienced in less serious health issues. Symptoms typical for mesothelioma:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest or lower back pain associated with an excess of fluid in the pleura
  • Fever
  • Vomiting
  • Hoarseness
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Coughing blood

One should not self-diagnose themselves. Sufferers of the above symptoms should not panic, and should consult their doctor. A biopsy is the primary way the condition is confirmed. A pathologist removes a piece of tissue from the suspected region and examines it to return a highly accurate diagnosis. Biopsies are typically pain-free.

A CT scan (Computer Tomography is an option if you dont want a biopsy. This is an X-ray procedure where a scanner is moved around the body to snap cross-sectional pictures. A patient might have to ingest a dye to help define the pictures. CT scans have the advantage of being non-invasive and easier, and they are recognized as being effective in diagnosis. Opinion is divided as to whether the scan is more or less cost-effective than a biopsy. If there are irregularities, a biopsy may also be ordered to determine if a tumor exists, and if so, whether it is malignant or benign. Diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma is also possible by taking a sample of fluid from the pleura and testing it for the presence of cancer cells.

Mesothelioma can also be screened and then diagnosed by any of these methods. Patients are screened when they suspect they may be at risk but do not have typical symptoms, to ensure they are not at risk to get the cancer or to catch the cancer early. Patients should be screened for mesothelioma if they have a history of asbestos exposure.

Real Life Algebra

Posted in Better Science Savvy, Schools + Schooling, Web Of Mathematics on May 9th, 2009

Algebra as a Scientific Study

Algebra scientific discipline is the branch of mathematics that is interested in the study of structure, relation, and quantity. Algebra addresses working with numbers, symbols, sets of elements and also vectors as in linear algebra. You can count on algebra as one of the most operative branches of mathematics, if not the most authoritative. Algebra includes categories such as Linear algebra, Universal algebra and Algebraic geometry.

Require Assistance in Studying Algebra?

Many software applications have come to the market in hope of helping students to develop the ability at solving algebraic problems . These software cover nearly all algebraic topics such as working around and graphing different cases of radical equations, formulas and non-linear inequalities. Such equations like quadratic, simultaneous, exponential, radical and linear equations will be simply, quickly and efficiently solved using these software applications. These applications most likely will contain an algebraic tutorial and a wizard too; Moreover, algebra calculators facilitate a lot of algebraic processes for students of that field of mathematics.

The Big Picture on Algebra

Some students forever wonder why we learn algebra; they think it has no direct benefit. Well, if we were to talk about algebra benefits, then it has both direct and indirect benefits, which I think, algebra students should be educated on. The indirect benefit of studying algebra could be abstracted in working the learning ability in an well-conducted pattern. As for the direct benefit, algebra has a mass of uses in different scientific disciplines and industries.

Actually, algebra applications cover a lot of real life aspects such as in industries etc, for instance in robotics research or rocket science. It is also used, in various science researches like physics, quantum mechanics, Informatics and even in the military; one such aspects which will be considered briefly in this article is the algebra applications in programming.

Algebra in Programming

Comparative algebra concepts were the rudimentary steps for the relational database concept. Also, simple algebra was used in modeling of complex XML models and constructing XML database management systems. Furthermore, programming languages have been developed for solving algebraic expressions and formulas, like RPL which stands for ROM-based Procedural Language or ALF-Algebraic Logic Functional programming language. Many other higher programming languages developed for the intent of solving algebraic problems as AML-Algebraic Modeling Language, where this language describes the complicated problem, such as compound optimization problems, then calls certain external algorithms to solve the problem.

Science of Algebra

Posted in Better Science Savvy, Schools + Schooling, Web Of Mathematics on April 6th, 2009

Algebra as a Science

Algebra scientific discipline is the branch of mathematics that is interested in the study of structure, relation, and quantity. Algebra handles working with numbers, symbols, sets of elements and also vectors as in linear algebra. You can count on algebra as one of the grandest branches of mathematics, if not the most important. Algebra includes categories such as Linear algebra, Universal algebra and Algebraic geometry.

Require Help in Studying Algebra?

Various software applications have been written to aid students studying algebra at different levels, such software help students to go through their classes gradually and develop algebraic problem solving techniques . These programs cover nearly all algebraic topics such as working around and graphing different cases of quadratic equations, formulas and non-linear inequalities. Such equations like quadratic, simultaneous, exponential, radical and linear equations will be simply, quickly and efficiently solved using these software applications. These software applications most probably will contain an algebraic tutorial and a wizard too; Moreover, algebra calculators facilitate a lot of algebraic operations for students pursuing mathematics.

The Big Picture on Algebra

most students constantly wonder why we study algebra; they can see no good reason behind it. Well, if we were to talk about benefits of algebra, then it has both direct and indirect benefits, which I think, algebra students should be aware of. The indirect benefit of studying algebra could be explained in working the brainpower in an well-conducted model. As per the direct benefit, algebra has a plenty of uses in different sciences and fields.

In reality, algebraic applications are used around us, all the time such as in financial markets etc, for example in financial companies or healthcare fields. It is also used, in various science researches like physics, quantum mechanics, Informatics and even in the military; in this article we shall explore how algebraic knowledge is applied in to IT.

Algebra Used in Programming

Comparative algebra concepts were the rudimentary steps for the relational database concept. Also, elementary algebra was used in patterning of complex XML models and building XML database management systems. Furthermore, programming languages have been developed for solving algebraic expressions and formulas, like RPL which stands for ROM-based Procedural Language or ALF-Algebraic Logic Functional programming language. Some other higher programming languages developed for the purpose of solving algebraic problems as AML-Algebraic Modeling Language, where this language describes the complicated problem, like composite optimization problems, then calls distinct external algorithms to solve the problem.

Growing Occidentalis -American Arborvitae in Newtown Pa

Posted in Better Science Savvy on January 4th, 2009

Like our farm, Highland Hill Farm, Newtown Pa. is located in an
area with lots of clay. We therefore like plants that grow well
in clay. Arborvitae, in particular the American Arborvitae is
one of our favorites. Here is why. The hardiness zone for the
American Arborvitae is from zones 5 to 8. Its evergreen with
rapid growth rates that in ideal conditions can be up to 1.5
feet per year. Site requirements for the American Arborvitae is
sun to partial shade, moist well drained soil but does well in
clay, and needs protection from wind . Its texture is fine with
its form conical being narrow to broadly pyramidal, reaching
from 30 to 40′ in height to 6 to 12 feet in width. The leaf is
green graceful foliage. It keeps its foliage color in the winter
but can tend to bronze alittle in the winter. The American
Arborvitae flowers/fruit are .5″ erect female cones. The
American Arborvitae has strong wood, casts dense shade, and has
red bark when young. Arborvitae do not tolerate salt spray.
These arborvitae should outlive even your children.