Come in and learn something.

[Turtle]

Parsec: Is a unit of measure equal to just slightly more than 3.25 light years (about 19 trillion miles). Parsec is a combination of two words, parallax and arcsecond.

So then what is a parallax? It is the perceived movement of an object traveling through space as seen from a fixed position on earth. For example if you took a pen and held it in front of your face, and quickly opened and closed your left eye and then right eye, the perceived horizontal movement (or jump) of the pen is a parallax. The further the object the smaller the parallax, the closer the object the greater the parallax. This is used to measure the distance to stars and is preformed using photographs of stars from an observatory. Six months later when the Earth has traveled halfway around its orbit a second photograph is taken. By measuring the distance the object "jumped" scientists can calculate the arc seconds of the parallax to reveal the distance.

What is an arc second? Think of it as a ruler. If you drew a circle and bisected the circle evenly by 180 lines…they would form 360 equal sections. Each section is an arc. Now further bisect each arc with 60 evenly spaced lines..Arc minutes. Now bisect each arc minute with 60 more lines..you get arc seconds. Think of it as going from meters, to centimeters to millimeters.

[Digital_Trauma]

poptarts are very underrated, especially the brown sugar-cinnamon ones

[wes mantooth]

Batman can leave a store without Robin.

[Turtle]

poptarts are very underrated, especially the brown sugar-cinnamon ones

Batman can leave a store without Robin.

You two go stand in the hall.

[generoso]

i think your overdoesing on toast now....:action-sm

[MrBogey]

Ok....now when are you going to teach me something I didn't already learn in junior high?

[Jef Leppard]

post

[ih8Uboo-boo]

Parsec: Is a unit of measure equal to just slightly more than 3.25 light years (about 19 trillion miles). Parsec is a combination of two words, parallax and arcsecond.

So then what is a parallax? It is the perceived movement of an object traveling through space as seen from a fixed position on earth. For example if you took a pen and held it in front of your face, and quickly opened and closed your left eye and then right eye, the perceived horizontal movement (or jump) of the pen is a parallax. The further the object the smaller the parallax, the closer the object the greater the parallax. This is used to measure the distance to stars and is preformed using photographs of stars from an observatory. Six months later when the Earth has traveled halfway around its orbit a second photograph is taken. By measuring the distance the object "jumped" scientists can calculate the arc seconds of the parallax to reveal the distance.

What is an arc second? Think of it as a ruler. If you drew a circle and bisected the circle evenly by 180 lines…they would form 360 equal sections. Each section is an arc. Now further bisect each arc with 60 evenly spaced lines..Arc minutes. Now bisect each arc minute with 60 more lines..you get arc seconds. Think of it as going from meters, to centimeters to millimeters.

http://home.comcast.net/%7Erefbuz/ScannersExplodingHead.gif

[Beeman99]

Bee's are responsible for 1/3rd the food we eat.

Canada is the second largest county in the world

our dollar is damn near worth as much as the USA's now

the beaver is our national animal

a one dollar coin is the loonie, a two dollar coin is the toonie

Lacrosse is our national sport

The leader of our country is the Prime Minister, the leaders of our provinces and territories are Premiers

[THE FEZ MAN]

it takes a minimum of 90 days @ 70 degrees fareinheight and 50% humidity for a polyisocyanate catalyzed automotive clear coat to be 80 percent cured and 90% UV stabilized

[umo]

That is a pronoun sometimes used instead of This. If you don't know what this is...that don't mean shit.

[tstlkevanilla]

it takes a minimum of 90 days @ 70 degrees fareinheight and 50% humidity for a polyisocyanate catalyzed automotive clear coat to be 80 percent cured and 90% UV stabilized
It takes a minimum of 0.2 seconds for any wackbagger to realize this thread is shit. Or was it just me?

[umo]

You can shake it,
You can squeeze it.
You can beat it against the wall.
But ya gotta put it back in your pants before the last drop will fall.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y103/umo/5.jpg

[yellowstonesteve]

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j267/richtb2/black-ballsillusion.jpg

[BaLZaC~308]

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j267/richtb2/black-ballsillusion.jpg

What the fuck is that supposed to teach me??

[yellowstonesteve]

What the fuck is that supposed to teach me??


not to smoke pot, or you'll end up spending all day staring at the silly illusion picture

[fuckwit]

America:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Northwoods

http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=92662

http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/news/20010430/

download the pdf of the actual documents. its a fun read.

[Turtle]

Bee's are responsible for 1/3rd the food we eat.

Canada is the second largest county in the world

our dollar is damn near worth as much as the USA's now

the beaver is our national animal

a one dollar coin is the loonie, a two dollar coin is the toonie

Lacrosse is our national sport

The leader of our country is the Prime Minister, the leaders of our provinces and territories are Premiers

Lacrosse, that was a surprise.


Why is the sky blue? The sky is blue because of a process called Rayleigh scattering. This process involves the scattering of light off of molecules in the atmosphere. When light moves through the atmosphere, most of its wavelengths are able to simply pass through esp longer wavelengths. Shorter wavelengths, however, are less capable of passing through and are instead absorbed by the gas molecules in the atmosphere. Gas molecules are absorb all colors of light.The sky is blue because blue light is more readily absorbed, while other wavelengths pass through easily.

[Buster H]

It takes a minimum of 0.2 seconds for any wackbagger to realize this thread is shit. Or was it just me?

just you

[Jimbo929]

Learnin is for queers

[Mommadeez4u]

My ship is the Millenium Falcon; she's the ship that made the Kessler Run in under 5 parsecs.

[Buster H]

There was a time when reading wasn't just for fags. And neither was writing. People wrote books and movies. Movies with stories, that made you care about whose ass it was and why it was farting. And I believe that time can come again!

[Hudson]

Jacky Nic helped write "Little Shop of Horrors. Roger Ebert helped write Valley of the Dolls.

[Turtle]

It takes a minimum of 0.2 seconds for any wackbagger to realize this thread is shit. Or was it just me?

Mood swings, tender breasts, a swollen abdomen, food cravings, fatigue, irritability and depression. If you experience some or all of these problems in the days before your monthly period, you may have premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

An estimated three of every four menstruating women experience some form of premenstrual syndrome. These problems are more likely to trouble women between their late 20s and early 40s, and they tend to recur in a predictable pattern. Yet the physical and emotional changes you experience with premenstrual syndrome may be more or less intense with each menstrual cycle.

Still, you don't have to let these problems control your life. In recent years, much has been learned about premenstrual syndrome. Treatments and lifestyle adjustments can help you reduce or manage the signs and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

For many women the signs and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome are an uncomfortable and unwelcome part of their monthly menstrual cycle. The most common physical and emotional signs and symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome include:

Weight gain from fluid retention
Abdominal bloating
Breast tenderness
Tension or anxiety
Depressed mood
Crying spells
Mood swings and irritability or anger
Appetite changes and food cravings
Trouble falling asleep (insomnia)
Joint or muscle pain
Headache
Fatigue

Although the list of potential signs and symptoms is long, most women with premenstrual syndrome experience only a few of these problems.

For some women, the physical pain and emotional stress are severe enough to affect their daily routines and activities. For most of these women, symptoms disappear as the menstrual period begins.

But for some women with premenstrual syndrome, symptoms are so severe they're considered disabling. This form of PMS has its own psychiatric designation — premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). PMDD is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome with symptoms including severe depression, feelings of hopelessness, anger, anxiety, low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating, irritability and tension. A number of women with severe PMS may have an underlying psychiatric disorder.

Exactly what causes premenstrual syndrome is unknown, but several factors may contribute to the condition. Cyclic changes in hormones seem to be an important cause, because signs and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome change with hormonal fluctuations and also disappear with pregnancy and menopause.

Chemical changes in the brain also may be involved. One clue to the cause may be traced to fluctuations of serotonin, a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) that is thought to play a crucial role in mood states, especially depression. Insufficient amounts of serotonin may contribute to other symptoms of PMS, such as fatigue, food cravings and sleep problems.

Occasionally, some women with severe premenstrual syndrome have undiagnosed depression, though depression alone does not cause all of the symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome. Stress also may aggravate some of the symptoms, but alone it isn't a cause.

Some PMS symptoms have been linked to low levels of vitamins and minerals. Other possible contributors to PMS include eating a lot of salty foods, which may cause fluid retention, and drinking alcohol and caffeinated beverages, which may cause mood and energy level disturbances.

[d0uche_n0zzle]

My head hurts. Too much useless information clashing with my self ignorance.

[HummerTuesdays]

It takes a minimum of 0.2 seconds for any wackbagger to realize this thread is shit. Or was it just me?

Just you. I had no idea lacrosse was the national sport of Canada. I thought for sure it would be hockey, eh.

[generoso]

Just you. I had no idea lacrosse was the national sport of Canada. I thought for sure it would be hockey, eh.

That or curling

[fuckwit]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_in_Canada

Canada is a nation with two official sports. Since its founding, and until 1994, the official sport was lacrosse, a sport invented by Aboriginal peoples. In 1994, First Nations groups objected to a government bill that proposed establishing solely ice hockey as Canada's national sport, arguing that it neglected and obliterated recognition of the game of lacrosse, a uniquely Native contribution. In response, the House of Commons amended the bill "to recognize hockey as Canada's National Winter Sport and lacrosse as Canada's National Summer Sport." On May 12, 1994, in Bill C-212, ice hockey joined lacrosse as official sports of Canada.

[BaLZaC~308]

Mood swings, tender breasts, a swollen abdomen, food cravings, fatigue, irritability and depression. If you experience some or all of these problems in the days before your monthly period, you may have premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

An estimated three of every four menstruating women experience some form of premenstrual syndrome. These problems are more likely to trouble women between their late 20s and early 40s, and they tend to recur in a predictable pattern. Yet the physical and emotional changes you experience with premenstrual syndrome may be more or less intense with each menstrual cycle.

Still, you don't have to let these problems control your life. In recent years, much has been learned about premenstrual syndrome. Treatments and lifestyle adjustments can help you reduce or manage the signs and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

For many women the signs and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome are an uncomfortable and unwelcome part of their monthly menstrual cycle. The most common physical and emotional signs and symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome include:

Weight gain from fluid retention
Abdominal bloating
Breast tenderness
Tension or anxiety
Depressed mood
Crying spells
Mood swings and irritability or anger
Appetite changes and food cravings
Trouble falling asleep (insomnia)
Joint or muscle pain
Headache
Fatigue

Although the list of potential signs and symptoms is long, most women with premenstrual syndrome experience only a few of these problems.

For some women, the physical pain and emotional stress are severe enough to affect their daily routines and activities. For most of these women, symptoms disappear as the menstrual period begins.

But for some women with premenstrual syndrome, symptoms are so severe they're considered disabling. This form of PMS has its own psychiatric designation — premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). PMDD is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome with symptoms including severe depression, feelings of hopelessness, anger, anxiety, low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating, irritability and tension. A number of women with severe PMS may have an underlying psychiatric disorder.

Exactly what causes premenstrual syndrome is unknown, but several factors may contribute to the condition. Cyclic changes in hormones seem to be an important cause, because signs and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome change with hormonal fluctuations and also disappear with pregnancy and menopause.

Chemical changes in the brain also may be involved. One clue to the cause may be traced to fluctuations of serotonin, a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) that is thought to play a crucial role in mood states, especially depression. Insufficient amounts of serotonin may contribute to other symptoms of PMS, such as fatigue, food cravings and sleep problems.

Occasionally, some women with severe premenstrual syndrome have undiagnosed depression, though depression alone does not cause all of the symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome. Stress also may aggravate some of the symptoms, but alone it isn't a cause.

Some PMS symptoms have been linked to low levels of vitamins and minerals. Other possible contributors to PMS include eating a lot of salty foods, which may cause fluid retention, and drinking alcohol and caffeinated beverages, which may cause mood and energy level disturbances.

little long winded but pretty funny

[sniper]

Mosquitoes have 36 teeth.

[gleet]

It's either raining or not raining, so if it's not raining, it must be raining.

[NortonsGravyLeg]

The event horizon is the gravity field of a black hole where the space-time is so bent that light cannot escape it. The event horizon creates a region in space where nothing can escape, if nothing can go beyond the speed of light. Thus when something enters the event horizon, it will vanish without a trace. Should the object be emitting something, after it is enveloped by the event horizon, not even the emissions that traced its existence will escape the black hole.
This creates something called the cosmic censorship hypothesis, proposed by Roger Penrose, that can be summarized as "God abhors a naked singularity" (Hawking 114). This means that no one outside of the event horizon of a black hole is capable of observing the breakdown of classical physics inside a black hole (Hawking 115). However, the black hole is also unforgiving towards those who would dare enter the event horizon (Hawking 115).

info from http://www.rdrop.com/users/green/school/horizon.htm

[WOWmagnet]

All liquids are fluids but all fluids are not liquids.

Fuck Islam.

[Turtle]

Mosquitoes have 36 teeth.

What?

[Hudson]

Boys have a penis, Girls have a Vagina.

[DoucheMeister]

Just you. I had no idea lacrosse was the national sport of Canada. I thought for sure it would be hockey, eh.

It should be changed, no one up here give a fuck about lacrosse.

[tstlkevanilla]

There was a time when reading wasn't just for fags. And neither was writing. People wrote books and movies. Movies with stories, that made you care about whose ass it was and why it was farting. And I believe that time can come again!
good for you.
My head hurts. Too much useless information clashing with my self ignorance.
amen

[Buster H]

good for you.

amen
if this thread hurts your head too bad, perhaps this thread would be more to your liking: http://www.wackbag.com/showthread.php?t=68935

[tstlkevanilla]

if this thread hurts your head too bad, perhaps this thread would be more to your liking: http://www.wackbag.com/showthread.php?t=68935
it's not exactly the thread that made my head hurt.

[Buster H]

it's not exactly the thread that made my head hurt.
so we can expect you not to post in this one anymore?

got news for you. it is not a requirement to post in EVERY thread

[tstlkevanilla]

got news for you. it is not a requirement to post in EVERY thread
exactly.

[Buster H]

OK after a derailing attempt let's get back to the point of the thread.

Yes, I pulled this from Wiki. It's been 12 years since I have operated one of these things and I cannot recall all of the details. The most interesting part of these things is the fact that they are inherently stable due to temperature.

Pressurized water reactors:
A PWR works because the nuclear fuel in the reactor vessel is engaged in a chain reaction, which produces heat, heating the water in the primary coolant loop by thermal conduction through the fuel cladding. (The primary coolant loop is shown in the schematic as a red dashed line.) The hot water is pumped into a certain type of heat exchanger called steam generator, which allows the primary coolant to heat up and boil the secondary coolant (shown as the loop steam generator → turbine → condenser). The transfer of heat is accomplished without mixing the two fluids. This is desirable, since the primary coolant is necessarily radioactive. The steam formed in the steam generator is allowed to flow through a steam turbine, and the energy extracted by the turbine is used to drive an electric generator. Other uses for the steam from a PWR include:

* In nuclear ships and submarines, the steam is fed through a steam turbine connected to a set of reduction gears to a shaft used for propulsion
* Direct mechanical action by expansion of the steam for things like a steam-powered Aircraft catapult
* District heating by the steam

In a nuclear power station, the steam is fed through a steam turbine which drives a generator connected to the electric grid for distribution, as shown above. After passing through the turbine the secondary coolant (water-steam mixture) is cooled down and condensed in a condenser before being fed into the steam generator again. This converts the steam to a liquid so that it can be pumped back into the high pressure steam generator.

Two things are characteristic for the pressurized water reactor (PWR) when compared with other reactor types:

* In a PWR, there are two separate coolant loops (primary and secondary), which are both filled with ordinary water (also called light water). A boiling water reactor, by contrast, has only one coolant loop, while more exotic designs such as breeder reactors use substances other than water for the task (e.g. sodium in its liquid state).
* The pressure in the primary coolant loop is typically 15-16 Megapascal, which is notably higher than in other nuclear reactors, and nearly twice that of a Boiling water reactor (BWR). As an effect of this, only localized boiling occurs and will recondense promptly in the bulk fluid. By contrast, in a boiling water reactor the primary coolant is designed to boil.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a0/PressurizedWaterReactor.gif/400px-PressurizedWaterReactor.gif

Pressurized water reactors, like thermal reactor designs, require the fast fission neutrons in the reactor to be slowed down (a process called moderation) to a "thermal" state in order to sustain its chain reaction. In PWRs the coolant water is used as a moderator by letting the neutrons undergo multiple collisions with light hydrogen atoms in the water, losing speed in the process. This "moderating" of neutrons will happen more often when the water is more dense (more collisions will occur). The use of water as a moderator is an important safety feature of PWRs, as any increase in temperature causes the water to expand and become less dense; thereby reducing the extent to which neutrons are slowed down and hence reducing the reactivity in the reactor. Therefore, if reactor activity increases beyond normal, the reduced moderation of neutrons will cause the chain reaction to slow down, producing less heat. This property, known as the negative temperature coefficient of reactivity, makes PWR reactors very stable. In contrast, the RBMK reactor design used at Chernobyl (using graphite instead of water as the moderator) greatly increases heat generation when coolant water temperatures increase, making them very unstable. This flaw in the RBMK reactor design is generally seen as one of several causes of the Chernobyl accident.

[wes mantooth]

The big yellow one's the sun.

[NortonsGravyLeg]

...In contrast, the RBMK reactor design used at Chernobyl (using graphite instead of water as the moderator) greatly increases heat generation when coolant water temperatures increase, making them very unstable. This flaw in the RBMK reactor design is generally seen as one of several causes of the Chernobyl accident.

Makes you hope one day for this...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_fusion

Hippos are omnivores. In spite of them not requiring meat to sustain a healthy diet they will sometimes feed upon a freshly killed animal. Such as if an aligator kills a wildebeast sometimes a bullying Hippo will come along and steal it and then dine on the carcas with one or two other hippos until they are bored...these of course the same large animals that will run with fear if a guinea fowl http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f186/jlseagull81/helmeted.jpg
runs on the beach scaring an entire pod of hippo back into the water.

[Hudson]

A dripping Faucet wastes up to 12 gallons a day
A Running toilet wastes up to 50 gallons a day
The Phase variance of a Klingon Disrupter is 5.117 Micons per .0001 Zens

[HummerTuesdays]

People will pay you for your plasma. http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveMoney/SellingBodyPartsForCash.aspx?GT1=10123

Damn me for being so thin. You have to be at least 110 lbs. Maybe I should go eat some KFC Bowls.

[THE FEZ MAN]

It takes a minimum of 0.2 seconds for any wackbagger to realize this thread is shit. Or was it just me?


since i hide my money in books, i dont have to worry about you finding any of it

[Fr. Dougal]

My ship is the Millenium Falcon; she's the ship that made the Kessler Run in under 5 parsecs.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ktERGxSQ9z8&mode=related&search=

[Turtle]

The Magna Carta is an English legal document written in 1215 AD which had a huge influence on the developing legal system of England. Because England's legal system was used as a model by many former colonies when they developed their own legal systems, the Magna Carta also had an impact on many other governments.

The proper name for the Magna Carta is the Magna Carta Libertatum, the Great Charter of Freedoms. The document is usually abbreviated as the Magna Carta, or Great Charter. It could be considered a bill of rights for medieval England, but was not enforced for several centuries however it did establish that the King was not above the law.

King John of England signed the Magna Carta under pressure from the Church and nobels because the King often lived above the law, violating both feudal and common law. Nobels with the support of the Church, pressured King John to spell out a list of their rights and guarantee that those rights would be enforced King John put his seal to the Magna Carta in Runnymede in June of 1215.

The Magna Carta also contained several clauses which were very influential on the development of similar bills of rights, such as the first 10 Amendments to the United States Constitution. Among these were the right to habeas corpus, a clause protecting the freedom of the church, and a clauses which spelled out the rules for due process.

King John later abandoned the Magna Carta, triggering a war which lasted until his death in 1216. His son, Henry III, took the throne, and reissued the Magna Carta in 1225.

[Fr. Dougal]

The Drake equation (rarely also called the Green Bank equation or the Sagan equation) is a famous result in the speculative fields of xenobiology, astrosociobiology and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

The Drake equation states that:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/math/8/9/7/8971cfbd63f15390fa4faf8e5d1dfd35.png

where:

N is the number of civilizations in our galaxy, with which we might hope to be able to communicate;

and

R* is the average rate of star formation in our galaxy
fp is the fraction of those stars that have planets
ne is the average number of planets that can potentially support life per star that has planets
fl is the fraction of the above that actually go on to develop life at some point
fi is the fraction of the above that actually go on to develop intelligent life
fc is the fraction of civilizations that develop a technology that releases detectable signs of their existence into space
L is the length of time such civilizations release detectable signals into space.

Considerable disagreement on the values of most of these parameters exists, but the values used by Drake and his colleagues in 1961 were:

* R* = 10/year (10 stars formed per year, on the average over the life of the galaxy)
* fp = 0.5 (half of all stars formed will have planets)
* ne = 2 (2 planets per star will be able to develop life)
* fl = 1 (100% of the planets will develop life)
* fi = 0.01 (1% of which will be intelligent life)
* fc = 0.01 (1% of which will be able to communicate)
* L = 10,000 years (which will last 10,000 years)

Drake's values give N = 10 × 0.5 × 2 × 1 × 0.01 × 0.01 × 10,000 = 10.

The remarkable thing about the Drake equation is that by plugging in apparently "plausible" values for each of the parameters above, the resultant expectant value of N is generally often (much) greater than 1. This has provided considerable motivation for the SETI movement. However, we do not currently see evidence of this value of N . Other assumptions give values of N that are (much) less than 1, in accord with the observable evidence. This conflict is often called the Fermi paradox, after Enrico Fermi who first asked about our lack of observation of extraterrestrials, and suggests that our understanding of what is a "conservative" value for some of the parameters may be overly optimistic or that some other factor is involved to suppress the development of intelligent space-faring life.

Other assumptions give values of N that are (much) less than 1, but some observers believe this is still compatible with observations due to the anthropic principle: no matter how low the probability that any given galaxy will have intelligent life in it, the universe must have at least one intelligent species by definition otherwise the question would not arise.

[Turtle]

Manifest Destiny was a concept which heavily influenced American policy in the 1800s, and the idea was the driving force behind the rapid expansion of America into the West from the East, and it was heavily promoted in newspapers, posters and speaches. While Manifest Destiny was not itself an official government policy, it led to the passage of legislation such as the Homestead Act, which encouraged Westward colonization and territorial acquisition.

The term was first used in 1845 by John O'Sullivan, an American newspaper editor who was writing about the proposed annexation of Texas. O'Sullivan stated that it was America's “manifest destiny to overspread the continent.” The editorial suggested that through expansion, the United States could become a recognized political and social superpower, America, O'Sullivan claimed, had been uniquely chosen for the task of expanding Westward, & therfore establishing civilization in the West.

The Westward expansion of the United States started Louisiana Purchase (prior to the concept of Manifest Destiny) of 1803, in which 23% of the existing territory of the United States was acquired. The government saw the appeal in acquiring more land, as well as the potential political power which large tracts of land could confer upon the young nation. As a result, a policy pursuing aggressive expansion was actively pursued. The idea of Manifest Destiny was merely a component, and one which captured the popular imagination which brought a tide of Easterners into the West, supported by their belief in their right and duty to expand.

The idea of Manifest Destiny was also behind American political actions overseas. Although the term ceased to be used in a political context in the early twentieth century, the far-reaching impact of Manifest Destiny was clear. A section of the Manifest Destiny editorial reminded Americans that they were uniquely positioned to spread democracy throughout the world, and this concept clearly played a role in twentieth century American foreign policy. Many historians use the term “Manifest Destiny” to refer to the period in American history which was marked by rapid expansion “from sea to shining sea” through annexation of the Western half of the continent.

[Plunkies]

"But every time I learn something new, it pushes out something old! Remember that time I took that home wine-making course and forgot how to drive?"

"That's because you were drunk!"

"And how!"

[sniper]

The event horizon is the gravity field of a black hole where the space-time is so bent that light cannot escape it. The event horizon creates a region in space where nothing can escape, if nothing can go beyond the speed of light. Thus when something enters the event horizon, it will vanish without a trace. Should the object be emitting something, after it is enveloped by the event horizon, not even the emissions that traced its existence will escape the black hole.
This creates something called the cosmic censorship hypothesis, proposed by Roger Penrose, that can be summarized as "God abhors a naked singularity" (Hawking 114). This means that no one outside of the event horizon of a black hole is capable of observing the breakdown of classical physics inside a black hole (Hawking 115). However, the black hole is also unforgiving towards those who would dare enter the event horizon (Hawking 115).

info from http://www.rdrop.com/users/green/school/horizon.htm

I hate you, now i have to watch that movie!

[BaLZaC~308]

Angelfucks measurements are 32 23 32 :icon_mrgr

[Beeman99]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_in_Canada

fuck, I live here and I didn't know that

[NortonsGravyLeg]

Dangling participle or hanging participle or unattached participle
Walking back home yesterday, a tree nearly fell on my head. If strict logic is applied to that sentence, it should mean that the tree was walking back home: the subject of the main clause of a sentence (here, a tree) is assumed to be the subject of a phrase attached to the main clause – as in Being shy, she never said a word.

But language does not always keep to the tramlines of strict logic, and it is quite common to find attached phrases applying to some other part of the main clause (here, the 'I' implied by my head). Such phrases usually contain participles: they are called dangling participles, or hanging participles, or unattached participles. In the sentence above, the dangling participle is a present participle walking, but you can also have a dangling past participle: If properly secured, you shouldn't be able to remove the cover.

Dangling participles are not considered acceptable in standard English, so they should be avoided in writing. Recast offending sentences so that the subject of the attached phrase is clear: As I was walking back home yesterday a tree nearly fell on my head; If the cover is properly secured, you shouldn't be able to remove it.
© From the Hutchinson Encyclopaedia.
Helicon Publishing LTD 2007.
All rights reserved

[Hudson]

Reciprocity: rec·i·proc·i·ty
Pronunciation: "re-s&-'prä-s(&-)tE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ties
1 : the quality or state of being reciprocal : mutual dependence, action, or influence
2 : a mutual exchange of privileges; specifically : a recognition by one of two countries or institutions of the validity of licenses or privileges granted by the other

[BaLZaC~308]

Reciprocity: rec·i·proc·i·ty
Pronunciation: "re-s&-'prä-s(&-)tE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ties
1 : the quality or state of being reciprocal : mutual dependence, action, or influence
2 : a mutual exchange of privileges; specifically : a recognition by one of two countries or institutions of the validity of licenses or privileges granted by the other

Thank you hudson

The only time I have ever seen this word before was in "Clear and Present Danger." It was the name of the CIA's covert op against the columbian cartel (I think)

[Hudson]

Thank you hudson

The only time I have ever seen this word before was in "Clear and Present Danger." It was the name of the CIA's covert op against the columbian cartel (I think)
Seemed appropriate.

[THE FEZ MAN]

superfluous:

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source
su·per·flu·ous /sʊˈpɜrfluəs/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[soo-pur-floo-uhs] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
1. being more than is sufficient or required; excessive.
2. unnecessary or needless.
3. Obsolete. possessing or spending more than enough or necessary; extravagant.
[Origin: 1400–50; late ME < L superfluus, equiv. to super- super- + flu- (s. of fluere to flow) + -us -ous]

[Hudson]

For Jimmy:

coprophilia /cop·ro·phil·ia/ (kop?ro-fil´e-ah) an absorbing interest in feces or filth, particularly a paraphilia in which sexual arousal or activity is linked to feces.coprophil´iccoprophil´iac

[Sam_Adams]

Thank you hudson

The only time I have ever seen this word before was in "Clear and Present Danger." It was the name of the CIA's covert op against the columbian cartel (I think)

Ever heard of a "reciprocal saw?" Or it will be called a reciprocating saw or there is a generic name of a certain brand that people like to say when referring to the saw, a Sawzall.

It's the same principle of going back and forth, giving and taking. But kudos on learning something new. It's a word used a lot in Anthropology to explain market trade between individuals/social groups.

[bethm1b]

Bee's are responsible for 1/3rd the food we eat.

Canada is the second largest county in the world

our dollar is damn near worth as much as the USA's now

the beaver is our national animal

a one dollar coin is the loonie, a two dollar coin is the toonie

Lacrosse is our national sport

The leader of our country is the Prime Minister, the leaders of our provinces and territories are Premiers


Bees are being killed off here by people who hate insects.

America is a large country.

The worth of our dollar diminishes your monetary gain.

The beaver is a cute little nickname for cooter.

The one dollar coin is annoying and the two dollar coin is worth hundreds.

LaCrosse is a french transvestite in Greenwhich village.

The leader of our country is an idiot and the leaders of our provinces are idiot wanna be's.

[Turtle]

Bees are being killed off here by people who hate insects.

America is a large country.

The worth of our dollar diminishes your monetary gain.

The beaver is a cute little nickname for cooter.

The one dollar coin is annoying and the two dollar coin is worth hundreds.

LaCrosse is a french transvestite in Greenwhich village.

The leader of our country is an idiot and the leaders of our provinces are idiot wanna be's.

Not sure we learned anything here, more opinions rather than facts. Come back and try again sometime.

[NortonsGravyLeg]

Fauvism-
Les Fauves (French for The Wild Beasts) were a short-lived and loose grouping of early Modern artists whose works emphasized painterly qualities, and the use of deep color over the representational values retained by Impressionism. Fauvists simplified lines, made the subject of the painting easy to read, exaggerated perspectives and used brilliant but arbitrary colors. They also emphasized freshness and spontaneity over finish. The leaders of the movement, Moreau's top students, were Henri Matisse and André Derain — friendly rivals of a sort, each with his own followers. The paintings, for example Matisse's 1908 The Dessert or Derain's The Two Barges, use powerful reds or other forceful colors to draw the eye. Matisse became the yang to Picasso's yin in the 20th century while time has trapped Derain at the century's beginning, a "wild beast" forever. Their disciples included Albert Marquet, Charles Camoin, the Belgian painter Henri Evenepoel, Jean Puy, Maurice de Vlaminck, Raoul Dufy, Othon Friesz, Georges Rouault, the Dutch painter Kees van Dongen, the Swiss painter Alice Bailly and Picasso's partner in Cubism, Georges Braque. Fauvism, as a movement, had no concrete theories, and was short lived, beginning in 1905 and ending in 1907, they only had three exhibitions. Matisse was seen as the leader of the movement, due to his seniority in age and prior self-establishment in the academic art world. He said he wanted to create art to delight; art as a decoration was his purpose and it can be said that his use of bright colors tries to maintain serenity of composition.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f186/jlseagull81/fuavism.jpg

[Sct Ptersns Twn]

Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia, is a base of the United States Navy, supporting naval forces operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean.

NS Norfolk, also known as the Norfolk Navy Base, occupies about 4,300 acres (17 km²) of Hampton Roads real estate in a peninsula known as Sewell's Point. It is the world's largest Naval Station; in fact, based on supported military population, it is the largest naval installation/base in the world.

[highway23]

http://riannanworld.typepad.com/my_weblog/images/jonathan_l.JPG

the human head weighs 8lbs:action-sm

cool thread

[Turtle]

A Krugerrand is a gold coin minted by the Republic of South Africa, but it can not be used to buy anything in a store. Most other gold coins have a face value, the Krugerrand has no actual face value apart from its precious metal content. On the front of the coin is a profile of Paul Kruger, an early president of the Republic of South Africa. The Afrikaans words Sud Africa appear, along with the English South Africa. The back of a Krugerrand features a male springbok, a national symbol of South Africa.

The original Krugerrand was designed to contain precisely one ounce of 22 karat gold, approximately 33 grams. The actual weight is a little over 1 troy ounce because a small amount of copper, about 1/12 of the total weight, is added to make the coin more resistant to damage,in 1980, three smaller sizes of Krugerrands were minted, weighing 1/2 ounce, 1/4 ounce and 1/10 ounce.

Here's where politics and economics enter the picture. The United States and other countries used to back their currency with what is known as the gold standard. Over time the US treasury stopped using gold as a backup for currency, relying more on the control of circulation. The government still had vast reserves of gold, but private individuals had to rely on the stability of the national economy.

Meanwhile, the Republic of South Africa had discovered a huge gold vein and was eager to market it to the world. Since private ownership of gold ingots was illegal, the South African government decided to produce a gold coin and give it 'legal tender' status. It was not illegal for US citizens to purchase foreign coins, no matter what metals were used. The South African Krugerrand could be sold at a mere 5% over the current price of gold. The South African government would benefit from the sales of its gold and investors would have a hedge against economic collapse. Because of its special content, a Krugerrand can be readily liquidated into currency in most countries.

The main concern with Krugerrand sales is South Africa's history. The Krugerrand was first minted at a time when black workers in the diamond and gold mines were treated like slaves. Although racial conditions in South Africa have improved in recent years, it is still considered a rogue state in some circles. Buying Krugerrands during the days of active apartheid could be seen as tacit approval of the practice.

Other gold coins have now emerged to challenge the Krugerrand, made with 24 karat gold and no copper alloy an it has become much easier to purchase gold ingots as an investment today than it was in the 1960s. So the Krugerrand has lost much of its appeal

[NortonsGravyLeg]

I like what Turtle brings to the table, we should keep this thread going...

Morse code is a method for transmitting telegraphic information, using standardized sequences of short and long elements to represent the letters, numerals, punctuation and special characters of a message. The short and long elements can be formed by sounds, marks or pulses, in on off keying and are commonly known as "dots" and "dashes" or "dits" and "dahs".

International Morse code is composed of six elements:

1. short mark, dot or 'dit' (·)
2. longer mark, dash or 'dah' (-)
3. intra-character gap (between the dots and dashes within a character)
4. short gap (between letters)
5. medium gap (between words)
6. long gap (between sentences — about seven units of time)

These six elements serve as the basis for International Morse code and therefore can be applied to the use of Morse code world-wide.

Morse code can be transmitted in a number of ways: originally as electrical pulses along a telegraph wire, but also as an audio tone, as a radio signal with short and long pulses or tones, or as a mechanical or visual signal (e.g. a flashing light) using devices like an Aldis lamp or a heliograph. Morse code is transmitted using just two states — on and off — so it was an early form of a digital code. However, it is technically not binary, as the pause lengths are required to decode the information.

Originally created for Samuel F. B. Morse's electric telegraph in the early 1840s, Morse code was also extensively used for early radio communication beginning in the 1890s. For the first half of the twentieth century, the majority of high-speed international communication was conducted in Morse code, using telegraph lines, undersea cables, and radio circuits. However, the variable length of the Morse characters made it hard to adapt to automated circuits, so for most electronic communication it has been replaced by more machinable formats, such as Baudot code and ASCII.

The most popular current use of Morse code is by amateur radio operators. Although no longer a requirement for Amateur licensing in most countries, it also continues to be used for specialized purposes, including identification of navigational radio beacon and land mobile transmitters, plus some military communication, including flashing-light semaphore communications between ships in some naval services. Morse code is the only digital modulation mode designed to be easily read by humans without a computer, making it appropriate for sending automated digital data in voice channels, as well as making it ideal for emergency signaling, such as by way of improvised energy sources that can be easily "keyed" such as by supplying and removing electric power (e.g. by switching a breaker on and off).

[Hoagie]

The angle of the dangle varies inversely with the heat of the meat.

[Turtle]

The eleven General Orders that guide every Marine throughout his years in the Corps:

1. To take charge of this post and all government property in view.

2. To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on then alert and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.

3. To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.

4. To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guardhouse than my own.

5. To quit my post only when properly relieved.

6. To receive, obey, and pass on the sentry who relieves me, all orders from the commanding officer, officer of the day, and officers and noncommissioned officers of the guard only.

7. To talk to no one except in line of duty.

8. To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.

9. To call the corporal of the guard in any case not covered by instructions.

10. To salute all officers and all colors and standards not cased.

11. To be especially watchful at night and, during the time for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post and to allow no one to pass without proper authority.

[Sct Ptersns Twn]

The shortest distance between two places is a straight line.

[fkornre]

The Monroe Doctrine is a U.S. doctrine which, on December 2, 1823, proclaimed that European powers would no longer colonize or interfere with the affairs of the nations of the Americas. The United States planned to stay neutral in wars between European powers and its colonies. However, if these latter types of wars were to occur in the Americas, the United States would view such action as hostile. President James Monroe first stated the doctrine during his seventh annual State of the Union Address to Congress, a defining moment in the foreign policy of the United States.

[Turtle]

A BTU, short for British Thermal Unit, is a basic measure of thermal (heat) energy. One BTU is the amount of energy needed to heat one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit, measured at its heaviest point. In other words, if you placed 16 ounces of water at 59°F into a stovetop pan and turned on the gas burner, it would take one BTU to raise the temperature of the water to 60°F. As more BTUs continue to flow from the gas flame, the water will eventually reach the boiling point of 212°F.

A BTU is also the equivalent of 252 heat calories, not to be confused with the kilo-calories of food, and of approximately a third of a watt of electrical power. When speaking of cooling power, the BTU also works in reverse. The air-cooling power of an air conditioning system refers to the amount of thermal energy removed from an area. Hence a 65,000 BTU heater and a 65,000 BTU air conditioner are of roughly the same capacity and size. The higher the BTU output, the more powerful the heating or cooling system.

[Beeman99]

Bees are being killed off here by people who hate insects.

America is a large country.

The worth of our dollar diminishes your monetary gain.

The beaver is a cute little nickname for cooter.

The one dollar coin is annoying and the two dollar coin is worth hundreds.

LaCrosse is a french transvestite in Greenwhich village.

The leader of our country is an idiot and the leaders of our provinces are idiot wanna be's.

haha, you're a fucking moron. Come back when you steal a brain.

[NortonsGravyLeg]

Shesmu (Shezmu, Shesemu, Shezmou, Shesmou, Sezmu, Sesmu, Schesmu, Schezemu) was an ancient Egyptian demon-god of the underworld. He was a slaughtering demon, god of precious oils for beauty and embalming and a god of the wine press. He was thought to be a helper of the justified dead, offering them alcoholic red wine to drink. Yet he was also seen to be a demon who would tear off the head of a wrongdoer, throwing the head into the wine press to squeeze out the blood as if it was grape juice.

The Shesmu Decan, One Group of Stars that Rose for Ten Days Each Year Shesmu's dual personality was evident from the texts in the Pyramid of Unas and the Book of the Dead. Throughout Egyptian history, from the early dynastic times through to the Roman period he was seen as both a kind benefactor to the good and a cruel dispatcher of those who deserved it.

The Egyptians depicted him as a full man, a lion-headed man or as a hawk. On the list of Decans (star groups into which the night sky was divided, with each group appearing for ten days annually) at the temple of Hathor at Dendera, Shesmu appeared as a man on a boat with a uraeus on top of his head, between two stars. When writing about the Shesmu Decan, the star hieroglyph (star determinative) was added to his name.

[Fr. Dougal]

The official name of Camp David, the presidential retreat, is Naval Support Facility Thurmont.

The Naval Support Facility Thurmont, popularly known as Camp David, is the rustic 125-acre (0.5 km²) mountain retreat of the President of the United States. Camp David is part of the Catoctin Mountain Park recreational area in Frederick County, Maryland, 60 miles north of Washington, D.C. It was founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as Shangri-La and later renamed Camp David after Dwight Eisenhower's grandson, David Eisenhower.

Catoctin Mountain Park was originally submarginal land purchased by the U.S. government in 1936, to be developed into a recreational facility. The purpose of the land was to demonstrate how rough terrain and eroded soil could be turned into productive land.

During the New Deal program of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Works Progress Administration began the work in the newly created Catoctin Recreational Demonstration Area, joined by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1939. Camp Misty Mount was first used by the Maryland League for Crippled Children. After the first year (1937), the League moved to a second camp, Camp Greentop, because Camp Misty Mount's terrain was difficult to negotiate in a wheelchair. A third camp, Camp Hi-Catoctin, was completed in the winter of 1938-1939 and was used for three years as a family camp for federal employees.

Roosevelt was accustomed to seeking relief from hot Washington summers and relaxing on weekends aboard the presidential yacht Potomac or at his home in Hyde Park, New York. In 1942, the Secret Service became concerned about the President's use of Potomac. World War II had brought U-boats of the Kriegsmarine (German War Navy) to U.S. coastal waters in the Atlantic. Roosevelt's health was also a concern. The muggy climate of the Washington area was considered detrimental to his health, affecting his sinuses. A new retreat within a 100 mile (160 km) radius of the capital with cool mountain air was sought.

Several sites were considered but Camp Hi-Catoctin in the Catoctin Recreational Demonstration Area was selected after the President's first visit on April 22, 1942. A camp was already built on the site and the estimated conversion cost was $18,650. It was also almost 10°F (5°C) cooler than Washington. Roosevelt quickly renamed the camp Shangri-La, from James Hilton's 1933 novel, Lost Horizon.

[Glenn Dandy]

Hot water freezes faster than cold water.

water 105 degrees and below cannot burn you, just feels like it is.

a galloon of water weighs 8.33 lbs.

the minimum sq. inches allowable for a shower stall is 1024 sq inches, unless it is a fabricated form, in wich i think? its 900 sq.

capacity in gallons of pipe. V=.0408XD2XLenght

Weight of water in pipes. W=.34XD2XLenght of pipe.

1 psi is = to 2.3 feet of verticle rise in a columb of water.

.434 pushes water 1 foot.

and for every .434 you lose one foot.

When calculating BTU,s

1lb of water equaling 1 degree Farenheight = 1 BTU

My hair is getting thin.

[Buster H]

Found this one here:
http://plus.maths.org/issue38/features/nishiyama/



The number 6174 is a really mysterious number. At first glance, it might not seem so obvious. But as we are about to see, anyone who can subtract can uncover the mystery that makes 6174 so special.
Kaprekar's operation

In 1949 the mathematician D. R. Kaprekar from Devlali, India, devised a process now known as Kaprekar's operation. First choose a four digit number where the digits are not all the same (that is not 1111, 2222,...). Then rearrange the digits to get the largest and smallest numbers these digits can make. Finally, subtract the smallest number from the largest to get a new number, and carry on repeating the operation for each new number.

It is a simple operation, but Kaprekar discovered it led to a surprising result. Let's try it out, starting with the number 2005, the digits of last year. The maximum number we can make with these digits is 5200, and the minimum is 0025 or 25 (if one or more of the digits is zero, embed these in the left hand side of the minimum number). The subtractions are:

5200 - 0025 = 5175
7551 - 1557 = 5994
9954 - 4599 = 5355
5553 - 3555 = 1998
9981 - 1899 = 8082
8820 - 0288 = 8532
8532 - 2358 = 6174
7641 - 1467 = 6174

When we reach 6174 the operation repeats itself, returning 6174 every time. We call the number 6174 a kernel of this operation. So 6174 is a kernel for Kaprekar's operation, but is this as special as 6174 gets? Well not only is 6174 the only kernel for the operation, it also has one more surprise up it's sleeve. Let's try again starting with a different number, say 1789.

9871 - 1789 = 8082
8820 - 0288 = 8532
8532 - 2358 = 6174

We reached 6174 again!

When we started with 2005 the process reached 6174 in seven steps, and for 1789 in three steps. In fact, you reach 6174 for all four digit numbers that don't have all the digits the same. It's marvellous, isn't it? Kaprekar's operation is so simple but uncovers such an interesting result. And this will become even more intriguing when we think about the reason why all four digit numbers reach this mysterious number 6174.

there is much more explanation at the link

[Dr. Hoffman]

Im shocked that you didn't include MOA in your definition of Arc Seconds. Both are based on the same concept sir. :action-sm

[FAZ8218]

Between 1820 and 1920, 4.4 million. Italians immigrated to the United States. To date, the number reaches nearly 5.5 million.

Immigration is a fairly new phenomena to Italians residing in Italy today. However, many immigrants arrive in Italy everyday. According to ISTAT, the Italian National Institute of Statistics, as of January 1, 2006, there are 2.7 million LEGAL immigrants residing in Italy. It is estimated, with the inclusion of illegal immigrants, the number is close to 3 million. The largest group amongst these immigrants are Albanians, followed by Moroccans, Romanians, Ukrainians, and Chinese.

Italians have not taken kindly to this recent influx of immigrants to their country and a majority of them continue to neglect the problems they are facing. Discrimination of immigrants is an everyday occurrence in Italy.

It seems as though they are neglecting a piece of their own history, failing to realize that they were once "the Albanians" here in the US, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, and Australia. At the peak of immigration here in the US, many Italians were discriminated against. At times, they were viewed to be lower than African Americans and Irish immigrants, because those groups at least spoke the language. Most famously is the false conviction of Sacco and Vanzetti. Also, the largest single lynching in American history was not of African-Americans, but of Italian Immigrants, when 11 Italians were lynched in New Orleans in 1892.

Perhaps Italians today need to reflect on these cases when dealing with the challenge of immigrants entering their own country.

[Turtle]

Understanding how magnets work means figuring out the dynamics of a magnetic field. Consider the space that surrounds a magnet. This space is occupied by a magnetic force and is called a magnetic field. If a magnet is placed within this field, it will be acted upon by magnetic forces.

A magnetic field is created as the result of moving charges. A good example of this is electric current that flows through a wire. When this occurs, there are negatively charged, subatomic particles, called electrons, moving through the wire. As these charges move, a magnetic field forms around the wire. Likewise, the magnetic field of a magnet is created by the movement of electrons.

A magnet’s magnetic field either attracts or repels certain metals, as well as other magnets. A magnet has two ends that are referred to as poles. One pole is called north and the other one is referred to as south. To attract magnets to each other, you have to place opposite ends of two magnets near each other. Placing like ends of two magnets near each other causes the opposite to occur; the two magnets repel each other.

Interestingly, the Earth has a natural, magnetic field at is core. If you take a look at a compass, you will notice that one side is marked “N” and faces toward the Earth’s northern magnetic pole. As such, this part of the compass is referred to as the North-seeking pole. However, the Earth’s north magnetic pole should not be confused with its North Pole. The North Pole is located hundreds of miles away from the north-seeking pole.

There are many types of magnets, they are categorized as permanent, temporary, and electromagnetic. Permanent magnets maintain their magnetic properties for an extended period of time while temporary magnets lose their magnetism more quickly. An electromagnet, on the other hand, is one that is created using electricity. Its strength can be altered based on the electrical current that is allowed to move through it.

[NoFilterPaul]

al sharpton is a pointless coon

[Voss's Tumor]

OK after a derailing attempt let's get back to the point of the thread.

Yes, I pulled this from Wiki. It's been 12 years since I have operated one of these things and I cannot recall all of the details. The most interesting part of these things is the fact that they are inherently stable due to temperature.

Pressurized water reactors:
A PWR works because the nuclear fuel in the reactor vessel is engaged in a chain reaction, which produces heat, heating the water in the primary coolant loop by thermal conduction through the fuel cladding. (The primary coolant loop is shown in the schematic as a red dashed line.) The hot water is pumped into a certain type of heat exchanger called steam generator, which allows the primary coolant to heat up and boil the secondary coolant (shown as the loop steam generator → turbine → condenser). The transfer of heat is accomplished without mixing the two fluids. This is desirable, since the primary coolant is necessarily radioactive. The steam formed in the steam generator is allowed to flow through a steam turbine, and the energy extracted by the turbine is used to drive an electric generator. Other uses for the steam from a PWR include:

* In nuclear ships and submarines, the steam is fed through a steam turbine connected to a set of reduction gears to a shaft used for propulsion
* Direct mechanical action by expansion of the steam for things like a steam-powered Aircraft catapult
* District heating by the steam

In a nuclear power station, the steam is fed through a steam turbine which drives a generator connected to the electric grid for distribution, as shown above. After passing through the turbine the secondary coolant (water-steam mixture) is cooled down and condensed in a condenser before being fed into the steam generator again. This converts the steam to a liquid so that it can be pumped back into the high pressure steam generator.

Two things are characteristic for the pressurized water reactor (PWR) when compared with other reactor types:

* In a PWR, there are two separate coolant loops (primary and secondary), which are both filled with ordinary water (also called light water). A boiling water reactor, by contrast, has only one coolant loop, while more exotic designs such as breeder reactors use substances other than water for the task (e.g. sodium in its liquid state).
* The pressure in the primary coolant loop is typically 15-16 Megapascal, which is notably higher than in other nuclear reactors, and nearly twice that of a Boiling water reactor (BWR). As an effect of this, only localized boiling occurs and will recondense promptly in the bulk fluid. By contrast, in a boiling water reactor the primary coolant is designed to boil.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a0/PressurizedWaterReactor.gif/400px-PressurizedWaterReactor.gif

Pressurized water reactors, like thermal reactor designs, require the fast fission neutrons in the reactor to be slowed down (a process called moderation) to a "thermal" state in order to sustain its chain reaction. In PWRs the coolant water is used as a moderator by letting the neutrons undergo multiple collisions with light hydrogen atoms in the water, losing speed in the process. This "moderating" of neutrons will happen more often when the water is more dense (more collisions will occur). The use of water as a moderator is an important safety feature of PWRs, as any increase in temperature causes the water to expand and become less dense; thereby reducing the extent to which neutrons are slowed down and hence reducing the reactivity in the reactor. Therefore, if reactor activity increases beyond normal, the reduced moderation of neutrons will cause the chain reaction to slow down, producing less heat. This property, known as the negative temperature coefficient of reactivity, makes PWR reactors very stable. In contrast, the RBMK reactor design used at Chernobyl (using graphite instead of water as the moderator) greatly increases heat generation when coolant water temperatures increase, making them very unstable. This flaw in the RBMK reactor design is generally seen as one of several causes of the Chernobyl accident.

Dude, you stole my shit. I was a Nuke in the Navy and it's basically the only thing I can speak about intelligently! That damn Wikki entry covered everything I was gonna say, including the negative temperature coefficient of reactivity, which is what makes American Reactors completely safe and Russian reactors fucking time bombs.

I will say that if you leave an open Ammonia bottle in the air tight trash can in the lab after doing a Primary Coolant add, your watch relief is going to pass out and wake up fucking hating you as you laugh your ass off at him when he opens the trash can. Or you can just put on a gas mask and leave it open in the lab (which is also air tight) and wait for him to open the door to take your watch. Good times.

Also, ... I think it was Hydrazine, when mixed with high concentrate H2O2 (Hydrogen Peroxide) blows up bigger than shit, and when mixed in a plastic chem bottle will make the coolest rocket that blows up against the wall and will entertain the other guys on watch for hours on end.

Oh, and the reactors I worked on usually operated around 11 megapascal (which is a unit of pressure I've never heard used before now), not 15-16.

807, FTN

[grail]

Fugu is a Japanese dish prepared from the meat of pufferfish (normally species of Takifugu, Lagocephalus, or Sphoeroides) or porcupinefish of the genus Diodon. Because pufferfish is lethally poisonous if prepared incorrectly, fugu has become one of the most celebrated and notorious dishes in Japanese cuisine.

Pufferfish contains lethal amounts of the poison tetrodotoxin in the internal organs, especially the liver and gonads, and also the skin. Therefore, only specially licensed chefs are allowed to prepare and sell fugu to the public, and the consumption of the liver and ovaries is forbidden. But because small amounts of the poison give a special desired sensation on the tongue, these parts are considered the most delicious by some gourmets. Every year, a number of people die because they underestimate the amount of poison in the consumed fish parts. The poison paralyzes the muscles while the victim stays fully conscious, and eventually dies from asphyxiation. There is currently no antidote, and the standard medical approach is to try to support the respiratory and circulatory system until the effect of the poison wears off.

Tetrodotoxin is a very potent neurotoxin and shuts down electrical signaling in nerves by binding to the pores of sodium channel proteins in nerve cell membranes. The tetrodotoxin is very stable and not affected by the heat of cooking. It does not cross the blood–brain barrier, leaving the victim fully conscious while paralyzing the remainder of the body. In animal studies with mice, 8 μg tetrodotoxin per kg body weight killed 50% of the mice. The pufferfish itself is not susceptible to the poison due to a mutation in the protein sequence of the sodium channel pump on the cell membranes.

If an ingested dose of the fugu's poison is lethal, as more and more muscles are paralyzed, symptoms may include dizziness, exhaustion, headache, nausea or difficulty breathing. For 50% to 80% of the victims, death follows within four to 24 hours. The victim remains fully conscious throughout most of the ordeal, but cannot speak or move due to paralysis, and soon also cannot breathe and subsequently asphyxiates. If the victim survives the first 24 hours, he or she usually recovers completely.

There is no known antidote, and treatment consists of emptying the stomach, feeding the victim activated charcoal to bind the toxin and taking standard life-support measures to keep the victim alive until the effect of the poison has worn off. Japanese toxicologists in several medical research centers are currently working on developing an antidote to tetrodotoxin.

Tetrodotoxin
Formula C11H17N3O8
LD50 5.0 - 8.0 µg/kg
Molecular mass 319.28 u

[Voss's Tumor]

Critical Mass and Critical Reactors are not bad things. What you've learned from the movies is wrong:

Nuclear criticality: if in this process the neutron population remains relatively constant then we state that the reactor has achieved criticality. There are many variables that can change the state of the reactor, but a good design will try to keep the reactor inherently stable. In a nuclear reactor, the reactor operator (which I once was) uses control rods to effectively or actually (depending on construction) absorb neutrons. By changing the position of these rods in the core he can change the status of criticality.

Subcriticality: If, on average, less than one free neutron causes another U-235 atom to fission, then the core is subcritical. In due time the induced fission will end.

Supercriticality :If, on average, more than one free neutron causes another U-235 atom to fission, then the core is supercritical. In due time the induced fission speed up causing the core to heat up. In a nuclear bomb, it is a designer goal to have all of the U-235 atoms split almost simultaneously, causing a mass release of energy.

A U-235 fission releases 2.34 neutrons per reaction on average, so the one to one ratio of a Critical reactor would have 1.34 neutrons on average not affecting any other nuclei.

Critical Mass:

The critical mass for lower-grade uranium depends strongly on the grade: with 20 % U-235 it is over 400 kg; with 15 % U-235, it is well over 600 kg.

The critical mass is inversely proportional to the square of the density: if the density is 1% more and the mass 2% less, then the volume is 3% less and the diameter 1% less. The probability for a neutron per cm travelled to hit a nucleus is proportional to the density, so 1% more, which compensates that the distance travelled before leaving the system is 1% less. This is something that must be taken into consideration when attempting more precise estimates of critical masses of plutonium isotopes than the rough values given above, because plutonium metal has a large number of different crystal phases which can have widely varying densities.

Note that not all neutrons contribute to the chain reaction. Some escape. Others undergo radiative capture.

Let q denote the probability that a given neutron induces fission in a nucleus. Let us consider only prompt neutrons, and let ν denote the number of prompt neutrons generated in a nuclear fission. For example, \nu \simeq 2.5 for uranium-235. Then, criticality occurs when νq = 1. The dependence of this upon geometry, mass, and density appears through the factor q.

Given a total interaction cross section σ (typically measured in barns), the mean free path of a prompt neutron is \ell^{-1} = n \sigma where n is the nuclear number density. Most interactions are scattering events, so that a given neutron obeys a random walk until it either escapes from the medium or causes a fission reaction. So long as other loss mechanisms are not significant, then, the radius of a spherical critical mass is rather roughly given by the product of the mean free path \ell and the square root of one plus the number of scattering events per fission event (call this s), since the net distance travelled in a random walk is proportional to the square root of the number of steps:

R_c \simeq \ell \sqrt{s} \simeq \frac{\sqrt{s}}{n \sigma}

Note again, however, that this is only a rough estimate.

In terms of the total mass M, the nuclear mass m, the density ρ, and a fudge factor f which takes into account geometrical and other effects, criticality corresponds to

1 = \frac{f \sigma}{m \sqrt{s}} \rho^{2/3} M^{1/3}

which clearly recovers the aforementioned result that critical mass depends inversely on the square of the density.

Alternatively, one may restate this more succinctly in terms of the areal density of mass, Σ:

1 = \frac{f' \sigma}{m \sqrt{s}} \Sigma

where the factor f has been rewritten as f' to account for the fact that the two values may differ depending upon geometrical effects and how one defines Σ. For example, for a bare solid sphere of Pu-239 criticality is at 320 kg/m², regardless of density, and for U-235 at 550 kg/m². In any case, criticality then depends upon a typical neutron "seeing" an amount of nuclei around it such that the areal density of nuclei exceeds a certain threshold.

This is applied in implosion-type nuclear weapons, where a spherical mass of fissile material that is substantially less than a critical mass, is made supercritical by very rapidly increasing ρ (and thus Σ as well), see below. Indeed, sophisticated nuclear weapons programs can make a functional device from less material than more primitive weapons programs require.

Aside from the math, there is a simple physical analog that helps explain this result. Consider diesel fumes belched from an exhaust pipe. Initially the fumes appear black, then gradually you are able to see through them without any trouble. This is not because the total scattering cross section of all the soot particles has changed, but because the soot has dispersed. If we consider a transparent cube of length L on a side, filled with soot, then the optical depth of this medium is inversely proportional to the square of L, and therefore proportional to the areal density of soot particles: we can make it easier to see through the imaginary cube just by making the cube larger.

Several uncertainties contribute to the determination of a precise value for critical masses, including (1) detailed knowledge of cross sections, (2) calculation of geometric effects. This latter problem provided significant motivation for the development of the Monte Carlo method in computational physics by Nicholas Metropolis and Stanislaw Ulam. In fact, even for a homogeneous solid sphere, the exact calculation is by no means trivial. Finally note that the calculation can also be performed by assuming a continuum approximation for the neutron transport, so that the problem reduces to a diffusion problem. However, as the typical linear dimensions are not significantly larger than the mean free path, such an approximation is only marginally applicable.

Finally, note that for some idealized geometries, the critical mass might formally be infinite, and other parameters are used to describe criticality. For example, consider an infinite sheet of fissionable material. For any finite thickness, this corresponds to an infinite mass. However, criticality is only achieved once the thickness of this slab exceeds a critical value.

Basically, think of the nucleus of an "Unstable" isotope like a balloon that has reached it's absolute maximum capacity. One more tiny bit of air and it's going to pop. The state that the nucleus reaches when it's ready to pop is called critical mass.

Think about it, why does a nucleus stay together? You've been taught all your life that opposites attract, and neutrons have no charge, so what compels all these positively charged little particles to stick to each other? There's a nuclear force which holds subatomic particles together at an exact distance of 10^-15 m. This force is approx. 137 times as strong as the electromagnetic force of repulsion, so it "glues" the nucleus together.

When a neutron makes the nucleus just a tad larger than the nuclear force can compensate for, it splits.

[Turtle]

The Hatfields and the McCoys were two families who lived across from each other on the Kentucky/West Virginia border. A bitter feud between the two families lasted for over thirty years, taking the lives of at least 12 men. The famous feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys is often used as a comparison when talking about bitter family feuds. Like many stories about 19th century America, it can be difficult to sort fact from fiction when examining accounts of the Hatfields and the McCoys.

The feud probably had its roots during the Civil War, when ironically enough both families were on the same side. Both families were farmers, and were relatively well off. They felt that the Civil War threatened their lifestyles, and William Anderson Hatfield and Randolph McCoy both led anti-Union guerilla groups. However, rivalries between to the two families began to be intense during the war, especially after the death of Asa McCoy, who fought on the side of the Union.

In 1873, the Hatfields and the McCoys entered into a bitter dispute over the ownership of a hog. (In 19th century America, taking someone else's livestock was viewed as a serious offense, since a single pig could help feed a small family during the winter) A McCoy claimed that a Hatfield had a pig which did not belong to him, and the matter was brought to trial before another Hatfield. Predictably, the final verdict was in favor of the Hatfield, and the feud of the Hatfields and the McCoys began. In 1880, the presiding judge was killed by two McCoy brothers, the first in a string of deaths linked to the feud.

Matters were complicated further in the 1880s when a McCoy daughter fell in love with a Hatfield son, leaving her family to live with the Hatfields. She later returned, followed by her husband, who was kidnapped by the McCoys and later rescued by a group of Hatfields. The feud attracted national attention, even leading to a call out of the militia in an attempt to put a stop to the social unrest and deaths associated with the Hatfields and the McCoys. In 1891, a truce was finally called between the Hatfields and the McCoys, and over 100 years later, in 2000, a reunion featuring both families was held, featuring friendly references to the infamous feud.

[Smokezilla]

The Hatfields and the McCoys were two families who lived across from each other on the Kentucky/West Virginia border. A bitter feud between the two families lasted for over thirty years, taking the lives of at least 12 men. The famous feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys is often used as a comparison when talking about bitter family feuds. Like many stories about 19th century America, it can be difficult to sort fact from fiction when examining accounts of the Hatfields and the McCoys.

The feud probably had its roots during the Civil War, when ironically enough both families were on the same side. Both families were farmers, and were relatively well off. They felt that the Civil War threatened their lifestyles, and William Anderson Hatfield and Randolph McCoy both led anti-Union guerilla groups. However, rivalries between to the two families began to be intense during the war, especially after the death of Asa McCoy, who fought on the side of the Union.

In 1873, the Hatfields and the McCoys entered into a bitter dispute over the ownership of a hog. (In 19th century America, taking someone else's livestock was viewed as a serious offense, since a single pig could help feed a small family during the winter) A McCoy claimed that a Hatfield had a pig which did not belong to him, and the matter was brought to trial before another Hatfield. Predictably, the final verdict was in favor of the Hatfield, and the feud of the Hatfields and the McCoys began. In 1880, the presiding judge was killed by two McCoy brothers, the first in a string of deaths linked to the feud.

Matters were complicated further in the 1880s when a McCoy daughter fell in love with a Hatfield son, leaving her family to live with the Hatfields. She later returned, followed by her husband, who was kidnapped by the McCoys and later rescued by a group of Hatfields. The feud attracted national attention, even leading to a call out of the militia in an attempt to put a stop to the social unrest and deaths associated with the Hatfields and the McCoys. In 1891, a truce was finally called between the Hatfields and the McCoys, and over 100 years later, in 2000, a reunion featuring both families was held, featuring friendly references to the infamous feud.


Come to my hometown!:action-sm

http://www.tourpikecounty.com/hm_festival.htm

http://img455.imageshack.us/img455/1200/nbcthemoreyouknow4fd315cq7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[NortonsGravyLeg]

Medicaid was created on July 30, 1965 through Title XIX of the Social Security Act. Each state administers its own Medicaid program while the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) monitors the state-run programs and establishes requirements for service delivery, quality, funding, and eligibility standards.

Each state may have their own names for the program. Examples include "Medi-Cal" in California, "MassHealth" in Massachusetts, and "TennCare" in Tennessee. States may bundle together the administration of Medicaid with other separate programs such as the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), so the same organization that handles Medicaid in a state may also manage those additional programs. Separate programs may also exist in some localities that are funded by the states or their political subdivisions to provide health coverage for indigents and minors

State participation in Medicaid is voluntary; however, all states have participated since 1982 when Arizona formed its AHCCCS program. In some states Medicaid is subcontracted to private health insurance companies, while other states pay providers (i.e., doctors, clinics and hospitals) directly to ensure that individuals receive proper medical attention.

Although their names are similar, Medicaid and Medicare are very different programs. Medicare is an entitlement program funded entirely at the federal level. It focuses primarily on the older population. As stated in the CMS website, Medicare is a health insurance program for people age 65 or older, people under age 65 with certain disabilities, and people of all ages with end stage renal disease.

Medicaid is also an entitlement program, but it is not solely funded at the federal level. States provide up to half of the funding for the Medicaid program. In some states, counties also contribute funds. The main criterion for Medicaid eligibility is limited income and financial resources, a criterion which plays no role in determining Medicare coverage. Medicaid covers a wider range of health care services than Medicare. In 2001, about 6.5 million Americans were enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid, also known as Medicare dual eligible.

Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that provides health insurance coverage to low-income children, seniors and people with disabilities. While Congress and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services set out the main rules under which Medicaid operates, each state runs its own program. As a result, the eligibility rules are somewhat different in every state, although the framework is the same throughout the country.

Both the federal government and most state governments have made many changes to the eligibility requirements and restrictions over the years. This has most recently occurred with the passage of the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005 (Pub.L. No. 109-171) which significantly changed rules governing the treatment of asset transfers and homes of nursing home residents. The implementation of these changes will proceed state-by-state over the next few years. To be certain of your rights under the Act you should consult an expert, as the rules are complex. The DRA now requires that anyone seeking Medicaid must produce documents to prove that they are a United States citizen or resident alien.

[grail]

The Hatfields and the McCoys were two families who lived across from each other on the Kentucky/West Virginia border. A bitter feud between the two families lasted for over thirty years, taking the lives of at least 12 men. The famous feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys is often used as a comparison when talking about bitter family feuds. Like many stories about 19th century America, it can be difficult to sort fact from fiction when examining accounts of the Hatfields and the McCoys.

The feud probably had its roots during the Civil War, when ironically enough both families were on the same side. Both families were farmers, and were relatively well off. They felt that the Civil War threatened their lifestyles, and William Anderson Hatfield and Randolph McCoy both led anti-Union guerilla groups. However, rivalries between to the two families began to be intense during the war, especially after the death of Asa McCoy, who fought on the side of the Union.

In 1873, the Hatfields and the McCoys entered into a bitter dispute over the ownership of a hog. (In 19th century America, taking someone else's livestock was viewed as a serious offense, since a single pig could help feed a small family during the winter) A McCoy claimed that a Hatfield had a pig which did not belong to him, and the matter was brought to trial before another Hatfield. Predictably, the final verdict was in favor of the Hatfield, and the feud of the Hatfields and the McCoys began. In 1880, the presiding judge was killed by two McCoy brothers, the first in a string of deaths linked to the feud.

Matters were complicated further in the 1880s when a McCoy daughter fell in love with a Hatfield son, leaving her family to live with the Hatfields. She later returned, followed by her husband, who was kidnapped by the McCoys and later rescued by a group of Hatfields. The feud attracted national attention, even leading to a call out of the militia in an attempt to put a stop to the social unrest and deaths associated with the Hatfields and the McCoys. In 1891, a truce was finally called between the Hatfields and the McCoys, and over 100 years later, in 2000, a reunion featuring both families was held, featuring friendly references to the infamous feud.

It wasn't entirely about a pig. The other more important cause of the fued was due to property and timber rights and the building of a railroad through Mingo Co., WV. This is what led to the militia intervening in the fued. It was about economic opportunity. The most infamous member was "Devil Anse" Hatfield.

[grail]

Polycarbonate can be synthesized from bisphenol A and phosgene (carbonyl dichloride, COCl2). The first step in the synthesis of polycarbonate from bisphenol A is treatment of bisphenol A with sodium hydroxide. This deprotonates the hydroxyl groups of the bisphenol A molecule.


The deprotonated oxygen reacts with phosgene through carbonyl addition to create a tetrahedral intermediate (not shown here), after which the negatively charged oxygen kicks off a chloride ion (Cl-) to form a chloroformate.


The chloroformate is then attacked by another deprotonated bisphenol A, eliminating the remaining chloride ion and forming a dimer of bisphenol A with a carbonate linkage in between.


Repetition of this process yields polycarbonate, a polymer with alternating carbonate groups and groups from bisphenol A.

Interaction with other chemicals
will damage Polycarbonate
Acetone
Acrylonitrile
Ammonia
Amyl acetate
Benzene
Bromine
Butyl acetate
Sodium hydroxide
Chloroform
Dimethylformamide
Ethanol
Concentrated Hydrochloric acid
Concentrated Hydrofluoric acid
Iodine
Methanol
Methyl ethyl ketone
Styrene
Tetrachloroethylene
Toluene
Concentrated Sulfuric acid
Xylene

require caution

alkali bleaches such as Sodium hypochlorite
Cyclohexanone
Diesel oil
Formic acid
Gasoline
Glycerine
Heating oil
Jet fuel
Concentrated Perchloric acid
Sulfur dioxide
Turpentine

are considered safe
Acetic acid
Ammonium chloride
Antimony trichloride
Borax in H2O
Butane
Calcium chloride
Calcium hypochlorite
Carbon dioxide
Carbon monoxide
Citric acid 10%
Copper sulphate
Ethyl alcohol 95%
Ethylene glycol
Formaldehyde 10%
Hydrochloric acid 20%
Hydrofluoric acid 5%
Isopropyl alcohol
Mercury
Methane
Oxygen
Ozone
Sulphur
Urea
Water(1)


(1) At room temperature. At temperatures above 60°C hydrolysis is more present, degrading the plastic. Degradation depends on time and temperature.

Using sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and other alkali cleaners on polycarbonate is not recommended as they cause the release of bisphenol A, a known endocrine disrupter


Polycarbonate is used in such things as lenses (glasses), nalgene bottles, part of the laminate in bullet proof glass, CDs and DVD's.

[Turtle]

The Stamp Act of 1765 will forever be associated with the colonial battle cry of “no taxation without representation.” The use of stamped, embossed paper on legal documents, newspapers and even playing cards were required fare under the stipulations of the Stamp Act. Stamps did not refer to the postage stamps, but rather, in colonial times, stamps were used in an embossing process. Pressure is applied to the stamp, leaving the imprint of a raised design on different materials. In colonial times, a stamp was used on paper, metal or fabric. A kind of watermark.

The presence of the stamp indicated payment of the imposed tax. Utilizing paper that had been stamped for legal documents was an established practice in England for years, but the American colonists had never heard of such a thing. They were outraged and responded violently to the Stamp Act.

The English Parliament passed the Stamp Act in a direct attempt to raise funds for the British military defending the borders of the American colonies. Violators of the law imposed by the Stamp Act were subject to trial in vice-admiralty courts. The concept of the Stamp Act was alien to the early colonists who had up to that time experienced only external and indirect taxation. The Sugar Act of 1764 was a tax on trade but it did not directly affect their lives in the same way as the Stamp Act. It can be said that the agitation stirred by the passage of the Stamp Act sowed the seeds of discontent that some ten years later erupted into the conflict known as the American Revolution.

The Stamp Act was not intended or considered to be an act of oppression by many of the luminaries of the day. Even Benjamin Franklin gave his agreement to the tax, albeit not without considerable hesitation. Despite the intentions of England, colonial reaction was intense, adverse and immediate. One of the unexpected effects of the passage of the Stamp Act was the unification of some of the more powerful factions of colonial society, namely: lawyers, clergy, businessmen and journalists.

The American colonists did not feel that they were fairly represented in government and their protest of “no taxation without representation” was never legally addressed. The Stamp Act angered them because they saw no need for the army that the proceeds from the Stamp Act were supposed to defray. The colonists stood their ground, and unable to enforce the Stamp Act, the English Parliament was forced to repeal it the following spring. Taxes and discontent swelled until finally, colonial America went to war with the mother country exerting its need for independence in the American Revolution.

[MJMANDALAY]

Battle of Baecula

Date 208 BC



The Battle of Baecula was Scipio Africanus’s first major field battle after he had taken command of Roman interests in Spain during the Second Punic War, in which he routed the Carthaginian army under the command of Hasdrubal Barca.



Prelude
After Scipio’s surprise attack and capture of Carthago Nova, the three Carthaginian armies in Spain remained separated, and their generals at odds with each other, thus giving the Romans a chance to deal with them one by one.

Early in 208 BC, Scipio moved against Hasdrubal, whose force wintered at Baecula, on the upper reaches of the river Baetis (modern day Guadalquiver).

Upon learning the approach of the Romans, Hasdrubal shifted his camp to a strong defensive position — a high and deep plateau south of Baecula, protected by ravines on the flanks and the river to the front and rear. Moreover the plateau was formed into two steps, on which Hasdrubal posted his light troops on the lower one and his main camp behind.

After his arrival, Scipio at first was uncertain how to attack such a formidable position, but concerned that the other two Carthaginian armies might take advantage of his inaction and join with Hasdrubal, he took action on the third day.


Battle
Before his main attack, Scipio sent one detachment to block the entrance to the valley separating the two armies and one to the road leading north to Baecula, thus providing security to his main force while harassing any Carthaginian attempt to retreat.

After these preliminary deployments were done, the Roman light troops advanced against their Carthaginian counterparts on the first step. Despite the steep slope and under a shower of missile attack, the Romans had little difficulty driving back the Carthaginian light troops once they got into hand to hand combat.

After reinforcing his leading force, Scipio derived a pincer attack on the flanks of the Carthaginian main camp, by ordering Gaius Laelius to lead half of the remaining heavy foot to the right of the enemy position, and he himself scaling the left.

Hasdrubal, meanwhile, was under the impression that the Roman attack was only a skirmish (Scipio had hidden his main army in camp until the final attack), failed to properly deploy his main force, thus his ill-prepared army was caught on three sides by the Romans.

Despite being trapped, Hasdrubal was able to retreat unmolested with his elephants, his main baggage train, and most of his Carthaginian troops. It appeared that his main losses in the battle were most of his light troops and Spanish allies. This was largely due to the legionnarie's choice to plunder the Carthaginian camp rather than pursue Hasdrubal with any earnestness.

Aftermath
After the battle, Hasdrubal led his depleted army over the western passes of the Pyrenees into Gaul, and subsequently into Italy with a mostly Gallic force in an ill-fated attempt to join his brother Hannibal.

Many historians criticized Scipio in letting Hasdrubal escape from Spain. But a pursuit by the Romans, through unknown, mountainous, and hostile terrains, while leaving two full strength and numerously superior Carthaginian armies to his rear, would risk another disaster like the Battle of Lake Trasimene, and be highly foolish.

Instead, Scipio retired his army to Tarraco, and managed to secure alliances with most of the Spanish tribes, who switched side after the Roman successes in Carthago Nova and Baecula.

Meanwhile, Carthaginian reinforcements landed in Spain during the winter, and would soon launch a final attempt to recover their losses.

[THE FEZ MAN]

sand paper contains no sand, its granulated aluminum oxide

[Turtle]

Battle of Baecula

Date 208 BC



The Battle of Baecula was Scipio Africanus’s first major field battle after he had taken command of Roman interests in Spain during the Second Punic War, in which he routed the Carthaginian army under the command of Hasdrubal Barca.



Prelude
After Scipio’s surprise attack and capture of Carthago Nova, the three Carthaginian armies in Spain remained separated, and their generals at odds with each other, thus giving the Romans a chance to deal with them one by one.

Early in 208 BC, Scipio moved against Hasdrubal, whose force wintered at Baecula, on the upper reaches of the river Baetis (modern day Guadalquiver).

Upon learning the approach of the Romans, Hasdrubal shifted his camp to a strong defensive position — a high and deep plateau south of Baecula, protected by ravines on the flanks and the river to the front and rear. Moreover the plateau was formed into two steps, on which Hasdrubal posted his light troops on the lower one and his main camp behind.

After his arrival, Scipio at first was uncertain how to attack such a formidable position, but concerned that the other two Carthaginian armies might take advantage of his inaction and join with Hasdrubal, he took action on the third day.


Battle
Before his main attack, Scipio sent one detachment to block the entrance to the valley separating the two armies and one to the road leading north to Baecula, thus providing security to his main force while harassing any Carthaginian attempt to retreat.

After these preliminary deployments were done, the Roman light troops advanced against their Carthaginian counterparts on the first step. Despite the steep slope and under a shower of missile attack, the Romans had little difficulty driving back the Carthaginian light troops once they got into hand to hand combat.

After reinforcing his leading force, Scipio derived a pincer attack on the flanks of the Carthaginian main camp, by ordering Gaius Laelius to lead half of the remaining heavy foot to the right of the enemy position, and he himself scaling the left.

Hasdrubal, meanwhile, was under the impression that the Roman attack was only a skirmish (Scipio had hidden his main army in camp until the final attack), failed to properly deploy his main force, thus his ill-prepared army was caught on three sides by the Romans.

Despite being trapped, Hasdrubal was able to retreat unmolested with his elephants, his main baggage train, and most of his Carthaginian troops. It appeared that his main losses in the battle were most of his light troops and Spanish allies. This was largely due to the legionnarie's choice to plunder the Carthaginian camp rather than pursue Hasdrubal with any earnestness.

Aftermath
After the battle, Hasdrubal led his depleted army over the western passes of the Pyrenees into Gaul, and subsequently into Italy with a mostly Gallic force in an ill-fated attempt to join his brother Hannibal.

Many historians criticized Scipio in letting Hasdrubal escape from Spain. But a pursuit by the Romans, through unknown, mountainous, and hostile terrains, while leaving two full strength and numerously superior Carthaginian armies to his rear, would risk another disaster like the Battle of Lake Trasimene, and be highly foolish.

Instead, Scipio retired his army to Tarraco, and managed to secure alliances with most of the Spanish tribes, who switched side after the Roman successes in Carthago Nova and Baecula.

Meanwhile, Carthaginian reinforcements landed in Spain during the winter, and would soon launch a final attempt to recover their losses.
I love to read/learn about battles in the ancient world

sand paper contains no sand, its granulated aluminum oxide

I always thought it was sand, no shit I though they put sand on paper with some a special glue

[THE FEZ MAN]

i know lots about sand paper;
grits
grades
backings
application
wana know more?

[Turtle]

sure

[Budyzir]

Off the top of my head;

One minute of latitude is equal to one nautical mile.

While longitude was easily measured by the early navigator, it wasn't until the development of an accurate timepiece, which could be carried aboard ship, that latitude could be calculated.

[MJMANDALAY]

sand paper contains no sand, its granulated aluminum oxide

Yerrrr Kiddin



Really I have used it for 20+ years never knew that.

[ern]

I would think it appropriate to quote your sources, so one could follow up if one so choses.

From Mao Tse-tung on GUERILLA WARFARE page 23: 1961

Because of superior information, guerillas always engage under conditions of their own choosing; because of superior knowledge of terrain, they are able to use it to their advantage and the enemy's discomfiture. Guerrillas fight only when the chances of victory are weighted heavily in their favor; if the tide of battle unexpectedly flows against them, they withdraw. They rely on imaginative leadership, distraction, surpirse, and mobility to create a victorius situation before battle is joined. The enemy is decieved and again deceived. Attacks are sudden, sharp, vicious, and of short duration. Many are harrassing in nature; others designed to dislocate the enemy's plans and to agitate and confuse his commanders. The mind of the enemy and the will of his leaders is a target of far more importance than the bodies of his troops.


Apply this to the current situation in IRAQ, and replace radical or extremist with guerilla and you have the same thing.

[ern]

Hot water freezes faster than cold water.
My hair is getting thin.

The phenomenon that hot water may freeze faster than cold is often called the Mpemba effect. Because, no doubt, most readers are extremely skeptical at this point, we should begin by stating precisely what we mean by the Mpemba effect. We start with two containers of water, which are identical in shape, and which hold identical amounts of water. The only difference between the two is that the water in one is at a higher (uniform) temperature than the water in the other. Now we cool both containers, using the exact same cooling process for each container. Under some conditions the initially warmer water will freeze first. If this occurs, we have seen the Mpemba effect. Of course, the initially warmer water will not freeze before the initially cooler water for all initial conditions. If the hot water starts at 99.9° C, and the cold water at 0.01° C, then clearly under those circumstances, the initially cooler water will freeze first. However, under some conditions the initially warmer water will freeze first -- if that happens, you have seen the Mpemba effect. But you will not see the Mpemba effect for just any initial temperatures, container shapes, or cooling conditions.

http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/General/hot_water.html

As far as your thinning hair, I couldn't find a source to back you up.

[THE FEZ MAN]

ok you asked for it

grit: the size of the particle, they range in size from 24 (the coarsest i use) to 3000 (the finest i use) the lower the # the larger the particle (that is how 3m and others grade there paper in the united states, country's using the metric system use micron designations, fucking metric horse shit) there is also a designation for the spacing between the pieces of grit, A-Z. i did lie a tad you can also buy special paper that uses garnet, and diamonds as the abrasive but that is a specialty product that i do not use often, i do have some diamond paper that i use on glass.

grades: closed cut, these are hard grinding stones, as wheels usually used for metals or glass and ceramics used both wet and dry. usually these are solid grit all the way thew with no backing. these are available in most grades from below 24 to beyond 4000 into the realm of high tech ceramics used to sharpen scalpels and very high end machining processes

open cut or free cut: these are usually paper plastic or cloth backed and used exclusively dry on many different hard substrates, metal, plastic, wood, and some times glass and ceramic. this is the sand paper most people are familiar with, and the staple of high school wood shops world wide. for the most part these are used for lower end finishing but lately they have been made available in higher grits 1000+ used for polishing. i personally do not use this type of paper in any grit higher than 320 (The coarsest paper i will use just before painting)

Wet/dry: this paper is almost exclusively backed buy a type of paper very similar to money, in that it is more like cloth but not really cloth, this paper can be used dry but preforms much better when lubrication is used during the sanding process, usually water with a few drops of a wetting agent (soap) or oil, this paper is usually not available in grades below 80 but is almost exclusively used in the higher grits 400 and up, because the higher the grade/grit of the paper the easier it clogs, therefore ruining the paper and the substrate buy disrupting the pattern on the paper (oh i forgot to mention that every type of paper also has a pattern of grit along with the grade) this type of paper is used exclusively on non porous substrates like metal, plastic (plastic includes paint, cuz modern paint is plastic, but thats another tid bit for later) stone and glass.

i can go on and on about sandpaper, about 30percent of my job is sanding stuff. every job has a specific type of abrasive that is appropriate for the finish desired

[ern]

i know lots about sand paper;
grits
grades
backings
application
wana know more?


Yes, why does my beltsander work better with bidrectional belts?

And why can I remove the particles that gunk up my sandpaper on my drum sander with a spongy material on a stick? I have no idea what it is, and how it works, it just does. I use the same stick on my beltsanders - a portable one and a 6x9 belt disk combo.

Thanks for the thread turtle.

[THE FEZ MAN]

the crepe rubber used to "clean" sanding belts works just like an eraser heating the sap and resins in the wood that is clogging the paper, grabbing it then flinging it off, bi directional belts work better because they clean themselves by cutting and clearing in two directions.

i dont do much wood sanding i mostly do plastic (car paint, fiberglass, acrylics ect) and metal, but i do do wood every once and a while. i can polish up a peice of hard wood to look like is encased in glass using only sand paper, candle wax and some lighter fluid

[Turtle]

Yerrrr Kiddin



Really I have used it for 20+ years never knew that.

same here

[Hudson]

Chlorine Is a Salt,
Wagner was Hitler and Hemingway's Favorite Opera composer.
Myans Invented Zero
AND TO BLOW YOUR MIND:
CHRIS WALKEN REPRISED HIS ROLE FROM THE PROPHECY AS GABRIEL, ANGEL OF DEATH, in CLICK Although called "Morty", as in Mortimer Death, Morty Bidiner, or Mortimus Angelis...

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Heat is transfered in one of three methods. Conduction, convection, and radiation. Conduction is the movement of energy directly from one mass to another or Conduction is heat transfer by means of molecular agitation within a material without any motion of the material as a whole (electric burner to a pot). Convection is the transfer of energy through mass transfer. (steam coming off of that pot). Radiation is energy transfered via electromagnetic waves and/or photons.

One of the reasons that a ice will form faster in a freezer when made with warm water is because of the transfer of energy via convection. The enthalpy is higher for warm water versus the cold.

Industrial chlorine is manufactured by electrolysis. Salt water brine is pumped into an closed electrolytic cell and energy is applied. The energy breaks apart the bonds between the sodium and chlorine atoms resulting in the formation of wet chlorine gas and liquid sodium hyrdoxide or caustic. The resulting chlorine is then transfered to a dryer via titanium lined pipes. After the dryer it's transfered via cast iron. The chlorine is then chilled and pressurized to liquify it for easier transfer and storage.

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The fair catch kick is a little-known, rarely enacted rule found in professional and some amateur American football. It is one of the three types of free kicks; the other two are the kickoff and the safety kick. The fair catch kick is the only of the three in which the kicking team may score a field goal. At one time a very similar rule existed in rugby union called goal from mark.

Fair catch kicks can only occur when a member of the receiving team signals for, and successfully makes, a fair catch. That team then has the option of restarting play either by snap or fair catch kick. If the team elects the fair catch kick option, the kicking team lines up at the spot where the fair catch was made and the opposing team lines up ten yards downfield. The kicker then may either placekick the ball from a teammate's hold (a kickoff tee may be used in high school) or dropkick the ball. Three points are awarded for kicking