Chicago school reformer

Some public school buildings in Chicago in the United States are extremely run-down, and as a result, many wealthy parents prefer to send their children to private schools. But a group of moms in one of the more privileged neighbourhoods of the city decided to completely spruce up their nearby school.  

Peeling paint, leaking pipes, and collapsed ceilings. This is the dire state of some public school buildings in the US city of Chicago. And part of why many wealthier parents there shun public schools, preferring expensive private schools instead.

Jacqueline Edelberg was one of those more privileged Chicago parents - and she went from a skeptic on the sidelines to full-fledged activist.

Affluent moms
It all started in the park. That's where the moms in Chicago's affluent Lakeview neighborhood took their kids, and fretted about school options. Nettlehorst, the neighborhood public school, was clearly NOT an option.

"We knew it was horrible. Because everybody knew it was horrible. Either they'd tell you it was being made into condos, or they'd say, oh yes, that's terrible. There's gangs, violence, no no no no no, it's not a suitable choice."

But looking outside of her neighbourhood didn't suit Jacqueline either.

"I want a neighbourhood school. I don't want my kids to have to sit on a bus for an hour every day, I want them to have play-dates and snack with little neighbourhood kids, just normal."

Desperate
Desperate to stay in their neighborhood, Jacqueline and her best friend Nicole Wagner decided to check out Nettlehorst anyway. And they found a faded but charming grade-school with decent test scores that beat the city average.

But Lakeview parents had already written the school off. The principal, Susan Kurland, asked what it would take to change that. So Jacqueline and Nicole created a huge to-do list:

Bring in the best arts providers in the city, painting every classroom, painting every bathroom, fundraising and grant writing...

Principal Kurland looked at their list and said,"well girls, we're going to have a very busy year."

So Jacqueline went to the park, and started recruiting. She devoted months of work to the school, and Nettlehorst became a near obsession, making its way into most of the hours in her days, and even her nights. But her efforts eventually paid off.

"Lakeview Rhapsody" on one of the  doorways to the school

Task force
After assembling a task force of neighborhood parents along with donations from local businesses, the Nettlehorst school was dramatically transformed. Visually, it went from being a rather rundown and ordinary red-brick building to a place that was full of color.

The entryway is decorated with maps and globes. Donated paint and volunteer painters have changed the basement level into a virtual underwater world. Community artists and museum quality displays have transformed other hallways, stairwells, and learning spaces in the school.

Academic improvements
These aesthetic transformations were accompanied by academic improvements. Test scores have risen and an arts and music program has been introduced and expanded. Other grants have introduced classical music in the cafeteria, a menu of healthy food, and a host of special programs and services.

Parents and community leaders continue to work together to raise funds and support the Nettlehorst school. Jacqueline can now marvel at how much has changed since her first conversations about the school with other parents in the neighborhood park.

"This wasn't an easy, given ride for us. And there were many naysayers along the way, and many, many things that went wrong. But at the end of the day, I think we have a lot to be proud of. And I think we have changed the fabric of this neighborhood for years and years and 
years to come."(Radio Netherlands)

Insurance cover? Not if you die in terrorist attack

Anurag Sharma 

New Delhi, Nov 30 (PTI) As the country mourns the dead in the terror attacks in Mumbai and governments may announce compensation to the bereaved families - insurance claims may not really be settled easily - thanks to the 'fine print' and in fact, lack of a proper cover against terrorist violence.

A 'terrorism insurance cover' is not still present in the country, say experts.

However, they add that in most life insurance products, the basic sum assured may be offered to survivors in case of death of the insured due to 'any reason' other than suicide in the first year (of obtaining the policy).

"Unlike US and UK, we don't have any insurance cover against 'terrorist' acts. Loss of life due to terror may fall in the category," says an official of Kotak Life Insurance.

Terrorism cover is offered by General insurance companies as an add-on policy with the fire insurance policy.

"After 9/11, most companies refused to give cover against acts of terrorism. General insurance companies then formed a pool and since then all premium collections done by the industry for this policy put into this pool," says Vineet Vidyarthi, Principal Officer, Almondz Insurance.

According to industry reports, Non-life insurance companies were flooded with claims worth Rs 1.3 crore, specifically on account of terror acts this year so far. During the previous year, the figure stood around Rs 1 crore.

Vidyarthi says some time many insurance companies deny compensation on the ground citing the important points in the fine print covering terms and conditions.

"It happens that when the claimant goes to take the sum, insurer may point out some encircled 'terms and conditions' and blame the person of not going through them seriously, just to avoid the payment," he says. PTI

Now students can choose their exam dates for IGNOU courses

New Delhi, Nov 21

   In a unique move, IGNOU has launched a scheme of 'walk-in-examinations' under which students can decide the date of their exams instead of waiting for completion of the six-month term.

 Under the scheme, students can simply walk into any identified test centres of the university on the prescribed days and take the examination much before the completion of the (six-month) term, an IGNOU spokesperson told reporters, adding, the results will be processed on a monthly basis.

  "Walk-in-examination will give learners the liberty to decide the dates of exams as per their suitability and convenience, thus lowering the exam pressure on them and also bringing down the fail percentage," he said.  The new scheme was launched on the foundation day of the varsity yesterday by university vice chancellor Prof V N Rajasekharan Pillai.

  "The scheme will reduce the possibility of mal-practice in exams as each student will get different set of question papers and the examination will be conducted under camera surveillance," the spokesperson said.  Registration of students, allotment of dates and issue of hall tickets will be done on-line, he said.

  However, he said, initially the walk-in-examination will be conducted only in selected regional centres of the varsity once a week -- on Sunday.  The frequency of such walk-in-exams will be increased thereafter depending on the need, he said.

  The varsity also launched a programme on sustainable science on the foundation day celebration, open to graduates of any discipline.  The appreciation programme on sustainable development has been designed in collaboration with the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation and was launched in the presence of Prof Swaminathan himself at the function.

How many monarchies still exist to this day?

With the growth of parliamentary authority during the 19th century and the rise of communism after the First World War, most monarchies have ceased to exist. Even where monarchs exist, they are in most cases just ceremonial heads of states, while the power to rule and hence make law is vested with elected legislatures.  There are 43 or 44 countries that have monarchs as the ceremonial or the real head of the state, depending on whether or not the Vatican is counted among them. Of these, 7 (including the Vatican) are absolute monarchies, 16 are Commonwealth realms and the remaining 21 are constitutional monarchies.  Which countries have absolute monarchies?  In Vatican City, Brunei, Swaziland, Saudi Arab and Oman absolute power is vested in a single person and the monarch is the head of the state as well as the government.  Qatar is also an absolute monarchy, but the head of state and head of the government are different persons. The UAE is a federal presidential elected monarchy, which is a federation of seven absolute monarchies or the Emirates. The ruler of Abu Dhabi is President or the head of state while the ruler of Dubai is the Prime Minister or the head of the government.  A few former absolute monarchies like Morocco and Bhutan have turned into constitutional monarchies, but the monarch still retains tremendous power in forming national policies and passing laws. Nepal swung between absolute and constitutional monarchy for several years but in May this year, it has finally abolished monarchy altogether.  While the powers vested in monarchs are being reduced by most countries, Liechtenstein has moved towards expanding the power of the monarch and the Prince of Liechtenstein was given expanded powers after a referendum that amended the constitution of the country.  What is a Commonwealth realm?  The Commonwealth realm is any of the 16 sovereign states within the Commonwealth of Nations, which treat Queen Elizabeth II as its monarch. The realms which include Canada, several West Indian islands, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and a few small Pacific islands are completely sovereign states, but Queen Elizabeth II is their ceremonial head of state. As the queen lives in the UK, her constitutional functions are performed by the Governors General of these nations, who are appointed by the queen after consulting the elected head of the government.  What are constitutional monarchies?  A constitutional monarchy is the form of government in which a monarch is the head of state, but unlike in an absolute monarchy, not the only or even the main source of political power. Political power is vested in the head of the government who is elected by common citizens. Apart from the 16 commonwealth realms, there are 21 constitutional monarchies. There are 2 constitutional monarchies in Africa, 8 in Asia, 10 in Europe and 1 in Oceania.  What are sub-national monarchies?  A few countries have certain regions that are allowed to have their traditional monarch, kings or heads. For instance, Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu is the reigning king of the Zulu nation in South Africa, while New Zealand also has a traditional Maori king. Uganda, Nigeria, Indonesia and Ghana also have such traditional kings. France has three official chiefdoms, which have their respective kings.  Are the monarchs treated differently from common subjects in constitutional monarchies?  In most constitutional monarchies, justice is done in the name of the monarch and hence the monarch cannot be asked to give evidence in any court of law. Naturally, the monarch is  considered above the law of the state.  source: Learning with the Times,Times of India,10.11.2008

HAPPY TEACHERS DAY

Dr.Radhakrishnans handwriting.

BACK TO NAMTHANG SCHOOL  WEBLOG...

BEWARE;Chain se sona hai tho jaag jao!!!

Nowadays we see a lot of activity in the name of Peace,Environment,Inter-religious tolerance,Aids etc.There are many International groups which are on the look out for vulnerable individuals ,groups and communities to spread their own hidden agenda.If we are informed well and able recognise those wolfs in the sheeps clothing then their ulterior motives can be brought to light.Most of them target the young-youths of our Nation.They can be easily convinced and brainwashed through highpitchedl public issues.

The World Widw Web is the only tool through which we can scrutinise their ventures.

Always remember..there are a lot of scientific techniques through which we can be brain washed and make us think that what we are doing is right.Even the youth are brinwashed to leave their Parents and they start living with some cult groups.Once the thought process is altered it becomes difficult to bring the person back to normal.The Brain programming is such that the vulnerable will not even suspect the manipulator.Sleight of mouth works like magic on the youth.

The more educated you are the more vulnerable towards these groups.How?

It is easy to technically/logically convince a literate person..throgh demonstration,bringing in concepts which are acceptable to you,through peer pressure,data interpretation etc.

What to do?

If you get an invitation to participate in a seminar, meeting,conference etc. then type the words in a search engine like GOOGLE and go through the results.Use your own judgement.Critical views can give you some idea.

These groups use advanced level of convincing techniques like...subliminal messages,NLT,covert hypnosis etc.

One Simple Example:

Through out the country( including Sikkim and Andaman) a simple group of six persons posing as Businessmen(not knowing even the local language) from Tamil Nadu  rented and started a big showroom and started selling genuine electronics and home appliances at half the Price.The condition is that you will get the booked item only after 15 or 18 days.Meanwhile you must bring one or more customer to the shop.This so called businessmen will give the items at the promised half price on the 15th day,this will cause people to rush towards the shop as the word spreads.

When it is time to release the items  in the second lot..the customers to their surprise will find the shop closed and locked.This group will dissappear overnight.You may think how they operated even in an island where you cannot escape easily.What they do is ..after collecting money for the second lot delivery..three persons will first take the flight to Kolkatta..the remaining three will catch a flight to Chennai later.First three will escape smoothly as no one will suspect .The second lot when they are in flight this"Cheating"-fraud will be brought to the notice of Police.if they are arrested at Chennai they will loose the 50% of their loot.

Even if they are arrested at Chennai the earlier trio with the help of looted money bring them out on bail.This is not a small group of six persons-it is a Mafia.Arrest or no arrest doesnot deter them towards cheating the people.

It is a WIN WIN situation for them.Police caught in the catch22 situation.

Be a well informed Citizen....and be happy.

PART AND THE WHOLE

Bread is eaten in slices whereas the Roti is a whole thing.Allopathy treats our body parts differently..headache a tablet..stomach ache..different tablet, But Ayurveda treats holistically.English,science,social science etc. subjects created by the western education whereas one Guru taught all the disciplines and it was inter-disciplinary in nature in India. One cloth is worn by Indians..British brought Pant, shirt, cap, inner wear, soaks, hanky etc.One big room was the home of our ancient Indians, now see the western engineering.Thats why the Divide and Rule policy.You can add lot of examples!

Parts are important in the western culture, but the whole in ours.This is ingrained in our psyche, that’s why we can’t think like the westerner and they can’t think like us.There is a big gap in the thinking process. The holy books are best understood by the Asians than any other communities.
We are emotional(Jo biwi se kare pyaar wo prestige se kaise kare inkaar!)they are analytical..Car is more important than her husband(a TV ad from US!).The way we are brought up and taught(leave the moder n education.)makes us more Indian .The urban sandwiched between western thought and Indian culture, that’s why lot of chaos!

Concentrating on parts can bring material benefites,but the holistic approach to life leads to happiness and spiritual enlightenment.

CBSE - Helpline - Post Result 2008

CBSE - Helpline - Post Result 2008 (IInd Phase)


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


Q.1: Is it possible for a student who has failed in Science stream in Class XII to change subjects to pass at subsequent examination?
Ans.: Yes, but with prior permission of the Board

Q2: What is the eligibility criteria for a student to appear as a private candidate in Board examination?
Ans.: The Board prescribes following conditions under which a candidate can appear privately: -
Failed candidates
Teachers serving in educational institutions
Women candidates who are bonafide residents of NCT of Delhi and
Physically handicapped students

Q.3: I appeared in the compartment examination in July-August, but failed again, do I now have to re-appear in all subjects again?
Ans.: The Board gives five chances to clear the compartment examination. The first examination is held in July-August followed by second chance in March-April and the third chance in July-August and so on. Unsuccessful candidates after these five attempts are required to appear afresh in all subjects.

Q.4: I wish to improve my performance in Chemistry and Maths. Is it possible and how?
Ans.: A candidate who has passed Class X or XII examination of the Board may re-appear for improvement of performance in one or more subjects in the main examination in the succeeding year only. The candidate may appear privately; those re-appearing for whole examination can also appear as regular candidate if admitted by the school.
- For subjects involving practical work, if the candidate has passed the practical examination, he or she will be allowed to appear only in theory part.
- Only a statement of marks is issued by the Board after the improvement of performance.

Q.5: Is it compulsory to pass in theory and practical exams. Separately?
Ans.: Yes, it is compulsory to pass separately in the subjects involving theory and practical in Class XII.

Q.6: Is a student required to appear in all subjects in improvement examination?
Ans.: No, the student can appear in one or more than one subject(s) as per his/her choice. However, improvement exam. can be taken only in the successive year of passing Class X/XII exams.

Q.7: Is the candidate allowed to see the answer script in case the result is not as per the expectations?
Ans.: No. There is no provision of showing answer scripts. The candidate can apply for scrutiny, for reconfirmation of marks.

Q.8 If a candidate passes in the additional subject but fails in one of the main subjects, what will the result show?
Ans.: The candidate will be considered as having passed the examination in such a case. A language will replace a language only. For further details the scheme of examinations can be referred to.

Q. 9: What is the procedure followed in marking the answers?
Ans.: Each answer is divided into steps and marks are given in accordance to the weightage assigned for these steps. It is advised that a copy of Marking Scheme be procured to get a clear idea.

Q. 10: Can a candidate simultaneously appear for Improvement as well as Additional subject examination?
Ans.: No, a candidate appearing for Improvement in one or more subjects cannot appear for additional subject examination simultaneously.

Q. 11: What is the pass criteria for Class X and XII?
Ans.: A candidate has to pass in all five subjects to be declared Pass. However, for class X a candidate is placed in compartment up to two unqualified subjects and if he fails in one subject in Class XII the candidate is placed in compartment.

Q. 12: Can one appear for additional exam along with the comptt. Exam conducted by the Board in the month of July/August?
Ans.: Yes, from 2006 Exam. onwards a candidate having six subjects and declared ‘Pass’ by securing pass marks in five subjects can now appear in the failing (sixth) subject along with comptt. candidates in July/August in the same year.

Q. 13: What is meant by verification of marks?
Ans.: The verification means :
• Checking whether all answer have been evaluated,
• That there has been no mistake in the totaling of marks for each question in that subject,
• That the marks have been transferred correctly on the title page of the answer book and to the award list,
• Whether the supplementary answer book(s) attached with the answer book mentioned by the candidate are intact,
• No revaluation of the answer book or supplementary answer book(s) shall be done.

Q. 14: What is the procedure for re-checking of marks?
Ans.: A candidate can apply for re-checking within 21 days from the date of declaration of results for Main exam. and within 15 days for Compartment exam.

Q. 15: What is the fees for re-checking of marks?
Ans.: It is Rs.100/- for one subject. The candidate should apply at the concerned Regional Office only.

Q. 16: Can one apply for verification of marks in all five subjects?
Ans.: Yes, verification of marks can be done for all the subjects on payment of separate fee for each subject.

Q. 17: How long does it take to get verification result?
Ans.: The result is sent by ordinary post within a reasonable period of time invariably between 3-4 weeks.


Q. 18: Do the marks increase after verification?
Ans.: It will depend upon the scrutiny while mostly there is “No change” found. The marks may increase or even decrease on verification and the candidate will have to accept the result.

Q. 19: Is a new mark sheet issued after revision?
Ans.: Yes, a new mark-sheet is issued after the revision whether upward or downward. The candidate has to surrender the old marks statement. In case of change in marks, the fee is also refunded to the candidate.

POWER OF YOUR MIND

We often underestimate our potential...when we understand ourselves we can be more productive,creative ,healthy and wealthy. Read on....

TRANSFER; some tips for your travel

If you got transferred or you are moving to a new place due to change in the working place then take note of the following to avoid any awkward situation:

1. Pack the things in an order in which you kept the things in the old house
2. Use a marker pen to write the contents/hints on the packets
3. Take tarpolines to cover it on the vehicle if it rains.
4. Keep all the transportation passes/royalty papers for your furnitures in a small bag with you
5. Ask the driver and confirm that he has got all the necessary papers of the vehicle with him
including his driving license
6. Confirm the distance and route on which you are going to travel-download the map if possible
7. Take enough drinking water for your family
8. If the journey is for more than two hours then take a break on the way and eat something .
9. Meanwhile don't forget to check the loaded packs on the vehicle..tighten the goods if it is loose.
10.If you expect to reach the destination during the wee hours then make advance
arrangements for your dinner/don't forget to carry a torch light.
11.Be sure that someone is their to help you to unload the things from the truck.

A Good Fight May Keep You And Your Marriage Healthy

Researchers looked at 192 couples over 17 years and placed the couples into one of four categories: both partners communicate their anger; in the second and third groups one spouse expresses while the other suppresses; and both the husband and wife suppress their anger and brood, said Ernest Harburg, professor emeritus with the U-M School of Public Health and the Psychology Department, and lead author. The study is a longitudinal analysis of couples in Tecumseh, Mich.

"Comparison between couples in which both people suppress their anger, and the three other types of couples, are very intriguing," Harburg said.

When both spouses suppress their anger at the other when unfairly attacked, earlier death was twice as likely than in all other types.

"When couples get together, one of their main jobs is reconciliation about conflict," Harburg said. "Usually nobody is trained to do this. If they have good parents, they can imitate, that's fine, but usually the couple is ignorant about the process of resolving conflict. The key matter is, when the conflict happens, how do you resolve it?"

"When you don't, if you bury your anger, and you brood on it and you resent the other person or the attacker, and you don't try to resolve the problem, then you're in trouble."

Of the 192 couples studied, 26 pairs both suppressed their anger and there were 13 deaths in that group. In the remaining 166 pairs, there were 41 deaths combined.

In 27 percent of those couples who both suppressed their anger, one member of the couple died during the study period, and in 23 percent of those couples both died during the study period.

That's compared to only six percent of couples where both spouses died in the remaining three groups combined. Only 19 percent in the remaining three groups combined saw one partner die during the study period.

The study adjusted for age, smoking, weight, blood pressure, bronchial problems, breathing, and cardiovascular risk, Harburg said.

The paper only looks at attacks which are considered unfair or undeserved by the person being attacked, said Harburg. If the attack is viewed as fair, say an abused child or woman who believes they deserved the attack, then the victim does not get angry, Harburg said.

Harburg stresses that these preliminary numbers are small, but the researchers are now collecting 30-year follow-up data, which will have almost double the death rate, he said.

Co-authors are: Niko Kaciroti, Center for Human Growth and Development; Lillian Gleiberman, Department of Internal Medicine; M. Anthony Schork and Mara Julius, both SPH emeritus.

The paper, "Marital Pair Anger Coping Types May Act as an Entity to Affect Mortality: Preliminary Findings from a Prospective Study (Tecumseh, Michigan, 1971-88) will appear in January in the Journal of Family Communication.

Adapted from materials provided by University of Michigan.

source: Science Daily

Learn to Walk

.
Tax on petrol exceeds it original price.Now its time to share the vehicle or learn to walk...
double click the picture above to open and read the details.

CBSE-Admission to Class XI and Pass Criteria for Class IX - XI

CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION
2, COMMUNITY CENTRE, PREET VIHAR, DELHI-110092.

No. CE/PA/2007/14151-21150 20thJune,07

To all the Heads of Institutions
Affiliated to CBSE

Subject : Admission to Class XI and Pass Criteria for Class IX/XI.

Dear Principal,

As you may be aware, many schools follow the practice of starting class XI along with other classes in the month of April in the new academic session to utilize the period before summer vacation for instructional purposes. Academically, this seems to be correct practice so that the children may remain busy with meaningful activities. So the schools admit students of class XI provisionally before the announcement of the results of class X Board examination and accordingly allow them the subjects’ choice/Stream as per their performance in pre-boards and unit tests.

It is understood that some schools resort to the un-psychological practice of forcing students to change their subjects/steams in class XI after the class X results are announced. Students are often forced to change from Science subjects to Commerce or Humanities subjects.

Once the students get admission to class XI with a particular combination of subjects, they buy the textbooks and start attending the classes for nearly a month. A forced change of subjects later demoralizes the students, causing mental and emotional stress. Further, parents are compelled to take on the additional burden of buying a second set of books for the newly allotted subjects.

This practice has to be discouraged. Hence, schools are instructed not to force the students to change their subjects in class XI once they have been admitted with a particular combination of subjects. If there is any change in subject(s), the request has to come from the student and it has to be dealt as per the Clause 26 of Chapter 4 of the Examination Bye-Laws.

You are further informed that the Board has prescribed pass criteria for Class IX & XI in the Examination Bye-Laws of CBSE and the same is as under :-

Rule 40.1(vi) “ in order to be declared as having passed the Class XI Examination a candidate shall obtain 33% marks in all the subjects. The pass marks in each subject of examination shall be 33%. In case of subject involving practical work a candidate must obtain 33% marks in theory and 33% in practical separately in addition to 33% marks in aggregate in order to qualify in that subject “

Rule 41.1(vi) “ in order to be declared as having passed the Class IX Examination a candidate shall obtain 33% marks in all the subjects. The pass marks in each subject of examination shall be 33%.”

It is understood that many schools do not follow the Pass Criteria for Class IX and XI as prescribed by the Board. It is reiterated that the above Pass Criteria be implemented by all the schools for Class IX and XI.

Yours faithfully,


( M.C.SHARMA )
CONTROLLER OF EXAMINATIONS

Indian experiments in micro gravity provide new insights

UDHAGAMANDALAM: The first results from the microgravity experiments on board the space capsule that was successfully launched and recovered (after its re-entry into the atmosphere) last year were presented at the ongoing 15th National Space Science Symposium (NSSS-2008) on Wednesday.

The results from the two experiments that were carried out in the maiden flight are highly encouraging — and even somewhat unexpected — said Kamanio Chattopadhyay of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), the National Coordinator of the Indian Microgravity Programme. The success of these experiments seems to suggest that materials processing in space, in particular biomaterials, could be a promising area to be pursued in the future microgravity platforms.

Microgravity refers to the condition of “weightlessness” that one obtains in a spacecraft, which, while in orbit around the Earth, is in a state of “free fall” under Earth’s gravity. Both the spacecraft and the objects in it are experiencing the same amount of gravitational pull of the Earth with no counter reaction force (due to, say, an anchored floor) that gives the feeling of “weight” to the objects. Till date, 44 microgravity experiments in 42 missions by 15 countries and the European Space Agency (ESA) have been conducted.
Unique in execution

According to Prof. Chattopadhyay, the Indian experiments were unique in their conceptualisation and execution. As a consequence, the results are absolutely new in the field of materials processing in space, he added.

Called the Space capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE-1), ISRO’s first microgravity platform was launched aboard the PSLV-C7 on January 10, 2007, in a circular polar orbit at an altitude of 635 km and was recovered after its splashdown 150 km east of Sriharikota in the Bay of Bengal on January 22, 2007. SRE-1 was launched along with three other satellites: ISRO’s Cartosat-1, LAPAN-TUBSAT of Indonesia and PEHUENSAT of Argentina.
Experiments

The two experiments on this scientific mission were:

Biomimetic synthesis of the particles of the inorganic chemical hydroxyapatite (a calcium-nitrate based substance). (Biomimetics refers to mimicking biological systems in nature for designing engineering systems and applications in modern technology.)

Growth of magnesium-zing-gallium (Mg-Zn-Ga) quasicrystals in an isothermal heating furnace (IHF) through a ‘peritectic’ reaction. (Quasicrystals have the unusual five-fold symmetry, like the icosahedral patches on the surface of a traditional leather football. A ‘peritectic’ solution is a mixture of substances in different phases, like a mixture of a solid and a liquid, and the mixture has the lowest melting point. During crystallisation, the two phases crystallise simultaneously from the molten solution.)

Bones and hard tissues in mammals, in particular the enamel of teeth, are made predominantly of hydroxyapatite (HAP), whose chemical formula is Ca10 (PO4)6(OH)2. The self-assembly of HAP rods in the teeth, for example, occurs in a matrix of the body protein collagen. Scientists have tried to grow this in large molecules in the laboratory (under normal gravity conditions) but have been unsuccessful, said Prof. Mukhopadhyay. The idea was to see if this biological process could be reproduced in the microgravity environment of a spacecraft. Instead of a collagen matrix, for making HAP in space, the scientists brought the appropriate chemicals to combine in a gel matrix of the polymer polyvinyl acetate (PVA), which resulted in the successful self-assembly of the molecules into the typical rod-like structures. “Initially I was sceptical, but contrary to intuition the self-organisation of HAP in the presence of large molecules is better in space,” Prof. Chattopadhyay said.
Cause rock formation

Speaking about the second experiment, Prof. Chattopadhyay said, “It is peritectic reactions that result in the formation of rocks, materials in asteroids etc. But in the presence of Earth’s gravity, these reactions rarely go to completion because sedimentation of one of the substances due to gravity cannot be prevented.” On the Earth the crystallisation of an Mg-Zn-Ga peritectic mixture was found to result in a mixture of structures with Mg-Zn crystals, Mg-Zn quasi crystals and the original peritectic solution coexisting. “The peritectic reaction could not be completed,” he observed.
Increase in crystal spacing

“But in space,” Prof. Chattopadhyay said, “the pathways of solidification seem to be different. The significant thing here is the crystallization of gallium from the solution. Electron microscopic images have clearly revealed the formation of magnesium-zinc-gallium quasicrystals. The morphology of the crystals is also different in space where the crystal spacing shows an increase.” According to him, only a French group studying aluminium-nickel peritectic mixture had earlier observed such an increase in crystal spacing while others had found a decrease. The reasons for this need to be studied, he said.
Next platform in 2009?

The next microgravity platform SRE-2 may be flown next year, Prof. Chattopadhyay said. This is likely to be bigger than the SRE-1 platform to include slightly scaled-up versions of the earlier experiments as well a new biomaterials experiment in collaboration with the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Scientists of JAXA are currently in India to discuss the possibility of such a payload on SRE-2.

source: The Hindu

Two Ears one Mouth !

Good communication begins with listening

By Annette Richmond

Whether you're interviewing with a potential employer, meeting with a client or giving a project update to your boss whether you're successful or not depends in large part on your communication skills.

Unfortunately, most people think of communication as talking or writing. They think primarily about getting their message across to the other person. This is a big mistake.

The key to being a great communicator is to learn to listen. Understanding what the other person is thinking will help you tailor your message to their needs. This is the best way for you to succeed. Become a better listener by using these three techniques today.

Focus on the other person

Remember the last time you tried to carry on a conversation with someone who was looking around the room or checking his watch? Imagine what it's like for a potential employer.

Let's say Joe is interviewing with Susan the marketing manager at ABC Company. Joe is prepared. He carefully explains why he wants the job and what he can do for the company. Trouble is Susan notices that Joe frequently looks down or gazes out the window. She finds it difficult to take Joe seriously.

Naturally, you'll want to avert your gaze from time to time in order to avoid starring. Try to do this while still focusing on the other person. Practice maintaining eye contact with friends and colleagues. Soon you'll feel comfortable in any situation.

Stop thinking about you

I once read a quote from Ed Howe, "No man would listen to you talk if he didn't know it was his turn next." While this seems a bit harsh, I believe that there is probably an element of truth to it.

At one time or another, everyone has been guilty of planning a response while the other person is still talking. Maybe you're meeting with an important client, eagerly waiting to answer her question. Be careful. Don't be so eager to dazzle her with your knowledge that you miss what she's really asking.

Don't be afraid of silence. Practice taking a few moments to gather your thoughts once the other person has finished speaking.

Pay attention to the music

Make sure you listen to the music. You'll hear it in the other person's tone of voice. Do the words and tone agree? It's like seeing a fake smile. When someone truly smiles her eyes sparkle and her face lights up. When someone "puts on" a smile only the corners of her mouth turn up.

The next time you're in a meeting listen to the words AND the music. There's a difference between "OK, I'll take care of it" and "OK, I'll take care of it!" Make sure that you're getting the right message.

Many philosophers have suggested that we have two ears and one mouth so we can listen twice as much as we speak. That's great advice for everyone who wants to develop better communication skills.

Being a good listener is more than being there while someone is speaking. Being a good listener means hearing and understanding the message that's being sent.

It HOTS up for students!: Deccan Herald

Bangalore, Feb 11: For the first time, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) students of Class 10 and 12 will take their exams that includes Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) that will put to test, their application skills.

The 2008 examination, which is set on the new curriculum, will have 20 per cent of questions based on HOTS.

Addressing presspersons in Bangalore on Sunday, CBSE Chairman Ashok Ganguly said in HOTS format, students will have to understand and interpret the questions. “It is more of application-based,” he said.

Earlier, the questions were more — Most Of The Same (MOTS) type, which was repetitive and stereotype.

The question paper is designed in such a way that students should be able to answer all the questions within the stipulated time, besides revising them.

This year too, they will be given an additional 15 minutes so that they get sufficient time to read the questions carefully. Internal evaluation in Maths, Social Science and Science subjects and oral testing in languages will be introduced for Class I to X.

A new model on grading system for Class IX and X is in the offing, Mr Ganguly disclosed.

For the first time, CBSE has come out with joint certification for vocational course. The course is Financial Marketing Management, being taken up in 90 schools and which will be certified by NSE and CBSE.

CBSE is also planning to develop many such courses in collaboration with NIFT, NASSCOM for IT-based package course and other organisations including general health care and retail management. All these courses will be supported by the industry.

“We need industry support not only for framing curriculum but also for the transition of curriculum. This is going to be a paradigm shift for Class 11 and 12. One of the reasons for the change is the 11th Plan, which is about universalisation of secondary education,” Mr Ganguly said.

On new subjects for Class 12, he said it will be more skill-based. One of them has already been implemented — creative writing and translation. “Some of the programmes we are planning to introduce are films and media, heritage crafts and others,” he said.

The chairman said the board is thinking of introducing nanotechnology at school-level. “We are thinking whether to introduce in science or as a separate subject,” he added.

'Fish rain' takes Kerala villagers by surprise

Residents of Kandanassery village near here were quite surprised when small fish started raining down towards the end of a sudden downpour on Monday night.

The phenomenon was first noticed by two persons when the little slimy things started pattering on their body while they were returning home late in the night.

As they thought that people would reject this as a mere fantasy or concocted tale unless there was a tangible proof, they picked up some of the bubbling fish and kept them in a water-filled bucket near the village library.

Sivaraman, who first sighted the rare phenomenon, said he also saw some fish crushed by vehicles that drove on the road when it was raining.

"There is no reason to disbelieve what the villagers say, as it is possible to have a scientific explanation for this", Dr C K Rajan of the School of Marine Sciences of the Cochin University of Science and Technology told PTI when asked about the phenomenon.

"When convective clouds are formed, it is possible that tiny aquatic organisms get lifted to the atmoshpere. They can survive suspended in the clouds so long as the clouds have moisture content," he said.

The type of fish that came down from the sky was the same as commonly found in ponds and canals in the area, the villagers said.

Some time back, a few places in the state had received 'red coloured' rain. Scientists who studied the phenomenon attributed it to the presence of algae in clouds.

source:http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14603512

My comment:It is simple..the tornadoes (high speed revolving-tube like winds)can easily lift schools of fish from the sea or pond and throw it in the land when the velocity of wind decreases.