No. 212 September 2000
THE E-NOSE KNOWS The researchers at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee’s Anthropology Department are examining the time-dependent chemical and biological markers of cadavers to better understand the cadaver decay process. The idea is to study such processes as molecular breakdown of the body organs and parts to determine how long a person has been dead. Through tissue analysis the goal is to use aroma scan technology and have an electronic nose with 32 sensors identify the unique signature of the tissue breakdown process. The result would be that the e-nose would scan the body, sense the current odor pattern and density of tissue breakdown, decomposition, and decay, and determine how long the person has been dead, i.e. the time of death. The researchers are developing a model that would allow the forensic scientists to insert data into a chart or computer program to determine how long a person has been dead. Currently, it is hard to know exactly what the electronic nose knows, but some day the e-nose will have all the answers. These and other details are found in the ORNL June 7, 2000 Press Release http://www.ornl.gov/Press_Releases/archive/mr20000607-00.html entitled: ORNL project seeks to pinpoint time since death.
BUYING A USED AIRPLANE Lacking details about the location of a "new plane dealership" and a "used plane lot", this discussion could leave much to be desired. However, if you are one of the pilots who dream of flying his or her own airplane and can afford one, you know where used airplanes are sold. I assume new ones are very expensive. Bill O’Brien, a Natural Resources Specialist and pilot who works in the FAA Flight Standards’ Air Worthiness Division, and very authoritatively, explains how to buy a used airplane. New airplanes, like new cars don’t have the "buyer beware" problems, as do used cars and airplanes. O’Brien’s "How To Buy an Airplane, Part 1" (FAA Aviation News v. 39, no. 5, July/August 2000, pages 4-8) explains how to "Research" the plane’s type and model in the FAA publications in paper and on the Internet. Next comes the physical "Inspection" of the plane’s cabin interior and flight instruments, and its paperwork. Finally, there is the Inspection of the exterior parts such as wings, wheels, engine, propeller(s), electrical system, etc., and a "Flight test" covered in "How to Buy an Airplane, Part 2 FAA Aviation News v. 39, no. 6, September 2000, pages 1-8. The FAA website ( http://www.faa.gov/avr/news/newshome.htm ) contains Advisory Circulars, Airworthiness Directives, and other regulatory and certificate(s) aircraft information resources relevant to buying a used airplane. A bad (buy) used car breaks-down on the highway, leaving you (alive but) stranded. A bad (buy) used airplane breaks-down at 2000 feet, fall to that same road, crashes and leave you dead.
AIRLINE LUGGAGE PACKING DO’S AND DON’TS Do you know why someone was not allowed to take some bottles of wine with him on a flight to Dallas? One thought is that it against FAA regulations to carry on board or pack in your luggage pressurized containers, and these bottles of wine may be considered to be pressure containers. What is "safe" on the ground can be considered "dangerous goods" or HAZMAT when transported by airplane. "How to Avoid Packing and Flying with Dangerous Goods" by Jannell N. Young, FAA Aviation News v. 39, no. 6, September 2000, pages 14-18 (found at http://www.faa.gov/avr/news/newshome.htm ) lists ten categories under "Do Not Pack These Items in Check-in Luggage nor Carry on Board." They are: (1) Radioactive materials, (2) Wet-type batteries, (3) Firearms, (4) Fireworks, (5) Pressure containers (aerosol cans, scuba tanks, self-inflating rafts), (6) Equipment (containing fuels, poisons, infectious wastes, dry ice. etc), (7) Household items (drain cleaners and solvents), (8) Personal items (propane hair-curler refills), (9) Flammable Liquids or Solids and (10) Trade tools (some of which can be shipped as cargo) have to be reviewed by the airline. The "You Should Pack With Caution" list of five items includes (1) a large quantity of inflammable perfumes or aerosols (i.e. Personal Care Items), (2) Dry Ice is limited to four pounds or less when used for preserving perishables. (3) Matches and Lighters should be carried by the person, but are prohibited as cargo. (4) Electric Wheelchairs can be shipped in accord with airline requirements. Finally, (5) Carbon Dioxide Gas Cylinders worn by passengers to operate their prosthetic devices (and spares of the same) are allowed in both carry-one and check-in baggage. Young is also very helpful in providing the "Top Ten Tips for Holiday Flying" which should still be helpful for flying between the holidays. Bon Voyage!!
COMEDY AND TRAGEDY OF ENGLISH PROFICIENCY DISCRIMMINATION There was a "humorous" story of an immigrant who spoke limited and broken English. He had to appear before a judge. He was very anxious and worried about appearing before the judge. In the court, the immigrant very anxiously presented his case, but then was happy and felt very secure when the judge replied (in the exact same broken-English accent) "donna you worry, I’mma gonna take care o you". There are many immigrants who speak (the) English (language) very well and avoid many instances of National Origin Discrimination because they are proficient in written and spoken English. Instances of National Origin Discrimination can occur when immigrants have limited English proficiencies. The Office of Civil Rights is seeking input in the formulation of a guidance policy, which will "clarify the responsibilities of providers of health and social services who receive Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services …and assist them in fulfilling their responsibilities to Limited English Proficient (LEP) Persons." This Federal Register Notice: "Office of Civil Rights, Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Policy Guidance on the Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination As It Affects Persons With Limited English Proficiency, Notice of Policy Guidance with request for comments" v. 65, no. 169 August 30, 2000 pages 52762-52774 (AE 2.106:65/169) will lead to the development of a much needed guidance policy for the translation (from English into {other languages}) of materials and documents which relate to the financial assistance provided to LEP Persons. Now that the Office of Civil Rights will be taking care of the Limited English Proficiency problem of foreign nationals language problems, how about the many Americans who also have limited English proficiency?
BROADBAND PARADOX: HIGH SPEED TECHNOLOGY & BIGGER DIGITAL DIVIDE The term Broadband refers to the higher speed internet technologies which moves data at a speed four times faster than that of the 56 Kilobit per second modem which is the maximum speed of the regular telephone lines. This new technology will improve long distance learning, virtual education, telemedicine, and e-business marketing and transactions needed by the farmers, ranchers and the isolated small populated. However, the rural areas currently lack the infrastructure to handle the new broadband, and "the high costs make rural markets low priorities" for private companies to bring the broadband to rural America. The FCC is considering the possibility of including broadband technology and services under the Universal Service policy, a policy that makes basic telephone service available to every U.S. household through a combination of public funding and market forces. If Broadband technology is included in the concept of Universal Service, it is possible public funds would help pay the costs of bringing broadband to rural America. "The Broadband Quandary for Rural America" by Brian Staihr in the August 2000 issue of The Main Street Economist, Commentary on Rural America found at http://www.kc.frb.org explains the current problem and http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/News_Releases/2000/nrcc0040.html is the FCC News Release about the FCC report on the availability of new High-Speed and Advanced Telecommunications Services. This Press Release summarizes and leads to the 157-page Deployment of Advanced Telecommunications Capability: Second Report ( http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/Orders/2000/fcc00290.pdf reporting on the national survey as to what populations will be the haves and have-nots in the new Higher-Speed Digital Divide. Broadband Today, A Staff Report (October 1999) can be downloaded as a pdf file at http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Cable/Reports/broadbandtoday.pdf
NUTRIENT NEWS FROM THE DARK SIDE According to Andrew Waterhouse "Baking chocolate is the best source" of flavonoids and contains three times as many antioxidants as milk chocolate and four times the amount in a cup of black tea. Antioxidants may help lower the risk of heart disease and cancer. Waterhouse is cited by Julie Cederborg and Susan Freinkel in "Good News from the Dark Side" Health, v. 13, no. 9, November/December 1999, page 28. Chocolate is a good source of phytochemcials, micronutrients, minerals such as iron, magnesium, copper, and manganese, B vitamins, riboflavin, and niacin. The cocoa butter in chocolate does not affect one’s cholesterol level. Mars Candy Company and the Agricultural Research Service have begun a study to better understand the phytonutrient potential of chocolate and cocoa. "Chocolate, Delicious & Nutritious!" is the very brief article found within "Fighting a Fungal Siege on Cacao Farms" in Agricultural Research, v. 47, no. 11, November 1999, page 5 http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/nov99/cacao1199.htm that presents the good news.
MEDICINE CABINETS: CONTENT(S) & ANNUAL CLEANING "Contrary to age-old tradition, a bathroom medicine cabinet is not a good place to keep OTC (over-the-counter) or prescription medications. Showers and baths create heat and humidity that can cause some drugs to deteriorate rapidly. A cool, dark and dry place such as the top of a linen closet, preferably in a locked container and out of a child's reach, is best for storing medicines." A Medicine Cabinet should contain: Adhesive bandages, Adhesive tape, Gauze pads, a Tweezers, a Thermometer, a Calibrated measuring spoon, Alcohol wipes, and Disinfectant. The medicine cabinet should not contain medicines. The FDA’s list of "must-haves" medicines for the cool dark closet are Analgesic (relieves pain), Antibiotic ointment (reduces risk of infection), Antacid (relieves upset stomach), Antihistamine (relieves allergy symptoms), Syrup of ipecac (induces vomiting), Decongestant (relieves stuffy nose and other cold symptoms), Fever reducer (adult and child), Hydrocortisone (relieves itching and inflammation), and Antiseptic (helps stop infection). So says Carol Lewis in "Your Medicine Cabinet Needs an Annual Checkup, Too" FDA Consumer, v. 34, no. 2, March-April 2000 pages 25-28 (HE 20.4010:34/2) and http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2000/200_med.html .
BACTERIA: THE GOOD AND THE BAD On the six o’clock news and in the newspaper when health topics are discussed, it is usually just the bad news (about the bad) bacteria that makes news. Disease outbreaks of strains of E. Coli, Salmonella, and campylobacter bacteria are in the news because of the pain and suffering they cause their victims. Did you ever hear about the (little known) "good guys" bacteria? Do you like yogurt? If you do, then you know of one of the "good guys" bacteria that prevent the growth of the "bad guys" bacteria. Lactobacillus, or the lactic acid found in yogurt and Propionibacterium are two of the "good guys" bacteria whose good "deeds" never make the news. The "good guys" bacteria are about to make the news. The new biotechnological science is generating bioproducts called probiotics. Probiotics are the good bacteria that prevent the contamination of food by pathogenic or "bad" bacteria. You can read about it in "The Good in us All" http://www.ornl.gov/reporter/no18/good.htm a Department of Energy’s ORNL website page of information about ORNL, Kazakhstan, and the Agricultural Research Service’s work to develop "good bacteria" aka Probiotics to prevent contamination of the world’s water and food supply.
November 28, 2000
http://www.nku.edu/~yannarella/news0009.html