Santa Cruz Astronomy Club guest speaker talks constellations, mythology

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SANTA CRUZ -- The Santa Cruz Astronomy Club will be host to an adventure in astrology, myth and ancient history on Thursday.

The club has invited a guest speaker, Don Cerow, who is a researcher in ancient mythology and astrology. He has recently published his first book, "When the Dragon Wore the Crown," which theorizes why dragons are so ubiquitous across many ancient cultures. Cerow lived in Bonny Doon for eight years before moving out in June to tour the nation to promote his book.

Cerow said he believes that the constellation Draco, the dragon, played a central role. One of the stars in Draco, Thuban, used to hold the position of "north star," and as such was critical to the safe passage of ancient travelers.

"Everything pivoted around that star, all of creation," Cerow said.

Sooner or later, according to Cerow, someone probably saw a dragon in that particular group of stars. The idea spread as merchants and mariners traveled to the "cultures next door," and soon enough the dragon was a mythological figure in cultures across Europe and Asia.

Cerow will present this and more on astrology at his talk on at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Scout House in Harvey West Park. The house is between Evergreen Street and Harvey West Boulevard in Santa Cruz.

Jeff Gose, the club president, is hopeful that the allure of astrology will draw more people into the science of astronomy.

The Santa Cruz Astronomy Club was established in the 1970s and has seen bursts of activity throughout the years, Gose said. Some members are students at Cabrillo College and others have been in the club since its inception. Gose said that the club is always looking for more members.

"We're big on family participation, so if younger folks want to get involved, our membership is real affordable. A lot of hobbies the most expensive thing is our valuable time, but if you're willing to set some time aside it's a wonderful thing to spend your time with."

Gose, who is retired from the Air Force, has been the president of the Astronomy Club for the past 18 months. He said that the club offers to loan telescopes to members in good standing with the club, but that many members are willing to lend their personal equipment to other members who want to practice stargazing outside of club meetings.

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Santa Cruz Astronomy Club guest speaker talks constellations, mythology

Irish skies lit up by extremely bright fireball

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A fireball which burned up over Russia last February generated shockwaves which circled the globe twice. Photograph: http://www.chelyabinsk.ru/Reuters

An extremely bright fireball was seen streaking across Irish skies on Saturday night before breaking up, Astronomy Ireland has said.

The organisation received lots of reports of sightings of the meteor which lit up the sky shortly after 9.30pm.

Fireballs are seen quite rarely, but when they appear on a clear evening when people are travelling from work we often get inundated with reports, said astronomy Ireland chairman David Moore.

Reports from the public help to determine the fireballs path through the sky and find out if it is likely to have ended up on land or in the sea,Mr Moore said.

Fireballs are very bright meteors caused by larger particles of debris from space, Astronomy Ireland said. They can seem close but occur very high up in the atmosphere, approximately 70km and above, it said.

They disintegrate at altitudes over 50km and occasionally fragments survive and fall to earth, it said.

It urged anyone who saw the fireball to report sightings at astronomy.ie

In February last year a fireball burned up over Russia and generated shockwaves which circled the globe twice.

The asteroid on February 15th broke up above the city of Chelyabinsk about 1,500km east of Moscow leaving more than 1,000 people injured. The events shockwaves blew out windows and damaged buildings in several cities.

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Irish skies lit up by extremely bright fireball

Going beyond the dome

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Pine-Richland High School's planetarium, with a 24-foot dome, seven-screen panoramic projector and sound system, is used not only for astronomy courses, but as part of the navigation curriculum for the school's Air Force Junior ROTC.

Woodland Hills High School does not have a planetarium, but instead a domed observatory. An observatory is a building with a built-in telescope, while a planetarium is a room where images are projected onto the ceiling. Superintendent Alan Johnson said the high school's rooftop observatory has received minimal use for almost two years because of a broken telescope. The school recently received an $8,000 grant to replace the 10-inch refractor telescope, after which he said the school hopes to open the observatory to the community.

North Hills High School used its planetarium for an interactive lesson for Black History Month, studying the folk song "Follow the Drinking Gourd," which many escaped slaves used in reference to the Big Dipper, a star formation that points north.

North Hills chemistry and astronomy teacher Susan Batson said the planetarium helps bring "boring textbook lessons to life," which is why the astronomy club sponsors special programs and presentations for the community in the planetarium throughout the year. Astronomy club members set up gift shops after each program as a fundraiser for the club.

"I love being able to see the different constellations in our planetarium," North Hills junior and astronomy club member Brandon Clem said. "They're very appealing to look at, and knowing the science behind them makes it even better."

At least four schools in the county -- North Hills, Pine-Richland, Gateway Senior High School and Woodland Hills -- have planetariums.

Some, such as Gateway's, are decades old. Others, like Pine-Richland's, are newer.

In Upper St. Clair, Fort Couch Middle School's planetarium was turned into academic space years ago.

While upkeep and equipment are expensive, Martin Ratcliffe, former director of the Buhl Planetarium at Carnegie Science Center, said school planetariums are a worthwhile investment.

Mr. Ratcliffe, director of professional development at Sky-Skan, a company that produces digital planetariums, said they help engage students in science, technology, math and engineering and give them a better understanding of complex information through visuals.

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A.I. – Artificial Intelligence, CLIPS Programming Language, quick run thru! ACE Appetite Control – Video

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A.I. - Artificial Intelligence, CLIPS Programming Language, quick run thru! ACE Appetite Control
A.I. - Artificial Intelligence, CLIPS Programming Language, quick run thru! Ever wanted to have your very own EXPERT handy? Whenever you wanted or needed the...

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A.I. - Artificial Intelligence, CLIPS Programming Language, quick run thru! ACE Appetite Control - Video

VIVI first of its kind private Artificial Intelligence System (Tribute to Spike Jonze) – Video

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VIVI first of its kind private Artificial Intelligence System (Tribute to Spike Jonze)
Tribute to Spike Jonze Heroine of the "Her" film reflects the puspose of our AI OS. We thank the director to paying his attention to the AI Systems. V I V I ...

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VIVI first of its kind private Artificial Intelligence System (Tribute to Spike Jonze) - Video

Porvair Filtration Group Manufactures First Aerospace Filters in the USA

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Porvair Filtration Group, a world leader in filtration and separation technology, hasannounced that its production facility in Ashland, Virginia is now manufacturing Last Chance Filters for the aerospace industry, in order to cope with increased North American demand.

Effective filtration within aircraft and military equipment is vital to ensure that all systems are free from contaminants and to guarantee safety, long service life, reliability and cost effective operation in the most demanding situations. Aircraft fluid systems require last chance filters and screens to provide critical point-of-use protection for contamination sensitive components, performing a complimentary role to main system filters. These are designed to remove and retain contamination such as machining chips, burrs, wear debris and fluid breakdown products induced during operation or built in downstream of the main system filters. To provide maximum protection, these filters are tailored specifically to the systems operating and environmental conditions. These filters are designed to interface with customer units and are supplied as discs, unions or bolts and can also be integrated into other components such as valves.

In continuing its initiative to provide a reliable source of high quality products for the aerospace industry, Porvair Filtration Group has invested into and increased its capabilities at the Ashland manufacturing facility. Increased competencies include resistance welding, fusion welding and the ability to meet stringent aerospace standards.

Porvair Filtration Group will be displaying its latest developments in contamination control at the Farnborough International Airshow, Hall 4, Stand C1, Monday 14th Friday 18th July 2014. Porvair will also display an extensive range of filters and assemblies for use in aircraft fluid/air management and control systems, including fuel filter assemblies/cartridges, fuel tank inerting filters, coolant filter modules, hydraulic filter cartridges and laser drilled screens. Working closely in collaboration with aerospace customers, Porvair offers development, design, certification and project management expertise including supply chain management, component assembly, testing to customer specifications on products including filter assemblies, filter cartridges, contamination level indicators, non-return valves, pressure relief valves, and special strainers. Porvair Filtration Group aerospace specialists will be on-hand to answer questions and propose filtration solutions for contamination control on aerospace fluid systems

Please visit our website http://www.porvairfiltration.com/view/AerospaceAndDefence.aspx or contact Porvair Filtration Group on +44 (0)1489 864330 / +1-804-550-1600, or email info@porvairfiltration.com .

Porvair Filtration Group is certified to AS9100 Rev C and ISO9001 EASA Part 21 Subpart G Enabling Issue of EASA Form 1 aerospace quality standards. With operations in both Europe and North America - Porvair Filtration Group boasts fully equipped test house and laboratory facilities, with dedicated engineers working to develop optimum filtration solution. Test stands include multi-pass, high-pressure flow, flow fatigue, coolant, contaminated fuel and impulse fatigue. In addition to its project-focused activity, Porvair has a program of continuous improvement using a structured approach as defined by the Aerospace Defence Security (ADS) SC21 program.

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Finding the courage to be blatantly believer-ish

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At the Academy Awards on March 2, I heard something surprising: "Lord God, I praise you."

Darlene Love said these words as she joined the director and producers of "20 Feet from Stardom" to accept the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature Film. Then Love, one of the singers who stars as herself in the documentary, broke into an a cappella version of "His Eye Is on the Sparrow."

The moment is in a YouTube video of the most memorable speeches of the night. It is rare that Oscar recipients burst into song -- the awards go to technicians and performers who aren't necessarily singers, after all -- but Love's invocation intrigued me more. Hearing it made me a little confused about which awards show I was watching. God gets a lot of credit at the Grammy Awards, even if it seems hypocritical or disingenuous (e.g., saying, "I thank God for helping me write this song full of curse words and misogynistic rhetoric), but I can't remember ever hearing anything as blatantly believer-ish as, "Lord God, I praise you" at the Oscars. People thank the academy, the people who funded their project, their colleagues on the set, parents, life partners and sometimes a teacher who made a difference. But God? No, the Oscars aren't his night to shine.

I've had passing thoughts about why this is, and they all come down to comfort and culture. The Grammys, with its awards for gospel music and its abundance of black artists who start their singing careers in church, presents a safe place to go into Christian-speak. At the Oscars, God is out of place among an audience full of celebrities who either are known to practice Scientology or who aren't known to practice anything at all.

At the Academy Awards, Darlene Love didn't care about what religious beliefs might be represented in the audience. I know she's a singer, and she probably just wanted to sing, but she started her acceptance speech with giving God the credit, and she sang a gospel song. I'm sure no one was hiding tomatoes in their couture dresses to throw at performers they disliked, but still, it takes guts to do that in front of an audience that might not share your beliefs.

When I'm in that situation, I code switch. "Code-switching" refers to mixing languages and speech patterns in conversation as the speaker deems appropriate given his or her surroundings. I've all but abandoned this practice in its traditional sense in my work vs. home worlds; the way I speak is probably about 90 percent consistent between both places. I know I'm more relaxed with my speech and that I speak with a different cadence when I'm with only my mom, the person I'm most comfortable with. But alterations in my use of slang or jargon that only certain groups would understand happens most often when I go between church and very liberal work spaces.

My full-time job is in social justice and in academia. Although I'm well aware I'm not the only Christian in the social justice community in Louisville, Ky., I almost never see people from my church attending the talks or rallies I attend. I also know that plenty of people in attendance have experienced discrimination from Christians. And in academia, I rarely meet scholars who have been able to reconcile their accumulated knowledge with the myths they were taught as children.

In these settings, I don't go into Christian-speak. I don't call victories "blessings" or attribute challenges to tests of faith. Everything isn't in God's plan, and he doesn't work things out. And when other people are open about their atheism, agnosticism or more general secularism, I don't try to change their minds.

I've wondered if my quiet comes off as shame for being Christian or if people can tell I'm Christian at all without knowing my writing. Not being as blatantly believer-ish as Darlene Love was at the Oscars protects me against ridicule and allegations of hypocrisy or pretense, and it keeps the peace by preventing discussion of religion, always an explosive topic. But I shouldn't base sharing my beliefs on what others may think.

For the next several weeks, people will notice Christians not eating meat or sugar. They'll stop smoking and watching reality television shows, or they'll temporarily close all their social media accounts as part of Lenten fasts. Christians and non-Christians alike will notice the changes, and even if they've never given any indication of their faith before, the fasting Christians suddenly will be exhibiting blatantly believer-ish behavior. They'll open themselves up to ridicule, hostility and allegations of hypocrisy.

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Okyanos CEO Matt Feshbach Announces Appointment of Institutes Marketing Executive Erika Rosenthal to International …

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Freeport, The Bahamas (PRWEB) March 10, 2014

Matt Feshbach, CEO of Okyanos Heart Institute whose mission it is to bring a new standard of care and better quality of life to patients with coronary artery disease using cardiac stem cell therapy has announced the appointment of Okyanos senior vice president of marketing, Erika Rosenthal, to the International Stem Cell Society (STEMSO) Advisory Board. She will advise the trade organization in a communications capacity to benefit the membership and the mission.

STEMSO is a member-based, international, non-profit 501(c) 6 trade association which promotes the interests of organizational members of the global, adult stem cell healthcare community. STEMSO provides information, education, resources, advocacy and public awareness for the advancement of adult stem cell research and therapy. The organization recently hosted a global regenerative medicine conference in Freeport, The Bahamas, entitled, Bridging the Gap: Research to Point of Care which brought together experts in adult stem cell therapy and regulations to discuss commercialization of therapies for chronic disease in a safe, ethical, and compliant manner.

STEMSO is an important organization to the field of stem cell therapy and research, said Feshbach. Communications and healthcare are both fields in which Erika excels, and so I am pleased to see her lend her expertise for an important cause. I look forward to the Okyanos Heart Institute executive team continuing with such efforts for the greater good of medicine.

Rosenthal was a 2008 recipient of the National Association of Women Business Owners Business Woman of the Year award, and was recognized in Business Leader Magazine as a Woman Extraordinaire, for her business accomplishments and contributions to the non-profit community. She is a former faculty member of the University of California where she taught Marketing and Hospitality Management.

It is indeed an honor to work with STEMSO to advance their cause to help advance adult stem cell research and therapy worldwide, and to bring together leading researchers, physicians, regulators and scientists to set standards for ethical and responsible delivery of therapies as they become available to the public worldwide, said Rosenthal. It is an exciting time in medicine, and STEMSO is greatly needed to bring collaboration and guidance between this impressive member group of thought leaders.

STEMSO is pleased to have Erika Rosenthal participate on STEMSOs Advisory Board, said Douglas Hammond, president of STEMSO. Non-profit trade associations are only as strong as their member participation and leadership allows. If other members or prospective organizational members were to support STEMSO as Okyanos Heart Institute and Erika Rosenthal, there would be no limit to STEMSOs impact in the Regenerative Medicine Industry.

About Okyanos Heart Institute: (Oh key AH nos) Based in Freeport, The Bahamas, Okyanos Heart Institutes mission is to bring a new standard of care and a better quality of life to patients with coronary artery disease using cardiac stem cell therapy. Okyanos adheres to U.S. surgical center standards and is led by Chief Medical Officer Howard T. Walpole Jr., M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.C., F.S.C.A.I. Okyanos Treatment utilizes a unique blend of stem and regenerative cells derived from ones own adipose (fat) tissue. The cells, when placed into the heart via a minimally-invasive procedure, can stimulate the growth of new blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis. Angiogenesis facilitates blood flow in the heart, which supports intake and use of oxygen (as demonstrated in rigorous clinical trials such as the PRECISE trial). The literary name Okyanos, the Greek god of rivers, symbolizes restoration of blood flow.

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ICAR stresses GM technology for Kerala

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Kerala cannot afford to overlook the potential of Genetically Modified (GM) crops to emerge as a substitute for toxic chemicals used against plant parasites in polyhouse cultivation, Swapan K. Dutta, Deputy Director General (Crop Sciences), Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) has said.

Talking to The Hindu on the sidelines of the National Biennial Group Meeting of the All India Coordinated Research Project on Nematode pests here earlier this week, he said states like Kerala that were increasingly turning to protected cultivation could no longer ignore the benefits of genetic engineering for pest and disease control.

Dr. Dutta said biotechnology and genetic engineering would assume a greater role in the battle against pathogens and plant diseases that caused crop loss. The controlled conditions that help to optimise crop production inside a polyhouse are conducive for pests as well, forcing farmers to use toxic chemicals for control. Through genetic engineering, the plant itself develops protection against pathogens. That way you avoid toxic chemicals. States like Kerala will soon have to pay attention to GM technology.

Highlighting the potential of plant genetic resources, he said, In nature, plants continuously try to defend themselves against hundreds of thousands of pathogenic bacteria and nematodes. If scientists can understand the genes that plants activate against pathogens or diseases, it will be a million dollar discovery with potential impact on plant as well as human health. Understanding the resistance mechanism of the gene could provide a breakthrough in disease control.

Terming Keralas move to switch over to organic farming as a political gimmick, Dr. Dutta said it had no meaning. It is not possible for a whole State to make the switch to organic farming. Our experiments show that organic farming will not give sustainable production and high productivity.

Observing that farmers in Kerala, like their counterparts elsewhere in the country, used subsidized fertilizers and other chemicals, Dr. Dutta noted that there were some niche areas like speciality and high-value fruits and vegetables that could be kept organic. Organic farming helps in increasing soil fertility. But to keep production and productivity high, you need to have other fertilizers.

Dr. Dutta said plant-parasitic soil nematodes, a microscopic variety of worms, constituted a major threat for protected cultivation of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Surveillance, monitoring and pest management assume more importance in protected cultivation.

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ICAR stresses GM technology for Kerala

All about anti-aging

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Its the new age of medicine that has raised the hopes of anyone who wishes to live longer and feel better.

In the past, the ideal was to extend ones life span by 10 years, from age 60 to 70. But today, assuming one embraces a wellness lifestyle, 100 becomes the new 70. Here are answers to some of your most frequently asked questions.

I read somewhere that aging is a disease and not a natural biological occurrence. Is this true?

The proponents of anti-aging seriously believe that aging is a disease. And like all diseases, it has a cure. Through several approaches, one can treat aging. It can be dramatically delayed and in some cases, reversed.

While it seems that our biological clocks are ticking too fast and hastening the deterioration of the body, there should be no cause for alarm. As the years pass into the late 20s, the human body begins decreasing its production of vital hormones which are the hallmark of youthfulness.

This is when the advice of anti-aging experts and the prescription for living they prescribe can offer a patient a new lease on life. Aging is a condition. And like all conditions, it can be treated.

What would you recommend as a natural anti-aging regimen?

There are numerous approaches to delaying the aging process, from the simplest to the most elaborate. But all regimens have one foundation in commona healthy lifestyle.

Here are the steps:

1. Have a complete medical checkup by your doctor.

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All about anti-aging

Regenestem and Global Stem Cells Group Announce Alliance With Eric Yalung, M.D. to Build First Regenestem Clinic in …

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Miami (PRWEB) March 10, 2014

Regenestem, Inc., a division of Global Stem Cells Group, has announced plans to build the first Regenestem brand clinic in the Philippines. The planned, 22,000 square foot, state-of-the-art medical facility in Manila will focus on providing the latest stem cell-based anti-aging and cosmetic therapies available, eliminating the need for invasive surgery.

Regenestem is collaborating with distinguished Philippine Cosmetic Surgeon Eric Yalung, M.D. of the Cosmetic Surgery Institute-Manila, Inc. to create the stem cell therapy center, offering the most advanced protocols in cosmetic cellular medicine to patients from around the world.

The new Regenestem clinic will be headed by Yalung, a prominent and popular cosmetic surgeon in Manila who has built a reputation for incorporating the latest, most modern and least-invasive techniques in aesthetic medicine into his practice. Yalung will be joined by a team of talented stem cell specialists to provide patient treatment and follow-up care under the Regenestem brand.

Regenestem currently offers stem cell treatments for arthritis, autism, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes and multiple sclerosis among other conditions at various facilities worldwide

As part of its commitment to maintaining the highest standards in service and technology, Regenestem provides an international staff and the leading cellular therapies available.

All Regenestem facilities are certified for the medical tourism market, and staff physicians are board-certified or board-eligible. Regenestem clinics provide services in more than 10 specialties, attracting patients from the United States and around the world.

For more information, visit the Regenestem website, email info(at)regenstem(dot)com, or call 305-224-1858.

About Regenestem:

Regenestem, a division of the Global Stem Cells Group, Inc., is an international medical practice association committed to researching and producing comprehensive stem cell treatments for patients worldwide. Having assembled a highly qualified staff of medical specialistsprofessionals trained in the latest cutting-edge techniques in cellular medicineRegenestem continues to be a leader in delivering the latest protocols in the adult stem cell arena.

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Regenestem and Global Stem Cells Group Announce Alliance With Eric Yalung, M.D. to Build First Regenestem Clinic in ...