Glider

"Who can cheat the fastest"...hehehe...I like that

Yep.

I'm not sure temperature can be the correct independent (manipulating) variable here. The stated aim of the experiment is to test whether ice melts faster in water or air. This makes the medium the independent variable. Rate of melting is the dependent (responding) variable. However, to test the hypothesis that 'Ice melts faster in water/air' (1-tailed) or 'there will be a difference in melting times of ice in water or in air' (2-tailed), the temperature of the medium would be a confounding variable (if the two were at different temps), so it would be up to the researcher to control it, ensuring the air and water temps were the same across trials.

The term could also be used to describe the features of an aquarium that allow things to live in it; water Ph, microbial action (breaking down fish waste), oxygenation (plants, light and volume/surface area ratio) etc.. All the things which make it a stable environment capable of suporting life.

That's more or less it. The active ingredient is capsaicin (C18H27NO3). It specifically triggers C fibres (thin, non-myelinated primary afferents with polymodal, wide dynamic range receptors). Among other things, these fibres signal noxious heat (>45 degrees C), which is why chilli feels hot. Unfortunately, a part of the way capsaicin works is to allow an influx of calcium ions into the neuron, which eventually causes the neuron to die. This is how people 'get used' to hot food and after time can munch jalapenos with no pain. They ain't tough, they just burned out the receptors that used to detect it. That's because it ain't just the pain that causes endorphin release. It's more the situations in which pain occurs. Endorphins are concerned with the central control of pain, accociated with activity in decending fibres from the periaqueductal grey (PAG) to the raphe nuceli (the locus coeruleus in particular), and in the raphespinal tract. The PAG has many reciprocal connections with limbic areas, and it's mainly the activity in those areas which cause significant endorphine release. So, without going into too much detail to make the point, if you're wandering around your bedroom, and you stub your toe, it's gonna hurt! If you're wandering up the Shankhill road with a gun in your hand, and you get hit by a brick, it'll hurt a lot less. In each case, the limbic system is preattentively processing the situation, and the potential for harm in the environment, and making preparatory autonomic changes as appropriate. In high-risk situations, these changes include elevated adrenaline (epinephrine) levels, heart rate & BP the release of glucose, clotting factors and endorphines. Endorphines are also released under physical stress (e.g. exercise), but it has to be sufficiently intense. The threshold for endorphine release is around 75% V O2 max. (exercise sufficient to require that you burn 75% of the oxygen you breathe in).

Some interesting notes: Silver nitrate is a powerful germicide, used in dilution 0.5% as an antiseptic, applied topically to the conjunctiva as a prophylactic against ophthalmia neonatorum, and also used as an antiseptic and astringent, especially in infections of the skin and mucous membranes. It has also been used to purify drinking water. Contraindications, Warnings and Side-Effects Since silver nitrate is a corrosive substance, it should be applied only to tissue to be treated, and care must be exercised both in confining it to the desired area by a suitable barrier such as petroleum jelly or ringed plaster, and in preventing any excess from wandering by covering as necessary afterwards. This is especially important during, for example, the treatment of infants' umbilical granulomas. Silver nitrate presents a particular hazard to the eyes, mouth and other sensitive areas. Contact with silver nitrate with treated tissue and with healthy skin usually gives rise to distinctive black or brown stains. These are of deposited free metallic silver and as such are harmless once formed. Such stains are shed from skin by desquamation usually within a short time. Stain remover (q.v.) can be used on skin if really necessary, though this is recommended only for urgent cosmetic reasons. Silver nitrate similarly stains clothes and other inanimate surfaces with which it makes contact, and appropriate precautions should be taken to protect these from travelling caustic material. Argyria, the accumulation of metallic silver in connective tissues, shows as a bluish-black discoloration of the skin, but whose early signs are often in the gums or eyes. Argyria arises from the application of excessive amounts of silver nitrate repeatedly for long periods, especially to mucous membranes and open wounds. Though not directly treatable it is regarded as a harmless cosmetic effect only. It may disappear with time. Poisoning by ingestion is unlikely with the small quantities involved, but symptoms that do arise are due to the corrosive nature of silver nitrate, and may include pain in the mouth, sialorroea, diarrhoea, vomiting, convulsions and coma. Tissues and vomit will be stained black. Absorption of silver nitrate, mainly from burns or open wounds, in the presence of nitrate-reducing bacteria may result in methaemoglobinaemia. Have fun kiddies!

Not all plants are male or female. Some share features of both and can self-pollinate. Others do no require pollination at all, and don't repoduce by seed. I don't know about all plants, but I know a little about trees (I've been growing and studying bonsai for ~20 years). The thing with acer cultivars, is that so many of them originated as sports (point mutations resulting in a different form of growth on a single limb). These cannot be reproduced through seed, and are propogated through successive cuttings, which are usually grafted onto Acer Palmatum (AP) rootstock. Examples are AP 'Deshojo', AP 'Kiyohime', AP 'Katsura' and so-on. None of these do particularly well grown on their own roots (except for a new variant of the Deshojo, which is becoming very popular in Bonsai circles). However, not all cultivars are sports, many are hybrids. These will be crosses of different varieties designed to produce desirable features inherent in each parent (e.g. frost-hardiness in one, leaf shape/size in the other). However, the offspring of these crosses (F1 Hybrids) are often sterile, and those that are not, will hardly ever reproduce true to type, rather they will revert to one or other of the parent types. In any event, the only reliable way to propogate F1 hybrid trees, is (again) to take successive cuttings (and cuttings from the rooted cuttings, and so-on), producing hundreds of genetically identical trees.

Sad, but true.

There is no way to infer suffering in a non-responsive person. This is a problem, but in general, where there is an absence of consciousness (and there are measurable indices for that), there will be an absence of suffering. The experience of pain requires the conscious interpretation of nociceptive information. I think we're talking about two separate categories; persistant vegetative states, and terminal condition accompanied by intractable pain. The former cases are exremely rare on the whole (which is why they tend to make the news when they occur). However, in America, there is such a thing as a 'living will', in which a person may, as a part of their will, provide instructions to family and health care professionals in the event they end up in a persistent vegetative state. This is legal in the US., but not yet in the UK. I think the issue concerning the case of the woman in Florida is central (see the appropriate post), as prior to her coma she expressed her wish for euthenasia , which her husband has chosen to respect, but her family are fighting, calling it 'murder'. The majority of cases however, pertain to individuals who are able to express their wish for euthenasia, but are denied that right. In these cases, I propose that the suffering of the patient is central to the issue, and cannot be left out of it. In all cases, I propose that the wishes of the patient, whether expressed in a living will, or directly, are central to any argument concerning euthenasia. The wishes and personal morals of physicians and members of the patients' family (and government) must be subordinate to the expressed will of the patient.

Possibly. I think even legal drugs would be quite expensive though. I can't imagine a government not wanting to make the most of a 'captive' source of tax revenue (take cigarettes for example; ~86% of the cost of a pack is tax). I wouldn't disagree with you in priciple. Whilst laws in each case may be based on the legal application of a moral stance, in practice the cases are very different. One denies you the right to mess with your own mind in whatever manner you see fit (and by extension, the risk of ruining an otherwise healthy body), the other attempts to deny you the right to a dignified and merciful death, regardless of the pain and suffering associated with continued life. In short, whilst these laws may (or may not) be based upon specific concepts of morality, laws against drug use can be seen as an attempt to prevent suffering, or at least to avoid the suffering and detrimental physical effects of long-term use in those who wish to take drugs. Thus, it can at least be argued that anti drug laws exist for the benefit of the individual, regardless of the moral rights and wrongs of taking that decision away from them. However, laws against euthenasia have the effect of extending suffering and can in no way be argued to benefit the individual who is suffering, but only those around him/her who have not learned to cope with loss (a symptom of the growing societal belief that eternal youth is a right, and that death is an optional extra).

Of course they are, and I wouldn't suggest otherwise. I was pointing out that the emphasis of the laws concerning illegal drug use was on the 'illegal' aspects associated with it (illegal trade, robbery, burglary, posession, posession with intent to supply, etc.) and not directly concerned with self-destruction, as laws against suicide are. As for those who can afford their drugs, it is known that in general, financial status is a significant predictor of health and well being amongst drug abusers. For example, the rich abuser can afford 'better quality' drugs (lower risk of contaminants), they don't have to share needles (in the case of IV drug abusers). They are more able to afford 'discrete' private care if necessary. They are less likely to have to try to rob others to maintain their habit (a dangerous persuit in itself). They are more able to maintain a habit without having to compromise personal necessities (i.e. housing, diet etc.). In general, they can maintain a habit whilst keeping themselves removed from collateral dangers (they can even get others to obtain the drugs for them, thus even avoiding direct personal contact with 'drug dealer types').

You may have a point there, however, it is generally those who cannot afford to sustain their addiction that need to resort to burglary and robbery. Those who can afford their habit, don't need to commit (further) crimes.

Yes, and I think that's a problem. Societal morals are constantly in flux. This means that any moral legislation would have to be 'elastic' to accommodate them. I can't see how that can work.

Was your original diet wrong? If so, in what way and what was its effects? Is your new diet better? If so, how and what are the effects? Why didn't you see a dietician? This is one homeopathic approach. This one has been tested scientifically (randomised, placebo controlled double-blind) and on a large scale. No evidence was found to support it. The results showed any reported effect to be random.

True. We used to have that law (a long time ago), and attempted suicide was actually punishable by death. However, your examples are not really comparable; whilst drug abuse may be self-destructive, the objective of the abuser is not self destruction. I suspect the laws surrounding drug abuse are more to do with controlling colateral damage (theft, robbery and murder etc.) that is associated with the drugs trade. With regard to to prostitution (the oldest profession) it's arguable whether that's self-destructive at all. It's interesting to note that fatalities in both (drug abuse and prostitution) more related to financial status than behaviour. In general, the rich drug abuser is significantly less likely to die, or even suffer significant problems through their habit than are poor drug abuser. The same applies to prostitution; the rich prostitutes have a much lower risk of being beaten or killed or infected with some terminal STD than the 'street walkers'.

You have that option (where most terminal cases in intractable pain don't). How much right do you think I should have to deny you that option? By what right do we have the power over their lives and decisions to stop them?

Better tell them to have a spare liver ready before they do though.

So, still no sign of that cure for cancer then...

From the Carol Song Book for the Psychiatrically Impaired SCHIZOPHRENIA: Do you Hear What I Hear? MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER: We Three Queens Disoriented Are DEMENTIA: I Think I'll Be Home for Christmas NARCISSISTIC: Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me MANIC: Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and Office and Town and Car and Busses and Trucks and Trees and Fire Hydrants and........ PARANOID: Santa Claus is Coming to Get Me. PERSONALITY DISORDER: You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm Gonna Pout, Maybe I'll tell you why. DEPRESSION: Silent Night, Holy Night, All is Flat, All is Lonely, All is Dark, All is Gloomy. OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, ................... PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE PERSONALITY On the First Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me (and then took it all away again). BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER Thoughts of Roasting on an Open Fire.

For certain surgical procedures (e.g. rhinoplasty), they still use cocaine in powder form. The reason is that not only is it effective as an anaesthetic, but it causes the spongy membranes and tissue to retract and reduces bleeding, which helps the surgeon see what he/she is doing. Unfortunately, you're unconscious at the time. Such a waste!

Euthenasia? Yep. The arguments against it are weird... "I'm suffering intractable pain. My condition is terminal, please...I want to go now, with some dignity!" "Sorry, it's against my priciples to assist you to die, so you'll have to put up with the pain, and put up with being fed and changed like a baby for as long as I can keep you breathing" It's a cruel and unusual punishment for an innocent person.

Coma is the killer. Life is only maintained through artificial intervention. The basic rule is; if you can't drink or feed yourself (or breathe unaided), you die. Unless you are fed and watered by others. By any definition, an inability to perform basic life maintaining functions is a killer, unless these functions are performed for you.

Multiple sclerosis is the one you're thinking of. A degenerative condition, a function of which is progressive demyelination, which results in worsening motor function impairment and eventually, death. The group (xylocaine, novacaine, lidocaine, lignocaine etc., etc..) is a 'cain' because all of them are pharmacutical derivatives of cocaine. These all work in the same way. They prevent the propogation of action potentials along a nerve axon by blocking the ion pumps, effectively preventing depolarisation. They are nonspecific and will block all nerves this way. It is only that they are given in doses calculated to affect only the nonmyelinated or thinly myelinated fibres. Enough of the substance will block all nerve function, large, small afferent and efferent. I don't know how clove oil works. It may be the same, or similar mechanism, but I doubt it, as I have never come across a local or topical anaesthetic based on clove oil. The cocaine derivatives are extremely effective and are used for everything from local anaesthesia for (e.g.) suturing, to nerve blocks for surgery (i.e. chemically denervating an entire limb or dermatome), to epidurals.

Tears are produced by all mammals, and some reptiles too. However, these serve a function, cleaning and lubricating the eyes. Humans (as far as we know), are the only animal in which strong emotion triggers the tear ducts.

Right....and as the primary afferent fibres associated with pain are C fibres (non-myelinated) and A delta fibres (thinly myelinated), they are more easily blocked than larger, more thickly myelinated afferent fibres, although enough of the anaesthetic will block these too, and efferent fibres also, causing paralysis.