1248 résultats pour "soma"
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North Dakota - USA History.
Bismarck, the growing season averages 134 days, as the average date of the last killing frost is May 11 and that of the first killing frost is September 22. The length ofthe growing season drops to about 110 days in the northerly reaches of the state. The long periods of summer sunshine at this latitude, providing as much as 16 hoursof daylight in summer, help crops to mature quickly, thus compensating somewhat for the relatively short growing season. Temperatures in the north are, on the averag...
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Doris Lessing, The Fifth Child, ''Ben and his gang'' p. 145 ''Some weeks after'' to p. 149 ''popular mood or movement''
Doris Lessing, The Fifth Child, “Ben and his gang” p. 145 “Some weeks after” to p. 149 “popular mood or movement” Page 2 of 8 p. 38 Also, many economic crises with several recessions (1973 and the oil shock, 1981 and 1990) with the fear of inflation. iii) responsible because a) utter laziness: “one after another, three girls came to help; th ey had just left school and could not easily find work. They were not much good. […] They came or didn’t come as the mood took them, and wo...
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Public Finance.
obtained by borrowing instead of taxation—can be helpful for the economy. For example, when unemployment is high, the government can undertake projects that useworkers who would otherwise be idle. The economy will then expand because more money is being pumped into it. However, deficit spending also can harm theeconomy. When unemployment is low, a deficit may result in rising prices, or inflation. The additional government spending creates more competition for scarce workersand resources and thi...
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Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe - anthology.
Ever yet was blest with seeing bird above his chamber door—Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,With such name as “Nevermore.” But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke onlyThat one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.Nothing further then he uttered—not a feather then he fluttered—Till I scarcely more than muttered, “other friends have flown before—On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.' Then the bird said, “Nevermo...
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Andorra - country.
For 715 years Andorra was ruled jointly by Spanish and French co-princes—respectively the Bishop of Urgel and, in modern times, the president of France. Under thisarrangement, which granted Andorra a limited form of autonomy, responsibility for domestic affairs was delegated to an elected general counsel ( Consell General de las Valls ). Judicial matters, foreign affairs, and defense remained under the control of the co-princes. In March 1993 Andorrans voted to end this semifeudal system ( see...
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It wasn't until the day before we were going to go that the renter asked the obvious question.
I told her, "Ipromise I'mgoing tobe better soon." She said, "There's nothingwrongwithyou." "I'll behappy andnormal." She putherfingers around theback ofmy neck. I told her, "Itried incredibly hard.Idon't know howIcould havetriedharder." She said, "Dad would havebeen veryproud ofyou." "Do youthink so?" "I know so." I cried some more. Iwanted totell her allofthe liesthat I'dtold her. And then Iwanted hertotell me that itwas OK, because sometimes youhave todo something badtodo something good.Andthe...
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confess, I've never thought too much about giving lessons.
unpopularity atschool, Grandma's coupons,storagefacilities, peoplewhodon't know whattheInternet is,bad handwriting, beautifulsongs,howthere won't behumans infifty years—" "Whosaidthere won't behumans infifty years?" Iasked her,"Are youanoptimist orapessimist?" Shelooked ather watch andsaid, "I'm optimistic. " "Then Ihave some badnews foryou, because humansaregoing todestroy eachother assoon asitbecomes easyenough to,which will bevery soon." "Whydobeautiful songsmakeyousad?" "Because theyaren't t...
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Euthanasia.
permission from the family. B In Other Countries In 1995 the Northern Territory of Australia became the first jurisdiction to explicitly legalize voluntary active euthanasia. However, the federal parliament of Australiaoverturned the law in 1997. In 2001 The Netherlands became the first country to legalize active euthanasia and assisted suicide, formalizing medical practices that thegovernment had tolerated for years. Under the Dutch law, euthanasia is justified (not legally punishable) if the...
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Antigua and Barbuda - country.
The monetary unit of Antigua and Barbuda is the East Caribbean (EC) dollar of 100 cents (2.70 East Caribbean dollars equal U.S.$1, a fixed rate since 1976). VI ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS The growth of the tourist industry has created some environmental problems, including uncontrolled disposal of sewage from hotels on the beach. Hotel developmentalso threatens the Antiguan mangrove trees. Water management is another major area of concern because of limited natural freshwater resources. Coral reefs...
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Lesotho - country.
V GOVERNMENT Under the terms of the constitution of 1965, which was suspended in 1970, Lesotho was a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral legislature. After a coup in 1986,legislative and executive powers were vested in the king but actually exercised by a 6-member military council and a 20-member council of ministers. In 1993 Lesothoadopted a new constitution that redefined the role of the monarchy and altered the legislative branch of the government. The king, who is head of state, has no...
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Water Pollution.
Cryptosporidium in the water supply of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, sickened more than 400,000 people and killed more than 100. H Thermal Pollution Water is often drawn from rivers, lakes, or the ocean for use as a coolant in factories and power plants. The water is usually returned to the source warmer than when itwas taken. Even small temperature changes in a body of water can drive away the fish and other species that were originally present, and attract other species in placeof them. Thermal pol...
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Westerns
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INTRODUCTION
Gene Autry
Known as the Singing Cowboy, Gene Autry was the star of nearly 100 Westerns during his career as an actor.
James Fenimore CooperNineteenth-century American writer James Fenimore Cooper, famed for his adventure novels of American frontier life, wasalso an ardent social critic. Cooper wrote a series of five novels, known collectively as the Leather-Stocking Tales, in whichhe detailed the adventures of a fictional frontiersman named Natty Bumppo. In Bumppo, Cooper portrayed a man ofnature and a friend of the Native Americans. In addition to fiction, Cooper wrote several nonfiction works criticizingAmeri...
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Tobacco - biology.
quality cigars are made entirely by hand, most cigars are manufactured by machine. Chewing tobaccos are generally made from thick grades of leaves to which binders and flavorings are added. Chewing tobacco is formed by pressing the tobacco intoblocks known as plugs. Snuff is made by grinding tobacco into fine powder, which is then allowed to ferment for a long period of time. Frequently, snuff is scented withspices, such as jasmine or cloves. V TOBACCO INDUSTRY Over 6 million tons of commercial...
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Herman Melville
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INTRODUCTION
Herman Melville
These lines (recited by an actor) begin the novel Moby Dick (1851), by Herman Melville.
short novel Billy Budd in manuscript form. Melville’s death in New York City on September 28, 1891, went virtually unnoticed. None of his books was still in print. VI MELVILLE’S EARLY WORKS With the exception of Mardi , all of Melville’s early books are narratives of maritime adventure based upon his own experiences and on his wide reading. Although London publisher John Murray accepted Typee for his Home and Colonial Library as a strictly factual account of South Seas travel, he was lar...
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From The Hunchback of Notre Dame - anthology.
If then we were to attempt to penetrate through this thick and obdurate bark to the soul of Quasimodo; if we could sound the depths of this bungling piece oforganization; if we were enabled to hold a torch behind these untransparent organs, to explore the gloomy interior of this opaque being, to illumine its obscure cornersand its unmeaning cul-de-sacs, and to throw all at once a brilliant light upon the spirit enchained at the bottom of this den; we should doubtless find the wretch in some mi...
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Honolulu - geography.
of Brigham Young University. The state’s largest museum, the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, is located in Honolulu. It contains a large collection of Polynesian archaeological artifacts, as well asmany exhibits on Hawaiian history and culture. The museum also has an extensive entomological collection with more than 13 million specimens. Other importantmuseums include the Honolulu Academy of Arts, known for its extensive collection of Japanese, Chinese, and Korean art; the Contemporary Museum, wit...
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Fiji Islands - country.
the early 1990s. Fishing is done mainly at a subsistence level, but commercial fishing is increasing. The country also receives income from the sale of licenses to foreignvessels to fish in Fiji’s exclusive economic zone. Industry, including mining, manufacturing, and construction, employs 34 percent of Fiji’s wage earners and, in 2006, contributed 26 percent of GDP. The governmentinstituted tax-free incentives in 1988 that created a flourishing garment industry. Ready-made garments are now the...
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Excerpt from Persuasion - anthology.
“Yes, dear ma'am,” said Mrs. Croft, “or an uncertain engagement, an engagement which may be long. To begin without knowing that at such a time there will be themeans of marrying, I hold to be very unsafe and unwise, and what I think all parents should prevent as far as they can.” Anne found an unexpected interest here. She felt its application to herself, felt it in a nervous thrill all over her; and at the same moment that her eyes instinctivelyglanced towards the distant table, Captain Wen...
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Horse Racing.
interested parties claim the same horse at the same price, lots are drawn to determine the winning offer. Knowledgeable owners and trainers may use claiming races toobtain, at bargain prices, horses whose former owners underestimated the potential of their animals. Two other types of contests are match races and walkovers. A match race pits only two horses, almost always that season’s most successful racers, in a head-to-headduel. A walkover occurs when only one horse has not been scratched (w...
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Herbert Hoover.
E Postwar Work Even after the armistice, the Allies continued their blockade around Germany. Hoover, in Europe again, worked to have it relaxed. He was appointed chairman of theAmerican Relief Administration to assist in the economic restoration of Europe, receiving from the U.S. Congress $100 million to fight famine and plague. In this officialrole, and afterward as a private citizen, Hoover oversaw the distribution of 46 million tons of food to people in 30 countries. He controlled shipping,...
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Herbert Hoover
E Postwar Work Even after the armistice, the Allies continued their blockade around Germany. Hoover, in Europe again, worked to have it relaxed. He was appointed chairman of theAmerican Relief Administration to assist in the economic restoration of Europe, receiving from the U.S. Congress $100 million to fight famine and plague. In this officialrole, and afterward as a private citizen, Hoover oversaw the distribution of 46 million tons of food to people in 30 countries. He controlled shipping,...
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Kansas City (Missouri) - geography.
Major institutions of higher education in Kansas City are a branch (established in 1929) of the University of Missouri, Avila College (1916), Rockhurst College (1910),DeVry Institute of Technology (Missouri) (1931), and the Kansas City Art Institute (1885). Schools in neighboring suburbs include Park University (1875), in Parkville,and William Jewell College (1849), in Liberty. Baptist, Nazarene, and Methodist theological schools are also located in the area. Midwest Research Institute, one of t...
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Vice President of the United States.
naval operations. Located in northwest Washington at Massachusetts Avenue and 34th Street, the three-story Queen Anne-style house is within easy driving distance ofCapitol Hill and the White House. The vice president receives an annual salary of $189,300. The vice president has a staff and offices in the Everett M. Dirksen Senate Office Building, near the Capitol, toassist with legislative matters, as well as a personal office near the Senate lobby. The vice president also has staff and offices...
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Conservation.
cancers, Hodgkin’s disease and leukemia. Unfortunately, human activities have greatly reduced biodiversity around the world. The 20th century encompasses one of the greatest waves of extinction, orelimination of species, to occur on the planet. The greatest threat to biodiversity is loss of habitat as humans develop land for agriculture, grazing livestock, industry,and habitation. The most drastic damage has occurred in the tropical rain forests, which cover less than seven percent of the Earth’...
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Guyana - country.
European patterns of living. People of mixed African and European ancestry form a distinct group in Guyana, maintaining closer social ties to the European communitythan to the African Guyanese community. Asians from the Indian subcontinent began to arrive in the 19th century, following the abolition of slavery in Guyana, to work as indentured and contract laborers. Theycontinued to arrive until 1917, when Britain outlawed indentured servitude. Thousands of Indians chose to remain in Guyana after...
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Literary Criticism
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INTRODUCTION
Literary Criticism, discussion of literature, including description, analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of literary works.
IV THE 17TH AND 18TH CENTURIES The climate of criticism changed with the arrival on the literary scene of such giants as Miguel de Cervantes, Lope de Vega, and Pedro Calderòn in Spain; WilliamShakespeare, Ben Jonson, and John Milton in England; and Pierre Corneille, Jean Baptiste Racine, and Molière in France. Most of these writers specialized or excelled indrama, and consequently the so-called battle of the ancients and moderns—the critical comparison of Greek and Roman authors with more rece...
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Bahrain - country.
A Religion Almost all Bahrainis and the majority of nonnatives are followers of Islam (Muslims). About 70 percent of all native Bahrainis belong to the Shia branch of Islam, whilethe remainder, including the ruling al-Khalifa clan, are adherents of the Sunni branch. Non-Muslims, including Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and Jews, account for 15percent of the total population. High unemployment among the Shia population has caused considerable discontent on the part of this group toward the Sunni...
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Pollution.
One of the greatest challenges caused by air pollution is global warming, an increase in Earth’s temperature due to the buildup of certain atmospheric gases such ascarbon dioxide. With the heavy use of fossil fuels in the 20th century, atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have risen dramatically. Carbon dioxide and othergases, known as greenhouse gases, reduce the escape of heat from the planet without blocking radiation coming from the Sun. Because of this greenhouse effect,average glob...
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Technology.
loose soil in this region, known as the Fertile Crescent, was easily scratched for planting, and an abundance of trees was available for firewood. By 5000 BC, farming communities were established in areas known today as Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Greece, and the islands of Crete and Cyprus. Agricultural societies in these places constructed stone buildings, used the sickle to harvest grain, developed a primitive plowstick, and advanced their skills inmetalworking. Trade in flint al...
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Swimming.
the swimmer and the pinky finger should enter the water first. At the same time, the swimmer moves the left arm through the water below the left side of the body.Once in the water, the right arm begins pulling the swimmer forward by bending at the elbow. At the same time the swimmer holds the left arm straight as it reachesthe hip and lifts it out of the water. As the right arm continues to pull, the swimmer rotates slightly onto the right side and swings the left arm up above the head. As the s...
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War of 1812 - History.
the thorough training they received in handling guns was far ahead of contemporary British standards. As hostilities loomed, Congress authorized a regular army of 35,000 men, but when the United States officially declared war in June 1812, the actual land force was lessthan 10,000 and nearly half of these soldiers were raw recruits. The existing troops were also widely scattered in small garrisons. The government planned tosupplement this regular force with 50,000 volunteers and 100,000 militiam...
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War of 1812 - U.
the thorough training they received in handling guns was far ahead of contemporary British standards. As hostilities loomed, Congress authorized a regular army of 35,000 men, but when the United States officially declared war in June 1812, the actual land force was lessthan 10,000 and nearly half of these soldiers were raw recruits. The existing troops were also widely scattered in small garrisons. The government planned tosupplement this regular force with 50,000 volunteers and 100,000 militiam...
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Philadelphia (city, Pennsylvania) - geography.
national trend of migration from eastern cities to the warmer climate of the Sun Belt. Whereas in 1950 Philadelphia contained more than 2 million people and ranked as the third largest city in America, the city's population plunged to 1,517,550 by 2000.In 2006, the city's population was estimated at 1,448,394. While the city proper was decreasing in population, the metropolitan area centered on Philadelphia grew. In 2006 the region had 6.2 million inhabitants. Philadelphiaranked as the nation’s...
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Optics
I
INTRODUCTION
Mirage
Mirages appear because differences in air temperature cause light rays from an object to take different paths to a viewer's
eye.
Refraction of Light by DiamondsThe brilliance of diamonds is due to their high refractive index, a measure of how strongly a transparent material bendslight rays. The skill of the gem-cutter lies in angling the facets of the stone so that each light ray entering it is reflectedmany times before it emerges again.Spencer Grant/Photo Researchers, Inc. The amount of light reflected depends on the ratio of the refractive indexes for the two media. The plane of incidence contains the incident ray and...
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Holy Roman Empire
I
INTRODUCTION
Holy Roman Empire, political entity of lands in western and central Europe, founded by Charlemagne in
AD
800 and dissolved by Emperor Francis II in 1806.
acquired the imperial title and an area running from the North Sea through Lotharingia (Lorraine) and Burgundy to northern Italy; Louis II received East Francia (theGerman duchies of Saxony, Swabia, and Bavaria). In 870 Lothair’s middle kingdom was divided by the Treaty of Mersen, which gave Lotharingia to East Francia and therest to West Francia. This division created the foundation for today’s states of Germany and France, respectively; however, in the 9th century these were highly fractured d...
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Holy Roman Empire .
acquired the imperial title and an area running from the North Sea through Lotharingia (Lorraine) and Burgundy to northern Italy; Louis II received East Francia (theGerman duchies of Saxony, Swabia, and Bavaria). In 870 Lothair’s middle kingdom was divided by the Treaty of Mersen, which gave Lotharingia to East Francia and therest to West Francia. This division created the foundation for today’s states of Germany and France, respectively; however, in the 9th century these were highly fractured d...
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German Literature
I
INTRODUCTION
German Literature, literature written in the German language from the 8th century to the present, and including the works of German, Austrian, and Swiss authors.
Till EulenspiegelThe medieval peasant Till Eulenspiegel appears in many German folktales as a trickster who outwits people in positions ofauthority. In this image his first name is spelled Tyll.Keystone Pressedienst GmbH The rise of the middle class in the 14th and 15th centuries and the struggles of the peasants against the nobility culminated in the great 16th-century religiousrevolution known as the Reformation. This movement was reflected in literature, especially by Martin Luther, whose tra...
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Mexico City - geography.
The park houses some of Mexico's most important public buildings, including Chapultepec Castle. Construction of the castle began in 1783. Positioned on the park’shighest elevation, the castle functioned as a fortress during colonial times. It once served as the presidential residence and now houses the National Museum of History,which includes murals by 20th-century Mexican painter Juan O'Gorman. Los Pinos, the official residence and working offices of the president, is also on the grounds, buti...
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Alberta - Geography.
C Climate Except for the mountain areas, summers throughout the province are quite warm. Winters are long and extremely cold. In July, average daily temperatures range fromabout 16°C (about 60°F) along the northern boundary to about 21°C (about 70°F) in the south. In the extreme southeastern section of the province, temperatures of43°C (110°F) have been recorded. In January, average daily temperatures range from about -14°C (about 6°F) at Grande Prairie to about -9°C (about 16°F) atCalgary. Tem...
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Alberta - Canadian History.
C Climate Except for the mountain areas, summers throughout the province are quite warm. Winters are long and extremely cold. In July, average daily temperatures range fromabout 16°C (about 60°F) along the northern boundary to about 21°C (about 70°F) in the south. In the extreme southeastern section of the province, temperatures of43°C (110°F) have been recorded. In January, average daily temperatures range from about -14°C (about 6°F) at Grande Prairie to about -9°C (about 16°F) atCalgary. Tem...
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Animal Migration.
No one understands exactly how migrating animals know when to migrate or how they find their way.Some experts think that the shortening days in fall or the lengthening days in spring may act as a signalto birds and other animals. Such signals indicate that it is time to start their long journey. Once on their way, birds are thought to navigate by the Sun and stars. Research shows that birds alsomay be sensitive to Earth’s magnetic field—the space around Earth where a magnetic force is felt. Fish...
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Space Telescope - astronomy.
of its normal companion star and heating it to millions of degrees. See also X-Ray Astronomy; Chandra X-Ray Observatory. D2 Gamma-Ray Space Observatories Studying gamma rays offers scientists answers to some of the most perplexing questions about the explosive and dynamic physical processes in the universe. Gamma-ray observation also provides clues about the structure and dynamics of the Milky Way and other galaxies; the nature of pulsars, quasars, black holes, and neutronstars; and the orig...
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Aksum - history.
IV RELIGION Little is known about Aksumite religion before the conversion of King Ezana to Christianity. The names of some of the gods who were worshipped have survived. The chiefgod was Astar, associated with the Greek god Zeus. Mahrem was a war god, like the Greek god Ares, and a patron of the royal family. It is not known how the gods wereworshipped, though the remains of a number of religious buildings still exist. The largest such structure still standing is in Yeha. In these buildings, ar...
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Sheep - biology.
fine-wool or crossbred ewes, they are bred to rams of the Down breeds for the production of lambs for meat. The bands may be moved from place to place to takeadvantage of cheap feeds and natural forage. Similar operations are used on lands with developed pastures. If abundant forage is available, the lambs may bemarketed directly after weaning. If the lambs have not reached marketable condition, they may be moved to feedlots and given additional food before they are sold. Some breeders specializ...
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Quiet Revolution - Canadian History.
in social policy, that the federal government currently administered. Since the provincial government would be administering these programs, it argued that it wouldrequire a much larger share of the taxes paid by Québec residents. During the period of the Quiet Revolution, especially after Lester Pearson became prime minister in 1963, the federal government met some of the Québec demands.The federal government allowed Québec to take over its programs of youth allowances and university loans, and...
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Multiple Sclerosis.
slow the progress of the disease. It has become increasingly clear that early treatment is crucial to prevent or delay further damage to the nervous system. There are also treatments for specific symptoms, including corticosteroids (often taken intravenously), that can shorten the duration of an MS attack. Several drugs canrelieve spasticity, fatigue, and bladder problems. People with MS often find that nondrug treatments, such as regular exercise and adequate rest, can help them tomaintain more...
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Pyramids (Egypt) - history.
out, to the king’s burial chamber, which ideally was located directly underneath the pyramid’s center point. Sometimes, in addition to the burial chamber, there werestorage chambers within the pyramid. These chambers held objects used in burial rituals as well as items for the deceased to use in the afterlife. Some of these items werevaluable, and in later years people robbed many of the pyramids and stole the objects. Pyramid of Khafre at GizaThe pyramids at Giza in Egypt are among the best-kno...
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Excerpt from All's Well That Ends Well - anthology.
SECOND LORD. Do not say so. COUNTESS. Think upon patience. Pray you, gentlemenI have felt so many quirks of joy and griefThat the first face of neither on the start soCan woman meun to't. Where is my son, I pray you! SECOND LORD. Madam, he's gone to serve the Duke of Florence.We met him thitherward, for thence we came,And, after some dispatch in hand at court,Thither we bend again. HELENA. Look on his letter, madam: here's my passport.(She reads the letter aloud)“When thou canst get the ring upo...
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Helium - chemistry.
the bends. This synthetic atmosphere is also used in medicine to relieve sufferers of respiratory difficulties because helium moves more easily than nitrogen throughconstricted respiratory passages. In surgery, beams of ionized helium from synchrocyclotron sources are proving useful in treating eye tumors, by stabilizing or evenshrinking the tumors. Such beams are also used to shrink blood-vessel malformations in the brains of patients. Helium is used in inert-gas arc welding for light metals, s...
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From Roe v.
A. The appellee and certain amici argue that the fetus is a 'person' within the language and meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment. In support of this, they outline atlength and in detail the well known facts of fetal development. If this suggestion of personhood is established, the appellant's case, of course, collapses, for the fetus'right to life would then be guaranteed specifically by the Amendment. The appellant conceded as much on reargument. On the other hand, the appellee conceded onrearg...