Why are venomous organisms like snakes unaffected by their own venom?

Usually venoms act by binding to the receptors present on the surface of the muscle cells on the victim thereby blocking the communication between the nerve cells and muscle cells in the victim.

When the toxin is already bound to the receptor, the natural neurotransmitter acetylcholine can no longer bind to the receptor as there were no free receptors left available by the toxins present in the venom. This blockage cause paralysis in the victim and in the worst case leads to death based on the nature of the venom. The receptors present on the mice and the humans are different from that of the venomous creatures like snakes. This difference prevents the venomous creatures’ venom binding to its receptors.

In snakes, sugar molecules cover the amino acid residues of the receptors thus protecting the binding of its own venom. However, the amino acid residues on the receptors are the same in the all the organisms only the clouding of the residues by sugar molecules make the venomous organisms resistant to their own venom.

Researchers have found that only two groups of animals, snakes and mongooses have sugar molecules on their receptors. The different types of venom attack different tissues in different ways, so a species of snake can ever become completely immune to the venoms of every other species of venomous snakes found in nature. Snakes are immune to the venom that most species of their own species. For example, in an attempt to stimulate or resist copulation, snake species bite one another during sexual combat. Snakes engage in sexual combat display immunity to the venom of their own species which is a must for their survival.

Other mechanisms that are protective for the snakes are as follows: Venom glands of the snakes make venom and specialized cells lining the venom gland protect the venom getting into their blood stream. As long as the venom does not get into the blood stream, it is safe for the animal.

How to Kiss - ten tips

There are kisses for just about every emotion and occasion — the greeting kiss on the cheek, the maternal kiss on the forehead, an affectionate kiss on the lips, the kiss of death — but on those certain occasions when you want to communicate passion and maybe lust, not just any kiss will do. You need a fiercely passionate kiss. If done incorrectly, these kisses can turn out being gross or sloppy, but when performed with skill and feeling, there is no greater expression of love.

1.Make sure your breath is minty fresh and clean. Naturally you practice good oral hygiene, but if you have any doubts about your breath, take a breath mint shortly before the kiss. Make sure to finish the mint or gum before you lock lips.

• Be careful, as some mints may leave a bad aftertaste and make your breath worse. Water is the best bet! Leaves you no aftertaste, and freshens your mouth and does not leave you thirsty.

2.Approach the kiss with confidence. Try to kiss their cheek so they turn their head your way. Once you've chosen the right moment to kiss someone, there's no turning back, especially if it's your first time kissing that particular person. Be decisive and confident. If the person doesn't want the kiss, he or she will let you know, but until then, act as though you're a pro.

3.Lean in and tilt your head slightly. Leaning in signals that you want to kiss the person, and tilting your head prevents crushing your nose against the other person's.

4.Don't try to thrust your tongue in your partner's mouth right away. Simply press your lips against theirs. Close your eyes as you do so to heighten the intimacy and to avoid looking at the pores on your partner's nose. Imagine your eyes are being controlled by a dimmer switch.

5.Open your lips slightly. Once the kiss is accepted, try opening your lips slightly. If the other person follows suit, try slightly varying the openness of your lips (both more and less open) throughout the kiss. You may wish to explore the person's lips and tongue a bit with the tip of your tongue. There are no rules; just try to make your motions smooth

6.Consider the French Kiss. As the kiss progresses, you may want to try French kissing, in which you insert your tongue lightly into your partner's mouth and let it dance with your partner's tongue.

7.Try some necking. If things are going well, consider spicing it up a bit by moving your head down to kiss and lightly nibble your partner's neck

8.Keep your arms busy. You seldom, maybe never, see a great kiss in which the participants just let their arms dangle at their sides. At the very least, embrace your partner and gently pull him or her to you.

• You can also run your hands through your partner's hair; or caress his or her back, sides, or other parts of the body. Wrapping your arms around your partner can also be a big turn-on!
• Where you put your hands should be determined by the status of your relationship, your desires, and your partner's signals, whether spoken or communicated non-verbally.

9.Try a ten-second kiss. Some find that a kiss of at least ten seconds in duration will passionately bond two people more than a shorter kiss. Just hold the kiss for longer, regulating your breathing and keeping your eyes closed.

10.try kissing in a comfortable position and romantic area. This will make the kiss last longer and even might start a French kiss which is a tongue to tongue kiss.

What is a cookie?

Cookies are usually small text files, given ID tags that are stored on your computer's browser directory or program data subfolders. Cookies are created when you use your browser to visit a website that uses cookies to keep track of your movements within the site, help you resume where you left off, remember your registered login, theme selection, preferences, and other customization functions.The website stores a corresponding file(with same ID tag)to the one they set in your browser and in this file they can track and keep information on your movements within the site and any information you may have voluntarily given while visiting the website, such as email address.

Cookies are often indispensable for websites that have huge databases, need logins, have customizable themes, other advanced features.

Cookies usually don't contain much information except for the url of the website that created the cookie, the duration of the cookie's abilities and effects, and a random number. Due to the little amount of information a cookie contains, it usually cannot be used to reveal your identity or personally identifying information.However, marketing is becoming increasingly sophisticated and cookies in some cases can be agressively used to create a profile of your surfing habits.

There are two types of cookies: session cookies and persistent cookies. Session cookies are created temporarily in your browser's subfolder while you are visiting a website. Once you leave the site, the session cookie is deleted. On the other hand, persistent cookie files remain in your browser's subfolder and are activated again once you visit the website that created that particular cookie. A persistent cookie remains in the browser's subfolder for the duration period set within the cookie's file.

A cookie is a small file of letters and numbers downloaded on to your computer when you access certain websites. Like virtual door keys, cookies unlock a computer's memory and allow a website to recognise users when they return to a site by opening doors to different content or services. Like a key, a cookie itself does not contain information, but when it is read by a browser it can help a website improve the service delivered.

Cookie files are automatically lodged into the cookie file - the memory of your browser - and each one typically contains:

• The name of the server the cookie was sent from
• The lifetime of the cookie
• A value - usually a randomly generated unique number

The website server which sent the cookie uses this number to recognise you when you return to a site or browse from page to page. Only the server that sent a cookie can read, and therefore use, that cookie.

A cookie is a text-only string of information that a website transfers to the cookie file of the browser on the hard disk of computers so that the website can remember who you are.

A cookie will typically contain the name of the domain from which the cookie has come, the "lifetime" of the cookie, and a value, usually a randomly generated unique number. Two common types of cookies are used on most websites-session cookies, which are temporary cookies that remain in the cookie file of your browser until you leave the site, and persistent cookies, which remain in the cookie file of your browser for much longer (though how long will depend on the lifetime of the specific cookie).

How The World Uses Gold

The global gold supply reached 4,477 tonnes in 2012, with the gross value added (GVA) of the entire market estimated to be in excess of $210 billion, according to a new report from PwC.

But who actually holds the shiny yellow metal?

Take a look at this chart from the report showing global gold demand in 2012. Central bank purchases accounted for 12% of demand, while individuals' coin and bar purchases accounted for 29%. Jewellery had the largest share, at 43% last year.

The United States of America holds more gold than any other country in the world.

Gold holdings: 8,133.5 tonnes

Percentage of total foreign reserves: 75.1%

10 Tragic Movie Set Disasters

http://in.screen.yahoo.com/10-tragic-movie-set-disasters-180006012.html



In movies with explosions, chases and gun battles it isn't surprising that accidents have happened, watch on for 10 Tragic Movie Set Disasters. Music = Backward Reality by Igor Dvorkin and Ellie Kidd

Hidden Health Secrets of Lemons

Did you know the Ancient Egyptians believed that eating lemons and drinking lemon juice was an effective protection against a variety of poisons, and that recent research has confirmed this belief?
There are many health benefits of lemons that have been known for centuries. The two biggest are lemons’ strong antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-boosting powers and their use as a weight loss aid because lemon juice is a digestive aid and liver cleanser. Lemons contain many substances--notably citric acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, pectin, and limonene--that promote immunity and fight infection.
These are well-known health facts about lemons. But there’s so much more to this little yellow fruit. Here are 15 that I’ll bet you didn’t know. Whether you use them in the form of juice, teas, drinks, dressing, poultices or in the bath, take advantage of lemons’ natural healing power.
- See more at: http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Physical-Health/Hidden-Health-Secrets-of-Lemons.aspx#sthash.oYwMSgnr.dpufDid you know the Ancient Egyptians believed that eating lemons and drinking lemon juice was an effective protection against a variety of poisons, and that recent research has confirmed this belief?Did you know the Ancient Egyptians believed that eating lemons and drinking lemon juice was an effective protection against a variety of poisons, and that recent research has confirmed this belief?Did you know the Ancient Egyptians believed that eating lemons and drinking lemon juice was an effective protection against a variety of poisons, and that recent research has confirmed this belief?Did you know the Ancient Egyptians believed that eating lemons and drinking lemon juice was an effective protection against a variety of poisons, and that recent research has confirmed this belief?Did you know the Ancient Egyptians believed that eating lemons and drinking lemon juice was an effective protection against a variety of poisons, and that recent research has confirmed this belief?Lemon contains citric acid, which can be effective in treating acne. The vitamin C found in citrus fruits is vital for that healthy glowing skin while its alkaline nature kills some types of bacteria known to cause acne. In addition to drinking lemon juice with water first thing in the morning, here are some suggestions on how to prepare a homemade acne treatment using lemon:

·Did you know the Ancient Egyptians believed that eating lemons and drinking lemon juice was an effective protection against a variety of poisons, and that recent research has confirmed this belief?
There are many health benefits of lemons that have been known for centuries. The two biggest are lemons’ strong antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-boosting powers and their use as a weight loss aid because lemon juice is a digestive aid and liver cleanser. Lemons contain many substances--notably citric acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, pectin, and limonene--that promote immunity and fight infection.
These are well-known health facts about lemons. But there’s so much more to this little yellow fruit. Here are 15 that I’ll bet you didn’t know. Whether you use them in the form of juice, teas, drinks, dressing, poultices or in the bath, take advantage of lemons’ natural healing power.
Lemon contains citric acid, which can be effective in treating acne. The vitamin C found in citrus fruits is vital for that healthy glowing skin while its alkaline nature kills some types of bacteria known to cause acne. In addition to drinking lemon juice with water first thing in the morning, here are some suggestions on how to prepare a homemade acne treatment using lemon:
 With your finger or a cotton ball, apply fresh lemon juice on acne and leave it overnight. Wash with water the following morning. There may be an uncomfortable sensation of burning at first, but it will soon disappear.
· Mix one part of freshly squeezed lemon juice with an equal part of rose or honey water. Put the mixture on affected areas for at least half an hour. Wash it afterwards with water. This application should be repeated twice daily, ideally in the morning and the evening.
Note: these remedies are safe and natural, but if acne is severe or there are open wounds, consult your doctor first.
Research has shown that lemon balm has a calming effect and therefore may be able to help remove fatigue, exhaustion, dizziness, anxiety, nervousness, and tension. It is also believed that inhaling lemon oil helps in increasing concentration and alertness. It can therefore be used as a room freshener in offices to increase the efficiency of the employees. If you’re feeling tense sprinkle a few drops of lemon balm essential oil

The proven antibacterial and antiviral properties of lemons can accelerate the healing process in the case of cankers. Mix the juice of freshly squeezed lemon into a glass of lukewarm water and rinse your mouth with this solution; do this three times a day. There may be a burning sensation when the lemon juice comes into contact with the canker, however, the more frequently you use it, the less burning there will be.

Chills and fevers may be due to a variety of causes, but the lemon is always a helpful remedy. Here is a method that can ease symptoms: add the juice of 1 lemon to a cup of hot water with honey and drink at once, then every 2 hours until the fever or chill subsides
When you have a cold, the healing power of lemons works both internally, by supplying urgently required vitamin C to your defense cells, and externally, through the application of its antiviral properties to the virus on the mucous membranes in the nose and throat.
At the first indication of a cold – a runny nose or sore throat –try to give your body as much immune-boosting vitamin C as you can so that the virus is eliminated before it gets a chance to take hold. Drink the freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon in a glass of lukewarm water every 2 hours.

If you have a sore throat, add the juice of 1 lemon and 1 teaspoon (5ml) of sea salt to 1 cup (250ml) lukewarm water. Gargle three times a day for 1 minute to diminish the burning sensation. If it’s a case of tonsillitis, gargle every 2 hours for at least 30 seconds with the freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon. Tilt the head back to allow the antibacterial and antiviral properties of the juice to flow into the back of the throat. You can swallow the juice when you have finished gargling thereby benefiting from an immune-boosting vitamin C shot
Lemon poultices applied overnight are a good home remedy for corns and calluses. Place a slice of lemon approx 5 mm thick on to the corn, bandage and fasten. Dabbing the affected area with lemon essential oil also helps accelerate the healing process. Take care to only use the undiluted oil on the callused area using a cotton ball or Q- tip, as it is too strong for un-callused skin
If you suffer from skin infection such as eczema, a lemon wrap may offer relief. Add 8 drops of lemon essential oil to 1 cup (250ml) lukewarm water and 1 tablespoon (15ml) of liquid honey. Honey also has anti-inflammatory effect and strengthens the healing power of lemon.

Soak a linen cloth in the liquid, squeeze out the excess, and gently place the cloth on the affected area for 15 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day. Not only will this ease the infection, it will counter the overwhelming urge to scratch
Long distance walkers, world travelers, and explorers look upon the lemon as a Godsend. When fatigue sets in, they might suck lemon juice by piercing the top of the fruit with a straw, giving themselves a quick-acting medicine and a lovely refreshment.
Explorers also use lemon for protection against many infections of the tropics. A small amount of lemon juice will quench thirst more effectively than many times the amount of water. Experienced travelers declare that when they add lemon juice to ordinary drinking water, in various localities, it acts as an antiseptic and prevents illness due to allergy to different water supplies.

Lemon oil also seems to be able to stimulate brain activity so whenever you feel tired for no reason or are finding it hard to focus or concentrate, add 4 drops of lemon oil to a water-filled aromatherapy lamp. Alternatively, drink a glass of lemon water every few hours.

Lemons can help freshen breath that has gone sour after consuming certain spices, alcohol, cigarettes, or that is caused by insufficient salivation. To keep breath fresh, thoroughly rinse your mouth several times a day with the freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon in a glass of lukewarm water. Chewing on a lemon slice after every meal will also hel

There are many health benefits of lemons that have been known for centuries. The two biggest are lemons’ strong antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-boosting powers and their use as a weight loss aid because lemon juice is a digestive aid and liver cleanser. Lemons contain many substances--notably citric acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, pectin, and limonene--that promote immunity and fight infection.
These are well-known health facts about lemons. But there’s so much more to this little yellow fruit. Here are 15 that I’ll bet you didn’t know. Whether you use them in the form of juice, teas, drinks, dressing, poultices or in the bath, take advantage of lemons’ natural healing power.
- See more at: http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Physical-Health/Hidden-Health-Secrets-of-Lemons.aspx#sthash.oYwMSgnr.dpuf

There are many health benefits of lemons that have been known for centuries. The two biggest are lemons’ strong antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-boosting powers and their use as a weight loss aid because lemon juice is a digestive aid and liver cleanser. Lemons contain many substances--notably citric acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, pectin, and limonene--that promote immunity and fight infection.
These are well-known health facts about lemons. But there’s so much more to this little yellow fruit. Here are 15 that I’ll bet you didn’t know. Whether you use them in the form of juice, teas, drinks, dressing, poultices or in the bath, take advantage of lemons’ natural healing power.
- See more at: http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Physical-Health/Hidden-Health-Secrets-of-Lemons.aspx#sthash.oYwMSgnr.dpufDid you know the Ancient Egyptians believed that eating lemons and drinking lemon juice was an effective protection against a variety of poisons, and that recent research has confirmed this belief?

There are many health benefits of lemons that have been known for centuries. The two biggest are lemons’ strong antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-boosting powers and their use as a weight loss aid because lemon juice is a digestive aid and liver cleanser. Lemons contain many substances--notably citric acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, pectin, and limonene--that promote immunity and fight infection.
These are well-known health facts about lemons. But there’s so much more to this little yellow fruit. Here are 15 that I’ll bet you didn’t know. Whether you use them in the form of juice, teas, drinks, dressing, poultices or in the bath, take advantage of lemons’ natural healing power.
- See more at: http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Physical-Health/Hidden-Health-Secrets-of-Lemons.aspx#sthash.oYwMSgnr.dpufDid you know the Ancient Egyptians believed that eating lemons and drinking lemon juice was an effective protection against a variety of poisons, and that recent research has confirmed this belief?

There are many health benefits of lemons that have been known for centuries. The two biggest are lemons’ strong antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-boosting powers and their use as a weight loss aid because lemon juice is a digestive aid and liver cleanser. Lemons contain many substances--notably citric acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, pectin, and limonene--that promote immunity and fight infection.
These are well-known health facts about lemons. But there’s so much more to this little yellow fruit. Here are 15 that I’ll bet you didn’t know. Whether you use them in the form of juice, teas, drinks, dressing, poultices or in the bath, take advantage of lemons’ natural healing power.
- See more at: http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Physical-Health/Hidden-Health-Secrets-of-Lemons.aspx#sthash.oYwMSgnr.dpuf

There are many health benefits of lemons that have been known for centuries. The two biggest are lemons’ strong antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-boosting powers and their use as a weight loss aid because lemon juice is a digestive aid and liver cleanser. Lemons contain many substances--notably citric acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, pectin, and limonene--that promote immunity and fight infection.
These are well-known health facts about lemons. But there’s so much more to this little yellow fruit. Here are 15 that I’ll bet you didn’t know. Whether you use them in the form of juice, teas, drinks, dressing, poultices or in the bath, take advantage of lemons’ natural healing power.
- See more at: http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Physical-Health/Hidden-Health-Secrets-of-Lemons.aspx#sthash.oYwMSgnr.dpuf

There are many health benefits of lemons that have been known for centuries. The two biggest are lemons’ strong antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-boosting powers and their use as a weight loss aid because lemon juice is a digestive aid and liver cleanser. Lemons contain many substances--notably citric acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, pectin, and limonene--that promote immunity and fight infection.
These are well-known health facts about lemons. But there’s so much more to this little yellow fruit. Here are 15 that I’ll bet you didn’t know. Whether you use them in the form of juice, teas, drinks, dressing, poultices or in the bath, take advantage of lemons’ natural healing power.
- See more at: http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Physical-Health/Hidden-Health-Secrets-of-Lemons.aspx#sthash.oYwMSgnr.dpuf

There are many health benefits of lemons that have been known for centuries. The two biggest are lemons’ strong antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-boosting powers and their use as a weight loss aid because lemon juice is a digestive aid and liver cleanser. Lemons contain many substances--notably citric acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, pectin, and limonene--that promote immunity and fight infection.
These are well-known health facts about lemons. But there’s so much more to this little yellow fruit. Here are 15 that I’ll bet you didn’t know. Whether you use them in the form of juice, teas, drinks, dressing, poultices or in the bath, take advantage of lemons’ natural healing power.
- See more at: http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Physical-Health/Hidden-Health-Secrets-of-Lemons.aspx#sthash.oYwMSgnr.dpuf

Intelligent Transportation Systems Benefits, Costs, Deployment, and Lessons Learned:

Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) provide a proven set of strategies for addressing
the challenges of assuring safety and reducing congestion, while accommodating the
growth in transit ridership and freight movement. ITS improve transportation safety and
mobility, and enhance productivity through the use of advanced communications, sensors,
and information processing technologies encompassing a broad range of wireless and
wireline communications-based information and electronics. When integrated into the
transportation system’s infrastructure, and into vehicles themselves, these technologies
relieve congestion, improve safety, and enhance American productivity.
This report presents information on the performance of deployed ITS, as well as information
on the costs, deployment levels, and lessons learned regarding ITS deployment and
operations. The report, and the collection of four Web-based resources upon which it is
based, have been developed by the U.S. DOT’s ITS Joint Program Office (JPO) to support
informed decision making regarding ITS deployment.
To support the deployment of ITS and to address the challenges facing the U.S. transportation
system, the JPO has developed a suite of knowledge resources. This collection
of Web-based resources provides ready access to information supporting informed
decision making regarding deployment and operation of ITS to improve transportation
system performance. Information presented in these online knowledge resources is
the basis for this document. The four knowledge resources are the ITS Benefits Database
(www.itsbenefits.its.dot.gov), ITS Costs Database (www.itscosts.its.dot.gov), ITS Deployment
Statistics Database (www.itsdeployment.its.dot.gov), and the ITS Lessons Learned Knowledge
Resource (www.itslessons.its.dot.gov).
This report discusses 17 different areas of ITS application. These chapters are divided into
two sections discussing technologies deployed on the transportation infrastructure and
those deployed within vehicles. The 14 different infrastructure applications discussed can
be grouped into ITS strategies applied to roadways, transit, management and operations
of transportation systems, and freight movement. Lessons learned during ITS planning,
implementation, and deployment, highlighted throughout the report, are discussed in a
chapter following the review of ITS applications and summarized at the conclusion of this
executive summary.

Intelligent Infrastructure
Roadways
Roadway applications of ITS include strategies applied to arterial roadways, freeways,
crash prevention and safety, road weather management, and roadway operations and
maintenance.
Arterial Management
Studies demonstrate the ability of traffic control ITS applications to enhance mobility,
increase efficiency of the transportation systems, and reduce the impact of automobile
travel on energy consumption and air quality. The ability of both adaptive signal control
and coordinated signal timing to smooth traffic can lead to corresponding safety improvements
through reduced rear-end crashes. Optimizing signal timing is considered a lowcost
approach to reducing congestion. Based on data from six separate studies, the costs
range from $2,500 to $3,100 per signal per update.1 Based on a series of surveys of arterial
management agencies in 78 of the largest U.S. metropolitan areas, half of traffic signals in
these metropolitan areas were under centralized control through closed-loop or computer
control in 2006.
Freeway Management
There are numerous ITS strategies to improve freeway operations. Metropolitan areas that
deploy ITS infrastructure including dynamic message signs (DMS) to manage freeway and
arterial traffic, and integrate traveler information with incident management systems can
increase peak period freeway speeds by 8 to 13 percent,2 improve travel time, and according
to simulation studies, reduce crash rates and improve trip time reliability with delay
reductions ranging from 1 to 22 percent.3 In Minneapolis-St. Paul, the benefit-to-cost ratio
for a ramp metering system was estimated at 15:1.4
The Florida DOT (FDOT) deployed 31 DMS in Broward County including associated structures,
foundations, controllers, cabinets, and installation, plus approximately 37 miles of
in-ground fiber optic communications at a cost of $11 million. Annual operating costs were
estimated at $22,320 and annual maintenance costs were estimated at $620,000. FDOT
coordinates with other agencies to verify incident and congestion locations and then posts
traveler information on the DMS along effected routes.5
Ramp meters now manage access to 13 percent of freeway miles in the country’s 78 largest
metropolitan areas, up from 9 percent in 2000. As of 2006, surveillance—consisting of
loop detectors, radar detectors and acoustic detectors—is used to collect data on traffic
conditions on 45 percent of freeway miles in the country’s 78 largest metropolitan areas,
up from 22 percent in 2000.
Crash Prevention and Safety
Road geometry warning systems can improve safety on highway ramps or curves that experience
a high incidence of truck rollovers. Downhill speed warning systems have decreased
truck crashes by up to 13 percent at problem sites in Oregon and Colorado.6 As part of an
evaluation of automated truck rollover warning systems, the Pennsylvania DOT researched
systems in other states. The cost of these systems varied significantly, ranging from $50,000
to $500,000, as did their configurations: invasive and non-invasive detection, weight-based
versus simplified speed class algorithms, and system calibrations for warnings.7 The three
most widely adopted systems are curve and ramp speed, rail crossing warning systems,and pedestrian safety systems. Next in popularity, and adopted by about half as many
states, are downhill warning systems, intersection collision avoidance systems, and animal
warning systems
     Road Weather Management
High-quality road weather information can benefit travelers, commercial vehicle operators,
emergency responders, and agencies who construct, operate, and maintain roadways.
Evaluation data show that 80 to 94 percent of motorists who use traveler information Web
sites think road weather information enhances their safety and prepares them for adverse
road weather.8 Studies have found that anti-icing programs can lower snow and ice control
costs by 10 to 50 percent and reduce crash rates by 7 to 83 percent.9 Nine respondents to a
fixed automated spray technology (FAST) survey indicated that cost of installations varied
greatly, $22,000 to $4 million, depending on coverage area, site location, accessibility of
existing utilities, system functionality and features, and market factors. Operations and
maintenance (O&M) costs of FAST systems are relatively low compared to the installation
costs.10 State DOTs disseminate weather warnings to public traveler information agencies
in 26 states, traffic management agencies in 22 states, and incident management agencies
in 21 states.
Roadway Operations and Maintenance
ITS technologies deployed for roadway operations and maintenance activities can have
system-wide impacts. Network simulation models estimate that smart work zones can
reduce total delay by 41 to 75 percent.11 In addition to improving mobility, work zone ITS can
improve safety. Evaluation data show that areas equipped with speed monitoring displays
can decrease vehicle speeds by 4 to 6 mi/h,12 and reduce the number of speeding vehicles
by 25 to 78 percent.13 Work zone ITS deployment costs ranged from $100,000 to $2.5 million
with the majority of systems ranging from $150,000 to $500,000.14
Transit
Several applications of ITS for transit management have been deployed.
Transit Management
Fleet management applications, including automatic vehicle location (AVL) and computeraided
dispatch (CAD) systems, can improve both the experience of transit riders and
the efficiency of transit operations by enabling more efficient planning, scheduling, and
management of transit assets and resources. Transit agencies have reported reductions
in fleet requirements ranging from two to five percent as a result of improved fleet utilization.
15 Data from transit systems in Portland, Oregon; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Baltimore,
Maryland show that AVL/CAD systems have improved schedule adherence by 9 to
23 percent.16
Mobile data terminals (MDTs) are an important component of transit fleet management
systems. MDTs are multifunctional on-board devices that support two-way communication
between the vehicle and the control center. Capital costs for MDTs typically range
between $1,000 and $4,000 per unit with installation costs frequently between $500 and
$1,000.17
The use of AVL on fixed-route buses has expanded rapidly during this period, growing from
32 percent in 2000 to almost 60 percent in 2006............................................................................

In Finland, a road weather information system with variable speed limit signs

In Finland, a road weather information system with variable speed limit signs was projected to yield a benefit-to-cost ratio ranging from 0.6:1 to 1.6:1 depending on the influence of the system on vehicle speeds and crash rate.

The Finnish E18 Weather Test Area is an experimental road section along the southern coast of Finland between the towns of Kotka and Hamina. The 8.7 mile (14 km) test area is equipped with a road weather information system (RWIS) consisting of 36 variable speed limit signs, five variable message signs (VMS) displaying graphical and textual information, and two environmental sensor stations (ESS). Each ESS measures wind speed and direction, air temperature, pavement and sub-surface temperature, humidity, precipitation rate and accumulation, and pavement condition. The western ESS nearest the sea also measures precipitation type and visibility. Kotka Maintenance Station personnel have primary control responsibility for the system. The Road Monitoring Center at Kouvola monitors the roadway as well. Variable signs are automatically controlled by the RWIS or manually controlled by operations personnel. Manual control is used if the variable signs automatically display information that does not correspond to actual conditions. Variable speed limit signs are divided into 12 separately controlled groups, with signs in a single group displaying the same speed limit. A 15-minute time lag is utilized so that speed limits do not change over short time intervals. The western and eastern parts of the roadway are also controlled separately. 

• The divided roadway section typically has speed limits of 75 mi/h (120 km/h) in the summer. In the winter, recommended speed limits vary between 50 mi/h (80 km/h) and 62 mi/h (100 km/h) based on road and weather condition data collected from the ESS. Recommended speed limits are based on pavement condition, precipitation, visibility and wind. Heavy precipitation and wet pavement conditions reduce the speed limit from 62 mi/h (100 km/h) to 50 mi/h (80 km/h). Visibility below 920 feet (280 meters) reduces the speed limit to 62 mi/h (100 km/h). Visibility below 590 feet (180 meters) further reduces the speed limit to 50 mi/h (80 km/h). When wind velocities exceed 27 mi/h (12 m/s) and 38 mi/h (17 m/s), the speed limit is dropped to 62 mi/h (100 km/h) and 50 mi/h (80 km/h), respectively. When speed limits are reduced, VMS display the reason for the reduced speeds. Three symbols indicating “slippery road surface,” “hazardous conditions ahead,” or “road construction ahead” may also be displayed on VMS. If speed limits are not reduced, VMS display only air and pavement temperatures.

• The Finnish National Road Administration (FinnRA) evaluated the profitability and effectiveness of the road weather information system based on estimates of socio-economic impacts and 300 driver surveys. The socio-economic factors are costs due to accident, time, vehicle, emissions (i.e., exhaust fumes), noise, and pavement surface. The costs were estimated before and after installation of the RWIS to determine the differences, which represent the socio-economic impacts of the system. Accident rate and average speed were estimated in both summer and winter, and at three speed limits: 75 mi/h (120 km/h), 62 mi/h (100 km/h), and 50 mi/h (80 km/h). The unit value of time was estimated for both light and heavy vehicles. Unit values of fixed and variable vehicle costs were specified for basic conditions. Basic vehicle costs were then estimated based on average speed and comparative fuel consumption. The unit value of emission costs due to nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and particles was calculated. The effect of noise costs was determined based on the change in average speed. Annual asphalt pavement surfacing costs were calculated based on percent change in wearing speed.

Vehicle Speed Governor

Vehicle Speed Governor (General Overview)

Vehicle Speed Governor is a feature designed to regulate the maximum vehicle speed as controlled by the
accelerator pedal.Programmable parameters within the engine control module (ECM) provide vehicle speed governor relatedoptions that can be adjusted to suit the customer’s needs. A parameter is used to set the maximum accelerator controlled vehicle speed.
Additional programming flexibility is included to allow a trade off to be made between performance and fuel
economy.

Operation
This feature limits the maximum vehicle speed. If your engine reaches a certain speed and feels like it
should have more power to travel faster, you are probably traveling at the governed maximum speed limit.
Verify the “Accelerator Vehicle Speed Limit” (7902) parameter setting.
The driver controls for this feature work through the accelerator pedal only. There are no other operator
interactions involved, such as switches or indicators.

The following interlocks must be satisfied for vehicle speed governor to be active:
 As long as the “Vehicle Speed Governor Enable” (7900) parameter is “enabled” and there are no
active vehicle speed sensor (VSS) faults, then the feature will be active.
NOTE: If the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) is faulted, the engine speed will be limited to the
programmable “Engine Speed Limit with VSS Fault” (7901) parameter setting  Cruise Control and Accelerator Pedals – Fuel economy improvements can be realized by
encouraging the driver to use cruise by setting the “Maximum Cruise Control Speed” (7604)
parameter higher than the “Accelerator Vehicle Speed Limit” (7902) setting used by the “Vehicle
Speed Governor” feature. High fuel economy drivers can be rewarded by setting (7902) higher
than (7604) to allow passing opportunities when the accelerator pedal is required.

Engine Speed Limit with VSSFault (7901)

This parameter sets the maximum engine speed allowed when an active vehicle speed sensor (VSS) fault

exits and PTO engine speed control is not active. This parameter might be useful in preventing the

operator from exceeding the “Accelerator Vehicle Speed Limit” (7902) parameter setting by tampering

with the vehicle speed sensor.

1200 to 2100 rpm

SHEET METAL GAUGE

SHEET METAL          DECIMAL (APPROX.)            SHEET METAL          DECIMAL (APPROX.)
 GAUGE                                   Thickness                   GAUGE                                   Thickness  


3                                                 .2391                                                        
                                                                                                         17                     . 0538
4                                                  .2242                                              18                        .0478
5                                                  .2092                                                  19                   .0418
6                                                   .1943                                                  20               .0359
7                                                  .1793                                                   21                  .0329
8                                                   .1644                                                 22                        .0299
9                                                      .1495                                              23                   .0269
10                                                   .1345                                                24                       .0239
11                                                      .1196                                                 25                    .0209
12                                                   .1046                                                    26                   .0179
13                                                     .0897                                                27                     .0164
14                                                     .0747                                                 28                   .0149
15                                                     .0673                                                   29                  .0135
16                                                       .0598                                             30                  .0120

Historic Japanese erotica reveals Tokyo’s sex secrets

he British Museum is displaying 150 pieces of erotic art from Japan in one of its boldest ever exhibitions.

Known as Shunga, the pictures provide a perspective on sex quite different from European art of the same period.

The exhibition allows viewers to see the most intimate moments of Japan from a time when it was largely closed off from the rest of the world.

Most of the pictures are wood block prints, produced in Tokyo in the 16th, 17th and 18th Centuries and show a range of sex acts, often in explicit detail.

The term "Shunga" literally means "spring pictures"; a euphemism for the erotic art which flourished at a time when the city's population was growing rapidly and contact with the West was not allowed. They are also known as "pillow pictures" or "laughing pictures" and tend to show their subjects enjoying sex.

Most depict partnerships of men and women but there are some gay and lesbian scenes, as well as depictions of groups of people taking part in orgies.

The pictures were sometimes sold in albums of 12 images, showing a range of different sexual situations. By purchasing a collection, buyers would not necessarily have to reveal which pictures they preferred to see.

Because of its explicit nature, the British Museum's exhibition can only be seen by people over the age of 16.

Other galleries have, in the past, regarded some Shunga as obscene and refused to show them. But, in recent years it has come to be accepted as a sophisticated art form, which provides an insight into the sexuality and gender politics of early modern Japan.

Sometimes albums of Shunga images were presented to young women before marriage to give them an idea of what to expect on their wedding night.

But art historian Dr Majella Munro says that, although Shunga had a role in sex education, this was not its main purpose.

'Fine clothes'

To modern eyes, Shunga pictures sometimes resemble caricatures or contemporary manga cartoons from Japan, which can also be highly sexualised.

However, they rarely show completely nude bodies.

Professor Timon Screech from the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) says they need to be seen in context.

"The longstanding idea that the shape of the human body somehow encompasses perfection is drawn from a Greek ideal that was completely absent in all East Asian countries," says Professor Screech.

"It is much more likely that people thought beautiful, fine clothes were more sexually arousing than skin. Skin is what workers exposed in the street or what you saw at the bath house," he says.

"Whereas if you could run your fingers through some amazing piece of cloth - that was exciting. That is why the bodies are often covered in amazing fabrics."

The first Shunga pictures to arrive in Britain were included in the cargo of a ship named the Clove, owned by the East India Company, which returned from a pioneering voyage to Japan in 1614.

It also brought back suits of armour and silk screens decorated with gold - presents from the Japanese Shogun (military commanders).

Some of the goods were sold at auction but the company confiscated the Shunga from the Clove's commander John Saris, considering it scandalous. It was later destroyed.

Professor Screech, who has written a book about Shunga, says the pictures rarely show compulsion or rape.

"The ultimate fetish seems to be that the person who I am doing it with actually wants to do it with me," he says.

In reality, prostitution was widespread in early modern Tokyo, when the city was known as Edo. Young women from poor backgrounds were often sold into the sex trade by their families. Venereal disease and unwanted pregnancies were common.

Art of the time - both erotic images and more mainstream depictions of women working as courtesans - presents a different picture, according to Professor Screech.

"Everyone is beautiful or gets beauty. There are a few stories of some vain person forcing their attentions on a person who rejects them but, for the most part, Shunga is celebratory of what can be termed, somewhat anachronistically, as a kind of free love - which we know was almost certainly not the case at the time," he says.

After the Shunga exhibition finishes at the British Museum it will take to the road and appear in other countries, including Japan

SAIL to produce specialised rails for Indian Railways

Offering a plethora of products for most infrastructure development projects, the Steel Authority of India (SAIL) is India’s largest manufacturer of steel. It was established in 1954 and is a public sector undertaking with a turnover of nearly INR 50 crore (approx. 8 million USD). The fully integrated iron and steel manufacturer’s production was up by 3% in July this year. This Maharatna is India’s second largest maker of iron ore. Bhilai, Salem, Rourkela, Durgapur, Bokaro, and Burnpur house SAIL’s primary integrated steel plants. It has special steel set ups in Bhadravati and Kanpur as well and a ferro-alloy plant in Chandrapur.

Indian Railways and SAIL have a relationship that goes back many years. However SAIL shipped out its first consignment of 'thick web asymmetric rails' from its Bhilai Steel Plant on July 13. These switch rails or point blades help trains move over to another track and will go a long way in helping the Indian Railways cope with the high speeds and increased axle loads. Until now, these switch point rails were being imported since very few local steel manufacturers produce them on a commercial scale. R. K. Sinha, the General Manager of Rail & Structural Mill at the Bhilai Steel Plant said, "We have developed the capability to supply the entire requirement of Indian Railways for such kind of rails."

India is likely to require 10,000 tonnes of these rails. The end-forging plant will be set up at a cost of around INR 45.54 crore (approx. 7.5 million USD). The Railway Design & Standards Organisation has specific standards for production of the switch rails, and it costs about INR 1-1.5 lakh (approx. 1,650 – 2,470 USD) per tonne. With domestic production now established, the average price estimates are expected to come down by 20-30%. The consignment was sent to West Bengal’s (Talmuk) Rail Vikas Nigam Limited. SAIL now provides 130 and 260m long rails to Indian Railways. Currently the Bhilai Steel Plants supplies single piece rail that is 65m long which is then welded to make long rails. But for safety and cost effectiveness, the plant has decided to make rails that are longer with fewer joints. "The new universal rail mill will produce world's longest single piece rail of 135 meter as rolled length and 130 meters finished length. The mill will also be world's largest in terms of its rated capacity of 1.2 million tonne per annum,” a spokesperson for the Bhilai Steel Plant was quoted as saying to the Business Standard.

SAIL is India’s now produces high quality rail track as well as wagons and other parts such as wheels, tracks and axles. SAIL wants to establish an independent passenger coach making plant with an investment of INR 1,000 crore (approx. 164 million USD). The Kulti wagon plant in West Bengal is expected to produce 1,500 coaches by the end of next year. "We are in talks with the Railways for passenger coaches. We have different locations in mind but are yet to finalise. The detailed project report is getting readied," SAIL Chairman C. S. Verma told the Press Trust of India.

details about first American killed by a car

It was the evening of September 13, 1899, when 69-year-old Henry H Bliss stepped from a trolley car along New York’s Central Park, was hit by a taxi cab and died the next morning from injuries. He was gentlemanly helping a lady friend off the trolley when he was run down.

“Fatally hurt by automobile”, The New York Times story read, seizing on gruesome details such as “crushed” skull and chest, and gossipy ones such as the fact that the taxi’s passenger was David Edson, the son of a former mayor. Edson also happened to be a doctor, returning from a sick call, and performed triage to Bliss on the scene. The driver was arrested and jailed but later acquitted.

The story makes the history books because Bliss was the first fatal car accident victim, pedestrian or otherwise, in North America. (A woman died 30 years and two weeks earlier in Ireland when she was thrown from a steam-powered conveyance built by her cousins.)  But the most surprising detail, in hindsight, was not even noteworthy enough to make the newspaper account: the car was electric.

No, Henry Bliss wasn't killed by a time-travelling, retro-fitted DeLorean. In the late 1800s, electric-powered cars were among the highest performing, and most popular, vehicles on the road. In 1900, there were more electric cars in New York City than gasoline-powered ones, and for good reason. They were less smelly and quieter than their fuel-burning counterparts, didn't require a hand-crank start and they eliminated the hardest part of early driving: shifting gears. The fleet of taxis that ultimately were the death of Bliss were built by the Electric Vehicle Company, an enterprise that was eventually done in by the difficulty of maintaining infrastructure for charging the batteries – talk about back to the future.

But the most surprising detail was not even noteworthy enough to make the newspaper: the car was electric. 

For years the Electric Vehicle Company cleverly swapped out old batteries for fresh ones at the end of a taxi’s shift, but as the fleet grew, it became harder to maintain and organise the battery facilities. Mainly because the company failed to properly scale its success, it went bankrupt in 1907, a 100-plus year setback for electric passenger vehicles. A different cautionary tale.

At the corner of 74th Street and Central Park West, inside an area once known to trolley drivers as the “Dangerous Stretch” for the many non-fatal accidents that had occurred there in the summer months before Bliss was killed, a plaque was erected that read, in part: “When Mr. Bliss, a New York real estate man, died the next morning from his injuries, he became the first recorded motor vehicle fatality in the Western Hemisphere. This sign was erected to remember Mr. Bliss on the centennial of his untimely death and to promote safety on our streets and highways.”

So next time you are helping a lady exit a trolley, watch out for cars. If it’s electric, you may not hear it coming.

Japan launches 'affordable' Epsilon space rocket

Japan has launched the first in a new generation of space rockets, hoping the design will make missions more affordable.

The Epsilon rocket is about half the size of Japan's previous generation of space vehicles, and uses artificial intelligence to perform safety checks.

Japan's space agency Jaxa says the Epsilon cost $37m (£23m) to develop, half the cost of its predecessor.

Epsilon launched from south-western Japan in the early afternoon.

Crowds of Japanese gathered to watch the launch, which was also broadcast on the internet.

It was carrying a telescope that is being billed by Jaxa as the world's first space telescope that will remotely observe planets including Venus, Mars and Jupiter from its Earth orbit.

Jaxa said the rocket successfully released the Sprint-A telescope as scheduled, about 1,000km (620 miles) above the Earth's surface.

Epsilon's predecessor, the M-5, was retired in 2006 because of spiralling costs.

Jaxa said the Epsilon was not only cheaper to produce, but also cheaper to launch than the M-5.

Because of its artificial intelligence, the new rocket needs only eight people at the launch site, compared with 150 people for earlier launches.

Japan's other recent space innovations included sending a talking robot to the International Space Station.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24090322

Why we might not be able to live on the Moon ?

There’s nothing wrong with that – after all, space and its exploration have always been a source of reverie, from Johannes Kepler’s youthful space-travel fantasy simply called The Dream to visions of the ‘final frontier’. The problem with dreams is that sooner or later you must wake up.To judge from an article on lunar bases on Nasa’s web site, it’s reluctant to do that. “When multiple spacecraft all found unequivocal evidence for water on the moon it was a boon to possible future lunar bases, acting as a potential source of drinking water and fuel,” the article says. It explains that the atomic components of water – hydrogen and oxygen – on the lunar surface move towards the poles, “where [water] accumulates in the cold traps of the permanently shadowed regions.” Since it was first proposed several years ago, this idea that the polar craters, particularly the so-called Shackleton crater at the south pole, are lined with ancient ice has inspired many hyperbolic newspaper stories about colonising the Moon. But it’s looking ever less likely that it is true.
A new paper in the journal Geophysical Research Letters drives another nail into the coffin of lunar living. It suggests that what was at first taken to be bright, reflective ice in the Shackleton crater is in fact more likely to be white rock.
When the Apollo missions reached the Moon at the end of the 1960s, they brought back a sobering message: it seemed to be a dry, barren dustball. But the modern dream of “water on the Moon” began in earnest in 1994, when Nasa’s spacecraft Clementine orbited the Moon and studied the mineral composition of its surface. The reflections of radio waves beamed into the shadowed polar craters suggested that they might contain ice. But follow-up studies using radio telescopes on Earth failed to find any such evidence.
Then in 1998 another Nasa Moon mission, the Lunar Prospector spacecraft, used a special instrument to search for hydrogen atoms – a possible signature of water molecules – on the Moon’s surface. It detected the hydrogen signals from polar craters, but when at the end of its mission the spacecraft was purposely crashed into a south polar crater in the hope that it might send up a plume of water detectable from Earth, nothing of the sort was observed.
No Moon river
Each alleged sighting of lunar ice provoked new headlines forecasting future moon bases, feeding an apparent public thirst for space colonization. But for scientists, the debate has remained unresolved. In 2009 NASA launched the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, designed to map the Moon’s surface in even more detail and carrying several instruments that might be able to detect ice. Last year a team of planetary scientists reported that the south polar Shackleton crater has a bright floor and even brighter inside walls, suggesting that some material has gradually slipped down the slopes onto the bottom of the crater. The researchers suspected that this stuff could be simply lunar “soil”, called regolith because it is really just mineral dust, with no organic matter. Lunar regolith is bright and reflective when freshly exposed – the bombardment from cosmic rays, solar wind and meteorites gradually darkens it, but on the crater’s walls it is particularly well sheltered from such disturbances. But the team also offered the tentative possibility that the bright material could be a very thin layer of rock dust mixed with 20% ice....................................

Global Warming

An increase in the near surface temperature of the Earth. Global warming has occurred in the distant past as the result of natural influences, but the term is most often used to refer to the warming predicted to occur as a result of increased emissions of greenhouse gases. Scientists generally agree that the Earth's surface has warmed by about 1 degree Fahrenheit in the past 140 years. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently concluded that increased concentrations of greenhouse gases are causing an increase in the Earth's surface temperature and that increased concentrations of sulfate aerosols have led to relative cooling in some regions, generally over and downwind of heavily industrialized areas.

Definition of Greenhouse Gas:  A gas, like CO₂, which traps the sun's heat.

Human causes:  Carbon dioxide (CO₂), e.g. exhaust from cars and power plants.

Natural causes:  Some claim the sun is getting hotter (it's not). Cause unknown.

 

It's virtually impossible that none of it is caused by people, because we know we have increased CO₂ in the air from 280 to 380 ppm, and we know CO₂ has a warming effect. But there's still a very small chance that the effect is tiny. But there is no evidence that it's tiny.

 In 1896 Svante Arrhenius (1903 Nobel Prize in Chemistry) predicted thedecrease in CO2 needed to cause past ice ages. He wasn't far off, and it is not a large decrease. This helped confirm the 1859 prediction that human-producedincreases in CO2 would cause just the reverse: global warming.

What's to be done? A global problem requires a global solution, and that requires countries to cooperate. The science of games and strategies explains what leads to cooperation and what doesn't. The basic situation—what each country does helps that country very little—is a classic game call the prisoner's dilemma. And the prisoners do not cooperate. Unfortunately the Kyoto approach actually makes the problem worse. But a better design leads to cooperation, as explained in the Green Fund Game.

What Causes Global Warming (climate change), human activity or the sun? The final answer is not in, but you can see the results so far. (1) Exhaust is clearly the source of CO₂. (2) Everyone now agrees the earth is warming. (3) Decide for yourself if warming is better explained by CO₂, or the sun's heat.

The Effects of Global Warming. We can see the long-term effects coming in the melting of polar ice and glaciers. But apowerful trend in Atlantic hurricane data indicates we can already see the impact. Katrina was partly the result of a normal weather cycle, but that cannot explain away stronger hurricanes world wide.
It's too late for that, but we can slow it down and lessen its effects. CO₂ does not last as long in the air as was once thought, so the big problem is slowing human use of fossil energy, especially coal. (Especially since CO₂ goes into the ocean and destroys coral reefs.)