All things tend towards entropy. My life is no exception.

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:51:49 GMT

Damn it feels good to be home.

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:29:38 GMT

I'm reading Contact by Carl Sagan. It's an amazing book. There are parts so incredibly wonderful that they give me chills.

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:24:53 GMT

The Ocean and Climate

http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/resources/oceanography-book/contents.htm

§ Intertropical Convergence Zone- area encircling the Earth near the equator where winds from the Northern and Southern hemispheres come together

§ So much heat is released as rain in the intertropical convergence zone that it drives much of the atmospheric circulation (this circulation is called the Hadley circulation)

§ Winds drive ocean currents and together they carry heat from the tropics to the polar regions

§ 97% of Earth’s water is in the oceans

§ The ocean and ocean life control the amount of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere and they dominate the Earth’s carbon cycle

§ Most available carbon is in the ocean- the ocean has 50X more carbon than the Earth’s atmosphere

§ Approximately half of the Earth’s primary production occurs in the ocean

§ Almost half of the carbon dioxide emitted into the air by the burning of fossil fuels is absorbed by the ocean

§ Carbon dioxide is absorbed into cold ocean waters by the Arctic and Antarctic. As the cold water sinks, it carries the carbon dioxide away from the atmosphere. Many years later the water is gradually pulled closer to the surface by mixing in the ocean. When it gets to the surface in warm areas, the carbon dioxide is released back into the atmosphere. This process allows the ocean to store great quantities of carbon dioxide for many centuries

§ Phytoplankton release dimethyl sulfide (which is converted to sulfate aerosols) which changes the way clouds are formed in the atmosphere

§ 1/3 of the sunlight that reaches Earth is reflected back into space by clouds

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:44:41 GMT

The Cosmos

Jones, B.W. Life in the Solar System and Beyond. 2004. Praxis Publishing.

Ø The Milky Way Galaxy contains about two hundred thousand million stars

Ø There are billions of galaxies in existence

Ø Perihelion- point in the orbital ellipse of a planet at which it is closest to the sun

Ø Aphelion- point in the orbital ellipse of a planet at which it is furthest from the sun

Ø Planets move the fastest near the perihelion because the gravitational pull of the sun is greatest there (they move the slowest at the aphelion)

Ø Orbital period- time it takes for a planet to go around its orbit once

Ø Pluto’s orbital period is 248 years

Ø The asteroid belt is between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter

Ø Most asteroids are rocky and a few kilometers in radius

Ø Comets are mixtures of rocky particles and icy materials

Ø Comets originate in two regions:

1. The Edgeworth-Kuiper belt (located near the orbit of Neptune)

2. Oort Cloud (which is located nearly one light year from the sun)

Ø The four innermost planets (the planets closest to the sun) Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars are termed terrestrial planets because their composition is dominated by rocky materials

Ø Volatile substances, such as water and gases, make up only a small fraction of the terrestrial planets’ masses

Ø Jupiter and Saturn are termed the giant planets, and are dominated by hydrogen and helium (Uranus and Neptune are also termed giant planets, but water makes up over half the masses of each with hydrogen and helium only contributing about 10% of their masses- they are also sometimes called the water planets)

Ø Pluto is an icy planet, made up of water ice, methane ice and other types of ice

Ø Mercury has a surface that is scarred by impact craters

Ø A surface becomes more cratered with the passage of time unless geological processes such as volcanism or weathering remove the craters, therefore the abundance of craters on Mercury is evidence of a lack of geological processes

Ø Lack of weathering on Mercury is consistent with the near absence of an atmosphere- also suggests that Mercury has not had much of an atmosphere in the past

Ø The sun-facing surface of Mercury can reach temperatures of 700 K (800 F) but because of a lack of atmosphere and its slow rotation, night-time temperatures can reach lows of 90 K

(-297 F)

Ø Venus is shrouded in clouds consisting mostly of sulphuric acid droplets

Ø The atmosphere of Venus is high, thick and dry and consists of carbon dioxide

Ø Venus’s atmosphere creates a greenhouse effect that raises the average surface temperature to 733 K (860 F) ***Wow! It’s hotter than Mercury even though it’s further from the sun! Cool!***

Ø There are few surface craters on Venus, but many volcanoes and widespread evidence of volcanic activity (this volcanism along with atmospheric weathering is responsible for the obliteration of impact craters)

Ø 70% of Earth’s surface is covered in oceans

Ø Clouds of water droplets often cover approximately ½ of Earth’s surface

Ø Main constituents of Earth’s atmosphere are oxygen, nitrogen and traces of carbon dioxide

Ø Plate tectonics are unique to Earth

Ø The atmosphere of Mars mainly consists of carbon dioxide

Ø Mars has a thin atmosphere and has sparse cloud cover. This, in combination with its distance from the sun, make Mars a cold planet

Ø Temperatures on Mars range from 283 K (50 F) at the equator to 173 K (-148 F) or lower at night

Ø The northern hemisphere of Mars shows evidence of geological activity (could have been from only past activity) and few impact craters whereas the southern hemisphere displays little evidence of geological activity and has many impact craters and also bears features that suggest Mars was once a warmer, wetter place **Weird**

Ø Water, in the form of ice, is present on Mars at the polar caps, and as frost at night. Also, Mars has some clouds formed of water ice

Ø There is probably liquid water under the surface of Mars

Ø Jupiter has no proper surface at all- as one moves deeper towards the core of Jupiter, the atmosphere (mostly hydrogen and helium) becomes denser and hotter forming a global ocean of hydrogen and helium

Ø Heavy elements are probably concentrated near the center of Jupiter and the core is probably liquid water and liquid rock

Ø Jupiter’s uppermost clouds are icy particles of ammonia colored in some unknown way and formed into bands and whorls by atmospheric circulation

Ø Saturn is similar to Jupiter, but smaller, more enriched in heavy elements, and the cloud features are subdued by atmospheric haze

Ø Uranus and Neptune also have atmospheres rich in hydrogen and helium, but these are not the dominant elements

Ø The surfaces of Uranus and Neptune are probably made up of liquid water, ammonia, and methane, but the surfaces are hidden by atmospheric haze and clouds

Ø Most of Pluto’s volume is probably water ice and rocky materials with a concentrated core

Ø Pluto’s surface never exceeds 63 K (-346 F)

Ø Pluto’s surface is probably covered by nitrogen, methane and carbon monoxide

Ø A satellite is a body in orbit around a planet (rather than in its own orbit around the sun)

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:46:30 GMT

I find science so comforting. It's like chicken soup for my soul.

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:14:33 GMT

To pass the time I decided to start learning more about astrobiology, the subject I eventually want to study in pursuit of my PhD. I found some resources online, and have begun reading and taking notes. I'm going to post my notes on here because 1) I want them backed up in case something happens to my computer before I can back them up on my disc drive and 2) it's pretty damn interesting. The first set that follows is basically a refresher course on the necessities for life, so it's pretty basic, but still interesting

Origin of Life

Gilmour, I. and M. Sephton. An Introduction to Astrobiology. 2003. Cambridge University Press.

· Life often defined as a self sustaining chemical system capable of undergoing Darwinian evolution (does not hold true in all cases i.e. donkeys living organisms, but incapable of reproduction, thus incapable of undergoing Darwinian evolution)

· Carbon can form chemical bonds with many other atoms, allowing a great deal of chemical versatility

· Carbon can also form a variety of compounds that readily dissolve in liquid water

· All currently known life utilizes carbon-based organic compounds and water

· Four most common elements utilized by life on Earth: hydrogen, oxygen, carbon and nitrogen (sulfur and phosphorus also important for life on Earth)

· Most abundant elements in the Universe (in order): hydrogen, helium, oxygen, neon, nitrogen, carbon, silicon, magnesium, iron, sulfur

· Most abundant elements on Earth (in order): Oxygen, iron, silicon, magnesium, sulfur, nickel, aluminum, sodium, calcium, phosphorus

· Water is seemingly essential to life because living systems need a medium in which molecules can dissolve and chemical reactions can take place

· Water is the major component of living tissue, often accounting for approximately 70% of their mass

· Hydrogen and oxygen two most abundant elements in the human body

· Polar solutes dissolve in water, a polar solute. Apolar organic molecules do not readily dissolve in water (like dissolves like)

· Hydrophilic molecules- soluble, polar molecules that have a high affinity for water

· Hydrophobic molecules- relatively insoluble, apolar molecules that have a low affinity for water

· The majority of organic molecules in living systems are large (macromolecules)

· Four types of macromolecules making up living systems: lipids, carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids

· Lipids (fats and oils) have a hydrophobic end and a hydrophilic end

· Lipids are poorly soluble in water

· Lipids are a compact way to store chemical energy and the weak bonds holding them together results in a high degree of flexibility that is useful in membranes

· Carbohydrates are molecules that have many hydroxyl (-OH) groups attached to them

· The hydroxyl groups attached to carbohydrates are polar, so carbohydrates are soluble in water

· Large carbohydrate structures are called polysaccharides, and they are useful energy stores and can also provide structural support

· Polysaccharides formed via polymerization, a reaction that involves the loss of water

· There are a number of extraterrestrial environments in which organic matter is produced without the aid of biological processes. These environments include the shells of carbon stars, molecular clouds and the solar nebulae

1. The atmosphere of carbon stars has more carbon than oxygen

2. The solar nebula is a disc-shaped cloud of gas and dust left over from the sun’s formation

· Organic products of extraterrestrial environments would have rained down on Earth around the time of the origin of life, adding to the organic matter synthesized on Earth itself

· Early organisms unlikely to have used the DNA, RNA and protein based biochemistry common on Earth today- it is more likely that RNA performed the functions of genetic information storage and catalysts

· Molecular phylogeny indicates that the last common ancestor to all life on Earth was a heat-loving organism similar to the organisms that populate deep sea hydrothermal vents today

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 10:55:18 GMT

The Xanax I took to try and calm down didn't help, so I broke out the big guns so to speak and took a seroquel. They tend to make me mentally slower the next day so I don't take them often. This is the first one I've taken in over a year. I'm glad I did. The panic is not gone, but it is not overpowering me as it has been for the paat weeks. Both cats are laying in bed with me, and I am enoying the softness of Morris's fur beneath my fingertips, and his purring is like music to me. My mind is moving slowly and rationally, I think sleep will come to me soon.

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:42:00 GMT

Just something I posted in a LJ community I recently joined:

I don't know if this counts as a philosophical topic/question, but I believe my troubles lately have been stemming from my floundering attempts to determine how I view life, what I believe to be the meaning of life, and the inherent nature of the human species, and I could really use some feedback. If this post isn't appropriate for the group I apologize, and understand if it is removed.

I have been contemplating the questions I mentioned above for only the past year or so. I use to be a very (outwardly) superficial person, and concerned myself with mostly tangible, material things and shallow pleasures. It wasn't until a couple years ago that I gained a respect and awe for the phenomenon of life, and began to seek a more meaningful existence. I wanted (and still do want) to be a better person. I tapped into an intelligence for the sciences that I didn't know I possessed, went back to school, and am hopefully graduating next year. This fall, I took a course on environmental ethics. The readings for the course really inspired and intrigued me, and although I've never taken a class in philosophy, I began to research the topic a bit on my own. I was mostly interested in understanding how and why people think in the ways that they do. A very general and broad topic, I know. Also, a very individualistic topic- you will never see the world the exact same way I do, and I will never see it in the exact way that you do. Our realities are uniquely our own, something I find fascinating. Anyway, the more I read and learned, the more I wanted to know and the more I questioned the purpose and meaning of my own existence and life. I also am newly interested in astronomy, and find space and time very intimidating but very interesting subjects. I don't know if it was a sudden realization of how small I as an individual am in the grand scheme of things or maybe it was the foreboding feeling that no matter what I do in my life, it will ultimately be insignificant due to my minisculiality, or maybe the realization that the culture I was raised in (I'm from America) values things that are completely petty and meaningless and shies away from encouraging critical, logical thinking, and is raising generations of "sheeple" (sheep-like people, in case the spelling wasn't clear). I don't know what it was. But I have reached a point where I cannot make myself care about anything. I am overwhelmed by apathy. I am normally overly-sensitive and empathetic, if anything, and this switch has really thrown me off. I know I don't like the way I feel, but I cannot seem to change it. Those things that once brought me joy (reading, learning, hiking, playing world of warcraft, cooking) simply do nothing for me now. Nothing in life brings me joy. Now, I don't feel overly depressed or emotionally out of control- I'm certainly not suicidal or entertaining thoughts of hurting myself. It's more like a deep resolve has settled over me, and I truly belive that nothing in my life, nothing that I do or say or stand for really matters. I want to be motivated and inspired again, I want to feel the joy I once felt in just existing. So after this very long-winded post (I do apologize) I guess my question is this: How does one overcome apathy? How do I make myself care again?

Thank you for any feedback, it's very much appreciated.

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:52:17 GMT

I have to write. I need to write. I can't be isolated among my thoughts, trapped in my own mind alone any longer. I don't know if anyone will read this, but that is inconsequential. At least by putting my thoughts down on paper, so to speak, they are tangible. Maybe I can achieve some type of organization and some sort of freedom from the chaos that is my mind. Right now I feel as if my thoughts and my life are not my own. I am not in control. I am simply a bystander, watching and observing, unable to intervene. A silent, helpless prisoner to my own consciousness. I think perhaps I am going crazy. If not going crazy, then I am at least tapping into a part of my brain that has never before been acknowledged or used. There is no organization, rhyme or reason to the constant train of thoughts rushing through my brain, and the only thing I know for sure- the only thing I am absolutely certain of- is that that which once gave my life meaning does not give it meaning or purpose any longer. I feel like a single-celled organism unable to move of my own free will. I am simply planktonic- floating along with the currents and tides. I do not determine my direction, forces outside of my control dictate my movement. I am trapped in a literal purgatory from which there is no obvious escape. Those things that I once held dear, those things that once gave me purpose have been revealed for what they truly are- meaningless ideologies that I thought were uniquely mine but in reality are naive fantasies that can never be realized in the world in which we live.

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:14:41 GMT

The secret of the world
Is written in your eyes
And if I look hard enough
I'm sure to find
Everything's alright
Everything's fine

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:47:59 GMT

A war that can't be won and an economy in recession. That's quite a legacy to leave. Now don't get me wrong, when Bush entered office, I don't think he had the goal of leaving either of these two things to the next administration, but the black and white of it is he did. Or rather, will. I'm not big on politics, there is alot I don't know, but I don't understand how anyone can't agree that our country is currently in a sorry state. I have a good friend who's husband is currently in Iraq. Out of the two years they've been married, they have only lived together for 3 months. He had his first tour in Afganistan- I believe it was 18 months- and came home with a guarentee that he would not be called on again to serve another tour. And now he's in Iraq for 15 months. To me it just doesn't seem right.

Don't get me wrong, I support, love and appreciate all the men and women serving our country. I just don't support the war. It may sound oxymoronical, but it's the way I feel. The hunt for Bin Laden became the hunt for Sadam, and now it's the hunt for oil. I am not a hardcore democrate. I believe in voting for the best candidate, and am conservative on several issues. But right now there is no way I would want to see another republican elected. McCain stated that we would stay in Iraq 100 more years if necessary. Someone with that viewpoint, quite frankly, scares me. How many more lifes must be lost? Why can't we face the many issues our own country is struggling with- housing costs, quality healthcare, hunger and homelessness?

When the war with Afghanistan began, I was in full support. America must do whatever necessary to protect herself, and we were brutally attacked on our own soil. It came as a huge shock because Pearl Harbor was the only (relatively) recent attack on American soil. It was something alot of Americans never even thought about. We lived day to day secure and unafraid. Now whenever I see a low flying plane the first thing I think about is 9/11.

But this war has become something else completely. We are fighting a war with no possibility of victory. A personal war, a vendetta, an economic war. A war I just can't support. No matter the outcome of the Iraqi war, there will still be those who hate America and resent our democracy and freedom.

I saw a book in the library today titled "The Current Civil War." I didn't look at it in depth but it made me think of a society against a government. Not all people are against Bush, and I respect their political viewpoint, as should all Americans- that's what is wonderful about a democracy- free speech. The ability to believe what one wants without fear of persecution.

However, Bush has had the lowest approval ratings of any president in history. We were quick to impeach Clinton because of his extramarital affair, but the topic of impeaching Bush hasen't been seriously considered. Now I don't mean just in reference to the war. When he fired tthose state attorneys a while back it was clearly an unjust, bias act. A democracy with those representing only one viewpoint is not a democracy at all. Politicans shouldn't fear or resent opposition, they should view it as an opportunity to approach issues in new ways. Listening to others can also provide one with more evidence supporting their own views.

A hypothesis is never thrown out unless it is completely disproven. Politics is considered a type of science, and as such, no conclusion should be disregarded until proved untrue, unjust, or unobtainable. Likewise, no viewpoint should be overlooked until it is proved that it is illogical.

Instead of fighting each other, our government would solve problems much more efficiently if less emphasis was put on party lines, and more put onto solving the problems in a fair, just way.

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 21:45:26 GMT

SO FUCKING FRUSTRATED

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 02:08:46 GMT

Sorry for the incessant posts last night- twas drunk

Widow's Walk

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:53:52 GMT

Standing on my widow's walk
Staring out to sea
Wondering if you'll be home again;
Come home again to me

I struggle and I try
To remember your face
But where that image once was burned
Is now an empty space

Keeping on
I'm diligent
Looking out
For you

So much so that I don't sleep
Or breath or eat or do
All these things that I know I must
But I still watch out for you

Is my memory
In your mind
Or has that light burnt out?

Will you think of me,
Look in between
The vast waves of the sea?

Is my vigil justified
Or is it all in vain?
Has that fire you once felt inside
Slowly burnt away?

I'll stay here on my widow's walk,
A perilous ledge indeed,
I'll be here when you come home
And from my cage be freed

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 03:23:52 GMT

He eludes to bitterness and angst; says he doesn't feel a thing.
I know better.
He's been hurt, fucked over, ruined in the past.
It's his family, the government, society as a whole that has contributed to his slow decay.
I know better.
Loud music, anarchy, controversial points.
Getting a rise out of people because he loves to feel hate.
I know better.
Seeing people die, people fail- these are his plesantries.
I know better.
Black clothes, black shoes, black hair.
Rebelling against anything good.
I know better.
Loud and unruly, hiding behind viewpoints that make people cringe.
Not caring, not feeling, amoral and crass.
I know better.

When his eyes fall, he thinks no one is watching.
The pain on his face does all the talking.
I see him.
Secret smiles and laughter, caring and cause.
I see him.
Cautiously loving, healing the pain.
Dealing with life day by day.
I see him.
The need to be free from his hideous past, the need to get away from the hurt.
I see him.
Opening up, talking, and thinking.
Gentle touches, caring, and feeling.
I see him.
Pull that hair back, away from the eyes.
The soul is pure, he's good inside.
I see him.

All of the effort
To feel so much hate
Is wasted on me.
I know him.
For who he is
Under the pain
Is a kind person
Despite all the strain.
I know him.

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 03:07:45 GMT

Ambiguous thoughts
May flow through my head
But just like ink blots
They can't be misread

Ideals and answers
Questions, concerns
Love and hatred
Passions that burn

My head and heart
Are all my own
But they are subject to
Your grey overtone

Songs are written
Poems are read
But who's to say what's fitting
When the meaning's in your head

Pencils will scratch
and pens will glide
Words will be written
Creativity won't be denied

My thoughts and my words
Are all my own
But your influence
Comes through in the tone

Keeping in check
What's me and what's you
Shines through a foggy glass
One can't see through

Words and rhymes
Syntax and prose
Stylistic elements
Come thorough in droves

But do these feelings belong
To me or to you
Would I write this down
If it wasn't my truth

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 02:55:50 GMT

Let me go
I just can't take it
You're killing me
Painful and slow
Let me go

Let me free
So I can be what I want to be
Be who I'm suppose to be
Let me free

Take back this hurt
It's making life worse
I can't concentrate
Or reiterate
Take back this hurt

Let go my hand
So I can fly
Away from here
On healing wings
Let go my hand

Kiss me goodbye
So I can remember good times
No bitterness or hate
Or feelings unsated
Kiss me goodbye

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:35:37 GMT

Saturday night I was here at the coffeehouse listening to some live bands and hanging out. I ended up talking to this girl, Robin, for most of the night. We had a ton of stuff in common, and she seemed like a really cool girl. I was excited, because it isn't often I connect with another female on the level I thought we had connected. I seriously thought that this girl could become one of my best friends. We exchanged numbers, and were suppose to have lunch the next day. So I called her the next day, and she straight hung up on me. Not a word, just hung up on me. I was flabbergasted. I have no idea why, and I've racked my brain but can't come up with a plausable answer. Needless to say, it was really disappointing. As much as I don't understand guys, I think I might not understand girls just as much.

Latin Quote of the Day: Ars sine scienta nihil est
Art without science is nothing

Latin

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 23:49:53 GMT

My Latin quote of the day: Alis volat propiis
She flies with her own wings

I am in a great mood today. No particular reason, but still in a good mood, nonetheless. I am suppose to be studying right now, but livejournaling is so much more fun. I love daylight savings. It's great having the sun go down an hour later- I need all the Vitamin D I can get! This weekend seemed to fly by. I wish it were Friday all over again.

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 23:58:19 GMT

I was reading The Screwtape Letters by L.S. Lewis, which is a novel about good and evil. I put it down half way through because I couldn't think about it. Books usually don't upset me, but this one did for some reason. The author suggests that evil is inherent in all of us, it is only the formal "rules" of society that keep the evil at bay.

I don't know how I feel about that. I like to believe that people are inherently good, even though I know it is naive of me. When looking at the biology behind it, it is true that animals tend to do what is in their individual best intrest most of the time. However, there are also natually occuring characteristics that can't be argued. Certain animals mourn when their mates die- especially animals that choose one mate for life. Also, there are maternal and paternal instincts that are apparent in family groups. On the other side of the coin, there are also male animals that eat their offspring, or drive them away from the herd/family group to avoid competition. There are also animals that kill their mate after copulation (i.e. praying mantis, black widow).

Complex emotions play a key role in determining if people are inherently good or evil. Emotions such as guilt, love, and hate influence our actions greatly. What would our society be like if people were constantly logical? Looking out for one's self intrest would be the first instinct of every being. Would all actions be premeditated to the point that actions that could be interpreted as unselfish and "good" were really just a result of cold calculations with the end goal being one's own needs? If that were the case, would it matter why people acted seemingly unselfishly if their actions were considered "good" in that moment?

I like to think that the average person does not have it in them to take a life or hurt someone unprovoked. True, there are people like that out there, but I believe your everyday common person does not act "good" just because of the restrictions our society puts on them. I like to think that people act kindly because it feels good, and that in itself is a reward.

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:49:01 GMT

Ok, so I am not really great at writing memos- this is for a political science class. Any feedback is appreciated.

Re: Aspergillus flavus AF36 Use in Commercial Crop Plants

Executive Summary

This memo describes the current proposed amendment to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act that would exempt the fungicide Aspergillus flavus from having a maximum usage limit.

History of the Issue

The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) regulates many things, one of which being the maximum amount of toxic residue that can be left on agricultural products. In December of 2007, a rule was passed to temporarily exempt Aspergillus flavus AF36 from the requirement of having a maximum tolerance regulation for residue left on corn and cotton plants. Certain strains of the fungus have been shown to produce aflatoxin, a potential carcinogen, but strain AF36 has, so far, proved harmless to human health and the environment. AF36 is used to decrease the amount of the original A. flavus strain on corn and cotton plants. The goal is to increase the presence of the AF36 strain and decrease the strain producing aflatoxin.

A. flavus AF36 is a biocompetative agent that prevents the aflatoxin-producing strains of A. flavus from developing on crop plants. In 1993 the first meeting was held with the EPA to consider adding this fungus to the exemption list. In 1996 1120 acres of crops were treated with strain AF36, and research was done as to the long and short term effects. In 1999 a the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station put forth a petition to amend the FFDCA to exempt a maximum requirement for strain AF36. The petition influenced the passing of a bill to change the law, extending the exemption until 2001. The rule has been reviewed every two years since, and A. flavus was added to the exemption list each time. In 2007 the rule was also extended to pistachio plants.

Health Implications of A. flavus AF36 Use

Research has proven that A. flavus AF36 is not significantly harmful to human health or the environment. Lab mammals were used to test the toxicity of strain AF36 on the lungs and oral cavities; none of the animals exhibited any signs of illness. Drinking water has also been proven safe if exposed to strain AF36, although water purification is necessary, and can be quite costly.

It is thought that chronic toxicity may not be a feasible problem because when sprayed onto crops, A. flavus diffuses quickly and is not often found in high concentrations, if at all. Some studies, however, have shown that mild skin irritation, eye irritation, and lung aggravation can occur. A. flavus has been placed in toxicology categories III and IV for acute oral and inhalation effects. These categories list potentially harmful toxins according to the metabolic pathway in which they are consumed. Category III deals with toxins consumed orally and category IV deals with toxins that are inhaled. A. flavus was placed in category III because of residue left on crop plants. There are concerns about the granular nature of strain AF36, and this is why it was placed in category IV. The granular nature, however, also acts as a positive because it prevents AF36 from traveling over larger distances. Because the AF36 has been placed in these toxicology categories, it may be difficult to pass a bill allowing unrestricted use of this fungicide.

Advantages and Disadvantages of AF36 Use

One criticism of the research performed so far is that it offers no insight into the long term effects of A. flavus exposure. There is concern because the original strain of the fungus produces such a harmful toxin. Supporters of the amendment counter that there is no evidence that strain AF36 has any toxicity risks whatsoever, and animals with physiologies similar to ours have shown minimal to no side effects from exposure to AF36. Also, there is evidence to suggest that the threat of AF36 and the aflatoxin producing strains exchanging genetic information is minimal.

One major advantage of AF36 use is that if applied to crop plants, it prevents aflatoxin producing strains of A. flavus to also inhabit the crops. This would greatly reduce the risks of aflatoxin intake. This biocompetivity of this agent is easily demonstrated scientifically. When considering benefit-cost analysis, the benefits of using AF36 clearly outweigh the possible costs when it comes to the toxicity of the two strains.

Preventative Measures

Exposure of large amounts of A. flavus are avoided by shucking and cleaning corn before consumption, as well as the purification of drinking water. During production, AF36 is tested twice for aflatoxin via chromatographic screening and densitometry. The purification of drinking water is especially important because strain AF36 does percolate through soil and into the groundwater. Topical exposure is thought to be kept to a minimum due to where the fungicide is applied. The amendment states that A. flavus AF36 is to be applied in agricultural areas far in proximity from schools, residential areas, and nursing homes. This is also why inhalation exposure is thought to be kept to a minimum. These amendments, which are very precautionary, may make this bill easier to pass.

One argument suggests that strain AF36 is a minimal risk because it is applied onto corn before it has tasseled, so by the time corn is ready as feed or ready for human consumption there is minimum residue left on the ears. Also, the microbial active ingredient in AF36 does not survive the heating and pressure associated with the production of cottonseed oil, so it’s use on cotton is not considered dangerous either.

Environmental Implications

A. flavus AF36 is endemic to areas in which corn and cotton are farmed. Right now, it is not applied in areas which it is not naturally found in order to keep environmental impacts at a minimum. One concern is that AF36 tends to dominate the ecosystem in which it is used, whereas natural communities containing A. flavus tend to be more diverse and have a larger number of unique strains. It is thought that environmental stability would be better maintained if there were more aflatoxin-prohibiting strains used to treat an area instead of just one. There are currently studies underway to find more strains that can be used with minimal environmental and/or health effects.

Although environmental effects are thought to be at a minimum, there has been no study conducted as to the effect of runoff on fish and other aquatic or benthic species. It’s effect on land plants has also not been evaluated. The lack of scientific information proving that these organisms and habitats are not affected by AF36 could prove to be a hindrance in passing this bill. Evaluations of the effect on inset populations was waved except for in the case of major pollinators, such as honeybees. Studies show that AF36 has no observable effects on bee populations. This indicates that crop yield and crop pollination should not be affected by AF36 use.

Analysis

Given the current data, A. flavus seems to be a prudent choice when deciding which fungicides are best to use on corn crops. There is very little data showing adverse human health implications associated with A. flavus and the reactions that are observed are minimal. There is significant evidence to suggest that environmental effects are also minimal. Until scientific studies prove otherwise, A. flavus seems an ideal choice of fungicide when battling aflatoxin on plants because of the nominal side effects associated with using the fungicide. When comparing the benefits of using AF36 with the costs, the benefits seem to clearly outweigh any adverse effects this fungicide might have. The legislation being passed would exempt AF36 from having a maximum use, and there is reasonable data to support this.

This bill would prove very beneficial to corn farmers if passed because it would allow for the use of a fungicide with minimal health and environmental implications. This fungicide could also be substituted for more harmful ones if this bill is passed into law.

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 03:37:51 GMT

If you just open your eyes
You will finally see
Everything that we've built
Just isn't for me

Castle walls must come down
Your trellis has crashed
A way across is found
Form broken at last

Now your structure is down
You just weren't built for this
How will you get around
When you're broken, remiss

I'm leaving you here
A pile of ash
My heart won't endear
This defective backlash

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 05:37:15 GMT

The words that you're saying
Fall impotent upon my ears
The words that you're saying
Just don't adhere

These phrases don't quite fit
The image you're portraying
I won't bridge this rift
I'll win the game you're playing

In front of me you sit
Head tilted to the side
Sympathy, empathy, blasphamy
Your tone betrays your lies

I see through it all
The poorly built facade
The higher you build
The further the fall

They give you away
Traitors that they are
They give you away
So little, so far

No way to hide
Your eyes are telling
Bright, white lies

Apathy

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:03:13 GMT

Apathy. Is it better to reamine neutral on a specific topic? Conserve your energy by not caring? Or is it best to take a firm stance on either side? Life is not black and white, but rather a full spectrum of colors. In otherwords, I believe the answer to be in between. So many people exhaust themselves trying to get others to change their point of view. People are going to believe what they want. Life experience may change their viewpoints, but a single person won't. So why waste the effort? What is it that drives us to push for what we think is right or ideal? Perhaps we feel that our morals and values are more pure if we preach of them to others. In preaching, though, many people lose the ability to listen, reason, and see two, three, or ten sides of a particular issue.

I consider myself apathetic when it comes to religion. I believe there is a higher power, but I have come across no organized religion that I can believe in. I always sense underlying motives and falicies. I am quite happy being apathetic. In fact, I am proud of it. But I don't push it onto other people. Religion is a very sensitive topic, and I feel it's very important to remain respectful of other people's beliefs. If I were to push my viewpoints onto another, it would be blatant disrespect of their religion. Intelligent debate is another matter- I love discussing religion with others, learning about people's viewpoints. Just so long as the other person doesn't try to convert me.

Definitions also complicate the issue. Different words mean different things to different people. This is also something I try to remember and respect. Defining religion can be difficult for some people, myself included. I heard someone say today that they hate people that say they "aren't religious, but they are spiritual." But who defines spirituality. I suppose defining religion is a bit easier, you could classify it as people belonging to an organized group. Spirituality is a different matter though. It's something that I believe comes from within, therefore no two people's spirituality is exactly alike. It's how one views their world, and you can never see completely through other people's eyes.

Kind of a random post, and I'm feeling pretty ADD right now, so I'll end there. Maybe more to come later.

The Painter

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 21:14:28 GMT

Brush strokes across an empty canvas
Hues of dark grays and blues
Painting to forget me, forgive you

Keep my lines straight, my angles hard
My tones deep and rich

Forgive my artist's head and heart and hands
Forgive my assumptions, loves, and rants

Steep cliffs and high crags
Colors dark and unrelenting
Textures rough, paintbrush bending

Painting you away
Painting you to sleep

Black storm clouds against a gray plain
Rain against the roof
Thunder in your eyes
Heart aloof

Another empty canvas in front of my hands
And an empty shadow where you stand