Thursday, December 31, 2009

Influenza A (H1N1): Facts That You Need to Know

On October 25, 2009 U.S. President Barack Obama officially declared H1N1 a national emergency. There is much confusion about this virus. This article sorts out some of the more common issues about this pandemic influenza H1N1, but is not all-inclusive. References are noted where more information can be obtained.

What is Swine Influenza?
Swine Influenza is a viral infection of the respiratory tract much like regular human influenza. The Swine influenza currently is an Influenza A (H1N1) virus.

Influenza A (H1N1) virus is a strain or a subtype of influenza A virus and the most common cause of influenza (Flu) in humans

On November 29, 2009 worldwide update by the U N’s World Health Organization (WHO) states that “207 countries and overseas territories/communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 8,768 deaths.”

Who can get Swine Influenza?
Swine influenza affects all age groups like human influenza. It is believed that very young people, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases are more prone to getting it. Older people over mid-sixties may not be as prone.

What are the symptoms?
Symptoms start suddenly with fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

How is Swine Influenza spread?
The Swine influenza virus is spread from person to person by droplets from the nose, throat and mouth through sneezing, coughing and speaking.

You cannot become infected by eating pork or pork products.

How long is a person contagious?
Usually one day prior to onset of symptoms to seven or more days after becoming ill.

Are there complications?
Complications include: pneumonia, respiratory failure and death.

A study conducted in coordination with the University of Michigan Health Service is scheduled for publication in the December 2009 American Journal of Roentgenology (Radiology, the science of radiation) warning that H1N1 flu can cause pulmonary embolism surmised as a leading cause of death in this current pandemic (blockage of the main artery of the lung or one of its branches by something that has travelled from someplace else in the body).

Is there a treatment for Swine Influenza?
Yes, your health care provider will determine if testing or treatment is needed.

Children and teens with influenza should not be given aspirin or aspirin products because of the risk of developing Reye’s syndrome. (Reye’s syndrome is a condition that affects the nerves, and sometimes develops in children and teenagers who are recovering from the flu. The syndrome often begins in young people after they take aspirin to get rid of fever or pain. Reye’s syndrome begins with nausea and vomiting, and can lead to mental symptoms such as confusion or delirium.

How can Swine Influenza be prevented?
Avoid contact with infected or sick people whenever possible. Cough or sneeze into tissues and throw them away immediately. Wash hands after using a tissue for coughing or sneezing. Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective.

Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are spread this way. If you are sick, stay home and avoid contact with others.

The regular flu vaccine with which many are vaccinated seasonally will not provide protection against the swine flu virus.

A vaccine is now available to help prevent infections from the H1N1 virus, but there are many pro and con arguments about its safety, which I will not go into here.

Information about vaccination with the H1N1 influenza virus vaccine is available at http://www.cdc.gov/features/H1N1Vaccine/

Where can I get more information?
To get the most up-to-date and complete information visit this site: www.cdc.gov/swineflu

Wizards Of Winter - Transiberian Orchestra


Saturday, November 28, 2009

WolframAlpha: A Computational, Knowledge Search Engine: Yes, It Can do Math!

WolframAlpha is a computational, knowledge search engine and is thought by some as possibly the most likely candidate to give Google some serious competition because it can create information rather than just read/present content already on the web, which is something Google can not do. Students at all levels will love this search engine because it does work for you, for example, type in your birthday and you will be amazed at the results, or type in any mathamatical formula and get the answer. For example, type or paste this math formula x^2 sin(x) into the query box and check the computations that you get. Try it now!

Click on the title of this article to go to an article that speaks of many other search engines that are competing with Google for search engine dollars.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Smallest Engine in the World: 1/6th scale 327 cu in V8 Corvette Engine






Click on the title above to see pictures and videos of a 1/6th scale Chevrolet 327 cu in V8. Watch it and hear it run. It is based on a 1964 365 hp Corvette motor and measurements were taken from an actual engine as to be most accurate. Turn up your speakers and see and hear this little engine run.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

President Obama's Health Care Bill: Is It A Government Takeover Plan?

Many of Obama’s supporters have never experienced hard times and live with a false sense of security. They have no idea that governments can fall overnight without anyone firing a shot. Most are young and feel that America's health care programs, including medicare and medicaid are issues that do not affect them. So the argument that Obama wants to take complete control over them is not anything that worries these followers. Unfortunately, everyone gets old and reality will set in someday. These followers are mesmerized by Obama’s elegant speaking skills, his youth and attractiveness. It’s called “blind faith.”

Then there are those who believe the government should take care of them, from providing them with homes, health care, cars and the like at little to no cost. Many - not all - think they should not have to exert much effort in getting whatever they can get for free.

I faught a war for my country and have worked hard to try to secure comfort and security in my life and am proud to be an American, but ashamed that we have a president opologizing to our enemies for America’s past efforts. It worries me that many in America are blindly buying into everything that Obama is pushing when it is obvious to many with common sense and who educate themselves with credible facts, that he seems to have no idea what he is doing, or if he does, has a hidden agenda. Many democrats and liberals will argue that those who oppose Obama are recists because we are not going along with him. I don’t care what color or gender my president is, I just want someone who can properly lead, based on the principles of our constitution. My suggestion is that people better wake up before our country is destroyed from within.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Business Relationships for Tax Purposes

Primarily for Tax purposes, a business owner must correctly determine whether individuals providing services are employees or independent contractors. If you are a business owner, you will want to review this information to determine whether individuals you hire are independent contractors or employees.

Generally, a business owner must withhold income taxes, withhold and pay Social Security and Medicare taxes, and pay unemployment tax on wages paid to an employee, but does not have to withhold or pay any taxes on payments to independent contractors.

Before a business owner can determine how to treat payments for services, the business relationship that exists between the owner and the person performing the services must first be established. The person performing the services may be:

An independent contractor
An employee (common-law employee)
A statutory employee
A statutory nonemployee
In determining whether the person providing service is an employee or an independent contractor, all information that provides evidence of the degree of control and independence must be considered.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

BUGLE CALL, a.k.a. TAPS

A very close variation of IL silenzio by the Italian Nini Rosso is the BUGLE CALL, a.k.a. TAPS, universal among almost all the armed forces of the world...a sad and beautiful thing to hear. Melissa Venema, 13 years old at the time who has terrific breath power played this song on the trumpet in an Andre Rieu's concert performed early 2008 in the Amsterdam Arena, Netherlands. Listening and watching her is mesmerizing and the effect goes to my soul as if she were an angel.

To those who may argue that this song is strictly Il silenzio, I must redirect you to the first sentence above. I mentioned that Melissa is playing a VARIATION of IL silenzio - there are many versions of Il silenzio. This version is often thought of by many in the military as Taps; many have no idea Il silenzio exists. Taps was originally written by Brigadier Daniel Butterfield, an American Civil War general in July, 1862. I was in the military and taps was played at days end, and I can say with certainty that this version of Il silenzio is close enough to General Butterfields original Taps to stir the same emotions.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE VIEWING THE VIDEO BY COMMENTING - THANKS
<b>I am sorry, since this video has been blocked, I cannot bring to you what I wanted when she was 13 yo, but you may enter ‘Melissa Venema’ into your browser to check her out. You will leave this article, but I recommend that you return to read or add comments

Monday, June 15, 2009

II silenzio by Nini Rosso 1925 - 1994

Italian Nini Rosso was a great trumpeter in Europe. His IL silenzio is a haunting sound that moves most who hear it. He wrote it in 1965 and it sold 10 million copies that year. It stayed number one in many European countries that year and remained at the top of the charts for a long time.


Nini Rosso Il Silenzio - The best bloopers are here

Thursday, February 19, 2009