Biomass

Energy from plants is known as biomass energy. It is a rich source of carbon and hydrogen, and one that can be used within the natural carbon cycle. Examples include burning wood and biogas. Biogas is a mixture of gases produced by decaying waste and animal droppings. Fast-growing plants such as switchgrass willow can be harvested as power crops. Biomass wastes, including forest residues, lumber and paper mill waste, crop waste, garbage and landfill and sewage gas, can be used to produce heat, transportation fuels and electricity while at the same time reducing environmental burdens.

Down Syndrome

Facts About
Down Syndrome

What is Down Syndrome?

Down syndrome is a genetic condition that causes delays in physical and intellectual development. It occurs in approximately one in every 800 live births. Individuals with Down syndrome have 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46. It is the most frequently occurring chromosomal disorder. Down syndrome is not related to race, nationality, religion or socioeconomic status. The most important fact to know about individuals with Down syndrome is that they are more like others than they are different.

Diagnosis

Down syndrome is usually identified at birth or shortly thereafter. Initially the diagnosis is based on physical characteristics that are commonly seen in babies with Down syndrome. These include low muscle tone, a single crease across the palm of the hand, a slightly flattened facial profile and an upward slant to the eyes. The diagnosis must be confirmed by a chromosome study (karyotype). A karyotype provides a visual display of the chromosomes grouped by their size, number and shape. Chromosomes may be studied by examining blood or tissue cells.

Cause

Down syndrome is usually caused by an error in cell division called nondisjunction. It is not known why this occurs. However, it is known that the error occurs at conception and is not related to anything the mother did during pregnancy. It has been known for some time that the incidence of Down syndrome increases with advancing maternal age. However, 80% of children with Down syndrome are born to women under 35 years of age.

Learning & Development

It is important to remember that while children and adults with Down syndrome experience developmental delays, they also have many talents and gifts and should be given the opportunity and encouragement to develop them.

Most children with Down syndrome have mild to moderate impairments but it is important to note that they are more like other children than they are different. Early Intervention services should be provided shortly after birth. These services should include physical, speech and developmental therapies. Most children attend their neighborhood schools, some in regular classes and others in special education classes. Some children have more significant needs and require a more specialized program.

Some high school graduates with Down syndrome participate in post-secondary education. Many adults with Down syndrome are capable of working in the community, but some require a more structured environment.

Health Issues

Many children with Down syndrome have health complications beyond the usual childhood illnesses. Approximately 40% of the children have congenital heart defects. It is very important that an echocardiogram be performed on all newborns with Down syndrome in order to identify any serious cardiac problems that might be present. Some of the heart conditions require surgery while others only require careful monitoring. Children with Down syndrome have a higher incidence of infection, respiratory, vision and hearing problems as well as thyroid and other medical conditions. However, with appropriate medical care most children and adults with Down syndrome can lead healthy lives. The average life expectancy of individuals with Down syndrome is 55 years, with many living into their sixties and seventies.

Pre-natal Diagnosis

Two types of procedures are available to pregnant women: screening tests and diagnostic tests. The screening tests estimate the risk of the baby having Down syndrome. Diagnostic tests tell whether or not the baby actually has Down syndrome.

Screening Tests

§ At this time the most commonly used screening test is “The Triple Screen.” This is a combination of three tests that measure quantities of various substances in the blood. These tests are usually done between 15 and 20 weeks of gestation.

§ Sonograms (ultrasounds) are usually performed in conjunction with other screenings. These can show some physical traits that are helpful in calculating the risk of Down syndrome.

§ Screening tests do not accurately confirm the diagnosis of Down syndrome. In fact, false positives and false negatives frequently occur.

Diagnostic Tests

Three diagnostic tests are currently available:

§ Amniocentesis is performed between 12 and 20 weeks gestation.

§ Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) is conducted between 8 and 12 weeks.

§ Percutaneous Umbilical Blood Sampling (PUBS) is performed after 20 weeks.

Reflection:
I think that these children that are born with down syndrome can also live a normal life like all of us. They having a chromosomal disorder just puts them at a disadvantage because it delays their developments intellectually and physically. This does not mean that their whole life is ruined, because there are special schools set up to nurture them. In these schools, the teaching methods are different to cope with their disabilities. This not only allow them to learn at their own pace, but also let them learn more efficiently.

Gravitational Field

The earth pulls down on every kilogram with a force of 10 Newtons. We say that the Earth's gravitational field strength (at ground level) is 10 Newton per kilogram (10N/kg). In other words, an object with a mass of 1 kg has a weight of 10N. That is why an object's weight varies from place to place but its mass remains the same wherever it is. An example is the gravity on the moon is 1/6 of it on earth. Thus one man who weights 60kg(600N) on weighs 10kg(100N) on the moon.
But his mass remain at 60kg.

Springs, life savers

Springs save lives. Stents are tiny springs made of special metal that retains its shape. When a stent is squashed it later springs back to it original shape. Some people may have a blockage which prevents the blood flowing round the heart. A stent can be inserted which keeps the artery open so the blood can flow. In using stent, one must ensure that the metal must not corrode and that the spring maust be very, very small.

Artificial Birth

Sometimes, parent have difficulties reproducing babies natrually. These parent need help from doctors. Doctors will devise ferrtility teatment plans to help the couple have babies. These treatments include fertility drugs, artificial insemination, surgery, and assisted reproductie technology such as in-virtro ferrtilisation or IVF for short.

Multiple Births

Sometimes a woman may have a multiple birth. (i.e. give birth to twins, triplets and so on). There are two kinds of multiple births: identical and non-idetical. Identical twins develop froma single fertilised egg which has divided nto two egg cells. Each cell develops into an independent embryo resulting in dentical individuals-- either both ale or both female. Non-identical births occur when more than one egg cel is fertilised at the same time by separate sperms, each or all cells developing into individual embryos which may be all of one sex or of both sexs.

Pressure

This is a video on how strong pressure is.

When the air suply has being cut off, the body no longer has enough pressure to push outwards to stop it from being crushed, Thus the whole body has being pushed upwards into the area of the head.