Buckypaper is a thin sheet made from an aggregate of carbon nanotubes.[1] The nanotubes are approximately 50,000 times thinner than a human hair.[1] Originally, it was fabricated as a way to handle carbon nanotubes, but in 2008 is being studied and developed into applications by several research groups, showing promise as a building material for aerospace vehicles, body armor and next-generation electronics and displays.
Buckypaper is a macroscopic aggregate of carbon nanotubes (CNT), or "buckytubes". The idea for buckypaper came when British scientist Harry Kroto and Rice University scientists were attempting to create the conditions found in a star when it forms elemental carbon.[1] It owes its name to buckminsterfullerene, the 60 carbon fullerene (an allotrope of carbon with similar bonding that is sometimes referred to as a "Buckyball" in honor of R. Buckminster Fuller).[1] Richard Smalley, Sir Harold Kroto, and Robert Curl shared the 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their discovery of buckminsterfullerene.[1] Their discoveries and subsequent work with carbon nanotubes led to a revolution in the fields of chemistry and materials science.
The generally accepted method for forming such CNT films involves the use of non-ionic surfactants, such as Triton X-100[2] and Sodium lauryl sulfate,[3] which improves their dispersibility in aqueous solution. These suspensions can then be membrane filtered under positive or negative pressure to yield uniform films.[4] The Van der Waals forces interaction between the nanotube surface and the surfactant can often be mechanically strong and quite stable and therefore there are no assurances that all the surfactant is removed from the CNT film after formation. Washing with methanol, an effective solvent in the removal of Triton X, was found to cause cracking and deformation of the film. It has also been found that Triton X can lead to cell lysis and in turn tissue inflammatory responses even at low concentrations.[5]
In order to avoid adverse side-effects from the possible presence of surfactants, an alternative casting process was developed involving a Frit Compression method that did not require the use of surfactants or surface modification.[6] The dimensions can be controlled through the size of the syringe housing and the through the mass of carbon nanotubes added. Their thicknesses are typically much larger than surfactant-cast buckypaper and have been synthesised from 120 μm up to 650 μm; whilst no nomenclature system exists to govern thicknesses for samples to be classified as paper, samples with thicknesses greater than 500 μm are referred to as buckydiscs. Beyond 5mm thickness, the sample is termed a buckycolumn. The frit compression method allows rapid casting of buckypaper, buckydiscs and buckycolumns with recovery of the casting solvent and control over the 2D and 3D geometry.
Aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) growth has been used in CNT film synthesis through the domino effect.[7] In this process, "forests" of MWCNTs are pushed flat in a single direction, compressing their vertical orientation into the horizontal plane, which results in the formation of high-purity buckypaper with no further purification or treatment required. By comparison, when a buckypaper sample was formed from the 1 tonne compression of chemical vapour deposition (CVD) generated MWCNT powder, any application of a solvent led to the immediate swelling of the film till it reverted into particulate matter.[8] It appears that for the CNT powder used, compression alone was insufficient to generate robust buckypaper and highlights that the aligned growth methodology generates in-situ tube-tube interactions not found in CVD CNT powder and are preserved through to the domino pushing formation of buckypaper.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Closet Organizers
Organizing your closet is a task that sounds like it should be simple, but all too often is not. Take these top tips from the experts at Calgary Custom Closets to help you work your closet space to your best advantage.
1. Show it off!
Show off your neat organization — don’t hide it. Don’t put folded items in drawers – place them on shelves, where they can be seen. Chances are, if you can see it, you will use it.
2. Divide and Conquer.
Use drawer dividers to keep small items such as socks, lingerie or jewelry neatly organized, separate, and distinct in drawers while expanding space.
3. Hook, Line and Sinker.
Use hooks to store robes, night gowns and “around the house clothing.” Hooks can also be used in entries and mudrooms to organize children’s coats and backpacks.
4. The Off-Season Switch.
Store off-season clothing on high shelves or in another space if possible. Switching clothes with seasons also helps you to analyze what you have so you can purge those items you no longer require.
5. Fine Tune.
Adjustable closet systems allow placement of the rods and shelves so that there’s no wasted space. Place rods twelve inches from the back wall to provide hangers with at least 2 inches of clearance. Place shelves no more than twelve inches apart.
6. Take my hangers, please!
Get rid of empty hangers; they waste valuable space. If you know you will need some spares, place empty hangers in a basket at the bottom of the closet. Return wire hangers to the dry cleaner for re-use.
7. What’s your Hang-Up?
Choosing the right hanger can make a big difference. Wire hangers get easily tangled. Wood or sturdy plastic hangers are neater and help you retain the shape of your clothes.
8. Get labeled!
Label boxes with contents listed, or better yet, attach a photo of what’s inside.
9. Time to purge!
Get in the habit of purging on a regular basis — preferably at least twice per year, with the change of seasons (as mentioned in Tip 5). A great way to purge hanging items is to place all hangers with the hook facing out. As you use items, place them back with the hook facing in. At the change of the season, take a look at the items with the hook facing out and decide whether you still need them.
10. To Hang or to Fold — That is the Question!
This depends on a few important factors: fabric, design, use. Always hang items which are prone to wrinkles or delicate fabrics that crush easily. Fold items such as knitwear, sweaters, t-shirts and active wear. This will prevent them from losing their shape.
11. Colour Your World.
Grouping clothes by colour is as attractive as it is helpful. Colour-coding makes getting dressed in the morning quicker and easier; it also shows if your wardrobe is out of balance so you can shop more wisely.
12. Live, Love, Laugh.
Create a more enjoyable living space in the bedroom. Remove storage furniture such as a dresser or chest of drawers and place drawers in the closet. Now perhaps you can create a comfortable reading corner in the bedroom, maybe even with a romantic chaise lounge. Sit back and enjoy your little oasis of relaxation.
13. Look Beautiful on the Inside.
Incorporate a jewelry drawer into your closet. Our velvet lined jewelry organizers keep rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings separated, making them easy to locate, while protecting their delicate finish.
14. Display Your Shoe Fetish.
Did you know the average woman owns 40 pairs of shoes? It’s true! Organize your collection with adjustable shelves to allow for differing shoe styles and height profiles.
15. Unleash Your Inner Neat Freak.
Use shelf dividers to keep handbags organized. Some leftover dry cleaner bags inserted in soft-sided purses will help them stand upright and hold their shape.
1. Show it off!
Show off your neat organization — don’t hide it. Don’t put folded items in drawers – place them on shelves, where they can be seen. Chances are, if you can see it, you will use it.
2. Divide and Conquer.
Use drawer dividers to keep small items such as socks, lingerie or jewelry neatly organized, separate, and distinct in drawers while expanding space.
3. Hook, Line and Sinker.
Use hooks to store robes, night gowns and “around the house clothing.” Hooks can also be used in entries and mudrooms to organize children’s coats and backpacks.
4. The Off-Season Switch.
Store off-season clothing on high shelves or in another space if possible. Switching clothes with seasons also helps you to analyze what you have so you can purge those items you no longer require.
5. Fine Tune.
Adjustable closet systems allow placement of the rods and shelves so that there’s no wasted space. Place rods twelve inches from the back wall to provide hangers with at least 2 inches of clearance. Place shelves no more than twelve inches apart.
6. Take my hangers, please!
Get rid of empty hangers; they waste valuable space. If you know you will need some spares, place empty hangers in a basket at the bottom of the closet. Return wire hangers to the dry cleaner for re-use.
7. What’s your Hang-Up?
Choosing the right hanger can make a big difference. Wire hangers get easily tangled. Wood or sturdy plastic hangers are neater and help you retain the shape of your clothes.
8. Get labeled!
Label boxes with contents listed, or better yet, attach a photo of what’s inside.
9. Time to purge!
Get in the habit of purging on a regular basis — preferably at least twice per year, with the change of seasons (as mentioned in Tip 5). A great way to purge hanging items is to place all hangers with the hook facing out. As you use items, place them back with the hook facing in. At the change of the season, take a look at the items with the hook facing out and decide whether you still need them.
10. To Hang or to Fold — That is the Question!
This depends on a few important factors: fabric, design, use. Always hang items which are prone to wrinkles or delicate fabrics that crush easily. Fold items such as knitwear, sweaters, t-shirts and active wear. This will prevent them from losing their shape.
11. Colour Your World.
Grouping clothes by colour is as attractive as it is helpful. Colour-coding makes getting dressed in the morning quicker and easier; it also shows if your wardrobe is out of balance so you can shop more wisely.
12. Live, Love, Laugh.
Create a more enjoyable living space in the bedroom. Remove storage furniture such as a dresser or chest of drawers and place drawers in the closet. Now perhaps you can create a comfortable reading corner in the bedroom, maybe even with a romantic chaise lounge. Sit back and enjoy your little oasis of relaxation.
13. Look Beautiful on the Inside.
Incorporate a jewelry drawer into your closet. Our velvet lined jewelry organizers keep rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings separated, making them easy to locate, while protecting their delicate finish.
14. Display Your Shoe Fetish.
Did you know the average woman owns 40 pairs of shoes? It’s true! Organize your collection with adjustable shelves to allow for differing shoe styles and height profiles.
15. Unleash Your Inner Neat Freak.
Use shelf dividers to keep handbags organized. Some leftover dry cleaner bags inserted in soft-sided purses will help them stand upright and hold their shape.
Wedding Venues
Your wedding is a big deal! And a venue can really set the tone for the entire affair. That's why it's important to choose the right venue, and we've got just the questions to ask before you start your mission. The answers will lead you to the perfect place for your Big Day
1. Where's it going be? Where have you always envisioned getting married? Is it a local or a destination wedding? If you can pin down the general location, then half your work is done.
2. Indoors or out? This question will quickly narrow down venue choices as many places offer one or the other. Hotels, on the other hand, usually offer both choices.
3. How many guests? Sometimes, the number of guests will determine where you have the wedding, as there is always a maximum capacity at most venues.
4. What's included? Does the venue have its own caterer, florist, bakery, bar, wait staff or music equipment? What about linens and tableware? If a venue does it all, it can really save you time and hassle with separate vendors.
5. What are the extras? It's easy to envision the reception when you're at a venue, but don't forget the other optional extras, like a dance floor, picturesque grounds for taking photos, an area for other ceremonial acts.
6. What's your style? Does the venue reflect your style? If you want a casual summer wedding, you might want to look into a golf club or beachside restaurant, not a stuffy hotel in the middle of downtown.
7. Good for both the ceremony and reception? Is the venue ideal for both the ceremony as well as the reception? Having both on the same site can also save on costs.
8. Is there a bridal room? This can be a lifesaver for brides who will get ready at the venue. A spare room that locks is also perfect to store any valuables of the wedding party.
9. Ample parking for guests? Though this may not seem like too big of an issue, lack of dedicated parking spaces can really put a damper on things. Make sure the venue has easy parking for your guests.
10. Room accommodation nearby? There's nothing worse than having guests travel miles away to turn in after a night of celebration. See if the venue has nearby hotels.
11. What's the reputation? If you can get word-of-mouth recommendations for a venue, you're in luck. You can always research for second opinion online.
12. Have you read the fine print? A contract with a venue is a binding document, so you want to make sure you agree with all the disclaimers and conditions before signing. You don't want to deal with unwanted surprises on your Big Day.
13. Are there any extra costs? Make sure you get a break down of all the costs that will be incurred, including potential costs if the bar tab goes over, if something gets damaged, etc. Some venues offer wedding insurance for the day, which might be a wise idea.
1. Where's it going be? Where have you always envisioned getting married? Is it a local or a destination wedding? If you can pin down the general location, then half your work is done.
2. Indoors or out? This question will quickly narrow down venue choices as many places offer one or the other. Hotels, on the other hand, usually offer both choices.
3. How many guests? Sometimes, the number of guests will determine where you have the wedding, as there is always a maximum capacity at most venues.
4. What's included? Does the venue have its own caterer, florist, bakery, bar, wait staff or music equipment? What about linens and tableware? If a venue does it all, it can really save you time and hassle with separate vendors.
5. What are the extras? It's easy to envision the reception when you're at a venue, but don't forget the other optional extras, like a dance floor, picturesque grounds for taking photos, an area for other ceremonial acts.
6. What's your style? Does the venue reflect your style? If you want a casual summer wedding, you might want to look into a golf club or beachside restaurant, not a stuffy hotel in the middle of downtown.
7. Good for both the ceremony and reception? Is the venue ideal for both the ceremony as well as the reception? Having both on the same site can also save on costs.
8. Is there a bridal room? This can be a lifesaver for brides who will get ready at the venue. A spare room that locks is also perfect to store any valuables of the wedding party.
9. Ample parking for guests? Though this may not seem like too big of an issue, lack of dedicated parking spaces can really put a damper on things. Make sure the venue has easy parking for your guests.
10. Room accommodation nearby? There's nothing worse than having guests travel miles away to turn in after a night of celebration. See if the venue has nearby hotels.
11. What's the reputation? If you can get word-of-mouth recommendations for a venue, you're in luck. You can always research for second opinion online.
12. Have you read the fine print? A contract with a venue is a binding document, so you want to make sure you agree with all the disclaimers and conditions before signing. You don't want to deal with unwanted surprises on your Big Day.
13. Are there any extra costs? Make sure you get a break down of all the costs that will be incurred, including potential costs if the bar tab goes over, if something gets damaged, etc. Some venues offer wedding insurance for the day, which might be a wise idea.
Wolverine Trailer
20th Century Fox has now officially revealed the new trailer for X-Men Origins: Wolverine online which you can watch using the player below or in High Definition QuickTime by becoming a friend of the film's MySpace page.
Opening May 1st, the Gavin Hood-directed action-thriller stars Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Kitsch, Will.i.am, Danny Huston, Dominic Monaghan, Daniel Henney and Lynn Collins. The prequel tells the story of Wolverine's epically violent and romantic past, his complex relationship with Victor Creed, and the ominous Weapon X program.
The claw-pawed man-mutant cuts in front of his fellow X-Men with his own creation story, which traces how Logan’s macho rivalry with Sabretooth (Liev Schreiber) and his thwarted love affair with Silver Fox (Lynn Collins) set the stage for his tranformation into Wolverine. So why did Hugh Jackman’s character get the first Origins nod? ”It wasn’t always part of the plan, but Hugh brought that character to vivid life,” says producer Lauren Shuler Donner, recalling the endurance test he faced filming this water-tank scene where his character is injected with a substance that makes him impenetrable. ”We tortured the man. he is an animal. A normal person could not do that.”
Opening May 1st, the Gavin Hood-directed action-thriller stars Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Kitsch, Will.i.am, Danny Huston, Dominic Monaghan, Daniel Henney and Lynn Collins. The prequel tells the story of Wolverine's epically violent and romantic past, his complex relationship with Victor Creed, and the ominous Weapon X program.
The claw-pawed man-mutant cuts in front of his fellow X-Men with his own creation story, which traces how Logan’s macho rivalry with Sabretooth (Liev Schreiber) and his thwarted love affair with Silver Fox (Lynn Collins) set the stage for his tranformation into Wolverine. So why did Hugh Jackman’s character get the first Origins nod? ”It wasn’t always part of the plan, but Hugh brought that character to vivid life,” says producer Lauren Shuler Donner, recalling the endurance test he faced filming this water-tank scene where his character is injected with a substance that makes him impenetrable. ”We tortured the man. he is an animal. A normal person could not do that.”
Battlefield Earth
Battlefield Earth is a science fiction novel written by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard in celebration of 50 years as a writer. He also composed a soundtrack to the book called Space Jazz.
The subsequent film adaptation, released in 2000, was a notorious commercial and critical disaster and has been widely criticized as one of the "worst films ever made.In the year 3000 AD, Earth has been ruled by an alien race, the Psychlos, for a millennium. Humanity has been reduced to a few scattered tribes in isolated parts of the world while the Psychlos strip the planet of its mineral wealth. Jonnie Goodboy Tyler, a young member of one such tribe, lives in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. Depressed over the death and disease affecting his tribe, he leaves his village to explore the lowlands and to disprove the superstitions long held by his people involving ancient gods and monsters. However, he is captured in the ruins of Denver by Terl, the Psychlo chief of security. The Psychlos, hairy 9-foot (2.7 m) high, 1000-pound sociopaths, originate from a planet with an atmosphere very different from that of earth. Their "breathe-gas" explodes on contact with even trace amounts of radioactive metals, such as uranium. For his greediness and incompetent planning, Terl had been assigned to Earth, and he eventually learns that his term has been extended with no word of relief. Fearful at the thought of spending several years on Earth, he decides to buy his way off the planet and return home a wealthy Psychlo. From the very beginning, the reader learns that Terl has discovered a lode of gold up in the Rocky Mountains that he wants to get his hands on "off the company books" but is surrounded by uranium deposits that make Psychlo mining impossible. Terl captures Jonnie by accident while searching for "man-animals" to train to mine where he himself cannot.
After a time, Terl captures Jonnie's girlfriend and her little sister and uses the threat of their deaths to ensure cooperation from Jonnie. Jonnie is afterwards free to move around the mining area. Shortly thereafter, Terl and Jonnie travel to Scotland and recruit 83 Scottish youth, old women, a doctor, and a historian to help with the mining. Jonnie, however, has different plans. Due to the fact that Terl does not understand English, Jonnie is able to convince the Scots to help him overthrow the Psychlo rule on Earth.
During the next several months, Jonnie and the Scots try to mine the gold as well as develop a means of defeating not only the Psychlos on Earth, but also nullify the threat of counterattack that could come from Psychlo (the Psychlos' home planet). During the semi-annual teleportation of personnel, goods, and coffins (all dead Psychlos are shipped home for burial) back to Psychlo, Jonnie and the Scots manage to pack several of the huge coffins with nuclear dirty bombs and "planet busters" in hopes of destroying the Psychlos' home planet. After the teleportation firing, the humans use the Psychlos' own war planes, tanks, and weapons against them and regain control of Earth.
This is, however, not the end of the story. Unsure as to whether the bombs sent even reached Psychlo and under the imminent threat of counterattack, Jonnie must now defend his newly-retaken planet against the predatory interests of several other interstellar races, including a race of intergalactic bankers seeking to repossess the Earth in lieu of unpaid debts, as well as a newly-emerging group of humans seeking to wrest control of Earth from him. In order to ensure the security and independence of humanity, he does something that no other race in 300,000 years has been able to do: uncover the secret of Psychlo mathematics and teleportation.
The subsequent film adaptation, released in 2000, was a notorious commercial and critical disaster and has been widely criticized as one of the "worst films ever made.In the year 3000 AD, Earth has been ruled by an alien race, the Psychlos, for a millennium. Humanity has been reduced to a few scattered tribes in isolated parts of the world while the Psychlos strip the planet of its mineral wealth. Jonnie Goodboy Tyler, a young member of one such tribe, lives in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. Depressed over the death and disease affecting his tribe, he leaves his village to explore the lowlands and to disprove the superstitions long held by his people involving ancient gods and monsters. However, he is captured in the ruins of Denver by Terl, the Psychlo chief of security. The Psychlos, hairy 9-foot (2.7 m) high, 1000-pound sociopaths, originate from a planet with an atmosphere very different from that of earth. Their "breathe-gas" explodes on contact with even trace amounts of radioactive metals, such as uranium. For his greediness and incompetent planning, Terl had been assigned to Earth, and he eventually learns that his term has been extended with no word of relief. Fearful at the thought of spending several years on Earth, he decides to buy his way off the planet and return home a wealthy Psychlo. From the very beginning, the reader learns that Terl has discovered a lode of gold up in the Rocky Mountains that he wants to get his hands on "off the company books" but is surrounded by uranium deposits that make Psychlo mining impossible. Terl captures Jonnie by accident while searching for "man-animals" to train to mine where he himself cannot.
After a time, Terl captures Jonnie's girlfriend and her little sister and uses the threat of their deaths to ensure cooperation from Jonnie. Jonnie is afterwards free to move around the mining area. Shortly thereafter, Terl and Jonnie travel to Scotland and recruit 83 Scottish youth, old women, a doctor, and a historian to help with the mining. Jonnie, however, has different plans. Due to the fact that Terl does not understand English, Jonnie is able to convince the Scots to help him overthrow the Psychlo rule on Earth.
During the next several months, Jonnie and the Scots try to mine the gold as well as develop a means of defeating not only the Psychlos on Earth, but also nullify the threat of counterattack that could come from Psychlo (the Psychlos' home planet). During the semi-annual teleportation of personnel, goods, and coffins (all dead Psychlos are shipped home for burial) back to Psychlo, Jonnie and the Scots manage to pack several of the huge coffins with nuclear dirty bombs and "planet busters" in hopes of destroying the Psychlos' home planet. After the teleportation firing, the humans use the Psychlos' own war planes, tanks, and weapons against them and regain control of Earth.
This is, however, not the end of the story. Unsure as to whether the bombs sent even reached Psychlo and under the imminent threat of counterattack, Jonnie must now defend his newly-retaken planet against the predatory interests of several other interstellar races, including a race of intergalactic bankers seeking to repossess the Earth in lieu of unpaid debts, as well as a newly-emerging group of humans seeking to wrest control of Earth from him. In order to ensure the security and independence of humanity, he does something that no other race in 300,000 years has been able to do: uncover the secret of Psychlo mathematics and teleportation.
Stevia
Stevia is a genus of about 240 species of herbs and shrubs in the sunflower family (Asteraceae), native to subtropical and tropical South America and Central America. The species Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, commonly known as sweetleaf, sweet leaf, sugarleaf, or simply stevia, is widely grown for its sweet leaves. As a sugar substitute, stevia's taste has a slower onset and longer duration than that of sugar, although some of its extracts may have a bitter or licorice-like aftertaste at high concentrations.
With its extracts having up to 300 times the sweetness of sugar, stevia has garnered attention with the rise in demand for low-carbohydrate, low-sugar food alternatives. Medical research has also shown possible benefits of stevia in treating obesity and high blood pressure. Because stevia has a negligible effect on blood glucose, it is an attractive as a natural sweetener to people on carbohydrate-controlled diets. However, health and political controversies have limited stevia's availability in many countries; for example, the United States banned it in the early 1990s unless labeled as a supplement, but reversed this decision in 2008 with the announcement of Truvia brand sweetener. Stevia is widely used as a sweetener in Japan, and it is now available in Canada as a dietary supplement.
PureVia is PepsiCo's brand of stevia extract and PureVia Reb A is the brand of RebA ingredient marketed to the food and beverage industries by PureCircle . [1]
Rebiana is the trade name[2] for a zero-calorie sweetener containing mainly the steviol glycoside rebaudioside A (reb-A), which is extracted from stevia.[3] Truvia is the consumer brand for Rebiana marketed by Cargill and developed jointly with The Coca-Cola Company
The genus Stevia consists of 240[5] species of plants native to South America, Central America, and Mexico, with several species found as far north as Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.[6] Human use of the sweet species, primarily S. rebaudiana, originated in South America. The leaves of the stevia plant have 30–45 times the sweetness of sucrose (ordinary table sugar).[7]
The Swiss botanist Moisés Santiago Bertoni first described the plant and the sweet taste in detail.[8] But only limited research was conducted on the topic, until in 1931, two French chemists isolated the glycosides that give stevia its sweet taste.[9] These compounds were named stevioside and rebaudioside, and are 250–300 times sweeter than sucrose, heat stable, pH stable, and non-fermentable.[10]
The exact structure of the aglycone and the glycoside were published in 1955.
In the early 1970s, Japan began cultivating stevia as an alternative to artificial sweeteners such as cyclamate and saccharin, which are suspected carcinogens. The plant's leaves, the aqueous extract of the leaves, and purified steviosides are used as sweeteners. Since the Japanese firm Morita Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. produced the first commercial stevia sweetener in Japan in 1971,[11] the Japanese have been using stevia in food products, soft drinks (including Coca Cola),[12] and for table use. Japan currently consumes more stevia than any other country, with stevia accounting for 40% of the sweetener market.[13]
Today, stevia is cultivated and used in food elsewhere in east Asia, including in China (since 1984), Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Malaysia. It can also be found in Saint Kitts and Nevis, in parts of South America (Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Paraguay, and Uruguay) and in Israel. China is the world's largest exporter of stevioside.[13]
Stevia species are found in the wild in semi-arid habitats ranging from grassland to mountain terrain. Stevia does produce seeds, but only a small percentage of them germinate. Planting cloned stevia is a more effective method of reproduction.
[edit] Medicinal use
For centuries, the Guaraní tribes of Paraguay and Brazil used stevia, which they called ka'a he'ê ("sweet herb"), as a sweetener in yerba mate and medicinal teas for treating heartburn and other ailments.[14] More recent medical research has shown promise in treating obesity[15], high blood pressure, and hypertension.[16][17] Stevia has a negligible effect on blood glucose, even enhancing glucose tolerance;[18] therefore, it is attractive as a natural sweetener to diabetics and others on carbohydrate-controlled diets.[19]
Possible treatment of osteoporosis has been suggested by observations that eggshell breakage can be reduced by 75% by adding a small percentage of stevia leaf powder to chicken feed, and that pigs given 2% stevia leaf powder in their feed experienced a doubling of serum calcium.[20]
With its extracts having up to 300 times the sweetness of sugar, stevia has garnered attention with the rise in demand for low-carbohydrate, low-sugar food alternatives. Medical research has also shown possible benefits of stevia in treating obesity and high blood pressure. Because stevia has a negligible effect on blood glucose, it is an attractive as a natural sweetener to people on carbohydrate-controlled diets. However, health and political controversies have limited stevia's availability in many countries; for example, the United States banned it in the early 1990s unless labeled as a supplement, but reversed this decision in 2008 with the announcement of Truvia brand sweetener. Stevia is widely used as a sweetener in Japan, and it is now available in Canada as a dietary supplement.
PureVia is PepsiCo's brand of stevia extract and PureVia Reb A is the brand of RebA ingredient marketed to the food and beverage industries by PureCircle . [1]
Rebiana is the trade name[2] for a zero-calorie sweetener containing mainly the steviol glycoside rebaudioside A (reb-A), which is extracted from stevia.[3] Truvia is the consumer brand for Rebiana marketed by Cargill and developed jointly with The Coca-Cola Company
The genus Stevia consists of 240[5] species of plants native to South America, Central America, and Mexico, with several species found as far north as Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.[6] Human use of the sweet species, primarily S. rebaudiana, originated in South America. The leaves of the stevia plant have 30–45 times the sweetness of sucrose (ordinary table sugar).[7]
The Swiss botanist Moisés Santiago Bertoni first described the plant and the sweet taste in detail.[8] But only limited research was conducted on the topic, until in 1931, two French chemists isolated the glycosides that give stevia its sweet taste.[9] These compounds were named stevioside and rebaudioside, and are 250–300 times sweeter than sucrose, heat stable, pH stable, and non-fermentable.[10]
The exact structure of the aglycone and the glycoside were published in 1955.
In the early 1970s, Japan began cultivating stevia as an alternative to artificial sweeteners such as cyclamate and saccharin, which are suspected carcinogens. The plant's leaves, the aqueous extract of the leaves, and purified steviosides are used as sweeteners. Since the Japanese firm Morita Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. produced the first commercial stevia sweetener in Japan in 1971,[11] the Japanese have been using stevia in food products, soft drinks (including Coca Cola),[12] and for table use. Japan currently consumes more stevia than any other country, with stevia accounting for 40% of the sweetener market.[13]
Today, stevia is cultivated and used in food elsewhere in east Asia, including in China (since 1984), Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Malaysia. It can also be found in Saint Kitts and Nevis, in parts of South America (Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Paraguay, and Uruguay) and in Israel. China is the world's largest exporter of stevioside.[13]
Stevia species are found in the wild in semi-arid habitats ranging from grassland to mountain terrain. Stevia does produce seeds, but only a small percentage of them germinate. Planting cloned stevia is a more effective method of reproduction.
[edit] Medicinal use
For centuries, the Guaraní tribes of Paraguay and Brazil used stevia, which they called ka'a he'ê ("sweet herb"), as a sweetener in yerba mate and medicinal teas for treating heartburn and other ailments.[14] More recent medical research has shown promise in treating obesity[15], high blood pressure, and hypertension.[16][17] Stevia has a negligible effect on blood glucose, even enhancing glucose tolerance;[18] therefore, it is attractive as a natural sweetener to diabetics and others on carbohydrate-controlled diets.[19]
Possible treatment of osteoporosis has been suggested by observations that eggshell breakage can be reduced by 75% by adding a small percentage of stevia leaf powder to chicken feed, and that pigs given 2% stevia leaf powder in their feed experienced a doubling of serum calcium.[20]
Facebook Breastfeeding
Earlier this week we posted about Facebook’s ban on breast feeding. The debate has gained a lot of coverage in the media. So much that the CBS early morning show recorded the following segment on the topic. Included in the clip is a section where a group of women have joined together outside of Facebook’s Palo Alto offices, protesting about the breastfeeding policy. They have even put together a short jingle about the issue.
So which party has gone to far in this debate? According to Facebook, not all breastfeeding photos are banned, only those that have fully exposed breasts. Some of the women on the site continue to protest as they wish to have freedom of expression. Jeff Jarvis and the author of “Mama Knows Breast” were called into the early morning show to comment on the issue.
Facebook is standing firm on a policy that has led to the removal of some photos posted by women that show breastfeeding.
The deletions have spurred Facebook members to stage protests both online and offline. Dozens of supporters gathered last Saturday at Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, Calif., while online, more than 11,000 members participated in a virtual “nurse-in,” or changed their profile photos to images depicting women breastfeeding.
The controversy began after several women began noticing photographs of themselves nursing their children that were flagged for removal. They formed a group called “Hey Facebook, Breastfeeding is Not Obscene!” to protest a policy that prohibits members from uploading any content deemed to be “obscene, pornographic or sexually explicit,” which can include images showing exposed breasts.
Stephanie Knapp Muir, 40, one of the organizers of the Facebook group, said the company’s policy was unfair and discriminatory towards women. “If they were removing all photos of any exposed chest — male or female — in any context, at least that would be fair,” Ms. Muir said. “But they’re targeting women with these rules. They’ve deemed women’s breasts obscene and dangerous for children and it’s preposterous.”
Facebook has said that it has no problem with breastfeeding, but that photos showing nipples are deemed to be a violation and can be removed. It has said that the photos flagged for removal were brought to the company’s attention almost exclusively by user complaints.
As Facebook swells beyond 140 million members, regulating content on the site becomes more difficult. Barry Schnitt, a spokesman for the company, said that banning nudity was a clear and consistent line to draw.
“We think it’s a consistent policy,” said Mr. Schnitt. “Certainly we can agree that there is context where nudity is not obscene, but we are reviewing thousands of complaints a day. Whether it’s obscene, art or a natural act — we’d rather just leave it at nudity and draw the line there.”
The pro-breastfeeding group has attracted more than 116,000 members. Mr. Schnitt noted that other protests around Facebook policies, like when the company rolled out its News Feed feature, drew more support.
Ms. Muir estimated that hundreds of photos showing women breastfeeding their children had been removed from the site. “The vast majority of the removed images were in people’s private profiles — you’d have to look for them to find them,” she said. “You can opt not to do that – just as I choose to not check out the ‘Girls Gone Wild’ group. It’s not anyone’s responsibility but my own to make that decision.”
Ms. Muir said she understood how hard it is for Facebook to deal with millions of photos and other user contributions. “But they need to be more discerning as to what they’re classifying as obscene,” she said. “It’s highly offensive to mothers and babies to be lumped in as true obscenity.”
Mr. Schnitt said the company had no plans to change the policy.
So which party has gone to far in this debate? According to Facebook, not all breastfeeding photos are banned, only those that have fully exposed breasts. Some of the women on the site continue to protest as they wish to have freedom of expression. Jeff Jarvis and the author of “Mama Knows Breast” were called into the early morning show to comment on the issue.
Facebook is standing firm on a policy that has led to the removal of some photos posted by women that show breastfeeding.
The deletions have spurred Facebook members to stage protests both online and offline. Dozens of supporters gathered last Saturday at Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, Calif., while online, more than 11,000 members participated in a virtual “nurse-in,” or changed their profile photos to images depicting women breastfeeding.
The controversy began after several women began noticing photographs of themselves nursing their children that were flagged for removal. They formed a group called “Hey Facebook, Breastfeeding is Not Obscene!” to protest a policy that prohibits members from uploading any content deemed to be “obscene, pornographic or sexually explicit,” which can include images showing exposed breasts.
Stephanie Knapp Muir, 40, one of the organizers of the Facebook group, said the company’s policy was unfair and discriminatory towards women. “If they were removing all photos of any exposed chest — male or female — in any context, at least that would be fair,” Ms. Muir said. “But they’re targeting women with these rules. They’ve deemed women’s breasts obscene and dangerous for children and it’s preposterous.”
Facebook has said that it has no problem with breastfeeding, but that photos showing nipples are deemed to be a violation and can be removed. It has said that the photos flagged for removal were brought to the company’s attention almost exclusively by user complaints.
As Facebook swells beyond 140 million members, regulating content on the site becomes more difficult. Barry Schnitt, a spokesman for the company, said that banning nudity was a clear and consistent line to draw.
“We think it’s a consistent policy,” said Mr. Schnitt. “Certainly we can agree that there is context where nudity is not obscene, but we are reviewing thousands of complaints a day. Whether it’s obscene, art or a natural act — we’d rather just leave it at nudity and draw the line there.”
The pro-breastfeeding group has attracted more than 116,000 members. Mr. Schnitt noted that other protests around Facebook policies, like when the company rolled out its News Feed feature, drew more support.
Ms. Muir estimated that hundreds of photos showing women breastfeeding their children had been removed from the site. “The vast majority of the removed images were in people’s private profiles — you’d have to look for them to find them,” she said. “You can opt not to do that – just as I choose to not check out the ‘Girls Gone Wild’ group. It’s not anyone’s responsibility but my own to make that decision.”
Ms. Muir said she understood how hard it is for Facebook to deal with millions of photos and other user contributions. “But they need to be more discerning as to what they’re classifying as obscene,” she said. “It’s highly offensive to mothers and babies to be lumped in as true obscenity.”
Mr. Schnitt said the company had no plans to change the policy.
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